Under the towering height of Cleveland
City Hall's rotunda sat twenty-five beautifully decorated banquet
tables, each for ten delighted diners. The tables alternated between
red cloth tops and white. The tables were loaded with China plates
and gold-bronze knives, forks, and spoons. (These were plastic, but
looked so authentic.) All was in readiness for the opening of this
gala event and celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of the
birthday of the Erie Chinese Journal.
For twenty years the chief editor and its founder Annie Ying Pu has
faithfully published her monthly Erie Chinee Journal filled with all
sorts of brightly colored photographs and attractive stories about
Cleveland's cultural and social events. On any night you can spot
Annie racing around northern Ohio from one community event to
another, constantly clicking her camera to capture all the
happenings. On the front of each issue there is a huge presentation
of the faces of Clevelanders from all the recent events who blend
into an amazing mosaic of our people, that includes all races and
ages. These demonstrate our unity and inclusiveness.
Much of the journal boasts exquisite Mandarin symbols and
outstanding writing. Here and there the issue will sport some
articles in English and some headings in non-Mandarin. Many pages
carry ads for restaurants, professional people, and other local
entrepreneurs. Since Annie distributes the issues with no price tag,
the advertising keeps the journal alive and thriving. One large very
distinctive ad is always sponsored by Attorney Margaret Wong and her
world-famous legal immigration office. More on Margaret, a keynote
speaker for this celebration, is provided below.
The entire program was an amazing collection of different facets of
Chinese Asian culture beginning with a delicate well-presented Tea
ceremony hosted by Kimmily Qin. We all watch as her hands carefully
lift the tea pot and then she pours the tan-colored liquid slowly,
finishing with her drinking a cup and toasting all of the audience.
This was followed by a welcoming speech by our host Annie Pu who
thanked everyone who over the past twenty years had supported her
journalistic mission. Here was her opening: "Good evening ladies and
gentlemen. And thank you for gathering together to celebrate the
Erie Chinese Journal birthday. Despite our turbulent times, what
most people want the world over is peace, prosperity, and the
comfort of home, family, and friends." This is mission statement for
the Erie Chinese Journal. Later she would share more of her
beautiful philosophy at this event.
Her opening heart-felt discourse was followed by the great singing
voice of Ariel Flores whose delivery of the American National Anthem
filled the hall. An energetic Dragon dance by two long lines of
dancers swept thru the hall and then up and down the aisles. This
was followed by Xiao Bo drum corps whose deep rhythms delighted the
audience then a Face changing Mask performance which contrasted with
the singing. Before the intermission, three more performances
demonstrated the breadth of Chinese artistry-- a solo song by Mr. Ji
Ping Zhang, a Martial art display with twirls, jumps, and leaps; and
finally a traditional Chinese Opera selection featuring the voice of
Fei Hong Song who hit all the difficult notes that embellish this
opera.
An intermission paused the program with dinner served swiftly by
hardworking staff . The menu provided delicious baked whitefish and
breaded Pork Chops accompanied by creamy sliced potatoes and all
sorts of Asian vegetables. Desert was different from the usual heavy
cakes or thick pies of European banquets and instead featured
delicious oranges stacked in the center of the table along with
various sodas. Tea and coffee completed this meal. A six-member
panel of complementary views led by Margaret Wong praised the
Journal and reopened the program.
The high point of the evening and the program was a panel
discussion entitled "Dream - Home," was conducted by Attorney
Margaret Wong, Pier Lee, and Annie Yung Pu. Margaret as always
emphasized how America provides so many opportunities for all.
Newcomers of course have to work hard, reach out spiritedly to
others, and they will find success. Pier Lee discussed how the
Journal appealed to everyone, new and old. Annie declared that
Cleveland was the proper place for this celebration: "This once
Great City can find greatness again and re-energize our dreams." She
once more stated her affirming outlook that we can "leave a positive
mark to share cultural heritage, and make friendship which last
forever."
Ying Pu said that besides Cleveland, her Chinese culture newspaper
possesses readership in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cincinnati, and other
Asian communities throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as those
in New York, Kentucky, and Washington.“ The City Hall audience at
this event included Journal supporters from these cities as well as
from other States in America.
Her journal has received various awards, including from a coalition
of media organizations led by the Neighborhood Media Foundation. Let
me explain. Ying Pu was experiencing challenges reaching her loyal,
local readership with her print paper during the COVID-19 pandemic
because of lack of distribution locations and loss of advertising
moneys. But an award appreciating the Journal/s value accompanied by
the grant rescued the Journal. She was able to resume and used more
direct-mailing, in their own Chinese language, but without being
forced to leave their homes during the pandemic.
Neighborhood Media Foundation Executive Director Rich Weiss said,
“We are very proud of Anne and the value Facebook places on her
labor since 2002 developing her grassroots Chinese-language
newspaper.” The Project grant helped to save the 18-year-old paper
from a pandemic disaster."
A final tribute to Annie and this evening's recognition event was
delivered by a long- time leader of both the Asian and general
Community. "We are happy to be here tonight at our own City hall,"
voiced Director Gia Hoa Ryan who is the Founder and Executive
Director of the Friendship Foundation of American-Vietnamese.
Director Ryan has been a leading member of the Mayor's Community
Relations Board and is well acquainted with Annie's journal. "We are
glad to join in tonight's celebration of this Erie Chinese Journal--
one of the best of Ohio Community newspapers. We plan to be here
twenty years from now to celebrate another 20 years of
accomplishments by Editor Pu and the Erie Chinese Journal. We will
then celebrate and applaud a total forty years of Excellence and
dedication by her to our great society."
by Attorney Joseph Meissner
|
.jpg)
