| The
Yee Fung Toy
Global Report
風采全球特報 |
| www.yeefungtoy.org/village/This_qtr.html |
2008/11/14 |
目錄修葺荻海名賢余忠襄公祠風采總分堂報導
風采月刊 |
Autumn 2008 Report:Reports from Yee Fung Toy Chapters
NY YFT 2008 Scholarship Award Ceremony On
August 10, 2008, the New York Yee Fong Toy Association held its annual
scholarship award ceremony at Chinese Consolidated Benevolent
Association's auditorium at 62 Mott Street. This year, we had 116
scholarship recipients breaking our previous record of 115. We had 21
elementary school, 30 junior high school, 32 high school and 21
college/university students with 30 credits and a B+ or better overall
average for the 2007-2008 school year. In addition, the top 6 highest
college/university students with a 3.5 overall average or better and 30
credits qualifies for an award from a special Five Tong Association
scholarship program.  This year, we recognized William Yu, Jenny Yee, Alice Yu, Ai Mei Yu and Kevin Yu. We also recognized Mon Yuck Yu and Anita Yee for top honors, each receiving scholarship awards from Five Tong Association and Dit Nam Yu memorial scholarship fund. For this top honor, the top 4 graduating HS senior with a B+ or better average and SAT score of over 1700 would qualify. Annie Yu also received a Five Tong award for having a high average. Justine T. Yu and Belinda Yu were the other 2 students who received awards from Dit Nam Yu scholarship fund. As a final category, there were 4 students who received awards just for attending Chinese school. For the first time this year, award from Ming Lai Yee memorial scholarship went to graduating senior, Benjamin Yu.  Our guest speaker this year was June Jee, director in the Verizon Communications Community Affairs' group. June is also responsible for managing a component of Verizon Foundation's philanthropic programs. She is also the daughter-in-law of our late Advisor Ming Lai. As an active member in the Chinese community, June serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the Museum of Chinese in America, Second Generation Productions, Chinatown Partnership LDC, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and well as many other non profit groups. The ceremony began with our Women's League President Kennie introducing our award presenters: Grand Elder Peter Yee, Grand Advisor John B.J. Yee, Advisor Andy Yu, Presidents Gong Sum Yee and Kenneth Yee, cousins from Ma Association President, VP and Tse Elder, Inspector Gin Yee, Honorary General Counsel Ms. Lai Sun Yee, Legal Counsel Ms. Mah Suk Wah and guest speaker June Jee. After the opening ceremonies, President Gong welcomed everyone and spoke briefly about this year scholarship. We were also fortunate to have 5th Precinct Commander, Inspector Gin Yee and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Distinguished Fellow, Ms. Lai Sun Yee, who briefly addressed the audience. Lai Sun's new position is a one-year Fellowship Program based in Washington D.C. Next, June addressed this year's scholarship recipients on the importance of education, community and civic participation. June began by saying "Every day, we experience things either directly or indirectly that can impact our lives and shape who we are today." She describes a typical immigrant story. Emigrating from Hong Kong at the age of 6, language and being Chinese were barriers for her at school. As a second grader, name calling, teasing and harassment were not easily understood. But being pushed down the stairs was a turning point and she decided to confront them. The courage to speak up help put an end to the harassment. Knowing the language, the ability to communicate with each other can only be through education and the key to end racial prejudice. June continued to share how activism in college helped shape who she is today. Civic participation through peaceful protest helped her fellow student body get Asian American studies to be included in the college offering. Realizing "life is what you make-it-to-be", June is committed to serving the Asian community. She pointed out we can only effect change through volunteerism, giving back to the community and participation in the democratic process of voting. In closing, "education will empower you to not only provide for yourself but for others" and "stay true to yourself".  After the presentation of awards to all our winners, Kennie conducted a short interview in Cantonese with Mon Yuck and Annie Yu. It is encouraging to hear these students are well rounded individuals. They are not only smart academically but also participate in extra curricular activities and are asset to the community. Also encouraging is the fact that more recipients took the time to join our traditional ancestral service held earlier at our family association’s hall. Commitment and involvement are important ideals our children need to embrace.  Congratulations to all our scholarship
recipients and their parents for a job well done and continued success.
Thanks again to Kennie, her Women’s League and all those that made this
event a success.  For more pictures, click here. Frank
Yee, New York
2008 Detroit Yee Fung Toy Picnic The Detroit picnic was held on Sunday,
August 24th at Capital Park in Redford, Michigan. 
