Dear Kytherian Society Members and Friends,
THE 2013 PANIGYRI WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 29,
2013 AT THE RESURRECTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN CASTRO
VALLEY.
This year we will
be honoring the memory of our beloved member Stamatoula
Mavromatis Chlentzos, who passed away on January 15, 2013 at
the age of 106. Stamatoula was an active member of the KSOCA since it began over 63 years
ago!
Stamatoula was
born in the village of Christoforianika, Kythera. My cousin Terry Chlentzos Keramaris and I had
the opportunity to do several video interviews with her a few years ago. She
shared what her life was like growing up on the island and how she first met
her husband, Angelo Chlentzos (the nephew of my yiayia), when he had returned
to Kythera from the USA in 1930.
The first time Stamatoula met Angelo was at a vesper service at the Agios
Vasilis Church in Christoforianika, where her grandfather, Fr. Dionysios
Koulentianos was presiding. Stamatoula was coming out of the church
holding the church icon when Angelo said hello to her. She returned the
greeting, and later Angelo asked Stamatoula's father for her hand in marriage.
She didn't know him at all, but he was from a good family and had a good name.
She knew he would make a good husband. Angelo and Stamatoula married a couple
of months later, then made the long trip to America. It was the first time
anyone in Stamatoula's family had traveled so far away.
Stamatoula had an
impact on everyone she met. Her home was always "home" to any of the
Kytherians who made their way to California. When the Kytherian Society of
California was founded in 1950, she became one of it's most active
members. Year after year, it was Stamatoula who made the Artos bread for
the Artoklasia held at each annual Panigyri. Today, we continue this tradition,
using a modified version of her recipe. 2010 Artoklasia |
Kytherian Society of California | KSOCA
Stamatoula touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She will be dearly
missed. If you have a special memory of Stamatoula, we welcome you to share it
at this years luncheon.
We are happy to announce that once again we will be featuring a photo
exhibition from Dimitris Baltzis,ilovekythera.com. Dimitris will be creating a
new video for us to watch while we enjoy our lunch and photos will be available
for purchase. All proceeds benefit the KSOCA.
Kythera News
Municipal Library:
We are happy to report that the Kythera Municipal Library is
open! Cynthia Cavalenes-Jarviswas on the island this summer with
her family where she was honored at the library for her dedicated efforts in
getting the Bookshelves Project underway. An update will be given at the
luncheon along with photos showing the progress inside the library and
landscaping outside the library.
Surnames Book- The Kytherian Surnames book
has now been translated into English and is available for purchase.
This 810-page book contains a study of 256 family names from Kythera, their
history on the island and their further dispersion to the broader area of the
Kytherian Diaspora.
If you would like a copy, it can be ordered through the Kytherian
World Heritage Fund.
Remember,
you need not be Kytherian to attend our Panigyri! We
encourage you to invite your friends, your family, and bring your children to
this year’s luncheon.
Remember to visit
our www.ksoca.com website often for updates. The latest news can be found on our BLOG:http://www.ksoca.com/ksoca-blog/
The Links page
is updated often with websites that may be of interest to everyone.
If you have recommendations for other websites to add to our page, please
email them to me at vikki@ksoca.com.
We are now
accepting applications for the 2014 Anastasia Conomos Condas
Scholarship. If you know anyone who may be eligible to apply,
please refer them to our scholarhip page to download an application.
Applications will also be mailed upon request and will be available at the
luncheon. Applications are due June 1, 2014.
Attached you will
find our 2013 Panigyri Invitation, and a Reservation
Form,
Please complete
and return the Reservation Form by September 13,
2013.
Remember to bring
an item for our annual Raffle and a bottle of wine to share with your table.
In addition to the
Raffle, we will also be auctioning off some other exciting items!
I will be leaving
for Greece on Sunday, and arriving on the island just in time for the Aug. 15
Panigyri, however,
I look forward to
seeing everyone at OUR Panigyri and enjoying an afternoon of friendship, good food, and filoxenia!
Sincerely,
Vikki Vrettos Fraioli
Kytherian Society of California
Corresponding
Secretary/Technology/Webmaster
