SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Former Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis moves on to the next round in her bid for Lieutenant Governor of California with her win in the primary on June 5. Amb. Kounalakis took the top spot among the 11 Democrats vying for the vice-executive position in the state. The top two candidates, Kounalakis and State Senator Ed Hernandez, continue on in the race. In spite of her busy campaign schedule, Kounalakis spoke with The National Herald about her victory.

She told TNH, “I am so proud of the grassroots campaign that we have run across the state – with county captains in almost every county helping us get out the vote. When I launched this campaign, I pledged to go to all 58 counties to truly listen to the major concerns of people in every pocket of the state. One thing became clear: Californians are ready to fight to protect our California values and to make sure our economy works for everyone.”

Kounalakis continued, “Californians showed us they want a Lieutenant Governor who will fight to protect our coastline, make higher education, housing, and healthcare affordable, and fight for equality in the workplace. And when we win this in November, I will be a champion for all Californians and ensure we keep the pathway of the American Dream open to more families.”

As noted in her biography, Kounalakis “was raised the proud daughter of an immigrant father who started out as a farmworker, and she believes in the values of hard work, education and political activism.”

Married to veteran journalist Markos Kounalakis with whom she has two teenaged sons Neo and Eon, the former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary in a previous TNH interview noted that her family is from “outside of Tripoli, Rizes in Arcadia and my husband’s family is from Chania.”

When asked if she always wanted to go into politics, Kounalakis told TNH, “I was raised in it. My earliest jobs in high school, growing up in Sacramento, were at the capitol, I interned in Washington, DC. I went to a girls’ school for high school, and dressed up as Walter Mondale and debated a girl dressed up as Ronald Reagan. My very first paying job in my life was at the California Democratic Party in 1992, I worked for Phil Angelides and it was a big election. California turned blue and we haven’t looked back.”

“The Lieutenant Governor,” she noted, “has an important role to play in the economy and in higher education because you sit on the board of the CSU and the UC, and this is very personal for me because my father went to Sacramento State University and he paid his way through on a waiter’s salary and I look at the story of my family, my grandmother in Greece never learned to read or write. She let her son go to America to work in the fields at age 14 and her granddaughter was sent back to Europe by the President of the United States as an American Ambassador and the pivot point was Sacramento State on a waiter’s salary. Ours is an extreme example, but there are millions of families in California that have traveled the same route, so we need to make absolutely sure that we’re able to offer that education at the CSU, the UC, and our community colleges, not just to be comparably less expensive than private institutions, but that they are within reach of any Californian who wants to pursue that education.” Kounalakis is also the author of Madam Ambassador, Three Years of Diplomacy, Dinner Parties and Democracy in Budapest, published in 2015 by The New Press.

More information is available online at: www.eleniforca.com.

The post Fmr. Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis Talks to TNH about Primary Win appeared first on The National Herald.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett and JP Morgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon are encouraging public companies to stop predicting their quarterly earnings and focus on long-term goals.

The two executives said on CNBC Thursday that companies that focus on hitting their quarterly numbers may do things that hurt them in the future, such as delaying investments or changing when certain gains are recorded.

“When companies get where they’re sort of living by so-called making the numbers, they do a lot of things that really are counter to the long-term interests of the business,” Buffett said.

Dimon, who also leads the Business Roundtable group, and Buffett co-wrote an article about why they think quarterly profit forecasts are hurting the economy.

Dimon said companies might forego investments they should make in their business, such as marketing, hiring or research to hit short-term goals.

“It can put a company in a position where management from the CEO down feels obligated to deliver earnings, and therefore may do things that they wouldn’t otherwise have done,” Greek-American Jamie Dimon said.

Buffett has never provided profit forecasts and doesn’t even have an investor relations department at his Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate.

“I’ve never seen a company whose performance has improved by having some forecast out there by the CEO that we’re going to earn X,” Buffett said.

Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is also working with JP Morgan and Amazon to find ways to reduce health care costs for the three companies. Buffett and Dimon said Thursday that a CEO has been hired to lead that effort, and the companies expect to announce that choice within the next couple weeks.

There has been great interest in these companies’ health initiative since it was announced early this year, but few details have been released so far.

—
By JOSH FUNK , AP Business Writer

The post Greek-American Jamie Dimon Urges End to Quarterly Profit Forecasts appeared first on The National Herald.

GEORGANTAS, STELLA

BLANDFORD, MA (from The Republican,published on May 31) –Stella R. Georgantas of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida and Blandford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on May 23. She was born on September 3, 1927, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her father, John T. Rousakis of AgioiTheodori, Crete, immigrated to the United States in the early part of the 20th century to work in the copper mines of Utah. AsimoHrisanthacopoulos, her mother, left Chora, Greece, as part of the Greek diaspora in the mid-1920s. The couple met, wed and raised five daughters; Mrs. Georgantas was the second eldest. She was educated at the High School of Commerce in Springfield, and upon graduating began working in the treasury department of Sears, Roebuck & Company. In 1952, Mrs. Georgantas met her husband, Charles T. Georgantas of Elliniko, Arcadia, Greece. The couple married the following year and settled first in Springfield and then in Blandford, Massachusetts, in the Berkshire foothills. They had a daughter, Margo, of Northampton, and a son, John, who lives in New York City. In 1960, Mrs. Georgantas used shares of Sears stock she had accumulated through her work to finance the purchase of a commercial property. Together with her husband, Mrs. Georgantas developed this business into a successful commercial and residential real estate ownership and management company that continued operating in Chicopee and Holyoke, Massachusetts, for 47 years. One of the first properties included a laundromat, so the couple eventually built a chain with six locations. Mr. and Mrs. Georgantas were vintage car enthusiasts and collectors, and were active members of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America, the Model T Ford Club of America and the Model A Ford Club of America. Mrs. Georgantas especially enjoyed tossing rose petals out of her antique car windows during parades. Her husband passed away in 1995. Mrs. Georgantas was baptized and wed at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Springfield, where she was a lifelong communicant. When she relocated to Fort Lauderdale in 2003, Mrs. Georgantas attended St.Demetrios Church, where she was a member of the Philoptochos Ladies Society and the Daughters of Penelope. She was widely loved and admired for her business savvy, warmth, kindness, dedication to her family, graciousness, hospitality and strength of character. Her family and friends will always remember the festive Easter celebrations at her home, and Mrs. Georgantas’s parties the weekend of the Blandford Fair were legendary. In addition to her children, Mrs. Georgantas leaves her sisters Penelope (John) Harbilas, Anne Thomas, Sophia (Emmanuel) Papadoconstantakis and Constance (James) Kouchalakos; Martha Dinopoulos, her mother’s sister, of Athens, Greece; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren in the United States and Greece. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM to 11 AM on Saturday, June 2, at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 22 St. George Road, Springfield, Massachusetts, with funeral services beginning at 11 AM. Interment will immediately follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Springfield, Massachusetts. The family requests there be no flowers, and suggests donations be made in Mrs. Georgantas’s name to the White Church Preservation Fund, PO Box 35, Blandford, Massachusetts 01008-0035. St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels are handling arrangements.

KAFKOULAS, NICHOLAS

MANCHESTER, NH (from the Union Leader, published on May 8) – Nicholas V. Kafkoulas, 77, of Manchester, NH, died May 5, 2018, after a brief illness. Born in Vatsounia, Greece, on November 26, 1940, he was the son of Vasilios and Sophia Kafkoulas. He was raised in Greece before immigrating to the United States in 1966. Nicholas served in the Greek Army. In his early years, he was employed with several shoe manufacturing companies. Devoted to his faith, he was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Nicholas was an avid walker who could often be seen walking throughout the Queen City. Well-known for his calm demeanor, affable nature, and gentle ways, he will be deeply missed. Family members include three sons, Vasilios Kafkoulas of Manchester, Steve Kafkoulas of Manchester, and Philip Kafkoulas of Hooksett; three grandchildren; three sisters, Kalliopi Gekas of Manchester, Maria Palangas of Manchester, and Theodora Tsavalos of Greece; many nieces and nephews. SERVICES: A calling hour will be held Thursday from 9 to 10 AM in St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 650 Hanover Street, Manchester. The funeral service will follow at 10 AM in the Cathedral with the Rev. Michael Wilson officiating. Burial will take place in Pine Grove Cemetery, Manchester. Memorial donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 650 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104. The Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, Manchester, NH 03104 is in charge of the arrangements. For more information, please visit: www.connorhealy.com.

KALAMATIANOS, PETER

CHICAGO, IL (from the Chicago Tribune, published on May 17) – Peter Kalamatianos, age 83, born in Gythio, Peloponnese, Greece, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018. Cherished son of the late Panagiotis and the late Athena Kalamatianos Beloved husband of Helen (nee Cosmakos); loving father of Athina, Kiki (Jim) Saltouros, Mary and Constantine; proud grandfather of Alexis, Michelle and Dimitri; dear brother of the late George and the late Eleni; fond uncle of many and their families. Family and friends will meet on Friday morning, May 18, 2018, for Visitation from 9:30 am – 10:00 am and Funeral service starting at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 2350 E. Dempster Street in Des Plaines. Interment at Ridgewood Memorial Park. Kindly omit flowers; instead, Memorial donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. Arrangements by John G. Adinamis Funeral Directors, Ltd. For information 847-375-0095.

