Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - In 1992, the Hmong Club was officially recognized as a university organization. Since then, members have actively engaged in activities to promote the Hmong culture throughout the Platteville community and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus. One of these events is their annual Thanksgiving dinner where Hmong food and culture is incorporated in a fun-filled evening for everyone involved.

This year marks the 12th time that the Hmong Club will be sponsoring their Thanksgiving dinner. It is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21 at St. Augustine's Church from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event is free to anyone who would like to attend, but due to the limited event seating, tickets must be reserved in advance. "It's unfortunate we had to reduce the number of people who could attend because numbers usually range well above 200. But due to monetary issues and space constraints, seating is reduced and is first come first serve" noted Pusaporn Tabrizi, Hmong Club advisor.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with cultural entertainment featuring Future of Rice Seeds, a Hmong performance group from Sheboygan; followed by dinner. Future of Rice Seeds will be presenting a short skit, dance, and fashion show all displaying various forms of the Hmong culture. According to Tabrizi the group will bring approximately 20 performers who will showcase their costumes and explain to the audience what the pieces of clothing mean and how they symbolize the different clans in Hmong society.

The dinner itself offers foods to satisfy vegetarians and meat lovers alike. It's a smorgasbord complete with roast turkey, sweet pork, fried noodles, Hmong sausage, stuffed chicken wings, egg rolls, and salads, as well as many other dishes. Dessert is a popular dish known as sesame balls that can be compared to sweet doughnuts with sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Drinks include the classic Chai tea. All the food is prepared solely by students in the Hmong Club. "We usually start Thursday cutting, chopping, and preparing vegetables. Then we cook all day Friday with the event being held Friday night. It's a good two to three days of preparation," commented Sheng Xiong, a Hmong Club member and UWP student.

Hmong Club members encourage students to attend so they may learn more about the Hmong culture and embrace the diversity that UWP's campus has to offer. "The dinner is the way that Hmong students express their gratitude to the campus community which has helped and allowed them to show their culture and promote diversity," commented Tabrizi.

To reserve tickets contact Tabrizi at (608) 342-1555 or Multicultural Services at (608) 342-1506 beginning Nov. 10.