NEO magazine - January 2019

JAN

John Stamos and Nia Vardalos Join Hellenic Initiative to Help Greece Wealth Management Strategies for 2019

by John Calamos Hellenic Classical Charter School Expands to Staten Island Metaxa: The Original Greek Spirit North Shore Farms Inaugurates Store in Whitestone, Queens

2019

$4.95

Leadership 100 Chairman

ARGYRIS VASSILIOU:

FROM THE EDITOR

:: magazine FOUNDED IN 2005 BY Demetrios Rhompotis Dimitri Michalakis Kyprianos Bazenikas Publishing Committee Chairman Demetrios Rhompotis (718) 554-0308 dondemetrio@neomagazine.com Director of Operations Kyprianos Bazenikas info@neomagazine.com

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May Old Acquaintance Never Be Forgot

It seems that every year we rue what happened the year before and hope for better for the coming year.

We make resolutions that we keep imperfectly, or not at all, and then another New Year comes around and we make fresh resolutions to make up for the resolutions we missed last year: I will stick to my diet…I will actually go to the gym...I will stop texting and start talking on my phone…I will visit Greece this year…I will stop thinking about past regrets and start enjoying the present.

Because the past is past and the future is coming but the present is right here. Like most of us, I imagined my parents would always be here, and my biggest regret is that I never tapped into the rich history they represented. I imagined someday I would have my father write his memoirs and since he had a photographic memory I would get our family history down to the last detail. Glimpses of what he and my mother could provide me of a vanished world were sprinkled in all our conversations as they got older.

I would visit them in Long Island where they lived and over turkey and Swiss sandwiches on white toast with fresh tomatoes from their garden and Lipton tea or Maxwell House coffee for dessert and my mother’s koulouria we would sit and they would talk about the village back in Chios. Where they grew up and my father’s great uncle wore the vrakes but he corresponded with Venizelos himself because he was the wise man of the village; or my mother when she was a girl

would get a hunk of bread for a snack from her mother with butter and sugar—that would be snatched away by the mother of the neighboring kids who were starving. Eh, you have plenty, the woman would tell her, and my mother would keep the secret to herself because she felt guilty that her father had the village store and they had plenty and the neighboring kids were starving.

And there were the stories of my father during the Greek civil war that I relished, like the one where he led his troops into a railroad tunnel to rout the enemy and they engaged in a pitch battle in the dark that made him a hero and honored him with a parade. Or the fateful night when his master sergeant was due for his leave to see his young daughter after years on the front but went on one last patrol and he was killed on the spot that very night. And then my father, on leave himself for the first time in years, went to the government office where war widows applied for their husband’s pension and my father tried to get the pension for the widow of his master sergeant by putting his gun down on the desk of the bureaucrat who was holding things up because he was flirting with the widow and my father told him, Make your choice now: either your brains or your signature will be on this paper.

The regrets of the past haunt us all, but let’s remember life is going on all around us in the meantime and we are making our own memories right now.

Enjoy a momentous and Happy New Year!

DIMITRI C. MICHALAKIS

:: magazine PUBLISHED MONTHLY IN NEW YORK Editor in Chief: Dimitri C. Michalakis info@neomagazine.com Western Region Desk - Los Angeles Alexander Mizan director@americanhellenic.org West Palm Beach, Florida Desk Vassilios Kukorinis skopelitis@hotmail.com Baltimore Desk Georgia Vavas gvavas@comcast.net Photo/Fashion New York: ETA Press fpapagermanos@yahoo.com Los Angeles: Nick Dimitrokalis (951) 764-5737 photobynikos@hotmail.com Graphic Design NEOgraphix.us Adrian Salescu Athens Desk Konstantinos Rhompotis (01130) 210 51 42 446 (01130) 6937 02 39 94 k.rhompotis@neomagazine.com

The Hellenic Initiative Partners with Actors Nia Vardalos and John Stamos to Help Rebuild Greek Orphanage

together to rebuild for the children, who are the future of Greece," Mark Hadjipateras, board member and supporter of the Lyreion Orphanage said. "My family started the orphanage in 1967, so the work by Nia, John, and THI is close to my heart. Their generosity will go a long way toward making the dream of a new Lyreion come true." Mr. Hadjipateras noted that the children are in temporary accommodations waiting for their new home to be rebuilt. The Lyreion Children's Foundation is funded by donations, and does not receive subsidies.

Nia Vardalos is the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated writer and actor of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” 1 and 2, "Connie and Carla," "I Hate Valentine's Day,” "My Life in Ruins," and co-writer with Tom Hanks of "Larry Crowne.” Most recently, she starred in her acclaimed New York Times Critics Pick stage adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s book, “Tiny Beautiful Things,” directed by Thomas Kail. Vardalos is also The New York Times bestselling author of "Instant Mom," the true story of adopting her daughter as a toddler via American Foster Care.

Nia Vardalos and John Stamos, actors of Greek descent, and The Hellenic Initiative (THI) are launching an online campaign to help rebuild the Greek Orthodox Lyreion Orphanage destroyed by wildfires in Greece last July. THI is a global nonprofit that mobilizes the Greek diaspora to support the Greek people.

To date, more than $200,000 has been raised and this new online campaign will generate even more funds to be funneled directly to the or phanage for rebuilding. Campaign donations can be made at The Hellenic Initiative Wildfire Relief Fund.

"My heart aches for these orphaned children who’ve been displaced from their home," said Vardalos, a spokesperson for adoption, and author of The New York Times bestseller, "Instant Mom," the story of adopting her daughter via American Foster Care. Social workers confirm the book has helped place more than 1,300 children in permanent 14

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homes. Vardalos donates all book proceeds to adoption charities. "Greeks living around the world care about Greece and rebuilding this orphanage is a way to help these children in need.” Vardalos' family is originally from Kalavryta and Sparta in Greece.

"As a new father, the perils these children face hit me particularly hard," said first-time father John Stamos, whose son Billy was born this spring."

That feeling, coupled with the Greek embrace of philotimo, which is tough to translate, but means a sense of duty and honor and the desire to help others in need, motivated me." Stamos' family hails from the village of Kakouri in the Peloponnese area of Greece.

The summer fires, which claimed 90 lives across Greece, engulfed 50-year-old Lyreion orphanage in Neos Voutzas, Greece, on July 23. While there was no loss of life at the orphanage, which is on the outskirts of Athens, the site remains uninhabitable. The organization had housed 65 children in five homes — one of which burned down and two of which were severely damaged, as were administrative buildings. Other fire losses include the orphanage's school buses, trucks, farm equipment, and a 1,000-tree olive grove that provided olive oil to the orphanage.