 Attendees enjoyed a
lunch buffet of fried chicken, pizza, corn, chinese noodle and rice
dishes, chinese pastries, watermelon, and Rice Krispie treats. 
 Yen Ock
brought his notebook computer and talked to those who were interested
about the Yee villages in China and showed them where their ancestors
had lived. 
 There were games and prizes the young at
heart and at the
end of the day scholarship awards were distributed to 56 of our young
scholars.   Photos courtesy of Ron Yee and Cathie
Agacinski. For more Detroit YFT 2008 picnic pictures, click here.
Edward
Yee, Detroit
New York YFT Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebration The New York Yee Fong Toy Association
held its annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival celebration on September 7,
2008. Traditionally, this holiday falls on the 15th day of the eighth
lunar moon. This year, on the Western calendar, it was on September 14.
Many referred to this day as a harvest festival day. It is a time for
some relaxation, family get-togethers and a time to give thanks for a
good harvest. It is also a time to eat Moon Cakes.  For us, about fifty members along with
some of our Ma and Tse cousins gathered for the luncheon and Moon Cake
sampling. President Gong spoke briefly and welcomed everyone. Our
Women’s League President Kennie then introduced 楊淑敏, a renowned
yang-qin (洋琴) player. Yang-qin is often called the "Chinese Piano" and
is used as a solo instrument or as an accompaniment ensemble
instrument. Although yangqin is very popular in China, it did not
originate in China. Music is produced on this trapezoidal soundboard by
hitting the strings with key hammers. Unlike a piano which has one
hammer per string, yangqin uses two "hand held" wooden or bamboo
hammers to hit the strings. I was amazed at the dynamic range of sound
this instrument can produce. Also amazing was so many members were
willing to sing along as 楊淑敏 played her yangqin.  For those who could not attend, I want
to say "sorry for missing out on the fun." Unlike past years, events,
such as these, have been enlightening. Thanks to Kennie. Not only do we
eat and talk, we can have some fun and be entertained. Hope to see more
folks next time. Frank
Yee, New York
Hurricane Ike Wreaks Havoc on the Texas CoastHouston, fourth-largest U.S. city,
averages a major hurricane direct hit every 20 years or so. Hurricane
Ike, an enormous storm the size of Texas, made landfall on Galveston
early on Saturday, September 13, 2008. Houston, about 50 miles north, was
severely
affected by the 110 mph ferocious winds and heavy rainfalls. Storm
surge caused
flooding in the many low lying areas. At least 1.5 million people (over
90%) were without electricity in the Houston area. 
 Frank Yu, Chairman of the Houston Yee
Fung Toy Association, made a lively report
to account for the
aftermath, cleanup and recovery process. His house was luckily spared
of any major damages because it happened to be on the "clean" side of
the storm. He succinctly described how he prepared for hurricane
survival. This interesting report also provides
valuable experience
intended for newcomers to the Houston metropolitan areas. Frank
Yu, Houston
New England YFT Association August Moon CelebrationSunday, September 19, 2008, our
Association celebrated this year's August Moon Festival with a day of
food and activities. It rained rather heavily during the morning and
there was fear that it would keep many members away. However, we Yee's
are a hardy group and no rain was going to dampen our festive
celebration as tens of people was in attendance at the Association
hall. The celebration commence at 12 noon with
a display of various flavors of moon cakes, roast pork, chicken, as
well as many delicious take out dishes from a local restaurant. Our
grand elder, advisors, and officers lead the opening of the festivity
by honoring our great ancestor. Then everyone grab a plate and enjoyed
the fine selection of food and general socializing. Truly one happy
family gathering event. At mid afternoon, the chairs and table were
move aside to make room for some line dancing and the performing the
Tai Chi Kung-Fu Fan Form by our members. The activities ended at about
5pm and thus, another August Moon Festival celebration come to a very
joyous conclusion. Winston
Yee, New England
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited New York City On the morning of September 23, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in New York for a high-level UN meeting for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the general debate of the 63rd UN General Assembly. Premier Wen Jiabao visited New York City and met with the Chinese community leaders later on the same day. President Gong Sum Yee of Yee Fong Toy Association of New York (6th from right side, on the second row of photo), was invited to attend the welcome ceremony of the meeting。 Gong
Sum
Yee, New York
New York One
Day Shopping Tour
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