KALAPODAKIS,MICHAEL

NORTH BERGEN, NJ (from The Jersey Journal,published on May 30) –Michael S. Kalapodakis, 54, of North Bergen, NJ passed away on Sunday, May 27, 2018. Born in Chania, Crete, Greece he was a Lab Technician for Quest Diagnostics in Teterboro He also was a Navy Veteran. Beloved son of Chrysi (Stagourakis) and the late Stilianos. Dear brother of Antonia Earley and husband Robert and Mary Schwalm and husband Charles. Loving uncle of Michael, Christopher, Andrew and Lana. Visitation on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. Funeral on Friday at 11am from the funeral home. A mass will be offered at 12 noon at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Church in Fairview. Interment at Fairview Cemetery. Vainieri Funeral Home 5923 Kennedy Blvd. North Bergen, NJ 07047 (201) 868-6555 www.vainierifuneralhome.com.

KORTESIS, HELEN

EAST LYME, CT (from The Day, published on May 10) – Helen Philip (Kiritsis) Kortesis, 87, of Niantic, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. She was born in New London, on Jan. 2, 1931, the daughter of Philip Theodore and Evdoxia (Eva) KurusisKititsis, originally from Epirus, Greece, and established residence in New London. A lifelong resident of New London, she relocated to Ahepa 250 in Niantic shortly after the passing of her beloved husband, Steve. She was married on Jan. 27, 1952 to Efstratios “Steve” K. Kortesis who passed away on Aug. 27, 2007. Helen was a graduate of the Williams Memorial Institute located on the grounds of Connecticut College. She lived her life through simple pleasures; cooking, chatting with friends, keeping in touch with her snowbird friends, snacking and spending time with her visitors. She had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. As a member of St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church, New London she was an active member of the choir, and their school of religious studies where she taught Sunday School for over 22 years. Helen was active with New London School PTA/PTO where she had been a recording secretary, corresponding secretary and a member of the nominating committee. She participated at the C.W. Edgerton School for field trips, school fairs and centennial programs, assisted teachers on school projects, worked with the librarians on bulletin boards at Harbor and New London Junior High School, corrected children’s work papers and assisted students with science projects. From 1975 to 1984 Helen was called upon to set up a program for non-English speaking, especially Greek children. She also worked tirelessly with several Spanish speaking students and with children from Cambodia and the Philippines and tutored at Harbor and Nathan Hale School. Helen always had time for her Alma Mater, WMI and was her class representative for many years, responsible for staying in touch with her classmates and writing classmate notes published in the WMI Ambassador. In recognition of her contributions she was awarded the Tribute to Loyalty Award from the WMI/Williams School. This award honors alumni who have exemplified loyalty and dedication to WMI/Williams School and whose service to the Alumni Association has fostered the traditions and ideals of the school. She is survived by her three sons, Constantine E. Kortesis and his wife, Grazina, of Warren, Mich., Nickolas E. Kortesis and his spouse, Cynthia, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and Philip E. Kortesis of Tuscon, Ariz.; a sister, Athena Susi; and a brother, Theodore Kiritsis and his wife, Claire; three grandchildren, Stephanie L., Alyssa C. and Nickolas E. Kortesis II; and three great-grandchildren, Douglas N. Miller, Evy V. Calcutti and Aaron H. Boice. Funeral services and burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London were private. Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, assisted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church, 200 Hempstead St., New London, CT 06320. Please visit www.Byles.com to sign the guest book or to share a memory.

TOURNIDIS, JAMES

MANCHESTER, NH (from the Union Leader, published on May 18) – James A. Tournidis, 86, passed away peacefully at Catholic Medical Center on May 15, 2018 after a brief illness. Born May 18, 1931 in Edessa, Greece, he was son of the late Arthur and Virginia Tournidis. He enjoyed 55 years of marriage with his wife, Catherine. Raised in Greece, James moved to Canada as a young man before moving to Manchester in the early 1960s. James worked in many different fields over the years, but was best known as the owner of the Merrimack Restaurant, which he and his wife ran for twelve years. He later worked at Poor Boy’s restaurant in Londonderry. A devoted husband and father, James cherished time spent with his family. He leaves behind his wife, Catherine Tournidis of Manchester; his son, Arthur Tournidis of Manchester; his sister, Freda Peteff of Canada; his sisters-in-law, Shirley Leara of Ohio and VergaTournidis of Canada; nieces and nephews Vicki Ellis, Madelyn Schneider, Sharon Mertz, Robert and PanoTournidis, and Danny Peteff, all of Canada; niece and nephew Cassandra Ellis and Alex Leara of Ohio and nephew William Leara of Texas; as well as several great nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. Services: Visitation will be on Sunday, May 20th from 5-8pm at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH. Funeral service will be on Monday, May 21st at 11:30am, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 111 Island Pond Road, Manchester, NH. He will be laid to rest at Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in James’s memory to a charity of your choice. For directions or to leave a condolence message for the family, visit www.phaneuf.net.

The post Obituaries in Greek-American Community appeared first on The National Herald.

THRU JULY 8

NEW YORK – The Onassis Cultural Center New Yorkpresents Birds: A Festival Inspired by Aristophanes,comprising a rich array of events that consider the enduring—and, currently, pressing—central themes of Aristophanes’ ancient satire, The Birds, April 22- July 8. The festival is produced by Onassis Cultural Center New York for the American premiere of Nikos Karathanos’ uproarious and poetic adaptation of the original Aristophanes play, presented by St. Ann’s Warehouseand Onassis Cultural Centre-Athens. More information is available online at: onassisusa.org.

THRU OCTOBER 6

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – The City of Tarpon Springs will present Night in the Islands–a free event on the world famous Sponge Docks (Dodecanese Blvd. between Athens and Roosevelt Streets) on July 7, August 4, and October 6 this year. Enjoy a Greek panygiri with music, dancing, and dining! And we will offer an hour of free Greek dance lessons by the Levendia Dance Troupe from 6-7 PM. Night in the Islands will feature the engaging music of Odyssey in April and May, and in July, August, and September we will feature Ellada in front of the Sponge Exchange. To reserve a table for dinner, please contact participating restaurants Costa’s, Hellas, Mama’s, or Mykonos. This popular event is free, thanks to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Tarpon Springs Merchants Association. For more information, contact Tina Bucuvalas at 727-916-0235 or tbucuvalas@ctsfl.us.

MAY 18-JUNE 30

DETROIT, MI – Angeliki’s Dowry Chest, An Exhibition and Estate Sale, opening Friday, May 18, 6-9 PM and running through June 30, presented by Trinosophes, 1464 Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. Visit Instagram @angelikisdowrychest.

JUNE 5-9

WILMINGTON, DE – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 808 North Broom Street in Wilmington, holds its 42nd Annual Greek Festival Tuesday, Jun. 5- Saturday, Jun. 9, 11 AM- 11 PM. Admission is free. Enjoy traditional Greek comfort foods, live music by Philadelphia’s Atlantis, performances by Holy Trinity’s Terpsichorean Youth Folk dance group, church tours, and free lunch shuttle from 9th and Market on Tuesday, Jun. 5 – Friday, Jun. 8, 11 AM – 2 PM, running every 10 minutes. All major credit cards accepted. More information is available by phone: 302-654-4446, email: info@greekfestde.com, and online at http://greekfestde.com.

JUNE 7-10

WHITESTONE – Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 11-05 150th Street in Whitestone, holds its annual Greek Festival Thursday, Jun. 7-Sunday, Jun. 10. Enjoy Greek hospitality and delicacies, food, music, dancing, rides, games, flea market. Hours: Thursday, Jun. 7, 6-10 PM; Friday, Jun. 8, 6-11 PM; Saturday, Jun. 9, 3-11 PM; and Sunday, Jun. 10, 3-10 PM. More information is available by phone: 718-767-2955 and online at: www.holycrossgreekchurch.com.

JUNE 8-10

OVERLAND PARK, KS – St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Christian Church, 8100 W. 95th Street in Overland Park, holds its annual Greek Festival Friday, Jun. 8- Sunday, Jun. 10. Enjoy authentic Greek food, music and dancing performed by the community’s young people, from the adorable “Zouzounia” to the elite Delta Dynamis troupe. Browse the Plaka (Athenian Marketplace) and the Greek Boutique. Hours: Friday, Jun. 8, 5-10 PM; Saturday, Jun. 9, 11 AM- 10 PM; and Sunday, Jun. 10, 11 AM-6 PM. More information is available by phone: 913-341-7373 and online at: www.stdionysios.org/festival.

JUNE 12

UPPER DARBY, PA – The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley holds its next meeting and elections on Tuesday, Jun. 12, 7 PM at the Pontian Society Akritai of Philadelphia Club house, 6456 Market Street in Upper Darby. More information is available online at: hellenicfed.org.

JUNE 13

MANHATTAN – HABA requests the honor of your presence for our 36th Anniversary and our Executive of the Year Award Dinner 2018, honoring Daniel S. Janis, III, Senior Managing Director & Senior Portfolio Manager, Manulife Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, in Manhattan on Wednesday, Jun. 13, 6 PM. For more information, please visit https://haba20180613.eventbrite.com for tickets and table sponsorship.

