HOUSTON – Michael J. Poulos passed away in Houston on November 16. He was 87 years of age.

Born on February 13, 1931, he was one of three children with older brother Tony and younger sister Stella. His parents, James and Sparango Poulos were born in Greece, immigrated to the United States in 1927 and became U.S. citizens shortly thereafter. Their home was in Hudson Falls, a small village in upstate New York – 200 miles north of New York City.

The Poulos family was very proud of their Greek heritage and as was customary with many Greek immigrants, their children attended Greek school in addition to English school on a daily basis. Therefore, Michael as well as his brother and sister became bilingual.

The Poulos family was financially poor, but rich in ethics, morals, and principles. Michael worked from the time he was 15, and still managed to maintain a perfect “A” average during his four years of high school.

Michael graduated with highest honors from Hudson Falls High School in 1949. He attended and graduated from Colgate University in 1953. He received a scholarship for his tuition and had a job on campus that earned him his room and board. In 1949 when he first went to Colgate, he literally borrowed a suitcase and hitchhiked the 200 miles from Hudson Falls to Hamilton, NY where Colgate is located.

Shortly after graduating from Colgate in 1953 he entered the restaurant business with his soon to be father-in-law, Nicolas Kefalas. He married his college roommate’s sister, Bessie Kefalas in 1954.

He stayed in the restaurant business for five years and in 1958 he joined the United States Life Insurance Company (USLIFC) in New York City as a management trainee. During this time, he also attended graduate school and received his MBA from New York University in 1963.

His career with the USLIFC spanned 13 years and included positions in sales, finance, and administration. In 1970, he moved with his family to Sacramento, CA where he joined California – Western States Life Insurance Company as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. In 1975, he was elected President and CEO of that company and served in that capacity until 1980 when Houston-based American General Corporation acquired Cal-Western. Mr. Poulos and his family moved to Houston in 1980 where he assumed an executive position at corporate headquarters. He served as President of American General Corporation from 1981 to 1991 and Vice Chairman from 1991 until his retirement in 1993. He served as a Director of American General Corporation from 1980 to 1993 and again from 1998 to 2001.

Following his retirement from American General in 1993 he joined Western National Corporation – a small Texas life insurance company – as Chairman, President, and CEO. In 1994, he took the company public and in a span of four years it became the number one company in the United States in the sale of annuities through financial institutions. In 1998, American General purchased Western National and Mr. Poulos again rejoined the American General Board of Directors.

In 2004, Poulos and a small group of insurance executives purchased the Forethought Life Insurance Company in Batesville, IN. Poulos served as Chairman of the Board and lead director for several years and that company became a major underwriter of life insurance and annuities nationwide. In 2014, the company was sold in an all cash transaction to Global Atlantic Financial Group in New York City, thus ending Poulos’ 56-year career in the life insurance business.

During those 56 years, Poulos served on a number of corporate boards including: USLIFE Corp.; California Western States Life Insurance Company; American General Corporation; Forethought Financial Group Inc.; Technical Olympic USA; and Century Shares Trust in Boston.

He served as a director/trustee of several non-profit organizations, including Colgate University, Sam Houston Council Boy Scouts of America, Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, and the Texas Heart Institute Foundation Board. He also served as a Director of the Texas Association of Life Insurance Companies; and the Association of Life Insurance Companies in California. Industry and professional memberships included The American Society of CLU; The National Association of Life Underwriters; Beta Gamma Sigma; and life member of Delta Sigma Phi.

Michael Poulos was married to the former Bessie Kefalas from 1954 until her death in 1982. They had two children: Denise V. Poulos, currently of Houston; and Peter J. Poulos, who died in 2001.

In 1984, he married the former Mary Kay Leslie, who has two adult children, Vicki Lynn and Carol Buckner. Michael and Mary Kay together have eight grandchildren, Michael James Poulos II, Megan Poulos, Taylor Poulos, Petra Poulos, Hutch Hagendorf, Haley Hagendorf, Madison Buckner, Kelly Buckner; and three great grandchildren, Michael James Poulos III, Nicholas James Poulos, and Matthew Peter Poulos.

Poulos co-founded and served as president of the Michael J. and Mary K. Poulos Foundation, which was formed in 1995. It has supported many charitable and non-profit organizations, including Colgate University, where Mr. Poulos’ contributions established a scholarship endowment fund for financially needy students. Hundreds of students have been able to attend and graduate from Colgate University with financial assistance from the Michael J. Poulos Endowment Fund, which was first established in 1993.

Poulos received many citations and honors during his lifetime, including membership in the very prestigious James B. Colgate Society at Colgate University; and in 2013 he received the Wm. Brian Little Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, the highest honor awarded to Colgate alumni.

Poulos was a member of the River Oaks Country Club in Houston; and the University Club in New York City.

Friends are cordially invited to share remembrances of Mr. Poulos during a visitation to be held from 5-7:30 PM on Monday, November 26, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Trisagion Prayers are to immediately follow.

The funeral service is to be conducted at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 27 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a Makaria luncheon at a venue to be announced during the service.

At a later date, the family will gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Mr. Poulos’ name be directed to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Expansion Program, 3511 Yoakum Blvd, Houston, TX, 77006.

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Though the temperatures are cooling down and the days getting shorter, it is still the perfect time to add books to your reading list. With an eye towards the holiday gift-giving season, for book lovers, there is something for everyone, whether they are fascinated by history or searching for a charming romance novel.

Those interested in history will undoubtedly be impressed by the work of Sofia Kontogeorge Kostos who researched and edited Before The Silence: Archival News Reports of the Christian Holocaust. The book includes a foreword by Dennis Papazian, Professor Emeritus of the University of Michigan at Dearborn, Founding Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America, Co-Chairman Board of Directors, Washington, DC, and an introduction by Elias Neofytides, producer and director of Macedonian TV of USA, co-founder of the Pan-Macedonian Studies Center, and a contributor to The National Herald.

