Redwood #193 Klondike BBQ Extravaganza
Why Lion Dancers Throw Lettuce Everywhere
– A Guide to Choy Cheng
A choy cheng (採青) is a special part of a lion dance where performers use the mouths of the lion to “eat” a head of lettuce (symbolizing good fortune) and spit it out to spread wealth to the audience.
Choy cheng in Chinese basically means “plucking the greens”. The greens in a lion dance are a physical head of lettuce. However, the symbolism goes far behind some discount produce you can find at Costco. The Chinese language is full of puns and wordplay, especially when it comes to things like good luck, wealth, and happiness.
Choy cheng is made up of the words Choy (採), meaning “to pluck” and Cheng (青) “greens”.
The “greens” in Chinese are normally symbolized by lettuce, which can also be pronounced as Choy (菜). Coincidentally, the word for “wealth” (財) is pronounced the same way as well, just with a different tone.
With the lions eating up and showering the staff with the bright green lettuce, it symbolizes that the recipient of the lion dance blessing will find wealth and fortune in the near future. This is why being showered by the flying lettuce is said to bring such good luck – you’re essentially getting hit with the money that’s to come.
The lucky lettuce goes beyond just riches, though. Having lettuce rain down on you also symbolizes a protection against bad luck as well.
Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund
The Alberta Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund, including six distinct awards, granted thirty-seven bursaries in 2025, totaling more than $267k, including an award of $750 for the speaker who addresses the Grand Lodge Gala at the Annual Communication in June. This year, that awardee is Jana.
Since 1957, these bursaries have added up to more than $6.75M.
The AMHEBF is grateful to the DDGMs who interviewed more than two hundred remarkable young people who applied for the bursary
Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund Presentation - Beaver Hills District July 2025
One of the significant contributions that Masons make is bursaries to deserving students in post-secondary education. This is done through the Masonic Higher Education Bursary.
A formal presentation was made to Jana Hamdalla at the Annual Communication Grand Master’s Banquet in June 2025. Additional bursary cheques were presented to recipients at a ceremony at Freemasons Hall in Edmonton.
The following are comments from recipients.
Receiving the Masonic scholarship has truly opened a door for me that I thought might remain closed. As the oldest of four and having seen my family’s financial struggles, I knew that without support like this, my dream of post-secondary education would be out of reach. Thanks to this scholarship, I can begin my political science degree without the burden of tuition weighing on me.
I’m deeply grateful—not just for the financial help, but for the belief and encouragement this represents. It’s more than covering two semesters; it’s a step toward a future where I can give back to my family and community. The Masonic organization’s generosity doesn’t just fund education—it changes lives, and I’m living proof of that.
Jana Hamdalla
My name is Janaia Utas and I would like to communicate my heartfelt thank you for making the Lauraine Douchet Memorial Bursary possible and selecting me as a recipient for the 2025-2026 academic year. I am a third year student in the MD program at the University of Alberta and a research assistant in the Department of Family Medicine. I look forward to a career in medicine where I am able to give to my community and help improve the lives of others. Donations to this bursary helps improve access to the study of medicine through the generous funding of students such as myself who could not pursue this education otherwise.
Again, without donors such as yourselves, my education would not be possible and your investment in my education and career is truly valued. Thank you on behalf of myself and future recipients of awards such as this through the Freemasons bursary fund.
With gratitude.
Janaia Utas (she/her)
University of Alberta MD Program
Class of 2027
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your investment in my future. This generous support of 6000 dollars has lightened the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies. Thanks to this bursary, I have been able to replace my laptop of 10 years, making it easier to complete my work and get better grades because of it. I am unable to express in words how grateful I am, so I will strive to become a reflection of what this bursary represents. Dedication, Perseverance and Kindness in everything I do in and outside of school. From the bottom of my heart thank you for the opportunities you have opened for me, and for believing in me and supporting students like myself.
Lydia Kennedy
PHQ #13
B.Ed Year 3
In a world of flashy colors, golden choo-choo trains, and 10-second video clips, people often forget that many students struggle and worry about how they will afford post-secondary education and the burden of student debt. For many, it’s enough to discourage them from pursuing higher education altogether. This bursary has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and is helping make my dream of one day owning my own business a reality.
I’m incredibly grateful to be supported and surrounded by a great group of people who believe in me. It introduced me to the kindness of Freemasonry and what true brotherly love looks like. One day, I hope to return the favour and help make someone else’s dream of higher education a reality by continuing the cycle of giving forward.
Thank you for believing in me and investing in my future.
Curran Maclean
BCom, MacEwan University