JUNE 15

THESSALONIKI, GREECE – The Pinewood Commencement Ceremony celebrates the Class of 2018, as we proudly send 32 graduates out into the world. The event will be held on Friday, Jun. 15, 8 PM, the evening ceremony will be followed by a light reception and music. Join us for an emotional send off and a special keynote speech from Mr. Richard L. Jackson, President, Athens College – Psychico College, “John M. Carras” Kindergarten.

JUNE 16

MANHATTAN – The Greek-American Writers Association invites you to celebrate summer on June 16 at the final blockbuster program of the year. World-renowned musician Pericles Kanaris will sing and perform his original compositions at the keyboard. Poet Nicholas Alexiou will debut his fifth poetry collection, The Silver Sphynx. Artist CosmoYannis will share his secrets on how he created the dynamic coloring book, They Were Super-Greeks. Saturday, Jun. 16, Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia Street in Manhattan, 6-8 PM. $10 includes admission and a drink.

JUNE 21

CHICAGO, IL– The National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted Street in Chicago, presents the exhibition opening of Lives Afloat: The Greek Refugee Crisis through the Lens of Tasos Markou 2015-2017 on Thursday, Jun. 21, 6-8 PM. The event will feature remarks by Dr. Laura Calamos- NHM President, Dimitra Georgouses- NHM Education & Public Programs Manager, and Tasos Markou- photographer. Small bites and cocktails will be served.Reservations required. RSVP to nhm@heronagency.com or by phone: 773-969-5200 by June 18.More information is available online at: www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org.

JUNE 21-23

PORTLAND, ME – Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant Street in Portland, holds its three-day Greek Festival Thursday, Jun. 21- Saturday, Jun. 23, 11:30 AM-9:30 PM.The wonderful family event draws more than 10,000 visitors from around the greater Portland area every year. Along with the exquisite Greek cuisine, enjoy live music, and traditional dancing. More information is available by phone: 207-774-0281 and online at: http://www.holytrinityportland.org/festival.asp.

JUNE 22-24

CAMARILLO, CA–St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church’s 2018 Ventura County Greek Festival takes place June 22-24 at Freedom Park at the Camarillo Airport, 515 Eubanks Street in Camarillo. Admission $5 and includes a free Raffle Ticket for a chance to win $3,000. Enjoy the authentic Greek food, music, dance performances, church tours, shopping, rides and events for kids. Hours: Friday, Jun. 22, 5-10 PM; Saturday, Jun. 23, 11 AM-10 PM; and Sunday, Jun. 24, 11 AM-7 PM. More information is available by phone: 805-482-1273 and online at: http://vcgreekfestival.org.

JUSTICE, IL–Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church,7560 S. Archer Road in Justice, holds the annual Greek Festival June 22-24.Everyone is invited for the authentic Greek food and pastries, kids’ rides and games, vendors, and church tours. Hours: Friday, Jun. 22 and Saturday,Jun. 23, 5-11 PM, and Sunday,Jun. 24, 12-11 PM. More information is available by phone: 708-594-2040.

MILWAUKEE, WI – Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church holds its annual Greek Festival June 22-24at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S 84th Street in West Allis, WI. With authentic Greek food, live music and dancing, rides and games, and all proceeds benefitting Annunciation Church.Hours: Friday,Jun. 22 and Saturday,Jun. 23, 11 AM-11 PM, and Sunday,Jun. 24, 11 AM-9 PM. More information is available by phone: 414-461-9400 and online at: www.annunciationwi.org/category/greek-fest/.

The post Going on in Our Community appeared first on The National Herald.

Let’s say you are at a grocery store in the Greek countryside and you want to buy vegetables for a horiatiki salad. (A salad prepared with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, olives, feta cheese, oregano, olive oil, and salt.) You need to know one verb and the Greek names of the salad ingredients. Some are similar to the English ones: ντομάτες = tomatoes, πιπεριές = peppers, ρίγανη = oregano. Below are some basic phrases you may use.

BUYING VEGETABLES FOR A HORIATIKI SALAD
Θέλωντομάτες
THElodoMAtes
Ι want (would like) some tomatoes

Θέλωένααγγούρι
THEloEnaaGOOri
I want (would like) one cucumber

Θέλωπιπεριές
THElopiperyES
I want (would like) some peppers

Θέλωκρεμμύδια
THElokreMEEdia
I want (would like) some onions

Θέλωελιές
THEloeliES
I want (I would like) some olives

Θέλωλάδι
THEloLAdi
I want (I would like) olive oil

Θέλωτυρίφέτα
THElotiREEFEta
I want (would like) some feta cheese

Θέλωαλάτι
THEloaLAti
I want (would like) some salt

Θέλωρίγανη
THEloREEyani
I want (would like) some oregano

BASIC GRAMMAR
In Greek we have three grammatical genders. The feminine grammatical gender nouns take the article ηand end in -α or -ηin the Singular number. In the Plural number they take the article οιand end in -ες: ηντομάτα / οιντομάτες, ηπιπεριά / οιπιπεριές, ηελιά / οιελιές. The neuter grammatical gender nouns take the article τοand end in -ιor -οin the Singular number. In the Plural number they take the article ταand end in -α: τοαγγούρι / τααγγούρια, τοκρεμμύδι / τακρεμμύδια, τοτυρί / τατυριά.

DEFINE THE QUANTITY
Θέλωένακιλόντομάτες
THEloEnakiLOdoMAtes
I want (would like) a kilo of tomatoes

Θέλωδύοαγγούρια
THEloDEEoaGOOria
I want (would like) two cucumbers

Θέλωδύοκρεμμύδια
THEloDEEokreMEEdia
I want (would like) two onions

Θέλωδύοπιπεριές
THEloDEEopiperYES
I want (would like) two peppers

Θέλωένατέταρτοτυρίφέτα
THEloEnaTEtartotiREEFEta
I want (would like) a quarter kilo of feta cheese

Θέλωένακιλόελιές
THEloEnakiLOeliES
I want (would like) a kilo of olives

Θέλωμισόκιλόελιές
THElomiSOkiLOeliES
I want (would like)a half kilo of olives

Θέλωέναμπουκάλιλάδι
THEloEnabooKAliLAdi
I want (would like) a bottle of olive oil

BASIC VOCABULARY
GREEK WORD PRONUNCIATION MEANING
Θέλω THElo I want, I would like
Ηντομάτα EE ntoMAta the tomato
Ηπιπεριά EE piperyiA the pepper
Ηελιά EE eliA the olive
Οιντομάτες EE ntoMAtes the tomatoes
Οιπιπεριές EE piperYES the peppers
Οιελιές EE eliES the olives
Τοαγγούρι TO aGOOri the cucumber
Τοκρεμμύδι TO kremEEdi the onion
Τοαλάτι TO aLAti the salt
Τολάδι TO LAdi the olive oil
Τομπουκάλι TO booKAli the bottle
Έναμπουκάλιλάδι EnampooKAliLAdi a bottle of olive oil
Δύο DEEo two
Δύομπουκάλια DEEompooKAlia two bottles
Ένακιλό EnakiLO one kilo
Μισόκιλό miSOkilo a half kilo

EXERCISE
You are at a Super Market in Greece. Ask the grocer for the ingredients you would like to buy to make a horiatiki salad.

PRONUNCIATION KEY
i (ill), ee (beer), e (ever), o (organ), oo (boot), y (yes), h (helium), th (theory), d (the). The capitalized syllables are accented.

The post Our Everyday Greek: Survival Guide for Greece Travelers: Greek Salad appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – The American dream of home ownership came true for Greek immigrant Panagiotis Treskas and his family, but after the home was structurally damaged following a water main break in Queens, years of struggle ensued for the family as they attempted to rebuild.

The National Herald reported the story twelve years ago and the construction has not yet been completed. Mr. Treskas passed away in July 2013, but his widow, Omorfoula, continues to struggle after unscrupulous contractors took advantage of the situation, the Treskas’ daughter, Maria, told TNH. She spoke about the current state of the construction.

“The house is located at 83-48 159th Street in Jamaica, Queens, walking distance from the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. My mother has been taken advantage of by Paul Ouloupis of Style and Care Inc. at 40 Astoria Blvd,” she said, adding that her mother “gave Mr. Ouloupis $150,000 and he did not complete his job. She contacted him several times about her money but he told her that he had spent it.”

Ms. Treskas continued, “Now my mother has hired contractor Spiros Paliuris as of last year and has given him $184,000 and he is giving her the run around as well. He and the architect Mr. John Stacom, Jr. and engineer Mr. Herman Silzerberg want my mother to sign a new contract and pay more money to refile the architectural plans originally created. The Building Department has not said that the original plans were not valid it just said that our contractor did not follow the original plans and has received a full stop order violation. Meaning the way he has demolished the house did not follow the original plans and now all the work that he originally did is damaged due to the bad weather. The wood that he has put in for the foundation has rotted due to the snow and rain and that it was his responsibility to cover the job site which he never did.”

“When the violation was given, Spiros Paliuris gave my deceased father’s name and my mother had to go to court for these violations on April 10th. They should never have been in my father’s name since Paliuris is the one that did not follow the architect’s plans,” she said.

“We are now searching for a construction attorney to take both parties to court. It will be judged under the Supreme Court of Queens due to the large amount of money under Fraud & Deceptive Trade Practices regarding construction,” Treskas told TNH.