According to the book description, “By design, people at large were not supposed to know about the deliberate extermination of the Christian populations––the Armenians, the Assyrians, and the Greeks that once lived in Asia Minor (now Turkey) for many centuries.

“By design the terrible truths were withheld from us through a conspiracy of silence. Books that were written by U.S. officials were stolen from libraries; were not allowed to be reprinted; and were made unavailable in bookstores. It was only after the 75-year copyright laws were lifted, that some of the eyewitness books were reprinted.

“The U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Henry Morgenthau, described the extermination policies in Turkey as ‘The Greatest Horror in History.’ Please see: The American Red Cross Magazine, March 1918.

“After extensive research, each word of the archival news reports was replicated. Before the Silence contains more than 200 English language news reports from as far as Japan and Australia, between the years 1922 to 1926.”

Before the Silence also includes photographs, footnotes, commentaries by experts in their fields, and cross-references to books and other news reports.

Greek author Effrosyni Moschoudi has set her new novel in a village in Corfu where an ancient evil threatens the characters with mortal danger. An Amazon bestselling author, Moschoudi released her fantasy romance, The Raven Witch of Corfu, in four compelling Kindle episodes on Amazon in October. The paperback edition is now also available on Amazon. Readers who share Moschoudi’s love and passion for Corfu will enjoy the description of the island in the book.

The first episode topped the bestseller list on Amazon U.S. as a new release in Greek and Roman literature just four days after it was released. The book begins with Lizzie arriving on the idyllic island of Corfu, about to undertake the daunting task of finding her twin brother who was kidnapped twenty years earlier in a cave by an evil witch. Complicating matters is Stamatis, a handsome local who steals her heart.

Mouschoudi’s debut novel, The Necklace of Goddess Athena received a silver medal in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards in 2017. A supernatural suspense fantasy, the book features the Olympian gods and time travel. When Phevos turns twenty, his father sends him on a time-traveling journey from ancient to modern-day Athens without telling him why. While there, Phevos finds new friends, romantic love, and a trail of clues that lead to shocking revelations.

The books mentioned above are available online.

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NEW YORK – The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Philoptochos Society held its 65^th Annual Chrysanthemum Ball at Manhattan’s historic Metropolitan Club on November 16. The event honored His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
The Chrysanthemum Ball, which marks the beginning of the autumn season for the Philoptochos, is one of the organization’s most important sources of revenue to continue to carry out its charitable work.

Among the honored guests were the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Ambassador Maria Theofili, the Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras, Consul of Greece Lana Zochiou, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral Rev. Fr. John Vlahos with his wife Presvytera Tina Vlahos, the Reverend Robert Stephanopoulos and his wife the Presvytera Nikki Stephanopoulos, philanthropist Mary Jaharis, Philoptochos Direct Archdiocesan District President Jennifer Constantin, and Cathedral Board President James Gianakis.

Carol Contos and Lilian Johnson, the chairpersons of the Ball, welcomed the guests, while Fr. Vlahos lead the prayer which officially kicked off the event. Philoptochos President, Dr. Miranda Kofinas, welcomed the attendees, “It is a great pleasure and honor to welcome you to the 2018 Chrysanthemum Ball, honoring His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America. The Philoptochos of the Cathedral recognizes and appreciates the efforts and the work of Mary Jaharis. We also thank the committee and those who helped organize tonight’s gala. The Chrysanthemum Ball is not only a celebration, but also an opportunity to gather both the necessary funds for our organization and to inform the public about our mission. Every year an army of women spreads faith, hope, and love”

“In addition to supporting those affected by the fires that hit Attica last summer, the New York chapter of the Philoptochos also has a homeless support program and provides a range of other services, including financial assistance to students, the poor and the elderly,” she said.

“Tonight, we celebrate our Spiritual Father [Archbishop Demetrios], for his outstanding leadership and humanitarian work,” Dr. Kofinas concluded.

George Tsandikos, Vice Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council, spoke about the life of the Archbishop. His Eminence was born Demetrios Trakatellis in Thessaloniki. In 1950, he graduated with distinction from the Theological School of the University of Athens. He was ordained a deacon in 1960, a priest in 1964, and became bishop on September 17, 1967. After obtaining two PhD degrees from Harvard University and the University of Athens, respectively, he taught at the Holy Cross Theology School and at Harvard. After his election in the summer of 1999, Demetrios Trakatellis was appointed Archbishop of America on September 18, 1999.

After receiving his award, His Eminence expressed his sincere thanks to all the speakers, as well as to all the women of the Philoptochos.

He said, “I am deeply obliged to the Greek-American immigrants as well as to the Philoptochos. I have known about the Philoptochos since the years of my youth – since just after World War II. After arriving in the United States, I became even closer to the Philoptochos. Ever since then, wherever I am, I always mention and commend its praiseworthy work. The ladies of the Philoptochos are an army of twenty-five thousand, who provide unceasingly to those less fortunate, impressing everyone – Greeks and non-Greeks alike.”

“The Philoptochos was not created for the first time in the twentieth century, but in the first century after Christ,” noted Archbishop Demetrios. “In St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul offers a long list of influential people, including women, in the ecclesiastical community. This long and important list of female names proves that the Philoptochos has had a long history lasting over twenty centuries.”

The Archbishop concluded his speech by stating that the “historians of the future will mention the names of the Philoptochos women with the same appreciation and respect as St. Paul.”

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ATHENS – In a special ceremony at the Archdiocese of Athens on October 11, His Beatitude Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, awarded the Archdiocese’s highest honor, the Medal of the Order of St. Dionysios Areopagitou, to the San Antonio Area Foundation in memory of Greek businessman John L. Santikos, whose generous bequest to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) assists people facing hardship in Greece and will continue to do so for years to come.

The John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation, a fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, has granted funding to IOCC for relief programs in Greece, Santikos’ country of origin. Since 2015, Santikos funding has supported IOCC’s response to the ongoing economic and refugee crises facing the country.

