In this Issue:

Message from the Editor

Trips, Picnics, and other Summer Activities

• New York Annual Picnic at Quassy
• Boston's Annual Summer Outing
• Picnic in Vancouver
• Annual Picnic at William Land Park, Sacramento
• Houston Activities in July
• Summer in San Francisco
• Picnic in Seattle
• Vancouver Seniors Day Trip to Seattle
• Dr. Albert Yee in Montenegro and Britain

Reports from Yee Fung Toy Chapters

• Philippines celebrates Mother's Day
• Vancouver celebrates Parents Day
• Yee Fung Toy Society of Canada welcomes Delegates to the Mah Society of Canada 16th National Convention in Vancouver
• Vancouver welcomes Dr. David Yee from Irvine, CA

What is in the Next Issue?

---

Message from the Editor

Welcome to the fourth issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice, an electronic newsletter for the World Yee community. As promised, in this issue we are featuring stories and images of summer activities from associations of the Yee Fung Toy around the world.

This issue marks an important milestone. We have produced a newsletter for every one of the past four Seasons. Our success is due to the encouragement and feedback from our readers, and start-up support from Mr. Johnson Yee (founding Chairman of the World Yee Family Association), Mr. Fred Yee of Seattle, the Yee Fung Toy Society of Canada (Chairman Kan Yu and Vice-Chair James Yu), and Mr. Ken Lam of Vancouver. We acknowledge their crucial roles. We also thank all those who have made continuing contributions to the first year of developing the best (and so far the only) bilingual newsletter for the global Yee Family, including:

• Ah Wei Kane and Kenneth Yu of Philippines
• Albert Yee of Montana
• Andy Yu and Frank Yee of New York
• Frank Yu of Houston
• Eric Yu of Edmonton
• Fred Yee and Hoy Kon Yee of Seattle
• Ken Yii and Peter Yee of Boston
• Larry Yee of San Francisco
• Martin Yee, Meng Pan Yu, Sui Chii Yu and Wing Yee of Vancouver
• Melinda Yee and Tin-Won Yee of Sacramento

We look forward to our second year, and many more years to come!

Jim Yee, Vancouver

---

New York Annual Picnic at Quassy

This year on July 16th, our Association¡¦s annual picnic was again to Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT. Although many regular attendees opted out, we still had two chartered buses filled with youths, their parents and elders, all eager for a day of fun. The one thing that could ruin everything was the weather. As I drove ahead to setup the picnic area for the arriving group, it sure looked like rain. But I had confidence that Ah Goong would provide the rain free weather like he always does every picnic.

With the help of our President Shu Chan Yu ¡]¾ðÀé¡^, our Vice President Kenneth Yee ¡]´º·s¡^, Officer ¿û²` and Jackie ÆG·ì, everyone boarded the buses without a hitch, leaving on time at 9:00AM. Our hope was for everyone to attend, but the smaller group just made everything more manageable. The buses made good time, arriving 10:30. In less than half hour, we managed to give everyone a healthy box lunch, take some pictures, give out tickets for the park and give everyone a battery operated fan to cool off. The fans were courtesy of my brother & me. It was nice to hear so many people appreciated the fans. It also came in handy just as the clouds lifted and the sun came out.

The kids weren¡¦t the only ones who enjoyed the rides, water park, paddle boats arcades and beach. Adults also enjoyed the ferry ride around the lake on the Quassy Queen, the magic shows, walking around hanging out and watching the fish swimming in the lake. For someone middle-aged, I for one enjoyed the time spent with David, Jackie¡¦s husband, especially going on the bumper cars, merry go round and trading stories with a bunch of guys from the National Guard recruiting center. Most interesting was this one guy who just came back from two tours in Iraq. I also learned from Uncle ¤ýªZ¼Ö and David some of their military past. I found having conversations with these people very enlightening. This was an enjoyable day after all. Hope everyone can join us next year.

