FRIDAY, February 5, 2010 MEETING NOTES Volume 44, Issue 19
We had 23 Optimists & guests today. The only guests were our speakers. The Mystery Greeter was Gary Engelke who greeted Eileen Nickels. John Dutcher, John Urness, Tom Nall, Gary Engelke, Maxine Lane and Charlie Clark wore their Optimist shirts today.
Today’s Speakers – Mei Reeder and Lili Zhang – Chinese Lunar New Year
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Here are Mei Reeder and Lily Zhang from the Confucius Institute at UW-Platteville. Mei told us about herself and the Confucius Institute. She grew up in Taiwan and received a degree from the University of Missouri. She teaches Chinese Language and Culture. She hopes to The Confucius Institute is one of 326 around the world with the headquarters in Beijing. One of the events they sponsor is the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Lily is a teacher of Chinese Literature. She spoke about the traditions and history of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. |
The Chinese Lunar New Year is based on the lunar calendar and it varies from the Gregorian calendar we use. This year it begins on February 14. She spoke about the 12 year cycle in the calendar. Last year was the Year of the Rabbit and this year will be the Year of the Tiger. Tradition says that the year of your birth will influence your personality and determine how happy your marriage will be. She told us about the celebrations. They decorate the windows in the house with red paper cuttings, like the one she is holding in the photo. They decorate the door with a pair of guards to protect the family. |
They have a large meal on the Lunar New Year’s Eve. The family sits around a large table and have dumplings shaped like a golden ingot to signify good fortune. Families compete to see who will be the first to light off firecrackers at Midnight to celebrate the New Year. On the Lunar New Year day, the children are expected to wake up early to greet everyone. The greeting is done with the left fist, covered with the right hand and shake it up and down while saying “Shing Mien Kwai Luo” ( I hope it is close!) – Happy New Year. Another saying is "Gong Shi Fa Tai" or Good Fortune". As they greet family members, the children will get a red envelope with money for a gift. Mei is holding one of these. Thanks for the wonderful speeches! |
This Friday - Cody Brigman - UW-P Veterans Club
UPCOMING EVENTSMarch 13 - Tri-Star Basketball - Armory |
UPCOMING SPEAKERSFebruary 19 – Coach Gard plus 5 - UW-P Basketball February 26 – John Urness - History of Computers |
JOKER DRAW Howard Crofoot was the lucky one selected. He cut the Joker – as you can see in the photo. He will split the $100 minimum pot. The other half goes to Childhood Cancer. We start with a full deck next week. This is the third winner in 4 weeks! |
SWIS District will have its 2nd Quarter Conference in Whitewater on Feb 5 & 6. Register before 1/29 and the registration fee is waived. Paula O’Reilly, an OI Trainer, will be there. They will have a demo from the Whitewater wheelchair basketball team. UPDATESThe District Tri-Star Basketball contest will be on March 20. Bucky Badger will be at the SWIS contest! Our Tri-Star Basketball competition will be on Saturday March 13, at the Armory, the week before the SWIS District competition. |
FIRST FRIDAYThe winners of the First Friday contest for a Free Breakfast from those present are Steve Lane and John Urness. Winners from those NOT here are Holly Cook and Dean Feldman. BOARD MEETINGThe next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, February 11th at 7 AM at Badger Brothers. |
Optimist International | SWIS District | Platteville, Wisconsin--Information
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Last Modified: March 4, 2010