“My mother is not going to pay out any more money. She has dished out almost $350,000 and she has gone to the Emergency Room twice for stress related problems due to this matter. She is still homeless after having worked for 22 years with my father selling hot dogs on Jamaica Avenue. The house was originally damaged due to a water main break on January 21, 2001 and the other four homeowners [who were affected] have sold their properties. My mother’s house is the only one that has not been rebuilt and sustained the most damage. The City of New York awarded my parents a lump sum in April 2008 to rebuild their house. Due to my father’s health problems, they were in Greece at the time. Since my father passed away in July 2013, my mother has returned to New York to try to rebuild her house and has not been able to.”

The post Ongoing Struggle for Treskas Family Rebuilding Their Queens Home appeared first on The National Herald.

ATHENS – Hellenism outside the borders of Greece has shown remarkable interest in metropolitan issues and its contributions are indisputable. The late Archbishop Iakovos is an emblematic figure of the Diaspora, who left his mark on an entire era for the Greek community in America.

Dr. Athanasios Grammenos spoke with the National Herald about his new book, Orthodoxos Amerikanos (Orthodox American) about the late Archbishop Iakovos and the relations between Greece and the United States in the years 1959-1996. Grammenos began writing a book, he told TNH, about the politics and influences of the Greek-American community in the foreign policy of Greece, and stumbled upon the rich archive of the Archbishop of Northern and South America who for 40 years served the Orthodox Church on the American continent. So that was enough for him. Who else, moreover, spoke and corresponded with the Presidents?

As he researched, Grammenos discovered the man, the hierarch, the nationalist, and ended up writing a book about the personality that managed to show America’s Hellenism as one of the most important nationalities in the United States.

When asked what he learned about Iakovos, the hierarch and man, in examining his rich archives, Grammenos pointed out that “we first gained experience and knowledge of the context in which the Church operates and, by extension, the reflection of the Greek community of America. And in the scientific field we have verified Diaspora theories. That is, the communities still have the same interest in national issues, but at the same time express it in a slightly more inflexible way. That’s because they speak from America, a strong country, and they can support the most maximalist positions. So, I believe that this book also teaches us the sociology of the Greeks of America. As for Iakovos, he always carried Imbros in his heart. He was a man who was persecuted because he was a Greek.

“Iakovos and a whole generation experienced ethnic inequality. And, apart from his Orthodox philosophy, equality was also a personal experience so he believed he should do everything he could to improve human rights.”

That is why he responded to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s invitation to support the African-American fight for civil rights and walked alongside him in the march on Selma, ignoring the dangers of racist violence.

At the book presentation in Athens, a discussion took place with panelists Assistant Professor of Political Science Ekavi Athanassopoulou, Panayiotis Gennimatas- emeritus Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Oxford University Professor Artemis Papatheodorou, and journalist Georgios Malouchos, who had done a series of interviews with the late Iakovos for radio Skai which were later published in a book.

Indeed, Mr. Malouchos, the only one of the panelists who had met and known the archbishop well, said that Iakovos believed very much in God, but he was a nationalist in vestments. He lived and breathed for Greece and the U.S. and was always struggling for good bilateral relations.

“And it was one of the greatest forms of contemporary Hellenism,” Malouchos said.

Iakovos worked on many initiatives to support Greece from the United States, especially after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and was one of the founders of the Greek-American lobby, contributing to maintaining good bilateral relations, even in times of crisis. The recognition of his contributions by the political world of America made him an interlocutor of U.S. Presidents, as well as of the Prime Ministers of Greece, who often asked for his advice.

The book examines the above issues critically, but is not a biography. It is more a thorough analysis of Archbishop Iakovos’ multidimensional political work on human rights, respect for the rule of law and relations between the Diaspora and the homeland in the light of the study of International Relations.

Athanasios Grammenos was born in Athens in 1980. He graduated from the Department of Political Science and History of the Panteion University, completed postgraduate studies in Diplomacy at the Reading University’s Graduate Institute of Political and International Studies and received his PhD from the Department of Balkan, Slavic and Eastern Studies at the University of Macedonia. He has been honored with the NATO scholarship by the Foreign Ministry. He is a partner of the Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung fur die Freiheit Foundation with responsibility for the development and implementation of political education programs.

The post The Late Archbishop Iakovos & U.S.-Greece Relations appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – Hellenic Roots presented Gaia, Age-old Rituals that Stem from Honoring Mother Earth  at the Queens Theater on June 9. The theater was crowded with family members and friends as over 250 young people performed traditional dances from various regions of Greece. The dance groups from Astoria, Kimisis tis Theotokou Brooklyn, Plainview, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan, and Whitestone displayed their skills for the enthusiastic audience.

Dances from Serres, Crete, Kefalonia, Epirus, Florina, Pontos, Cappadocia, Arachova, Thrace, and Nisyros were performed and delighted all those in attendance. The youngest dancers were, of course, especially charming. All the performers danced in beautiful traditional costumes made by Maria Fourniotis, the mother of Hellenic Roots Executive Director and Founder Petro Fourniotis, who directed and choreographed the production. He also wrote the text of the show with Georgia Kopani who narrated the show in Greek.

The narration for each region and its dances offered fascinating insights into the dances and Greek culture and highlighted the connections between ancient rituals, Christianity, the land and traditions that continue on into the present day. In Crete, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14 is connected to the pre-Christian celebration of trees, the priest blesses the Kofina apples which are taken home and eaten for therapeutic purposes. The ritual goes back to Minoan times. The young performers enacted the ritual with one youngster clad in branches.

Olive trees are the most sacred throughout Greece going back through the millennia, connected to the goddess Athena and the god of the sea Poseidon, and are related to justice and honor. Glorified by the ancient poets, olive trees became a symbol of peace and victory, associated with the Olympic Games. Poets, ancient and modern have written about the olive tree, and in some regions of Greece, the birth of a child is marked with the planting of an olive tree. Kopani also noted the poet Odysseus Elytis’ quote that with an olive tree, a vine, and a boat you can rebuild Greece. In Kefalonia, the Eliatika songs sung during the harvest of the olives in November, were never recorded, until Fourniotis 25 years ago made the effort to preserve the songs some of which had never been heard for 60 years. The young performers sang and danced to the song, keeping the tradition alive for the new generation.

The dances from Pontos and Cappadocia related to weddings were poignant, celebrating the new beginnings but also reflecting the emotions a mother feels, losing her daughter to her new life. The dances from Thrace were especially energetic, and all the dancers impressed the audience with their skills.

At the conclusion of the performance with all the dancers assembled on stage after taking their bows, Fourniotis addressed the audience, thanking all those in attendance and all those involved in the production. He said, “I think we have outgrown this venue, I think we need a larger space next year,” to which someone in the audience called out “the Javits Center.” Fourniotis gave special thanks to his mother, Maria, noting the extraordinary work she did in making all the costumes. He also noted that Hellenic Roots is growing, starting with the creation of an Executive Board for the non-profit organization. Fourniotis then introduced the first official Executive Board member, Nick Gregory, the well-known Fox5 New York meteorologist who congratulated Fourniotis and all those “who worked so hard to put on what was really an amazing performance.”

Gregory continued, “I’m very pleased to be a part of Hellenic Roots, to be a part of the Executive Board for a few reasons, one, because I’m proud of my own Hellenic Roots and what we see here is what is needed to keep those roots entrenched and to keep the foundation growing because without this it is not going to continue and your efforts, your hard work is seen in the bright performance from these fantastic dancers and again I think it’s inspiring for them but it’s also inspiring for all of us to really commit to sharing our culture, making people aware of our culture, and there’s no better way to do that except through the youth of our community. Congratulations! Again I’m very happy and proud to be a part of the Hellenic Roots organization and I look forward to helping you grow it to the next level. Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, here we come!”

The mission of the Hellenic Roots Foundation is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate Hellenic culture and heritage in New York City through various artistic productions, re-enactments of traditions and rituals, the fabrication and preservation of traditional Hellenic garb, the study of traditional Hellenic instruments, dance, music and song, the study of Hellenic history, language and culture, educational workshops and seminars, and other social functions.

The goal is to educate Hellenes and Philhellenes alike on Hellenic ideals set forth from antiquity till the present day that have played a major role in the development of the world we live in. This knowledge will enrich the lives of people from all walks of life, and benefit young and old by continuing to insure that Hellenic heritage and culture remain alive as a thread in the diverse ethnic tapestry that is New York City.

More information about Hellenic Roots is available online at: www.hellenicroots.org.

The post Hellenic Roots Celebrates Culture and Tradition through Dance (Vid & Pics) appeared first on The National Herald.

BROOKVILLE, NY – More than 15,000 people of all ages are estimated to have attended this year’s Greek Festival at the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, June 8-10 June.

Volunteers from all walks of life, and including many from the community’s 408 member families, worked hard to make the festival a success. The authentic Greek food, music and dancing, and the rides for the kids, attracted a large crowd of Greeks and non-Greeks to the festival.

“When we promoted the festival on Social Media, we had over 40,000 Facebook visits. With the evidence we have, we think that this weekend 15-20,000 people must have attended,” the Parish Council President, James Xanthos, told The National Herald, adding that it was a “fantastic” three-day event.

“The three days were fantastic for our community. The important thing is that we are trying to offer Greek hospitality, Greek religion, and our history. The weather also helped us a lot. Everyone has come to support us. With the Festival we financially support our community,” he added.

One of the changes for this year’s festival, besides some structural changes, was the fact that the preparation and serving of the food went to professionals.

