Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" Chapter's Book Club was formed on August of 2006 by the Fundraising Division. Today the Book Club is going strong with over 12 members who meet on the first Thursday of every month and discuss the selected book for the month.

The Chapter Executive Board and Fundraising Division Board members recognized the Book Club's 50th book reading and commemorated the occasion by hosting a luncheon in February.

Books bring the wondrous world of imagination to our lives. They take us from our reality and place us in other dimensions where no timeline or boundaries exist. Being a Book Club member is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. This is your time to dive into the world of unknowns and experience a different past, present and future. The Book Club selections include all varieties of subjects, from Literature to Science, from current affairs to History, Spiritual, and Religion, from Short Stories to non-fiction. Whatever your interest may be you are sure to come across it in the Book Club. The views different members bring to the discussion is what gives many flavors to each book. Each member's experience, background, education and travels add a new meaning to the book and inspire one to learn more about a subject.

The friendships forged with people of same interest have made the first Thursday of every month a day the members look forward to. The discussions are held over tea and snacks at Ararat Center starting at 7:30 PM and are over around 9:15 PM. What better way to spend an evening over a Good Book, Good Friends and okay Food!!!!!

Ararat D-League Winter 2011 Season is well underway with our largest number of participants yet.   We have over 300 participants, yet another record for the D-League.   An article covering Ararat D-League was featured in the front page of the Glendale News Press' sports section:

 February 20, 2011 |Article

 Ararat's D-League building a foundation - In its third year, Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" chapter's D-League program thrives.

...supervising athletes at the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter's basketball Developmental League...practice at the D-League's home, the Ararat North Campus. Tomik Abrahamian, the league...that is unlike its partner, the Glendale Ararat chapter, which was founded in 1978 and...

For additional information visit the D-League  Web Site 

The Sevan Chapter held the San Diego 2011 games this year from Saturday, February 19 to Monday, February 21st. Ararat Chapter participated in the tournament with 19 boys' Basketball teams ranging from C to A Division and five girls' basketball teams as well as one girls' volleyball team.

Everyone of our teams did an exceptional job competing in the Sevan 2011 games. For some of our participants, it was their first time playing in these games. However, all of our teams, had an amazing time.

On the weekend of January 29^th the Ararat Rhythmic Gymnastics season began with our first competition in Thousand Oaks, CA. For most, participation in the Platinum Cup was their first competition ever. The girls prepared for this event for six months and did a fabulous job. With great excitement and even nervousness their hard work paid off. Upon returning to our gym at Ararat, the girls knew they had no time to waste. Our goal was to prepare for our next two competitions in San Diego.  

The girls continued to work hard until February 19^th where they attended the San Diego Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy Invitational. This event was successful as well. With the nervousness of the first event behind them the girls proved better results and higher scores. We returned with overall placement for all ages in levels 3 and 4. The girls placed all-around 1^st through 7^th.

Level 5 girls also participated in the tournaments. 

Rhythmic Gymnastics at Ararat provides the girls with strength, agility, flexibility, confidence, discipline, and an overall positive environment.

On February 13^th, 30 of our scouts attended the Diaruntarach Ceremony at St. Mary's Apostolic Church along with other chapters from the region. The scouts attended the Fire Ceremony and then the reception that followed. This annual ceremony is a link to our culture and history and the tradition is of great interest to the scouts.

On February 19^th, the Scouting Division's Guylik 2 troop had a Father&Son BBQ and anyone who walked past the activity came away with a giddy expression. The scene was a group of boys, age 7 to 9, and their fathers, building, eating, and bonding. The day began with a game for the boys while the fathers set up the tools for the paddle boats they would be building. Then, the first part of the day was spent making the boats, where each guylik sawed and sanded their piece of wood into the shapes of the boat with the help of the fathers, then decorated it with crayons, and finally stained the boats to reveal the finished product. 

The dads who attended were all very attentive and helped all of the kids eagerly, even the children whose parents could not make it felt comfortable with all of the fathers.  

Finally, the day ended with a barbeque where the group enjoyed burgers at the park. At this activity, the boys learned new skills, the group came closer together, the parents of the troop had an opportunity to meet and bond, and lastly but most importantly, the sons and fathers made memories they will cherish for years to come.

On the weekend of February 25-27, the Scouting Division's Arenoush 1 Troop went on a camping trip to Will J. Reid Scout Park. The troop had not been on a campout alone in quite some time and the weekend was a learning experience and memorable for everyone in the troop. The goals of the camp were nutrition, health, and exercise and the scouts did not let the rain hold them back or bring them down. From building their pioneering structure in the rain, to lectures, and arts and crafts, the camping trip was a success.

This year, Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" Chapter"s Scouting Division, produced her first Eagle Scouts and awarded their Ranks to Armen Ter Zakarian and Matthew Diradoorian on February 27, 2011. The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. Less than 3% of all boy scouts earn this rank. In order to do so, they must progress through a specific series of ranks, earn at least 21 merit badges, serve six months in a leadership role in the troop, and organize and implement a project which serves their community. [Read more]

On Thursday February 24^th, Mr. Arthur Atanyan Mayor of Ghapan, Armenia, visited Ararat Center. He was accompanied by members of Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Committee members and met with the members of Ararat Chapter's Executive Board and its Executive Director. During the meeting the hosts explained Homenetmen's mission, and the Chapter's activities. Mr. Atanyan discussed information about the city of Ghapan, its schools, colleges and youth activities.

Later on, the visitors toured the Main Campus facilities and then the North Campus. The Mayor was very much impressed and congratulated the Ararat leadership for their accomplishments.

We call them our Gharadagtzi family members. They are among the first groups who assembled and organized to help Ararat build the strong foundation it stands on, today. Starting in 1984, Gharadagh Night Celebration and Fundraisers have contributed significantly to Ararat Center. During three decades, nine of such fundraisers have been organized. In keeping with the tradition, on February 26, the tenth Gharadagh Night was celebrated in Baghdassarian-Shahinian Hall at Ararat Center.

The event was unique and memorable for about 500 participants. A full color sponsorship book containing information from Gharadagh and maps from the region was distributed amongst the guests. These events have helped us achieve many outstanding goals that would  have otherwise been impossible to realize.

We thank the committee for their hard work.

The 10^th Annual Tennis Tournament kicks off on April 30, and carries on to Mothers day, May 8, 2011. The Award Ceremony will take place, two weeks later on Friday May 20, at Ararat Center. This is a great event that involves kids, parents, friends and family from all neighboring cities for two weeks of excitement and fun.

We need you to be a part of this event. If you are just a beginner, intermediate, an advanced player, or a tennis veteran, you can participate. If you are 5 or 100 years old and can still swing the racket, there is a place for you, here. Come as a group, join in as doubles, mix, or family teams. Even if you don't play tennis you can participate in the event as part of the tournament volunteers. We need financial support, volunteers in and out of the field, promoters, organizers, technical staff, referees, coaches, food counter managers, etc. To join our volunteer group, please visit Ararat athletic office and leave your contact information.

All proceeds from this tournament will benefit programs aimed at keeping kids active, off the streets, healthy, and with a positive attitude.

The Registration forms are available at www.Ararat.org, in our athletic office and from most of the coaches.