In this Issue:

Message from the Editor

Reports from Yee Fung Toy Chapters

• Sacramento YFT Annual Moon Festival celebration and scholarship awards
• NY YFT 2007 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
• Vancouver YFT celebrates Chongyang Festival
• YFT Guests of "Lingnan Reflection - A Century of Change" Opening Ceremony
• A Yee Day in The Sun
• Vancouver YFT Welcomes New Police Chief Constable Jim Chu
• We Came, We Saw, We Conquered
• Staff Sgt. Uncle Lewis Yee
• The Art of Traditional Chinese Painting

What is in the Next Issue?

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Message from the Editor

Welcome to the 13th 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 autumn activities from associations of the Yee Fung Toy around the world, including celebrations of the Mid-autumn Festival, Scholarship awards and education in general.

We gratefully acknowledge all the contributors to the current issue, including:

• Frank Yee of New York
• Frank Yu of Houston
• Rudy Yee and David M. Yee of Phoenix
• Martin Yee and Wing Yee of Vancouver
• Melinda Yee, Sherman Yee and Henry Yee of Sacramento

Happy New Year and the best of the season to all!

Jim Yee, Vancouver

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Sacramento YFT Annual Moon Festival celebration and scholarship awards

The Sacramento YFT annual Moon Festival celebration and scholarship awards were held at the Rice Bowl Restaurant on September 16, 2007.

Congratulations to all scholarship awards recipients!

There were 19 tables this year and everyone enjoyed a good lunch along with celebrating the achievement of the younger generation.

Earlier on this day, lunch and moon cakes were served at the Association after paying homage to ancestors.

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NY YFT 2007 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

The New York Yee Fong Toy Association held a luncheon at its hall to celebrate the annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival on September 16, 2007. Joining us for some moon cake and togetherness were some cousins from the Mah Association, 5th Precinct Commander Deputy Inspector Gin Yee along with his wife and mother. In addition, this year Grand Elder Wai Hing, members of the Women¡¦s League and some younger folks made the efforts to attend. Traditionally, this holiday falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Supposedly, the moon is the fullest, brightest and signaling the end of the summer harvest. The origin of the popular Moon Cake usually filled with lotus seed paste topped with a duck egg to symbolize the full moon varies. In addition, what varies are the many variety of this sweet pastry. You have your winter melon, red bean, soybean, white kidney bean etc and some healthy fills, true tasting.

In New York City, this festival has been gaining popularity as a public holiday. The 5th Annual Moon Festival and Children Lantern Parade in Chinatown included public and community leaders along with various live street entertainments, contests and moon cake tasting. Over 30,000 usually attend this all day celebration. I hope that this trend will extend to our association.

This year, we had many more members, staff and officers attended this celebration luncheon. President Kenneth welcomed everyone and marked this occasion with the participation of Women¡¦s League President Kennie. Kennie liven up the celebration by sharing with us some traditional Chinese mythology. She said historically America had the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. Nevertheless, as legends go the belief is that the first person on the moon was a woman, Chang O. Whether it is true or not, Kennie is a great storyteller. Young and old enjoyed this time together.

In the spirit of giving thanks for a good harvest, we also want to give thanks to Lina Fan for the efforts she made drawing a portrait of Deputy Inspector Gin during our scholarship award ceremony this past August. Finally, she had an opportunity to present Gin with her drawing. Lina was pleasantly surprised with all the appreciation and lucky red envelopes she received. Remember, participation and involvements are keys for our association. Hope to see more faces at our next gathering.

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Vancouver YFT celebrates Chongyang Festival

The 9th day of the 9th lunar month is the traditional Chongyang Festival, or Double Ninth Festival. It usually falls in October in the Gregorian calendar.

In an ancient and mysterious book I Ching, or The Book of Changes, A symbol system designed to identify order in what seem like chance events, it describes an ancient system of cosmology and philosophy that is at the heart of Chinese cultural beliefs. The number "6" was thought to be of Yin character, meaning feminine or negative, while number "9" was thought to be Yang, meaning masculine or positive. So the number nine in both month and day create the Double Ninth Festival, or Chongyang Festival.

"Chong" in Chinese means "double." Also, as double ninth was pronounced the same as the word to signify "forever", both are "Jiu Jiu," the Chinese ancestors considered it an auspicious day worth celebration. That's why ancient Chinese began to celebrate this festival long time ago.

