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Climb Every Mountain
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

Climb Every Mountain

At fifteen years of age, Ted (Theodore) Kaltsounis, his parents and five siblings escaped from Albania over the mountains into Greece to avoid communism and execution of his father. His life has subsequently followed a complex path to earn his place as a respected scholar and teacher in the United States.

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It Really Did Take A Village
Exhibit, Person Greeks of Washington Exhibit, Person Greeks of Washington

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.

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That Sounds Like Greek to Me
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

That Sounds Like Greek to Me

“THAT SOUNDS LIKE GREEK TO ME”

On his first day of school when Lazarus Stylianos Politakis was hit in the head with a baseball bat he cried out for help in his native tongue.  Someone said, “That sounds like Greek to me.”

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Conscience of Education
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

Conscience of Education

When Nick Nickolas was told by the superintendent that the guidance program was the conscience of the Kent School District, he knew he had found the right place to serve in his profession. He has had a very full and successful 35-year career as a teacher, guidance counselor, school psychologist and administrator.

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Boats, Cars, And Family Dinners
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

Boats, Cars, And Family Dinners

Would you really want to buy insurance from a man who fell out of a second story window or had a tree fall on him while driving his convertible? Many satisfied clients have! With a life-long interest in cars, boating and his Greek community, Dean (Demetrios) Athos (Athanasios) Lentgis’ (Sepentzis or Sentgis) experiences make him a well-known Greek-American in the Seattle area.

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All You Need is Love
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

All You Need is Love

When Aphrodite (Ethel) Turlis Tschida’s first child was born, her love for the baby was overwhelming and she feared that she would not have enough love for future children.  Now, with four children, 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and four more great grandchildren due before the end of 2011, she knows that love only increases with more.

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AHEPA’s Unsung Hero
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

AHEPA’s Unsung Hero

Combine a 50-year career in oceanography, over 70 years as a photographer, over 50 years using computers and over 40 years studying his Greek heritage and one begins to appreciate the fruitful life of Eugene (Efthemios) Evans (Evangelos) Collias.

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All Her Greek Somedays
Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington Exhibit, Personal History Greeks of Washington

All Her Greek Somedays

 “Yesterdays are history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God’s gift of love, that is why it is called the present.” Katheren (Aikatereni) Armatas (nee Sarantinos) used this quote at the end of a video she prepared.  However, it is fitting to place the quote at the beginning of this exhibit as it so aptly describes the inspiration for her work.  That work includes several contributions to two volumes about Tacoma, Washington, a book about her family’s journey and experiences titled “A Lingering Breeze from Marmara Sea,” a video of early Greek immigrants in Tacoma, and a video of her own poetry, writings and reminiscences. 

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A Man of the Sea
Personal History Greeks of Washington Personal History Greeks of Washington

A Man of the Sea

What more appropriate title could have been given to this man, Plato Dionysios Kourkoumelis (Mellis)? Throughout his life as an accountant and businessman, his love of the sea has played a major role.

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By the Hand of Mary
Greeks of Washington Greeks of Washington

By the Hand of Mary

The framed pieces on the wall appear to be photos. However, when one looks closely, the cross stitch and needle point pieces show how meticulously the work has been done. Now 98, Mary Manolides Formuzis has filled wall spaces with her incredibly detailed handiwork.

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