DEERFIELD, N.H.—Diane Arzigian never attended an Armenian picnic she didn’t like.
Whenever Sunday rolled around, off she’d go to her favorite stomping ground to dance the afternoon away to her favorite music, enjoy the scrumptious Armenian food, and rekindle friendships with her old friends.
It’s been a love affair throughout her 58 years—a staple of her social life that certainly offered no alternatives.
So when it came time to retire this year after 33 years as a teacher, her gift became a “no-brainer.”
Friends and family gathered to throw the woman a surprise Armenian picnic of her very own. They hooked up with a spacious farm, brought in a cadre of fine Armenian musicians, hired a catering service, and infused the event with an overdose of Armenian spirit.
Arzigian didn’t have a clue until she arrived by car and was greeted by a chocolate lab wearing a red, blue, and orange jacket.
“We had signs along the way written with Armenian words, marking the destination,” said her brother John, a noted accordion player and vocalist. “She nearly keeled over when she arrived and saw all her friends. The band set the tone with an introduction and there was Diane, leading the dance.”
In the days and weeks leading up to the event, Arzigian’s teaching colleagues gathered behind closed doors and mulled over some possibilities.
They could take up a collection and send her on a trip. They could arrange a junket on the town, perhaps a get-away to Portland, Maine, or some other seaside resort. Or maybe a gift certificate to some fashionable spot in Boston.
Somebody else threw out the idea for a picnic—and a picnic it was. The invitation said it all: “Please join us as we celebrate Diane’s Armenian heritage and her many years of dedication to the students of Deerfield. Come and party to an Armenian picnic.”
Brother John led the quartet on accordion, much as he’s done over the past four decades with such bands as the Hye Echoes. He was joined by Leon Janikian on clarinet, Jason Naroian on dumbeg/vocals, and Greg Takvorian on oud. Another brother Bobby also plays oud.
The menu stretched the gamut from chicken and beef kabobs to tabouli, spinach pies, rice pilaf, and trays of baklava, enough to feed the 115 guests and double that number. Tricolored streamers and balloons complemented the setting.
In attendance were her fellow teachers, former students, and family members, including her 80-year-old aunt Violet Nazaretian, who came from Connecticut, and Nevart (Apovian) Mikaelian, who did her student teaching in Deerfield where Arzigian worked.
“Words cannot describe how elated my sister was,” said brother John. “She deserved all the accolades she got that day for how amazingly dedicated she’s been to her vocation. Although Diane never got married, she treated each of those children like her own.”
Looking back over her career, Arzigian came up through the ranks of the AYF, graduated with honors from Salem High School in 1968, and received her degree from Lowell State Teachers College. She was immediately assigned a classroom in the middle school ranks and taught math.
She was among the first Sunday School teachers at St. Gregory Church of North Andover, Mass. during the 1970’s when the parish was being organized. Throughout the years, she served as a negotiator for her town but never deviated from her Armenian heritage and culture. It remained a very prominent part of her curriculum, especially when April 24th rolled around.
“Throughout her tenure, she always tried to incorporate some part of her ethnic history,” the brother said. “She preferred being called by her Armenian name ‘Anahid.’”
Among the other gifts was a large quilt with dozens of embroidered pictures detailing her teaching career.
The job didn’t end with summer vacations. Arzigian used her free time to attend conventions and take additional courses to keep herself updated.
“She always tried to be the best teacher she could be,” said her brother. “But Sundays were an exception. That’s when Diane would find a picnic somewhere and off she’d go. Her friends wanted to make this one extra personal.”
Now that she’s retired, what’s next for Arzigian?
You’ll likely find her substituting at nearby Bedford High School and doing charity work for the community.
And attending lots more picnics!
Tom Vartabedian
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