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Open Letter to the City of Oroville, Friends of the Parks, & the
(by Patti Day-Miller - November 09, 2009)
Approaching Oroville’s 1863 Chinese Temple around 6 p.m. on October 24 with the brilliant, red swags lining the walkway to the complex, it looked like we were about to experience a very special evening. And we were!
Entering the courtyard, that was festooned with thousands of tiny lights and accent lanterns strung above, we were struck by the beautiful, red tablecloths spread over the dining tables ringing the courtyard walls. The chairs were wearing black slipcovers held with a glittering gold tie. The scene was breathtakingly beautiful, and a harpist was playing soothing music in the background to add to the ambiance.
The event was the first of a series of dinners, sponsored by the City’s Tourism Committee, to raise funds for the five museums operated by the City. From 6-7 p.m., guests were treated to appetizers of prawns and foil-wrapped chicken and beverages (wines were provided by Grey Fox Vineyards), while they toured the museum’s many rooms. Docents were on hand to answer questions.
As guests took their seats at the tables, they found a lovely little booklet honoring the event, which informed them about the ancient Chinese harp called konghou and the Qeej instrument, which they would later hear. On the back of the booklet was the menu for the evening. At 7 p.m. the first course of egg flower soup and hot tea was served. Then came the second course of beef chow fun.
Between that course and the main course, we watched performances by Hmong Community Dancers. Four males dressed in traditional costume and dancing while playing the qeej instrument entertained the guests first, followed by four young female singers and dancers, who were extremely graceful. The audience showed their appreciation with hearty applause.
The main course was asparagus chicken, walnut prawns, garlic Chinese greens and vegetable fried rice. That was followed with dessert of green tea ice cream and an almond cookie. The dinner was prepared by Tong Fong Low Restaurant, and I believe the ice cream was prepared and provided by Scoops Cafe. Checkers Restaurant/Private Industry Council provided the servers for the evening. Also, helping were City employees. A special thanks to Bob Marciniak, SBF/RDA Co-ordinator for the City of Oroville, who planned and oversaw the entire event. (For more information on future “Night at the Museum” events, please contact Bob at 538-2518.)
Honored guests of the evening were Dr. and Mrs. Gaing Wing Chan from Sacramento, who, along with other family members, were so instrumental in saving/preserving many of the artifacts found in this cultural jewel, as well as funding the newest wing of the complex.
(The Oroville Chinese Temple, a California Registered Historic Landmark, is unique in the U. S. because it is the only known complex that served three religions: Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. In 1968 Tapestry Hall was built to display the extensive collection of tapestries, parade umbrellas, an imperial pillar rug of the 16th century and other items that had been lovingly cared for by the Chan family for many years, after the flood of 1907 decimated much of the Chinese community. The Chan family assumed responsibility for the temple and its treasures until the temple was deeded to the City of Oroville in 1937. It first opened to visitors in 1949.)
Before guests left, they were each given a Chinese food take-out carton that held fortune cookies, the new brochure on Oroville’s Historic Walking Tour, and a polished stone with a hand-painted Chinese “blessing.” The hand-painted stones were thanks to John and Sue Hees and The Artists of River Town.
If you missed this “Night at the Museum” event, you missed an exquisite evening filled with lovely entertainment, wonderful food and drink, and held at a venue that is truly unique in this entire nation. Thank you, City of Oroville. It was all stunning …
Patti Day-Miller
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