A voice
shouts out -- what happiness! It’s
been such a long time since we’ve heard a true prophet call out. A voice shouts out --
what is it saying? It says that God
is back on the road. Extraordinary! Especially
when you recall the date of this incredible news was the 15th of
Tibere., and Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judea.
A voice shouts out -- it says in the desert
“Prepare the way for the Lord.”
In the desert, when I travel across the long American freeways, I think of the trails
and roads in the African Savannas. If
a noble guest was expected, the locals would quickly pick up tools. They would fill the ruts and ravines, or check the passages
and restore all the landmarks. Soon,
where the European eye sees only
sand, rock and desert, there is born a road.
Is there one
part of our lives that we have lost sight of?
The path of
prayer has been covered up by sand.
We have lost
the reference point for the road of
obedience
and renunciation. The path of love
for
the more
unfortunate no longer interests us. Jesus
needs to
find a path where he can enter into our
lives and
into each of our hearts. It
doesn’t matter
which path
it is.
How are we
going to rebuild these forgotten paths?
We will do
it together. “To prepare” is written in the plural form -- not in the
singular form. All local churches
have been called to help. However,
we cannot do everything: what is the most important thing in welcoming
Christmas?
“In my prayer,” writes Paul, “I ask that your love
make you progress more and more in the true conscience and perfect perception
that will make you decide which is the most important.”
To decide
which is the most important, wouldn’t this be “making the deformed paths
disappear?” Each time we gather
to pray, reflect, and share, these are the best paths we try to retrace or
rebuild so that each man can see God’s greeting.
For this work we need all our hands and all our heads together.
No one is unwanted.
During all
this work, let’s not forget to constantly point our vision toward the one who
tells us: “I am the way.”
Eguberri eta urte berri on bat deneri!
Aita Martxel
Mountain
Home, ID is a small town of approximately
5,000
inhabitants, situated between Boise and Gooding
and next to
an Air Force Base. Upon entering
the town,
you begin to
notice that many streets carry Basque names.
In the first
years of the last century, many Basques came,
mostly from
Bizkaia, to work as sheepherders. Mountain
Home was a
central gathering point because the
railroad
station there it possible to transport sheep and
wool.
Even a few decades ago, Mountain Home boasted
five Basque
Boarding Houses, and three pelota courts, although only one survives today.
On August
25, 2001 the Euskal Lagunok held a Fronton Fiesta, celebrating the Fronton.
The occasion was marked by a weekend celebration, starting that Friday
with a wine tasting and story telling event hosted by the Elmore County
Historical Society. The NABO meeting was held there Saturday morning, and at noon
on Saturday the festivities continued with a parade, and the dedication and
blessing of the Fronton. The
Fronton was built in 1912 by Pedro Anchustegui, proprietor of the Basque Hotel
which was located in front of the court. The
court has been placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
The day was filled with Basque food, music, dance, and conversation. Exhibition pala and handball games were played on the newly restored court. Congratulations to the Mountain Home Euskal Lagunok, President Darin Monasterio, and Chairman Josephine Anchusteguy for a beautiful celebration!
Martin left
us very suddenly on Monday, the
3rd
of September. He had just come back
from
his trip in
Argentina after having spent a month
with friends
and family. We knew each other
since
the age of 12 years old, and were very
good
friends. After our ordination on
the same
day at the
cathedral in Bayonne, I left for Africa
and he,
after several weeks, left for South America.
With great
joy, we were able to find each other again in San Francisco.
Last spring,
he had a chance to visit Euskadi – a
country that he dearly loved and for which he worked greatly, especially in
culture and pelota – helping organize the US Pelota Federation. In Buglose, in the presence of the bishop from Bayonne, he
held a dinner for all his friends of the Ordination – there were over 20 of us
ordained the same day. Then, with
Fr. Camino, the general curate of Bayonne, he left on pilgrimage to Rome and to
Assise.
Before he
was called to our Lord’s home, he had just finished celebrating mass with the
French community in Los Angeles where he was Chaplain. His departure has left a great void amongst all those who
knew and loved him.
Robert
Laxalt, the talented author, passed
away on the
23rd of March at the age of 77
years old.
He was born in Alturas in 1923.
His father,
Dominique, originated from
Liginaga (X)
and came to Nevada in 1902
as a
sheepherder. His mother, Therese Apeltche,
was from
Baigorri, Bikarinekoa (BN). Together
the couple
had six children – four boys, and
two girls.
