In this Issue:
New Officers Announcements and Inaugurations
Reports from Yee Fung Toy Chapters
Happy New Year of the Dog! May it bring you and your family peace,
happiness, and prosperity!
Welcome to the sixth issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village
Voice, an electronic newsletter for the World Yee community. In this
issue we are featuring stories and images of yearly renewal from
associations of the Yee Fung Toy around the world,
including celebrations of the New Year and installations of new
Associaiton Officers.
We
gratefully acknowledge all the contributors to the current issue,
including:
- Ah Wei Kane and Kenneth Yu of Philippines
- Andy Yu and Frank Yee of New York
- Eugenia
Khouw of Ontario, Canada
- Frank Yu of Houston
- Fred Yee of Seattle
- Larry
Yee of San Francisco
- Martin
Yee and Wing Yee of
Vancouver
- Melinda Yee
of Sacramento
- Peter Yee and Winston Yee of New England
- Thomas Lo of Hong Kong
The YFT Hall in Vancouver was filled to capacity with over 100
members
and their family and friends at noon on December 11. Chairman Jim Yee
of Vancouver and Chairman Kan Yu of Canada preceded the Christmas lunch
with welcoming remarks.
Jim also reported on activities in the Vancouver chapter since
the Mid-autumn Festival celebration. As the current Board will end its
2-year term at year-end, 17 candidates ran for election for the 11
Director positions. Members returned 172 ballots out of the 240 we sent
out. This unexpectedly high return indicated great involvement and
interest of our members in their chapter. Jim thanked members for their
support. New officers and Committee members were elected last Sunday on
December 4. The new Board will be inaugurated on January 8, 2006. Jim
expressed excitement about the new slate on the Board and Committee.
They make up a group of both highly experienced members as well as 3 or
4 new ones. This mix of both old hands and new blood could lead to a
very productive 2006-2007 term of office. Jim especially wanted to
thank two Directors, Mr. Kan Yu and Mr. Gary Yee, who withdrew after
being elected, in order to make room for worthy new candidates who
would not otherwise be able to make the cut.
Jim then introduced the new slate, starting with the Advisors.
The “old” Advisors Dick Yee and Wayne Yee are joined by a brand new one
just “promoted” last Sunday by the Board, Mr. Kan Yu who is currently
Chairman of the YFT of Canada. He had served as the Chairman of the YFT
of Vancouver for 4 consecutive terms starting in the mid 1980’s, and
active in the Vancouver chapter since his arrival in Canada in the
1970’s. We know he will continue to provide the Board with wise counsel
as an Advisor. For a full list of the
new Board and Committee members, visit the Vancouver
Officers
web page.
Jim invited members to participate in the following upcoming
activities:
- Youth year-end party
- Chinatown New Year’s parade at noon January 29
- Spring Banquet February 26
- Ching Ming in April
- AGM in April
- World Yee Family Convention August 12
- Cruise to Mexico August 20
Jim thanked Steven Yee and his Committee for arranging the
buffet lunch. We then helped ourselves to dishes of hot delicious food.
As we stopped eating, the Women’s Committee entertained us by singing
the YFT Song as well as a selection of Christmas carols.
Jim Yee
For many years, the office of the Seattle Yee Fung Toy Family
Association was located at the East Kong Yick Building in Seattle
Chinatown on South King Street. The East Kong Yick Building was
purchased a couple of years ago by the Asian Wing Luke Museum for the
purpose of restoring into a new, expanded facility for the nationally
known museum. As a result, a number of family associations, including
the Yees, which co-located at the East Kong Yick Building, have to make
plans to relocate their offices. The Museum has been working with the
affected family associations to plan for the option to house their
offices within the new museum space. The process of negotiations on the
terms and conditions of this option has begun and several meetings have
been held to discuss all the issues involved. We have expressed
interest in this option of locating our office at the new museum space
if the terms and conditions would meet the requirements and needs of
our association. The negotiation process will take months and the new
museum space will not be ready for a couple of years. Meanwhile, in
addition to the museum option, the association is also considering
other options for the long-term location of our office. In the interim,
the association office together with the ancestral altar has been
temporarily moved to the home of an association member. The association
expresses great gratitude for such generosity and support. We will keep
you all updated on the relocation process and we are hopeful that a
very satisfying resolution will present itself as the relocation
process progresses.
