First event of its kind held at Senior Resource Center.
By: Jennifer Potash
To welcome old and new friends, the Princeton Senior Resource Center kicked off a new tradition Thursday with a celebration of Chinese New Year.
Over 100 people gathered at the Suzanne C. Patterson Senior Center at Princeton Borough Hall to sample Chinese cuisine and culture.
Chinese New Year begins with the first New Moon of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later.
Wan-Lin Chyan, a Plainsboro resident who is working on a master’s degree in social work at Rutgers University, suggested the festivities for the senior center, where she is a case worker.
"I thought, in this community there are quite a few different people and it would be nice to have a multicultural event," she said.
The Princeton Senior Resource Center, which has hosted other events for seniors such as a Kentucky Derby celebration, enthusiastically supported the idea and encouraged her, Ms. Chyan said.
The Princeton area hosts a vibrant and active Chinese community that wants to share its traditions and celebrations, said Ms. Chyan, who was born to Chinese parents in Taiwan.
With the newly renovated Suzanne Patterson Center available, the Senior Resource organization may host other similar celebrations, said Susan Hoskins, director of the Senior Resource Center.
"We can reach out to the rich diversity of the Princeton community," she said.
Several local Chinese restaurants provided the food for New Year party. A cadre of volunteers put up lavish red and gold decorations and red paper lanterns in the multipurpose center.
Demonstrations on Chinese calligraphy, painting and knotting were set up in the lounge area.
As guests enjoyed plates filled from a buffet of Chinese entrees, musicians and other performers demonstrated different styles of Chinese music and art.
Shao-Chin Li, dressed in traditional attire, performed a scene from Chinese opera.
Students from a Princeton Tae Kwon Do school demonstrated their techniques and the audience applauded the efforts of 8-year-old Alexandria Yang, who broke a board with one well-placed punch.
Beatrice Pan played the "Serenade of the Green Island" on her Chinese zither, a 25-string instrument whose origins date back to about 220 B.C.
Other performances included a demonstration of Chinese yo-yos by a group of enthusiastic children and the traditional Chinese New Year dance led by Princeton Borough Mayor Joseph O’Neill and Princeton Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand.
Many participants got into the New Year’s spirit by donning Chinese-themed attire.
Susan Loew, a member of the Senior Resource Center’s board of trustees, wore a colorful cotton vest with appliqued animal designs, notably a pair of snakes on the back.
She found the vest during a visit to China in 1987.
The event also offered new and different experiences for audience members.
Ruth Ramsey said this was her first Chinese New Year celebration.
"I’m enjoying it very much," she said.
Kit Wong proudly said the event was her 71st New Year celebration and she enjoyed the atmosphere and excitement at the senior center.
"I think this is very good," said Ms. Wong, who also brought her 14-month-old granddaughter, who was celebrating her first New Year’s party.
Ms. Chyan said many local restaurants donated food for the celebration Asian Food Markets, Euro-Asia Food, Hunan Restaurant, Ivy Garden, King’s Castle, Sunny Garden, Supper Star East Buffet, Tiger Noodles and World Buffet.