Area Foundation President and COO Rebecca Brune accepted the medal on the foundation’s behalf. Brune said that the Area Foundation, which manages the Santikos estate, “is honored to be part of the impactful work and partnership between IOCC and Apostoli.”

She continued, “We are merely the vessel in bringing your vision to life and will continue to serve to both deepen and honor the legacy of Mr. John L. Santikos.”

Brune was in the country, along with IOCC Chairman of the Board Mark Stavropoulos, IOCC Executive Director and CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou, and IOCC Director of Operations Stacey Mason, to see firsthand IOCC programming implemented in cooperation with Apostoli, the humanitarian arm of the Archdiocese of Athens. It was the first official visit to project sites by an Area Foundation representative.

Throughout the nearly week-long trip, the executives were accompanied by program staff with intimate knowledge of the various projects and assistance IOCC is providing. They surveyed ongoing response to the July 2018 fires in the east Attica village of Mati, the Archdiocese’s tutoring center for low-income students, and its community center offering language and integration assistance to refugees. The group also visited livelihood projects in the Thessaloniki area, where IOCC support for agriculture associations and small businesses—equipment, training, and business mentoring—is creating jobs and strengthening communities. The visitors spoke with people who have benefited from this programming, who noted the important difference it has made for their families and communities.
The John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation, a fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, was created by John L. Santikos—entrepreneur, real estate developer, and movie theatre businessman—who passed away December 30, 2014. Mr. Santikos gifted the bulk of his estate to the San Antonio Area Foundation to establish his legacy, continue the successful operation of his businesses, and make significant annual donations beyond his lifetime. He directed his support for nonprofits in eight Texas counties who offer a wide range of charitable programs. The San Antonio Area Foundation has served as the sole, designated community foundation for the San Antonio area for over half a century, growing to become one of the Top 20 foundations in the nation based on asset size. More information is available online: saafdn.org/santikos.

IOCC is the humanitarian and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has provided more than $661 million in humanitarian relief and sustainable development programs in over 60 countries worldwide. Today, IOCC applies its expertise in humanitarian response to man-made and natural crises in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States, offering assistance based solely on need. Learn more at iocc.org.

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WASHINGTON (BUSINESS WIRE)- CAVA Group Inc. (“CAVA”), a privately held and fast growing Mediterranean culinary brand, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Zoe’s Kitchen, Inc., (NYSE: ZOES or “Zoës Kitchen”) and that Thursday, November 22nd will be the first day of operations for the combined company.

Zoës Kitchen shareholders received $12.75 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $300 million, as was originally announced on August 16, 2018. The acquisition will bring Zoës Kitchen into the private market, following a four-year run as a publicly traded entity.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting milestone for CAVA, and we’re thrilled to welcome Zoës Kitchen to our team. Together, these two brands are united by a shared heritage and passion for exceptional Mediterranean cuisine,” Brett Schulman, CAVA Chief Executive Officer said. “With this acquisition, CAVA will be able to broaden our geographic footprint and meet the needs of even more guests — whether in Bethesda or Birmingham, Plano or Pasadena — who crave delicious, healthy food without compromise. As part of the CAVA family, Zoës Kitchen will benefit from CAVA’s track record of bold culinary innovation and leveraging data and technology to drive growth and convenience.”

As a combined company, CAVA will be the first omni-channel platform in the fast-casual space that leverages two unique service models and their rapidly growing digital and app-based sales channels, a line of chef-crafted dips and spreads that can be found in more than 250 Whole Foods Markets nationwide, and relationships with delivery service providers to truly meet guest demand no matter where, how, or when they want their meal. The combined company will also position the CAVA brand to be the leading authority in Mediterranean culinary in the United States – with a workforce of more than 8,000 team members across 24 states.

While Washington D.C. will serve as headquarters for the combined company, CAVA will maintain a meaningful presence in Plano, Texas – home to Zoës Kitchen. The Zoës Kitchen brand will remain in-tact for the foreseeable future. Brett Schulman will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the combined company and today Kevin Miles will be completing his tenure as CEO of Zoës Kitchen. Kevin Miles started with Zoës Kitchen in 2009. Under his leadership, Mr. Miles grew the privately held restaurant chain from 21 locations in 7 states and approximately $24 million in annual revenue to a public company with 268 locations in 20 states and approximately $340 million of annual revenue.

Mr. Miles stated, “It’s been an honor and privilege to lead the growth of this amazing organization over the past nine years. It’s been a total team effort and I’m most proud of the positive impact that the Zoës team has had on so many lives, including our team members, guests and business partners. I also want to thank the support of our investors over the years.”

About CAVA

CAVA was born out of a desire to fuel full lives through a bold and innovative food culture rooted in the heritage of the culinary brand’s founders Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos and Executive Chef Dimitri Moshovitis. The three first-generation Greek Americans are childhood friends who wanted to bring the authentic Mediterranean flavors and experiences of their Greek upbringing to a wider audience in a modern, accessible format. The trio then partnered with CAVA CEO Brett Schulman to grow the company. Together, CAVA has evolved into an organization with more than 70 chef-casual restaurants across 10 states and a successful line of chef-crafted dips and spreads sold in more than 250 Whole Foods Market locations and other speciality grocery stores around the country. For a full list of open and upcoming locations, visit: cava.com/locations. For more information, please visit www.cava.com and follow CAVA on social media.

About Zoës Kitchen

Founded in 1995, Zoës Kitchen is a fast-casual restaurant group serving a distinct menu of fresh, wholesome, made-from-scratch, Mediterranean-inspired dishes delivered with warm hospitality. With no microwaves, or fryers, grilling is the predominant method of cooking along with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, olive oil and lean proteins. With more than 260 locations in 20 states across the United States, Zoës Kitchen delivers goodness to its guests by sharing simple, tasty and fresh Mediterranean meals that inspire guests to lead a balanced lifestyle and feel their best from the inside out. For more information, please visit www.zoeskitchen.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or follow #LiveMed.

