Year End Memories
December 5, 2003
The lure of China beckoned me in search of new memorable moments on my eighth adventure to China since my first trip in 1976, right after Chairman Mao died. A trip organized by recently retired United Airlines supervisor Sylvia Young brought together 40 California and Hawaiian travelers to visit the site where the Peking Man was first found some 100 miles outside of Beijing and three new areas that UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization) has designated as world-class scenic sites. The awesome mountain spires and the waterfalls of Jiuzhaigou, the snowy crags and colorful pools of Huanglong and the immense Yellow Dragon Cave and peaceful Baofeng Lake of Zhanghiajie will be forever in our memories of China’s natural wonders. Wherever we went, all of us were impressed with China’s artworks and craftsmanship in the many items hawkers and storekeepers were eager to sell us and we in turn were happy to buy.
To cap our trip, we ladies were joined by a cadre of Shanghai shoppers, led by California Sen. Jackie Speier, television reporters Jan Yanehiro and Sydnie Kohara, along with Bay Area friends Cynthia Schuman, Adolphus and Tammy Wong and the sister team of Rose Tang, Bunny Look and Carol Jue. A Beijing banquet, heralding leader Young’s birthday, was made special with the appearances of Chinese magicians, acrobats and Lion dancers. Her old friends, former Chinese Minister Lu Ping and former secretary of China’s Liaison office in Washington, D.C., Ma Pei-Chiang were on hand to celebrate and meet her travel group.
On the Home Front
Dr. Vernon Wong celebrated his birthday in fine style at San Franciscoís Four Seasons Banquet Room, welcoming 100 friends and family from all over the country who came to honor their recently retired associate. Brother Ronald and Doris Wong flew in from Maryland, friends Dr. Wyman and Alsona Wong from Baltimore, and sons Rob and Randy with their children made Vernonís celebration extra special. Irene Leeís program, slide show and elegant decorations plus the added midnight jook and noodles snack rounded out a great celebration night.
Palo Alto’s Carole Chinn welcomed her first granddaughter, Emma, and heralded her other four pride and joys, grandsons Brandon, Matthew, William and Evan at a festive Ming’s Restaurant luncheon for her many family members and friends. Likewise, Mistress Brianna Lam, daughter of Palmer and Betty Lam, was introduced at her own Red Egg party at Foster City’s ABC Restaurant before over 200 friends.
New York agent Jadin Wong was honored Dec. 1 at the Second Generation concert of Excellence at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center. Chinese Historical and Cultural Project’s Shanghai 1930s dinner dance benefit netted almost $70,000 for the organization’s educational school programs in conjunction with its Ng Shing Gung museum of Chinese American history in History San Jose Park, and the Chinese Historical Society of America, based in the former YWCA building on Clay near Powell Street, will continue their outreach programs at the new museum in spreading the history of Chinese Americans with the $110,000 proceeds from their recent gala. Congratulations to them all.
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