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Boise Euzkaldunak Sheepherders Ball
Please join the Boise Euzkaldunak for its annual Sheepherders Ball on December 16th at the Basque Center. This celebration and fundraiser includes a performance by the Oinkari Basque dancers and a lamb action that will raise funds for the Basque Foundation Charities, followed by a public dance to the music of Michael Barriatua and Spoonful. The Basque Foundation Charities aims to help families in need, and this year’s designated recipients are Susan Mendiola Jaca and Jill Goodson. The December Holiday dinner will also take place prior to the dance with limited seating so please RSVP soon. For more information about the recipients, to donate, or to RSVP, click here.
Tribute to Basque-American Veterans in Okinawa
On December 5th a ceremony was held in Itoman City, Okinawa Japan to pay tribute to the twenty American veterans of Basque descent who died during World War II in the Pacific, and in particular to the six who fell in 1945 in the Battle of Okinawa. The tribute is the result of collaboration between the Peace and Reconciliation Commemorative Museum of Okinawa, and the Sancho de Beurko Foundation, under the auspices of NABO. Research that led to the discovery of Basques who participated in the conflict in the Pacific is the fruit of a huge effort by the “Fighting Basques: Memory of World War II” project carried out by a team at the Sancho de Beurko Foundation led by Dr. Pedro Oiarzabal. To date they have identified more than 1.600 combatants of Basque origin in the US Armed Forces, complete with 1,100 biographies of veterans and their emigrant families. The event in Okinawa is the first tribute on Japanese soil to our Basque WWII veterans. We are looking forward to more information on the event, complete with photos once Pedro returns home to the Basque Country. To read more about the event and those who were honored, visit EuskalKultura.eus.
Ontario, Oregon Basque Club News
On Monday, December 4th, Ontario Basque Club held its monthly meeting and annual Christmas party at its headquarters in Ontario's historic train depot. In observance of Euskararen Eguna, members played bingo in Basque after a delicious potluck dinner and enjoyed NABO's Spotify Christmas playlist.
The club had an extra reason to celebrate this year, as it was the recipient of a geneous grant for historic preservation from the Kinsman Foundation. The funds will be used to replace the flooring on the first level of the depot. As many of you know, Ontario Basque Club partnered with the City of Ontario in 2007, agreeing to maintain the depot building and manage the rental of the public spaces in exchange for a 100-year lease. While all rental fees are used exclusively for the maintenance of the building, the many expenses incurred while doing so had left those funds depleted. The club is very grateful to the Kinsman Foundation and looking forward to refreshing the depot for its members and the geneal public. Zorionak!
Kern County Basque Club Christmas Party
Our friends at Kern County Basque Club will hold their Christmas Party on Sunday, December 10th. Mass will be offered at 10:30 am, celebrated by Monsignor Stephen Frost and Deacon Fred Ansolabehere, followed by a delicious barbeque chicken lunch, chestnuts, and cider. Please make reservations by December 7th by contacting Joey Iturriria at 393-3165. The cost for lunch will be: adults $25; Honorary Members/Children under 12 $20; Non-Members $30. Members who have volunteered throughout the year, participated in the Klika, Basque dance, and/or played paleta/handball will receive a complimentary lunch! There may also be a visit from the King of HO HO HO himself, Santa Claus.
12/07/23