The oldest of the brothers, Paul, was the Senator of Nevada, and one of his
sisters is a nun currently living on the East Coast.
She lived a long time in Las Vegas, and was one of the originators of the
Basque picnic there. She was always busy with charitable works.
Robert was the author of 17 books and many articles. His first book, A Sweet Promised Land (Artzaina Nuen Aita), is one of his most well-known. His articles were published in National Geographic Magazine. Through all of his works, his main goal was to tell about the Basque people, their culture (gure nortasuna), their past-times, and their role as sheepherders. He also worked for the Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. Two stays in Euskadi, one in Donibane Garazi (BN) and the other in Donosti (G), allowed him to get to know his parents’ country a little better. Even if he practiced very little Euskara, he had a very strong love for our Culture. He was an honest, simple, and friendly man with great faith. He has left behind a wife and three sons to whom we give our sympathy and deep affection.
Mariano
IZETA passed away this year in Elizondo,
where
he was born 85 years ago. He spent
his days
surrounded
by his family, in his jewelry store, which
he
shared for many years with his brother.
Before all,
he
was Basque, and worked very hard to preserve the
Basque
language and culture. He was well
known not
only
in Navarra, but also throughout Euskadi. He was a bertsolari, a writer, and a
dancer. His works included Dirua
Galgarri (1962), Nigarrez Sortu Nintzan (1982), Sorginak Infernuk
Errekan (1985), Baztango Erranairuak (1993),Baztango Hiztegia
(1996), and Baztango Kantuak (1999).
At the beginning of this year he was to be honored in
Basque Academy – the Euskalzaindia in Bilbao. However, he was not in good
health and was not able to attend. However, at 85 years old he could still be
seen participating in the Baztango mutil dantza!
We
are lucky to have among us a few people who can still improvise and write
Basque
poetry (bertsoak). Most of them live in California, Nevada, and Wyoming.
Joxe
Mallea-Olaetxe of Reno has prepared a manuscript on bertsos in Basque and in
English, and has generously offered it to NABO to be used in promoting the
bertsolariak and their art form. The
publication will cost about $ 15,000, and the Basque community is being asked to
help fund this valuable project.
The
Basques have been in the Americas for over 500 years, but this is the first
bertso book of its kind to be published.
Please
call or send your tax deductible donations to Grace Mainvil, or Martin
Goikoetxea (information below). The
names of donors will be included in the book.
Thank
you.
Orok dakizuen bezala, gure
artean badugu zenbait bertsolari - Kalifornian gehienak -
eta
heien bertsuekin Renoko Joxe Mallea-Olaetxek liburu bat paratu du euskaraz eta
amerikanoz,
eta NABO-ri eskaini dio. Lan hontan
laguntza aundia jaso du Kalifornia, Nevada, eta Wyomingeko jendeganik.
Liburua saltzen denean irabaziak bertsolarien laguntzeko izanen dira, eta
ez bertse-rako. Publikazionea ordea, 15, 000 dolar kostako da gutti-asko eta
NABO-k 6, 000 jarri ditu, baina ezbaita aski,
euskalzale oroen laguntza eskatu beharrean gaude.
Jakin
dezagun bada euskaldunok Ameriketan 500 urte edo gehiago izan girela,
baina
inoiz honelako libururik ez dela publikatu. Beraz, ekintza baliosa da hauxe.
Adixkide ta laguntzaileok, deitu toki bi hunetara :
Grace Mainvil
Martin Goikoetxea,
NABO-ko diruzaina
NABO kultura ordezkaria,
P.O. Box 509
417
Agate St.
Weiser, ID
83672
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(208) 549-0178
(307) 326-2228
Emaileen izenak liburuan karriko dira. Milesker deneri
Ipar ameriketatik
Here is the good and bad news that we have received over this past year
·
nahigabeak
Great Falls, MT: Nov. 5, 2000: John IRIGOIN, passed away
at the age of 50 due to a heart attack.
Bakersfield: Sept. 16, 2000: Martin ETCHEVERRY passed away.
He was born in 1917 to parents from the Basque Country.
Ontario, CA: Dec. 23rd, 2000: Antoine NERCAPIDE. He was born
in Arhansus (BN) on April 12, 1942.
Bakersfield: Dec. 3, 2000: Frances ETCHENIQUE-HORAN passed away at the age of 85.
