literally changed my life, and I've been a member ever since."

Richard's four children, Silvana Zitsa, Tigran Sarkis, Tatiana Elena, and Arianna Danielle, are all college graduates. Richard died on April 8, 2006, of colon cancer, which was discovered at a late stage, taking him quickly.

Among Richard's articles and publications are:

"Adventures in Costume Hunting."

"Bar' Hopping in Turkey." An introduction to the dances of Erzurm province.

"Buchimish." A dance of Pazardzhik county in Bulgarian Thrace.

"Dining a la Ethnic in Los Angeles - Afghan."

"Dobrudzhan Dances." An introduction to the traditional dances of N.E. Bulgaria.

"Gankino, Kopanitsa and More in 11/16."

"Hora." The origin of the term.

"Koleduvane." Description of Bulgarian Christmas caroling.

"LAZ: Pontian Greek Dances." An Introduction to the dances of the Black Sea Greeks.

"A Marvelous Macedonian Wedding." Describing a three-day wedding.

"Must Reading: Greek Costumes."

"MustThe deaths of 5,000 sheep this spring remain an enigma. Photo: Sigurður Bogi Sævarsson

Some 5,000 sheep died this spring in Iceland in baffling circumstances. The latest theory is that the deaths were caused by sulphur released by the Holuhraun volcanic eruption.

The unexplained deaths, hitting West and North Iceland worst, remain an enigma. According to Jónas Elíasson, Professor of Engineering at the University of Iceland, the answer could be digestive complications caused by ingesting volcanic sulphur.

“When the ash cloud moves over the country from the east, it is often accompanied by rain,” explains Elíasson. “The rain cleans the sulphur out of the air and snow does the job even better. When the snow melts in the spring, the sulphur remains on vegetation and in the soil.”

Ewes are particularly vulnerable