On this day, people will eat Double Ninth Gao (or Cake). In Chinese, gao (cake) has the same pronunciation with gao (height). People do so just to hope progress in everything they are engaged in. There is no fixed ways for the Double Ninth Cake, but super cakes will have as many as nine layers, looking like a tower.

This year the actual Double Ninth Festival date falls on October 19, 2007 (Friday).

Members of the YFT Society of Canada and Vancouver celebrates the Chongyang Festival at noon on Sunday, October 7 at the Mountainview Cemetery Chinese Pavilion.

Welfare Committee Director Mr. Steven Yee arranged the ceremony with his group of volunteers, in attendance were YFT Society of Canada Chairman Mr. Kan Yu, Vice Chairman Mr. Gary Yee, Advisor Mr. Dick Yee, YFT Society of Vancouver Advisor Mr. Waye Yee and his wife, Secretary Mr. Wing Yee, Treasurer Martin Yee, Director Mr. George Yee and four members of the YFT Society of Vancouver. Although the time of day was raining heavily, the whole ceremony went smoothly and swiftly.

After the ceremony is over, we all drove back to the YFT House for a hearty and delicious afternoon buffet lunch.

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YFT Guests of "Lingnan Reflection - A Century of Change" Opening Ceremony

Representatives from The YFT Society of Canada and The YFT Society of Vancouver were invited by the Vancouver-Guangzhou Friendship Society Chairman, Mr. Fred Mah, as guests of the recent "Photographic Exhibition of Guangzhou in Transition" opening ceremony at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver on October 20, 2007. In attendance were YFT Society of Canada Chairman Mr. Kan Yu, Secretary Wing Yee and YFT Society of Vancouver Treasurer, Martin Yee.

"Lingnan Reflection - A Century of Change", is the exhibition theme chronicling the changing face of Guangzhou throughout the 20th century, was displaying in the Dr. David Lam's Multi-purpose Hall at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver from October 20 to October 28. This special exhibition explores Guangzhou's dramatic transformation over the past nine decades, it also provide the older and the younger generations of the Canadian-Chinese whose families were emigrated from Guangdong, a retrospective but also prospective reflection of these transitions.

This photographic exhibition was organized by the BC-Guangdong Business Council, the Vancouver-Guangzhou Friendship Society, and Guangdong Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Guangdong Provincial Archives Bureau, co-organized by Chung Ai Photographic Society and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver.

139 historical photographs spanning the years from 1900 to 2006, from the Guangdong Provincial archives collection, in both black-and-white and color were displayed. Photographs selected for this exhibition are depicting the vicissitudes of the livelihood of people, landscapes, sports, transportation, industry and commerce, politics, culture, education, and large-scale capital construction projects of Guangdong Province.

Channel M Cantonese news anchor Ms. Karen So emceed the opening ceremony. Distinguished guests included The Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Vancouver Mr. Yang Qiang, BC-Guangdong Business Council Chairman Dr. Graham Johnson, the Vancouver-Guangzhou Friendship Society Chairman Mr. Fred Mah, Vice-chairman Mr. William Mah, Guangdong Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Assistant Director Ms. Wu Subing, Guangdong Provincial Archives Bureau Deputy Director Mr. Guangcan Zhang, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver Chairwoman Dr. Miriam Yu, Chung Ai Photographic Society Chairman Mr. Clifford Chow, British Columbia MLA Mr. Richard Lee and Vancouver City Councilor, Mr. George Chow.

Consul General Mr. Yang Qiang pointed out in his speech that this exhibit will give the overseas Chinese a better understanding of  almost a century of vicissitude in the Guangdong Province. As this exhibition is displaying a trend that China is not only a country that is continously progressing, but also a country that is continuously making huge changes and strides in the world community.

Mr. Yang Qiang hopes that both the Province of British Columbia and the Guangdong Province will be playing significant roles in the strengthening and consolidating of the friendship between their governments, in particular on education, economy and cultural exchanges.

After the opening ceremony, guests were invited to a group photo session, a tour of the exhibition gallery, and to a tasty treat of pastries and Chinese tea.