San Francisco: Conchita GASTANAGA. She was originally from Mexico
Madera, CA: Jan 1st, 2001: Mary Elizabeth BISCAY-LASGOITY. She was born in Stockton in 1905. After losing her first husband, Nicolas Biscay, she remarried with Jean Lasgoity.
Rocksprings, WY: Jan. 4, 2001: Mary LARRE-CARRICABURU. She was born in Baigorri (BN) in 1910. She lived in both Rocksprings and Cokeville, where her husband Gaston had a beautiful ranch. Her last three years were spent in Denver with one of her daughters.
Bakersfield: Jan. 4: Joseph OHACO passed away at he age of 69. He was originally from Urepel (BN)
Bakersfield: Jan. 5: Louise Marie UNANUMAU passed away at the age of 56. She was a member of the Ansolabehere family.
San Francisco: Feb. 2: Leoncia USOZ. Born in Aibar (N), he passed away at the age 99.
Chino: Feb. 6: Guillaume UHALDEBORDE passed away at the age of 71. He was a native of Izura.
San Francisco: Feb. 8: Pierre DUHALDE. He was originally from Arrosa (BN)
Chino: Feb. 9: Jose ANSOLA passed away at the age of 65. He was born in Osintxu-Bergara (G)
Mountain Home: Feb. 23: John “Chuck” SILLONIS passed away at the age of 85. He was married to Gloria Irazabal-Harmon, and was a member in both the Boise and Mountain Home basque clubs.
San Francisco: March 2: Pierre ARGAIN, a native of Arrosa (BN)
Chico, CA:
March 5: Frank
GACHEN. Born in Osses (BN) in
1930, he was the brother of Marie Jeanne Arrabit.
He was a regular at the Basque picnic in Chico.
Chino: March 15: Vincent ETCHEGOYEN passed away at the age of 71. He was a from Urepel (BN).
San Francisco: March 18: Michel OYHARCABAL passed away at the age of 61. He was from Irissary
San Francisco: March 20: Pierre ARAMENDY. He was born in Bunus in 1936.
Fresno: March 21: Julia SERRANO-JACOBSEN passed away at the age of 85.
Banca: (BN): Michel PETOTEGUY. He was a long time resident of San Raphael, CA
Lodi, CA: April 2: Maria ARBURUA. She was born in 1910 in Echanar (N). After the death of her husband she came to live near her daughter Rosa Olagaray.
Bakersfield: April 4: Jean Baptiste ETCHEBARNE. He was born in Baigorri (BN) in 1922.
Bakersfield: March 6: John LUSARRETA. He was born in 1937, and married Karen Ouret in 1973.
Bakersfield: April 14: Henri BACHOC. He was born in Irissary (BN) in 1919
Victorville, CA: April 18: Arnaud CACHENAUT passed away at the age of 59. He was from Helete (L)
Salt Lake City: April 25th: Michael, the baby of Lisa (Carricaburu) and Chris Maxfield passed away.
Los Banos: May 4: Pierre HEGUY passed away at the age of 77. He was from Bidarray (BN)
Winnemucca: May 6: Judy HEINZ STASS passed away at the age of 54
Hasparren (L): Auguste GARAT. He was a long time resident of San Francisco, and it is here that his two sons, Eric and Philippe are born.
San Francisco:
June 3: Marie
BIDEGAIN
Dos Palos (CA): June 11: Marie Anne NARBAITZ. She was born in the Basque Country in 1907
Baigorry (BN): Pierre SEMERENA. He lived in San Francisco for many years, and was a friend to many.
Bakersfield: July 20: Dona Mae BAUGHMAN-CRAIG. She was born in 1931 in Lemoore.
Bakersfield: Aug. 11: Jose ARANETA. He was born in Irurita (N) in 1950
San Jacinto: Sept. 30: Manez IRIART. Originally from Helette (L), he passed away at the age of 74.
Madera (CA): Sept 21: Timothy Leon BISCAY passed away at the age of 19.
Madera (CA) Sept. 27: Ernest UHALDE passed away at the age of 80.
Bakersfield: Nov. 8: Benat ANSOLABEHERE passed away at the age of 57. He was originally from Banca (BN)
Members of the Idaho Basque Community who have passed away since July 2000:
Members of the Elko Basque Community who have passed away since July 2000:
Domingo OZAMIS, Jack SCHULTZ, Theodor ZAGA, Joe CORTA, Julian GOICOECHEA, Marry ARRASCADA Reed, Elenora ARDANS, Paula GOWIN, Pete MARILUCH, Johnnie ARRASCADA, Angela AGUIRRE, Marie Anne JAYO, Pete ALBERRO, Domingo CALZACORTA, Juan LENIZ, Johnathan PETERSON, Kaya JOHNSON
We extend our sympathy and our prayers for all these families.
