We lived in Florida for a while in the 1980s and it was then that we learned about Tarpon Springs. Not a large city, it has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any place in the US. This dates back to the 1880s, when Greek immigrants moving into the area were hired as sponge divers, a trade they had plied back in the old country. Today Tarpon Springs' main claim to fame is the Greek Orthodox Church's Epiphany celebration, which is held every January 6, with the blessing of the waters and the boats. Because of the history of sponge diving, the celebration focuses on requesting divine protection for this highly risky line of work.

The celebration attracts Greek Americans as well as curious tourists from across the country, and the city's population triples in size for that day. The …