When travelers get to a place, one of the first questions they ask is, if the water is drinkable. They also want to know how to ask for bottled water. In Greece, when you ask for water in a super market or in a café, you get a bottled water, usually spring water, without gas.

Τwo verbs are useful. The verb: πίνεται; is it drinkable? and the verb: θέλω, I want, I would like. The Greek word for the glass, ποτήρι, comes from the verb πίνω = I drink.

The ancient Greek word for the water was ύδωρ, (EEdor). The word ύδωρ (hydro-) is a component of many English words, like hydrodynamic, hydrotherapy, hydromassage, hydromel, hydrate, hydrant, hydroid. In Byzantine (Medieval) Greek the word νερόwas used for the water. It means young water, fresh water and is composed from the Greek word νέο, young, fresh andύδωρ, the water. English words like neon, neologism, neoclassical have as a first compound the word νέο, new, young.

IS THE WATER DRINKABLE?

Here is how you will form your question and the possible answers.
-Το νερό πίνεται;
TOneROPEEnete?
Isthewaterdrinkable?

-Το νερό της βρύσης πίνεται;
TO neRO TEES VREEsisPEEnete?
Is the tap water drinkable?

– Ναι, πίνεται.
NE PEEnete.
Yes, it is drinkable.

– Όχι, δεν πίνεται.
OhiDEEnPEEnete.
No, it isn’t drinkable.

ASKING FOR WATER
Below are the phrases we use to ask for a bottle or for a glass of water. In everyday Greek it’s not a mistake to say “I want some water”, which means I want a bottle of water.
Θέλωνερό.
THEloneRO
I want (I would like) some water.

Θέλω ένα μπουκάλι νερό, μεγάλο.
THEloEnabooKAlineRO, meYAlo
I want (I would like) a big bottle of water.

Θέλω ένα νερό, μεγάλο.
THEloEnaneROmeYAlo
I want (I would like) a big bottle of water.

Θέλω δύο μπουκάλια νερό, μεγάλα.
THEloDEEobooKAlianeRO
I want (I would like) two bottles of water, big ones.

Θέλωένανερό,μικρό.
THEloEnaneROmiKRO
I want (would like) a small bottle of water.

Θέλω ένα μπουκάλι νερό, μικρό.
THEloEnabooKAlineRO, miKRO
I want (I would like) a small bottle of water.

Θέλω δύο μπουκάλια νερό, μικρά.
THEloDEEobooKAlianeRO, miKRA
I want (I would like) two bottles of water, small.

Θέλωέναποτήρινερό.
THEloEnapoTEErineRO
I want (I would like) a glass of water.

Θέλωδύοποτήριανερό.
THEloDEEopoTEErianeRO
I want (I would like) two glasses of water.

BASIC VOCABULARY
Greek word Pronunciation Meaning
Θέλω THElo I want (I would like)
Τονερό TO neRO water
Τομπουκάλι TO booKAli the bottle
Ταμπουκάλια TA booKAlia the bottles
Τοποτήρι TO poTEEri the glass
Ταποτήρια TA poTEEria the glasses
Έναμπουκάλινερό EnabooKAlineRO a bottle of water
Δύομπουκάλιανερό DEEobooKAlianeRO two bottles of water
Έναποτήρινερό EnapoTEErineRO a glass of water
Δύοποτήριανερό DEEopoTEErianeRO two glasses of water
Μεγάλο meYAlo big (singular)
Μεγάλα meYAla big (plural)
Μικρό miKRO small (singular)
Μικρά miKRA small (plural)
Εγώπίνω eYOPEEno I drink
Πίνεται; PEEnete? Is it drinkable?
Ηβρύση EE VREEsi the tap (faucet)
Τηςβρύσης TEES VREEsis of the tap
Ναι NEE yes
Όχι Ohi no

GREEK YOU ALREADY KNOW
Μικρό, in English words like microcosm, microscope, microtip.
Μεγάλο, in English words like megalomania, megabyte, megalithic.

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: Is the Water Drinkable? appeared first on The National Herald.

EASTCHESTER, NY – The 4th Annual Loukoumi Dance Party and Make A Difference Awards took place on June 15 at Mulino’s at Lake Isle Country Club, 600 White Plains Road in Eastchester. The Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Anctil, presiding priest of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle, NY was honored with the Loukoumi Foundation Inspiration Award at the well-attended event.

Loukoumi Make A Difference Awards were presented to:

Anne Hutchinson School Student Council; George’s Angels (Eileen and Gary Franklin); The Greek American Institute; The Greenvale School; The Smile of A Child Project (presented to the Colombos, Pappas, and Tsiamtsiouris families); St. Stephen/St. Edward School in Orange County; St. Clare School on Staten Island; and

Katia Barker, Karl Kilb, Austin Lawless, Elaina Poulos, Daniel Rentel, and Will Tinson.

The winner of the Dream Day Contest, George Rebokos, was also announced live at the event. The contest gives kids the opportunity to spend a day in their dream day careers.

Loukoumi Foundation President Nick Katsoris gave the welcoming remarks at the event, noting that it was 13 years ago that the first Loukoumi book was published, and that the national effort in which children drew cards and sold them for $1 has raised $25,000 so far for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The plan is to raise $150,000 for a Loukoumi reading room/literacy room at the hospital for the children undergoing treatment. Katsoris thanked all the schools that participated and added that the Loukoumi Foundation will be the featured charity on September 9 at Citi Field when the Mets take on the Phillies. In partnership with the New York Catholic Archdiocese, Katsoris pointed out that the Loukoumi books are now in over 150 schools of the New York Archdiocese. He told The National Herald there are plans to expand the foundation’s efforts nationally and bring the Loukoumi books to Greek Sunday schools across the country as well.

For the tenth anniversary of the Dream Day Contest, a video presentation highlighted the winners from year’s past and how the experience has affected their lives. The video entries by some of the finalists in the contest were also screened at the event before the announcement of this year’s winner, who had entered the contest five years in a row, each time with a different career he would like to pursue. Katsoris told the winner, Rebokos, that “we’ll have to discuss” which career he will ultimately choose for his Dream Day.

Katsoris presented the Inspiration Award to Fr. Anctil, noting that “there are people you meet who can inspire you forever, and that’s Fr. Nick.” He met Fr. Nick over 30 years ago and he “presided over some of the best moments of my life,” Katsoris’ wedding to his wife Voula, and the baptisms of their children, and when they served as godparents. At an event years ago, when the priest scheduled to perform the invocation couldn’t make it, Fr. Anctil stepped in at the last minute without hesitation. “Fr. Nick and his wife, Presvytera Cyndi, have always been like family,” Katsoris said, adding that “through a twist of fate, we learned 4 years ago that we actually are family, as I am the third cousin of his daughter Kelly’s father-in-law.”