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CAMPBELL, OH – Funeral services were held for John Michael Haralambis, 78, on November 20 at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, with Father Steve Denas presiding. Haralambis passed away on November 13 with his loving family by his side after a valiant fight against cancer.

Haralambis was born December 8, 1939, in Astypalea, Greece, the son of Michael and Maria (Lambrinos) Haralambis. He came to the United States and moved to Campbell in 1967 and was proud to become a United States citizen in 1977.

Haralambis worked for various painting contractors, working all over the United States, painting bridges. He was a member of Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church and the Painters Union 476.

Haralambis enjoyed traveling and every year would visit family and friends in Greece. He also enjoyed swimming in the ocean, going to casinos to play the slots, card games with his friends, and working in his garden. An avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he was also an excellent cook.

He is survived by his beloved wife, the former Edith “Edie” Curtis; two sisters-in-law, Claire Haralambis and Maribeth Curtis; two brothers-in-law, Robert (Jenna) Curtis and Gary (Carrie) Curtis, along with many nieces and nephews in the United States and in Greece. He also leaves his two nephews, who were like his sons, Michael Haralambis, Bobby Curtis and Goddaughter Marie Haralambis.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by five brothers, Manuel, George, Nick, Gus, and Jack Haralambis; his father and mother-in-law, Roy (Irene) Curtis and a brother-in-law, Billy Curtis.

Family and friends may paid their respects on November 20 at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Campbell. The burial followed the services at Archangel Michael Orthodox Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market Street, Boardman. Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to send condolences to the family or sign the guestbook.

Haralambis’ family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of the seventh floor at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, Dr. Maria Miklowski and the Cleveland Clinic G91 and also to Hospice of The Valley for all the care and compassion shown to John throughout this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in John’s name to Hospice of The Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512.

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CHICAGO – The National Hellenic Museum hosted its annual Kouzina event November 3, bringing together some of the city’s most esteemed chefs to serve up delicious sweet and savory dishes with “a twist on the classics.”

Chef Peter Kappos, at Greektown’s famous Greek Islands Restaurant for 36 years, entertained guests’ tastebuds with very season appropriate pumpkin flutes. Chef Larry Feldmeier of The Albert created a delectable dish featuring braised lamb shoulder with sprouted lentils, harissa and orange, while Taxim Restaurant owner and chef David Schneider served homemade Greek yogurt with traditional spoon sweets.

“Greece has thousands of recipes, thousands of islands, thousands of villages, many mountains. We are not a two dimensional people, we are a four dimensional people in space, time region, mountain, ocean, north, south, east west, Macedonia to Cyprus, all of these regions have to be represented if you want to have a proper Greek menu,” Schneider said.

Chef John Gatsos, who has been with the famous Tavern on Rush for 16 years, paid tribute to his grandmother with traditional domlades and avgolemono sauce, sprinkled with edible flowers. “Yiayia would not have added the flowers…I think they would have eaten them right out of the katsarola,” he said.

Over in the sweets room, pastry chef Alain Roby of All Chocolate Kitchen treated guests to a caramel pumpkin galaktoboureko, while Sophie Evanoff of Vanille served caramel macarons decorated with Greek flags and the Greek evil eye.

Featured chefs and restaurants this year included Louie Alexakis (Avli Estatorio), George Bournas (Psistaria), Sophie Evanoff (Vanille Patisserie), Larry Feldmeier (The Albert), John Gatsos (Tavern on Rush), Mark Grimes (Che Figata), Nate Henssler (Portsmith), Peter Kappos (Greek Islands Restaurant), Tom Leo (Grecian Delight Foods) Jorgina Pereira (Sinha Elegant Cuisine), Alain Roby (All Chocolate Kitchen), David Schneider (Taxim), Adam Tanner (CityGate Grille), and Elizabeth J. Tokarczyk (Inspired Catering).

“This is an event we’ve had for many many years…we have a nice turnout here, we have local chefs here tonight… Kouzina is a very good event,” said NHM Chairman of the Board John P. Calamos.

Attendees enjoyed an open bar, special dishes and desserts, music, and a take-home calendar filled with recipes for the dishes served by chefs that night. In addition, the museum’s top floor was open and dedicated to wine tasting for the evening.

Proceeds from the $150 ticket benefit the National Hellenic Museum’s various exhibits and programs and events which include scholarly book presentations; art, dance and language lessons; as well as museum tours for visiting students.

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NEW YORK – The city lights are welcoming at night. On 33rd Street, opposite the train station and Madison Square Garden, a line of people has spread across the square. No, it’s not for a fight or a concert. People are waiting for food. A little bread, a hot coffee, a tea. The homeless people of the Manhattan neighborhood await the team from the National Philoptochos Society of the Archdiocese of America at their well-known appointment.

For four years, on the last Tuesday of the month, the Philoptochos’ members set up tables in the street and offer freshly cooked, hot food to those in need. The pioneer of this program was the Philoptochos of New Rochelle.

“The National Philoptochos is known for feeding the homeless for fifty years. But the idea for tables in the street which began 10 years ago belongs to the New Rochelle Philoptochos. They come into city the last Thursday of each month and we come in on the last Tuesday. We start at 5:30 in the afternoon and stay for about three hours. Usually the food runs out earlier,” said Jennifer Constantin, President of the National Philoptochos.

She continued, “We cook all day to feed these people fresh food. Meat stew (kokkinisto kreas), moussaka, pastitsio, and homemade pastries. Galaktoboureko, baklava, kataifi. We have two kinds to choose from. We do not use canned foods like other places do. We give fresh food from the heart.”

His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela is always by their side. He told The National Herald that “the Philoptochos does not want to deal only with the administration but also to do something more personal. It is personal contact with people who are homeless. They are like us, but unfortunately we do not see them as people, we pass by them and we are rushing to go home. It is an opportunity for us to meet them, to talk to them, to embrace them, to show them that God has not forgotten them.”