Fred Yee
Every year Vancouver Yee Fung Toy representatives visit
the Villa Cathy Care Home to meet residents whose family name is Yee.
This
year YFT Welfare Director Steven Yee and Villa Cathy Activity
Supervisor Johnson Lo arranged a visiting hour for us on Sunday,
January 15 at
2:45 pm.
Villa
Cathay, located at 970 Union Street in Vancouver, opened
in March of 1978. Being close to Chinatown, it caters to Chinese
seniors and many Yee Family members have resided there.
Vancouver YFT members (pictured standing from the left) Lun
Zhan, Kin Man, Steven, Jim, Kan, Mrs. Ji Lup Yee, Mrs. Kin Man
Yee, Mr. and Mrs. George Yee, and Martin were
greeted by the 8 senior Yee residents gathered at the Activity Room
next to the Dining Hall. We gave them presents and
wished them all the best of health, longevity and happiness in the New
Year.
They were glad to see us and expressed their appreciation.
Despite their years and very likely lives of physical hardship, most of
them still carry the positive attitude
typical of their generation. Their
smiles made an unforgettable impression on us as they returned to their
rooms.
Martin Yee
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
It’s that time of year again! A season of joy and hope, a
celebration of tradition and diversity. A parade for the Lunar New Year
of the Dog
was held in Vancouver Chinatown on Sunday, January 29, 2006. On
the Chinese calendar, this day marked the beginning of Year 4704 -- and
the dog is one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The Lunar New Year
is also known as the ‘Spring Festival’. It celebrates the new season
and new beginnings.
Thousands of people crowded the sidewalks and filled up
storefronts to
watch as a colorful, noisy Chinese New Year parade took over
Chinatown's streets on Sunday. The streets were full of smiles amid the
exploding sounds of firecrackers, in a sea of golds and reds, lion
dancers and traditional Chinese dancers make their way from the
Millennium Gate, through West Pender Street, East Pender Street, Gore
Avenue, and Keefer streets.
The dragon, unicorn and lion dance teams, accompanied by
marching
bands, paraded through Chinatown. Various community organizations and
culture groups participated in this year’s event. Our Vancouver Yee
Fung Toy Lion Dance Team and members of the Yee Fung Toy Society
participated in this year’s celebration; the luck of the draw put us in
39th position out of 48 groups who participated this year.
As usual, the parents of our Lion Dancing Team brought their
children
to our Society Hall hours before the parade, preparing for this year’s
big event. Uncle Lun Zhan brought fresh pastries for everyone to start
the day. Sifu Fan made a special trip from Hong Kong to guide our Lion
Dance Team. We thank him for his caring, dedication and commitment to
the success of our Lion Dance Team. Our Lion Dance Team danced in sync
to the sound of cymbals and drums.
"The dog means good luck, good fortune."
While the lucky dogs who traveled to Vancouver's Chinatown for
the Chinese New Year's Day parade had the good fortune of dry weather,
it was a dog's breakfast of rain and wind after the parade as the
weather gods stopped smiling.
After the parade, our Lion Dance Team danced in front of the
Chinatown stores in Georgia Street to bring them good fortune, despite
the
pouring rain. Then we all had a delicious lunch at the Society Hall.
Best Wishes to all for a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous Chinese New
Year!
Martin Yee
For the first time in many years, the Seattle Chapter of the
Yee Fung
Toy Association held a spring dinner to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The 2006 dinner was held on February 9 at the Jumbo Chinese Seafood
Restaurant in Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhood. Uncle Hing Yu,
President of the Chapter initiated the dinner idea which was
enthusiastically supported by the chapter members. Over 70 chapter
members attended the dinner including members of the local Ma Family
Association.