“This foundation is all about teaching kids to do the right thing, to make a difference in the lives of others, believe in yourself and follow your dreams, and to treat others with kindness and respect,” Katsoris said, noting that “the inspiration that propels these kids to new heights has to come from somewhere, from role models and there is no better role model than Fr. Nick.”

In his acceptance speech, Fr. Anctil thanked Katsoris and the foundation, and addressed the many children present, joking that he knew Thomas Edison, referring to the quote about inspiration, “Success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration, in my case it’s different, success is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration,” adding that when you do good deeds you do them for everyone.

Among those at the event were actress Elena Kampouris- best known for her role as Paris in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, who presented some of the awards, Chef Maria Loi, and Yahoo Finance correspondent Alexis Christoforous.

The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed with the consent of the New York State Department of Education to teach children to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. Loukoumi, a fluffy little lamb, is the main character from the Loukoumi book series that wants to make the world a better place. The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation seeks to teach children to follow Loukoumi’s lead and to make a positive difference. More information on the Foundation is available online: www.LoukoumiFoundation.org.

The Make A Difference Day with Loukoumi Program is the recipient of Tegna’s 2017 Make A Difference Day All-Star Award and recently the Loukoumi Foundation received the Point of Light Award.

The post The 4th Annual Loukoumi Dance Party and Make A Difference Awards appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – A poignant Father’s Day message penned by Greek-American Toni Cornell, daughter of the late rocker Chris Cornell, was posted on Cornell’s Youtube channel on June 17, Rolling Stone reported.

“Daddy,” the 13-year-old Toni wrote, “I love you and miss you so much. You were the best father anyone could ask for. Our relationship was so special, and you were always there for me. You gave me courage when I didn’t have any. You believed in me when I didn’t. I miss your love everyday. Recording this song with you was a special and amazing experience I wish I could repeat 100 times over and I know you would too. Happy Father’s Day daddy, nothing compares to you. – Toni”

Through his Greek-American wife Vicky’s influence, Cornell, best known as the frontman for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave, converted to the Greek Orthodox Church. The couple had two children, daughter Toni in 2004 and son Christopher Nicholas in 2005.

In addition to his music, Cornell also became involved in philanthropy and started the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation to support children facing challenges, including homelessness, poverty, abuse and neglect.

Cornell, 52, took his own life in May of last year. On Father’s Day 2017, just one month after Cornell’s death, his daughter posted a note about the song The Beautiful Ones from Purple Rain by Prince.

The post Poignant Father’s Day Nothing Compares 2U Duet by Toni and Chris Cornell appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON, MA – Nothing substantial was accomplished at the Board of Trustees meeting of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC), convened on June 7 and chaired by Archbishop Demetrios of America.

The archbishop declared that all well and gave his full support to HCHC President Fr. Christopher Metropulos, though many Board members demand his resignation because they consider him responsible for the dire condition of the School regarding its finances, administration and reduction of enrollment.

The National Herald revealed that Archbishop Demetrios had admitted in the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that the School doesn’t only have a financial problem but also “a leadership one,” making direct reference to Fr. Metropulos.

During June 7 meeting, Metropulos present his strategic plan for the “recovery” of the School and he said that funds will be raised.

Hellenic College will continue its operation next academic year, despite the small number of students. It was said that there are academic disciplines which one have one student unrolled but the School pays professors to teach just one student.

It was also said that the resigned Deans Demetrios Katos and Demetrios Skedros will continue to teach.

Fr. Metropulos assured everybone that everything will be just fine. He said that he spoke to the academic authorities regarding accreditation.

Efforts are made to place the blame of the financial and administrative problems on the previous administration under Fr. Nicholas Triantafillou, who was always on the run traveling all over the country, presumably to raise money for the School, but it seems that the results were poor.

It is evident that animosity has occurred for months now between several Board members and Metropulos, but the Archbishop supports him strongly, despite throwing him under the bus at the Synod.

TNH has learned that a good number of Trustees are thinking of resigning because they feel they have a fiduciary responsibility toward the Greek-American community and also legally, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

There are thoughts of breaking the restricted Endowment Fund to get money just to operate the School. They have already exhausted an existing Endowment because the School didn’t have money to even cover the payroll.

The archbishop did not permit a discussion on the confidential letter-report that the Herald recently revealed, that eleven members of the Board, including some from the Executive Council addressed to the archbishop on May 8.

They discussed how the confidential letter was obtained by TNH, because the clergy and the laity from around the country became alarmed when they read it.

It is reminded here that in the letter the trustees stated that “as fiduciaries, accept an incoming class at HCHC without a compelling recovery plan and a president capable of executing it in collaboration with staff, faculty, trustees, and other donors.”

They also revealed that “Fr. Christopher has failed in his efforts to increase enrollment. HCHC enrollment has dropped 25% from 185 students in Sept ’15, to 182 students in Sept ’16, to 166 students in Sept ’17, to an expected 140 in Sept ’18.”

Regarding the finances, the Trustees stated in their confidential letter that “the overall financial trend is alarming and is not sustainable. Over the three year period shown on Attachment I, HCHC has incurred or will incur cash deficits ranging from $2.2 -$3.1 million per year. Over the past 36 months, we have been averaging a monthly cash deficit of $190,000, and HCHC is now unable to make payroll without further endowment borrowing. During Fr. Christopher’s presidency, we have borrowed a total of $6.7 million from our unrestricted endowment funds (pooled accounts), and as of April 30, 2018, HCHC only had $1.1 million of such unrestricted pooled account funds remaining, as compared to a projected cash deficit through the calendar year ending December 31, 2018 of $2.6 million. Absent a significant cash infusion, HCHC will run out of money before the end of the current fiscal year (June 30).

“Realistic projections for the next two fiscal years are equally dire. The table set forth on Attachment II hereto sets forth HCHC’s projected “baseline” financial performance for the fiscal year’s ending June 30, 2019 and 2020.”

The post Demetrios Says There is No Problem at Hellenic College and Holy Cross appeared first on The National Herald.

BINGHAMTON, NY – Another tower of Hellenism was reactivated on May 27 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, located at 214 Court Street in Binghamton. The Order of AHEPA, the largest Greek-American organization in the world, re-activated Binghamton Chapter #77, dormant for many years, but originally established on July 12, 1925 and renamed “Leonidas” Chapter no. 77.