The ladies of the Philoptochos start cooking early in the morning. They always prepare two choices for the meal. Meat and ladera cooked vegetables or chicken. They offer fruit, hot coffee and tea, bottled water and, of course, home-made desserts. They always have a bagel or bread roll with peanut butter or jam for the people to take with them for the next morning.

The people wait patiently for their turn. Women and men behind the counter, sometimes their children, and the Philoptochos ladies politely ask the homeless what they prefer to eat. “How do you drink your coffee? Do you want a baklava or kataifi?” “What is a kataifi?” someone asks.

The Philoptochos volunteers are not only there to feed the homeless. They talk with them, they share their news. Some have applied for government housing. “I’m waiting for the news, I hope they give it to me soon,” a lady will say, taking her food.

Reaching the end of the table, Constantin fills bags of essentials. Toothbrushes, combs, socks for the cold weather, tissues. “We try to find big companies that want to help and we get some things at good prices. These socks are of good quality and are odor-resistant, as some of these people wear them for a long time,” she told TNH.

As the winter approaches, the ladies of the Philoptochos gather other useful items such as clothes, jackets, pants, underwear for the cold winter nights.

“There is never any food leftover. We’re here with the rain and the snow. Always. In winter, we offer hot chocolate and in summer iced tea. If anything is left, we take it to another place. Nothing is wasted. It is very good to give something back to our fellow man. The police are working with us impeccably, they leave us, we have the freedom to stay here as long as we want,” said Efthalia Katos, a member of the Philoptochos.

Solitary people without anyone in the world, seniors and younger people, even families with young children looking for a hot meal.

“We’ve seen very strange things. Drug addicts, gay people, people with psychological problems. But we look at everyone in the eyes as if we do not see anything, nor do we ever take pictures. We do not want to judge anyone for anything. Because one day we will be judged. We do not know what happened to them and they ended up on the street. Nobody knows what brought them to that point,” said Katos and leaves us as her homeless friend approached her and told her their news.

The time goes by, the line is getting shorter and Bishop Sevastianos fills several bags of food, sweets, water and fruit, and places them in cartons.

When asked what all this is, he replies, “But now we’re going to Penn Station. We must give to those who did not come out so as not to lose the space they have found where they sleep.”

And he urges us to go with him.

We start off with four people holding as many bags as we can carry and enter the station looking down. Bishop Sevastianos knows the hangouts well and guides us. It is late. Some are asleep already.

“It does not matter. Leave the bag next to him. He will find it when he wakes up,” Bishop Sevastianos tells us.

“Thank you very much,” someone else will say as he rushes to give us a hug.

Perhaps faceless New York City sometimes has a face and is not as cold as its weather.

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NEW YORK – Volunteers of all ages joined forces again this year at St. Nicholas in Flushing to distribute traditional Thanksgiving foods to families who are unable to afford them.

On November 20, about 80 people, including many students of the two St. Nicholas schools, the William Spyropoulos Day School and the Stephen and Areti Cherpelis Greek Afternoon School, gathered on the parish premises where they sorted the various food items before distributing them as part of their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Collectively, the community of St. Nicholas distributed food to 125 families in Ridgewood, Long Island City, Corona, and Sunnyside.

These families were chosen by public school counselors who are privy to the sensitive financial information of particular students and their families. The counselors gather this information through a highly confidential process and make recommendations based on their findings.

“This distribution is not based on national origin,” explains St. Nicholas’ presiding priest, Rev. Father Paul Palesty, stressing that most of these families, if not all, are not related to the Greek-American community.

“We, as a Christian parish, must do something to give back to the wider community. But it is not just food distribution. Schools are aware of our activity. It may be, for example, that over the course of the year, we may be approached by a student who may not have a coat for the winter,” says Fr. Palesty.

The former president of the parish council, Larry Hotzoglou, said, “Food is a personal donation by the members of the St. Nicholas community, thus, it doesn’t burden the church’s central funds.”

In fact, the food was so plentiful that it filled six small trucks (rented by the parish council), enough to meet the needs of up to 8 people per family.

“Personally, I have been a part of this effort for the past 20 years; but St. Nicholas started it 40 years ago. It is important to help people who do not have basic things, which we may take for granted. For Christmas, we will be here and we will do exactly the same thing,” said Mr. Hotzoglou.

According to Fr. Palesty, the whole process is, among other things, a real “life lesson” for the young students and GOYA members, who come in contact with another facet of everyday life that, for some, is much more difficult than they could ever imagine.

“This driven youth develops feelings of love and solidarity. At the same time, however, our children understand that things in life are not always as they appear; they can be much more difficult. It’s a good lesson for the kids. They have been telling us that before they got involved with the project, they did not know there was so much need and misery right beside them,” said Fr. Palesty.

The presiding priest of St. Nicholas says it is important that the children have a “personal presence in the process.” He states that the other members of the community “also remain present throughout the process – they don’t just drop off the boxes and leave. Instead, it is important they come in contact with these people in need.”

Finally, it should be noted that any food that was not distributed would be collected by volunteers the following day and would be made available in the public schools.

The post St. Nicholas Flushing Delivers Food for Thanksgiving (Vid & Pics) appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – The Cypriot Young Professionals (CYP) is asking for help this Giving Tuesday, November 27, in the fight against the rare blood disorder thalassemia. CYP has chosen the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, which battles the disorder, as a worthy cause to support on this global day of giving.

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving (November 27 this year) has been designated as Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving fueled by social media, #GivingTuesday. Corporations and individuals are encouraged to support worthy and worthwhile charitable organizations on this day.

Children born with thalassemia (which disproportionately affects people of Cypriot background, as well as those of Greek, Italian, and Asian heritage) require lifelong blood transfusions and daily drug treatments. They also face a host of complications ranging from heart and liver failure to diabetes to osteoporosis (often starting in their teen years). The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation is dedicated to fighting this deadly blood disorder and to helping all those with thalassemia. More information is available online: www.thalassemia.org.

On Giving Tuesday, CYP hopes you will join them in supporting the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation by making a donation to this worthy cause. Donations can be made online any time through November 27 at https://bit.ly/2OgxeIB or by mailing a check to:

Cooley’s Anemia Foundation

330 Seventh Ave. #200

New York, 10001.

