Year of the Tiger Arrives With A Roar

The South Mountain Families With Children From China (FCC) welcomed in the Year of the Tiger on Sunday afternoon at the DeHart Community Center in Maplewood. While Yee's Hung Ga International Kung Fu Association roared through the crowd with the traditional lion dance to a pulsing drum beat, children wearing colorful satin dresses and robes squealed in fear and delight. Not to be outdone, the kids stomped on bubble wrap, simulating exploding firecrackers, and scared away bad spirits on their own.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, people born in the Year of the Tiger (1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010) have strong personalities. They are charismatic, dynamic, confident, candid, courageous and rebellious. If you  were born in the Year of the Tiger, you share a sign with Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ho Chi Minh, Karl Marx and Marco Polo.

Celebrating Chinese New Year together has become a tradition for local families with children adopted from China.  Michele Zembow of Maplewood and her daughter, ten-year-old Kaydi, have come for nine years. "We try to attend local events which at least give us access to some Chinese culture and the Chinese adoption community," she said. 

The children, who range in age from toddlers to teens, met up with familiar school friends, as well as new friends of different ages. Annie Newberry, a ninth grader at Columbia High School, joined hands with 28-month-old Rachel Mayer. Annie participates in the Bigs and Littles Program, sponsored by the FCC, which gets together younger and older adopted children. "I really like hanging out with younger adoptees," Annie said "It can help them understand adoption and that there are other adopted people."

Groups of children of varied ages gathered around tables and constructed giant tiger masks and then, paraded through the crowd. Many wore bright orange tee-shirts with images of fierce tigers.

A Chinese feast,  catered by Bill & Harry's, was savored by young and old alike. Traditional New Year's dishes, such as dumplings and noodles, were served. "Tiger cupcakes" were designed by the children, with orange frosting, fruit loops, miniature marshmellows, and chocolate chips. The afternoon ended with the distribution of hong bao, red envelopes decorated with New Year's wishes that are filled with coins.

"It's always a treat to see the children enjoy themselves with their peers," said Zembow.