Rethymnon Recap

The Bulge Year

In January 2007 the Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle (journalism as never before) was launched. The first edition was only six pages, but we were still proud to have a picture of young men in swimming trunks alongside a group of Orthodox priests and a Bishop on our front cover. Controversial? No, of course not. Merely reporting from the Epiphany ‘Diving for the Cross’ ritual.
We welcomed in a new mayor to the town - Giorgos Marinakis. Hopefully in our January 2008 issue we will be able to provide you with some of his thoughts on his first year in office.

In March we focused on the Rethymnon Carnival celebrations that had been taking place during the previous month. The cover photo summed up life as it should be when a town comes out to play: children and adults throwing paint at each other in a totally non-threatening environment.
Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Carnival

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Carnival

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Sheperd spy

In May we reported on the 66th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete, which was of course a time for reflection for all.
We also provided feedback from the annual sheep festival in Asi Gonia, and gave you our very own photo of a shepherd spy.

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Odysseas and Natalia

By July, the Renaissance Festival was well under way and we had seen a number of fine performances. We reported on the wonderful Midsummer party at Camping Elizabeth. We interviewed ‘Odysseas, the Cyclist’ who enlightened us on mobility issues facing amputees, and talked to us about community work. We also went to a number of great sporting events that took place in the region.

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Arkadi Monastery

In November we reported on the history of Arkadi Monastery. The new Bugle readers’ Wine Appreciation Society was launched and the editorial team went on holiday to Northern Europe.

In February our Front Cover featured a stretched photograph of a Carnival chicken. Well it’s been a steep learning curve, but we think that over the past few months our photography has improved! February’s issue was a stretch in other ways, too, being ten pages rather than six.
Several new features that became ‘regulars’ appeared in the February issue. We had a crossword and a logic problem! Our initial aim with the crossword was to set a new (fools’) gold standard for dodgy acronyms, and by 2010 we hope to have accounted for every element in the Periodic Table through our clues. As for logic? Bah, hemlock. Stella McBarking ’Astrologer extraordinaire’ , with her unique cosmic schema also appeared for the first time. Enough said.

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Boris's Brezn Challange

In April our Spotlight Page focused on local customs and traditions associated with Orthodox Easter. We also had the amazing Brezn Challenge, brought to us by our friend Boris, who showed us how to make pretzels the traditional Bavarian way (using a snorkel and a chemistry set?)….

In June, Midsummer madness set in. However, we still managed to report on the demise of the Lavyrinthos and launch a competition involving a ceramic replica of a dead pigeon. Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Competition

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Competition

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Midsummer

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - August 2007 was not a good month

August 2007 was a terribly sad month for Greece. Forest fires resulted in a tragic loss of life.

In September we focused on theatre and shadow play. Natalia provided us with an informative history of belly dance. The Renaissance Festival was coming to a close and we were starting to look forward to a cool and relaxing autumn.

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Wine made in the Amari Valley

In October we reported on wine growing in the Amari valley and provided a background to the history of ‘Οχι’ Day. The tourist season ended and we were starting to party!

Rethymnon Coffee Morning Bugle - Wishing you a great 2008!

So here we are in December! We say thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Here’s to a great 2008!

Contents

The Bulge Year