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Grand Traverse Herald, MI
June 29 2005
Group picnic honors heritage
Armenian network picnic celebrates history and culture
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Grilled shish kebobs, rice pilaf, tabbouleh, bouma and more food than
anyone could ever eat - must be an Armenian picnic!
Members of the Northern Michigan Armenian Network gathered Sunday
at East Bay Park to celebrate their heritage with an afternoon
feast. Nearly 60 people attended, including spouses of Armenian
members as well as children and parents. One family of Slovakian
heritage attended just to share a common central European background.
For a culture with residents in countries around the world, Armenians
in every country make sure to honor their roots.
"Because of our history, Armenians were scattered all over the world,"
said Leslie Narsisian-Voss, the group's founder. "There's an instant
connection, no doubt about it: if someone's last name is Armenian,
there's an immediate connection."
Narsisian-Voss launched the social group last July after culling
through the phone book for Armenian names, which end with 'ian.' She
sent every name she found a letter announcing the Network and inviting
them to attend.
The first meeting drew ten people to the Traverse Area District
Library, but since then the network has exploded with members and
activities. The group meets weekly to delve into some aspect of
Armenian culture.
"About every month I get a new call and there were specifically two
families at the picnic that we hadn't seen yet," Narsisian-Voss said.
The group has held informal language lessons, held cooking classes
for dishes such as Armenian pizza, learned to bake classic desserts
and met for dinner just to socialize.
"We're beginning to be one big family here," said Rose Megregian of Elk
Rapids. "Our group has grown so much and we've had so much enthusiasm."
Cindy Buss of Traverse City found the group late last summer.
Growing up in Reed City, a small northern Michigan town, she was
disconnected from her mother's Armenian heritage. Neither her father's
last name nor her husband's last name reflect that background. In
addition, there were no other Armenians to meet, worship with or
learn from, as there are in cities such as Detroit.
Since finding the Northern Michigan Armenian Network, Buss has
learned some of the language and attended the cooking classes. She
relishes finding other Armenians after years of longing to connect
with her roots.
"I've always wanted to know my heritage, I always was an Armenian in
my heart," Buss said. "This has been a great connection, something
I never expected to have."
Myriam Der-Boghossian Parker said her Armenian ancestors fled to France
in the early part of the 20th Century. They settled in a town in the
south of France that had many Armenian refugees as well as Armenian
businesses and churches. She grew up hearing her grandmother's stories
of the Armenian genocide, which the older woman witnessed first-hand.
"I don't speak Armenian here but when I go back to France, I speak it
a little," said Parker, who attended the picnic with her two grown
sons. "I came from a big community of Armenians, probably half of
the town is Armenian."
Narsisian-Voss, ever on alert for Armenian names, spotted Parker's
maiden name on a flyer advertising a French class Parker teaches at
Northwestern Michigan College. She called Parker up and added another
Northern Michigan Armenian Network member.
"I think there's probably more Armenians here than we think," Parker
said of the Traverse City region.
June 29 2005
Group picnic honors heritage
Armenian network picnic celebrates history and culture
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Grilled shish kebobs, rice pilaf, tabbouleh, bouma and more food than
anyone could ever eat - must be an Armenian picnic!
Members of the Northern Michigan Armenian Network gathered Sunday
at East Bay Park to celebrate their heritage with an afternoon
feast. Nearly 60 people attended, including spouses of Armenian
members as well as children and parents. One family of Slovakian
heritage attended just to share a common central European background.
For a culture with residents in countries around the world, Armenians
in every country make sure to honor their roots.
"Because of our history, Armenians were scattered all over the world,"
said Leslie Narsisian-Voss, the group's founder. "There's an instant
connection, no doubt about it: if someone's last name is Armenian,
there's an immediate connection."
Narsisian-Voss launched the social group last July after culling
through the phone book for Armenian names, which end with 'ian.' She
sent every name she found a letter announcing the Network and inviting
them to attend.
The first meeting drew ten people to the Traverse Area District
Library, but since then the network has exploded with members and
activities. The group meets weekly to delve into some aspect of
Armenian culture.
"About every month I get a new call and there were specifically two
families at the picnic that we hadn't seen yet," Narsisian-Voss said.
The group has held informal language lessons, held cooking classes
for dishes such as Armenian pizza, learned to bake classic desserts
and met for dinner just to socialize.
"We're beginning to be one big family here," said Rose Megregian of Elk
Rapids. "Our group has grown so much and we've had so much enthusiasm."
Cindy Buss of Traverse City found the group late last summer.
Growing up in Reed City, a small northern Michigan town, she was
disconnected from her mother's Armenian heritage. Neither her father's
last name nor her husband's last name reflect that background. In
addition, there were no other Armenians to meet, worship with or
learn from, as there are in cities such as Detroit.
Since finding the Northern Michigan Armenian Network, Buss has
learned some of the language and attended the cooking classes. She
relishes finding other Armenians after years of longing to connect
with her roots.
"I've always wanted to know my heritage, I always was an Armenian in
my heart," Buss said. "This has been a great connection, something
I never expected to have."
Myriam Der-Boghossian Parker said her Armenian ancestors fled to France
in the early part of the 20th Century. They settled in a town in the
south of France that had many Armenian refugees as well as Armenian
businesses and churches. She grew up hearing her grandmother's stories
of the Armenian genocide, which the older woman witnessed first-hand.
"I don't speak Armenian here but when I go back to France, I speak it
a little," said Parker, who attended the picnic with her two grown
sons. "I came from a big community of Armenians, probably half of
the town is Armenian."
Narsisian-Voss, ever on alert for Armenian names, spotted Parker's
maiden name on a flyer advertising a French class Parker teaches at
Northwestern Michigan College. She called Parker up and added another
Northern Michigan Armenian Network member.
"I think there's probably more Armenians here than we think," Parker
said of the Traverse City region.