“Come on in. Dinner is ready.”
I am writing this column in memory of our parents. In memory of our mother for the happy short years that we had her. For the years full of love and family warmth and her unique Sunday chicken dinners.
Nostalgia overtakes me and I am engulfed in sweet memories when I think of the cherished customs that created in us a sense of community and belonging. Holidays especially remind me of scenes, foods and voices out of my childhood, buried I thought with the passing years.
What happened to Sunday dinner? I recall careful handiwork, loving preparation, mouthwatering food, and family and guests gathered around a beautifully set table. Our mother and father offered hospitality and regional American and Greek food that they created. Sunday dinner was meant to be a full-hearted celebration of our American culture. A time-honored tradition OF welcome and hospitality. A keeping of deep religious heritage and unique regional cuisine. A day from the worries of the world and the frantic pace of everyday life. We carved out a day of rest or a leisurely Sunday afternoon ride.
The journey toward fulfillment offers the ladies of St. Fotini Society an opportunity to grow. The commitments to prepare for the many Holy Week events (Easter, May 1) and to round up volunteers to raise funds for Father Themi’s Paradise 4 Kids are time and energy consuming. Also, Katina Sherman and Lori Boucouvalas must plan the annual St. Fotini Scholarship Fund. The group must think about festival baking. Busy times.
This is a good opportunity to remind members of the York County Retired Educators Association to make reservations for the Maine Education Association-Retired annual conference May 12 at the Civic Center in Augusta. There will be lots of trinkets from vendors, plenty of good food, a book swap, a great keynote speaker, laughter, friends, recognition and transportation if needed. The deadline to respond is April 25.
The YCREA meeting will be held on Thursday at the East Restaurant in Wells. So be sure to put Nancy’s e-mail address on your calendar: Nancy_ paul_ sullivan@icloud.com.
A reminder to all members to please report your volunteer hours to Diane Zenhner by e-mail, dzenhner@maine. r.r.com, mail to her on Buxton Road, Saco, 04072, or call 282-0875. The organization has been most fortunate in the past to be either the top winner and/or second.
Although June 7 is a couple months away, it is not too early to sign up for the Biddeford+Saco Chamber’s sixth annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. The shotgun start at the Dutch Elm Golf Course is 8:30 a.m. For more information, call Estella at 282-1567 or send checks to: BSCCI, 28 Water St., Suite 1, Biddeford, ME 04005.
— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.
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