The representatives of the YFT Society would like to express their sincere thanks to the organizers and co-organizers for providing such an opportunity to our group to observe the real life of Chinese people through this exhibition. All the images displayed in the exhibition were brilliantly captured from all aspects, and provided us with a bird's-eye view of the beautiful city of Guangzhou and a panoramic view of China's rich culture and historical scenes.

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A Yee Day in The Sun

The Phoenix Yee Fung Toy members, their families and friends gathered for an enjoyable day at Encanto Park on Saturday, October 28th, for their annual picnic.

Everyone shared the day together taking in the Phoenix sunshine, visiting with each other and watching their children and grandchildren participate in the fun and games. Christmas came early for everyone as they all received toys, games and special food packages as door prizes provided by the Association.

Over 200 people attended the event and enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch of fried chicken, chow main, Chinese vegetables, hot dogs and drinks. Everyone had a wonderful time together and will be looking forward to next year¡¦s Yee Picnic in the Phoenix sun.

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Vancouver YFT Welcomes New Police Chief Constable Jim Chu

On Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at the Chinatown Floata Seafood Restaurant, The Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver and the Chinese Community hosted a banquet in honor of the New Police Chief Constable Jim S. Chu.

Several hundreds of guests from the various organizations, corporations, associations and societies including The YFT Society of Canada, represented by Wing Yee and the YFT Society of Vancouver, represented by Martin Yee, participated in this memorable event to welcome the new Vancouver Police Chief Constable.

Chief Constable Jim Chu took command as the 30th Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police department in August 2007.

He grew up in Vancouver East and he studied in Charles Tupper Secondary. Jim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of British Columbia.

He is a 28-year veteran of the force, and was one of just three Chinese-Canadian officers when he enlisted in 1979.

The father of four ¡X who became Vancouver¡¦s first top cop of Asian descent ¡X emigrated from Shanghai with his family when he was three years old.

His credentials are astounding; he has served as a constable in planning and research, and detective in general investigation and robbery. Chu was promoted to sergeant in 1991 and assigned to patrol. As the sergeant in charge of the recruiting unit, he wrote the department's applicant guide, and restructured the outreach programs and swearing-in ceremonies, according to his bio on the VPD website.

Mr. Jun Ing and Ms. Helen Wu were the masters of ceremonies of the evening.

The banquet program began with sound of the drums, cymbals and gong as the Vancouver Police Department and the Chinese Community Centre Lion Dance Teams wend their way into the Restaurant's center stage, everyone applauded. This was followed by the introduction of several distinguished guests and speakers.

Chief Constable Jim Chu gave a remarkable speech too.

On behalf of The YFT Society of Vancouver both Wing and I would like to extend our best wishes to Chief Constable Jim Chu on his new position, hoping that his department will continue to maintain public order, upholds the rule of law, and prevents crime in the City of Vancouver.

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We Came, We Saw, We Conquered

The famous quote: Veni, Vidi, Vici by Julius Caesar has now been modified to reflect the emotions of the Houston Yee Fung Toy Association basketball fans, in supporting Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets in each of the opening night the last two years. Indeed, the whopping winning scores were 98-90 and 107-76 against the Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks respectively. We plan to do the same every year. Did you know the Yao-Yi (Yao Ming-Yi Jianlian) game attracted more than 200 million TV-viewers in China alone?

Tickets are never cheap for NBA games. We would book the same seating section at the Toyota Center, with subsidy from the summer activities fund for 30 or so Yee members and friends. Opening nights are carnival-like, with lots of freebies for young and old¡XT-shirts, noise bangers, shooting games, photo sessions with virtual player images, etc.

The natural-grass, retractable-roof Reliant Stadium in Houston is air-conditioned. We were also there for the USA-Mexico and Americas-Barcelona soccer games in front of 70,000+ spectators shouting Ole, Ole, Ole USA!

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Staff Sgt. Uncle Lewis Yee

Uncle Lewis (§E«p¸q), born September 11, 1922, the venerable Advisor of Yee Fung Toy Association of Houston, is affectionately known for his military adventures, deeds and accomplishments in the Houston community.

