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Two for the Museum
Since 2009, John and Joann Nicon have been conducting video interviews with Greeks and Greek-Americans in Washington State. With the help of many others, stories from those interviews have been shared worldwide. Now, here is a little information about John and Joann and their work with the Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State.
Her Father Called Her “Dascala”
From the time she was a young child, Andrea Topetzes Mann loved to “play school.” The benefit of education through her family and in her life has resulted in a strong dedication to her role as a teacher (dascala).
Greek Immigrant Meets Southern Belle
George and Diane Pirotis’s son, Stavros, has enjoyed a mix of cultures and accents, from his father, a Greek visitor to Seattle in 1977 (and a USA Citizen since 1982), and his mother from a long-standing South Carolina family. Their common values and strong faith have offset any differences in their heritage.
To Suit the Occasion
Steve and Anna Athan spent over 30 years combining hard work and his tailoring skills to achieve a successful career in Seattle, Washington. They share their stories of growing up on farms in Greece and their experiences in America.
I Get Chills
That’s what Terry Xenos Proios said when she and her siblings gathered to tell their story of emigration from Leros, Greece, and life in Seattle, Washington. Three sisters of the nine-member Xenos family are featured here along with remembrances of their family life.
A Culinary Philosopher
Constantinos “Costas” Nikolaos Antonopoulos brought his skills as a pastry chef to Seattle, Washington, in 1968. From there he expanded his culinary skills and became a successful and respected restaurateur.
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.
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.
Float Like A Butterfly
The butterfly collection in Ethel Barbas’ home personifies her joyful and optimistic visits with family and friends as she travels the roads in western Washington. Testimony to her travel is her 1997 Honda del Sol with over 350,000 miles.
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.
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.
The Great Head of the Family
Great yiayia (grandmother) was too long to say for Willene (Vasiliki) Delegans Allison’s great grandson, so the name for this family matriarch became simply “Great.”
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.
Come Fly With Me
Born in Washington State, Diana Aristides Bacas (nee Delimitros) has the best of three worlds and is equally at home in Madrid, Athens or Seattle. She also believes that she is truly blessed to have lived in this particular timeframe of history, to have been born in Seattle, wanted and loved by her family and to have experienced an extraordinary and unique timeframe of aviation history.
Two for the Culture
Combine international travel, service with a Greek flair and 50 years of marriage and you have an excellent example of a couple who have made important contributions to the Greek experience in Washington State.
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
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.
The Hollywood Style
How many ways can the heritage of Greeks in America be preserved and shared? Museums? Books? Oral histories? Photographs?
East Side West Side
Magdaline “Molly” Tsalaky (nee Barbas) treasures the musings of her father’s writing on whatever paper was available, even the back of vegetable can labels.