95th Supreme Convention a Magical Success;

Hollister Elected Supreme President

Thank you to Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resort President George Kalogridis, and “Greek Mickey Mouse” for an amazing and magical week at Walt Disney World!  With much gratitude to them, AHEPA celebrated a truly memorable 95th birthday bash (see slideshow below)! And thank you to all our conventioneers–without you, our Supreme Convention would not have been a success!

The delegates of the 95th AHEPA Supreme Convention elected Carl Hollister, of Mason, Ohio, Supreme President. Hollister ran unopposed in elections that were held July 28, 2017.  Formal installation ceremonies were held July 29, 2017.

“It is an honor and privilege to be elected AHEPA Supreme President,” Hollister said. “My sincere appreciation is given to the convention delegates who placed their support and trust in me to lead this vibrant, venerable, and unique organization in the coming year.”

The Executive Committee of the 2017-18 Supreme Lodge is comprised of: Canadian President Christos Argiriou, Winnipeg, Manitoba; Supreme Vice President George E. Loucas,  Esq., Cleveland, Ohio; Supreme Secretary James Kokotas, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Supreme Treasurer George Horiates, Esq., Moorestown, N.J.; and Supreme Counselor Dimitri Kirkiles, Esq., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.  The Executive Committee of the AHEPA Board of Trustees is: Chairman Nick Aroutzidis, Stratford, Ontario, Canada; Vice Chairman Andrew C. Zachariades, PSP, Brick, N.J.; and Secretary Cos Marandos, Nashua, N.H.

The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections. Eva Jean Fomalont was elected Daughters of Penelope Grand President, Bill Poulos III was elected Sons of Pericles Supreme President, and Sophia Shakolas was elected Maids of Athena Grand President.

• Coverage: The National Herald

More to come in next e-news…

Grand Banquet Highlights

The 95th Grand Banquet provided many vivid highlights.  Congratulations to AHEPA’s 2017 honorees: Greece’s Minister of Defense Panos Kammenos (Pericles Award for public service) and Chick-fil-A President & COO Timothy P. Tassopoulos (Aristotle Award for excellence in one’s profession).  Nearly 200 AHEPA Medals for Military Service were presented to our Veterans.

Delphi Chapter 25, New York, N.Y., took home Chapter of the Year honors; Automotive District 10, Michigan, District of the Year; and Brother Sam Benjamin, Indiana, Ahepan of the Year. Brother Nick Stratas received the AHEPA Lifetime Achievement Award. Brother Peter Baltis, PSG, the Estate of Nancy Horton and Gus Cherevas-Estia Pindus Chapter 326, Flushing, N.Y. all received the AHEPA Philanthropy Award. A heartfelt “thank you” to AHEPA National Housing President Angelo Kostarides, who announced tens of thousands of dollars in grants. National Educational Foundation Chairman George Vorkas served as Master of Ceremonies.

A special “Appreciation Presentation” was made to Walt Disney World Resort President George Kalogridis. AHEPA presented Mr. Kalogridis with a work of art depicting Poseidon by his favorite artist, Josh Garrick.

Remarks were provided by: Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S. Leonidas Pantelides, U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, and AHEPA Australasia National President Peter Yiannoudes. AHEPA-Saint Nicholas Capital Campaign Chairman Nicholas A. Karacostas, PSP, announced our campaign is only $160,000 shy of reaching our $1 million goal!

Farewell addresses were presented by: Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades, DOP Grand President Jan Spanos, SOP Supreme President Nikolas Apostolou, and MOA Grand President Tria Charnas.

Rebuild St. Nicholas Campaign

AHEPA is $160,000 short of meeting its Saint Nicholas Capital Campaign fund raising goal of $1 million. We are determined to meet it! Donations–large and small–keep pouring in for AHEPA’s #RebuildStNicholas capital campaign.

• #RebuildStNicholas campaign webpage

• Check Out: Our panel of donors

TAKE ACTION!