John Stamos is a two-time Emmy Award nominated actor and producer who has performed for more than 30 years across television, film, and theater. He is currently co-starring in Greg Berlanti’s new drama "You," which premiered September 2018 on Lifetime. His many television credits include “General Hospital,” “Full House,” “ER,” “Grandfathered,” “Necessary Roughness,” “Galavant,” and “Scream Queens.” Stamos serves as a producer and guest star on the sequel to “Full House,” “Fuller House,” which premiered in 2016 and recently completed filming its fourth season. He has starred on the stage numerous times, including his Broadway debut in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (1995), as well as "Cabaret" (2002), "Nine" (2003), "Bye Bye Birdie" (2009), and "Gore Vidal’s The Best Man" (2012). A drummer, singer and musician, Stamos has toured, recorded and collaborated with the Beach Boys for more than 30 years.

The Hellenic Initiative (THI), founded in 2012, is a global, nonprofit, secular institution mobilizing the Greek diaspora and Philhellene community to support sustainable economic recovery and renewal for the Greek people. THI's programs address crisis relief through strong nonprofit organizations. THI also builds entrepreneurial skills in a new generation of business leaders. THI hosted its 6th Annual Gala in New York City on Friday, September 21, 2018 and raised more than $2 million in funds that will be invested in entrepreneurial programs in Greece and support crisis relief organizations — including "We are grateful the Greek diaspora has come rebuilding of the Lyreion Orphanage.

Chartering Classics One School at a Time – The Hellenic Classical Charter School Expands to Staten Island

by Athena Efter School Board Members celebrate after the Staten Island Hellenic Classical Charter School was approved. From left, Charles Capetanakis, Dena Capetanakis, Joy Petrakos, Christina Tettonis, Effie Lekas, Natasha Caban-Vargas, Nikolaos Leonardos, Cathy Kakleas

It’s been two years since I last spoke with Joy Petrakos, Founding Director of Operations, about the success of the Brooklyn-based Hellenic Classical Charter School (HCCS) in Park Slope. I remember her great enthusiasm for the school - an enthusiasm that was expressed with great words and a great plan to expand. What was a great vision back then has now turned into an active plan. The Hellenic Classical Charter School will open its second school in NYC Community School District 31 with approval from THE NYSED Board of Regents, an approval process that is challenging and daunting, but when you already have one strong, enduring school on your side, along with a dedicated school board and administration, the need for a second one, in a strategic location, works in your favor.

The Hellenic Classical Charter School of Staten Island is scheduled to open in September 2019 and will be bigger, with three classes per grade and an anticipated enrollment of 675 students in grades k-8. It will accommodate approximately 150 more students than HCCS Brooklyn. As directed by the charter, the school will start as a k-1 school in the first year, adding an additional grade consecutively each year. The pre-k program is a separate program under a universal pre-k program. This is exciting news for a school whose continued success has been marked by a long wait list and long lines at open houses.

The second Hellenic Charter School, HCCSStaten Island, is modeled after HCCS-Park Slope. Rather than being a different school, with its own mission and academic mores, it is a replication of the first HCCS, which has been designated as a High Performing Reward 16

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School by the NYS Education Department and is considered a “model of integration.” HCCS Park Slope is also ranked among the top charter schools of NYC and is profiled in New York City’s Best Public Pre-K & Elementary Schools by Clara Hemphill and Lydie Raschka.

double periods of English, math and writing, there is no dearth of education. HCCS graduates continue to receive acceptances each year into the city’s most competitive public, specialized public and private high schools.

Like its sister school, HCCS Staten Island will take a didactic approach to paideia, using the Socratic model of independent discussion, where the teacher introduces the topic and the students apply their critical thinking skills and analysis to lead the discussion. It’s a way of engag ing t he student to gain a t r ue understanding of the content studied.

Although it is a publicly funded school, like all charter schools, HCCS is unique, having its own identity as a Hellenic school. The school’s mission is to instill in students a love of Greek and a love of classics. Students study both Greek and Latin in their language curriculum.

In keeping in line with the HCCS’s mission to promote the classics, students take an annual trip to Greece as part of a research project.

They also participate in the annual NYC History Day Fair and qualify for the nationals each year, after winning on city and state competition levels. Last year’s performance of Iphigenia, was an ode to Greek mythology and drama.

The HCCS model is designed with three key elements driving its curriculum: a rigorous education that provides challenging content; supplemental instruction with classical studies of Greek language, history, art, and culture, and Latin; preparation of students for long-term academic success so that they will become college ready and well-prepared to succeed and contribute to the global community as responsible citizens.

With a day school program that runs until 3:45 and extended day until 6pm, students have a wide variety of after-school activities from which to choose including The Athena Academy Greek language program which also prepares students for the Greek regents, a marching band ensemble where students learn to play a variety of traditional instruments, and a strong athletic league featuring basketball tournaments, hockey, soccer and the HCCS cheerleading team.

Building community, strengthening team spirit, and creating young leaders are all part of the HCCS learning community.

Joy gives great credit to the School Board and the school’s, principal, Christina Tettonis, for their dedication, perseverance, compassion, and continued support of the school. With the new school in tow, Christina will now become the Superintendent of both HCCS schools.

Each school will have its own principal under the tutelage and guidance of the Christina and the Board. Joy will expand her role as Chief of Operations for both schools. Could it be that a third school is on the horizon? In the classical world, and as they old adage maintains, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, but in the contemporary world today, a chain of Hellenic Classical Charter Schools could be built over time, where the value of a classical education has infinite wisdom and truth. As addressed in the school’s tag line, students “take knowledge, wisdom, and truth with them to make the world a better place”. HCCS is taking that The Reading Rescue Program for grades K-2 is knowledge and truth into the future of a just one example of academic intervention. classical education one school at a time.

Students receive the services needed to support their learning needs. The Special Education Department provides a “pullin/pull-out” program for students with For more information about the Hellenic Individualized Education Plans or in need of Classical Charter School, their website is visit o c c u p a t i o n a l t h e r a p y. T h e H C C S ’s hccs-nys.org. Upcoming open houses for the relationship with the Special Committee of 2019 school year will be held on the following Education provides any struggling students dates at 5:30pm: with the support and services they need to Ÿ pre-k only - February 4 meet the standards set forth and the academic Ÿ k-8 - February 7 rigor expected of them. In a school that offers Ÿ k-8 – March 14 Partnerships feature heavily in guiding curriculum enrichment. HCCS has collaborated and partnered with Teachers College of Columbia University to provide a strong reading and writing program. Student teachers are sent to the school to assist and observe, and, in turn, HCCS faculty attend p r o f e s s i o n a l d e v e l o p m e nt s e m i n a r s throughout the year at Teachers College. All HCCS teachers are NY State certified. In math, students consistently score very high and exceed city, state and district scores on their regents. Assessment testing is done twice a year, in both the spring and fall, to ensure that students are meeting and exceeding NY State standards. Early intervention plays an important role as a support system for students.

