For many, the brightest times in metropolitan Detroit’s Armenian social life—that arrive with spring and continue through October—are the agoump dinners prepared by Krista and chef-husband Ara Tossounian.
While Krista is in the kitchen preparing her mouth-watering salad, rice, and bulgur pilaf, Ara is outside grilling marinated chicken kebab and perfectly seasoned lulu kufta regardless of the weather—and Michigan can dish out some interesting climatic changes. Ara stands tall and determined to do his part. It is a family affair with their daughters, son, and relatives all involved.
You know the part of the Badarak that reads, “Greet yee one another with a kiss”? Well, that is exactly how the Tossounians greet you as you trespass your way through the kitchen on agoump dinner night. Cheerful hugs and kisses abound.
It isn’t a business, it is a much-needed community service. And it better continue or a ruckus will be raised by those clamoring for more social events, like we had in the old days.
Among all the other activities taking place in this community of Armenians, agoump kebab dinner night is the most popular, looked forward to, and frequently attended by a loyal troop of people in the know, both about great food and camaraderie.
“We love the agoump kebab dinner days,” cry out the devoted deghatzis, Vanetzis, Keghetzis, etc. “We wish it was every Thursday, instead of only twice a month.”
First held at the “Azadamard” Gomideh‘s Armenian Community Center on Ford Rd. in Dearborn, the dinners are now held from 6-9 p.m. in the Lillian Arakelian Memorial Hall at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, adjacent to the community center.
The Armenian Community Center is now being rented by a charter school, so we are grateful the Tossounians have the church hall. For a time, we were fearful that the dinners would be discontinued; thankfully, they were not. Don’t take that away from us.
Tables fill up fast and the cheerful din of hungry diners takes over the room. So many of us feel the need for a casual venue where we can gather, talk, share coffee and dessert. Granted the community is spread wide and far in Oakland and Wayne Counties, but many happily drive the distance just to be there.
A majority of us speak in English, but the old ways of the survivor generation is in our blood. And as we look around the crowded room, we see some second- and third-generations Hyes joining the mostly older crowd. We reminisce about old Delray, Zone 9 Detroit, Highland Park, cities where Armenians began their adventure in America. We talk about the Findlater, the former magnificent Masonic Temple that was purchased with the factory sweat and ambition of the previous generation, who arrived here as refugees and exiles.
What a priceless legacy that generation gave us. Their character and dedication to their Armenian heritage lives on. Come and do your part to continue their dream so that we can say, “Armenia lives,” no matter where we have ended up.
The need for similar social gatherings is expressly needed in the Detroit community. Why not an affordably priced cheekufta night, or a boereg and salad night sprinkled intermittently throughout the year?
In an aging first-generation born in the U.S. (many of whom have already passed on to their reward or are dealing with health issues), these twice monthly dinners are a precious opportunity to enjoy a delicious home-made dinner. Served buffet style, the portions are generous and the $10 dollar price is a bargain. Soft drinks and dessert are extra. Come and enjoy!
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From Oct. 6-18, Glendale’s Catherine Yesayan is taking a group to tour Armenia. The Tehran-born Yesayan spent several months there last year and says, “It is so much fun in Armenia!”
Yesayan invites you: “Join us in the land of Noah to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Armenia once included Mt. Ararat, biblically identified as the mountain that the Ark rested on after the great flood.”
The 13-day tour will focus on the unique cultural, religious, and historical sights of Armenia, such as Holy Etchimiadzin, the first state built church in the world; monasteries included on the UNESCO World Heritage list; and several days exploring the vibrant city of Yerevan.
To learn more, contact Catherine Yesayan by e-mailing cyesayan@gmail.com or calling (818) 497-0707.
Betty Apigian-Kessel
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