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Building a Neighborhood
Many Greek immigrants who become successful entrepreneurs are leaders and prominent figures in their Greek community. For Nick Sfondouris, his contributions have been in his own Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.
Distant Yet Close Siblings
Michael Peter Kazaras was born on September 28, 1940, in North Bronx, New York, and lives in Kirkland, Washington, with his wife Lisa. Michael’s sister, Joann Veloudis, also born in the Bronx in 1942, lives in the Athens suburb Holargos with her husband Stamos. Joann’s son, Evangelos “Evan” lives in San Jose, California, and daughter Maria lives near her uncle Michael in Bothell, Washington. It was a special opportunity to have all of them together for this interview on November 18, 2022.
The Priest With Many Parishes
Since his ordination in 1966, Father John Angelis has served in 12 different parishes during 56 years as a Greek Orthodox priest, most of them after he retired in 2007. He and Presvytera Anna continue their service via ZOOM from their home. In his words, “It has been a blessing for us to get to know and serve so many people. Praise be to God."
The Hollywood Style
How many ways can the heritage of Greeks in America be preserved and shared? Museums? Books? Oral histories? Photographs?
Learning the Hard Way
Thomay (from Thomas) “May” Fenerly grew up in a small cottage on Sequim Bay on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula without a road until 1937 and without electricity until 1955. Despite the challenges of living and learning in a remote location May successfully pursued and developed a career in education. She has also meticulously documented the family history in words and photos.
Making Sweet Music Together
For 58 years, Peter Evans Jr. and Anna Damoulou Evans have maintained their faith, their vows and their musical interests. They recall many activities in their Greek Orthodox Church, in their community and with their family where music and singing have played an important part.
Many Strangers, Two Little Kisses
Pauli (Pauline) Cave’s name is interesting. Her given name, Polixeni, literally translated means many strangers and her first married name, Diafos, was originally Diafilakis or two little kisses.
Down By The Riverside
West Seattle was home for a large number of Greek families when Thalia and Kiki Denos were growing up. Their family home was a center of activity for many friends and relatives.
Was Her Mother a Gypsy?
It was in the early 1940s when the county sheriff received a call reporting a gypsy begging for money in downtown Yakima, Washington.
From Rags to Riches
He was known as the Junk King of Anacortes when he began collecting discarded items in 1908 but E. (Efthemios) “Mike” Demopoulos became a major landowner and businessman in the town
A Greek Village For Two
Ask Petro Farmasonis where the best Greek food can be found in Seattle, Washington, and he will point to his own kitchen. From 1966 to 1979 Petro and Colleen Farmasonis operated Seattle’s successful Greek-themed restaurant, the Eleniko Horio, Greek Village.
A Good Life in Cashmere
Christos (Chris) Roumeliotis was born in Athens, Greece, on December 17, 1925. His experiences in Greece during World War II and his work in Cashmere, Washington, combine for a long life of hard work and gratitude for the blessings he has received.
Family Comes First
The walls of Tom Cassis’ basement recreation room contain a family history of plhotos beyond imagination. For him as long as the family comes first, everything else will fall in line. His memory of names, dates and places shows how important those relationships have been in his life.
Five Generations and Counting
The Derezes and Falangus families were among the first Greek settlers in the northwest United States. Five generations later their descendants have maintained their Greek culture. With only one exception, following the Greek tradition, all have been named after their grandparents.
Finding Good Fortune
For the three Carkonen brothers, a learned work ethic, emphasis on family values and strong relationships within the Greek community have aided their success in both business and in life.
Seattle Or Nothing
That’s what Stamatios (Steve) Demetrios (James) Bratsanos said to his prospective wife before they left Greece to spend their lives together in the United States.
We Like the Old Stuff Better
They may not be Greek but, wherever live Greek music is played in Washington State, Hank Bradley and Cathie Whitesides will most likely be part of the group.
Greek Wedding Favors
Is it boubouniera? Or bomboniere? Perhaps bonboniere? What about boboniere? Or maybe bouboniera? Ah, yes also boubounniera. And not to be forgotten, bonbonniere. Having noted these various spellings, what can be said about this favor given as a gift to guests at weddings and baptisms? When spelled bomboniere—that’s Italian for box of sweets. The Italians claim it as their own. So do the French who spell it bonbonniere. And the Greeks claim it as well. Read on to learn about the place of the boubounniera in the Greek Orthodox wedding tradition.
It Really Did Take A Village
While the town of Manson, Washington, was reminiscent of her parents’ homes in Greece, hers was the only Greek family in the area. For Diamando (Manda) Tagas Bekris, it really did take a village to raise a child. It was from the influence and urging of non-Greek neighbors that she was able to learn about the world outside of her own family.
Out of the Detroit Bubble
Tom, Helen and Demetra Barbas’ family moved to Seattle, Washington, in November of 1944 from a protective Greek “bubble” in Detroit, Michigan. From there, the Barbas children blossomed as they assimilated into their new Northwest society.