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.