Wealth Management Strategies for 2019 – An Interview with John Calamos Investors are likely to remember 2018 as a challenging year. Stocks gyrated and rising interest rates put pressure on the bond markets. We asked John P. Calamos, Sr., to explain what’s been going on and to discuss how the Calamos Wealth Management team is positioning clients for the road ahead. John is the Founder, Chairman and Global Chief Investment Officer of Calamos Investments and has been navigating volatile markets for nearly 50 years.

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John P. Calamos, Sr.

Why have financial markets been so volatile for everyone. But when it comes to asset allocation, risk management is always in 2018? important. I see many opportunities for active Markets hate uncertainty. Volatility has managers in 2019, but as I noted, volatility is stemmed from political unknowns, such as likely to continue. In this environment, I trade policy and elections. Geopolitical believe strategies that can play both defense uncertainties related to the euro zone, Brexit, and offense will have a real advantage in 2019. the Middle East and Russia have also weighed on market sentiment. In addition, there has On an ongoing basis, our Investment been a lot of market apprehension about the Committee and Wealth Advisors work Federal Reserve and how higher short-term together to assess market conditions and their U.S. interest rates will influence the global impact on client portfolios. Given the economy and corporate profitability. These dynamics in the market, capital preservation concerns are likely to distract markets next remains a high priority. year, too. So, investors should be prepared for For many clients, we believe it makes sense to continued volatility. increase exposure to defensive equity With all of these uncertainties, should strategies. Defensive equity strategies are investors be worried that a U.S. recession is designed to provide participation in market upside with a focus on cushioning losses on right around the corner? the downside. On the fixed income side, our The markets and the economy are two approach is to be more defensive in the face of different things. While I expect market rising interest rates. volatility to be a defining feature of 2019, I believe the U.S. economy can continue to What are some examples of strategies that grow. Although a slowing global economy and can be used to enhance defensive positioning geopolitical issues pose potential risks, I don’t in an equity allocation? see recession in 2019 as the probable outcome.

Economic fundamentals are still intact, such In many cases, we recommend using as positive GDP growth and subdued alternative strategies to provide defensive equity participation. This could include a inflation. hedged equity allocation that seeks to achieve With volatility likely to continue, what are the total return of equity markets, but with the biggest risks you see for investors in 2019? lower volatility.

The biggest risk is having a short-term mindset. Investors need to recognize that short-term swings in the market are normal.

Historically, it’s been quite common for the stock market to pause or retreat before moving upward again. Investors who continually hop in and out of the markets to avoid short-term downturns are likely to miss rebounds. In contrast, investors who put time on their s i d e — a n d s t ay i nv e s t e d — a r e b e t t e r positioned for the long term.

I’m also concerned about the potential risks of passively managed investment strategies, like index funds. Passive strategies can’t respond to evolving market conditions the way actively managed approaches like ours can. Our investment teams are continually seeking out ways to enhance the balance of risk and return in their portfolios. Also, our clients’ portfolios benefit from ongoing oversight by the Calamos Wealth Management Investment Committee and dedicated Wealth Advisors.

This multi-pronged approach gives our clients advantages that passive strategies can’t replicate.

What are some key themes shaping your asset allocation approach in 2019?

First, every client has different circumstances, so there’s no single asset allocation that is right

In st r ate g i c a l l o c at i ons , we c an us e convertibles in many ways. For example, we may pair them with stocks or use them in a dedicated convertible strategy. The strategies we choose depend on each client. In some cases, we may invest primarily in U.S. convertibles, but for many clients, we are also using conver t ibles for r isk-manage d participation in global opportunities.

Investors often look to bonds to mitigate the impact of stock market volatility, but rising rates have historically created headwinds for some types of fixed income investments. In this environment, are there ways to enhance fixed income allocations?

Investors historically have turned to fixed income investments to provide income and dampen volatility, and fixed income is an important strategic component for many asset allocations. But in a rising rate environment, investors may want to include strategies that are less exposed to interest rate risk.

The good news is that there are ways to increase the defensive positioning of a fixed income portfolio in the face of rising interest rates. For example, we can use alternatives. For a number of clients, we include a market neutral income allocation as a fixed income alternative. It’s one of Calamos’ pioneering capabilities, extending back nearly 30 years.

To generate income, we use investment strategies that haven’t demonstrated high In other cases, we may include a long/short correlation to interest rates. In our market allocation to pursue strong risk-adjusted and neutral income approach, we also seek absolute returns across the global equity consistent returns with lower volatility. universe. Our long/short approach has many tools at its disposal, including the flexibility to Earlier, I discussed using convertibles within a short stocks. Shorting stocks offers the strategic (long-term) allocation for defensive potential to profit when stocks are going equity participation. We also use convertibles tactically to enhance fixed income allocations down, as well as when they are going up. during rising rate environments. Convertibles In addition to alternatives, are there other offer the opportunity for income through w a y s t o p u r s u e d e f e n s i v e e q u i t y their coupons, but with less sensitivity to interest rates than traditional investment participation? grade bonds.

Yes, when we develop a wealth strategy for a client, we have many tools in our toolkit for Finally, rising interest rates tend to have the defensive equity exposure. In fact, I believe greatest impact on longer-term bonds. So, in a our breadth of risk-managed strategies and rising rate environment, shorter-term bond our focus on capital preser vation are allocations can be an appealing choice for income and lowering exposure to stock important advantages we bring to clients. market volatility.

Since the 1970s, Calamos has used convertible securities as a strategic allocation for risk- Any closing thoughts? managed exposure to the stock market.

C o n v e r t i b l e s e c u r i t i e s c o m b i n e I’ve been working with clients for more than characteristics of stocks and bonds, and they 40 years, and I know how difficult volatile have been a compelling choice for defensive markets can be for investors. The headlines equity participation over many market cycles. can be sensational and even scary. What’s With active management, convertible important to remember is that Calamos securities can be a welcome addition for Wealth Management has many tested clients who are apprehensive about being in investment approaches for climates like these. the markets but don’t want to be on the And, our team is always available to discuss sidelines either. questions or concerns with our clients.