Thus, the organizers preferred to make a mutually beneficial agreement with two well-known Greek food truck businesses (Uncle Gussy’s and King Souvlaki), relieving the community of the burden of preparing, baking, and serving food, which is the case for an overwhelming majority of similar events.

“This year we brought in the trucks to sell souvlakia instead of having to do it ourselves. Not only is the process of finding volunteers difficult, but maintaining the quality of the food is also difficult. Since they are professionals, the quality of the food is upgraded as well,” explained the co-president of the Festival, Stavros (Steve) Fegos.

On the same wavelength, the festival’s president, Charalambos (Bobby) Tsirakidis, also expressed his conviction that the bold – in many ways – changes were justified in practice.

“We have had great support from the Community. This year, with the two trucks, we did not need to be standing here selling souvlakia. We had the opportunity to walk around, supervise, greet and talk to the people who are here,” he said.

The turnout was relatively satisfactory even on Sunday, when the sky was constantly cloudy with occasional showers. However, the most productive day of the three was Saturday when there was live music and singing by Yianni Papastefanou and his orchestra.

“Our goal is to upgrade the community”

The Brookville community is growing, with ever-increasing prospects but also needs. As the Parish Council President pointed out, the economic “breathing room” that events such as the festival can help the community make important moves in the near future, such as the expansion of the Cultural Center.

“Like every community, we have obligations and other challenges. We can also manage our obligations. We want to expand our cultural center, to build additional rooms. Our Sunday school has 150 children and it is a matter of capacity,” said Mr. Xanthos.

His optimism that the available spaces will be expanded in the next two years was also shared by the presiding priest of the community, Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas.

“The community has been here in this church for 10 years, families have grown, we have over 400 member families. And we want to build a Gym within the next two years.”

The Parish Council President then added that the role of community and educational activities has multiple benefits for the younger generation.

“Out there, there are many factors that can negatively affect our children. We are trying to guide them through their religion, language, customs and traditions,” Xanthos concluded.

The post Greek Festival Draws Thousands to Holy Resurrection in Brookville (Vid & Pics) appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – Grigoris Argeros, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Eastern Michigan University, shared the findings of his pioneering and significant study focusing on the immigration of Greeks to the United States following the financial crisis of 2008 in Greece, exclusively with The National Herald.

Dr. Argeros examines the wave of immigration from Greece to the United States in the years 2010-2015 and does not hesitate to classify it as the “third wave of Greek immigration” after those of the 1890-1924 and 1968-1979 periods.

In addition, Argeros gave an exclusive interview to TNH and spoke about his study, which was accepted for publication in the fall issue of the Journal of Modern Greek Studies.

Brief Summary: Greek Immigration to the United States, 2010–2015: A Descriptive Analysis

By Grigoris Argeros

Using up-to-date census data, the present study examines the statistical profile of Greeks arriving in the U.S. after the 2008 economic recession and the ensuing economic turmoil in Greece. The main objective was to provide a descriptive analysis of this population’s residential, socioeconomic status (SES), and family/household characteristics compared to their longer-term coethnics. The results tentatively suggest that a third wave of Greek immigration, albeit smaller in size relative to the previous two (1890-1924 and 1968-1979), has been occurring since at least 2010. While Greek immigrants represent a small share of the overall immigrant population in the U.S., their population size has significantly increased between 2010 and 2015. Specifically, the census recorded just over 773,000 Greek immigrants between 1980 and 2009, as opposed to the nearly 1.1 million recorded during the 2010–2015 period. In the period 2010–2015, they constituted 58% of the total Greek immigrant population arriving to the US since 1980. Their numbers declined by approximately 12% during the 1980–2009 time period (from 210,000 in 1980 to 185,406 in 2009). On the other hand, foreign-born Greeks’ population size increased by approximately 11% in the period 2010–2015. It remains to be seen whether such an increase will continue into the future. Three additional findings emerge when we compare this group’s SES, acculturation, and family/household background characteristics with those who have been in the US longer.

First, newcomers have higher levels of education than their longer-term counterparts. Contrary to previous Greek immigration waves, post-2010 arrivals are more likely to be college educated. Their educational advantage still holds even when we exclude those who are still in school. Based on my dataset, approximately 31% of them are currently getting an education. Excluding immigrants not in school, approximately 49% of recent migrants have a college degree or higher compared to 28% among those who came earlier. To the extent that education is positively associated with socioeconomic status and residential mobility, we would expect the newer group’s higher educational level to translate into more favorable SES and locational outcomes. According to the tradition model of spatial assimilation, increments in SES and acculturation, such as improving English-language proficiency levels and increasing time spent in America, should enable the foreign-born people to reside in qualitatively more desirable neighborhoods. Using multivariate statistical analyses, future research should examine the extent to which recent Greek immigrants’ SES and acculturation characteristics translate into socioeconomic and locational outcomes as suggested by the spatial assimilation model developed by social scientists.

A second key finding pertains to recent immigrants’ racial diversity. While the overwhelming majority of Greek-Americans identify as white, recent arrivals are more likely to identify as nonwhite, especially black. Plus, those who identify as black are more likely to have higher a higher level of education (a college degree) than both other recent and longer-term immigrants. Moreover, Greek immigrants who self-identify as black are also more likely to have higher median household income than their white counterparts. Nevertheless, they are less likely to have higher median income levels than longer-term Greek immigrants who also identify themselves as black. The rising number of Greek immigrants who identify as black raises the possibility that the relationship between their SES, acculturation status, and residence will not follow the trajectory as outlined by the spatial assimilation model. In other words, race will have a more powerful effect on recent black Greek immigrants, such that their high educational (and income) levels may not necessarily translate into commensurate residential outcomes relative to their white counterparts, even when taking into consideration differences in socioeconomic characteristics.

The final key finding pertains to the newcomers’ geographic distribution. The results suggest that recent immigrants are more geographically dispersed than their predecessors. While descriptive and tentative, the above finding hints at the possibility that post-2010 arrivals may be avoiding the traditional Greek-American ethnic enclaves, as was seen with the example of New York. Future research should examine in more detail the residential settlement and geographic distribution of recent Greek immigrants.

Recent Greek immigrants to the U.S. are entering a very different socioeconomic climate and labor markets compared to those who came during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The traditional resources and routes for socioeconomic status attainment and mobility, along with their attendant support systems, have either weakened or disappeared. As a result, post-2010 immigrants, as well as their native-born offspring, may not have access to the same economic opportunities that enabled their Greek immigrant predecessors to achieve the American Dream.

The post Dr. Argeros Shares Greek Immigration to U.S. Study Findings with TNH appeared first on The National Herald.

Sometime in the late 1770s, Demas Tirisakos arrived in New Orleans, LA.

In 1739, Tirisakos was born at Pirgos, Hydra to Nicholas Drussakis Dimetrios, who in family documents is referred to as a “sailing master” and Euphrosine Antonia (nee Yrrousitis). The Dimetrios family had originally lived in Macedonia on the mainland of Greece. They had fled to Hydra seeking refuge from Ottoman oppression. For reasons not now known to history, Demas Tirisakos changed his name to Andrea Dimitry after his arrival in New Orleans.

When Dimitry first became a resident of Louisiana, the colony was under the domination of Spain. From 1762 to 1802, the Viceroyalty of New Spain was responsible, among other things, for the administrative district that consisted of territory west of the Mississippi River basin, inclusive of New Orleans. Spain had acquired the territory from France, which had named it La Louisiane, in honor of King Louis XIV, in 1682. This territory was retroceded to France, under the terms of the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso (1800) and the Treaty of Aranjuez (1801). In 1802, King Charles IV of Spain published a royal bill on 15 October, effecting the transfer and outlining the conditions.

However, Spain agreed to continue administering the colony until French officials arrived and formalized the transfer (1803). The ceremony was conducted at the Cabildo in New Orleans on November 30, 1803, just three weeks before the formalities of France turning over this same territory to the United States as what we know today as the Louisiana Purchase.

At some point, Dimitry met fellow New Orleans Greek, Andrea Dragon (1738-1821). In time, Dimitry became a merchant of note within his adopted city. Dimitry was also destined to marry Dragon’s only daughter Marianne Celeste (b. 1777) on October 29, 1799. According to the 1805 New Orleans City Directory, Andrea Dragon and his wife lived at 60 Rue de Chartres while Andre Dimitry and his ever growing family lived at 58 Rue de Chartes. Chartes Street forms one of the borders of Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

The records of the United States War Department show that Dimitry served under the American flag in the War of 1812 as a private in Captain Frio Delabostries’ company, 2d (Cavaliers) Louisiana Militia. He enlisted December 16, 1814, and served two months and twenty-five days. Dimitry served with Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. This particular battle is well-recalled among Dimitry’s descendants.

While attending this year’s Apokreatiko Luncheon at Holy Trinity on February 18, I met and sat with a Dimitry descendant. During our conversation, I was told a tale her father often had told her. While Andrea Dimitry was at the Battle of New Orleans, his wife and children were at home. “The boy,” spoken of in this recollection I take to have been the Dimitry’s third child, the precocious Alexander, kept asking his mother (in French) if he couldn’t go and see his father. Answering, in French, Marianne told him no. Pestered by the child, the mother finally agreed as long as he took a servant with him. The servant was strictly instructed not to let the boy near the real fighting. As the two began their walk toward the battlefield, someone came running up shouting that the American forces had won. Alexander and the servant immediately rushed home shouting to his mother “we’ve won, we’ve won.” As this family tale recalls Marianne then said, something to the effect, “oh, I can’t wait for my beautiful blond Greek to return.”

