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Armenian Assembly Annual Members Meeting Welcome Reception to Feature Author Irene Vosbikian
Annual Members Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida, March 13-14, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased to announce that Irene Vosbikian, author of the recently released novel BEDROS, will present her book and sign copies at the Assembly’s Annual Member Meeting Welcome Reception in South Florida on Friday, March 13. “We are delighted to have Irene present her book and share this powerful story on the Armenian Genocide,” stated Assembly South Florida Regional Council (SFRC) Chairwoman Carol Norigian.
BEDROS is the inspirational saga of a man who, having witnessed his father’s murder, goes on to survive the first genocide of the 20th century, and struggles to achieve greatness in the New World. BEDROS is two stories in one because the main character lived two lives in one – the victim struggling to survive and the entrepreneur, struggling to realize himself. Bedros, in this epic novel based on the 1915 Armenian Genocide carried out by the Ottoman Turks, is nourished by hope, defiance, and courage, flowering at last in the streets of Philadelphia. The story spans half a century and three continents. BEDROS is a literary roller coaster. The reader is lulled, electrified, dropped into a pit of despondence and then transported to a world of delight. It is an inspiration to the descendants of all those persecuted immigrants who dreamed and triumphed in America.
Irene was born in Philadelphia in 1944, a third-generation Italian American. Her father was killed in WWII, just one month prior to her birth. Her mother remarried and went on to have six more children. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Irene graduated from Marple Newtown High School and attended Temple University where she met her husband, Peter. Peter and Irene have four married children and eleven grandchildren. Irene has published two novels: The Carnation Tablet, a tribute to her father, and BEDROS, based on Peter’s father’s life.
During the Assembly’s Welcome Reception on Friday, March 13, Vosbikian will present her book BEDROS and sign copies for guests who purchase the novel. Vosbikian has generously agreed to donate all of the evening’s proceeds to the Armenian Assembly of America.
“The Assembly is grateful to Irene and the Vosbikian family for their many years of service and support,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
The Armenian Assembly’s Annual Member Meeting will be held at the Marriott Hotel at Boca Town Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33486. Please call (561) 392-4600 to reserve your room and be sure to mention the Armenian Assembly in order to receive the reduced rate of $169.00 per night.
For tickets or additional information, please contact Assembly SFRC Chair Carol Norigian at southflaaa@gmail.com.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
Armenian Assembly to Hold Annual Members Meeting in Florida
Annual Florida Meeting to Feature Armenian Genocide Symposium
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased to announce that the annual Assembly Members Meeting and Banquet will take place at the Marriott Town Center on March 13-14, 2015 in Boca Raton, Florida. Organized by the Assembly’s South Florida Regional Council (SFRC), this year’s gathering will feature an expanded program, including a special panel discussion on the Armenian Genocide.
“We are excited to welcome all members, guests and friends of the Armenian Assembly to attend our annual meeting and banquet,” stated Assembly Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian. “It will be an informative and enjoyable weekend,” Ohanian said.
The weekend will begin with a welcome reception on the evening of Friday, March 13th. Following the welcome reception, guests will have the pleasure of spending time with friends and family at their choosing. On Saturday, March 14th, the Annual Members Meeting will take place at 9:00 AM, followed by lunch. At 1:00 PM, the Assembly will host a special academic symposium that will explore different dimensions of the Armenian Genocide. Speakers will be announced shortly. Later Saturday evening, guests will convene for cocktails and dancing.
Below is a listing of events for this year’s Assembly Annual Members Meeting:
Friday, March 13, 2015:
- Welcome Reception, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, March 14, 2015:
- Breakfast, 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Annual Members Meeting, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Lunch, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Armenian Genocide Symposium (Speakers Invited), 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Cocktails & Dancing, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
All events will be held at the Marriott Hotel at Boca Town Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33486. Please call (561) 392-4600 to reserve your room and be sure to mention the Armenian Assembly in order to receive the reduced rate of $169.00 per night.
For tickets or additional information, please contact Assembly SFRC Chair Carol Norigian at southflaaa@gmail.com.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
Armenian Assembly Hosts Successful Kick Off Reception in South Florida
WASHINGTON, DC – On Saturday, January 3rd, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) held a successful kick off reception in downtown Boca Raton, Florida, reported the Assembly. Organized by the Assembly’s South Florida Regional Council (SFRC) Chair Carol Norigian, nearly one hundred members, friends and supporters gathered at the Waterstone Resort overlooking Lake Boca Raton to reconnect with friends in the New Year.
The reception featured remarks from Assembly Communications Director Taniel Koushakjian who discussed a range of topics on the upcoming Armenian Genocide centennial year, including Assembly activities such as the annual Assembly Meeting on March 13-15, 2015 in Boca Raton, FL at the Marriott in Town Center. Koushakjian also touched on the national centennial gathering in Washington, DC, May 7-9, 2015, in which the Assembly is also participating, along with a broad-based coalition of Armenian American organizations.
In support of these efforts, Koushakjian noted a special matching pledge of up to $500,000 announced by Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hirair Hovnanian on all new donations to the Armenian Assembly of America in 2015.
During his remarks, Koushakjian recognized Jim and Marta Batmasian for their sponsorship, Board Members Lu Ann Ohanian and Carolyn Mugar, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Michael Haratunian, and local Rev. Fr. Paren Galstayan from St. David Armenian Church, who were all present. While enjoying the company of those gathered, guests were also entertained by the sounds of Joe Zeytoonian and Dick Barsamian who performed various Armenian songs.
“We are happy to see the Assembly’s increased activity in South Florida and invite all Armenian Americans to join us in Boca Raton on March 13-15, 2015 for some major events and announcements,” stated Assembly SFRC Chair Carol Norigian.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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Photo Caption 1 (L-R): Judy Khachadourian, Araksi Dinkjian, Onnik Dinkjian, Marta Batmasian, and Michael Haratunian.
Photo Caption 2 (L-R): Lu Ann Ohanian, Judy Khachadourian, Araksi Dinkjian, Onnik Dinkjian, and Carol Norigian.
Florida Armenians 