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CAPE FEAR CHAPTER 408 Established December 14, 1961 50 Years Promoting Hellenic Values

Happy New Year !

2019 wishes from the AHEPA family of Wilmington, North Carolina Health, Joy, Progress Nick Lazaridis

Bill Batuyios

Jim Stasios

President

Vice President

Secretary-Treasurer

AHEPA HOUSE, 109 North Kerr Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28405

Leadership 100 Chairman Argyris Vassiliou:

by Demetrios Rhompotis Leadership 100, the preeminent Greek American membership organization, will celebrate its 35th Anniversary with the 28th Annual Conference, February 21-24, 2019, in Boca Raton, Florida.

This conference marks an important milestone for the group which has already surpassed the long-held goal of 1000 members (the founding fathers were hoping for 100 in their wildest dreams!). And through new

The Vassiliou Family: from left, son Nicholas, daughter Alexandra, wife Ann and Argyris “RJ” Vassiliou 24

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initiatives it is also targeting the younger leaders, those finishing high school or already in college. The conference will be the first for the chairmanship of A r g y r i s Va s s i l i o u , leader in his own right Argyris and Ann Vassiliou in business and the community at large. Vassiliou, and Pi, the National Engineering Honor Society, his predecessor, George Tsandikos, and C hi Epsi lon, t he Nat iona l Civ i l represent a leadership shift to the Engineering Honor Society. generation after the founding fathers of the group and has already Vassiliou served as Treasurer of The Saint infused the organization with new Michael’s Home in Yonkers, NY, is on the blood and energy and has opened Board of Anatolia College in Thessaloniki, the way to even more exciting and is an alumni member of the National possibilities.

Leadership Council for the Campaign for Stuyvesant High School.

Argyris (RJ) Vassiliou is currently the President of two family-owned Fluent in Greek, he is also an active member of businesses, Acme Pallet Company, AHEPA. Married to the former Ann Inc., an industrial engineering Pappajohn, they have two children, Alexandra concern, based in New York City, and Nicholas, and attend the Church of the and Di-Cor Industries, Inc., a Archangels in Stamford, CT. specialty structural steel fabrication company, located in Bristol, CT. He In this interview with NEO, Vassiliou talks has been active in designing and ab out his vision as chair man of t he implementing materials handling organization and the responsibility that comes systems for clients such as American with it. “There is one more essential Airlines, Goya Foods and Procter & ingredient: to ensure that we recruit the best Gamble. and the brightest not only as members, but as members of our Board, which will determine He was educated at The Cooper t h e c h a r a c t e r a n d i n t e g r i t y o f o u r Union for the Advancement of organization. My own goal is to insure the Science and Art, receiving a B.C.E. highest quality of Board membership along degree in 1989, and at Princeton with growth. Quality is just as important, and University, receiving a M.S. degree perhaps more so than quantity.” in 1991. He is a member of Tau Beta PHOTOS:DIMITRIOS PANAGOS

The upcoming Leadership 100 conference support the National Ministries of our will be your first conference as chairman. Archdiocese, along with other causes that advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism. This Can you tell us some of the highlights? requires knowledgeable oversight of all the Not only will this be my first conference as functions of Leadership 100 and the Chairman of Leadership 100, but as it also implementation of its decisions. Leadership marks the celebration of the 35th Anniversary 100 has grown to almost 1,100 members with of the founding of Leadership 100, it is a total assets of $100 million and has distributed double honor for me. We will meet February more that $51 million in grants over the 35 21-24, 2019, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club years of its history. This is a remarkable testimony to the leadership of an organization in Boca Raton, Florida. of which I am the proud shepherd.

Featured speakers will include George Veras, the Sports Emmy-Award winning Chief Two years ago, Leadership 100 reached a Operating Officer of the Pro Football Hall of most imp or tant mi lestone, w hen it Fame and Founder and President of Veras surpassed 1000 members. What are the Communications, Inc., Stellene Volandes, goals from now on regarding membership Editor in Chief of Town and Country and expansion? What are your goals as Magazine, and our own Chairman Emeritus chairman and what would you like people to George D. Behrakis. We will also feature, at remember your chairmanship for? our Opening Forum, one of the most prominent ministries of our Archdiocese, The Our goals have remained the same over our Center for Family Care, whose remarkable history: to target all our resources and talents work will be presented by its Director, Rev. Fr. on growing our membership which in turn Alexander Goussetis and Coordinator for leads to the growth of our endowment and Seminarian and Clerg y Couple Care, increases the grants distributed in support of Presvytera Kerry Pappas. The traditional Bible our Church. But there is one more essential Study and Lecture will be conducted by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America. Each of these address important facets of our lives.

going to continue in that direction? Why, in your opinion, should you and other successful Americans of Hellenic descent join Leadership 100 while they have a variety of many other very worthy causes and organizations to join if they want to?

I guess you can call me RJ Vassiliou, Dealer in Eagles! As to young professionals, we encourage their joining and have integrated them into full membership, advancing the most dedicated to positions on the Board, the E xe c ut ive C ommitte e and ot her ke y committees. Joining Leadership 100 is a privilege. It was for me and it is for many new members today that are drawn to Leadership 100 by the examples of outstanding members of our Community. This model of leadership began with the original Founders, legends in business and philanthropy, who joined Archbishop Iakovos to create Leadership 100 in 1984 and continues to this day. These leaders have demonstrated that collective action, while maintaining the highest standards of accountability, transparency and responsibility, has created a unique and unparalleled organization that is both

George Behrakis’ contribution is of special importance. He will moderate a panel of medical specialists on the subject of “Health and Wellness: Improving our Quality of Life”.

The panel will include George Dangas, MD PhD, Professor of Medicine, Cardiology and Professor of Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York; Harry T. Anastopoulos, MD, Gastroenterologist, Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, who is affiliated with its teaching hospital at Beth Israel, Deaconess Medical Center; and George J. Korkos, M.D. D.D.S. F.A.C.S., a member of Leadership 100, and a leading Plastic Surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

You are about to complete one year as chairman. How's the experience so far?

What are the greatest challenges you encountered?