Frank Yee, NY

---

Boston's Annual Summer Outing

The turnout enjoyed a fun day at Lake Compounce Family Theme Park on Saturday July 16, 2005. The Association chartered 3 coach buses and a contingent of families drove their private autos that brought over 200 persons to this Bristol, Connecticut location for amusement rides, water slide, swimming and other entertainment on a beautiful sunny warm day that was perfectly ideal for a day at the park. Both the young and the not so young raved about the large options of activities and many expressed a desire for us to return next year.

If you were unable to attend, hope you will be able to join us next year to keep this activity growing and successful for the enjoyment of our members of all ages.

( Click here for more pictures.)

---

Picnic in Vancouver

The Yee Fung Toy Society of Vancouver¡¦s annual summer picnic was held next to the Trout Lake Park Picnic Kiosk (Victoria Drive and East 19th Avenue) on July 17, 2005 (Sunday) from 10am to 3 pm.

¡§Trout Lake Park (also known as John Hendry Park) in East Vancouver takes its name from Trout Lake, which in the late 1800s was a floating peat bog that supplied water to Hastings Mill. Today the lake is still a popular swimming hole surrounded by a community centre, playground, ice rink...¡¨

Many YFT members brought their family and friends to attend this popular summer event. The turn out was good, at about 200 people.

Members of the Fung Toy Alumni Association, the Yee Fung Toy senior group, the Mah Society, and the Tse Society also joined us at the picnic; we gave them a warm welcome and thanked them for coming, before we started distributing lunch bags of fried chicken.

The weather was ideal for a picnic that day with a hot sun and cool breezes in the park. Members¡¦ families and friends brought their lawn chairs and sat beneath the shady willow trees, enjoying the colorful and natural scenery of the park in one of the city¡¦s picturesque barbecue and picnic areas.

After lunch, we drew tickets for the many prizes. These Prizes were purchased with money donated by Board members and other generous members.

After the lucky draw, Mavis and Ron Chu organized a variety of children¡¦s games for the kids. After the final tug of war was over, Vancouver chairman Mr. Jim Yee handed out prizes to the kids who participated. Thanks to Stan Yee for making the games equipment available, and to Mavis and Ron for running the games.

We would also like to thank Mr. Steven Yee and his committee for organizing the food and prizes for this fun event.

---

Houston Activities in July

The summer activity¡Xbowling and BBQ attendance at Dynamic Lane and Pappas set another record. More than 90 (family members and friends) attended the free treat on Sunday, July 17. Roger Yu, again, did an excellent job in arranging this summer gathering.

A group of 52 Yee members and friends attended the Women NBA game between Sacramento Monarchs and Houston Comets at the Toyota Center on this pay-on-your-own gathering on Tuesday, July 19. Two Chinese Olympic members play on the Sacramento team. The Yee Association members were there to give support and were duly recognized on the Big Screen.

---

Summer in San Francisco

On July 2nd, 2005 Jak Min Yee took office as the President of the Chinese Six Companies (a.k.a the Consolidated Benevolent Family Association) in San Francisco. The hall of the Chinese Six Companies was packed to capacity with six Lions drumming in the new President of the Chinese Six Companies. Jak Min Yee is also the President of Hop Wo Association that is one of seven Associations in the Chinese Six Companies. Dinner celebration was held at New Asia Restaurant with over 380 community leaders joining in.

Our annual picnic was held at the well-known San Francisco Zoo on July 24th with over 888 fellow Yee¡¦s, and friends; also joining us was elder John M. Yee from Phoenix, Arizona. We are extremely thankful to our State Assemblyman Leland Yee PhD Speaker Pro Tempore for his help in arranging the San Francisco Zoo facility for the Yee¡¦s picnic site over the last five years! Assemblyman Leland Yee¡¦s true joy is cooking hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken wings for the kids. Members attending the picnic paid a very small nominal fee ($2) that covered the Zoo admission, bag lunch, while kids were treated to a barbeque and ride tickets. You can visit the San Francisco website at www.sfzoo.org.

