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For
Immediate Release
Chicago I
TACA's Women's Branch Initiates Monthly Activities
by
Sel Yackley
Midwest
Correspondent
The
inaugural event organized by the Women's Branch of Chicago's
TACA was a big success, according to Neriman Gezen, organizer
of the Art Show held at TACA's building on North Harlem
Avenue, Chicago's northwest side last month.
More than 70 ladies attended the afternoon tea
where works of Turkish female artists were displayed.
Fatos Aktas, wife of Hon. Consul General, Yavuz Aktas,
was the brainchild of this event during which she displayed
some of her landscape scenes in oils. Also helping with
the days events were Hatice Dinc, member of TACA board
and Sezgin Uskup, a long time resident of the Chicago
area. Mrs.
Aktas is instrumental in organizing a women's branch of
TACA which will have monthly activities in the building
.
The
Art Exhibit included works by Mrs. Aktas, Meltem Tunar,
Inci Arslan,
Yasemin Kackar, Pelin Yazar Canez, and Huma Gruaz.
The Art Exhibit included works by Mrs. Aktas, Meltem
Tunar, Inci Arslan, Yasemin Kackar, Pelin Yazar Canez,
and Huma Gruaz. The variety of art on display was "highly pleasing to
the eye," according to Ms. Gezen.
They included Turkish motives, landscapes from
such places as Sydney, Chicago, Istanbul, oils, water
colors, Karagoz and Mevlevi influenced paintings and
abstract works.
Moderator Sezgin Uskup urged those in the audience
to help rejuvenate the women's group in support of
TACA.
Refreshments and home cooked appetizers were provided
by Mrs. Aktas, Ms. Gezen, Mrs. Uskup, Perihan Jasinski,
Maral Bencsch, Meral Atac, Muge Hanioglu and Yurdagul
Ozgen. A La Turka resaurant donated table clothes.
This event raised around $700 for TACA.
"Not only did we have a great time, but
this became the beginning of much to come," said
Mrs. Aktas.
"This was strictly a way to recognize
talented female artists in the Turkish community,"
said Ms. Gezen.
"This was exhibit only, there were no
sale of items."
Fatos
Aktas, with her Sydney painting.
- - - - -
TACA's Calendar
Chicago
II
TACA's ACTIVITIES IN 2002
More
than 20 volunteers gathered at the home of Consul General
Yavuz Aktas in April to give TACA a shot in the arm.
The re-organized Women's branch of TACA is ready
to help the leadership with official
diplomatic functions as well as membership enrollment,
fund raising, cultural events and redecorating and maintenance
of the building on North Harlem Avenue.
The
general assembly meeting for the election of new officers
will be Sunday, April 28th.
The
year-old TACA board, under the leadership of Mehmet
Celebi, has been asking for help.
Already this young group of Turkish Americans
has organized more than 35 activities involving nearly
3,500 participants.
The www.tacaonline.org
website is an excellent instrument of communication,
according to Hakan Hazneci, the creator and maintainer
of the site. Calendar of activities is a big help to avoid multiple functions
in one week, according to Celebi. "We also try to get the world out via email."
Our services include posting jobs, items for
sale as well as monthly evening functions and community
alert announcements. "Since everyone on the board
is working, the Women's Branch, will be an excellent
addition to our organization," said Celebi.
Neriman
Gezen, Sezgin Uskup and Maral Bensch were chosen as
tri-chair for this branch and the first task was to
get the building ready for the 23 Nisan children's bayram
celebration. May's
activity by the Women's group is the reception for Ambassador
Faruk Lologlu's wife and other visiting dignitaries.
"Our
long term plans are on an ongoing basis...We have decided
to organize an activity a month---mostly on Sundays.
Below is a sampling a flexible scheduled submitted to
TACA board to make sure there is no conflict on dates. These will be on TACA's calendar of events,"
said Mrs. Uskup.
April 21---23 Nisan
Cocuklar Bayrami (reception.beverage.favors for children)
May 11---Brunch/Reception
for Elci ve Bakanlarin hanimlari 11 a.m. at TACA bldg
May 11---whatever
needs to be done at the Dinner Dance
June—spring
cleanup and decorating the building
July--helping with
TACA picnic
August---possible
Rummage Sale
Sept---an afternoon
tea for Turkish ladies and friends
Oct 26---Help with
Cumhuriyet Balosu
Nov 10 --Ataturk gunu
Dec. 8---Bayram yemegi
Jan 12-03 Dinner Dance
Feb 16---Youth (talebelere)
Bayram Yemegi and Valentine's Day celebration
Mar
16---Brunch
Apri 20-03--23 Nisan
Bayrami again
May 19--03---Youth
celebration function
Most
of these activities will result in raising funds for
TACA. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help with TACA
activities should contact Maral Bensch at 773 388-1394
or email Sel Yackley at seliko@earthlink.net
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