The dinner was excellently prepared by Chef Jack Yee with menu
items including shark fin soup, deep fried double crabs, sweet and sour
whole fish, roasted squaws, Mandarin style fried chicken and other
delicious dishes. During the dinner, chapter Advisor Fred Yee
introduced the World Yee Fung Toy Website project and encouraged
members to submit articles and comments to be posted to the Seattle
Chapter website. Ms Veronica Ho volunteered to be the photographer of
the evening and recorded many precious moments during the dinner,
organized in this photo album.
We all are very excited and look forward to the celebration
dinner for 2007. No doubt, with the momentum created with this year’s
dinner, next year’s celebration will be even better.
Fred Yee
San
Francisco YFT Family Association U.S. HQ 2006 Officers
The election for officers was
held on Sunday, December 11, 2005 at the family association 4th floor.
The newly elected board of directors for 2006 are as follows:
President:
Phillip W. Yee
Vice President: Wesley Yee
Chinese
Secretary: Zi Gang Yu
Vice Chinese Secretary:
Jia Sheng Yu
English
Secretary: Gene Yee
Vice English Secretary:
Kim Yee
Treasurers: Shi Ru Yu and
Hung Chun
Yu
Auditors: Eddie Yee and
Chung Yen Yee
Welfare Committee Chair:
Yuhuan Yu
Public
Relations Representatives: Robert Yee and Zhen Zhao Yu Office Manager: Liqun Yu
We would
like to thank Zhen Zhao Yu as the outgoing Office Manager for the past
4 years+ of dedication and commitment at Headquarters and to the
Chapters throughout the world!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Seattle YFT 2006
Officers
President: Hing Yu
Vice President: Shek
Jing Yee
Chinese Secretaries:
Kit Fung Yue, Fred Yee
English Secretaries:
Chun Pan Yee, Raymond Wah
Treasurers: Suey Yee,
Kwok Keung Yee
Auditors: Ru Zhang,
Wai Man, Bing Jun
Senior Advisor West Coast:
James Yee
Advisors: Jim Yee,
Fred Yee, Suey Yee
Honorary Advisor: Hing
Yu
New England YFT
2006 Officers
Eastern Grand President:
Peter, Kwok H.
Western Grand Presidents:
Art, Gene
K.
Grand Elders: Henry, Gim
Dak
Advisors: Kenneth MP,
Ngoon Hung,
Sik Ying, Hoy, Raymond, Winston, Kwok Chi.
Presidents: Peter C., Yim
Chinese Secretaries: Chu
Choi, King Sun
English Secretaries:
Tony, Ken
Treasurers: Kwok Chi,
Melinda
Auditor: Ho Lee
Bookkeeper: Mrs. Winston
Yee
Recreation Director: Yuen
Bing
Property Manager: Mrs.
Kwok Chi Yee
Public Relations:
Winston, Kenneth MP
Office Manager: Chu Choi
Legal Advisors: Kenneth
MP, Paul
Delegate to CCBA: Jack,
Rosemary
Women's Group Chair:
Mrs. Peter C. Yee, Linda
Women's Group Secretary:
Sara
New York YFT
2006 Officers
December
11th, 2005 (Sunday - 1pm); welcoming our new
2006
officers. We had a ceremony for the installation of the new officers
and a short luncheon. Best wishes to all as we end another term. More
pictures on our
Inaugural
Day for 2006 Officers page.
National Grand President
Eastern US: President:
Peter Yee (New York)
Vice President: Kwok H. Yee (Detroit)
Grand Elder: Wai Hing
Yu
Grand Advisor: John B.
Yee
Advisors: Hem Fook
Yee, Ming Lai Yee, Andy Yu, Shu Chan Yu
President: Kenneth Yee
Vice President: Gong
Sum Yee
Chinese Secretaries:
Dian Rong Yu, Foo Quock Yee
English Secretaries:
May Yee, Frank Yee
Treasurers: Shu Chan
Yu, Man To Yu
Auditors: Kin Kong
Yee, Shek Lun Yu
Building Managers:
Kwong Y. Yee, Winton Yee
Houston YFT
2006 Officers
Chairman: Frank Yu, Alan
Yu
Secretary(Chinese):
Pauline Yee, Art Yee
Secretary (English):
Frank Yu, Alan Yu
Treasurer: Winnie Yu,
Lily
Yu
Auditor: Paul Yee, Vicki
Ong
Youth: Roger Yu, William
Yu
Scholarships: Vicki
Ong, David Chung
Website: Stephen
Yu, Sue Ann Chu Yu
Women Group: Sue Ann Chu
Yu, Siu Yee, Bik Ngon Yee
CCC Delegates: Lewis
Yee, Alan Yu, Frank Yu, Lily Yu
Sacramento YFT
2006 Officers
January 8, 2006: Inauguration Ceremony for 2006 Elected Officers
was held at the Association Hall. We paid homage to ancestors with a
Dim Sum lunch and had a General Meeting afterwards. That evening, we
also had a dinner banquet for the retiring and newly elected officers.