---

Dr. Albert Yee in Montenegro and Britain

At 19:52 3/5/2005, Albert H. Yee wrote:
Am leaving Friday, May 6, to visit my son in Montenegro (Serbia), hike Hadrian's Wall, and visit my daughter's family in Columbus, OH going & coming. Back June 1st.

Montenegro: Consul son Hoyt Brian has founded a grand consulate in Montenegro for the USA. He showed me around many places -- monasteries, diplomatic visitations, coastal conference at a first-class hotel sited in an island village fortified centuries ago against pirates, art show where prominents meet, etc. He is said to be so popular with the Montenegrins that they want him to return as ambassador when they gain full independence from Serbia next year. Hoyt says modestly that there would be so much competition for the post that his chances are not high. Montenegro is poor and its prospects are bleak, because its economy lacks industry and development. Teachers and police, for example, earn only about US$100/month. At U.S.$1.28 to 1.00 Euro & $1.82 to 1.00 Pound Sterling, our money is at a disadvantage in more than the exchange rates, because European prices and incomes have not changed while the value of the U.S. dollar has declined. Brits spend a pound like we do a dollar. A pint of draft beer at 2.39 pounds is $4.44. In July, Hoyt returns to DC for a year's study in Greek preparatory to his reposting to head the consulate at Thessaloniki, Greece's largest port.

Britain: Hadrian's Wall is remarkable. To realize that the Romans could engineer such an elaborate system across more than 70 rugged miles [along 55th Parallel from the North Sea to the Irish Sea; dividing England (3/4 of Britain) from Scotland] just shows that humans were quite capable technologically more than 1,800 years ago. Helps to reinforce one theme of my book, Yeee-Hah!, that while humans have steadily advanced technologically they have not progressed in humaneness, wisdom, and love. Similar to the Appian Way in Rome, Military Road, which we rode, is a beeline paralleling the wall. Much longer (~1,500 miles) and more immense, China's Great Wall was started about 400 years before (~200 BC) and extended in later centuries. Built across hilly terrain, the limestone part (~45 miles) of Hadrian's Wall was ~8-10' at its widest, 10-11' at its highest, and was not meant to be marched on. About 30 miles along the western end were built with turf and wood. Still evident after so many centuries, big ditches were dug north and south of the wall. Initial works and forts (12), mile castles, and guard stations in-between were built and manned for 400 years until the legions were recalled after Rome was sacked by the Huns in 410.

It should be said that while China's Great Wall was started ~400 years before Hadrian's wall and is longer and big enough for chariots and marching troops, it was built at the cost of 100,000s of slaves who were worked to death. Beginning in 122 AD almost two centuries after Julius Caesar conquered Britain, Hadrian's wall was built entirely by Roman legionnaires without slaves, though they had them. Roman soldiers were great engineers (recall the Appian Way). While the Greeks are said to have given us reason, the Romans gave the world law. Their soldiers like all Romans thus had rights, including the right to sue against mistreatment, which in some respects they accorded to obedient non-Romans. Hadrian's wall was not intended to isolate and ward off the northern barbarians (Scots) but to control them and their movements. Thus, mile castles had gates through which the Scots could pass through and pay for the privilege if they passed scrutiny. The Great Wall was intended to be the exact opposite and had to be bigger and stronger, though it did not stop invaders. The point that keeps coming up for me is that Hadrian's Wall and its earlier fortifications were manned for 400 years, nearly twice the history of the USA.