Family oral history traditions aside, Michel Dragon was awarded 1,000 acres of land for his valiant services rendered with the Spanish military. The land was situated on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi in Harrison County. Andrea Dimitry built a villa and called the place Dimitry Point. It stands today as one of the show places on the Gulf Coast (Delta Times March 2, 1852).”

On May 20, 1802, Dimitry sent a letter to his brother, Nicole, on Hydra, after many years of silence. In that letter Dimitry notes that the British ship on which he was to travel directly to New Orleans left him on Jamaica instead. Dimitry goes on to report that he is now married to the daughter of a Greek and that the entire family wants to visit Hydra. We can infer that this trip took place by virtue of the fact that the presence of this and two other similar Dimitry letters to family on Hydra are now held by the Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC). This institution is a noted museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to preserving the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Dimitry family lore has it Alexander Dimitry may have visited Greece to find a Greek wife.

The presence of Greeks in Colonial America has never been denied. Nor that their descendants have ever forgotten them. And as fate would have it, the descendants of Dimitry and Marianne were destined to be among the leading intellectual, professional and business figures in the antebellum South. Individuals within this generation of the Dimitry family as well as their descendants continued to marry into some of the most influential politically and socially prominent families not only in the South, but the quite literally the nation.

Rather than deny their Greek heritage, one has only to look at older published accounts or the Internet to learn of the ongoing admiration and pride in which the Dimitry-Dragon descendants hold their Hellenic ancestors. The origins and later actions of the extended Dimitry family, literally over generations, has been of keen interest to each successive wave of the family. While, today, websites are devoted to the kinship and family oral history recollections print accounts in the forms of genealogical accounts from biographical vignettes to essays and inclusive of kinship charts all first saw print under the direction and as authors of the children from the Dimitry/Dragon.

One such account is found in Old Families of New Orleans by Stanley Clisby Arthur (editor and compiler) and George Campbell Huchet de Kernion (collaborator and historian), Stanley C. Arthur, et al., the genealogical source book we learn that ‘Marianne Celeste married Andrea Dimitry and from their union ten children were born: (1) Euphrosine Dimitry (b. September 12, 1800), who married, April 23, 1822, Paul Pandelly; (2) Manuella Aimee Dimitry, born January 12, 1802, who married, January 10, 1826, A. Dietz; (3) Alexander Dimitry, born February 6, 1805, died January 30, 1883, who married Mary Powell Mills; (4) Constantine Andrea Dimitry, born May 24, 1807; (5) J. B. Miguel Dragon Dimitry, born May 18, 1809, died January 12, 1873, who married Caroline Sophia Powers; (6) Angelica Clino Dimitry, born March 7, 1811, died July 19, 1882, who married G. Perri; (7) Marie Francoise Athenais Dimitry, born February 5, 1813, who married, first, Isidore Michel Ravent-Martainville, secondly, Jean B. Lagarde, and thirdly G.A.D. Buel; (8) Mathilde Isabelle Theophanie Dimitry, born November 29, 1816, who married Dr. A. Natili; (9) Nicholas Dimitry, born February 7, 1815, and (10) Antoine Marie Dimitry, born February 8, 1820 (reprinted Baltimore, Maryland: reprinted for Clearfield Company, Inc. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1997, 1999).

In yet another such genealogical account, Some Prominent Virginia Families, by Louise Pecquet du Bellet, (Lynchburg, Virginia: J. P. Bell, 1907) we find in the reproduction of a portrait of Andrea Dimitry in Volume 4 page 164 while on page 166 we see the reproduction of a painting of Marianne Celeste Dragon.

Andrea Dimitry died in New Orleans on March 1, 1852 and was buried at Saint Louis Cemetery Number 1. Such was Dimitry’s standing within the community that we hear:

“The remains of the late Andrea Dimitry were interred yesterday, in the family vault, in the St. Louis Cemetery, and were followed to their last resting place by a large procession of mourning friends. A detachment of the Washington Artillery appeared in the cortege, together with a number of military officers. The cannon’s roar announced the entombing of the body of the veteran, and several clergymen assisted in performing the solemn and imposing ceremonies fitting for the occasion.

“A touching incident occurred in connection with the burial. The officers and crew of a Greek vessel now in port, the first of that nationality that has ever visited our harbor, waited on the family of the deceased and requested to be permitted to bear the remains of their honored countryman to the grave. They attended the funeral in a body, and the flags of the vessel were suspended at half-mast during the day (New Orleans Daily True-Delta March 3, 1852).”

The history of the Greeks in New Orleans is similar to other locations in the Western Hemisphere. Colonial era Greek sojourners met fellow Greeks in the 1840s-1850s. In turn these Greeks of the mid-1800s met later Greek arrivals of the 1880 to 1920 era. By 1900, some 300 Greeks were to be found in New Orleans. And among their number there were descendants of these various waves of Hellenic voyagers to Louisiana. That the Holy Trinity Church can count among its own descendants of these early Hellenes as visitors and as communicants is a long tradition. Clearly, Greek-American history is far more complex and interwoven with the historical details of North America than we so far have been told.

The post First Greek Couple of North America: Andrea Dimitry and Marianne Celeste Dragon appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK (AP) — The retrial of a former top New York lawmaker will not be moved elsewhere despite claims that the indictment is fatally flawed and that pretrial publicity makes finding fair jurors impossible, a judge said Monday.

The extortion and bribery trial of Greek-American and former Republican Senate leader Dean Skelos and his son is set to begin in Manhattan on June 19 after prospective jurors fill out questionnaires this week.

U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood rejected an attempt by lawyers for the father and son to win dismissal of the indictment on the grounds that the grand jury was improperly instructed in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling two years ago that narrowed the legal boundaries of what constituted corruption and reversed the bribery conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

In a written ruling, Wood also rejected claims that pretrial publicity prevents a fair trial for Skelos and his son, Adam. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Defense lawyers did not immediately comment.

The judge noted that jurors are drawn from one of the most diverse parts of the country. She said that 128 articles about the defendants that were cited by their lawyers as tainting the minds of potential jurors were unlikely to have had much effect.

Over 90 of the articles were over 2 years old and the rest follow actual developments in the case or in similar corruption cases and do not rise to the level of prejudicial publicity requiring a change of venue, Wood said.

“Because the release of these articles was largely clustered around new events in this case or related cases, they do not show that New Yorkers have been barraged daily or weekly with news about this trial,” she said.

Skelos and his son were convicted by a jury in 2015 of extortion, conspiracy and bribery. Dean Skelos was sentenced to five years in prison. His son got 6½ years. The prison terms were negated, though, when a new trial was ordered by a federal appeals court in Manhattan after the Supreme Court’s McDonnell ruling.

Wood rejected an argument that the indictment must be dismissed because the grand jury could not be instructed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling. She said dismissal would only be appropriate if there was prosecutorial misconduct.

The trial of the father and son comes just weeks after former Democratic New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was convicted a second time on corruption charges. His earlier conviction and 12-year prison sentence were set aside after the McDonnell ruling.

The post Judge Rejects Dean Skelos’ Quest to Move Trial appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – A unique theatrical concert was presented at the Queens Theater in the Park by the Pancyprian Choir along with solo musicians and actors, on June 8. The artistic direction of the performance as well as the direction of the choir was by the talented Phyto Stratis, well-known for his high quality, thoughtful, and thought-provoking productions.

Through classic songs by Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Stavros Xarchakos and Manos Loizos, such as the Asteri tou Voria (Star of the North), Tora pou pas stin xenitia (Now that you go to a foreign country), Tis Diakaosinis (Of Justice) and many more, we watched Louis, an immigrant who is forced to leave his beloved homeland and family to seek a better life in America. On his journey, he takes along only his hopes, memories, and, of course, the songs of his homeland.

“Sing the homeland, keep your identity and your roots,” his mother tells him as she bids him farewell. Through these songs so connected with our regret and joy, represent our culture and we felt along with Louis, the pain of separation, the nostalgia for our homeland, our apprehension in our new homeland, and we identified with him, and his journey and choices so very similar to ours.

So Louis becomes a symbol for every one of us who have taken that same path and is in America today.

The soloists Vanessa Karveli, Tasos Karydis, Demetris Michael, Ariadne Panagopoulou, Aggeliki Psoni, Louis Panayiotou (who played the role of the immigrant), Theodoros, together with the outstanding choir of Pancyprian, who once again enthused the audience, Thodoros Petropoulos (who was also the narrator of the story), Ellie Tsachtani and Penny Tsinias. The role of Louis’ mother was Violeta Xifara.

“It is very important that we keep our roots, our culture, and to pass on to the young children who very easily lose their way, to lose their love for their homeland. The second, third generation of Greeks in America must be more Greek, more Cypriot than those who first came here amd made the long journey,” said Phyto Stratis, Artistic Director and Conductor of Pancyprian.

The show enchanted the members of the audience who sang along throughout the show and applauded enthusiastically for the musicians and actors and their excellent performance.

“It was a wonderful show, an impressive work that we could also produce on Broadway,” said Pancyprian President Philip Christopher.

