Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/tag/armenians/page/2/)
St. James Church’s Armenian Festival will be held on Sunday, June 11 from noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The festival features live Armenian music: Bob Raphalian, Jay Baronian, Leon Janikian, and Kenny Kalajian. Armenian food will be available, such as shish, losh, chicken kabobs, and vegaterian options. There will also be activities for kids, such as a moon bounce, face painting and more.
The Historical Society of Watertown will host its Annual Members Meeting with Election of Board Members on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at 2 p.m. Immediately following: Screening and discussion of the documentary, “Destination Watertown: The Armenians of Hood Rubber” by Roger Hagopian. Come join the Historical Society and the Watertown Free Public Library for this compelling program! Watertown Free Public LibraryWatertown Savings Bank Meeting Room123 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
The 65-minute documentary “is a timeless and universal story of immigrants escaping genocide and persevering through the hard life of factory work in America in the early decades of the 20th century.” The film contains interviews with stories and reflections of former employees of Armenian descent and East Watertown Residents, interspersed with personal and historic photographs, maps, documents, artifacts, and images of remnants of the old factory, once the largest of its kind in the world. A history lover since his youth, Roger is a graduate of the University of Mass. at Boston, where he received his degree in music.
A screenshot from the Krikorian Foundation Scholarship website. The following information was provided by the Arisdine Krikorian Family Foundation:
The trustees of The Arisdine Krikorian Family Foundation, a section 501(c)(3) organization, launched its first annual scholarship award program. The Foundation was created by Rose and Sybil Krikorian, who were raised in Watertown and later moved to Belmont where they lived for many years. They were the daughters of Arisdine and Panos Krikorian, who were born and raised in Armenia. The last survivor of the Krikorian family, Rose, died in August 2021 at the age of 96.
A screenshot from the Krikorian Foundation Scholarship website. The following information was provided by the Arisdine Krikorian Family Foundation:
The trustees of The Arisdine Krikorian Family Foundation, a section 501(c)(3) organization,launched its first annual scholarship award program. The Foundation was created by Rose andSybil Krikorian, who were raised in Watertown and later moved to Belmont where they lived formany years. They were the daughters of Arisdine and Panos Krikorian, who were born and raised in Armenia. The last survivor of the Krikorian family, Rose, died in August 2021 at the age of 96.
St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary SchoolHoury Boyamian announced her retirement as principal of the St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown. The longtime principal of the St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School in Watertown announced she will be retiring.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
The following announcement was provided by the office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark:
Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark (MA-5) released the following statement to mark the 107th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which is Sunday, April 24, 2022. Last year, President Joe Biden declared that the Ottoman Empire’s killing of 1.5 million Armenians was an act of genocide, an official recognition that Clark has supported throughout her career in Congress. Watertown, in Massachusetts’ Fifth Congressional district, is home to the third largest Armenian community in the United States. “As we mark the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we recognize this dark chapter in our world’s history and renew our commitment to preventing atrocities of this magnitude from ever happening again. The Armenian Genocide is not an opinion – its facts are undisputed, and the legacy of this trauma cannot be erased.
The following announcement was provided by the AWWA:
The Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), a nonprofit health care organization dedicated to serving elders locally and internationally, and the sponsor organization of the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, today announced an expanded senior leadership team at the top-rated skilled nursing center with the appointment of two experienced administrators: Greg Messina, Chief Operating Officer, and Jessica Brigham, Executive Director. Messina and Brigham each bring more than a decade of health care experience to the 83-bed, nonprofit provider of high-quality long-term care and short-term rehabilitation. Messina will guide the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s strategic and planning initiatives, including the development of new services and programs, oversight of finances and collaboration with key health care partners. Brigham will lead the day-to-day operations, including the clinical care of patients and residents, management of staff, and communication with families. “With these important leadership appointments and our continued commitment to strengthen our programs, we are well positioned to grow our mission of providing high-quality, person-centered care to the communities we serve,” said Martha Mensoian, President of the AWWA Board of Directors. “Greg and Jessica bring new ideas and a record of success in running a long-term care center, which will serve us well in these quickly evolving times.”
Messina previously served as a regional administrator for Whittier Health Network, a group of acute rehabilitation hospitals and subacute rehabilitation and nursing homes in Massachusetts. Prior to becoming a licensed nursing home administrator, he had a career in business and marketing. Messina earned a bachelor’s degree in history and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Boston. “I am thrilled to join a nonprofit organization with such a rich history in serving its beneficiaries both locally and internationally, and a strong tradition of collaboration in health care with Boston’s world-renowned medical centers,” Messina said. “I look forward to bringing my experience in managing multiple skilled nursing facilities and helping our team build toward the future.”
Brigham has served as the licensed nursing home administrator for several nursing homes in Greater Boston, most recently as executive director of Brighton House Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. Prior to these leadership roles, she worked for many years as a nurse and nursing director in health care and in long-term care centers. Brigham earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Simmons University in Boston and is a registered nurse. “I am excited to return to a nonprofit health care setting and to guide the high quality care and services that the Armenian Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is well known for providing,” said Brigham.
Armenian Museum of America
The Armenian Museum of America announced it will soon be reopening after being closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The museum sent the following letter out about the reopening:
Dear Members and Friends,On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Armenian Museum Team, we are thrilled the day has finally arrived that we can safely reopen our galleries to the community. In anticipation of this long-awaited day, we have been working on updating exhibitions, designing new exhibits, and developing programing to present both virtually and on-site to provide you with a meaningful and memorable cultural experience. The initial schedule and protocol for our reopening will begin on June 18th. The Museum will be open Fridays through Sundays from 12:00 noon to 6:00pm.