Canada YFT 15th National Convention to be held in August

The opening ceremony of the 15th National Convention, the celebration of Ancestor Chung-Sheung's 1008th birthday & The 6th Anniversary of the Yee Fung Toy Society of Edmonton will be held on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 3:30 pm at the Century Palace Restaurant #206, 9700-105 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.

A closing ceremony and banquet on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Noodle Noodle Restaurant 10008-106 Avenue.

RSVP
Yee Fung Toy Society of Edmonton
9643-101A Avenue Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada T5H 0C8
Tel: (780) 421-9230.

---

Yee Association of Sacramento Celebrates Dragon Boat Festival

On Sunday June 1, 2008, we paid homage to our ancestors, had a buffet lunch followed by a general meeting. Dinner was held at New Canton Restaurant in Sacramento. We had 17 tables and good food was had by all.

---

Vancouver Seniors' Day Trip

At 8:30 am on a partly cloudy Sunday morning on June 22, 47 of us gathered at the Yee Fung Toy Society building in Chinatown, awaiting for the Global Coach Line bus that would take us from East Georgia Street, through downtown Vancouver and head west through Stanley Park, across the scenic Lions Gate Bridge, heading towards the Capilano Watershed for our first stop.

YFT Society of Vancouver Vice-Chair James Yu volunteered to be our tour guide.

We learned that the Capilano River, flowing north to south through the Coast Mountains, is located on Vancouver's North Shore and empties into Burrard Inlet, opposite Stanley Park. The river is one of three primary sources of drinking water for residents of Greater Vancouver. The Cleveland Dam, built in 1954, impounds a reservoir for this purpose. This marvel of human engineering creates the reservoir that supplies most of Vancouver with its drinking water and regulates flow to prevent flooding.

A few of us walked three to four flights of steep wooden stairways, in order to get a better glimpse of the Cleveland Dam from its front, we were also snapping pictures along the way. After a 30 to 40 minutes of walk and hike in the watershed area, we headed back to our bus.

Our driver drove us to the Cypress Provincial Park for our next stop.

Cypress Provincial Park offers an excellent panoramic viewpoint of the city of Vancouver and good downhill and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing trails and hiking in the summer. We took a group picture there with the city of Vancouver in the background.

Finally we are on the Sea to Sky Highway, for a day-long scenic tour. The sky starts to clear up and the sun is shinning. We drove by Horseshoe Bay, Lions Bay, and Britannia Beach. We stopped at Shannon Falls to view the impressive falls and hear the roar of tons of glacial water tearing down the side of the steep mountain. We passed through the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and head north until we entered the town of Squamish for lunch.

The town of Squamish is the gateway to one of the best scenic outdoor playlands in the world. World famous for rock climbing, windsurfing, ski touring, fishing, golf, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, eagle watching. A plethora of things to do for the outdoor enthusiast.

After lunch, one of the seniors was not feeling well, so we called for an ambulance to check him out. The paramedics examined him and took him to the nearby Squamish Hospital for further observations.

We left Squamish and drove towards Brackendale. Hundreds of eagles choose this area along the Squamish River as their home every winter. Brackendale is "The World Eagle Capital" where a world record count, 3769, of wintering American Bald Eagles was recorded in 1994. We visited the Brackendale Art Gallery.

Fifteen kilometres north of Squamish, Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery was our next stop. Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery was built in 1981 to enhance primarily Chinook salmon stocks in the Squamish River watershed. Chinook stocks had declined since the 1960's, from an estimated 25-35 thousand fish to just one - two thousand in the early 1980's. The hatchery also enhances Coho salmon and steelhead trout.

Just before 3:30 pm, we boarded our tour bus and we were looking forward to visit our next destination of interest, Alice Lake. Our bus ran into some engine or transmission problem. The driver could not shift his gear into the drive position. So we all got stuck in the Hatchery for a few hours, abandoning further plans for two more stops. Our replacement bus finally arrived and picked us up around 7:30 pm.

While we were stranded at the Hatchery, we managed to call Ken's Chinese Restaurant a few times and advising them of our situation, that we will be late for our dinner reservation.

Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed their day trip. Thanks to the Seniors Committee (led by Mr. and Mrs. Shui Chi Yu) for organizing this event, and special thanks to James Yu for doing such a great job of guiding us on this day trip.

---

Congratulations to New York's Finest!

President Gong Sum and Grand Advisor John B.J. Yee. had the opportunity to attend the Promotion Ceremony at the NYPD Police Headquarter on Friday, June 27, 2008. Among the honored promotees was our cousin, Gin Yuen Yee.

Congratulations! Inspector Gin Yuen Yee!

Gin joined the NYPD in February 1981 and began his career on patrol in the 7th Precinct. He was promoted to Sergeant in February 1987; Lieutenant in January 1990; Captain in December 1995; and Deputy Inspector in November 2001.