“It was a very nice event. The Pancyprian always strives for the best and everything they present has to do with the homeland, Greece and Cyprus. We enjoyed it very much and hopefully we will also have the opportunity in the future to see similar events that bring us closer to our culture, our origins,” George Kitsios, President of the Greek American Homeowners Association, told The National Herald.

Professor George Melikokis, known for his contribution to the Greek education also said was moved by the musical performance.

The last songs Chrysoprasino fyllo (Gold-green leaf) and H Dikh mou Patrida (My home country) which refer to long-suffering Cyprus were powerfully moving. In his speech at the end of the event, Mr. Christopher reminded attendees that forty-four years have passed since the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus and that the goal is still freedom for Cyprus.

Among those present were His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, the new Consul General of Cyprus in New York Alexis Phedonos-Vadet and his wife Melina.

The post In Foreign Land Presented by Pancyprian Cultural Division and Phyto Stratis (Vid & Pics) appeared first on The National Herald.

Setting aside his famous disdain for journalists, US President Donald Trump picked ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos for his first interview after sitting down with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore for an historic face-to-face meeting.

It was an exclusive coup for Stephanopoulos in a good week for prominent Greek-Americans after Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis’ team won the Stanley Cup National Hockey League championship, with a parade through the nation’s Capital.

What made Stephanopoulos’ being able to land Trump is that the President almost always prefers Fox News which is sympathetic to him and which critics say pushes his agenda in favor of ratings and doesn’t even try to be impartial about him.

Stephanopoulos knows politics very well, of course, having been an advisor to the Democratic party and as a Communications Director for the 1992 Presidential campaign of Bill Clinton and then in the same position as White House communications director.

He was later senior advisor for policy and strategy, before departing in December 1996 and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is known for his political savvy although critics said as someone with such strong political leanings he shouldn’t have been picked for the plum position at ABC but he has won over the audience with his non-confrontational but piercing ability to lure answers out of tough interviews, as he did with the notoriously difficult Trump.

Stephanopoulos didn’t shy away and talked to Trump about a host of topics, including the powwow with the reclusive North Korean leader, the Iranian nuclear deal the President hates and even the stare-down between the President and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G-7 meeting in Canada, getting Trump to explain what it was about.

With his inside player knowledge of Presidential politics and foreign policy, Stephanopoulos has displayed an affable charisma that works to elicit answers, such as getting Trump, who proclaims everything he does is sensational, to admit a denuclearization agreement with North Korea was, while a “terrific document,” was also more of a starting point than a done deal.

“There are things that we negotiated after that document that are also very important,” Trump said and Stephanopoulos seized the opening for a quick hit instead of rambling, asking the President simply: “Like what?”

“They’re going to get rid of certain ballistic missile sites and various other things. We’re gonna put that out later. But we have the framework of getting ready to denuclearize North Korea,” said Trump, but Stephanopoulos pushed him on whether it as a complete denuclearization that would remove a nuclear umbrella over US ally South Korea.

“No. That means that they’re going to get rid of their nuclear weapons. We never even discussed the other. They’re going to get rid of their nuclear weapons, George, and I think they want to do it relatively quickly,” said Trump.

Stephanopoulos quickly tied the nuclear issue with North Korea over Trump’s dislike of a previous American deal to make sure Iran wasn’t building nuclear weapons, telling the President that, “You’ve set the bar for nuclear agreements by criticizing the Iran nuclear deal, said it’s the worst deal ever made,” and pushed him over whether he’d be just as tough with North Korea.

The two went back-and-forth with Stephanopoulos getting Trump to talk openly instead of being confrontational as the President is wont to do with reporters, perhaps sensing in the TV anchor a knowledge of how US leaders work behind closed doors.

Stephanopoulos reminded Trump, who took to praising the North Korean leader, that “Just a few months ago you accused him of starving his people. And listen, here’s the rub. Kim is a brutal dictator. He runs a police state, forced starvation, labor camps. He’s assassinated members of his own family. How do you trust a killer like that?”

Instead of barking as he often does, Trump answered, if a bit hesitant as Stephanopoulos is less likely to be bamboozled given his extensive experience at the highest level of politics and now in the media as well.

“I think he wants to denuke, it’s very important. Without that, there’s nothing to discuss. That was on the table at the beginning, and you see a total denuclearization of North Korea,” said Trump.

Stephanopoulos also pressed him on why the US should believe Kim, casting some doubt on whether North Korea would really give up the nuclear weapon hunt and pressing Trump even more for answers. “You trust him?” Stephanopoulos asked.

The talk eventually led to the showdown photo with Merkel with Trump saying that, “She was looking at me, you know what we were doing? We were talking while we were waiting for the final copy of the document. That was, that was such an innocent picture. You know, we put out that picture. That was put out by my people,” and that it wasn’t as intense as it looked.

The post Stephanopoulos Scores Trump Post-Kim Jong Un Summit Interview appeared first on The National Herald.

ATHENS – The prominent Greek-American businessman and philanthropist George Behrakis was honored during the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society (HCS), held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, on June 11, at the Pallas Theatre in Athens.

Behrakis’ contribution enabled the creation of the Laboratory for Lung Function Testing, focusing on respiratory mechanics and the respiratory effects of active and passive smoking.

The HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos spoke about the Society’s contributions and the challenges it faces today in the fight against cancer. In addition, he mentioned the proposal of HCS to ban smoking by law not only in public places and public catering areas, but also in places like beaches.

The award was received on behalf of Mr. George Behrakis, by his cousin, Professor of Pulmonology Dr. Panagiotis K. Behrakis, who said: “On behalf of the George Behrakis Foundation in Boston, with great joy and honor – I feel it is a great honor to receive the honor awarded today. I would like to convey the particular appreciation of George Behrakis for the actions of the HCS, which he follows very closely and make him very proud on the other side of the Atlantic. I would like to convey his statement that he is happy to support the operation of the lab, which has provided free exams for about 8 years daily to people in need. And, in closing, I would like to say that in the fight to reduce smoking George Behrakis has contributed a decade of support with a generous contribution that continues and will continue.”

[/caption]

The post George Behrakis Honored at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society (Photos) appeared first on The National Herald.

STATEN ISLAND – With emotion, joy, and pride, family and friends crowded the Katsoris Hellenic Center for the Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas Greek School graduation ceremony which was held on June 10 immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

The graduates of the school: Alexandra Doyle, Maria Bacalexis, Stamatis Mallas, and George Pefanis.

The presiding priest of the community, Fr. Nicholas Petropoulakos, congratulated the students for the diligence shown during the school year, the Principal Anastasia Mantas for the excellent work done, and the parents for their love and support.

Principal Mantas warmly thanked the community for its limitless help and support in the work of the school. Addressing the students, she congratulated them on the care and attention, the goodwill and the love of learning they displayed from the first to the last day of school.

In their speeches the graduates spoke with words of love for their school and thanked their parents and teachers for everything they gave them.

Alexandra Doyle noted that the years at Greek school were not easy as she had to learn vocabulary, grammar, speech. “But,” she said, “it was worth the trouble and I’m very happy to have done it.”

Maria Bakalexis said farewell to Greek school with words of joy and sadness.

“Joy,” she said, “because we will no longer have work to do but sadness because a very beautiful chapter of my life is closing.”

Stamatis Mallas referred to the tremendous value of the Greek heritage, language, and culture, which was taught so well in the Greek school.

George Pefanis thanked his family for taking him to the Greek school, and said he will miss the Greek school classes, his friends, school celebrations and parades.

Parish Council President Leah Platis, PTA President Paraskevi Lagkis, Philoptochos President Diana Venardos, and Manolis Vlastakis, representative of the Cretan Philoxenia handed out the awards to the graduates.

The post Graduation at Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas Greek School in Staten Island (Video) appeared first on The National Herald.

PORT WASHINGTON, NY – A car accident on June 10 has claimed the life of Georgia Alexiou, 78, who lost her husband just five years ago also in a car accident. The accident took place on Sunday night, one-quarter of a mile from Archangel Michael Church where the funeral will take place on Friday, June 15.

Christina Korakis, the sister of the deceased, spoke with The National Herald, noting that her sister was driving according to traffic laws and a tractor trailer came out of nowhere and struck the vehicle, totaling it, so there was nothing left. Her sister was taken to the hospital and placed on life support, but her condition was so critical, she was taken off the machines and passed away on Monday, June 11.

Mrs. Korakis told TNH that Alexiou, originally from Kastellia Fokidas, is survived by her daughter Demetra and her husband Jay Rushin, and their 3 ½ year old son, as well as Korakis and her husband George, and their children. She is also survived by her koumbaroi and by relatives and friends in the U.S. and in Greece. Korakis also told TNH that 25 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Alexiou had lost a son.

“According to authorities,” Patch Port Washington, reported, “a tractor trailer was exiting 999 W. Shore Road, the address of the Town of North Hempstead’s Solid Waste Management Authority Transfer Station, and attempted to make a left turn when the vehicle was struck by a 2018 Mercedes Benz at 9 PM.”

Alexiou was the driver of the Mercedes and “suffered multiple trauma injuries,” Patch reported, adding that the driver of the tractor trailer was a 60-year-old man, not reported to have suffered any injury in the crash.

The investigation into the cause of the accident continues.

The visitiation will take place 9-11 AM on Friday, June 15 at Archangel Michael Church 100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY. The funeral service will follow also at Archangel Michael Church at 11 AM.

