30th Anniversary Reunion Barbecue and Program

The Reunion Committee originally planned for a barbecue and cultural program at the Fougler-Pratt Farm. Every detail was set in place for May 14, 2022. The two dry runs at the farm before the date of the barbecue took place as planned the week before. However, due to forecasts of thunderstorms for May 14, the Reunion Committee convened a special meeting 3 days before to change the location back to the Kentlands Chapel. Truly the thought of not holding the barbecue at the far was disheartening, because of the many wonderful memories we have had there in the past and because the farm was ideal for the outdoor games.

But the show must go on. The decision was to make the best of the alternate location. On the afternoon of May 14, busy folks were setting up for the barbecue and program. From 3pm to 5pm, folks signed up at the front desk, picked up history books and tee shirts, and were invited to games and crafts. Some of the games set up by Brad Johnson, Ann Johnson, and Jason Liu in the cultural hall included Corn hole toss, frisbee and balls, 4 corners, Dodgeball, kickball, Water balloon toss, water toss, Relay races, water jug, tennis balls, sponges, golf ball/spoon, Treasure/photo scavenger hunt, and Kite flying. The 2 craft tables were set up by Li-Fang Tsai in the Relief Society room: creating lion heads for a dance, and making ribbons on a wand for another dance.

At 5pm, after a blessing on the food by Adam Fugal, everyone enjoyed a catered meal and chicken legs barbecued by our very own pitmaster Guillermo Azucena. Spontaneously without announcement, Ryan Ng signaled the 2 lions to enter with loud and crisp clangs of the cymbals. This surely startled many there, but it certainly woke up the lions. With Elder Thorpe kneeling in the middle of the overflow keeping the beat with the drums, Elders Munk, Frame, Butler, and Chandler controlled the 2 lions. The rest of the program were emceed by Li-Fang Tsai in Chinese, accompanied by Benjamin Tsai in English. In the next program, Li-Fang Tsai led 6 folks in dancing with lion heads created just earlier in the afternoon. Then some very young missionaries exhibited the joys and trials of mission life in a skit entitled "I Hope They Call Me on A Mission." Actors included sister missionaries driving a car (Allison Fugal and Aliyah Chang), elders biking (Maeser Chang and Garrett Perkins), sister missionaries walking (Annelise Perkins and Autumn King), an angry carrying a broom (Aaron Fugal), and investigators (Evelynn King and Ashton King). After the skit, Li-Fang Tsai led about 30 volunteers in dancing with ribbons. The Branch choir then performed "Charity" or 愛的真諦 through a recording. Next, Potim King and her daughter, Autumn, played a duet based on "Over the Rainbow." Peter Yang then sang "The Moon Represents My Heart" with several of his fellow returned missionaries. Then Noelle Perkins sang, "I Am a Child of God" with her daughter, Annelise, accompanied by Potim King. Finally, the lights were dimmed as Li-Fang Tsai led the audience in a "candlelit" medley of hymns from printed lyrics in Chinese brought to light by their cell phone lights. These hymns included the first verses of "I Need Thee Every Hour," "Did You Think to Pray?," "I Know that My Redeemer Lives," "Count Your Blessings," "Nearer My God to Thee," and "Sing We Now at Parting." Everyone sang very reverently and quietly. The atmosphere was awesome when we sang the hymns together.

Despite all of the improvisations and rehearsals at the last minute, the program was enjoyed by all. Much work and time went into the planning, preparation, and execution of the plan, but it was all worth it!