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RECEPTION FOR 'THE HAIRENIKS' CAPTURES THE SPIRIT
By Tom Vartabedian on November 7, 2014
http://armenianweekly.com/2014/11/07/haireniks/
In an era where electronics are threatening printed media, the
Haireniks appear to be weathering the changing times.
Had you attended the reception on Oct. 26, you would have received a
vote of confidence in the two publications at 80 Bigelow in Watertown.
The Armenian Weekly--formerly Hairenik Weekly--hit the octogenarian
mark, while its sister publication Hairenik Weekly is celebrating
115 years of resiliency.
Richard Hovannisian applauds 'the Haireniks' during an anniversary
reception Oct. 26 hosted by Avo and Carmen Barmakian of Waltham,
attended by some 180 guests. (Tom Vartabedian photo)
Both have been friendly companions in our midst for nearly two
centuries combined and deserve their rightful place in Armenian
journalism.
Some 180 guests showed up to offer their congratulations and support
in what was an embraceable evening marked by nostalgia and fundraising.
The celebration was hosted by Avo and Carmen Barmakian, who left no
stone unturned in this extravaganza. One look at the food selection
and hospitality was enough to set the standard for a committee of 15
chaired by Angele Manoogian.
You may have read about Ungerouhi Angele and that medal she received
by the Republic of Artskah a month ago. Here she was, back in the flow,
organizing this event without the least bit of fanfare.
Guests arrived from all avenues of the community, near and far, like
some reunion for the ages with the Haireniks in their heart. Editors.
Correspondents. Long-time subscribers. Benefactors, certainly. A
support system that could have been instrumental in keeping the
Titanic afloat.
For openers, Professor Richard Hovannisian, an icon in himself,
reflected on his moments with the two organs, including those halcyon
years at 212 Stuart Street in Boston. Had William Saroyan been in
the crowd, no doubt they would have locked in embrace.
Both papers were given citations from the office of Middlesex County
Sheriff Peter Koutoujian.
Nice to see two veteran writers recognized. Dr. Michael Mensoian and
Dr. Henry Astarjian were both applauded for their years of loyalty to
the publications, sometimes controversial in nature but nonetheless
relevant in their messages.
Seldom do you find in any newspaper such a proofreader par excellence
than Garbis Zerdelian, who could spot a typo inside a haystack.
Hairenik Weekly Editor Zaven Torigian expressed his gratitude for
that man who's volunteered his time and his eyes to make the products
clean and acceptable.
One has to only look at the lineage of editors here to see the loyalty
and devotion that has manifested itself over the years, right to the
present time with Nanore Barsoumian (AW) and Zaven Torigian (HW),
ready to establish a new legacy of continuity.
Talk to any committee member and the comments flow with exuberance.
"The number of attendees was a testament to the diligence and devotion
of the committee," they say.
The Hairenik publications have informed, inspired, motivated, and
educated five generations of Armenians, not only here in the United
States but all over the world.
>From the struggles to the fedayees in the yergir to the war in Syria
today, the Haireniks have chronicled our contemporary history.
They have found room for prose and poetry from Siamanto to Saroyan
to the AYF Juniors, while its books and periodicals have given us
masterpieces in Armenian literature and thoughtful analyses.
An evening such as this restores our integrity in the two mediums. It
tells us that people still care about the printed products and are
willing to lend their support. It tells us that despite a Sunday
night, tight schedules, financial burdens, and sometimes nonchalance
and apathy in our midst, people are still willing to patronize our
papers and give them added sustenance.
Among those who have been impacted by the Armenian Weekly is community
activist Heather (Apigian) Krafian, whose relationship goes back to
childhood days. Back then she was reporting on chapter news, which
ultimately led to more intensified roles as an Armenian American.
Several times she was asked to write a story or two for the Olympics
issue.
"I remember how badly I wanted my article to appear on the Junior AYF
Page and followed stories written by my friends from other chapters,"
she recalls. "This ambition led to my interest in starting an AYF
Junior newspaper in Detroit for our own members. The Armenian Weekly
facilitated this small journalistic hobby I had acquired."
Today, that relationship with the Armenian Weekly remains just as
tight with four daughters in tow and a husband (Ara) who has kept
his spirit intact, particularly on the AYF Olympics end both as an
athlete and Governing Body member.
"My strong connection with the Armenian Weekly has grown along with
my family," she says. "It has remained a staple of my life."
If you wish to contribute, and haven't had an opportunity, kindly make
a check payable to the ACAA and mail it off to Hairenik Publications,
80 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.