The post Greek Woman Killed in Car Accident, 5 Years after Husband was Killed in Car Accident appeared first on The National Herald.

ASTORIA – The St. Demetrios Astoria High School graduation ceremony took place on June 7 in the crowded Petros Patrides Cultural Center with the graduates promising to keep their knowledge and experiences from their school life as a treasured memory.

A total of 26 graduates dressed in their caps and gowns are taking the next step in their studies.

“Today we say goodbye to 26 students. But I think every end is a new beginning, if you choose it,” said Principal Anastasios Koularmanis.

Vice Principal, Eleni Karagiorgou, invited the graduates to never forget, in the course of their life, “the meaning of St. Demetrios School.”

The Graduates:

Vasilis Kontodimas (Valedictorian), Evangelia Tsagaris (Salutatorian), Panagiota Hassan, Anna Maria Hasouras, Maria – SpiliianiKoutroupis, John Di Virgilio, Theodora Fragaki, Demetrios Georgoudis, Vasiliki Karkalis, Areti Koularmani, Demetrios Kouzounis, Alexandros Krambis, Sophia – Maria Krambis, Stavros Xinos, Panagiotis Letsios, Bartholomaios Moschos, Michalis Mouras, Irene Papadakis, Vasilis Roza, Maria Schinaki, Victoria Sfika, Daniela Soukinakoua, Angelos Tsambas, KaterinaTsambas, Irene Gerolymou, and Andriana Giora.

Among those present at the event were His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras, Consul of Greece Lana Zochiou, the St. Demetrios School Board Chairman Nick Andriotis, Dr. George Liakeas- President of the Hellenic Medical Society of New York, and Antonis H. Diamataris- The National Herald Publisher-Editor.

Father Anastasios, ’68 and St. Demetrios

The event began with a prayer led by presiding priest of St. Demetrios Cathedral Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, followed by the National Anthems of Greece and the USA, as well as songs by the Choir.

A special surprise for graduates was the presence of the Class of 1968, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Among their distinguished members is Father Anastasios Pourakis, who serves the Parish of Saint Demetrios and is beloved in the community, especially to the younger generation.

“We were children of the 1960s, in really difficult times. We witnessed the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King. There was the scourge of drugs. Our faith, our parents and, of course, our school and our teachers have kept us together. Their work had roots and is still fruitful,” said Fr. Pourakis.

Then, the official spokesman of the Class of 1968, and the keynote speaker Anna Prokop, took the floor, noting that the Class of ’68 and Class of ’18, even though they are 50 years apart, share many elements, since “the values ​​of Saint Demetrios remain the same.”

“Do not give up …”

Archbishop Demetrios, addressed the graduates with warm words and conveyed the greetings of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and the Council of the Holy Cross in Boston.

“This step with your speeches, one after the other, creates a garden of speech with their content. You have received greatsupplies. Do not retreat,” the Archbishop told the graduates.

TheConsul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras, used a famous saying by Nikos Kazantzakis: “You have the paints, you have the brushes, paint paradise and enter it. Take life in your hands.”

The graduates of 2018 gave a special thank you presentation to School Board Chairman, Nick Andriotis, who received many bouquets from the graduates. “The words they spoke were true and from the depths of their hearts,” Andriotistold the National Herald.

“We are a family”

The graduates’ speeches were full of joy, but also tinged with a bit of melancholy for the end of their school career at St. Demetrios.

“You are unforgettable to me – you, my classmates, the teachers, the priests, Mr. Stasinos, Mrs. Karagiorgos, and especially Mr. Koularmanis. As for Mr. Kilimitzoglou, I thank him for teaching me from the first grade atSt. Demetrios Jamaica to this day,” said Valedictorian Vasilis Kontodimas, in his speech.

“Saint Demetrios School Astoria has given us countless knowledge and opportunities. It taught us our Greek language, history, culture, and religion. It taught us love and pride for our homeland and how to keep the roots alive,” said Salutatorian Evangelia Tsagaris.

About his classmates and teachers, the graduate Alexandros Krambissaid, “From my first day at St. Demetrios, it felt like family. Not only because I made a lot of friends, but also because I had the continuous support of a team of staff.”

President of the School Council, Anna Maria Hasouras, pointed out that her feelings are mixed.

“What we can do is maintain the ties we have developed and remain members of the St. Demetrios Community,”she said.

Thecertificates were then awardedto the graduates by Principal Koularmanis, Archbishop Demetrios, and Archimandrite Papazafiropoulos to conclude the ceremony.

The post A Moving Graduation Ceremony at St. Demetrios Astoria (Vid) appeared first on The National Herald.

WANTAUGH, NY – The St. Markella of Wantagh community members noted the success of their annual festival, which ran June 7-10. Although it coincided with other New York-area festivals including Holy Resurrection in Brookville and Holy Cross in Whitestone, the St. Markella festival was well-attended and is now an established event for locals. Saturday was especially well-attended.

“This time the weather was good, unlike previous years, when weather conditions were not so good. There were other festivals going on at the same time, but we did well, no complaints,” said Parish Council President Kostas (Gus) Galitos told The National Herald, even if Sunday lacked the sunshine which usually draws larger crowds to the festival.

The parishioners of St. Markella gathered a good number of volunteers and made full use of the available space, setting the scene with rides, toys, traditional sweets, and, of course, the classic dishes, including souvlaki, lamb, kontosouvli, and grilled octopus. At the same time, there was also a small grocery store, promoting Greek products that could be found in any local supermarket in Greece.

“There are many challenges. We are a small community,” Mr. Galitos pointed out, referring also to the social characteristics of the parish members.

“The people here are not very wealthy, they are workers. The finances of the Church are not so good, because we do not have many members, but we try with various events and, of course, the festival to raise money for the Church and cover our expenses.”

Philoptochos President Maria Koinis also spoke to TNH about the efforts of the parishioners to successfully complete the festival but also to help the community rise up and cope.

“We’re better than last year. We have more volunteers. We are trying to raise money for the church to meet the obligations. Women made sweets and donuts, and we also opened a grocery store. It is also important that the younger generation came here and we had people of all ages helping us.”

This year, the Community is celebrating its 29th anniversary.

The post Successful Festival at St. Markella in Wantagh appeared first on The National Herald.

FLUSHING, NY – The diplomas were handed out to the graduates of the William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing at the 35th Commencement Exercises on June 8 in a joyful atmosphere with hymns, songs, speeches, and best wishes to the Class of 2018.

The Valedictorian Victoria Vlachos and Salutatorian Andreas Vasiliadis spoke on behalf of the graduating class offering their heartfelt words of gratitude to their parents and teachers, and best wishes to their classmates for success in all their endeavors.

The graduates will be attending some of the top high schools in the New York area, including Bronx High School of Science, Archbishop Molloy, and St. Francis Prep, among others.

“The graduation ceremony is a moment full of hope for the future,” noted Rev. Fr. Paul Palesty, presiding priest of St. Nicholas, who led the opening prayer with Rev. Fr. Aristidis Garinis, and Rev. Fr. Andreas Houpos. Fr. Palesty also noted the retirement of Principal Athena Kromidas in the middle of the school year, greeting and thanking her for her long-time work and contributions to the school and the community.

Continuing the tradition, alumna Nicole Pashalis, Class of 2014, now a graduate of Bronx High School of Science, heading to Duke University in the fall, returned to offer her thoughts and best wishes to the Class of 2018.

Among the speakers at the ceremony, PTA President Emily Siderakis, Assistant Principal Georgia Kakivelis, School Board President Elaine T. Mallios, and Parish Council President Bill Kakoullis also offered their thoughts, encouragement, and congratulations to the graduates.

Principal Mary Tzallas presented the Class of 2018 congratulating her students for their success and urging them to remain authentic, honest, and true people and to maintain their positive attitude, enthusiasm, and vitality throughout their lives.

The graduating class of 57 students:

Elleni Alfonso

Nicholas Andreou

Irene Arhaniotis

Michael Baltzis

Angelena Bougiamas

Sophia Christofidis

George Diakomihalis

Peter Dimitrakopoulos

Yianni Galeoto

George Georgelis

Peter Georgiou

Elena Maria Georgoulas

Tiffany Grapsas

Constantine Hatzidimitris

George Hatzinikolaou

Achilleas Ioannou

Yianni Ioannou

Eleni Iosif

George Kanellopoulos

Eleni Kapsokavadis

Adrianne Karantonis

Eleni Kassimis

Victoria Kekatos

Yianni Kormusis

Vasiliki Kossaris

Mario Kyprianides

Nicholas Loizou

Georgia Mamais

Nicholas Manaris

Katherine Metis

Athanasia Misthos

Maria Molos

Paris Neophytou

Eftyhia Nikolaou

Michael Notias

Zoe Panagiotidis

Emmanuel Papamichael

Marietta Poulos

Margarita Rigos

George Sanoulis

Anastasia Schreiner

Victoria Schultz

Panagiotis Sgouros

Eleftheria Siakavellas

Nicholas Siderakis

Elisavet Simeonidis

Vasilios Spaliaras

Matthew Spyriounis

John Thanasules

Theoni Theofanopoulos

Christina Tsamutalis

Andreas Vasiliadis

Anna Vikatos

Victoria Vlachos

Eleftherios Zoumpanidopoulos

The post Graduation at William Spyropoulos School of St. Nicholas in Flushing (Video) appeared first on The National Herald.