The “Tallahassee Luncheon Club” (TLC) in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, held its first New Year luncheon on January, co-hosted together with the North Florida Chinese Association (NFCA), officially opening the new year for TLC and NFCA in the area.
The origins of the “Tallahassee Luncheon Club” can be traced back to before 2003, when Taiwanese expatriates Yuhsu Pan, Paul Lee, and Tien-Shuenn Wu, who were then working at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, often spent their lunch breaks enjoying packed lunches in the laboratory conference room, followed by leisurely walks to nearby Turtle Pond (Winewood Office Park) for relaxation and conversation. In 2006, after Yuhsu Pan retired, members specially selected two restaurants and hosted a “Dumpling Banquet” and a “Noodle Banquet” as a farewell and send-off. Later, someone suggested organizing rotating luncheons on a regular basis, which became the origin of the Luncheon Club. That same year, Tien-Shuenn Wu took the initiative to serve as coordinator, emailing members to meet once a month for self-paid luncheons at local restaurants, gradually giving shape to the activity.
As time went on, participation steadily increased. Today, the group’s members include current and retired professionals from Florida State University (FSU), Florida A&M University (FAMU), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Transportation, Leon County, the City of Tallahassee, and other institutions. In July 2018, coordination duties were handed over to Jack Tsai of the Florida Legislature’s Data Processing Center. Although activities were disrupted during the pandemic, the group continued meeting at restaurants with outdoor seating and was never fully suspended.
Shortly before this month’s gathering, members received the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC)’s 2026 “Formosa at a Glance” bilingual calendar, which highlights the cultural and natural features of Taiwan’s outlying islands. The cover and interior pages feature scenic photos of Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Lanyu, and more—flipping through it feels like taking a trip across the islands. The back cover also includes a QR code for the Overseas Emergency Assistance Association as well as information on scholarships for overseas Taiwanese students—both highly practical. After discussion among the organizers, TLC invited Chairperson Jade Huang and members of the North Florida Chinese Association to co-host this month’s New Year luncheon. Preparations are also underway for upcoming Lunar New Year festivities in February.
A total of 19 people attended the event. Participants enjoyed delicious food, exchanged professional and personal experiences, discussed current events, and celebrated the New Year together in a warm and lively atmosphere.