He served in the 1st, 7th, 19th, 20th and 34th Precincts, the Manhattan South Task Force, the Emergency Service Unit as well as Emergency Service Squad 1.

Inspector Yee is currently the Commanding Officer in the 5th Precinct. The 5th Precinct is comprised of one of the largest Asian populations within New York City.

He has served as the Executive Officer of the 7th Precinct and the Emergency Service Unit.

Inspector Yee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Science from John Jay College.

Inspector Yee has been married to his wife, Miriam for 14 years.

---

Vancouver YFT 2008 Summer Picnic

This year the Vancouver YFT Society Annual Summer Picnic was held at the Trout Lake Park on July 6th (Sunday) at noon.

The Vancouver YFT members, their families, Yee Fung Toy Alumni, the YFT Seniors Group, relatives and the Mah cousins spent an enjoyable afternoon together. The turnout was excellent and the weather was just perfect this year.

We would like to thank Steven Yee and George Yee for organizing this annual event once more. A great job well done!

Vancouver YFT Chairman Jim Yee also announced that William Ma of the Mah Society of Vancouver welcomes the youths of the Vancouver YFT Society to join the Mah Athletic Association of Vancouver's martial arts and Lion dance classes, for those youths who are interested please contact Jim.

After a delicious lunch was served, everyone was eagerly awaiting for the drawing of the raffle tickets.

---

2008 Annual Summer Picnic - Rye Playland

This year, the New York Yee Fong Toy Association held its annual summer picnic on July 12, 2008 at Rye Playland in Rye, NY. Our Grand Elder Peter suggested this venue due to its closeness and lower fuel charges. We did not want to raise the cost or turn away any of the nearly 200 people interested in this event. Seeing the youth with their parents and our elders enjoying a day of fun was well worth the expense.

This year, among the anxious participants waiting for the four chartered buses to arrive were about 20 cousins from the Ma Association. With the cooperation of our group and the traffic, we arrived earlier for what turned out to be another great day of fun. The extra time gave us more opportunities for pictures, chat with one another, eat and get familiar with this large amusement park. When the entrance opened at noon, everyone was ready for a day of adventure.

Besides the amusement park rides, there were a beach, pool, boardwalk, mini golf, boating, lake cruises and nature trails, something for everyone. As President Gong and I walked around, we were glad to see that the enormous 280-acre park did not keep our group from exploring. We even enjoyed some time at the arcades where Gong's skills won some big prizes. Like previous years, we enjoyed the opportunity to interact with others. More so this year was the time we spent with our Ma cousins.

We also had the chance to visit the onsite Playland Museum. I did not realize that this is the only government owned-and-operated amusement park in the United States. It was built in 1928 and run by Westchester County. The Dragon Coaster is one of about 100 wooden roller coasters still operating in the U.S. It is also the home of a Grand Carousel dated 1915. The New York Ranger Hockey team also practiced at Playland's Ice Casino.

My wife and I have not been to Playland for about 20 years. We were pleasantly surprised by the vast improvements. We were entertained for free by performers on its main stage in the center of the park. The picturesque backdrops and Long Island Sound added to many people's desire to revisit this park. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves and see you all next year.

To view more or larger pictures, please click here.

---

Sacramento Annual Picnic at William Land Park

The Sacramento YFT Annual Picnic at William Land Park on Sunday, July 13, 2008 was a great success with a buffet lunch and fun in the sun! Temperature reached over 100 degrees F.

Over 170 people came to enjoy the food, and prizes. Among those, 50 of them were children who enjoyed games and goodies. Also, there was a raffle drawing for prizes.

Everyone enjoyed the day's outing.

---

Promotion celebration for Inspector Gin Yuen Yee

On July 19, 2008 the New York Yee Fong Toy Association (YFT) along with Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) and Fifth Precinct Auxiliary Police Unit hosted a celebration for Inspector Gin Yuen Yee at Golden Bridge Restaurant. Gin Yee was promoted to Inspector during the NYPD Promotion Ceremony held at Police Headquarter on Friday, June 27, 2008. Inspector Yee is currently the Commanding Officer of the Fifth Precinct. Under his leadership, Chinatown has seen many changes since February 15, 2007. Growing up in Chinatown, Gin has a unique understanding of the communities' needs. He is also not afraid of doing what is right. Gin's genuine concern with quality of life issues, safety of the residents of his community and his officers as well as the crime stats, makes him well appreciated by all. It is no wonder that over 200 community leaders, friends and families came out to celebrate his promotion.

