The Houston Chinese Elderly Services Association’s second-quarter member birthday celebration was held on June 15th (Saturday) at 1:30 pm in the auditorium of the Overseas Chinese Education Center. Director Wang Yingrong and Deputy Director Huang Yili were invited to attend, along with President Tang Waner and the board members who planned and decorated the venue. Over a hundred birthday celebrants and members attended the grand event.
Host Fang Haini first had the birthday celebrants wear corsages and take their seats, introduced the guests, and invited President Zhao Waner to give a speech. She began by wishing the birthday celebrants a happy birthday and continued by announcing the opening of the erhu class, with the first lesson starting on July 6th under the guidance of teacher Chen Yifan. Additionally, there will be a Latin dance SALSA course in mid-July, suitable for beginners without a dance background, with couple dance being ideal for spouses. Thanks were also given to the Veterans Affairs Bureau, the Overseas Chinese Education Center, and the Texas Chinese Radio for sponsoring gifts and cash prizes for the lucky draw.
In Cantonese, Wang Yingrong extended birthday wishes to the celebrants, expressing that the Overseas Chinese Education Center provides a venue for everyone to learn, socialize, and feel at home in warmth. She highlighted the importance of continuing traditions and revealed plans to attract younger members through community youth incubation programs. Wang Yingrong especially thanked President Zhao Waner for leading two international youth goodwill ambassadors to promote Taiwanese culture in the community. She emphasized the need for collective effort in passing down and preserving heritage, calling for the participation of younger generations and entrepreneurs under 40. The event was concluded with best wishes for its successful completion.
The highlight of the event was inviting all the birthday celebrants to the stage to receive blessings, sing the birthday song, cut the cake, take a group photo, and enjoy the splendid performances prepared by the members.
The performances included the “Centenarian Choir” of the Chinese Elderly Services Association singing “The Great Sea, My Hometown” and “Nanping Evening Bell,” as well as a mountain dance performance titled “Standing on the High Hill,” with guidance from Teacher Pei Caiyun, accompaniment by Cai Peiying, and dance instruction by Sun Xiurui.
Teacher Chen Yifan’s erhu performances of “A Little Town Story” and “Horse Racing,” as well as karaoke solo renditions by Chen Yuanhua (80 years old) singing the Western classic “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” Yan Fangyun (83 years old) singing the traditional hit “Emotional Tea at the Front Door,” retired dentist Zhang Ji singing the Western song “Love Potion number nine,” and former star singer Sun Yongfeng performing “Listening to the Sea.”
Lastly, in a humorous and diverse manner, Fong Haini engaged the elderly in lantern riddles and a lucky draw game, creating a joyful and laughter-filled afternoon for the seniors.