President: Donald Fong
Vice President & English
Secretary:
Art Yee
Grand Elder, Head Association:
Herbert K. Yee
VP Grand President Western
Section: Gene K. Yee
Grand Advisor: Hsui Young
Yee
Advisor: Kwok Ping Yu
Advisor: John K. Yee
Advisor: Sherman Yee
Treasurer: Shui Sum Yu
Assistant Treasurer:
Robert Yee
Chinese Secretary: Run
Hong Yu
Auditor: Hoi Sun
New York Spring Banquet
The New York Yee Fong Toy Association welcomed 2006, year of
the Dog, during its Lunar New Year/Spring Festival celebrations on
February 25. One characteristic of a Dog year is the birth of
leadership. For our association, the year began with the birth of new
leadership under President Kenneth and Vice President Gong Sum.
Although the year brings new beginnings, traditions are just as
important. As traditions have it, our cousins from Boston along with
our cousins from Ma and Tse associations join us for ceremonies
honoring our ancestors. This year the Boston group arrived early giving
everyone some time to settle in and talk. We even had Lai Sun Yee and
her parents coming to New York to attend. Grand Eastern President Peter
Yee, President Kenneth and VP Gong Sum led the ritual with YFT
advisors, Board members, members and guests participating. After the
congratulatory speeches, we had a buffet luncheon. We all had an
enjoyable time talking about the upcoming convention and reminiscing
about the past.
This year the evening gala had over 900 attendees. Kennie did
a great job as emcee for the night. Our President Kenneth kicked off
the celebrations by welcoming everyone and giving us an update to the
World Yee and U.S. National Convention in August. Our Grand Eastern
President Peter Yee, President of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent
Association Yuk K. Chan, Advisor Shu Chan, Advisor Andy and our VP Gong
Sum delivered the congratulatory speeches. With honorable mentions, few
special events made this evening more memorable. Ms. Sandra Ong, a
representative for New York State Assemblyman Jimmy K. Meng, honored us
by presenting our association with a Citation for excellence. Mr. Dixon
Yuan, a representative for New York City Councilman John C. Liu,
presented us with a Proclamation in recognition of our association’s
achievements. Director Ha Lup Yuen from the Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office in New York also presented us with a proclamation for
friendship and good wishes.
Our special guest Lai Sun was gracious enough to travel from
Albany to speak at our banquet. Lai Sun, who recently inducted as
president of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, spoke
about the organization and their vision. Their present project is to
organize a group of attorneys to do health care proxies for senior
citizens on a pro bono basis. Lai Sun’s professionalism with compassion
makes her unique as President of AABANY and as the General Counsel for
the NYSEMO.
John W. Yee spoke briefly on the Youth League recruitment
drive. He outlined plans for this year’s proposed events. Andy spoke in
Chinese about the mission of the Youth League. With the message in both
languages, the hope is that more people will join the league.
The DJ did a great job with the music entertainment. This year
the Karaoke singers topped all previous years. Our American Legion
guests surprised us by volunteering to sing “God Bless America”. What a
voice the group had! Finally, you just had to be there when Adjutant
Fang A. Wong sang one of his favorite tunes (襌院鐘聲). It lighted up the
entire evening. Thank you all for making this year joyous event and
hope to see everyone next year.
For more pictures, click here.
Frank Yee
The next issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice will
be published in mid June, featuring reports of Ching Ming and Spring
celebrations 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 May
15.
