09/25/2026
In 2018, our tour group stopped in Metsovo, Greece, and many shopped at Yannis’s store that had hundreds of beautiful handmade olive wood items that Yannis made…bowls, spoons, honey pots, platters, and more. Beautiful things. When our groups went in more recent years, I’ve always wondered, is he still around? He was very old and had weathered hands that looked arthritic. Today we stopped in again and his grandson, who took over the business, told us Yannis died 2 years ago. I was sad to hear this but his grandson smiled and said he was 93 and had a good life. I understand having recently lost my dad at 90 and telling people the same thing. “Who is making all the olive wood items now” I asked. “I am,” said the grandson, “my grandpa was teaching me since I was 10.” It’s great that he passed this skill on. In the photo, he is 50 years old. My tribute to Yannis.