Has your district or chapter organized a fundraiser for the campaign to #RebuildStNicholas?  Take action and support AHEPA’s campaign today! Please tweet about your fundraising activity by using #RebuildStNicholas to share your work with the broader community!

Make your tax-deductible donation online by clicking here

Share Media

St. Nicholas Appeal Video

AHEPA has produced its latest appeal video to help #RebuildStNicholas.

• Check it out and share widely!

• TAKE ACTION: Donate Today!

• MORE TO SHARE: Initial appeal videoreleased at the 94th Grand Banquet!

Project Update

Live Webcam!

Thanks to a live webcam, you can watch progress being made with a first-hand look at the site where Saint Nicholas National Shrine will be build.

Washington Update

Tell Congress to Back the Return of the Parthenon Marbles

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are home for August recess. AHEPA commends the introduction of H.Con.Res.51, a bipartisan, concurrent resolution that expresses the sense of Congress that the Parthenon Marbles should be returned to Greece. U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) introduced the resolution, May 2.

• Find & Urge Your U.S. Representative to Co-sponsor H.Con.Res.51, or call the U.S. Capitol switchboard, 202.224.3121.

• Add Your Voice: Share our Call to Action blog post and video.

Help Grow the Hellenic Caucus! Membership at 126.

The 115th Congress is well underway. And with it, the work renews for the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, led by Co-chairs U.S. Reps. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY).  The Hellenic Caucus has 126 members.

• Is your U.S. representative a member of the Hellenic Caucus? Click here to find out

• Download & Share: Action alert to help you outreach to Congress

The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in 1995.

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

August

14 | Deadline for fall issue of The Ahepan

September

15-17 | Governors Conference, Washington, DC

Greek American News Digest

Editor’s Note: Editorials, Commentaries, and Opinion pieces are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.

Why Greece Has Been Slow To Embrace Clean Energy

 npr (July 25)

The sea winds of Greece are legendary. The strong, dry north Etesian winds, also known as the meltemia, blow on the Aegean Sea from May to September. Then there are the fierce main winds, which blew mighty waves towards Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. “Then were the knees of Odysseus loosened and his heart melted, and deeply moved he spoke to his own mighty spirit: ‘Ah me, wretched that I am! What is to befall me at the last?'” Odysseus may have seen the winds as a curse. But on the island of Tilos, they’re a blessing.  read more

Italy and Cyprus agree to boost security in Mediterranean

The Washington Post (July 31)

Italy’s defense minister says her country will work with Cyprus to bolster security in the Mediterranean sea.Roberta Pinotti said after talks with her Cypriot counterpart Monday that the two countries agreed to explore strengthening defense cooperation within the European Union. read more

Greek authorities battle big wildfire south of Athens

ABC News via Associated Press (July 31)

Dozens of firefighters are battling a large brush fire south of Athens, though no inhabited areas are in immediate danger, Greek authorities said Monday.The fire service said that by late Monday, when nightfall prevented water-dropping aircraft from operating, the situation had improved considerably and the flames remained far from any homes.  read more

Greece’s Disappearing Whistled Language

BBC (August 1)

For some 2,500 years, residents of this mountainous village have used an astonishing language that only they understand. But there are only six people left who can ‘speak’ it.  read more

National deaf women’s team on top of the world

Ekathimerini (July 30)

Greece’s national women’s team won gold in basketball at the Deaflympics held in Turkey on Saturday.The Greeks, who also are the European champions since last summer, triumphed 67-50 at the final against Lithuania to climb to the top of the world at the event for the hearing-impaired athletes. read more

Ancient Vase Seized From Met Museum on Suspicion It Was Looted

New York Times (July 31)

 

For decades it was proudly displayed in the Greco-Roman galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a 2,300-year-old, vividly painted vase that depicts Dionysus, god of the grape harvest, riding in a cart pulled by a satyr. Today it sits in an evidence room at the district attorney’s office in Manhattan after prosecutors quietly seized the antiquity last week based on evidence that it had been looted by tomb raiders in Italy in the 1970s. read more