The reactivation included 8 new “Leonidas” Ahepans, plus two new Ahepans from Hudson Odysseus Chapter 545. The initiation ceremony was performed in the Chapters landmark lodge room which was built in the 1930’s, which holds mementoes of historical Hellenistic achievements from years gone by.

A large delegation of AHEPA leaders, from neighboring chapters in Rochester and Middletown, NY participated in the ceremony. The chief installing/initiation officer was AHEPA Regional Supreme Governor, Tom Dushas from Rye, NY. He was assisted by Chris Pavlidis, President of Hudson Odysseus Chapter 545 and by Past Supreme Treasurer Mike Papapanu and Dennis Kiriazides, both Senior AHEPA Leaders in Rochester very involved in AHEPA’s Statewide Housing Foundation.

The reactivation of the “Leonidas” Chapter is in addition to the new AHEPA chapter in Middletown and the reactivated chapter in Schenectady all within the last year. In addition, the three local chapters, join chapters in Albany, Troy, Syracuse, and Rochester, giving upstate a substantial Hellenistic presence in their communities. They join the 20 other downstate Chapters, including the recently reactivated Port Jefferson Chapter, forming the largest statewide presence of any state in the United States. The state’s membership is expected to close the year at approximately 1,650 members. The Empire State, District 6, is expected to continue the growth, expansion and reactivation of their District, with additional chapters well into the remainder of this year and into 2019. The goal of AHEPA New York leaders is to reach 2,000 members by AHEPA’s 100th Anniversary celebration in Atlanta in 2022.

The state’s district convention in Hempstead, NY, took place June 15-17 and its National Convention will be held in Atlantic City, NJ the week of July 23.

It should be noted that AHEPA District 6, the Empire State, has performed well over the last five years. Their membership, their signature events, and all around fraternal performance, both upstate and downstate have lifted it to the number one district in the nation. AHEPA District 6 is a model of performance due to its leadership at the Chapter, District, and Supreme Lodge levels.

The post AHEPA Binghamton, NY Chapter Reactivated appeared first on The National Herald.

TRINIDAD, CO – A statue of Louis Tikas, Greek miner, strong icon, and union leader in the early 1900s who fought for labor rights in the coal mines of southern Colorado will be unveiled on Saturday, Jun. 23, at the Trinidad Coal Miners Memorial Park.

The event will begin at 4 PM, with the Cretan Dance Group performing at 4:30 and 4:50. The Foundation of Hellenism of America President Michael Servos will speak along with Cecil E. Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers of America International.

Southern Colorado Coal Miners Museum, 305 W Main St. in Trinidad, CO. 

The schedule of events for June 23-24 begins with the unveiling of the Louis Tikas Statue at the Coal Miners Memorial Park, sponsored by the City of Trinidad, Foundation of Hellenism of America, Pancretan Association of America, United Mine Workers of America, Hellenic Republic Government, and the Southern Colorado Coal Miner’s Committee.

A symposium on Louis Tikas’ life, a screening of the documentary on the Ludlow Massacre and Louis Tikas’ Death, and a performance by a Cretan dance group from Colorado are also scheduled as well as a visit to the Cemetery in Trinidad, Colorado where a Trisagio at the tomb of Louis Tikas will be held with Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver presiding.

Servos told The National Herald that a section of highway is being renamed in honor of the heroic Tikas. Through Servos’ initiative the town of Trinidad decided to name the Trinidad-Ludlow highway, “Louis Tikas Hwy.”

Tikas, who was born and raised in Rethymnon, Crete, has been featured in recent documentaries including Palikari: Louis Tikas and Ludlow Massacre (2014) by director Nikos Ventouras and the award-winning Ludlow: Greek Americans in the Colorado Coal War (2016), produced by the non-profit company “Apostolis Berdebes,” producer of documentaries on the history of Greeks in America, and directed by Leonidas Vardaros. Ludlow co-Producer and researcher Frosso Tsouka spoke with TNH about the film in a previous interview before its New York premiere noting that “Ludlow tells the story of Greek immigrants who found themselves in distant Colorado working for many years under inhuman conditions of semi-slavery. They eventually united with thousands of other immigrant miners and took part in a long strike that started peacefully in 1913 and developed into an armed confrontation in April 1914, after the Ludlow Massacre and the murder of the Greek leader, Louis Tikas. The film has received awards at all the documentary festivals in Greece and has been embraced by the public of Greece and of the Greek Diaspora.”

Tsouka told TNH that buses from Denver will bring members of the Greek community to the ceremony and she will be among those in attendance as well as the Cultural Ambassador of the region of Crete and the new Director of the New York City Greek Film FestivalMaria Tzompanaki.

“The next day,” Tsouka continued, “in addition to the Ludlow commemoration, there is a touching ceremony for those killed at one of the worst mine explosions that took place 3 years after Ludlow, on April 27, 1917, the Hastings explosion where 35 Greek miners were among the 121 killed. The union brings a big bell on a tripod and sets it up in a field at the location where the mine was, and they read the names of those killed and ring the bell after each name. Last year, they asked me to read the Greek names at the ceremony.”

She also noted, “Then there is the cemetery with all the crosses with the Greek names and the age of those buried there, all so young.”

More information is available on Facebook.

The post Louis Tikas Statue Unveiling in Colorado on June 23 appeared first on The National Herald.

HEMPSTEAD, NY – The 82nd Annual AHEPA Empire State District 6 Convention and Scholarship Luncheon took place June 15-17 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Hempstead. Hosted by Order of AHEPA-Constantine Cassis Chapter #170, Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter #141, Sons of Pericles Lord Byron Chapter #233 and Maids of Athena Victory Chapter #76, the three-day convention began with a Taverna Night featuring Greek food and music on Friday night. On Saturday, the Daughters of Penelope Chapter #141 hosted the Scholarship Luncheon which awarded the District 6 scholarships to seven deserving students.

The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) presented their scholarships to two deserving students, George G. Kalyvas and Konstantinos C. Geleris. The DOP Scholarship Committee’s Christine Constantine-Malagrinos- Past President President noted that she wished they had the funds to give scholarships to all the students who applied and thanked Chris Pappis- District 6 Secretary for all his efforts. She added that Kalyvas could not attend the event and his father, Nikos Kalyvas, accepted the award on his behalf, reading a message from his son to convey his gratitude for the honor. Kalyvas was in Orlando leading his team in the National Academic Championship. In his essay, the honoree who will be attending George Washington University in the fall majoring in International Relations, wrote, “My goal is to become a lawyer and eventually move into politics. It has always been my dream to become the President of the United States with the special recognition of being the first Greek-American president.”

