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Detroit Marks 100th Anniversary of ARS with Centennial Celebration Cruise
Thu, Jul 9 2009
By:Armenian Weekly
On the warm, slightly overcast Sunday afternoon of June 7, 150 guests
boarded the luxurious 138-foot yacht `Ovation' for a four-hour cruise
on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.
Sponsored by the Detroit ARS Centennial Celebration Committee made up
of representatives from the five ARS sister chapters - Maro, Shake,
Sybille, Tsolig, and Zabel - this event was one of many held worldwide
since 2007 in the 26 countries where ARS chapters exist in support of
the ARS Centennial Fund.
Upon embarking the luxurious three-level yacht, guests were greeted
with champagne and a sumptuous array of appetizers. As the yacht
continued its journey along Lake St. Clair, a relaxed and carefree
mood prevailed as guests explored the indoor and outdoor spaces on the
three decks. It was a pleasant surprise to see so many young couples
and singles in attendance.
The brief program included opening remarks in English by committee
co-chair Taline Hagopian, who wished the ARS a happy 100th anniversary
and thanked the guests for their support. She also thanked the members
of the Centennial Celebration Committee for their work, and
acknowledged ARS Central Committee member Shakeh Basmajian and ARS
Eastern U.S. Regional Board of Directors member Ani Attar.
On board were the clergy from the Detroit area, Rev. Fr. Daron
Stepanian, pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, and Rev.
Fr. Andon Atamian, pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Catholic Church. Rev.
Stepanian offered words of support and encouraged others to join the
ARS. It is not just a woman's organization, he said, adding that he
and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, the Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church (Eastern Region), are both ARS members.
Hagopian then introduced Angele Manoogian, chairman of the ARS
Centennial Committee (Northeast U.S.), who spoke in Armenian, offering
a concise summary of the ARS, its history, and achievements over 100
years of humanitarian and relief service. She recalled the ARS
response in the wake of massacres and earthquakes, and its help to
Armenians suffering from hunger, disease, homelessness, and poverty.
The ARS provided shelter, food, medical treatment, and finally
orphanages and schools. Manoogian recalled the founders of the Detroit
ARS chapters, and thanked all ARS members and supporters for their
dedication.
Acknowledged also was Natalie Manoogian Mosher, who had recently
announced her candidacy for the 11th Congressional District in
Michigan.
Monitors on the upper levels of the yacht allowed all of the guests to
see and hear the program, and to view a special video presentation
outlining the scope of the humanitarian work of the ARS worldwide.
As the gourmet dinner was served, guests enjoyed gorgeous views of
historic communities along the shoreline, including Belle Isle, Grosse
Pointe, and the skylines of downtown Detroit and Windsor, Ontario,
with the breathtaking Ambassador Bridge that links the two cities.
Entertainment throughout the cruise was provided by Tommy Gerjekian on
the oud. A convivial crowd gathered to listen and dance on the upper
deck of the `Ovation' yacht. Spontaneous singing erupted from the
lively crowd, including surprise solo performances by popular Detroit
singer Sam Alajajian.
As the evening wind and waves picked up on the lake, the yacht
returned to its dock and guests prepared to disembark after a
memorable four hours among friends, old and new. As they departed,
each guest received a gift made in Armenia as a token of appreciation.
Members of the Detroit ARS Centennial Celebration Committee are Helen
Darakdjian and Taline Hagopian, co-chairs; Shoghig Demirjian, Sona
Derovakimian, May Kafafian, Taline Markosian, Yeretzgin Sosi
Stepanian, and Rosy Yeremian.
Thu, Jul 9 2009
By:Armenian Weekly
On the warm, slightly overcast Sunday afternoon of June 7, 150 guests
boarded the luxurious 138-foot yacht `Ovation' for a four-hour cruise
on Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.
Sponsored by the Detroit ARS Centennial Celebration Committee made up
of representatives from the five ARS sister chapters - Maro, Shake,
Sybille, Tsolig, and Zabel - this event was one of many held worldwide
since 2007 in the 26 countries where ARS chapters exist in support of
the ARS Centennial Fund.
Upon embarking the luxurious three-level yacht, guests were greeted
with champagne and a sumptuous array of appetizers. As the yacht
continued its journey along Lake St. Clair, a relaxed and carefree
mood prevailed as guests explored the indoor and outdoor spaces on the
three decks. It was a pleasant surprise to see so many young couples
and singles in attendance.
The brief program included opening remarks in English by committee
co-chair Taline Hagopian, who wished the ARS a happy 100th anniversary
and thanked the guests for their support. She also thanked the members
of the Centennial Celebration Committee for their work, and
acknowledged ARS Central Committee member Shakeh Basmajian and ARS
Eastern U.S. Regional Board of Directors member Ani Attar.
On board were the clergy from the Detroit area, Rev. Fr. Daron
Stepanian, pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, and Rev.
Fr. Andon Atamian, pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Catholic Church. Rev.
Stepanian offered words of support and encouraged others to join the
ARS. It is not just a woman's organization, he said, adding that he
and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, the Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic
Church (Eastern Region), are both ARS members.
Hagopian then introduced Angele Manoogian, chairman of the ARS
Centennial Committee (Northeast U.S.), who spoke in Armenian, offering
a concise summary of the ARS, its history, and achievements over 100
years of humanitarian and relief service. She recalled the ARS
response in the wake of massacres and earthquakes, and its help to
Armenians suffering from hunger, disease, homelessness, and poverty.
The ARS provided shelter, food, medical treatment, and finally
orphanages and schools. Manoogian recalled the founders of the Detroit
ARS chapters, and thanked all ARS members and supporters for their
dedication.
Acknowledged also was Natalie Manoogian Mosher, who had recently
announced her candidacy for the 11th Congressional District in
Michigan.
Monitors on the upper levels of the yacht allowed all of the guests to
see and hear the program, and to view a special video presentation
outlining the scope of the humanitarian work of the ARS worldwide.
As the gourmet dinner was served, guests enjoyed gorgeous views of
historic communities along the shoreline, including Belle Isle, Grosse
Pointe, and the skylines of downtown Detroit and Windsor, Ontario,
with the breathtaking Ambassador Bridge that links the two cities.
Entertainment throughout the cruise was provided by Tommy Gerjekian on
the oud. A convivial crowd gathered to listen and dance on the upper
deck of the `Ovation' yacht. Spontaneous singing erupted from the
lively crowd, including surprise solo performances by popular Detroit
singer Sam Alajajian.
As the evening wind and waves picked up on the lake, the yacht
returned to its dock and guests prepared to disembark after a
memorable four hours among friends, old and new. As they departed,
each guest received a gift made in Armenia as a token of appreciation.
Members of the Detroit ARS Centennial Celebration Committee are Helen
Darakdjian and Taline Hagopian, co-chairs; Shoghig Demirjian, Sona
Derovakimian, May Kafafian, Taline Markosian, Yeretzgin Sosi
Stepanian, and Rosy Yeremian.