After one year I can attest to the thorough professionalism that characterizes the work of Leadership 100. The Executive Committee and Board of Trustees take their fiduciary responsibility with great seriousness. Our Founders and Chairmen Emeriti play an indispensable role in providing an “institutional memory” that guides us in being true to purpose. The committees function according to the highest standards. Whether the Audit or Investment Committees or the Grant or Membership Committees, our Executive Director, Paulette Poulos, and her staff keep everything running smoothly and efficiently. The supreme challenge is maintaining the integrity and growth of our endowment to ensure that it can adequately

Outgoing Chairman George S. Tsandikos, right, passes the Torch of Leadership to new Chairman, Argyris Vassiliou, center, while Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit looks on.

ingredient, to ensure that we recruit the best and the brightest not only as members but as members of our Board, which will determine the character and integrity of our organization. My own goal is to insure the highest quality of Board membership along with growth. Quality is just as important, and perhaps more so than quantity. There is probably an optimal size. There always is. But our business is to be sensitive to it as it emerges. As a wise man once said, “Eagles don’t come in flocks.”

philanthropic and characterized by great Christian fellowship. We must keep proving to our younger prospects that Leadership 100 is where they really and truly belong.

Why did you to become a member?

My wife, the former Ann Pappajohn, originally joined as an Associate Member.

When we married, we became full members and fulfilled our commitment, although technically of associate age. Ann’s parents, John and Mary Pappajohn, were always Some years ago, the organization decided to prominent members and truly provided a more actively go after young professionals, great example to follow. opening to the new generations. Are you COVER STORY

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L e a d er s h ip 1 0 0 w a s fou n d e d a s an endowment fund in support of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. However, times have changed, and new challenges have appeared regarding Hellenism at large.

Is there a discussion among the members to expand its scope to other areas, although legally you are restricted in doing so?

the name implies. It has proved successful in more than one way. Other organizations have sprung from it following the same model to different goals. This is the way to go for our community organizations because they can secure funding and the people who offer their support can be assured that the funds will be used for the purpose intended. Have you thought of Hellenism is integral to our Greek Orthodox providing guidance or perhaps technical Faith. Many of the programs we support are assistance to other groups? indeed ministries such as Greek Education, Byzantine Music, and Greek Liturgical texts. An endowment fund, wherein one can grow a Ministries advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism portfolio not only through contributions but

those issues will be discussed, and members be informed as to what is going on? Or regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the challenges it's facing within a country that doesn't even accept the ecumenical character of the institution.

We have had programs on the Great Massacre of Smyrna, on Greek Archaeology and Civilization, on the Holy and Great Synod and others like these and will continue to do so, periodically addressing historical and contemporary issues. However, there are advocacy organizations much better equipped to mount programs on these international issues, which require considerable costs. Our purpose is to provide financial support for the National Ministries of our Archdiocese. We look to other organizations that are better suited for that purpose to keep abreast of these issues, which are of great importance and of great concern to us as Hellenes. While Leadership 100 will continue to support our Archdiocese, we will always ultimately support our Mother Church. We have provided funding for the Holy and Great Council, the Imbros High School and the Ecumenical Patriarchate Pastoral Healthcare Program.

A message to the Leadership 100 members and the community at large.

Leadership 100 Chairman, Argyris Vassiliou, third from left, at Ribbon Cutting of Exhibit Hall of 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, with (L to R) Leadership 100 Founder, Chairman Emeritus and Honorary Chairman of Congress, Arthur C. Anton, Peter Bassett, Co-Chair, Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, Host Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Archbishop Demetrios, and Michael Sophocles, Co-Chair

through programs for children, youth, young adults and families. Our scholarship support of seminarians preparing for the priesthood at Holy Cross advance our Faith and Heritage in both Orthodoxy and Hellenism. They are missionaries of both in our American society by virtue of their training.

Founding Member Peter Dion told me that he feels especially proud because more than 1000 Greeks belong to this group. During all those years there wasn't any mismanagement, lawsuits, divisions or other plagues that have hit other Greek American organizations. Your thoughts on that.

Peter Dion has every right to be proud of that in that it was he and the other remarkable Founders such as Arthur Anton and those of Blessed Memory, Andrew Athens, Thomas Athens, George Chimples, Michael Jaharis and George Kokalis, who guarded the integrity of the organization during troubled t i m e s . We c o nt i nu e t h e i r l e g a c y i n maintaining the standards they put in place.

Leadership 100 is the first Greek American Endowment Fund of its kind, a real leader as

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Leadership 100 lives and thrives as a testimony to our forebears who took the revolutionary step for our community of devising a way to secure and protect significant resources for our Church and to advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America. Our Founders anticipated that our Church would face challenging times and that its needs would

also through wise investments, is a preferable arrangement to preserve resources so that our Church as well as our donors can be assured of generous support over the decades. This is overlooked by those seeking support for projects that have immediate appeal. Such action diminishes the ability to provide resources in the future. Several organizations have not only looked to us as an example but asked us to provide them with guidance.

Given our desire to be of Argyris Vassiliou addressing the 44th Clergy-Laity Congress assistance to our fellow man (and woman), we have and will always gladly grow. They also anticipated that Orthodox Christian donors who advanced in their help. careers and businesses would need a vehicle The organization has religiously stayed out for that support, which would meet the of politics. However, there are other issues of requirements of sound business, financial interest to the community that go beyond integrity and professional standards. By local politics, such as the Cyprus issue, remembering just why we are here and who we Turkey's threat against Greece in the are, we can continue to play a transformational Aegean, etc. Are you willing to organize role in our Church, our Community and some forums at your conferences where American Society.

Nicholas Vassiliou, Yannis & Lazaros Siozis, Angelos Katopodis

L100 Young Professionals' Holiday Gathering

by Anastasia & Callie Pantelidis

PHOTOS: ETA PRESS

From left, the event hostesses Callie Pantelidis & Anastasia Pantelidis, L100 Chairman Argyris Vassiliou and L100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos

Anna Politis, Markella Mallas, Calliope Pantelidis, Maria Bregianos, Patricia Rigas and Antonia Exarhos

As the newly appointed chairs of The Young Professionals of Leadership 100, we were thrilled with the outcome of our 2018 holiday gathering and have been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from the greater organization. The reception held on December 19th at Kyma Flatiron in NYC, brought together 100 young professionals of Hellenic descent. L100 Chairman Argyris Vassiliou attended and saluted the event as did Executive Director Paulette Poulos and they invited those present and their friends to join the group. A message echoed by Michael Bapis and George Soterakis who led the very successful Leadership 100 Partners and now passed the torch to The Young Professionals of L100.

The philanthropic nature of Leadership 100 is at the very core of its purpose and has become the driving force for our Church, community, and culture as Greek Americans. It’s an organization that has connected Greeks from around the world, anchoring its network and resources to provide millions of dollars in grants towards scholarships, humanitarian assistance, and aid to dozens of organizations and individuals throughout our community.

George Pantelidis, Paulette Poulos, Callie Pantelidis

Argyris Vassiliou, Dana Moutis, Katerina Allwin

Leadership 100 has been an important part of our lives since childhood and an organization we’ve grown passionate about over the last several years.