Geleris will be attending Penn State University majoring in Accounting in the fall and noted that he was introduced to the AHEPA family through his grandparents Galiatsatos who encouraged philanthropy and promoted the rich Hellenic values. He thanked the Daughters of Penelope for the honor and said he hopes to follow his grandparents’ legacy.

President of the 2018 AHEPA District 6 Perpetual Scholarship Committee Demi Pamboukes noted that there were 25 candidates this year and wished they could award them all. He thanked Chapter #170 President Anastasios Stampolis, the members of the Scholarship Committee, and District 6 Governor Ted Stamas. He also thanked the benefactors and sponsors Gallis family in memory of Brothers George and Andy Gallis, the Kourounis family in memory of Brother Peter and Christina Kourounis, Lou Katsos- Director of Hellenism, Delphi Chapter 25, Basil Katsamakis- Journey to Greece Program, and Dr. Marinos Petratos.

Pamboukes said that the young people are excelling not only in the classroom but also in their parishes and communities, volunteering and giving back. “Never take them for granted,” he said of the youth, “They are not the future, as far I’m concerned, they are the present. I am very confident that they will succeed in life.”

The AHEPA District 6 Scholarship sponsored by Dr. Marinos Petratos was awarded to Arianna Kohilakis who will be attending Cornell University in the fall, joining her sister there who was also a previous scholarship recipient. She thanked the scholarship committee, her parents and grandparents, noting that she will continue to live by the values of education and family promoted by AHEPA.

Joanna Georgiou received the scholarship sponsored by the Kourounis family. She spoke about caring for her terminally ill grandmother in Greece, noting that although it was the saddest time of her life, she was happy she had the opportunity to spend the time with her grandmother. In memory of her late grandmother, Georgiou created a relay for life program, raising over $7,000 to fight cancer. She will be attending Princeton University in the fall.

Grace Victoria Yeostros received the scholarship sponsored by the Gallis family and will be attending Villanova University in the fall. She read from her essay about participating in the St. Paul’s community efforts to help the homeless.

Nicolas Zaferiou wrote about his school’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Gang, a program that helps the homeless of Long Island. His experience has taught him to be thankful for the blessings in life and to always help others. He will attend Fordham University in the fall.

Michael Ziamandanis attends the State Univeristy of New York (SUNY) Albany, majoring in psychology with a minor in biology, with a 4.0 grade point average, and plans to attend medical school upon completing his undergraduate degree. The President of the Sons of Pericles in Albany, he has helped raise funds for St. Basil’s Academy and for Cyprus. Ziamandanis could not attend the scholarship luncheon, and sent a message of thanks for the honor.

Lou Katsos won the raffle at the luncheon, $750, which he donated to the scholarship program. DOP Past District Governor Marie Kratsios was presented with the Past District Governor’s pin.

The convention concluded on Sunday with the Divine Liturgy at St. Paul’s Cathedral followed by a continental breakfast sponsored by the Sons of Pericles and the Maids of Athena and then a tour of the construction site of the new St. Michael’s Home led by His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane.

The post The 82nd Annual Empire State District 6 Convention and Scholarship Luncheon appeared first on The National Herald.

ASTORIA – Elpida Vasiliadis is best known as the Souvlaki Lady but she never chose the name, she told the New York Times, “I never named my business. Everybody has always called me the Souvlaki Lady, and it stuck.”

For 28 years and counting, at the corner of 33rd Street and Broadway, Vasiliadis has been operating the food truck that draws long lines of customers each day to enjoy the authentic Greek flavors.

When she purchased the food truck from the previous owner, it was the only food truck in the area. Living just a block away, Vasiliadis could work and check in on her children as well, the Times reported.

Among the regular customers, Anthony Graciolett lines up and orders a hot dog with sauerkraut, eats it, then lines up again to order another hot dog, this time with mustard and onions, followed by another trip to the back of the line to order a pork souvlaki on the stick, and then back on the line for a chicken souvlaki on the stick to conclude his meal. He repeats the routine twice a week.

“I like a routine,” he told the Times, “I always order the same thing in the same order.”

The Greek recipes have been passed down to Vasiliadis from her parents who had a restaurant called Psilokastro in Thessaloniki. The pork souvlaki is “authentic Greek, the best in Astoria,” Stratos Efstathiadis from Thessaloniki told the Times.

Despite the fact that the line was so long that Vasiliadis never took a break, she told the Times that it was a relatively quiet day compared to days when the line stretches halfway down the block.

For many neighborhood families, visiting the Souvlaki Lady is a family tradition. In short, Nicole Szarka arrived at the food truck with her newborn daughter, Brailey, and her mother, Marie Galanos.

“The Souvlaki Lady is part of the neighborhood,” Szarka told the Times, adding that “it is the only food cart I trust with the meat.”

The Souvlaki Lady food truck is open daily, except Sundays, from 11:30 AM-7:30 PM and on Fridays, Vasiliadis’ daughter, Eleni, works the food truck, the Times reported.

The post The Souvlaki Lady: 28 Years and Counting in Astoria appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – With the primary election coming up on June 26, a fundraiser for Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was held on June 18 at the Russian Tea Room in Midtown Manhattan. Rep. Maloney is running for re-election in the 12th Congressional District where the world’s largest Greek diaspora community resides. Congressional District 12 includes Astoria, Long Island City, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and the majority of Manhattan’s East Side.

Maloney spoke with The National Herald, thanking the community for its support and noting the importance of voter turnout in the primary just one week away. Among those present at the event were Lou Katsos, host of the fundraiser, EMBCA founder and president, and newly elected President of AHEPA Delphi Chapter #25 and District 6 Lieutenant Governor, Demi Pamboukes- newly elected District 6 Governor, businessman and former New York City mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis, and Loula Loi Alafoyiannis- Founder and President of the Euro-American Women’s Council. Renowned classical crossover singer Anastasia Zannis sang the National Anthems of the U.S. and Greece at the event.

Katsos gave the welcoming remarks noting that “whatever Hellenic American activity takes place, whenever there was a request for her presence, Carolyn Maloney was there for us, and in my opinion, whoever is there for us, we have to be there for them.” He thanked all those in attendance for their support and especially Marina Belessis Casoria for her efforts.

“We are proud to support Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in her reelection campaign, our support crosses all party lines, we are united in our support for Carolyn and for the Hellenic Republic and Cyprus, get out the vote on June 26 for Carolyn Maloney,” Katsos said, adding that “she is a tireless fighter for our community.”

Maloney is the Founder of the Hellenic Congressional Caucus, which brings a focus on diplomatic, military, and economic issues in Greece, Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean. A champion of strong U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, Maloney is outspoken on the issues concerning the Hellenic community, including Turkey’s violations of international law and its illegal incursions into Greek airspace. She also actively supports a just and lasting settlement of the illegal Turkish occupation of the Republic of Cyprus.

