And for this we are thankful.... - Armenian Reporter

16 The Armenian Reporter | November 22, 2008CommunityPeter Khanbegian, 87,working on third bookamaa holds “Children Helping Children”benefit for Armeniaby Tom VartabedianWINDHAM, N.H. – At an agewhen most people are saddled byinertia, Pete Khanbegian is writingbooks, flying planes, and feeling inthe prime of life.So much for an 87-year-old whodoesn’t know the meaning of retirement.In fact, he’s enamored by it.Twenty years ago, Khanbegianmade his debut as a successful authorwith Garoong, a fictional workbased upon stories and charactershe encountered as a youth born inLawrence, MA and raised in NewYork City.A decade later came the sequel,Flames of Artsakh, which followsthe careers of his previous charactersthrough the devastating earthquakeand ongoing saga of Turkishoppression.So why stop now?A third book, Onnig, is in process.Khanbegian will say only that it’sabout a family friend with a remarkablelife story that should be told.“Since it’s still a work in progress, Idon’t wish to speak too much aboutit right now,” he confirms. “You’llhave to wait for the book.”If it’s anything like the first two,look for brisk sales and a delightfulread. The books found themselvesin many Armenian homes andbookstores with buoyant reviews.Mention his age and it draws instantdebate.“It’s only a matter of numbers,”he admits with a debonair look. “Imay be older chronologically, butnot old.”So what keeps him going? Theliterary scene, for one, still writingbooks for publication.Flying, for another. Khanbegianis a licensed pilot who finds a sensationof being in control above theclouds that’s difficult to match.Then there’s the call of the volunteergroup of pilots in Angel Flightswho transport sick people to hospitalsthat cannot otherwise affordthe cost. Many children with cancerwere flown to Boston from NorthernMaine with Khanbegian in control.And finally, there’s his job as aquality control manager for a precisionmachine company in Salem.Khanbegian writes procedures,handles inspections and interfaceswith vendors to make certain thefinished product meets militaryspecifications.A regular and disciplined exerciseroutine, nourishing food, his spiritualbelief and creative view of lifeare all prerequisites for a long andrewarding life.“I’ve always enjoyed working withyounger people,” he says. “Theykeep me sharp and on top of myjob. I happen to be a one-man operationfor my company.”When Khanbegian decided towrite Garoong 20 years ago, at theripe age of 67, he wanted to tell theArmenian story in such a way thatwould also appeal to outsiders.Based on fact, the book spoke tomany first-generation children of immigrantsand their struggle to assimilatein such a way that it read effortlessly.The novel follows three generationsthrough their life cycles, muchlike Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth.“So often, readers have confessedto me they found a relationship withthe characters and the challengesthey faced,” Khanbegian broughtout. “Non-Armenians expresseddisbelief and shock when they readof the genocide and how our racewas dismantled and thrown to thefar corners of the world.”The sequel turned into a naturalprogression for Khanbegian in hisPeter Khanbegian.attempt to portray a family’s welfarein what has become society’s“melting pot.” There is pathos, understanding,joy and sadness woveninto the plot.Khanbegian and three siblingswere born in Lawrence, Mass., athriving Armenian community surroundedby churches and organizations.Both his parents hailed fromthe Armenian village of Chemishgezekjust before the genocide.“My mother decided to hide allthe family valuables, believing alwaysin her eventual return to Armenia,”said Khanbegian.Aurora Mardiganian, a first cousinto Khanbegian’s father, remainedbehind and suffered through theatrocities. Through certain Christiancharities, she managed to escapeher captors and eventually arrivedin America.With the help of a couple whobecame her guardians, she wrote abook about her experiences titledAuction of Souls, which was publishedin 1918. The work was convertedinto a film the followingyear which created quite a furorthroughout the Western world.Ravished Armenia, the story ofAurora Mardiganian, is available onthe Internet.The Khanbegians moved to NewYork City when Peter was 4 andsettled in Brooklyn where the fatheroperated a dry cleaning and tailorshop. After graduating from BrooklynTechnical High School, he servedwith the Navy in World War 2 wherehe rose from an ordinary seaman toMachinist’s Mate First Class.His wife Jean is a professionalartist who ran her own gallery inBar Harbor, Maine, for 20 years. Thetwo decided to go out on a limb andpurchased a small hotel and restaurantin Bar Harbor which theyturned into a successful venture.“Although she’s an ‘odar’, Jeanhas adapted well to Armenian culture,especially from a culinarystandpoint,” he says. “She learnedmany of the special recipes frommy mother.”A correspondence with Californiaauthor Laura Kalpakian has led tomutual respect and lasting impressionsof one another’s literary talents.Kalpakian has authored severalworks, including Cosette, a sequelto Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.Khanbegian finds Armenia on avery crucial threshold today, withRussia trying its best to re-establishits influence throughout theEastern Bloc countries like Ukraine,Estonia and Poland.He would like nothing betterthan to see Armenia become aneconomic free trade republic.