This Week For Greeks masthead
This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 8 - Friday, February 22, 2008

News From AHEPA

Ambassador Alexandros Mallias

AHEPA at the Forefront of American Hellenic Concerns
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas discussed issues of high concern today with Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic, Alexandros P. Mallias. Several issues were discussed, mainly the current crisis in the Balkans, centered around Kosovo's succession from Serbia. The Ambassador assured the Supreme President that Greece's position remains unchanged with regards to this situation. ...find out more.

Montreal AHEPA Family Presents $55,000 Check to the Shriner's Hospital AHEPA Contributes $55,000 to the Shriner's Hospital
MONTREAL (AHEPA Gives) -- Supreme President Ike Gulas was proud to join AHEPA Canada President Frank Antoniou, Past Supreme Governor Peter Baltis, Brother George Vassilas and the Montreal AHEPA Family in presenting a check for $55,000 to the Shriner's Hospital. The contribution was made at this year's AHEPA Family Valentines Ball, and brings the total amount given by The AHEPA Family to the Shriner's Hospital, since 2004, to over $250,000. Find out more about AHEPA's charitable work.


Journey to Greece Participants Journey To Greece Application Deadline: March 31, 2008
WASHINGTON (Journey To Greece) -- The deadline for applications for the 2008 Journey to Greece program is March 31, 2008. The AHEPA Journey to Greece Program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn college credit while learning about ancient and modern Greece. ...find out more.

38th Biennial Banquet Save the Date Card AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet -- Save The Date!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Events) -- The AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet is set for Friday, March 7, 2008, at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Save the date and make your hotel reservations today! ...find out more.


The AHEPAN Magazine - Winter 2007 AHEPAN (2008 Spring) - Article Deadline
WASHINGTON (AHEPAN Magazine) -- The deadline for submitting articles for the Spring 2008 issue of The AHEPAN Magazine is March 6, 2008. In the event your submission is received after the deadline or it does not appear in the Spring 2008 issue, please note that it will be the first considered for our Summer 2008 issue. Please submit all materials* to:

  • michael@ahepa.org

    • or
  • The AHEPAN
    c/o Michael Zachariades
    1909 Q Street, NW Suite 500
    Washington, DC 20009
* All material submitted become the property of The AHEPAN and may not be returned.


Annapolis Fishing Docks 77th Annual AHEPA Capital District 3 Convention
(AHEPA Events) -- The AHEPA Capital District 3 77th Annual Convention is set for May 2-4, in Annapolis, Maryland. Save the date and make your reservations today! ... find out more.



Lake Superior 76th Annual AHEPA Grainfield District 14 Convention
(AHEPA Events) -- The AHEPA Grainfield District 14 76th Annual Convention is set for May 16-18, in Duluth, MN. Save the date and make your reservations today! ... find out more.



AHEPA Canada Beaver District 23 Convention AHEPA Canada Beaver District 23 73rd Annual Convention
(AHEPA Events) -- The AHEPA Canada Beaver District 23 73rd Annual Convention is set for May 16-18, in London Ontario. Save the date and make your reservations today! ... find out more.



Golf Ball Upcoming Golf Tournaments!
(AHEPA Athletics) -- AHEPA invites you find out more and join us for these three fantastic upcoming golf events:


A Message from the Supreme President

Supreme President Ike Gulas

AHEPA Honors Public Service
With two weeks to go until the 38th Biennial Banquet, I want to emphasize to all the AHEPA family that this year our theme, "AHEPA Honors Public Service," is one which all of us can be proud. The first Biennial Banquet was held at the Mayflower Hotel in 1929, so this nostalgic return to this gorgeous hotel is long overdue. We have invited over 100 members of the Greek American community who serve in local, state and national elected office, to be honored this evening. It would behoove all members of the community to join in to say thank you to those we are honoring. AHEPA has been at the forefront of many issues in our 86 years in America, but taking time to honor members of our community is our biggest obligation, and we are holding to our tradition and custom by honoring these wonderful people.


Also, we have two fantastic honorees in John Catsimatides and George Bistis, who both have surpassed their own measure of success. Mr. Catsimatides is chairman of the First Bank of New York, as well as CEO of the Red Apple Group which owns the famous Gristedes Supermaket chain in New York. Mr. Casimatides is also the publisher of the Hellenic Times newspaper in New York. His recent investments and acquisitions in the crude oil field have placed him on the top tier of most influential Greek American Businessmen.


Mr. Bistis is the Chief, Voice of America (VOA) Greek Desk. In his 31-years of service with the VOA, Mr. Bistis has produced and presented more than 500 television programs and has written, edited or hosted over 75,000 radio shows. In his incredible carrier, Mr. Bistis has amassed multiple awards for his excellence in programming, most recently, the 2007 Gusi Peace Prize for Broadcast Journalism. The award was presented at a gala ceremony, held in Manila, Philippines, by Vice President Noli De Castro, on behalf of President Gloria Aroyo and the Gusi Peace Price Foundation.