The post Cypriot Young Professionals Fighting Thalassemia on Giving Tuesday appeared first on The National Herald.

ΒΟSΤΟN – The resignation of Archbishop Demetrios of America seems to be imminent – a matter of days – according to what has recently transpired at his meeting in Geneva with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as The National Herald revealed on November 21.

Patriarch Bartholomew requested the Archbishop submit his resignation on his own.

Although no official announcement was issued about the meeting, TNH has learned the following:

First, it was Patriarch Bartholomew’s initiative to invite Archbishop Demetrios to Geneva for the meeting. The Archbishop knew about this meeting since Friday, November 16 and shared this information with Archdiocesan Council Vice Chairman, George Tsandikos, and chief secretary, Alice Keurian.

Second, the Patriarch has already urged the Archbishop to think about, and place above everything else, the interest of the Archdiocese of America, the Church in general, as well as the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and thus, has asked the Archbishop to resign willingly. Up to this point, the Archbishop has refused.

The Patriarch did not want to remove Archbishop Demetrios without having secured his resignation. Therefore, he called the Archbishop in one final time in an attempt to convince him that “the time has come.” The Patriarch reportedly told him that he has shown a lot of patience and that the Church in America should be allowed to move forward. He also added that they have cooperated harmoniously in the past and that he should depart with dignity and not wake up one morning as a former Archbishop of America or be transferred to another Metropolis. The Patriarch asked Archbishop Demetrios to facilitate the process by submitting his resignation, making it clear to him that the decision to replace him has been made.

The Archbishop attempted to refute the Patriarch, reportedly saying that everything has been taken care of at the Archdiocese. He mentioned what was discussed at the recent meeting of the Archdiocesan Council last month, including the misleading statements of some of his officials about the finances of the Church. However, the Archbishop failed to convince the Patriarch, who knows well the true nature of the issues of the Archdiocese.

High ranking ecclesiastical officials from the Ecumenical Patriarchate told TNH that the Patriarch has decided to proceed, but that he wanted the change to be done in a respectful and conscientious way.

Regarding the hierarch who will be elected to replace Archbishop Demetrios, nobody seems to know with certainty, except for some speculations. The appointment of a locum tenens should not be ruled out.

TNH has learned that there is a small group of appointed laymen of the Archdiocesan Council, as well as some Metropolitans, who have advised the Archbishop not to resign.

The teleconference of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council is expected on Monday, November 26 at 3 PM. The Archdiocese has leaked that the teleconference will not deal with the Archbishop’s resignation.

The post The Resignation of Archbishop Demetrios is Said to Be Imminent appeared first on The National Herald.

WASHINGTON, DC – George Papadopoulos, the former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser, asked a federal judge on November 16 to stay his two-week sentence until an appeals court rules in a separate case challenging the constitutionality of special counsel Robert Mueller’s appointment. The special counsel is is now urging U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss to deny the request, the Washington Post reported.

Papadopoulos pleaded guilty last year to lying to federal agents about his interactions with Russian intermediaries during the 2016 presidential campaign. He also forfeited most of his rights to contest his conviction.

But his new attorneys said the appellate case could constitute new evidence that could allow him to mount a challenge. The case was brought by a witness refusing to comply with a Mueller grand jury subpoena.

Four different federal judges have upheld Mueller’s appointment as proper and Papadopoulos is scheduled to report to prison on November 26.

According to the Post, “Mueller’s team responded that Papadopoulos waived his rights to appeal when he pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and that he had failed to file his request in a timely fashion.”

More than a year has passed since Papadopoulos was first charged and “he has never challenged the constitutionality of the special counsel’s appointment,” the Post reported, adding that Papadopoulos’ “motion citing the D.C. case was made just days before the scheduled start to his brief prison stay.”

Earlier this month, “an appeals court in Washington heard oral arguments… in the constitutional challenge, which was made by a former aide to Trump adviser Roger Stone who is fighting a subpoena to appear before the grand jury,” the Post reported, adding that “it is not clear when the three-judge panel is likely to rule in the case, which may ultimately go to the Supreme Court.”

Mueller’s team noted that “Papa­dopoulos’ own public statements since he was sentenced suggested that his filing was solely an effort to delay his incarceration,” the Post reported, citing that “Chris LaVigne, an attorney for Papadopoulos who recently replaced the lawyers who represented him during the plea process, said in a statement that the special counsel’s motion had failed to address the central question of Papadopoulos’ request: ‘Why should Mr. Papadopoulos be required to begin serving his sentence now, when there is an appeal pending that could directly impact the validity of his prosecution and conviction?’”

Judge Moss had planned to sentence Papadopoulos to 30 days, but was “moved by his contrition,” the Post reported, to reduce the sentence to only two weeks. Papadopoulos’ statements during interviews, however, are not consistent with his appeal for mercy at the sentencing hearing in which he said he “understood his lies had been wrong and that he was remorseful,” the Post reported.

The report cited that Papadopoulos “told Fox News days later that he was considering withdrawing his plea and that he should not ‘have to serve even one day in jail for something that now it seems was completely orchestrated,’” and a November 9 tweet which said that “his biggest regret was pleading guilty.”

On November 21, the prosecutors wrote, “The defendant received what he bargained for, and holding him to it is not a hardship,” the Post reported, adding that “LaVigne called the special counsel’s inclusion of Papadopoulos’ public remarks ‘unrelated and wholly irrelevant’ to the legal motion.”

The post Mueller Urges Judge to Deny Papadopoulos’ Request for Delay of Prison Sentence appeared first on The National Herald.

Coming into the busiest and more festive period of the year between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be overwhelming and distracting but a spot Greek-Americans shouldn’t miss is Chicago’s National Hellenic Museum.

