Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Armenian home sweet home Fresno landmark to host League convention

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Armenian home sweet home Fresno landmark to host League convention

    Fresno Bee (California)
    June 3, 2005, Friday FINAL EDITION

    Armenian home sweet home Fresno landmark to host Armenian-American
    Citizens League convention.

    by Vanessa Col n The Fresno Bee


    More than fifty years ago, a tile-roofed Mediterranean-style building
    surrounded by a flowing fountain and lush trees was built on a dusty
    stretch of farmland east of Fresno.

    As years passed, more buildings and wings were added, creating room
    for about 130 residents in the California Armenian Home on East Kings
    Canyon Road.

    On Saturday, the Armenian-American Citizens League, the group that
    founded the Fresno landmark, will celebrate its 72nd convention with
    a banquet at the home.

    "My father's generation saw it was hard to take care of the elderly.
    Our future is to support the Armenian community," said Penny
    Mirigian-Emerzian, secretary and former state president of the
    Armenian-American Citizens League.

    The group raises money to keep the home running and also for
    scholarships to help college-bound students.

    The league hosts the annual Moonlight Picnic, which features sizzling
    shish kebabs or peda burger dinners, made with a blend of ground beef
    and lamb. It's done outside of its social hall, a few feet away from
    the home.

    Saturday's event will feature an Elvis Presley impersonator and
    dancing.

    Armenian immigrants helped found the league to help the community
    despite ethnic prejudice. The league decided to build the home for
    the elderly after witnessing many of its older residents living alone
    and with illnesses.

    It purchased about 40 acres of farmland in 1950 for $35,000,
    according to league archives. The home opened in 1952.

    The home maintains a reputation as a quality place for the elderly to
    receive assisted-living and nursing care.

    "This is unique. It's independent and a nonprofit home. ... There
    will be more demands for homes like this," said Matthew Demchuk,
    administrator of the home.

    Most of the residents at the home are on Medi-Cal, Demchuk said.

    About 135 employees, mostly nurses, work there, caring for about 130
    residents who pay $120 to $152 a day.

    Residents say they enjoy the attention they get at the home.

    "The nurses are working all over the place. They have it nice and
    clean," said 87-year-old Ann Garabedian.

    She said she especially likes eating lamb dishes served during summer
    barbecues put on by churches or community groups.

    The home is not just for Armenians; other residents said they chose
    to live there because of its reputation.

    "It's one of the best I've heard about in Fresno County. The rooms
    are fairly large," said Harriet McEwen, 82.

    "We get too much to eat," added 87-year-old Marjorie Pettey. "Some
    places starve you."

    Residents can sign up to go on nature walks or take a bus to Table
    Mountain Casino. Sometimes, like on Saturday, entertainment comes to
    the home.

    Broadway legend and actress Carol Channing, star of "Hello, Dolly!,"
    visited the home last year.

    The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559)
    441-6313.



    INFOBOX

    If you go

    What: Armenian-American Citizens League banquet

    When: 6 p.m. Saturday

    Where: California Armenian Home, 6720 E. Kings Canyon Road, Fresno

    Details: (559) 224-3561

    GRAPHIC: PHOTOS BY DARRELL WONG/THE FRESNO BEE California Armenian
    Home resident Harriet McEwen, left, talks with her sister Shirley
    Harold in a visiting room Thursday. Harold visits her sister at the
    home every week.
    The home, on East Kings Canyon Road east of Fresno, has housed the
    elderly for more than 50 years. Its founder, the Armenian-American
    Citizens League, will celebrate its 72nd convention Saturday with a
    banquet dinner at the home.
    THE FRESNO BEE MAP -- California Armenian Home See microfilm or PDF
    page for complete details.
    DARRELL WONG/THE FRESNO BEE California Armenian Home residents Lucy
    Jamgotchian, left, and Rose Graham dance in the yard Thursday.
Working...
X