“With the blockade by Turkeyand Azerbaijan, Armenia’s onlyhope is to have good relations withGeorgia in terms of exports andimports, even though they werenever sympathetic to our problems,”he feels. “Georgia is a Christiancountry and one would expectthat it be on friendly terms with itsneighbors.”.BELMONT, Mass. – The amaaOrphan/Child Care Committee’s13th annual luncheon, held October16 at the Belmont Country Club,gathered area supporters to benefitneedy children in Armenia. Thisyear’s event featured an live auctionhosted by wcvb-TV Channel5 Meteorologist Mike Wankumtogether with wbz Newsradio HostJordan Rich.Supporters arrived early tobrowse the auction and sale items,including sports, theater, and concerttickets, as well as gift packages.This year’s book event showcasedArmenian-American novelist NancyKricorian.Michele Simourian, the cofounderof the amaa Orphan/ChildCare Committee, thanked the committeemembers and welcomed theguests, including amaa’s Field Director,Dikran Youmshakian, andthe Rev. Samvel Kirakossian, thepastor of the Evangelical Churchin Vanatzor, Armenia. A children’sfashion show by Elite Bebe of Belmontrounded out the program.This luncheon was one of manysimilar functions organized byWATERTOWN, Mass. – “Undercertain circumstances, thereare few hours in life more agreeablethan the hour dedicated to theceremony known as afternoon tea,”begins The Portrait of a Lady, the1908 novel by American-born AnglophileHenry James. Whether ornot one partakes of the beverage,he added, “the situation is itself delightful.”On a Saturday afternoon onecentury later, over 300 Armenianladies found themselves in justsuch a delightful situation at theThird “Hye Tea” of St. James ArmenianChurch in Watertown, not farfrom the novelist’s old haunts inBoston and Cambridge.Passing through the flower-filledlobby of St. James Cultural Center,the guests entered Keljik Hall,where more than 30 tables presentedsuch themes as an elegant Britishtea, a garden party, India, Jerusalem,a beehive, a spa, and “green”environmental protection. Givenhis sympathy for the Armeniansduring the 1890s, James mighthave appreciated the Armenian delicaciesserved alongside the moreSt. James hosts screening of WilliamSaroyan: The Man, The WriterWATERTOWN, Mass. – “Try asmuch as possible to be wholly alive,with all your might,” William Saroyanonce wrote. The documentaryfilm William Saroyan: The Man, TheWriter, a study of Saroyan’s family,accomplishments, personality, andArmenian heritage, illuminated aman who took his own advice.William Saroyan was screened atSt. James Armenian Church on Oct.3, followed by a discussion with producerSusie Kalinian and her father,writer-director Paul Kalinian. Duringthe Q&A, the more than 200guests learned more about the Kalinians’personal relationship withSaroyan, the evolution of the film,and Saroyan himself.Children helping children.the amaa Orphan/ Child CareCommittee to raise funds andprovide aid to needy children inArmenia. The growing annualevent draws contributors andattendees from all Boston areachurches.“Thanks to the efforts of thecommittee, children today have abetter chance to survive the hardshipsin our homeland,” organizerstraditional cucumber sandwiches,salmon sandwiches, and scones.The music of the Erebuni women’schorus and remarks fromMary Richardson of New England’sChronicle newsmagazine roundedMr. Kalinian, whose photographof his good friend William Saroyanappeared on a joint us-ussr commemorativepostage stamp in 1991,was inspired to create the documentaryafter Saroyan’s death in1981. Ten years in the making, WilliamSaroyan: The Man, The Writerreceived six awards from severalInternational Film Festivals, includingthe Gold Award for BestDocumentary Film. Since 1991, thefilm has been viewed by more than4 million people in 72 cities and 26countries.In addition to producing thefilm, Susie Kalinian, a parishionerat St. James, was responsible forscript research, costume design,say. “They are provided with food,clothing, medical care, educationand most of all reason to know thatGod loves them all.” Each year thousandsof children attend summercamps, receive gifts on Christmasand experience the joy of Easter,amaa reports.connect:www.amaa.org“Hye Tea” ceremony takes place at St.James Armenian ChurchMary Goudsouzian and Carol Yeghiayan with Mary Richardson.out the Nov. 1 event, which wasorganized by event chairs MaryGoudsouzian and Carol Yeghiayanand their able team of hostesses,with assistance from Faith Cass ofCass the Florist.make-up, casting, and public relations.Dr. Kalinian continues totour and promote the documentary,while practicing dentistry inCambridge, Massachusetts. connect:www.kalinian-saroyan.comEditor’s NoteIn our Nov. 8 edition, on pageC6, we published the iconicphotograph of William Saroyanby Paul Kalinian withpermission but without givingcredit. We regret the error.