This year we will be honoring the memory of our beloved member Stamatoula Mavromatis Chlentzos, who passed away on January 15, 2013 at the age of 106. Stamatoula was an active member of the KSOCA since it's inception over 63 years ago
Stamatoula was born in the village of Christoforianika, Kythera. Terry Chlentzos Keramaris and Vikki Vrettos Fraioli had the opportunity to do several video interviews with her a few years ago. She shared what her life was like growing up on the island and how she first met her husband, Angelo Chlentzos (the nephew of Vikki's yiayia, Marigo Chlentzos Alfieris), when he had returned to Kythera from the USA in 1930.
The first time Stamatoula met Angelo was at a vesper service at the Agios Vasilis Church in Christoforianika, where her grandfather, Fr. Dionysios Koulentianos was presiding. Stamatoula was coming out of the church holding the church icon when Angelo said hello to her. She returned the greeting, and later Angelo asked Stamatoula's father for her hand in marriage. She didn't know him at all, but he was from a good family and had a good name. She knew he would make a good husband. Angelo and Stamatoula married a couple of months later, then made the long trip to America. It was the first time anyone in Stamatoula's family had traveled so far away.
Stamatoula had an impact on everyone she met. Her home was always "home" to any of the Kytherians who made their way to California. When the Kytherian Society of California was founded in 1950, she became one of it's most active members. Year after year, it was Stamatoula who made the Artos bread for the Artoklasia held at each annual Panigyri. Today, we continue this tradition, using a modified version of her recipe.
See: 2010 Artoklasia | Kytherian Society of California | KSOCA
Stamatoula touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She will be dearly missed. If you have a special memory of Stamatoula, we welcome you to share it at this years luncheon.
ILoveKythera.com
We are happy to announce that once again we will be featuring a photo exhibition from Dimitris Baltzis, ilovekythera.com. Dimitris will be creating a new video for us to watch while we enjoy our lunch, and photos will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the KSOCA.
Kythera News
Municipal Library:
We are happy to report that the Kythera Municipal Library is open! Cynthia Cavalenes-Jarvis was on the island this summer with her family where she was honored at the library for her dedicated efforts in getting the Bookshelves Project underway. An update will be given at the luncheon along with photos showing the progress inside the library and landscaping outside the library.
Surnames Book: The Kytherian Surnames book has now been translated into English and is available for purchase.
This 810-page book contains a study of 256 family names from Kythera, their history on the island and their further dispersion to the broader area of the Kytherian Diaspora.
If you would like a copy, it can be ordered through the Kytherian World Heritage Fund.
Contact George Poulos for prices including shipping - transoz@bigpond.net.au
www.kythera-family.net/download/Book_Order_Form.pdf
2014 Scholarshp:
We are now accepting applications for the 2014 Anastasia Conomos Condas Scholarship. If you know anyone who may be eligible to apply, please refer them to our scholarship page to download an application. Applications will also be mailed upon request and will be available at the luncheon. Applications are due July 1, 2014.
Remember, you need not be Kytherian to attend our Panigyri! We encourage you to invite your friends, your family, and bring your children to this year’s luncheon
Please click here to print the Panigyri Reservation Form and complete and return it by September 13, 2013.
Click here to view/print the Panigyri Invitation.
Remember to bring a prize for our annual Raffle and a bottle of wine to share with your table.
In addition to the Raffle, we will also be auctioning off some other exciting items!
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Panigyri and enjoying an afternoon of friendship, good food, and filoxenia!