One of the nation’s most unique museums the NHM possesses the biggest collection of Greek American artifacts and recorded oral histories anywhere in the world and has completed two highly unique exhibitions back-to-back within just a few months of each other, Suburban Chicagoland wrote.

The museum has grown over its 35-year history and features educational classes and programs linking generations of Americans to the Hellenic legacy, a rich repository of 20,000+ artifacts, photos, historic newspapers, books and an impressive archive of 450+ recorded histories. New exhibits include Lives Afloat: The Greek Refugee Crisis through the Lens of Tasos Markou 2015-2017, filled with beautiful and telling photographs, and George Kokines: Layers Revealed.

The post National Hellenic Museum Good Holiday Visit appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON – Archbishop Demetrios of America and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met in Geneva where His All Holiness is participating in a conference of the World Council of Churches.

The meeting was kept secret from everyone. According to high ranking ecclesiastical officials of the Ecumenical Throne, there are potentially two explanations for this meeting: (1) the Patriarch called the Archbishop in a very last attempt to convince him to submit his resignation willingly; or (2) the Archbishop was informed that his transfer to another Metropolis will be announced in the next meeting of the Holy Synod (November 27-29) and thus, the Archbishop went to Geneva in a last desperate attempt to convince the Patriarch to allow him to stay.

It is reminded here that His All Holiness has urged Archbishop Demetrios, in the most official way, to submit his resignation to the Synod, but he has refused.

In the meantime, Archbishop Demetrios called a special teleconference of the Executive Committee meeting for Monday, November 26 at 3 pm. His chief secretary Alice Kurian informed the Executive Committee members on Monday afternoon, November 19, shortly after The National Herald had broken the story about the meeting between Archbishop Demetrios and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Geneva.

Kurian didnot mention the reason for the special Executive Committee teleconference to which the members of the Eparchial Synod have been invited as well since they are also members of the Executive Committee.

The exclusive story of TNH regarding the meeting in Geneva spread quickly everywhere in the U.S., in Greece, and around the world. Also the hierarchs and the members of the Archdiocesan Council of the Archdiocese learned the news from TNH.

The general sense is that developments at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of American are imminent in light of the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate next week at the Phanar.

High ranking ecclesiastical officials of the Ecumenical Throne told TNH that His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew wished to give one more opportunity to Archbishop Demetrios to make a dignified exit because the decision for his removal from the Archdiocese of America has already been made.

It is reminded here that the Archdiocese has reached a stage of bankruptcy economically and otherwise. It was forced to use as collateral its Manhattan office buildings and took out a bank loan to pay its debt. The construction of the St. Nicholas nave has stopped just about one year ago with no set date for resuming while another $40 million are required for its completion. Also, Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA are in a dire situation in terms of the student body which amounts to only 154 students for both Schools and they face serious financial problems. TNH has learned that the School has financial resources until the end of November. After that it will dip again into the endowment fund which has been almost exhausted with just $1.5 million left.

The post Archbishop Demetrios and Patriarch Bartholomew Met in Geneva (Adds) appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – Pericles Kanaris and his band Synolon performed a concert at the Drom NYC music venue on November 21 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

The performance kicks off a new series of concerts for Mr. Kanaris entitled “Alive” and as he explains: “It is a very important opportunity to celebrate through music the values ​​we share and which help us keep our souls alive, in a demanding environment like that of the city of New York.”

The crowd filled the space quickly in a good and festive mood. Among those present were the Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras and his wife Popita Pavli, Consul of Greece Lana Zochiou, NYU Provost Katherine Fleming who was celebrating her birthday that night, and actress/producer Anthoula Katsimatides, among many others. 

Throughout the evening, songs by well-known composers including Manos Hadjidakis, Lavrentis Macheritsas, Haris and Panos Katsimihas, Pix Lax and many more were heard. The concert also included many contemporary Greek songs as well as traditional, rebetika, and folk songs.

Kanaris, with his usual ease and charm communicating with the audience, played the piano and sang, sharing some of his own songs, such as Mia Petalouda (A Butterfly) with lyrics by the late Manos Eleftheriou.

The song Isouna, ti isouna (H Paximadokleftra) was transformed completely by Kanaris’ contemporary arrangement and playfully dedicated to friends of his in the audience. He also led the singing of Happy Birthday for Prof. Fleming.

After a period of absence from the stage, during which Kanaris devoted himself to recording and creating new music, he has returned dynamically to live performance.

With his characteristic courtesy, he told The National Herald, “Tonight’s event is a continuation and a beginning. It is a continuation because I started playing in this venue in 2008. The music you heard tonight is a journey from rebetiko to the generation of great composers, Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Stavros Xarchakos, and the generation of songwriters that followed, but including folk and traditional song.

“When I first started I had not yet released my own music, so we were playing songs that were well-known. Since this year I have begun a series of new concerts, which will include my own songs in these Greek evenings. So in this sense it is also a beginning.”

After Aoratos (Invisible) with Manos Eleftheriou, he is working on a new album of a number of things that are not yet announced. “I am very happy with the audience’s acceptance and their reaction,” he told TNH. And he added that the proceeds of the next concert, which will take place at Drom on December 19, will support SOS Children’s Villages in Greece.

The performers: Pericles Kanaris: voice/piano/orchestrations; Peter Douskalis: guitars/assistant director; Agapitos Maganaris: bouzouki/voice; Saadi Zain: bass; Giancarlo DeTrizio: drums/percussion; and Leonor Falcon Pasquali: viola; with special guests the dynamic vocalist Nektarios Antoniou who started off the concert, Gary Schreiner on accordion and harmonica, vocalist Sofia Tzini, and Athan Hilaki on guitar and vocals. The visual art for the performance was created by artist Lydia Venieri.

The series of concerts takes place under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in New York and the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce.

The next performance takes place on December 19 at 8 PM at Drom. The doors open at 7 PM. More information is available by phone: 212-777-1157 and online: dromnyc.com.

The post Pericles Kanaris Closing out 2018 with Concerts, Talks to TNH appeared first on The National Herald.

