Last year I stood on the 13th century Berdavan, Armenia fortress wall and thought about bringing more of our wonderful experience to you while we improve the lives of children on wartorn borders.

Did you know that Armenians have been listed on the Maine census reports since 1896?  Fleeing Ottoman persecution, Armenian entrepreneurs and craftspeople landed in generous Maine communities including Portland, Yarmouth, Casco and Bridgton.  There they set up businesses, farms and worked in foundries and mills up and down our tremendous rivers.

But leaving home and traditions is heartbreaking and to shore up the moral of their people, Armenian churches began organizing picnics...an occasion for dancing in the sunshine, sharing familiar foods, re-telling stories and making connections that would endure through generations.

My family, the Koltookians came to Searsport Maine a century later in 1996. Zaven and Rosalie (my parents) purchased a 40 acre campground on Penobscot Bay.  From day one we wanted to celebrate rural life in Maine, where we can walk the beach for miles, eat farm/ocean fresh food year round and enjoy the pleasure of making crafts and art with our family and friends.

Steven Tanguay(my husband) and I have continued to call the campground home since that first day and expanded our offerings to include organic gardens, an outdoor kitchen and dedicated art/music spaces.  With the infrastructure in place and the support of our siblings, bringing the tradition of an Armenian Picnic to Searsport was an easy fit.  We're looking forward to our 5th annual picnic and sincerely hope that you'll join us this year!

All of the profits from this picnic are used to fund established art programs for at risk children in Armenia.  During the past two years we have funded the Berdavan Community Clay Studio and look forward to announcing a second collaboration during the picnic this July.