·
Zorionak
San Francisco:
March
31st
Patricia Elicagaray and Jhonny Haffar
April
8th
Christa and Dominic Bigue
April
27th
Anne Marie Etcheverria and Michael Coleman
May
27th
Isabelle Laxague and Joe Esparo
July
20th
Lisa Negueloua and Matthew Quigley
Aug.
4th
Diane Ourtiague and Patrick Arduain, in Gamarthe (BN)
Sept
8th
Evelyne Ourtiague and Edgardo Young
Sept.
14th
Aline Izoco and Philip Elicagaray
Sept.
22nd
Rosemarie Bourbaras and Michel Berhan
Dec.
1st
Sandra Gonzales and Michael Indart
Bakersfield:
April
14th
Patrick Etchebarne
April
21st
Sean Castello and Julie Othart
June
9th
Terry Naccarato and Xavier Echeverria
June
30th
Nicole Eyraud and Jean Pierre Maritorena
Oct.
6th
Michael and Annie Etchechury
Dec.
8th
Adrienne and Battitta Reca (Lancaster)
June
2nd
Kathy Kresser and Chad Hill (Salt Lake City)
July
14th
Anna Tanner and Xavier Dutrey (Montclair)
Sept
2nd
Claudine Etchemendy and Daniel Gamboa (Carson City)
May
Ana Marie Sarratea and Mikel Lopategui (Reno)
Dec.
22nd
Kattalin Etchamendy and Carlos Bassa (Irurita, N)
Good luck to all these young couples, and bon voyage on the road of
life.
Other
celebrations:
On May 3rd,
Rose Garamendi celebrated her 90th birthday in Salt Lake City.
On June 8th,
Cecil Laughlin, the son of Kattalin and Pat, was baptised in Elko, NV.
On June 30th,
Arnaud and Marie Mendisco celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary
in Dixon, CA.
On July 22nd,
Jamie Sangroniz celebrated his 80th birthday in Salt Lake City with
his family.
In September, Scott
Berriochoa and Pantxo Aguerre celebrated their combined birthday of 100 yrs in
Salt Lake City.
On Nov. 24th
, Ana Hargindeguy celebrated her 80th birthday at the Basque Hotel in
Fresno, surrounded by her large family.
On Dec. 15th, Marie Jeanne Elissagaray celebrated her 90th birthday in Tracy surrounded by her friends and family.
·
irrinoak
.
San Francisco: Jan. 22nd, Rachel was born on Jan. 22nd to
Elisabeth (Colombet) and Albert LUCINE; Anthony
was
born on Jan. 22nd
to Rhonda (Arotzarena) and Chris; Amaia
was born on Feb. 1st
to Rosemarie (Etchamendy) and Rene
CABALLERO;
Angelina was born on Feb. 5th to Lucy
ZAMALTHEA – JAIMERENA;
Ryan was born on Feb. 11 to Rosemary (Arriada) and Darryl KEIPER; Jessica was
born on March 21st to Aline (Urruty) and Joe MOULIA; Eric was born on
June 29th to Andrea and Emile GOYHENETCHE; Patrick was born June 29th
to Carmel and Raymond POYDESSUS; Charlyze was born on July 12th to
Michelle (Ondarts) and Al GOLDEN; Andrew
was born on Aug. 26th to Jean Claude AROSTEGUY; Twins Mathieu and
Casey were born on Sept. 1st to Richard and Lucy SALLABERRY; Andoni
was born on Sept. 24th to Beatrice (Duhart) and Marcel ETCHEVERRY;
Juliette was born on Sept. 30th to Lisa (Gamboa) and Francois CAMOU;
Ella was born on Oct. 27th to Nicolas LERISSA.
Salt Lake City:
Maia was born on March 28th to Mary Anna and John McNAMARA.
