JUNE 2022 NEWS
Let’s begin this news bulletin with photos of our Mother’s Day Event at the Byzantine Museum’s Ilisia Café on May 12 with approximately 25 AWOG members and friends in attendance.
It was a warm, sunny day, that was a long time coming! Friends were finally able to meet, chat, and enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack together in a beautiful Athenian setting.
Judging from all the smiles, everyone had a wonderful time.
CONGRATULATIONS BESSIE!
AWOG is very happy to announce that Bessie Sioutas-Vasilopoulou was awarded, along with Elizabeth Shine of Naples, the FAWCO Appreciation Award at the 2022 mid-term FAWCO Conference in Luxembourg. This validates Bessie’s service to AWOG and our support of all FAWCO endeavors.
Below is FAWCO’s announcement:
“Congratulations to Elizabeth Shine of Naples and Bessie Sioutas of Athens for their FAWCO APPRECIATION Awards. Well done and deserved ladies.”
The AWOG Literary Club will meet once more, on June 20, and then break for the summer. Information will be forthcoming.
The Heart Pillow Project has been continuing all along with deliveries to Alexandra Hospital, Nikaia Hospital (Ag. Panteleimon) and to Aghioi Anargyroi Hospital in March, April and May.
And AWOG’s BIG, BIG news is that the annual Christmas Bazaar will take place LIVE on December 11, 2022, at the Caravel Hotel! We are looking for vendors, sponsors and crafters. So, talk to everyone you know and contact any member of the Board with helpful information. After two Christmases of lockdown, we really want to make our presence known!
* * *
In closing, this excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Seashore could have been written for the Greek seas, though most probably not!
|
Behold the Sea,
The opaline, the plentiful and strong,
Yet beautiful as is the rose in June,
Fresh as the trickling rainbow of July;
Sea full of food, the nourisher of kinds,
Purger of earth, and medicine of men;
Creating a sweet climate by my breath,
Washing out harms and griefs from memory,
And, in my mathematic ebb and flow,
Giving a hint of that which changes not.
Rich are the sea-gods: —who gives gifts but they?
They grope the sea for pearls, but more than pearls:
They pluck Force thence, and give it to the wise.
For every wave is wealth to Daedalus,
Wealth to the cunning artist who can work
This matchless strength. Where shall he find, O waves!
A load your Atlas shoulders cannot lift?
I with my hammer pounding evermore
The rocky coast, smite Andes into dust,
Strewing my bed, and, in another age,
Rebuild a continent of better men.
Then I unbar the doors: my paths lead out
The exodus of nations: I disperse
Men to all shores that front the hoary main.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 25, 1803, and died on April 27, 1882. His writings dealt with philosophy, poetry and non-fiction. He was an American essayist and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early 19th century. In his own words, he believed in people’s “original relation to the universe,” and believed in solitude with nature.
So, have a relaxing summer with family and friends and come back rested and ready for more AWOG activities and events in September! Remember that 2023 marks our 75th Diamond Anniversary!