WINDMILLS ON THE ISLAND OF ITHAKI, GREECE
DESTRUCTION BY NEGLECT
written by Milton Lalas, 5th January 2008

On visits to Ithaki, I have inspected mills at Rahi and Panayia Plateau. I have watched the slow deterioration at Rahi and was sad to see the mill’s final destruction. I am seriously concerned that I will see the same events at Panayia — this mill has now entered what I call, “the first step to destruction”. I am told that the Panayia mill is the last in Ithaki with its machinery intact. I believe that a determined effort must be made to conserve this mill.

To express my concern, I have prepared an article for the “Odysseus” (see below) and trust that it will be of interest.
Milton Lalas, N.S.W.

As an enthusiastic engineer I had over 45 years’ experience in aeroplane design, operation, repair, maintenance, selection for purchase and introduction into service. My experience includes timber structures. I am also a keen amateur archaeologist, working as the Honorary Secretary of The Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens for the past 25 years.

Ithaki had over 32 working wind mills. I am shocked that only two still have their machinery. One is at Rahi above Kioni, with all machinery has smashed through floors, now laying broken and derelict on the ground. The other mill is on Panayia Plateau above Platrithia, with part of its roof gone, its wonderful machinery is now increasingly exposed to the cruel weather, on its journey to destruction.

My inspection of the mill at Panayia in October 2007 revealed that floor boards which were reasonably sound in 1998, are now rotted and dangerous. Main timber structure appears sound, but structural condition needs to be determined by an independent timber expert.
These mills were developed by farmers turned bush carpenters and workers in metal and stone. Trial and error over aeons, resulted in effective mills to grind grains. Shafts, gears, pinions etc. made from local timbers, bound by iron bands, they are marvellous examples of human ingenuity.

I do believe that mill machinery can be saved for many years to come, by prompt roof replacement to restore protection.

Why is it that anyone who argues that this wonderful, unique heritage example must be saved is treated as a simpleton, who worries about a “useless pile of junk”?

NOT TOO LATE FOR THIS MILL!

The mill machinery on Panayia Plateau is the last in Ithaki. It is imperative that action be taken to ensure it is not lost.

Time is short. Talk and bickerings on ownership must cease, inertia must be overcome; roof and all damaged timbers must be replaced.

COST AND FINANCING

My builder estimates cost of work, would not exceed $32,000, if done in Australia. I pledge $5,000 towards this cost, if a leader can be found in Ithaki and if I am assured that at least $4,000 remains for building, after “administration costs” are taken.

DONATIONS TO THE ITHACAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Historical Society has received several unique medallions from Father Dionysios Demetrie, which were won at early Ithacan Philanthropic Society picnics. These medallions were won by Father Dionysios’ uncles – Gerasimos and Nicholas Dionysiou Lucas [Lecatsas]. The medallions were struck in 9ct gold.

The Ithacan Historical Society sincerely thanks Father Dionysios for his valuable and memorable contribution to the I.H.S archival collection. For further details on this remarkable donation, check out the latest Odysseus.

ITHACAN PATOIS
ΙΔΙΩΜΑΤΙΣΜΟΙ ΤΗΣ ΙΘΑΚΗΣΙΑΣ ΓΛΩΣΣΑΣ

Quite often I talk to Greek friends who are not Ithacan and they can’t understand me. Here I am thinking I am talking Greek and what I am actually speaking is Ithacan!

My mother-in-law Andromahi (Mahi) Mavrokefalou who was born in Exoghi, lived with us for almost 30 years. She passed away at the venerable age of 95, in 1990. Of course I learned to speak Ithacan. A few examples of Ithacan dialect are included below.
Lula Black

Courtesy of “Δήμος Ιθάκης” website (www.ithaki.gr) and «Ιστορικά και Λαογραφικά Ανάλεκτα Της Ιθάκης» του Ανδρέα Λ. Αναγνοστάτου

Fish supply business remains in family hands, 50 years on
SISTERS ARE CHIPS OFF THE OLD SHOP
by Angela Mentzer
(Hawke’s Bay Today - Tuesday May 15, 2007 - New Zealand)

If the walls could talk at the Deluxe Fish Supply, they would tell a lot of fishy tales, but their most inspiring story of all would be about the shop’s late owner, Laiza Boolieris.

Known for being a hard worker and for her astute business mind, Laiza created a veritable institution in Stortford Lodge almost single-handedly and often in trying circumstances.

Born in 1925 on the small island of Ithaca in Greece and as the youngest of six children, Laiza lost her mother and two brothers before the age of 13. Her father remarried but it was not to be a happy time for Laiza, who lived like Cinderella with a strict stepmother and in desperate poverty.

In 1948 the opportunity came for Laiza to emigrate to New Zealand where her remaining two brothers were settled in Hastings, running restaurant businesess. Laiza married her brother’s friend, Stavros (Steve) Boolieris in an arranged marriage in 1952, but suffered yet another tragic loss with the stillbirth of their first child.

Always strong willed, in 1957 Laiza and Steve set out on creating their own future after finding the small, single-level fish shop in Stortford Lodge was for sale, and bought it for £2000.



“Mum knew little English,” says daughter Rene Hardy.

“She could say ‘fish’, ‘hot dog’, ‘oysters’, ‘sausage’, and ‘curly top fizzy drink’. Language was such a barrier for her, for all Greek people, and working in food businesses was the easiest way of earning a living,”

Laiza and Steve worked hard to build their business, and found that the shop had a roaring trade, particularly after the 6 o’clock closing at the Stortford Lodge Hotel.

Laiza’s daughters, Rene and Jenny, became accustomed to their parents’ long working hours and became crucial workers at the shop.

Rene recalls fondly how she would have to wrap the fish and chips every day after school and in the holidays, while making sure household duties were kept up to date while her parents were working.

“I used to stand on a fruit box at the end of the counter, wrapping fish ‘n’ chips. Loads of people used to nab chips while Dad wasn’t looking,” said Rene, who took over the Deluxe Fish Supply when Laiza retired in 1986.

The existing two-story building that houses Deluxe Fish supply today was built by Laiza and Steve in 1964, along with an upstairs flat and a neighbouring shop, the Joybell dairy (which remains today). Five years after moving into the upstairs flat, tragedy struck for Laiza once again, when Steve died from cancer.

Laiza, then 42, was left with two small children and a whopping mortgage. She became both mother and father to her girls and her legendary work habits — 12-hour days, six days a week — cemented a legacy that her daughters and granddaughters are proud to have inherited.

Laiza built two more shops next to her fish shop in 1979, one of which became daughter Jenny’s business, ‘Salon Ithaca’. Today, St Andrews Op Shop and Fuse Cafe occupy them.

“Mum firmly believed that we should have our own businesses and work hard, making our own money. She said that hard work never killed anyone,” says Jenny.

Even after retirement in 1986, Laiza kept an eye on her daughters, her four grandchildren and the shop. She passed away aged 82 on March 20. More than 350 people attended her funeral on March 23. A special hearse was needed to carry the flowers.

Article provided courtesy of Vienna Soulis (Melbourne)