And you, too, will be part of this venerable history.
By Tom Vartabedian on November 7, 2014
http://armenianweekly.com/2014/11/07/haireniks/
In an era where electronics are threatening printed media, the
Haireniks appear to be weathering the changing times.
Had you attended the reception on Oct. 26, you would have received a
vote of confidence in the two publications at 80 Bigelow in Watertown.
The Armenian Weekly--formerly Hairenik Weekly--hit the octogenarian
mark, while its sister publication Hairenik Weekly is celebrating
115 years of resiliency.
Richard Hovannisian applauds 'the Haireniks' during an anniversary
reception Oct. 26 hosted by Avo and Carmen Barmakian of Waltham,
attended by some 180 guests. (Tom Vartabedian photo)
Both have been friendly companions in our midst for nearly two
centuries combined and deserve their rightful place in Armenian
journalism.
Some 180 guests showed up to offer their congratulations and support
in what was an embraceable evening marked by nostalgia and fundraising.
The celebration was hosted by Avo and Carmen Barmakian, who left no
stone unturned in this extravaganza. One look at the food selection
and hospitality was enough to set the standard for a committee of 15
chaired by Angele Manoogian.
You may have read about Ungerouhi Angele and that medal she received
by the Republic of Artskah a month ago. Here she was, back in the flow,
organizing this event without the least bit of fanfare.
Guests arrived from all avenues of the community, near and far, like
some reunion for the ages with the Haireniks in their heart. Editors.
Correspondents. Long-time subscribers. Benefactors, certainly. A
support system that could have been instrumental in keeping the
Titanic afloat.
For openers, Professor Richard Hovannisian, an icon in himself,
reflected on his moments with the two organs, including those halcyon
years at 212 Stuart Street in Boston. Had William Saroyan been in
the crowd, no doubt they would have locked in embrace.
Both papers were given citations from the office of Middlesex County
Sheriff Peter Koutoujian.
Nice to see two veteran writers recognized. Dr. Michael Mensoian and
Dr. Henry Astarjian were both applauded for their years of loyalty to
the publications, sometimes controversial in nature but nonetheless
relevant in their messages.
Seldom do you find in any newspaper such a proofreader par excellence
than Garbis Zerdelian, who could spot a typo inside a haystack.
Hairenik Weekly Editor Zaven Torigian expressed his gratitude for
that man who's volunteered his time and his eyes to make the products
clean and acceptable.
One has to only look at the lineage of editors here to see the loyalty
and devotion that has manifested itself over the years, right to the
present time with Nanore Barsoumian (AW) and Zaven Torigian (HW),
ready to establish a new legacy of continuity.
Talk to any committee member and the comments flow with exuberance.
"The number of attendees was a testament to the diligence and devotion
of the committee," they say.
The Hairenik publications have informed, inspired, motivated, and
educated five generations of Armenians, not only here in the United
States but all over the world.
>From the struggles to the fedayees in the yergir to the war in Syria
today, the Haireniks have chronicled our contemporary history.
They have found room for prose and poetry from Siamanto to Saroyan
to the AYF Juniors, while its books and periodicals have given us
masterpieces in Armenian literature and thoughtful analyses.
An evening such as this restores our integrity in the two mediums. It
tells us that people still care about the printed products and are
willing to lend their support. It tells us that despite a Sunday
night, tight schedules, financial burdens, and sometimes nonchalance
and apathy in our midst, people are still willing to patronize our
papers and give them added sustenance.
Among those who have been impacted by the Armenian Weekly is community
activist Heather (Apigian) Krafian, whose relationship goes back to
childhood days. Back then she was reporting on chapter news, which
ultimately led to more intensified roles as an Armenian American.
Several times she was asked to write a story or two for the Olympics
issue.
"I remember how badly I wanted my article to appear on the Junior AYF
Page and followed stories written by my friends from other chapters,"
she recalls. "This ambition led to my interest in starting an AYF
Junior newspaper in Detroit for our own members. The Armenian Weekly
facilitated this small journalistic hobby I had acquired."
Today, that relationship with the Armenian Weekly remains just as
tight with four daughters in tow and a husband (Ara) who has kept
his spirit intact, particularly on the AYF Olympics end both as an
athlete and Governing Body member.
"My strong connection with the Armenian Weekly has grown along with
my family," she says. "It has remained a staple of my life."
If you wish to contribute, and haven't had an opportunity, kindly make
a check payable to the ACAA and mail it off to Hairenik Publications,
80 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.
And you, too, will be part of this venerable history.