Chinese Center on Long Island - What's New

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Presidents' Message 

Happy April!  The trees and flowers are all in bloom!  Winter never truly arrived!  Why move to Florida?  This  year we had it all, a very mild winter with only two snowstorms in our memory.  March was a truly exciting month for us all at the Center.  Our intergenerational CCLI family has been showing up in full force at all our events giving us a sign of approval for our programs.  As you read our newsletter, you will see what we are talking about.  We are proud!

April promises to be another month filled with excitement as we install our officers and directors. LET’S SUPPORT OUR INCOMING ADMINISTRATION BY ATTENDING THE INSTALLATION DINNER!  Be sure to send in your Installation Dinner reservations early to Rita Lee so you don’t get closed out of this dinner!  The due date for reservations is April 26.  Please send in your checks today! Do not wait until the last minute.  There is limited seating!  This year’s installation 12 course dinner will include Peking duck, lobster, wine, social dancing and live entertainment. 

Mona Ng our new Co President will begin a two year term of office while Stephanie Tang Bartoldus will stay on for one additional year as Co President to work with Mona as she begins her co-presidency.  Helen is stepping down as Stephanie’s Co President but you haven’t seen the last of her yet!  She is returning to the Board of Directors as the Co Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. 

Stephanie and I wish to thank the Center for having given us the extraordinary opportunity, two years ago, to serve you as Co-Presidents, helping to lead the Center forward.  The Center is an organization of which all of us are very proud to be members.   Since two years ago, the Center with the extraordinary work and help of the entire membership has moved forward to bring in new programs and events. The Center now has internet access for members, a CCLI Toastmasters Club, a Young Public Speakers Seminar Series, a Mahjong and Ping Pong Night, an enlarged Senior Club membership, a Dragon Boat Youth Team and a successful Confucian  Studies series cosponsored with the Rotary of West Hempstead.  Our lion and dance troupe youngsters have been invited to perform at Ellis Island, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asian Heritage Celebrations of both Nassau County and the Town of North Hempstead among other prestigious venues. Our language school and Ballroom Dance Club are doing great as well!  Newsday has covered our Center’s activities in great depth making our work known to the Long Island community at large.

As Stephanie’s co president, the past two years have been extremely fulfilling for me personally and I will always remember all the continuous joy and love my family and I have received since we joined the Center 35 years ago.  It has been and will continue to be a pleasure to serve you all.  Thank you  Stephanie for being a great Co President, for always being so energetic, tireless and supportive in making these past two years of office a true pleasure.

As our Center grows, our programs grow requiring more volunteers.  We are always looking for members of all ages wishing to become involved.  So become involved.  There is enough work for everyone! The benefits work both ways.   It becomes extremely rewarding personally to know you have made the difference through your contribution of time and effort. Thank you all for your positive energy and generous support!

         Helen Chin and Stephanie Tang Bartoldus

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Patty Chow to be honored Thursday, May 10^th by Nassau BOCES!

Shirley Shing will be honored on Friday, May 18^th by Nassau County!

Our dedicated Shirley Shing will be honored in recognition of her community service by the Hon. Edward Mangano at Nassau County’s Asian Heritage Celebration on Friday, May 18.  Everyone is cordially invited to attend the free Asian buffet dinner which will be served to all attendees beginning promptly at 6 PM at the new Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building at 1550 Franklin Avenue in Mineola. Helen Chin’s advice is to get there early, well before 6 PM, before the food and the parking runs out!

The Honoree Recognition Ceremony and performances by our CCLI Lion and Traditional Dance Troupe and other Asian entertainers will follow.  This event takes the place of our CCLI May Monthly meeting.  Let’s all enjoy a great evening supporting our dedicated volunteer treasurer Shirley Sing!  Ethnic attire welcome!  All members, families and friends are welcome!  No reservations are required.  Just come!  CCLI volunteers in ethnic attire are needed to help greet attendees and to help serve the hot food at the Center’s food table.  Please contact Helen Chin if available to help out! 1 516 883 8798.  Let’s Celebrate Shirley.