Vol.1 Issue 13 - Friday, November 23, 2007

A Message from the Supreme President

Happy Thanksgiving!
This time of year, when we reflect and give thanks for the many blessings we receive, I want to personally thank each of you for being a blessing in my life, as well as in the life of our Order.

AHEPA is blessed in many ways: with health, with success, with happiness, and with a wonderful family. This year marked our brotherhood's 85th year as a strong and proud protector of Greek Heritage. Our charitable work is helping countless people in the United States and abroad. Because of your generosity we've raised almost $500,000 to help the fire victims in Greece. And with your continued help, I know we'll reach that mark!

We are truly grateful for the love and support we receive from our family. The Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena help make every effort and event, fun, festive, and successful.

Most of all AHEPA is blessed with YOU as a member! If you are not currently a member, please JOIN TODAY! If you are already a member, please think of one person, a son, a brother-in-law, a poker-buddy, a member of your church, and give them a membership brochure and bring make them a member today, ensuring AHEPA's health and future!

From our family to yours, much thanks on this Thanksgiving Day.

Sincerely

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From Greece, Cyprus and the Patriarchate

Foreign Minister visits Bucharest; positions on FYROM
BUCHAREST (Athens News Agency) -- November 23, 2007 -- Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said in Bucharest on Thursday that Greece's positions regarding NATO accession for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) had been positively received by the Romanian side. ... read more.

Greece Declares War Against Feta Fakes
ATHENS (New Zeland Herald) -- November 22, 2007 -- Greece has declared war on white cheeses, launching 2008 as the "Year of Feta" and hoping promotion of its trademark salty cheese will win more international clients. ... read more.

UEFA Reveals Finals Draw Seedings
NYON (UEFA.com) -- November 22, 2007 -- The Netherlands will join holders Greece and co-hosts Switzerland and Austria in Pot 1 for the UEFA EURO 2008^TM final-round draw in Lucerne on 2 December. ...read more.

Destruction of Cyprus' Cultural Heritage Theme of Photo Exhibition
NICOSIA (Embassy News) -- November 20, 2007 -- The continuing destruction of Cyprus' cultural heritage, in the Turkish-occupied part of the country, is the theme of a photo exhibition which has opened in Brussels and will run until the end of the month. ...read more.

Cyprus Water Crisis Highlights Climate Change
KOURIS DAM (Reuters) -- November 19, 2007 -- A small pool of water at the bottom of Cyprus's largest reservoir is shrinking by the day: without rain, the main source of surface water for most of the island will dry up by the end of the year. ...read more.

Family of Missing Person Files Application Against Turkey
NICOSIA (Embassy News) -- November 16, 2007 -- The family of a Greek Cypriot, missing since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, has filed an application before the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey. ...read more.

Turks Destroy Church in Halkis
SOPHIA (Asia News) -- November 17, 2007 -- Halki's Chapel of the Transfiguration left in ruins after Turkish forest guards began demolition work on the chapel without warning, Only the protest of the prior of Haliki and Metropolitan Meliton avoided its total destruction. ...read more.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Thanksgiving 2007
SOPHIA (Worldwide Faith News) -- November 14, 2007 -- To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America. ...read more.

News From AHEPA

AHEPA & Univ. of Indianapolis Set Dates and Agenda for "Journey to Greece 2008"
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- November 19, 2007 -- Participating students will embark on an eight-day "easyCruise" sponsored excursion. ...find out more and sign up today!

AHEPA Submits Written Testimony to House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- November 19, 2007 -- AHEPA submitted written testimony to the House Subcommittee on Europe, in regard to "U.S.-Greece Relations and Regional Issues." The testimony has been entered into the Public Record. ...read more.

AHEPA & Olympic Airlines Partner for
Successful AHEPA Convention in Athens, Greece!
Supreme President Ike Gulas is pleased to announce that AHEPA and Olympic Airlines have forged a partnership to help bring Ahepans to Greece. The AHEPA is hosting the 2008 AHEPA Family Supreme Convention in Athens, Greece and Olympic Airlines has agreed to extend an AHEPA Only Price* for all Ahepans who attend the conference. The AHEPA Only Price will be the lowest available price, on Olympic Airlines flights, from New York to Greece. If you are a member of AHEPA take advantage of this fantastic offer and come join us in Greece, July 1 -12, 2008.

Important: The special AHEPA Only Price can be obtained by using the AHEPA Promotion Code and your unique AHEPA Membership ID Number*

AHEPA Promotion Code: CFR087
Call Olympic Airlines at 1-800-223-1226 and make your reservation today.

*Pricing is based on availability and dates.
*Only current active paid member ID numbers are valid. Not a Member? JOIN TODAY!

The AHEPA Convention Committee has been working hard to prepare a wonderful getaway for the entire AHEPA community. The AHEPA Family from Australiasia, Canada, Greece and Cyprus will be attending our event in Athens, Greece. Thousands of Ahepans, Daughters, Sons and Maids will work together for this family reunion. For more information, or to register for the 2008 Supreme Convention, go to ahepa2008.com.

Greek of the Week!

Past Supreme President Nick Smyrnis of Indiannapolis
AHEPA family extends best wishes to Past Supreme President and life member Nick Smyrnis upon the occasion of his retirement as President of the AHEPA Management Company. AHEPA Management Company has grown under Brother Smyrnis's leadership to manage all of the AHEPA HUD 202 Housing Projects in the United States. The housing corporation currently has over 80 projects which are either functioning and or under construction, with close to 5000 apartment units for senior citizen housing. The AHEPA management corporation is one of the largest such management housing corporations in America.

Brother Smyrnis's foresight has been the catalyst for many of our chapters' success in the housing program and for that he will be sorely missed. We extend our thoughts, prayers and best wishes to Nick in his retirement and any future endeavors he pursues. Please join us in celebrating Brother Nick Smyrnis as AHEPA's Greek of the Week!

Who's Your Greek of the Week?
There are many heroes in our community who often sadly go unrecognized. You can help. Nominate someone to be AHEPA's Greek of the Week!. Simply email a short, detailed nomination, along with a digital photo of them to webmaster@ahepa.org.