Maloney thanked all those present for their support, noting her appreciation and that some came from as far as Philadelphia and California to attend the event. She also appreciates the bipartisan support. “The best legislation, I’ve always said, is bipartisan,” she observed. Maloney fought hard to bring $10 billion in federal funds into her district for infrastructure and development, and noted the completion of the first phase of the 2nd Avenue subway, the new Kosciusko Bridge, and the East side connector with a stop in Sunnyside, which will help the economic development of Queens, among other bills she has worked on.

When she first went to Congress, Maloney said the Turkish lobby was very powerful and there were votes practically every other day on the floor of Congress that benefitted Turkey and it was after the invasion of Imia, that she said this is getting out of hand. Many times she would meet with members of the Greek Parliament who were in Washington over the latest outrage. Since the founding of the Hellenic Caucus, Maloney noted that “not a single anti-Greek bill has passed, they don’t even bother to go to the floor because they know we have 180 members in the Caucus who will be voting against them.”

Maloney introduced a Congressional resolution to protect Greek Macedonian heritage in a mutually acceptable national name for the former Yugoslav Republic. She said “Macedonia is Greek” and does not approve of the name North Macedonia and does not agree with the deal.

The return of the Parthenon marbles is another issue Maloney spoke about, noting the bill she introduced on the issue, and urged everyone to encourage their representatives to vote for it and “bring the marbles back to Greece.”

On the economy of Greece, she noted the Hellenic Caucus’ efforts to support Greece “in pushing the IMF and Germany to renegotiate the terms of the settlement to be more gracious or forgiving in the restructuring and rebuilding of the economy.”

“It’s such an incredible country with incredible people, the birthplace of democracy, we in this nation owe so much to Greece,” Maloney said.

“Going forward, with your help I hope I can continue working for individuals, our city and state, and national legislation that protects immigrants. We went to a detention center in New Jersey yesterday, with a number of members of Congress, and met with fathers who all came to the country legally with their children and told stories of their children literally removed from them and they don’t even know where they are, so we are working to reconnect them so they can at least talk to them on the phone. We are working very hard to reunite them and put the families back together.”

“Carolyn Maloney is a friend who represents this community in the best way possible, represents all the people,” John Catsimatidis said, adding that he and his family members are voting for her, regardless of party affiliations.

“I am voting for Carolyn Maloney… More important than being a Republican or a Democrat is having commonsense and Carolyn Maloney has a lot of commonsense,” Catsimatidis said.

The Primary Election is on Tuesday, June 26.

The post Greek Community Shows Support at Fundraiser for Rep. Carolyn Maloney appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ex-New York Senate leader Dean Skelos and his son returned to a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday for the start of their retrial on corruption charges.

U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood told prospective jurors that Skelos and his son, Adam, were facing public corruption charges and she was seeking jurors who could be fair fact finders who would base their conclusions only on evidence they see and hear in court.

The panel of jurors was selected by 6 p.m. and Opening statements were likely to begin on Wednesday.

The trial is likely to last a month. Potential jurors filled out questionnaires last week and lawyers had analyzed them before the formal start of jury selection Tuesday.

At least one woman was stricken from the pool of potential jurors after indicating on a questionnaire that she “doesn’t support Republicans.”

Skelos and his son were convicted in 2015 of extortion, conspiracy and bribery. Dean Skelos, a 70-year-old Republican, was sentenced to five years in prison. His son got 6½ years. But neither had to serve time.

The convictions and the sentences were overturned by a Manhattan federal appeals panel that cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowing the definition of public corruption. The high court decision had reversed the bribery conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican.

The evidence in the Skelos retrial was expected to mirror what jurors saw at the first trial, when prosecutors said the once-powerful politician badgered companies that needed his political sway to funnel more than $300,000 to his son through consulting work, a no-show job and a payment of $20,000.

The father and son have both pleaded not guilty.

They are counting on a different result than what occurred at the retrial of former Democratic New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

He too had his conviction and a 12-year prison sentence reversed by the appeals court, which cited the Supreme Court McDonnell ruling. In May, a jury convicted him again at a retrial. Silver is awaiting sentencing.

The post Retrial Set to Begin for Dean Skelos and His Son appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK (AP) — A former president of the State University of New York’s Polytechnic Institute was alternately portrayed as a hero or a scoundrel at the opening of a corruption trial Monday over upstate construction projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zhou told a Manhattan jury that Kaloyeros made sure the “fix was in” so his preferred developers got lucrative deals in a development plan known as Buffalo Billion.

But defense lawyer Reid Weingarten depicted Kaloyeros, a 62-year-old Lebanese-born scientist, as “a hero in Albany” for creating high-technology jobs in an entirely legal effort to honor Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “request to spread the miracle” to upstate New York.

Raised in East Beirut, Lebanon, Alain Kaloyeros was a 19-year-old American University student caught up in that country’s then-roaring Civil War, joining a Christian militia before immigrating to the United States and blazing a university trail that made him one of New York’s top power brokers, a wheeler and dealer who liked frayed jeans and a wardrobe by John Varvatos.

Son of a Lebanese mother and Greek father, Kaloyeros, 60, used a gift of charm and unbridled confidence to woo politicians and business executives to invest in his vision of making upper New York state a high-technology heaven.

Kaloyeros is accused of conspiring with construction and real estate executives to rig bids for lucrative projects in Buffalo and Syracuse — an allegation that Weingarten said the defense team would “blow … into smithereens.”

The lawyer said it will be like “child’s play” to prove that the bidding process did not favor the defendants. Repeatedly, he referred to his client as “Dr. K.”

The trial is the second to rely heavily on emails from a long-time consultant with close ties to Cuomo. Lawyers for Kaloyeros and three co-defendants promised to show jurors that the consultant, Todd Howe, was responsible for any crimes that took place.

The first trial ended with the conviction of Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to the Democratic governor, and others on bribery and fraud charges. Howe’s testimony at Percoco’s trial led to Howe’s incarceration after he admitted violating his cooperation agreement with the government. He will not testify at the second trial.

Cuomo was not accused of wrongdoing at either trial.

Cuomo once called Kaloyeros his “economic guru,” and the governor invited him to appear at the announcement of various economic development projects.

But Zhou said Kaloyeros, who led the Polytechnic Institute until he resigned in October 2016, made sure Buffalo-area developer Louis Ciminielli, 62, got a more than half-billion-dollar deal to build a high-tech factory in Buffalo and that Syracuse-based COR Development, including top executives Steven Aiello, 60, and Joe Gerardi, 58, received a $100 million deal to build a factory and film studio in Syracuse.