With high winds and heavy rain on hikes, one really got the feel of what it must have been like for the Romans (2 legions, about 10,000) and their many auxiliaries. If Britain goes wind energy, the north is ideal but hopefully not near the wall. English countryside is lovely -- woods (planted for pulp) decked with wildflowers, such as bluebells, expansive green fields broken by bright yellow rape & hills, limestone fences, many of which built with stones from the Wall before it was protected, and plenty of varied sheep (never knew there so many different breeds), some cattle. Was impressed with country and town British, more gentile and friendlier than London and Manchester. Attended excellent Methodist service in Richmond (which was found by pure chance), enjoyed its choir and piano accompanist and sound sermon (from the parable, build on rock not sand) in perfect Cambridge/Oxford diction. The congregation made me feel very welcomed. Visited many monasteries, cathedrals (Carlisle's & Durham's most notable), and holy places in both countries. Cuisine in the Blanchland village lodge (our home base) was appealingly gourmet and the village abbey was lovely -- enjoyed choir and organ one evening there. I got the impression that such British are more civilized than most realized. Perhaps Americans and Brits differ most in one being able to distinguish between those who are educated and cultured by manners, speech, and dress.

Never boring, the two weeks in Britain were a delightful eye-opener. Past visits to Britain had been London-based with excursions to Cambridge and Oxford. While Manchester seemed downtrodden, tiny Blanchland, cities of Newcastle, Corbridge, Carlisle, Durham, and towns of Richmond, Alston, Hexham, etc. with their shops, churches, and pubs gave one more meaningful insight into the British way of life and manners. Surely, despite being keenly observant, two weeks mostly hiking was hardly sufficient time to familiarize oneself much, but I did get to like the Northumberians and Durhamians. Our tour guide was outstanding in his care of our group of 18 diverse Yanks and the day and local guides were good, though I often found it hard to understand what they said. Perhaps my most precious contact with the people was at the Richmond Methodist church when the congregation welcomed me with tea and conversation after the service though they were in holiday and council officials present were adorned with their medals and honors.

---

Vancouver celebrates Parents¡¦ Day

The Vancouver chapter held a Parents Day lunch on Sunday May 15, 2005 at Floata Restaurant. Everyone had a good time, including our special guests Mr. And Mrs. Antonio Yee (seated at the center of the picture below) visiting from the Philippines. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped organize it, to our Women Singers who provided entertainment, and to Ms. Meng Pan Yu for contributing the original Chinese verses on the left, on never forgetting one¡¦s love for parents.

---

Vancouver welcomes Dr. David Yee from Irvine, CA

We were very pleased to have the opportunity to meet Dr. David Yee (grandson of Dr. Herbert K. Yee, U.S. Grand Elder in Sacramento), on his visit to Vancouver with his bride Kathy. David was in town to attend a conference of the Western Section American Urological Association.

Jim (Chairman of the Vancouver Yee chapter) picked them up from their hotel on the afternoon of August 2 and took them for a visit to our Society Hall, where we chatted and showed them the Chinese scrolls hanging on both sides of the picture of our ancestor. We explained how they came to be presented to the Association by his Grandfather and Great-grandfather over 50 years ago. Both David and Kathy were amazed to see the pictures of their great grand father from the YFT photo albums, and the photos displayed on the walls. We then all went to a Chinese restaurant where Canada Chairman Kan Yu, Board Secretary Wing Yee, Canada Advisor Dick Yee, Vancouver Advisor Wayne Yee, Web Contributor Martin Yee, Board Director James Yu, and Vancouver Chairman Jim Yee hosted a dinner for David and Kathy .

We would like to thank Dr. Herbert Yee, Dr. David Yee, and their families for their generous support of the Canadian Yee Associations through four generations. As Dr. Albert H. Yee said in an email to Jim, "Herbert & Inez have a dynasty family of which all Yee's should be proud". A glimpse of a Chinese herbalist store in Fiddletown, CA. Get a glimpse of life from the 1800's, see Chew Kee Store - Fiddletown, CA.

Jim Yee, Vancouver

---

What is in the Next Issue?

Now that summer is over, it is Back to School for most students. The next issue of the Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice will be published in mid December, featuring reports of scholarship awards and celebrations of the Moon (mid Autumn) festivals at Yee Fung Toy associations around the world. Please submit your articles to the Editor via email (editor @ yeefungtoy.org) or postal mail (The Editor, 226 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6A 1Z7) by November 15.

---