The Constantine Cassis No 170 of the Order of AHEPA celebrated its 90th anniversary on Nov. 6 in Hempstead N.Y. President Anastasios Stamboulis said at an early Thanksgiving dinner that it was “committed to the ideals of Hellenism, Education and to further the mission of the Order of AHEPA,” the Western Queens Gazette reported.

The event took place at the Rev. Nicholas J. Magoulias Cathedral Center, St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral Hempstead, New York. The dinner was open to AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and maids of Athena.

The Vice-President of National AHEPA Demetris Kokotas said “as Greek Americans we have the greatest history and tradition. We came to the greatest country in the world. We carry a torch, making the people before us proud,” carrying on a long tradition that began in 1922 when it was founded.

The post AHEPA Chapter 170 Marks 90th Anniversary in N.Y. appeared first on The National Herald.

NASHUA, NH – St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church of Nashua, NH celebrated its patron saint with a Vesper Service and Artoklasia on November 13. Presiding Priest of Manchester’s Assumption parish Fr. Gregorios Trakas officiated, assisted by St. Philip Presiding Priest Rev. Alex Chetsas and Lowell, MA’s Transfiguration Presiding Priest Fr. Athanasios Chininis. About 40 congregants from the Nashua area participated.

Fr. Trakas preached about the life and the martyrdom of St. Philip who was one of the twelve Apostles. He said that “when Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ home, Lazarus’ sister told him that ‘if you were here our brother wouldn’t have died,’” and emphasized that “when someone is holy his prayer is heard.” He also said that “in the Orthodox Faith we have the saints, who intercede.”

Fr. Chetsas noted the need to attract the faithful and the youth to the church and convince them to get involved. He said that “the church does good things for the people” and he added that “we are called to live the Liturgy after the Liturgy.”

In the city of Nashua the pioneers Greek immigrants at the beginning of the 20^th century had established two communities St. Nicholas and the Annunciation in the same neighborhood been divided politically with the Venizelos and King in Greece parties.

In 1972 a miracle happened and the two parishes were united into one unified parish under the name of St. Philip with its first priest Fr. Soterios Alexopoulos, who served the parish diligently for 25 years. Fr. Alexopoulos, now retired, was present at the Service, and the faithful had formed a line to greet him.

Under his pastorship, the St. Philip parish flourished, with a big congregation in the Liturgy and also very strong Greek and Catechetical Schools directed by Presbytera Eleni, a graduate of the St. Basil’s Academy in Garrison, NY, when St. Basil was also a Teacher’s College.

The post Nashua, NH’s St. Philip Parish Celebrates its Patron Saint appeared first on The National Herald.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The tradition of serving free Thanksgiving meals began in 1977 for Greek immigrants Theo and Stacy Skartsiaris at their eponymous restaurant Theo and Stacy’s in downtown Kalamazoo, according to their website. The family business soon grew to three locations in Michigan. Though Theo Skartsiaris passed away in 1994, his wife Stacy, 72, and the rest of the family who joined the business keep up the tradition.

She said, “We don’t ask any questions. It’s not necessary to be homeless. A lot of times people around the holidays, they’re very lonely, and they like to be around other people,” mlive.com reported.

Her late husband saw a man eating out of the garbage and was inspired to start the tradition for Thanksgiving. “We’re blessed we can do it,” Mrs. Skartsiaris said, mlive.com reported, adding that the “family hosts the meal to give back to the community that has supported the restaurant throughout the year.”

Over 800 pounds of food including turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and stuffing were cooked for the meal, according to mlive.com.

Many have attended the meal annually for years, including Margaret Branson, who has been through “hard times and good times, but no matter what Skartsiaris has welcomed her,” mlive.com reported, adding that with tears in her eyes, she said, “I’m grateful today. I’m grateful that God has given me a breath to breathe this morning. I am grateful to be so blessed.”

Skartsiaris’ daughters, Betty Peristeridis and Joanna French, are also co-owners of Theo and Stacy’s downtown and Partisterdis greeted the people as they entered and offered hats, gloves, and scarves, to those on their way out of the restaurant as well, mlive.com reported.

When an anonymous donor offered a financial contribution to Skartsiaris to help pay for the Thanksgiving meal, she told them she would not use the money to buy food, but for  “over 500 gloves, hats, and scarves for children and adults,” mlive.com reported, adding that Skartsiaris “never accepts donations for the meal because the food is her family’s gift to the community.”

“I never pay attention to how much it costs. It is what it is. Everything is not about money,” she said, mlive.com reported.

The post Skartsiaris Family Serves Free Thanksgiving Meals in Michigan appeared first on The National Herald.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Society for the Preservation of the Greek Heritage (SPGH) presents An American in Epirus: A Southern American Listening to Northwestern Greek Blues (Moirologia) on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 6:30-8 PM at Squire Patton Boggs, 2550 M Street Northwest in Washington, DC, with Christopher King, a music collector, scholar, and Grammy-winning producer from southern Virginia.

King will share his transformational encounter with Epirotika moirologia, Ηπειρωτικά μοιρολόγια, (laments from Epirus) and his falling in love with the music and people of the land. He will also talk about the connection of these northwestern Greek “blues” to American southern blues and discuss his recent book, Lament from Epirus with SPGH Chairman Dr. Vassilis Koliatsos and members of the audience. King will play many rare examples of southern blues music and demotika from the original 78 rpm discs for the audience. Copies of his book, as well as CDs and LPs will also be available for sale at the event.

Dress code: Jacket and tie for gentlemen, business attire for ladies.

Christopher C. King has studied philosophy and music theory and curates a boutique, Grammy-nominated and winning label, Long Gone Sound, specializing in remastered pre-war rural American music and Eastern European and Balkan recordings. His Lament from Epirus was reviewed in The National Herald as well as the New York Review of Books, Wall Street Journal, and The Wire, among others.

RSVP for the free event on Eventbrite, search: An American in Epirus.

The post An American in Epirus Listening to Moirologia Event in DC appeared first on The National Herald.