Lewis Woo Yee joined the Army and was sent to Springfield, Illinois for basic training in 1943. He was later assigned to the 14th Air Service Group, Army Air Corps (14ASG) for technical training at Patterson Field, Ohio. After the success of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), Flying Tigers (1941-1942), Gen. Chennault and Gen. Stilwell requested the War Department for a unique group of Chinese Americans, fluent in both English and Chinese, to support the American Armed Forces in China, Burma and India theatre of operations. 14ASG, activated in November 1942, was part of this unique group. They embarked overseas from Newport News, Virginia to Oran, North Africa, Bombay, India, and then to Kunming (©ø©ú), China via the treacherous Burma Road. Their primary duty was to service combat aircraft with their electrical, mechanical and maintenance skill.

From Pvt. to Staff Sgt., Lewis tour of duties included Loohoko (¦Ñªe¤f), Luliang (³°¨}), Xian (¦è¦w), Chungking (­«¼y), and numerous strategic air bases. When short-handed, Lewis would even be forced to double-up as a co-pilot. He once negotiated with a local peasant to deliver three hot meals a day at $1.00 per trooper for his 10-men squadron for 8 months. 14ASG returned to Seattle via Shanghai in August 1945. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon, and three Overseas Service Bars. He was honorably discharged in January 1946.

The AVG was formally disbanded on July 4, 1942. However, Chennault rejoined the U.S. Army Air Forces, after his stint as an advisor to the Chinese Air Force, and officially commanded the U.S. Army 14th Air Force in March 1943. Because his service duration was 1943-1946, Staff Sgt. Yee was accorded the Junior Flying Tiger membership, a special honor bestowed to those serving under Gen. Chennault during his USAAF tenure. Incidentally, the United States Air Force (USAF) was officially formed on September 18, 1947.

While Staff Sgt. Uncle Lewis may not know how to sing: Off we go into the wild blue yonder, climb high into the sun¡K but he sure knows how to bellow: March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free¡K

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The Art of Traditional Chinese Painting

Our Yee family has so many hidden treasures that never cease to amaze me. On December 1, 2007 President Kenneth, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending a demonstration and hands-on workshop, The Art of Traditional Chinese Painting, conducted by Kennie Yee (§EÀA®\). Ms. Yee is a distinguished artist of traditional Chinese painting techniques. Her works have been well received at exhibitions in New York and Hong Kong. Since the age of 16, Kennie has the desire to develop this talent. Like most of us, raising a family was more important than pursuing our heart¡¦s desire. Fortunately, somehow she manages to do both.

Chinese painting is one of the oldest forms of art in the world. To promote this tradition, Ms. Yee has been conducting these workshops through the QUEENS LIBRARY Enrich Your Life™ program. Some members of our association as well as other attendees joined us. Although this was a short session, we all learned a great deal. First, materials used are important factors that can influence the painting. Painting flowers, bamboo or writing calligraphy all use different type of brushes, strokes and techniques. As Kennie continued with the demonstration, we learned that ink used could vary with quality and expense. With a little water in a stone dish, Kennie showed us how to make some ink by grinding an ink stick to a desired consistency. The median used is also important. The ink on either silk or rice paper will produce different results. Too much moisture on rice paper will just make a hole in it. Typical of Chinese painting is the use of black ink; color is used to emphasize a particular feel the artist has with the composition. The use of space is also important. To finish the painting, the artist usually would inscribe some poetry of calligraphy and stamp a seal on it. The seal could be the artist name, place of birth or design that is carved in stone. The seal is pressed into a paste of red mercuric oxide and carefully stamped at a desired place on the painting for a finishing touch.

 

Next, Kennie showed us some of the applications of Chinese painting techniques she did with tee shirts, ceramic plates and hand fans as well as other media like paper and scrolls. It was truly amazing, the detail and expression that were put into these works of art. She continued by demonstrating basic techniques of painting bamboo on rice paper. Then it was our turn to be artist. Everyone tried their best at applying what they learned. It was quite an enriching experience. Many inquired afterwards, where supplies could be brought to further this at home.

The foundation of Chinese society and culture in today¡¦s time are slowly being lost. We should thank our Yee Family associations and individuals like Kennie for trying to keep this alive. Anyone can enrich someone else¡¦s knowledge and life; all you need is a little time and effort. By the way, Kennie Yee is also our Women¡¦s League President.

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What is in the Next Issue?

By the time most of you read this, the old year is history. The next issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice will be published in mid March, featuring reports of Winter or New Year celebrations and inaugurations of new Officers 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 February 15.

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