“This is a case about lying and cheating to get large state construction contracts for hundreds of millions of dollars,” Zhou said.

Ciminelli and others in his company, LPCiminelli, contributed nearly $100,000 to Cuomo’s 2014 re-election campaign while COR executives and their relatives contributed $125,000 to Cuomo’s campaign.

Lawyers for Ciminielli, Aiello and Gerardi blamed Howe for smearing their clients’ good names, saying he was the criminal.

“No crimes were committed here,” said attorney Steve Coffey, representing Aiello.

“My client is not guilty of anything,” said Milton Williams, Gerardi’s lawyer. “This is a case about how my client, Joe Gerardi, was a victim of Todd Howe.”

—
By LARRY NEUMEISTER , Associated Press

The post Corruption Trial Begins for SUNY Poly’s Former Pres. Alain Kaloyeros appeared first on The National Herald.

KARPATHOS, Greece – Greek-American Maria Nikolaidis, 27, died tragically in a car accident while vacationing on the island of Karpathos.

While the details are still unclear, it is reported that she was in the car with her boyfriend Damianos Talakis, 34, when the car veered off the road and fell from a cliff resulting in both of them losing their lives.

As Rodiaki reported, the bodies of the unfortunate young people were found about 1km from the Arkasas – Foiniki road after residents and police searched for hours.

According to information in the Greek media, the two young people who had spent time at a club on the island were last seen early Friday morning. At noon on the same day they were reported missing at the Karpathos Police Station and the investigation began to locate them. Eventually their car was spotted at the bottom of a cliff where it had dropped from a height of about 50 meters.

Once the tragic news became known, the grieving relatives asked about the cause of the accident which is still under investigation, and many friends posted their condolences on Facebook.

The post Greek-American Maria Nikolaidis, 27, Killed in Car Accident on Karpathos appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON, MA – There is only one essential change in the program of the upcoming 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, to be held at Copley Marriott in Boston, MA, July 1-5.

On July 2, after Archbishop Demetrios’ keynote address, the theme being “All Things Are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ” (Mark 9:23), the delegates will not form the usual small groups to discuss and analyze the archbishop’s speech, as is usually the case.

Instead, there will be a three-hour open forum (2-5PM) to discuss the Archdiocese’s dire financial situation. As The National Herald revealed almost a year ago, the Archdiocese is virtually bankrupt. Among other things, it is forced to mortgage its Manhattan office building in order to obtain a $7 million loan just to pay its debts, and lack of funds have halted construction of the St. Nicholas National Shrine. These issues have caused embarrassment and ridicule to the Archdiocese, the Greek-American community, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, of which the Archdiocese is an Ecclesiastical Eparchy.

Audits by accounting firms continue, as do cost-cutting measures.

Meanwhile, the New York State Attorney General has expressed interest in investigating the finances of the Archdiocese and the funds for the Shrine.

CONGRESS AGENDA

It should be noted that the Boston Metropolis, which is hosting the 44th Clergy Laity Congress, did not hold its own local version last year or, to this point, this year, as the Rules of the Archdiocese mandate, and no accountability has been given.

The rest of the schedule follows:
June 30: Congress and Philoptochos registrations; National Forum of Church Musicians meeting.
July 1: Orthros and Divine Liturgy at Annunciation Cathedral; Opening at Exhibit Hall and Ribbon Cutting.
July 2: 9:30AM-12Noon, official Congress opening and Archbishop Demetrios’ keynote address; 2-5PM open forum: “Presentation and Discussion Concerning the Financial Status of the GOA”; 8-10PM, Administration Committee and Finance Committee meetings, CLC Ministry workshops and committee meetings, stewardship, outreach and evangelism, youth and young adult ministries, marriage and family, Center for Family Care, Internet ministries, Orthodox parish software, inter-Orthodox, ecumenical, and interfaith relations.
July 3: 9:30-11:30AM: Special recognition of retired clergy; Administration Committee and Finance Committee meetings; 11:30AM-1:30PM, lunch at Hellenic-College Holy Cross; 5:30PM, Philoptochos General Assembly.
July 4: 8-10AM, Administration Committee meeting, 10AM-12Noon, Finance Committee meeting’ 12Noon-1PM: Doxology prayer service, Fourth of July, entire attendees; 2:30-6PM, plenary session.
July 5: 10AM-4PM: Plenary session; Presentation for Adoption of GOA 2019-20 budget; discussion on proposed GOA regulation amendments; 12-3PM and 7-10PM, all other committee reports and CLC business; 10:30-11:30PM, Grand Banquet.

The post One Substantial Change on Clergy Laity Congress Schedule appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK (AP) — Opening statements are set to begin in the retrial of ex-New York Senate leader Dean Skelos (SKEH’-lohs) and his son on corruption charges.

Skelos and his son, Adam, were convicted in 2015 of extortion, conspiracy and bribery. Dean Skelos, a 70-year-old Republican, was sentenced to five years in prison. His son got 6½ years. But neither served time.

Prosecutors said the once-powerful politician badgered companies that needed his political sway to funnel more than $300,000 to his son through consulting work and a no-show job.

A new trial was ordered by a federal appeals court in Manhattan after the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the law regarding public corruption. Both have pleaded not guilty.

Opening statements are set to begin on Wednesday. The trial is likely to last a month.

The post Opening Statements in Skelos’ Retrial (Photos) appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK (AP) — A key cooperator for the prosecution could soon testify in a criminal case that grew from a New York State economic redevelopment plan known as the Buffalo Billion.

Kevin Schuler, a former executive at the construction firm LPCiminelli, pleaded guilty last month to charges that he committed fraud during the bidding process that led to the selection of his company to redevelop an old steel plant site on the Buffalo River.

Lawyers on Tuesday identified Schuler as a likely witness in the trial against his former boss, Louis Ciminelli, and Alain Kaloyeros, a former state university president accused of illegally steering state contracts to preferred developers on economic stimulus projects in Buffalo and Syracuse.

Jurors in Manhattan began hearing evidence in the case against Ciminelli, Kaloyeros and two other defendants on Monday.

The trial is the second one in which federal prosecutors have taken aim at people close to Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who made revitalization of former industrial cities a major initiative of his administration.

The first trial ended with the conviction of Joseph Percoco, one of the governor’s close aides. That prosecution was built with the help of another former Cuomo aide, lobbyist Todd Howe, who testified about his efforts to win contracts for companies paying him as a consultant. But Howe ran into new legal troubles mid-trial that caused prosecutors to sour on him as a witness and decide not to call him to the stand in this sequel prosecution.

