Happy New Year It's Ozoni

Happy New Year!!! It's Ozoni
by Barbara Hiura

The Nichigo, et al., worked very hard preparing Ozoni, the traditional Japanese New Year soup for the whole church. We have Akiko Buchanan to thank for the very tasty broth and the crew for all their prep work along with toasting all the mochi and helping our church celebrate the New Year properly. Front row (from left): Shizuko Adachi, Akiko Gordon, Kazuko Hughes, Maki Nakazato, Miyuki Nakazato, Terri Koike, Ron Ogi, Mayumi Miyahara, Bev Acuna, Amy Shiozaki, Bobbie Ueunten,  Judie Kanemoto, Zena Fong, and Michiko Collins; and back row, from left, Akio Sekino, Akiko Buchanan, Mimune Tsukamoto, Maki Nakahara, Ron Tanizawa, Takumi Ogawa, John Tanaka, Jim Mar, Misako Ogi, Mark Iwagaki, and Mary Horio.

Yes, indeed, they are hard at work making sure, everyone gets served and wishing all "Akemashite omedito gozaimasu!"

Helping to serve are Mark Iwagaki and Zena Fong.

Enjoying this festive soup were: Carol Mar and Vanessa Perry-Mar with Roger Miller.

Doesn't the mochi our church made at mochitsuki look good? Jan Yamaguchi demonstrates the proper consumption of this special soup with Jill Aragaki.

Lindy Lim converses with Rob Hikido who can't talk with his mouthful of mochi.

Virginia Bailey shows off her mochi-eating style above and Tom and Karen Maeda, below thought it was delicious and a great tradition. Roger Saito, far left, is still slurping his.

It was a great beginning to our church's new year. Welcome 2025!