The evening was filled with well wishes and praises for our cousin Gin. Among some of the speakers were Director-General of TECO Ambassador Kenneth Liao, Grand Elder Peter Yee, CCBA President Justin Yu and Deputy Chief Shuck Seid of the Auxiliary Police Unit. During one of the speeches, it was remarked that one reason why Gin was promoted so fast was to give the Chinese media a chance to correct his Chinese name (§E®¶·½). Some of the many guests attending this evening included George Hu from Governor Paterson's office and Lolita Jackson from Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office. To show the communities appreciations, YFT Presidents Gong Sum and Kenneth, Soo Yuen Association Presidents, Ma Association Presidents, CCBA President Justin Yu with Lin Sing President James Wong, Hoy Sun Ning Yung President Alex Wong, and Deputy Chief Seid all presented the commemorative plaques to Gin.

Next was a moment everyone was waiting for. The audience broke into thunderous applause when Gin was asked to say a few words. I was impressed with Gin's confidence and the sincerity he had addressing the audience. Gin thanked the hosts, community leaders and guests for coming and showing their support for him. He thanked everyone, especially Commissioner Kelly for giving him the opportunity to make a difference in the community. In his remarks, he reminded that everyone should think about his/her safety when walking the streets of our city. He warned that people should not flash their jewelry and one should pay close attention when crossing the streets. He even singled out some attendees he recognized for a friendly exchange of advice. His popularity, after 18 months as a hands-on Fifth Precinct Commanding Officer in one of the largest Asian populated communities in the city, speaks for itself. There is no doubt the community and Fifth Precinct will benefit from Inspector Yee's new perspective level.

Earlier in the day, Gin honored our family association by coming to our hall to pay homage during ancestral services. Joining us were Auxiliary Police Chief Seid, cousins from Ma & Tse associations, Gin's mother and guests. We all enjoyed everyone's company and the buffet luncheon in Gin's honor. We are fortunate that Gin realizes the importance of Chinese traditions and giving us our family association the opportunity to promote the Yee name. We should all thank Gin for all his efforts.

To view more pictures, please click here.

---

New England Yee Fung Toy Association Lake Compounce Outing Day

July is the hottest month of the year, and on the 19th with a 93 degree temperature, we held this year's summer outing. Our members and family gathered in Chinatown at 9 AM to board two buses for our ride to Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, Connecticut.

Upon arrival at the park, the buses were asked to drop off the passengers in the lot area some distance from the entrance. Everyone disembarked from the buses and we walked together as a group into the park for a joyful day of activities.

This is my second trip to this park and still find the facilities and activities very interesting and full of fun. there appears to be a larger crowd at the park than last year. Maybe the higher fuel cost made people to find enjoyment closer to home rather than traveling further out for their family entertainment. thus, many of our pictures captured the crowds of people in the background.

The younger members and their family welcome all the available choices of rides and games throughout the park. Especially popular was the water park. It kept everyone cool on a very hot day. However, most of the officers of the association, who are over 50 years old, just sit back and relax at the cafeteria.

Along with V-P Jack and his wife, I took my first ride ever on the cable car up the mountain, Some where nervous and holding the bars tightly, I managed to survived to the mountain top where a glass house stood for the maintenance crew. Then it's the down trip for this nervous person. The view from the cable car was fabulous. The lake below, surrounded by the trees and mountains, with the bright blue sky and clouds was indeed breath taking. As we re-enter the station and got off the car, it certainly was a relief to be back on the ground again.

Walking from the station we walked to board a little train ride around the bank of the lake. The young lady, one of many summer working students, operating the train was very friendly and entertaining as we leisurely ride around the lake.

Route 66 auditorium offered a musical and dance show for everyone's enjoyment, The show was similar to last year's offering with some new cast members and acts changed/added. Best of all, the air conditioned was welcomed.

At 5:30 PM, we started walking out towards to parking lot to board our buses for our return trip to Chinatown. Everyone enjoyed another great day at the park. Enroute home it started to rain. We were all thankful and relief that the rain held up until we have departed and didn't ruin our day.

---

Seattle Yee Fung Toy Association 54th Annual Picnic

July 27th was the day of the Seattle Yee Fung Toy Association's 2008 Annual Picnic at Woodland Park, Seattle.

 

Western Grand President, Joseph Yu and his wife, two guests from Portland, 2 guests from Cincinnati, two guests from Hawaii, and four members from the Yee Fung Toy Society of Vancouver came to join the picnic.

 

A total of 29 scholarships were awarded at the picnic this year. It was very encouraging to see so many young Yees show interest in applying for these scholarships. They are the future of our association. We had a prize draw after the scholarship awards.

 

The day ended with about 30 members and guests attended an appreciation dinner at the Renton Seafood Restaurant in Renton.