In addition, we are currently speaking with national political figures who we hope will be there, schedules permitting. Please stay tuned for additional updates shortly.


Furthermore, in the past week AHEPA Headquarters has received numerous phone calls asking about the current status of the situation in the Balkans. I have spoken to both the Greek and Cypriot Ambassadors about the current developments in Serbia, Greece, FYROM and Cyprus. These events are being closely monitored by my office, as well as the respective countries.


Moreover, as announced prior to Representative Lantos's passing, AHEPA is spearheading an effort to promote House Resolution 356 - regarding the FYROM name issue - in an effort to get the bill through the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.


The AHEPA has volunteered and will use its grassroots membership to push this measure along, in an effort to coordinate all the efforts on the hill. With that said, I would like to remind all of you that March 6, 2008, is AHEPA Capitol Hill Day, when we will be visiting members of Congress to discuss Hellenic issues.


Finally, I want to reiterate my personal invitation to attend the 38th Biennial Banquet and help AHEPA support the members of the Greek American community and those who serve our country. In the end, the Banquet will certainly prove to be one which will be talked about for years to come.


Fraternally,
Ike Gulas Signature
Ike Gulas, Supreme President


Greek American Weekly News Digest

Ethnic Albanians in Macedonia wave flags celebrating Kosovos’ independence. (Boris Grdanoski - AP)

Macedonia Name Dispute with Greece Threatens NATO Bid
SKOPJE (Christian Science Monitor) -- February 21, 2008 -- Greece says former Yugoslav's state name - the same as a Greek province - is not acceptable. -- On the heels of Kosovo's declaration of independence, a deepening dispute in neighboring Macedonia threatens to further rattle the fragile Balkans. ... read more.


Other Greek American News Headlines


Supreme Convention Spotlight

Panathenaic Stadium

AHEPA To Host Event in the Panathenaic Stadium
One of many evening events AHEPA has planned to compliment this year's Supreme Convention in Athens, will be a night of entertainment in the historic Panathenaic Stadium. This ancient structure, which in 1896 was host of the first Olympic Games of the Modern Era, holds over 60,000 people. Logistics will dictate whether we use the entire stadium, inviting the entire city of Greece, or just use a portion of the stadium for a private event. Either way, this AHEPA event will give your entire family the opportunity to attend a special night in this historic landmark. Find out more about The First Olympic Games of the Modern Era and The Panathenaic Stadium:


Supreme Convention BrochureThe 2008 Supreme Convention Brochures Are In!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Convention) -- Each day, during the Supreme Convention in Greece, AHEPA will be offering cultural and historical tours, exclusively set up for AHEPA. These events will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to share your Greek Heritage with your entire family! If you're a current AHEPA member, you will be receiving the brochure in the mail soon, but if you're eager to find out more about the fantastic travel packages available, you can download the brochure online. Click Here to get download the brochure now!


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.


Greeks of the Week!

Brother George Sarantis

Brother George Sarantis - Philanthopist & Friend
Please join AHEPA is honoring, posthumously, Brother George Sarantis of Norfolk VA, who past away last week at the age of 74. Brother Sarantis was one of the founders of the Robert E. Lee Chapter No. 122 in Norfolk, and was a devout Ahepan. Brother George was a graduate of Maury High School and the College of William & Mary Norfolk Division, Michigan State University and the Culinary Institute of America, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Brother George led a simple life and was involved in many philanthropic organizations.


A retired Master Chef and a superb cook, Brother George could be found serving at all the chapter dinner meetings. Brother George Sarantis loved AHEPA and all of it goals and ideals, and to that end Brother George left $250,000 to the chapter to establish a scholarship fund in his name. May his memory be eternal.


Brother Kosta Tsandes Brother Kosta Tansdes - Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame
Please join AHEPA in congratulating Brother Kosta Tsandes, President of Cowboy Chapter 211 in Cheyenne, WY for being elected to the Wyoming Sports Hall of Fame!


After helping form the adult and youth soccer leagues in Cheyenne, Brother Kosta Tansdes raised the funds to start a competitive youth team in Cheyenne in 1982. He then traveled the State, as Wyoming's only nationally licensed coach, teaching the sport. He then spearheaded efforts to force the Wyoming High School Activities Association to sanction soccer in 1985. Brother Kosta, a native of Greece, coached Cheyenne East High for more than two decades and his teams won eight state titles. Brother Kosta finished his soccer career with an overall record of 201-36-25 and his 0.848 winning percentage ranks among the top 30 coaches in the history of high school soccer in the United States.


It is with great pride, fraternity, and love, AHEPA honors these two outstanding brothers as our Greeks 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.

Find out more about AHEPA's Journey to Greece Program!

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Support the erection of the Naval Monument on Normandy Beach!

Please Take the Time to Send in your Dues!

Vist the AHEPA Academy!

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Friendship: Bring a Friend into AHEPA!

Please Take the Time to Send in your Dues!

Asking Friends To Join AHEPA is Easy!

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Find out more about AHEPA's Journey to Greece Program!