Raising awareness and encouraging the future leaders of our community to join our Young Professionals group was the purpose of the event.

We are eager to follow in the footsteps of the two previous chairs, Mr. Michael Bapis and Mr. George Soterakis. We look forward to a successful annual conference in February and will be planning additional events in the future to educate our fellow young professionals about Leadership 100.

From left, Christina Tenedios, George Sousou, Derek Katchis, Alexandra Lambiris, Alexandra Katchis, Elpida Sousou, Thomas Sousou, James Pantelidis

Stevie Politi, George Bousis

Michael Bapis, George Soterakis

Kyma Flatiron Manager Renos Georgiou and staff members at the event George Zoitas, Angelos Katopodis NEWS & NOTES

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Archons Honor Father Alex and Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos with Athenagoras Human Rights Award

throughout the entire world…Father Alex has deeply impacted and enriched many souls around the globe in search of spiritual refuge and guidance.”

Archon National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis, M.D., noted the Athenagoras Human Rights Award not only recognizes the impact that an individual or organization has had on the respect for human dignity and religious freedom in our world, but it also bears the name of a great Ecumenical Patriarch, and one who was as well, a great Archbishop of America.

In his response to receiving the Award with his wife, Father Alex replied, “Although we are not the worthiest recipients of this Award, we are immensely aware and humbled by its worth.

For us, Patriarch Athenagoras was a visionary for our C hurch in Amer ic a and t he Ecumenical Patriarchate. The infrastructure of our Archdiocese, which is the bedrock of all that we enjoy, was bequeathed to us by this prophetic Prelate.

Father Alex and Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos receiving the Athenagoras Human Rights Award by Archbishop, Geron of America Demetrios and the Archons National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (1st from left) represented the Ecumenical Patriarch.

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Order of Saint Andrew, of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America honored Father Alexander and Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos with the Athenagoras Human Rights Award, before 1,300 attendees at their annual banquet, the largest gathering at the event in half a century.

determination are legendary.”

Father Alex’s brother James Karloutsos spoke movingly about their early life and said of his brother: “His accomplishments have been molded by his faith, love, and strong faith in God. That lifelong faith strengthened his commitment and devotion to better the lives of all who seek him out.”

Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, t h e Pe rs on a l Representative of Ecumenical Patriarch B ar t holome w, affirmed: “They have never let us down, Father Alex and Presbytera Xanthi, not even once.” He praised “their spiritual care for every person they have encountered over their Former Vice President Joe Biden with Archbishop Demetrios, decades of service in hierarchs, members of the Archons Order and the honorees minist r y, f rom t he least, to their parish, to The master of ceremonies was Fox News Chief the greatest, in the halls of secular power.”

C o n g r e s s i o n a l a n d S e n i o r Po l i t i c a l Correspondent, Archon Mike Emanuel. In a video message recorded for this event, “Being in Washington over the past seventeen E c u m e n i c a l Pat r i a r c h B a r t h o l o m e w years,” said Emanuel, “I’ve heard Presidents addressed the Order, saying: “You have rightly from both parties mention Father Alex – a c h o s e n t o re c o g n i z e a n d h on or t h e recognition of his talent. And three unwavering dedication and selfless service Archbishops have depended heavily on him they have demonstrated the last five decades o v e r t h e d e c a d e s … . H i s f o c u s a n d to Orthodoxy in the United States and 30

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“Even our political ties to the Oval Office began when then Archbishop Athenagoras was called in November 1948 to lead the Sacred See of Saint Andrew as part of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan to keep the First Throne of Orthodoxy from being trapped behind the Iron Curtain and falling into the communist hands of Stalin’s Soviet Union.”

“Together, my wife Xanthi and I have worked and served in the holy priesthood for over 48 years,” Father Alex noted. “While I was processing with Popes and Patriarchs, my unseen co-worker was sorting suitcases at airports; while I was in receiving lines with Presidents and First Ladies at the White House, Presbytera Xanthi was arranging chairs at the State Department; when I celebrate the Divine Liturgy and enjoy the first seat in our Church, my co-disciple takes the last pew to ensure proper discipline in the Narthex and Nave; while I’m the maître de superstar at our Hamptons Greek Festival, my privileged Presbytera is peeling onions, washing pans and baking baklava.” n her comments to the assembled guests, Presbytera Xanthi expressed her gratitude for the recognition they received, adding “as grand as this evening is, it is even more humbling, because whatever we have achieved together, we did because it was what we truly believed,” noting that she and Father Alex have been given unique opportunities to serve the Church they love so much. “Each act of service has been special because of our love for our Ecumenical Patriarchate, and especially His All-Holiness. Receiving this honor is really special.”

Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, noted that several of the speakers “spoke about joy,” and that “joy is something that characterizes” the Karloutsos family, even amid great PHOTOS: ETA PRESS

hardships. A “genuine Christian,” he said, is “filled with the joy of Christ no matter what happens,” and Father Alex and his family epitomize this.

Archbishop Demetrios also praised Father Alex for facilitating access to Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump. The Archbishop detailed more of Father Alex’s accomplishments and then noted: “Here is Presbytera Xanthippe, doing superhuman work. To take care of the family and giving to Fat h e r A l e x a n d e r t h e p o s s i bi l it y t o move…through different levels and kinds of activity. It’s one thing to deal with the Archons,

it’s another thing to deal with political authorities, and it’s another thing to d e a l w i t h extraordinary events like a unique, Ho l y a n d G r e at Synod in Crete.” He also recounted F a t h e r A l e x ’s tireless efforts to rebuild and restore St. Nicholas Church, destroyed More than 1,300 attended, making the gala the largest in half a century

The Karloutsos family

in the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, and make it a beacon of Orthodoxy in New York City and America as a whole.

Archon Nicholas J. Bouras represented by Archon B. Theodore Bozonelis, Archon John A. Catsimatidis, Archon William P. Doucas, Archon Dean Poll, and Archon Michael G. Psaros, as well as those who contributed to sponsoring this year’s banquet.

In addition, the National Commander also expressed his thanks to the generous benefactors of the banquet including the five underwriters, the late

“We are pleased to announce we have raised $1.4 million, which will be used exclusively and prudently for the worldwide ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarch,” he said. “We do anticipate establishing the St. Andrew Endowment Fund for our Mother Church of Constantinople with the blessings of the Exarch and the Metropolitans.”

