Picnic Aids Armenian Home; Fundraiser Helps Pay for Maintenance of a Fresno Landmark.

Fresno Bee (California)
July 11, 2006 Tuesday
FINAL EDITION

by Vanessa Colon The Fresno Bee

Trimmed trees dotted with pink blossoms, spotless floors covered
by rugs and warm, hearty meals are samplings of the atmosphere and
services the California Armenian Home wants to continue for the
elderly with help from a fundraiser Saturday.

The Armenian American Citizens League and the home will host the annual
Moonlight Picnic, a gathering rooted in the century-old tradition of
Armenian-American picnics.

The home, founded more than 50 years ago by the Armenian American
Citizens League, houses more than 100 residents.

"We built this place. … We gradually fixed the grounds. We are
always trying to improve the place," said Penny Mirigian-Emerzian,
an organizer of the picnic.

The picnic, one of the major fundraisers that helps keep the facility
running, serves to unite the Armenian-American community from all
over the Central Valley and the state.

The home was established to give Armenian-Americans a facility for
their older population. The home offers arrangements for residents who
don’t need assistance and those who do, as well as a hospital facility.

Two groups, the Ani Guild and the Armenian Home Guild, help support
the home through fundraisers and activities.

The tradition of children looking after aging parents hasn’t gone
away among Armenian- American families, but some families depend on
a facility such as the home, Mirigian-Emerzian said.

Birdie Saroyan, cousin of famous playwright William Saroyan, had no
choice but to live at the home.

Saroyan, 84, said: "I don’t have any children. I never got married. I
took care of Mommy and Daddy … I took very good care of them."

The Moonlight Picnic will take place outside the home at 6720 E.
Kings Canyon Road and will feature Armenian cuisine such as a shish
kebab and lulu kebab sandwich. Hot dogs are on the menu for those
not wanting Armenian dishes.

Entertainment includes musician Richard Hagopian and a raffle for
cash prizes. Organizers expect about 1,000 people.

A new feature at the home is a flag staff, where an Armenian flag
flutters beneath the American flag.

The American flag flew in Washington, D.C., and the Armenian flag
once flew over the Armenian Embassy, Mirigian-Emerzian said.

Lucy Jamgotchian, a survivor of the Armenian genocide from 1915
to 1923, used to walk outside to raise the flags. Jamgotchian, 97,
now uses a wheelchair but is content living in the home where she
can stare out her window and look at the flags.

Jamgotchian said: "I’m not fussy."

The reporter can be reached at vcolon@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6313.

Moonlight picnic

Where: California Armenian Home

When: 6 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Parking $5, meals range from $7 to $12