Prosecutors instead are turning to Schuler to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the contracting process.

Defense lawyers say Schuler’s testimony may help prove their clients are innocent.

Kaloyeros is a former president of the State University of New York’s Polytechnic Institute who worked closely with Cuomo on upstate redevelopment plans.

On Monday, a prosecutor told jurors that Kaloyeros made sure the “fix was in” so favored developers, including LPCiminelli and the Syracuse firm, COR Development, got lucrative contracts. A defense lawyer said Kaloyeros worked within the law and was only trying to create high tech jobs and help the state.

COR received a $100 million deal to build a factory and film studio in Syracuse.

The post Cooperator Could Soon Testify in Alain Kaloyeros’ Case appeared first on The National Herald.

NE YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America released a statement on June 18 in defense of children and families, criticizing the use of a Bible passage to justify the separation of children from their parents at the U.S. southern border crossing, and expressing the hope for “a swift and just solution to this unfortunate and very painful situation.”

Follows the announcement:

In recent days, the words of St. Paul in the 13th chapter of his Epistle to the Romans have been circulating in the news. We are concerned and alarmed at the use of this biblical quote being used out of context to justify the strict application of a policy occurring at our southern border, which is detrimental to family life.

The numerous challenges of today’s world weaken the already strained bonds of every modern family. Family—a divine institution (cf. Ephesians 3:14)—is something that we as Orthodox Christians cherish and hold as sacred. Furthermore, when our Lord came into this world as a human being, he entered it as a child and part of a family. As a special creation of God the Father, no family deserves to be separated. The institution of the family is found from the beginning of the Book of Genesis (chapter 2). In love and harmony, the family finds joy, each member in the other. Reflecting this joy, the Psalmist proclaims, your children will be like olive trees around your table (Psalm 127/128:3b). Let us bear in mind that the branch of an olive tree is a universal symbol of peace, not something to be torn apart and broken.

It is for peace and for a dignified and humane solution to this unfortunate situation that we, together with people of good faith across our great nation, urgently entreat. Children should not, under any circumstances, be punished for things that are beyond their control. Our hearts go out to those suffering under these terrible conditions. We pray for them, that their families soon be restored, and pray that the proper authorities find a swift and just solution to this unfortunate and very painful situation.

The post Archdiocese Criticizes Separation of Children from Parents appeared first on The National Herald.

KARPATHOS, Greece – Greek-American Maria Nikolaidis, 27, of Florida, died tragically in a car accident while vacationing on the island of Karpathos.

While the details are still unclear, it is reported that she was in the car with her boyfriend Damianos Talakis, 34, when the car veered off the road and fell from a cliff resulting in both of them losing their lives.

As Rodiaki reported, the bodies of the unfortunate young people were found about 1 km from the Arkasas – Foiniki road after residents and police searched for hours.

According to information in the Greek media, the two young people who had spent time at a club on the island were last seen early Friday morning, June 15. At noon on the same day they were reported missing at the Karpathos Police Station and the investigation began to locate them. Eventually their car was spotted at the bottom of a cliff where it had dropped from a height of about 50 meters.

Once the tragic news became known, the grieving relatives asked about the cause of the accident which is still under investigation, and many friends posted their condolences on Facebook.

The funeral for both Nikolaidis and Talakis took place on June 18 at the Church of the Ypapanti of the Savior in Arkasa, Karpathos, where the whole village gathered to mourn the two young people who cared so deeply for one another, as Fr. Spyridon Karamalis told The National Herald. The two coffins were side by side in the church and were then buried in the same cemetery in Arkasa.

Maria was much beloved in the community and loved Karpathos her entire life as both her parents came from the island and visited often. She had many beloved friends on the island including Talakis.

“The whole village is overwhelmed,” the priest said.

The unfortunate young woman’s grieving parents were too upset to speak about the tragedy with TNH according to family friend Nikos Tsambounieris, who also noted that the parents will remain on the island until all the traditional ecclesiastical ceremonies are concluded.

All the relatives from the United States and Athens attended the funeral along with Nikolaidis’ parents and brother.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere is heavy with grief at the Nikolaides family restaurant, the Egg House in Lake Wales, Florida.

The restaurant manager Nelly Vargas told TNH that Maria worked at the family-owned restaurant. She said, “Maria was a very dear person, everyone loved her and admired her. She was always smiling whatever happened.”

When we asked her about the atmosphere now in the restaurant, Vargas replied that “it’s very difficult, we go day by day” and added that “it will not be the same without Maria.”

Nikolaidis lived in Florida with her family but went very often to Karpathos. Her Facebook page reveals a very lively and talented young woman whose life was cut short prematurely.

The post Funeral for Maria Nikolaidis and Damianos Talakis in Karpathos appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK (AP) — A prosecutor told a jury at the opening of a criminal trial Wednesday that former New York state Senate leader Dean Skelos and his son were motivated by greed when they pressured businesses to funnel over $300,000 to the son.

Defense lawyers disputed the claims of Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Zolkind, saying Skelos and his son Adam did nothing wrong in dealings that brought an unnatural halt to the 70-year-old Republican’s legislative career.

Zolkind said the case was “about the abuse of political power to satisfy personal greed.”

He accused the elder Skelos of following a “pattern of old fashioned political corruption” when he “strong-armed” three businesses into enriching his son through consulting work, a no-show job and a payment of $20,000.

The businesses included one of New York’s biggest real estate developers, an Arizona-based company that removed toxins from storm water and a medical malpractice insurance company. Zolkind said laws passed by New York’s legislature were crucial to company profits and Dean Skelos was pivotal to the process.

Attorney G. Robert Gage Jr., representing Dean Skelos, said his client was “not guilty and, in fact, innocent.” He said that when Skelos asked for help for his son, he “never did so with criminal intent.”

Attorney Julian Brod, representing Adam Skelos, said there was never a corrupt agreement between the defendants and the business representatives they supposedly pressured.

The character of Adam Skelos was a subject of opening statements after Zolkind said evidence will include proof that Adam Skelos threatened to “bash the skull” of his supervisor and told him he “wasn’t fit to shine his shoes” when the executive complained that he wasn’t showing up for work at a job that was arranged corruptly by his father.

Gage said Adam Skelos can “on occasion … be a very volatile man, can go off the rails.”

Brod told jurors not to penalize his client for his behavior, conceding he was “not employee of the month” and said some things to his boss that “Adam should be, and is, ashamed of.”

“That’s what happens when your whole life spills out in a courtroom,” Brod said. “He’s not always his own best friend.”

The men were convicted in 2015 of extortion, conspiracy and bribery. Dean Skelos was sentenced to five years in prison. His son got 6½ years. But neither served time.

