Yourstory

Since 2005 YourStory has worked with members of the Greek American community in
Utah to record the life stories of several second-generation Greeks whose parents had
originally come to Utah at the beginning of the 20th century. The following examples are
just a few of the amazing stories told by these passionate and engaging individuals as
they recount their younger days in mining towns and the "big city" of Salt Lake.

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	Perhaps the value of community is no better illustrated than in this description of how Peter Alex and his family dealt with the Great Depression with the help of their Greek friends and neighbors. listen to story
	Growing up in Bingham Canyon was exciting! Here Mary Chachas describes the way she and her friends greeted the tour busses that frequently toured the canyon when she was a child. listen to story
	World War II took John Chipian away from his Greek community in Utah, but it couldn’t take the Greek out of John! Here he talks about the ways in which he brought Greek traditions to his military buddies during the war. listen to story
	Jayne Coleman knew that her father didn’t want to work in the mines, but she never understood exactly why until she took her own first trip into a mine guided by one of her schoolmates. In this segment she describes just what that experience was like. listen to story
	Years after her own school experience in Bingham Canyon, Ellen Furgis tells how she drew on those early memories as she started the first kindergarten in the Jordan School District. listen to story
	Mary Mannos spent her childhood around Fifth West in Salt Lake City. Here she tells about some traditional practices in her greek neighborhood--including the evil eye and how to keep safe from it. listen to story
	When Bessie Markos was young, many of those in her Greek community celebrated "name days" with special foods, parties, and traditions. Here she shares some of those customs. listen to story
	Although school was often difficult for Chris Metos and his siblings, they found ways to overcome language barriers and teasing by other children, and became successful in school. listen to story