Katy’s report to世界日報: OCA Chinese New Year Celebration 4709

Katy’s dispatch to World Journal (世界日報) reporting the OCA (美華協會匹茲堡分會) Chinese New Year Celebration 4709; it was published today (February 22) and the event took place at Syria Shrine Center (敘利亞廟堂) on February 19.

You may click the following link to read directly the online version,

http://www.worldjournal.com/view/wjnjpanews/11537878/article-%E5%8C%B9%E8%8C%B2%E5%A0%A1%E7%BE%8E%E8%8F%AF%E8%BF%8E%E6%96%B0%E6%98%A5?instance=nj2

Last year OCA was honored and privileged to have Miss Pennsylvania and Miss Pennsylvania Teen attended the Chinese New Year celebration and this year they outdid themselves to invite the winners from six other states (Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia as well as Miss Preteen Taiwan World); their presence enhanced the festive mood and brightened the hall of celebration. More than 3000 guests enjoyed a lovely and lively evening.

Dave Crawley of KDKA-TV and Karen Yee (余月紅) were the Masters of Ceremonies, the honor guests were the one in charge of Miss USA Pageant Eastern section, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Hwang (黃呈昌), Mr. & Mrs. Michael Chen (陳飛), Mr. & Mrs. Dali Lee (李大利), and Mr. & Mrs. John Chen (陳家興).

The new OCA president, Andy Ai (艾元方), a second generation Chinese American, promised to follow the footsteps of his predecessor in taking charge of all OCA activities, actively participating national and regional affair in the greater Pittsburgh area, promoting Chinese culture, and rigorously pursuing Asian Pacific Americans civil rights.

The outgoing president, 李東昌, recalled the activities/events of last year that include Chinese New Year celebration (February), Asian culture month (May), Mid-autumn and Dragon Boat festival (August), Cancer Society fundraising (October), Free Clinic at UPMC (November), Thanksgiving parade (November), and Chinese Room scholarship fundraising (December). He expressed the appreciation to all members in helping him successfully achieve the goals of these community services.

The honorary chairperson was Dorothy Lee Green. Born in Nanking (Nanjing) in 1937 just before the Japanese entered the city, Dorothy as an infant escaped up the Yangtze River to Chungking (重慶) with her family. Her father was the Dean of Science and Engineering at Nanking University. she immigrated to the States at age of 10 when her father was appointed head of the Chinese delegation at the United Nations. She was twice the OCA Pittsburgh chapter president. Being recognized for her leadership, she has been put in positions of leadership in many volunteer organizations in the arts, education, church, health care, and the Asian community.

Karen Yee announced the two winners of Congress Service Award: Rachel Sew and Brander Yeh. The entertainment was provided by the Lion Dance, splendid performance of music and dance—水汪汪 (Sweet Little Girls), 絲路 (Silk Road), 孔雀舞 (Peacock Dance), 節慶 (Festivity), and水袖舞— by OCA Youth Dancing Group, led by Chiapih Shaw, 謝家碧, and her daughter. In addition, Japanese Taiko (日本太鼓) and Indian dances provided added delight and enjoyment. All guests were treated with scrumptious cuisines provided by the Chinese Restaurant Association. The proceeds from the door prizes and the envelopes ‘devoured’ by the lions in the Lion Dance will be used as the OCA charitable funds. Those who are interested in becoming an OCA member, please get the info online, http://www.ocapghpa.org/. (Katy Tsai, 張瓊月)

The followings are Katy’s dispatch,

匹茲堡美華協會 熱鬧迎新春

【賓州匹茲堡訊】
February 22, 2011 06:00 AM

美華協會匹茲堡分會上周末在敘利亞廟堂(Syria Shrine Center)舉行兔年新春聯歡晚宴，邀請14位從佛蒙特州、康州、密西根州、印州、俄州、賓州、西維吉尼亞州七州曾獲得選美優勝的佳麗，參加中國年晚宴，並幫忙摸彩，300多位中西嘉賓出席，十分熱鬧。

當晚節目由KDKA電視台克勞利(Dave Crawley)與余月紅(Karen Yee)主持，與會嘉賓包括美國小姐選美會東部俄亥俄州策畫人、台灣同鄉會黃呈昌、餐飲公會會長陳飛、慈濟負責人陳家興等。

該會新會長、華裔第二代艾元方(Andy Ai)表示，將蕭規曹隨，辦好美華協會活動，積極參與美國匹茲堡本地和國家的事務，並宣揚中華文化，宣導與確保美國亞太裔公民權益。

卸任會長李東昌回顧了去年舉辦的活動，包括2月春宴、5月亞裔文化月、8月中秋與龍舟節活動、10月參加防癌協會募款活動、11月假匹茲堡大學UPMC診所，舉辦醫療義診，歲末參加匹茲堡市區感恩節遊行、12月參與匹茲堡大學中國孔子教室獎學金募款活動，能圓滿達成這些社區服務工作，李東昌向所有志工深致謝意。

晚宴榮譽主席為魏白蕙(Dorothy Lee Green) ，她於1937年日本入侵南京前出生，襁褓中曾由長江逃到重慶。其父原是南京大學科學工程系主任，她十歲時其父被派到聯合國，她才隨家人移民到美國並開始學英文。她曾任兩屆美華協會會長，熱心公益。 

余月紅會中宣布，今年該會的國會社會服務銀獎頒給瑞秋‧蘇(Rachel Sew)和布蘭德‧葉(Brander Yeh)兩位學生。表演除有美華協會醒獅團、歌舞團，還有日本太鼓及印度舞蹈表演，與會者享用由匹茲堡中餐協會烹製的佳餚，觀賞謝家碧和她女兒策畫的精彩歌舞「水汪汪」 、「絲路」 、「孔雀舞」 、「節慶」 、「水袖舞」。該會並準備了電視等多項摸彩禮品。另外，還有舞獅咬紅包送吉利與慈善義賣，義賣所得將做為該會慈善基金。有意加入匹茲堡美華協會可上網http://www.ocapghpa.org/查詢。(張瓊月)