"Building Bridges With China Through Four...No, Five Generations"

Judy Manton of Teaneck, New Jersey, escaped the cold to make a presentation at the Sarasota Herald Tribune building today at 2 pm. About 50 intrigued attendees watched her PowerPoint presentation and learned of Dr.Tom Manton and her many eventful days in China. 

USCPFA Sarasota Chapter President Archie McKee introduced past presidents Dwayne Finger, Pat Amsell, and charter president George Arvey. The group led by Jeannie Beyer sang "Happy Birthday" in Chinese to George who turned 95 last month. 

Represented in the audience were members of the Sarasota chapter of USCPFA, Sarasota Sister Cities, USF Confucious Institute, GCAA, and Asian Women's Club. 

Due to the success of this event, plans for more joint activities and mutual support are being made for the future. 

Thank you to all who attended. 

Judy Manton

President Archie McKee and wife Grace are hosting Judy Manton. They had a cocktail hour on Friday evening for 21 friends--international travelers and interested in friendship with China. Twelve then went to a waterfront restaurant for dinner together. Wonderful evening with fascinating conversation. 

Come to Judy's presentation "Building Bridges with China through Four Generations" today, Sunday, January 18, 2 pm, at THE HERALD TRIBUNE Building. 

China Expert Judy Manton to Speak

You are invited!

“Building Bridges with China through Four Generations”

For 24 years, Judy Manton has been an adjunct professor of cross-cultural studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, and is a long time member of USCPFA.  Having traveled widely, she brings her many cultural encounters to her presentations.

In 1972, just before President Nixon’s historic visit to China, she and her late husband were invited by the Chinese government to “build bridges of friendship and communication.”  Since that time, over 28 subsequent visits, she has led tours and taught English teaching methods to village English teachers under the auspices of the Zigen Fund.

Judy will share some of her China experiences:

Sarasota Herald Tribune meeting room

January 18, 2 pm

Her presentation, “Building Bridges with China through Four Generations,” starts with her husband’s grandmother arriving in China in 1894 as a missionary.  It stretches through her 1972 visit, during the Cultural Revolution, in which Premier Zhou En-lai personally thanked her husband for his contribution helping China obtain a seat in the U.N.

Judy has made 28 additional trips to China, most recently this past fall.

Sponsored by the Sarasota Chapter of the US-China People’s Friendship Association.

For information contact:  Archie S. McKee, 813.453.1339, Sarasota Chapter President

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.