Scarsdale Seniors Celebrate the Year of the Horse

Roughly 60 Scarsdale seniors celebrated the Chinese New Year with a potluck luncheon at the Girl Scouts House on Jan 12. The 30 Chinese seniors were joined by another 30 non-Asian seniors making it a record-breaking event for the newly-formed Scarsdale Chinese Senior Club.

"We wanted to celebrate the upcoming lunar New Year, which is the most important holiday for Chinese people. We thought it would definitely be fun to invite people from other ethnic backgrounds to share this joyful occasion. And we want to say Happy Year of Horse to all the Scarsdale seniors", said Professor ZhongJun Hao, president of the Scarsdale Chinese senior group.

Chinese seniors and volunteers decorated the Girl Scout House with traditional Chinese lanterns, spring scrolls, Chinese knots and flowers. Mr. Hao started the lunch with a quick introduction about how Chinese people typically celebrate lunar New Year (also called Spring Festival in China).

Many members brought homemade dishes of different styles of Chinese cuisine. These dishes are traditional to certain ethnic groups and are not found in Chinese restaurant around the area. One dish that attracted the interest of many non-Chinese seniors is called "Tang Yuan", which is glutinous rice with sweet sesame paste inside. In Chinese culture, this dish has a special meaning of happiness. "The variety of dishes was remarkable, representing the diversity of Chinese cuisine. The food was delicious and must have taken many hours of cutting, folding and cooking." said Mrs. Bridie Wetmur, a Scarsdale senior resident, who was impressed with the gathering.

Even though only a handful of Chinese seniors speak English, many people enjoyed the conversations. Andrey Wax, a playwriter/lyricist/composer from Scarsdale said "it was challenging, though exciting and stimulating (and rewarding when we were understood!) trying to learn and communicate in a language very different from English." She suggested that in the future, "it would be very helpful to have a large map of China so people can show us where they come from and we can gradually learn about the different areas. My husband and I haven't been there yet, and getting to know a place through its people is the best way, we think".

Kathy Hurwitz, director of the village senior program, said she could not believe how smoothly everything went with the lunch, "Today's lunch was a miracle. People will be talking about it for quite a while. I never saw a group of people work so efficiently and well. I think this was a wonderful way of sharing cultures and getting to know one another".  Scarsdale Library Director Elizabeth Berman and Kathy Gray, President of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library have supported the program and were also on hand to enjoy the luncheon.

Yulan Zhou, a Chinese senior resident of Heathcote, said "the senior club has been a very important part of the Chinese seniors' life here. Thanks to the Scarsdale village senior program and the library for their support. We would also like to do something to make our community a warm home for everyone."

Scarsdale Chinese Senior Club was founded in September 2013, and meets twice a week in the Girl Scout House and the library. The club is open to all Scarsdale seniors.