In May, a little girl was born to Natasha and John PIERCEY; In June,
Julie and Tim HORYNA celebrated the birth of their first child;
In September, a little boy was born to Lindy and Jason TRAFNY;
Nevada:
Jacques was born on Feb. 14th to Brigitte (Garacoitz) and Leon
FADDEN; Benat was born on Oct. 31st to Christine (Guecemburu) and Dan
VANHOOSE
Bakersfield:
Taite was born March 9th to Monica (Etcheverry) and Kevin
HOOVER; Twins Sonia and Mikela were born on March 21st to Kathy (Ituriria)
and Ben LAVERTY; Isabel Marie was born on April 9th to Freddy and
Chris ITURRIRIA; Joseba was born on Aug. 23rd to Teresa (Goni) and
Steve IPARRAGUIRE; Christophe was born on Sept. 21st to Patricia (Dalhia)
and John HASAHIM; Jean Paul was born Nov. 10th to Germaine (Etcheverry)
and Paul NEWSTEAD; Justin was born in Dec. to Garet and Julie ETCHEVERRY.
Chino:
Bixente born in January to Nancy (Duhart) and Dennis Petrissans.; James
was born March 30th to Sylvie (Lanathoua) and Joe LANG; Asier was
born on Aug. 11th to Janet (Gamboa) and Xabier DE LUZ; Maialen was
born to Cathy (Petrissans) and Jeff PARKER; Amaia was born to Anna Marie (Ithuralde)
and Sebastian BIDEGARAY.
Cecil was born in Elko,
NV on Feb. 12th to
Kattalin (Fagoaga) and Pat LAUGHLIN; Elena
was born on June 5th to Sonya and Marc ETCHAMENDY in Phoenix, AZ.;
Trevor was born on Sept. 27th to Christy and Jean Louis JAUREGUY in
Pasa Robles, CA..; Iban was born on
Nov. 8th to Jean Marie and Nicole OCAFRAIN in Banca (BN).
To all these children -- welcome to this world of bipeds, and
congratulations to their happy parents.
· Deneri
Thank you for letting us know of the events in your family -- both sad and joyful. It unites the Basque Community, letting us share in your sorrows and happiness, and to help you with our friendship and prayers.
Haur batzuk
Jainko Aita maiteari idatzen dute.
“Jainko Aita maitea, Abel eta Kainek, bi ganbaretan lo egiten bazuten ez
zuten elgar hilen. Ene anaiarekin hola da segurki!” Mattin.
“Jainko maitea, segur niz ez dela aise zuretako mundu zabaleko jende
guzien maitatzea: gure etxean lau gira eta ez dugu elgar maitatzen ahal!”
Bixente
“Jainko maitea, zer erran nahi duzu: Jainkoa jeloskorra? Uste nuen denak
bazinituela!” Kattalin.
“Jainko
maitea, milesker anaia ttipia emanik! Bainan ene otoizak zakur ttipi baten galdegiteko ziren!”
Benat
“Jainko maitea, gure oporra guzietan euritu du. Aita kexu zen eta zuretzat erran behar ez zirenak erran ditu!
Bainan ez otoi minik egin halere!”
Zure adixkide. (ezdut ene izena
eman nahi)
“Jainko maitea, egiazki erran nahi duzu: egiten dauzunari egin hehar dela!
Hala bada, orduan ene anaia
arranatuko dut!” Peio.
Lanetik etxerat heldu da senarra. Etxea,
dena nahasmenduan atzemaiten du: haurrak
kalapitan, erdi biluzirik. Arropa
zikinak eta garbiak, denak nahas, lurrean.
Ganbararat joan eta, ohia egiteko. Afaria prestzeko … Emaztea aldiz
besaulkian jarririk, zangoak airean, liburu baten irrakurten ari.
Senarak: “Zer pasatzen da
hemen? Zer ari zira hor?”
Emazteak, geldi-geldia: Arratx
guziez, etxean sartzean, galdegiten dautazu:
Zertan pasatu duzu egun guzia?”
Two simpletons were in prison. One night, one says to the other, “Tomorrow night, we escape!” “But how?” answered the second. “I have a plan. Tomorrow morning, during the first hour, you are going to go inspect the fence. If it is low, we will jump over it, if it is high, we will go under it.”The next morning, the simpleton did what his friend had told him. He came back running with a discouraged look on his face: “Listen! I don’t think we will be able to escape! There isn’t even a fence!”
Eskerrak
A big thanks to those who contributed and made possible this volume of Lokarria. First, to Valerie Etcharren Arrechea and Caroline Izoco Chiramberro for the translations and layout. Thank you also to Philippe Acheritogaray for help with the mailing list. Also, a heartfelt thanks to the team of ladies who helped but the pages together. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!