September meeting summary:

We had a great meeting Sunday, but missed a number of members.  Three guests attended: Tom and Lin Griffiths and Tom’s daughter Jennifer.  

Get well cards were signed to be sent to George and Lucienne Arvay and Alfonz Lengyel.

After a very brief business meeting, Carolyn Bloomer gave a summary of the Washington DC China Seminar.  She covered numerous interesting speakers and activities including a PowerPoint presentation.  Archie then gave a summary of the activities of the national board.

With the program out of the way, a discussion of how to increase local membership and interesting activities was held.  The tentative schedule for this year’s meeting programs was given.

Next meeting will be in conjunction with the China Town Hall scheduled at the State College of Florida at Lakewood Ranch on October 16.  Looking forward to seeing everyone then.

September 2014

So much to talk about.  But for starters, how about our September meeting?  Sunday, September 21, 3 PM at Ringling College, Dr. Bloomer's classroom.  Directions will follow about a week prior to the event.

The September program will center about all that was learned and covered at the Washington, D.C. Seminar that four of us attended earlier this year.  The purpose of the Washington Seminar is to put USCPFA members in contact with experts and policy makers in the US-China relationship.  We listened and talked to some great people with tremendous insight and knowledge.  Archie will also talk of activities and business conducted at the National Board meeting.

In October, we are to have our monthly event at the China Town Hall Meeting instead of a monthly chapter meeting.  That event you have gotten an email on already, and another will be sent in early October.  It will be held at the State College of Florida facility at Lakewood Ranch on Thursday, October 16, in the evening.  Save that date!  That event kicks off at 5 PM and the main speaker is former President Jimmy Carter via webcast.   

Also in October, there is to be a very large Dragon Boat celebration at Benderson Park with 102 dragon boats and as many as 3,000 participants.  The event's focus is on breast cancer, and participants are breast cancer survivors.  USCPFA has been invited to share a tent with the GCAA  and to serve as ambassadors.  It is to be a huge event and we are excited to participate.  More to follow this week.

That only covers September and October.  But the rest of the year has great programs and events starting to line up.  Speakers and presentations that are sure to entertain, educate, and stimulate.

More to come.  Hope to see everyone soon.  And remember, bring a friend.

And remember to go to the Sarasota blog to get updates, pictures, and event information:  http://uschinasarasota.blogspot.com/

Please email me with your RSVP. archie.mckee@hotmail.com.

May Chapter Meeting

The Sarasota Chapter of USCPFA met on Sunday, May 25, 2014, at 3 pm in the home of Duane Finger and Jill Dye.

Members present:

Lolly Baerveldt

Carolyn Bloomer

Pam Capone

Jill Dye

Duane Finger

Colette Penn

Carol All Williamson

Guest:

Elizabeth Phillipson (friend of Jill)

Meeting began at 3:15 pm with Lolly Baerveldt conducting a brief business meeting.  The following items were discussed:

1)  Dues need to be paid at this point.   The next meeting will be in Sept. or October, to be advised as a result of the planning session.  Also a more structured business meeting was discussed for the future.  

2)  A planning session for 2014-2015 will be held this summer, to be attended by Archie, Lolly, Carolyn, and Pam in particular to discuss the events and programs of the Washington DC conference they recently attended.  All members will be advised of the planning session and are welcome.  A date and place is being determined.

3)  Lolly, Carolyn and Pam each made brief comments about their experience at the conference.  All were very impressed with the speakers and programs presented and are hoping to bring some of those programs to our Sarasota chapter this fall/winter.

4)  The movie, HOLLYWOOD CHINESE, a documentary about how Hollywood portrayed the Chinese from the silent film era to the 21st century, was shown.

Meeting adjourned at 5:40.

Submitted by Lolly Baerveldt 

Arcadia Rodeo, March 9

The Arcadia Rodeo is the ultimate American experience. We are hosting visiting Chinese scholars today. 

The Dyes are hosting Shizhong Zhang, a Fullbright scholar teaching at Sarasota New College.

The McKees are hosting Dr. Fan (Jeremy) Zhang and his adorable wife XiaoXiao.  Dr. Zhang is the Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt Curator of Asian Art at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

Enjoy some of the excitement with us:

Below our seats:

Bulls below us, too. 

Chutes right in front of us. 

Program:

March Chapter Meeting

Since there was no available meeting place, there be no monthly chapter meeting in March. 

However, the Dyes and the McKees are taking visiting Chinese scholars to the ultimate American experience--the Arcadia Rodeo. 

Post with photos to follow.