Patriarch Theophilos III with AHI Board of Directors members and representatives from AHEPA and B’nai B’rith International, before entering the Hellenic House

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine to continue the important dialogue regarding the challenges and burdens facing the churches of the Holy Land. The intimate discussion, held at Hellenic House, November 14, 2018, featured representatives of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the International Community of the Holy Sepulchre (ICoHS) and included AHI Board of Directors members and representatives from AHEPA and B’nai B’rith International.

“We appreciated the opportunity to host His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos at Hellenic House,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said.

“The patriarch and representatives of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem provided a thorough and candid update regarding the threats to the Christian presence in Jerusalem, from extremist groups. We commend Patriarch Theophilos for his outreach and engagement with key audiences in Washington and New York City.”

In addition to AHI President Larigakis, AHI Board Member Demitrios Halakos, and his wife, Georgia; AHI Board Member James L. Marketos, Esq., AHI Foundation Board Member John Alahouzos, and AHI Legislative Directors Peter Milios and Elias Gerasoulis, attended.

Hi s B e at itu d e’s d e l e g at i on i n c lu d e d Ambassador Patrick N. Theros, the Patriarch’s US Representative; Mr. Nader Moghrabi, 32

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Counsel to the Patriarchate; Mr. Austin Tiffany from ICoHS; Ms. Anna Koulouris, Patriarchate External Communications Director; Mr. Russell Rook, an advisor to the Patriarchate, as well as Mr. Austin Tiffany, Executive Manager of ICoHS. The American Hellenic Institute is a nonprofit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

AHI President Nick Larigakis welcomes Patriarch Theophilos III

The Prosperity Group Revitalizes Limassol’s Traditional Agora As part of its ongoing ethos of social contribution, The Prosperity Group is sponsoring the upgrading of the Ayios Nicolaos roundabout in Limassol through the creation of a landmark fountain that WAS due for completion by the end of December 2018.

The fountain is being designed by local Limassol firms ‘M.D.G Architects and Interior D e s i g n O f f i c e’, and ‘Mar anc o Wate r Techniques Ltd’. It will consist of 250 nozzles; six different water features; two running water effects and latest technology waterproof LED lights, making it a focal point both during the day and night. The complete system will have four different sequences, which will be changed every quarter, ensuring that the fountain retains its visual originality and interest.

residential, commercial and mixed-use building projects throughout Europe and the Middle East – with large-scale projects in the UK, Cyprus, Croatia and Israel, and individual projects in Holland. With an extensive portfolio so far, company 's projects include also the reconstruction of the environmental friendly building of The Huckletree Ltd, the Westminster Bridge Hotel, the Elizabeth Hotel in London and the Park Plaza Vondelpark, in Mayor of Limassol, Mr Nicos Nicolaides, Amsterdam. extended his heartfelt thanks for the gesture: “On behalf of the Municipality I would like to Aside from construction and real estate, the express our deep appreciation to the group is also active in the sectors of Corporate Prosperity Group for their generous donation Services and Yachting. to our city, which proves a high-level of social responsibility and public spirit. The Mr. P. Alexandrou is the Founder and Director upgrading of the Ayios Nicolaos roundabout of the company with 23 years of experience in through a system of fountains, will contribute Luxur y Re al Est ate and Investments The roundabout will also be newly landscaped to our efforts towards the general upgrading of worldwide. He was born and raised in Cyprus within a Real Estate business family and as part of its renovation. The total donated our city.” educated n UK. Prior expanding business in contribution by The Prosperity Group is Founded in 2006, The Prosperity Group Cyprus Mr. P. Alexandrou invested in UK and estimated to be in the region of €75,000. works with partners to develop contemporary along the way in other countries worldwide.

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With its Head Office located in the vicinity of the roundabout in Limassol, The Prosperity Group wanted to donate a lasting symbol to the city that it is actively present in through a number of projects, including the new Agora; a bold and visionary development that will see Limassol’s traditional market (agora) revitalised and renovated in an investment of three million Euros.

strategy

στρατηγική Turkey cannot get both the S-400s AND the F-35s!

Endy Zemenides is the Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), a national advocacy organization for the Greek American community. To learn more about HALC, visit www.hellenicleaders.com

By Endy Zemenides The week after the U.S.-Greece Strategic Dialogue kicked off, Turkey violated Greek airspace hundreds of times. The Hellenic Air Force intercepted the Turkish jets -- which promptly turned back to Turkey. These continued provocations by Turkey have increased to such a frequency that even the US Ambassador to Greece has repeatedly expressed concerns over an “accident” occurring between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean.

and perhaps as a tipping point in how much of little chance of success. Yet week by week it a f lashpoint the Aegean and eastern grew – In Defense of Christians co-sponsored Mediterranean become. the campaign, the pro-Israel community joined in as well, Evangelical Christians tied In 2018’s John S. McCain National Defense the F-35s to the fate of Pastor Brunson.

Authorization Act (NDAA), the U.S. Congress Restrictions on the F-35 transfers were passed passed a halt on the delivery of F-35s to Turkey as p ar t of t he NDAA and in S enate pending a report by the Department of Appropriations bills. Now this issue is part of Defense over US-Turkish relations. That the mainstream debate. It is a critical issue for report, delivered on November 26, concluded US national security. Very simply, Turkey that “The Administration will reassess cannot have both the S-400s and the F-35s; it Turkey’s continued participation as one of will raise the prospect of intelligence gathered While the chances of an accident are greater eight partner nations should they continue on how S-400s can track and target F-35s, than ever, these provocations are being treated with their purchase of the S-400.” The end of negating the jet’s stealth technology and more as a severe annoyance and a test rather 2018 also brought a flurry of activity that making America’s top warplane vulnerable. than an imminent military threat. But let’s fast forward a few years. Imagine that the Turkish jets violating Greek airspace are not F-16s, but F-35s. Greece scrambles its F-16s to intercept.

They are in the air late because radar did not immediately pick up the F-35s due to their stealth technology. As the Greek jets approach the eastern edge of Greece’s airspace, they are locked on by the S-400 missile system Turkey purchased from Russia – a missile system that has been designed to specifically take down warplanes like the F-16.

It could be several years before such a scenario plays out, but whether it eventually does will be determined in 2019. Since 2002, Turkey has been one of the US’s partner nations in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Program, through which it has committed $1.25 billion for a planned acquisition of 100 F-35 jets. Turkey has also been part of the production of the F35s, manufacturing various aircraft parts. The first two F-35 jets have been legally transferred to the Turkish Air Force but remain on American soil for training purposes. Two more are due to be delivered in the spring of 2019, with the first two due to be physically delivered to Turkey in the late fall of 2019.

