Influential Baker
by Patricia White, Ph. D.Written from personal experience and research, including information in Maria’s biography on the Nevada Women’s History Project website, www.NevadaWomen.org.
An Influential Baker…
Maria’s Positive Contributions
There should be no doubts about the Greek influence in the Ely community. One woman, among many Greek residents, widely influenced the community. Maria Pavlakis gave sustenance, emotionally and physically, to others most days of her life in Ely.
Who did not stop for a donut at her bakery? Who didn’t count on Mama’s bread as the best ever? Who didn’t love to hear her commentary on the “things” important in your life? She probably made me a psychologist long before I knew it was happening!
There are parts of a childhood that just can’t be surpassed. Such was the influences that we natives received from Mama Pavlakis.
An Ey Into Her Character
Maria Pavlakis, a Greek, was born Nov. 11, 1912, in Turkey. The biography written by Doris Drummond for the Nevada Women’s History website, noted that she had a tumultuous early life, ranging from wealth, to poverty, to war. She was an orphan and refugee before she was 17 years old.
Greeks living in Turkey had to return to Greece after the historic war with the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) was renewed in 1921. Likewise, Turks living in Greece had to return to Turkey. Anthony Pavlakis returned to Greece from Ely for his arranged bride in 1929.
Then Maria began her life in Ely. Tony had come to Ely nine years earlier. They started a bakery where both he and Maria worked throughout their lives. They raised six children. The Pavlakis family made the bakery business a family affair with long days from early predawn for the parents. The children baked and delivered goods to the community.
Their Efforts Paid Off
The Pavlakis bakery supplied most of the restaurants, hotels, and stores their bread and pastries for many years beginning in the 1930s. After Tony’s death in 1967, Maria continued to run the bakery. She passed away in 1982. As a well-liked community member, Maria attracted a wide range of people who enjoyed relationships with her. Her loving spirit and complete candor made her a favorite with politicians and locals alike.
At her memorial service, eulogies by former Governor Mike O’Callaghan, former U.S. Representative Jim Santini and Nevada State Supreme Court Justice Noel Manoukian praised Maria’s positive contributions to the Ely area.
Vasilopita
“New Year Bread”
Maria Pavlakis, An Influential Baker
New year Bread is traditionally cut at midnight on New Year’s Eve. After baking, a coin is inserted through a slit in the base. The person who finds the coin will have luck in the New Year. Long ago the coin used to be a gold one, then later a silver coin was used. These could be incorporated into the dough before baking.
Ingredients:
1 pkg active yeast
3 eggs
¾ cup castor sugar
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup ground masticha
Egg for glazing
¾ cup lukewarm milk
1 ½ tsp grated orange rind
4 ½ cups plain flour
½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup melted butter
Blanched split almonds
Instructions
Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup of the milk. Add remainder of the milk, eggs, orange rind, and sugar.
Sift 3 cups flour, salt, and spice into a warm bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in yeast mixture and stir to blend flour, gradually adding warm melted butter. Mix dough with hands until it comes away from sides. Turn on to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, adding remaining flour as required. Knead for 10 minutes. Place ball of dough in a clean bowl brushed with melted butter. Turn dough over to coat top with butter. Cover bowl with a cloth or plastic wrap. Leave to prove (rise) in a warm place until doubled about 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Glaze with well-beaten egg and arrange almonds in numbers to denote the New Year, pressing in lightly. Bake in a moderately hot oven 350 degrees for 45 mninutes until golden brown and cooked when tested.
If bread browns too quickly, place a piece of greased brown paper on top. Cool on wire rack.