A new trial was ordered by a federal appeals court in Manhattan after the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the law regarding public corruption as it reversed the conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

The trial is likely to last a month.

—
By LARRY NEUMEISTER , Associated Press

The post Prosecutor: Greed Corrupted Ex-state Senate Leader Dean Skelos and Son appeared first on The National Herald.

ASTORIA – Cleanthis Meimaroglou is the new President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, succeeding Petros Galatoulas, who served for four years in the post. The election of the new Board of Directors took place on June 3.

Mr. Meimaroglou is considered an experienced member of the Federation, having served on the Board in various positions, including 2nd Vice President and General Secretary.

As a result of elections, Mr. Galatoulas remains on the Board as First Vice-President with Nomiki Kastanas as 2nd Vice-President, Aris Kourkoumelis- 3rd Vice-President, and Ioannis Pigiou- 4th Vice-President.

Dionysios Pilarinos was elected General Secretary, along with the other Secretaries- Spyridoula Tsoukalas- Practice, Kiki Chrysomalidis- English and Correspondence, and Anna Notis- Internet.

Athanasios Aronis was elected Treasurer of the Federation, with Deputy Demetris Paliouras. The Public Relations Commissioner will be the Honorary President of the Ionian Cultural Federation, Nikos Bardis, while George Seretis will be the spokesperson for the press.

“I think we will do very well. The Federation will continue its ascendant course, when prominent executives participate in the Board. The participation of young men and women strengthens the Federation, and we are sure we will go even further,” Galatoulas told the National Herald, expressing his thanks through the TNH to all the people he worked with during his four-year presidency, inviting everyone to support the new president.

It is noted that the Board members Basile Gournelos, Stefanos Amanatidis, Vasilis Eglezos, Avgerini Katechis, Giannis Nikolopoulos, Pantelis Zotos, Demetrius Kalamaras, and Apostolos Trambakoulos are expected to serve on the Federation committees, but have not yet been assigned their new positions.

The post Cleanthis Meimaroglou is the New President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies appeared first on The National Herald.

CHICAGO – The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation held its annual Awards Ceremony & Gala at the Hilton Chicago on June 16. The PanHellenic broke a new record this year by awarding 45 talented Greek American undergraduates with a total of $260,000 in scholarship awards.

Celebrations began on Friday, June 15 with an Alumni Weekend Welcome Reception at Holland & Knight courtesy of the Foundation’s pro bono counsel, Elias Matsakis and co-sponsored by College Year in Athens. 2018 Recipients, PanHellenic Alumni, and other Greek American young professionals enjoyed food and drinks while admiring the Chicago skyline.

Saturday morning, 2018 Recipients, PanHellenic Alumni, and other young professionals met at the Racquet Club of Chicago for the 2nd Annual Mentorship Luncheon graciously hosted by Nick Alexos and sponsored by The Hellenic Initiative. Over lunch, students engaged in meaningful advising from an impressive group of mentors. Mentors included: Nicholas W. Alexos, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.; Michael Konidaris, Principal Economist, Macroeconomic Advisers by IHS Markit; Stephen J. Livaditis, Managing Director-Eastdil Secured, LLC; Doretta Mistras, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs; Tim S. Provias, MD, MPH, Interventional Cardiology Specialist, Northwestern Medicine; Evonne Sepsis, Managing Director and Founder, ESC Advisors; Georgia Giakoumis Spear, MD, Chief of the Department of Breast Imaging, NorthShore University; Maria Spiropulu, PHD, Shang-Yi Ch’en Professor of Physics, California Institute of Technology; Gregory Tsonis, ESQ, Litigation Associate, Kirkland & Ellis; and Eric Vassilatos, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Vivid Seats. After lunch was served, keynote speaker, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, gave a powerful speech encouraging millennials to continue their good works and giving back to the community.

Saturday evening began with the Awards Ceremony. John Manos, Treasurer and Trustee of the PanHellenic, conducted the Awards Ceremony for the 2018 Scholarship Recipients. Presenting the awards were Dr. Constantine Georgakis, Chairman of the Academic Committee, and Robert A. Buhler, Chairman and Trustee. The Foundation was overjoyed to award such an impressive group of young Greek Americans this year.

Following the Awards Ceremony, the PanHellenic featured its exclusive Gala video showing how the Foundation provides more than just financial aid to students, hence the 2018 Gala theme – “Beyond a Scholarship.” The video features 2007 Scholarship Recipient Demi Giannaras, speaking of her close relationship with the PanHellenic, her friendship with the beloved late Founder, Chris P. Tomaras, and how it has influenced her life.

Mr. Buhler then presented the Chairman’s Report, describing how the PanHellenic will continue to go “Beyond a Scholarship” and provide scholars with more opportunities. Buhler also unveiled the new giving program called Scholarship Society. This unique program allows donors to pledge one $10,000 scholarship each year for 5 or 10 years, while enjoying a closer connection to the Foundation and their scholars.

This year’s Paradigm Honoree was Greek-American former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. Presenting the Award this year was Athan P. Sotos, Secretary and Trustee of the PanHellenic. Mr. Sotos explained that the Paradigm presentation was always the apex of the Awards Ceremony for Mr. Tomaras because this was the chance to truly inspire the recipients.

Mr. Priebus gave a passionate speech about how Hellenic values such as faith, family, and philotimo set Greek Americans apart and truly enhance the fabric of American society. He recalled his childhood and how his Hellenic upbringing truly propelled him in life. Priebus reminded us that even though our parents and grandparents came to this country with very little, they all came looking for the same set of freedoms that are entitled to all people. No matter what our differences are we are bound together by our love of freedom. At the end of his speech, Priebus reminded scholars that they must go forward through life in service of one another, to never let their talents go to waste, and as they continue on, their education will help them reach their highest goals and help advance society.

Following the Paradigm Presentation, the Foundation honored two generous sets of donors who have already fulfilled their Scholarship Society pledges, with contributions totaling $100,000 or more, Jimmy and Eleni Bousis and John and Mary Pappajohn. The Foundation thanked them for all their efforts for the Greek American community.

Following the Awards Ceremony guests enjoyed cocktails in the Hilton’s beautiful Normandie Lounge, and then a wonderful dinner served in the Grand Ballroom. Scholars then opened the dance floor by leading the first dance with entertainment provided by Yanni Papastefanou & Orchestra, featuring Helena Panayi and Roula Vassos who all traveled to Chicago from New York.

The post PanHellenic Awards Ceremony & Gala Breaks Record with $260,000 in Scholarships appeared first on The National Herald.