   

---

San Francisco YFT HQ Calendar Events

July 20th - The Yee Family picnic in San Francisco had over 400 people attending our annual event at the Golden Gate Park in the County Fair building that right next to the beautiful botanical garden, de Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden and many more interesting sites. We had traditional Chinese opera singing with traditional Chinese instruments along the karaoke singing. While everyone was enjoying their lunch, everyone was eyeing the main event-raffle for the 100 prizes. Excitement ran wild as each raffle number was called out. The grand prizes were the first and last raffle that won $500 each. WOW! President Gene Yee thanked all of the board of directors and officers for their support in making our annual picnic a success.

August 3rd - Scholarship award ceremony:
President Gene Yee Message: Thank you MC Zi Gong, Our Elders-Damon Yee, Jack Yue Yee, Western Grand President Joseph Yu, Our Advisors, Vice President Zhen Zhao Yu, Board of Directors, honored guests, family friends and member of the press:

Welcome to our annual scholarship award ceremony. I would like to convey my congratulations to all the students of this year scholarship awards. In addition, my compliments to all the parents whose encouragement and support of their child help make their achievement possible. Let¡¦s take a moment to congratulate these fine young men and women for their hard work in school.

As each generation continues to do better than the generation before them so that life for the next generation would be more successful. The Yee Family Association always believes that hard work and dedication to your studies would always provide better opportunities and benefits in life. This scholarship is one such benefit.

I hope this award will open your eyes to the many possibilities that life could offer you as you continue with your studies in school. We are very proud of your academic achievements and I hope today will help pave the way to a brighter future. May you continue to excel in your studies and prosper.

I'd like to thank you all for attending today's award ceremony and supporting all these fine students.

Thank you!

2008 Yee Fung Toy Family Association scholarship recipients:

1.	Jenifer Michelle Lai-King Yee	UCLA
2.	Amy Yee	UC Berkeley
3.	Wilis Yee	USF
4.	Stephanie K. Yee	UC Davis
5.	Fanny Yu	UC Davis
6.	Amy Yu	UC Davis
7.	Lorna Yee	UC San Diego
8.	David Yee	UC Berkeley
9.	Larry Yee	Cal Poly Tech State University
10.	Wen Wei Yu	UC Davis

Top SAT score went to Jenifer Michelle Lai-King Yee - 2080

September 7th - Autumn Moon Festival Dinner at Y' Ben Restaurant at 5pm. For more information, please call the office at (415) 982-1667 from 12pm to 4pm, Mon-Fri.

---

Houston Yee Summer Fun

Sunday, August 3rd was sandwiched between 24 consecutive days of daily high temperatures of 95+˚ F in July and Hurricane Edouard making landfall on August 5th. Roger Yu, the organizer, had the vision of picking this date months in advance. Wow!

Again, we selected Incredible Pizza in Sugar Land simply we didn¡¦t have to worry about high temperatures, high humidity, rain, mosquitoes, flies and all sorts of outdoor elements that might hamper our fun. Incredible Pizza buffet provides 30 different varieties of freshly baked pizzas, pastas, soup, potato bar, salad, desserts and sodas on an eat-when-you-feel-like-it basis. Upon admission, members and friends were issued game cards to play: mini golf, bowling, go-cart races, bumper cars, video and fairground type of games. Furthermore, one can redeem prizes from the gift shop based on one¡¦s performance. For the little ones, they can climb and play in the pintsized fun house. A clown is always on-hand to make animal balloons and face painting.

Fifty-odd members and friends showed up. They were generally divided into three groups: oldies (grandparents), able-body members and youngsters (grade-school age and even toddlers). Hardly any teenagers attended. It would seem that they didn¡¦t want to be treated like kids, of which we will take into consideration for next year¡¦s planning. Grandparents apparently supplanted the regular members by bringing their grandchildren out for fun, to give their parents a chance to stay home for peace and quiet.

We plan to have one more fling later this year¡XRockets vs Boston Celtics on November 4th. It will be Yao Ming-Tracy McGrady-Ron Artest vs Kevin Garnett-Ray Allen-Paul Pearce. Traditionally, our Houston Yee Association will subsidize part of the expensive tickets. We look forward to seeing more teenagers showing up.

---

The Annual Phoenix YFT Family Association Picnic

A beautiful fall afternoon was the setting for the annual Phoenix Yee Fung Toy Family Association picnic at Encanto Park.

Over 200 family members and friends attended. All generations enjoyed the delicious food and had a chance to catch up on the current events.

The grand finale was an exciting raffle prize drawing. Everyone was a winner at this year¡¦s event.

Photo by Stephanie (Ling) Deng

---

What is in the Next Issue?

Now that summer is over, it is Back to School for most students. The next issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice will be published in mid December, featuring reports of scholarship awards and celebrations of the Moon (mid Autumn) festivals at Yee Fung Toy associations around the world. Please submit your articles to the Editor via email (editor @ yeefungtoy.org) or postal mail (The Editor, 226 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6A 1Z7) by November 15.

---