Fred and Jenny Hsiao celebrate 50th Anniversary

The celebration began with guest registration and an opportunity to make an entry into a scrapbook.  After all guests were seated, the Hsiao family was lead into the banquet hall with a lion dance that was followed with performances by the Ha Family. The gathering was welcomed by Shih-Pau Yen (Chinese) and Howell Shaw (English) and a program of entertainment was provided beginning with a poem recitation by Jennie’s brothers and sisters.  JC and Li Ming Wong, dressed in traditional apparel, performed a Hunan folk drama, Gao Hong played some classical Chinese music on the pipa and the Ha Family sang several songs. 

During the dinner and throughout the celebration, a video presentation on their 50 years together was played as a pictorial journey for the guests to view. After dinner Fred and Jennie made sure they visited each table to share a toast with all of their guests. As the evening drew to a close, remarks were made by Weiming Lu, Margret Wong, Walter Graff and Ivy Chang. Closing remarks were then offered by Fred and Jennie and the gathering couldn’t resist the traditional clinking of their glasses to generate the customary response. 

The celebration of these milestones continues to add to the accomplishments that Fred has achieved which includes being recently recognized as Chinese Minnesotan of Note by the Chinese Heritage Foundation and awards from the business community:  MAMC-UM Contractor of the Year, 2007 International Immigrant Achievement Award, MMSDC Supplier of the Year.  Fred and the family have also been featured in Twin Cities Business, Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal Special Report on Power Families as well as being featured in Finance & Commerce. In addition to such awards Fred and Jennie have been very generous in their support of the Chinese community with their involvement in organizations such as the Chinese American Association of Minnesota, University of Minnesota China Center, Chinese Senior Citizens Society, Chinese American Business Association of Minnesota and U.S. China Peoples’ Friendship Association.  And if this wasn’t enough, they have also been known to fund and support many projects in China. 

We congratulate Fred and Jennie in achieving these milestones and wish them many more years of good health and enjoyment.  They certainly have already enjoyed success and we appreciate their sharing this with all of us.