My Great Uncle Nikos was a Naoussa Hero!

When I was in Athens in November, my Aunt Soula told me more about our Naoussa family history -- including the death of her father Nikos Theofilos at the hands of Communist guerrillas on 1-11-49. Indeed, I circulated at Xmas-time a framed photo of my father Steve and Aunt Faith as children in ethnic costumes in Naoussa circa 1928 that she gave me. Also in the photo:  their mother Paraskevi Xanthopoulou (as she would be known in Greece) at right, her sister Maria, and Maria's husband Nikos.

Naousa Family circa 1928

Subsequently, I received an envelope from my aunt Katherine Huntalas Skandale, who lives in La Canada, CA (down south). I had been bugging her for any photos she might have from Stockton. Along with some photos came a Time Magazine article dated 1-31-49 and entitled "Crucified" -- a report on a bloody 3-day attack/siege of Naoussa by 3,000 andartes (guerrillas):

"In the first daylight, young Mayor Theofilou was seized at home, dragged and kicked through the streets to Truman Square, backed up against a white marble monument. Said a rebel capitanos: 'You've got a lot of experience lately making speeches to your American friends. Why not make one for us?' Theophilou straightened and started to answer: 'I am the mayor of this town and --- ' A spatter of bullets from rebel Tommy guns cut him off. For three days his body stayed there, propped against the bloodstained marble."

Nikos Theofilos had days earlier welcomed American General James A. Van fleet to town, when during a special ceremony the mayor had thanked him for U.S. aid and the town square was renamed Truman Square. All-in-all 75 civilians were shot, clubbed or burned to the death; the town was plundered totally and 700 townspeople were taken captive. Thankfully, Soula, her mother, brother George, and sister Boula had been sent to Athens earlier.

While living in Greece (1968-78, including seven years under the infamous Junta), I became well-aware of the the trials and tribulations of the Greek people during WWII, the Civil War, and then the tough times that followed -- this in addition to the oft-brutal military dictatorship of that time. Perhaps, this is why I now feel the pain of the Greek people as they endure yet another terrible time in the 21st Century. And why it is so important to know your family's history in Greece, as well as in Stockton. Zoi se mas!

Happy New Year 3-Ways!

Best wishes to all for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2013!

But we must think also of our relatives and friends in Greece where the count of newly homeless and hungry in Athens is growing daily. Heating oil is now priced too high for many and electric bills will go up as much as 20 percent. Doctors Without Borders is reporting rising cases of TB, Aids and malaria. Things are rough, and will get worse before they get better. Help if you can by staying in touch with Greece and sending what you can when you can.

And, yes, my nephew Alex Xanttopoulos got married tonite to Elina Sorbi in Fairfax, VA -- a Persian-themed ceremony which followed last night's Greek soiree at the nearby Greek Taverna in McLean. Unfortunately, my parents Angeline and Steve did not live to see the day, but Yiayias Sorbi and Hage kept the fires burning. The party is still going on downstairs, but I know my limitations...

Alex and Elina Xanttopoulos

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Last Stop: 7/11 at Ben Holt and I-5

Georgia Metaxas

Leaving Stockton after a week, which means also a week staying at Rio Las Palmas w/Thea Libby. I settled in nicely there on the couch; and she has a great space with a great bathroom!. It is one of the better Assisted Living facilities in Stockton, but one has to take advantage of the amenities and activities. In any case, it was there that we celebrated Georgia Metaxas' 86th birthday yesterday evening -- and I can only hope to be in such fine fettle in 20 years!


Kathy and Jane Demas

My Aunt Libby and I spent Xmas Eve with Kathy and Jane Demas, lots of memories there...Jane happens to be renting a house next to Kathy's which belongs to Stan Tzikas. Who knew? We then drove down Meadow Ave to see all the Xmas lights -- I love Xmas lights and placed a string of white ones (solar) on my aunt's balcony. Xmas Day in church I saw many old friends, then Xmas dinner at Aunt Ethel's with Nick and Connie's family. Alec has started college and Demetra is a 9th grader interested in track!

Must admit I had lunch yesterday at Suzy's on Harding: beef soup plus the Mexican kitchen sink AND salad bar, the largest $7.95 meal around unless it's a buffet. Now to deflate a bit as I head to my nephew Alex's wedding in VA. Thanks to Nick X, my aunts Libby and Ethel will enjoy the event via Skype. I just hope my blouse still fits...

Until then..
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Stockton Rural Cemetery

It's about 12:30. Always feel calm here - so much history, and I know that some day I'll be joining the crew. Unfortunately my list of "customers" for holiday remembrances grows longer -- now w/ "Uncle George" Pappas. Always time to say hello to my Mom's best friends, Oly and Anthe...

(Indeed, Andy Pappas invited me to Papapavlou's for lunch on Monday -- and we spoke about his Dad and my trip to Greece and our common village Kiparissi. I was told there that the original Papapavlou was a Sarris, a priest named Paul! I did not know that Andy and Jennifer got engaged in the village in 1997; Andy is very dedicated to his Greek heritage and they have worked very hard to be successful restauranteurs. And I also did not know that the woman who bought my parents' house works at Andy's restaurant!)

Antonios Koutsoukis 1890-1945

This cemetery visit I looked for and found my Dad's Uncle Tony, who I learned more about when recently in Greece. Tony Koutsoukis came from Naoussa Makedonias and died here in 1945 at age 55. Good-looking guy, my father was also very good looking as a young man.

There are rows and rows of Greek-American Stocktonians, many people that I knew. Next time I will have to look around some more. Today, however, more dreary/damp Stockton weather - though the sun is now peeking in and out of the clouds.

Now I will go out to Mariposa Road where my Dad's parents lived briefly on some sort of farm in 1937. I have some pictures, but don't know where exactly -- and doubt I will ever find any actual abode in the now suburbs. But I am getting closer...
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In Stockton for Xmas

Here I am staying with my aunt at Rio Las Palmas for the Xmas holidays - will also spend Xmas Eve with Kathy and Jane Demas, then visit with Aunt Ethel Xanttopulos et al on Xmas Day. Today church, to see what's happening...


Libby Sarris at Tacqueria Carolina

Didn't get out for Mexican food this time with my Aunt Liberty, but we have enjoyed many such meals in the past -- and she's always up for that kind of thing...But had a great lunch with Debbie Marmas Buck at Jalapenos by where she works - glad to catch up, also re Peter. Anybody out there interested in my Stockton Mexican Restaurant Review List? Admittedly,  I went Korean yesterday at a great place on the Miracle Mile (Seoul Soon Dubu). Not much of either fare in Miami, Florida, to
write home about.

Some sleuthing yesterday on Pilgrim Street to find what was probably the first Stockton in-town house for the Xanttopoulos Family (before #501 according to Aunt Katherine Skandel) - but still do not know where a "farm" was circa 1937 when they lived rurally with a horse named Rosie and some sort of fruit stand. I have some pictures, and now some new clues from Angelo Mitchell!


First Pilgrim Street house?

Will track down Andy Pappas today to talk about my visit to Kiparissi, also his village. Congrats to him and Jennifer on their new baby girl to be named Georgianna, I heard, after his dad.
More later -- but if anyone here wants to get drinks or lunch before I leave you can reply to this email. Efharisto poli!
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