Despite this security relationship, Turkey announced an agreement to procure the S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia in July 2017. The U.S. has consistently protested this acquisition, but the Turkish government has repeatedly and publicly stated that it has concluded its agreement to procure the S-400 and that the “chance to drop S-400s is zero”.

The initial delivery date will reportedly occur as early as July 2019. 2019 has thus shaped up as a tipping point in the F-35/S-400 debate, 42

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affects the issue. The State Department secured Congressional consent to cut a deal with Turkey over Patriot missiles – a deal that would be conditioned on the cancellation of the S-400 acquisition. Furthermore, while the federal government went into Christmas w it h out a d e a l to c ont i nu e f u n d i ng government, the ultimate budget is likely to contain appropriations language imposing a further halt to the delivery of F-35s to Turkey pending a reevaluation by Department of Defense of the US-Turkey relationship and the status of the S-400s.

When HALC began the #NoJetsForTurkey campaign with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), some people treated it as if it was a quixotic campaign with

The #NoJetsForTurkey is no longer a quixotic effort. It has been effective, and in 2019 it is a hill that we must all be prepared to die on. If the Trump-Erdogan phone call that preceded President Trump’s announcement of a Syria withdrawal is any indication, we cannot rely on a hardline position on S-400s/F-35s coming from the White House. Fortunately, Congress gets a say. Whether you prioritize A m e r i c a n m i l i t a r y s u p e r i o r i t y, t h e sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greece, or the safety of Cyprus, the choice is clear: Turkey cannot get both the S-400s AND the F35s. Whoever cannot make the commitment to you that they will fight to prevent that (and they will have the opportunity legislatively, not just with statements that require no action) does not deserve your support.

AHIF Student Foreign Policy Trip Participants Describe their Personal Experiences The American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) Foreign Policy Trip to Greece and Cyprus completed its landmark 10th year as ten students from across the United States participated in the 17-day program held June 29 to July 6, 2018. The students’ insightful essays describe their personal experiences from the trip to Greece and Cyprus. Throughout the program, the students received firsthand experience regarding the foreign policy issues affecting Greece and Cyprus, their relations with the United States, and the interests of the U.S. in the Eastern Mediterranean.

A Day in Occupied Cyprus The aftermath of the 1974 Tu r k i s h i nv a s i o n o f the Republic of Cyprus, still unresolved after four decades, has proven to be one of the l o n g e s t unsolved international disputes to date. The Turkish government forced thousands to evacuate their homes. The search for over 1,100 Cypriots still missing continues in a country that only houses 1.17 million citizens.

By contrast, America, which has a population of 330 million, has 1,251 American soldiers missing in action (MIA) from the Vietnam War. Today, Turkey occupies 37% of the island with 40,000 Turkish troops. Despite this fact Cyprus has grown to become a beacon of stability in one of the most volatile regions of the world; only a small body of water separates it from Syria, Israel, and Lebanon. Cyprus has strived to form synergies with its neighbors in the Arab World in addition to allies in Europe.

The Republic, a member of the European Union and Eurozone, recently has held summits with Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. With this unique and important position, Cyprus has served as a bridge of communication between Europe and the Middle East. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of substantive international pressure on Turkey to withdraw from Cyprus and demilitarize the island.

The most impactful moment I had during my trip to Cyprus was when we visited the occupied region. We had been told that you cannot fully understand the issue until you see it for yourself. I found that statement to be true.

I was a bit startled when I first saw the occupied territory. It appeared to be a lot more rural and underdeveloped compared to the free area. I was also surprised by the plethora of Turkish flags distributed and displayed throughout the region. While the Republic of Cyprus symbolized a country stepped in 44

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by Alexander Velis

Greek culture but fully sovereign from Greece, the occupied territory seemed nothing more than a satellite state. The Turkish flag was also frequently paired with the Turkish Cypriot flag; a banner that is essentially the Turkish flag with the opposite coloring. The two most imposing flags on the island are the Turkish flag and Turkish Cypriot flag that face south on the Kyrenia Mountains. Overlooking the occupied area and visible from a substantial portion of the free area, the phrase “Ne Mutlu Türküm Diyene” which translates to “How happy is the one who calls himself a Turk” is engraved in the mountain. This is a provocation to residents of the free area who are reminded of the occupation every time they face north.

O ne of t he mo st v is ibl e developments in the occupied area has been the proliferation of contemporary mosques.

They were clearly the most grandiose buildings in the region and were marked by tall flag poles which flew the Turkish and “Turkish Cypriot” flags. It is important to note that the Cypriots were always a very secular people on both ends. Greek and Turkish communities have traditionally coexisted in relative peace. Nowadays, magnificent mosques are often juxtaposed to desecrated Orthodox Churches in the occupied region.

Most of the roughly five-hundred Orthodox Churches in the Turkish Cypriot side have been looted and destroyed since the invasion over forty years ago. One of the most disheartening moments of the trip was visiting a ransacked church that resembled an empty shell more than a house of worship. Vile graffiti covered the walls, every window was shattered, and birds flew about the interior of the dome. Near the church were two adjacent cemeteries; one Orthodox and the other Islamic. Every single tombstone of the Orthodox cemetery was ravaged Crosses were split in half and scattered between each burial place. The adjacent Islamic cemetery was in pristine condition. I had never seen such explicit contempt for another person’s faith.

world’s most popular touristic hotspots and developed places on the entire island. Today, scores of multi-story buildings are abandoned and enclosed by a tall fence with barbed wire.

Only Turkish soldiers are allowed inside the city. At the time of the invasion, my grandfather was stationed in Cyprus as a soldier of the Greek Army. My mother, her sister, and grandmother were staying in Famagusta and endured three days of the conflict before being evacuated. It was surreal to see myself at the place where my mother hid in a hotel basement for days while Turkish planes repeatedly bombed the city at night.

Walking on the beach of the city stirred up a feeling of irony in me. Children were laughing and playing in the sand while right behind

The students and AHI's President Nick Larigakis at a Greek Air Force base

them Turkish machine guns oversaw a beach right next to a bombarded city frozen in time.

If Turkey’s stranglehold in Cyprus’ northern region endures, the occupied area will continue to drift from the rest of the Republic of Cyprus. This is an outcome Turkey desires, as shown by the mass influxes of illegal settlers into the occupied area. Despite the divide, we can hope that a solution will be reached on day and Cyprus will be reunified for the sake of its own people.

Alexander Velis is a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business studying Finance and International Business. On campus, he is an active member of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, Hellenic American Student I was also left in shock after visiting the Organization, and Professional Business abandoned city of Famagusta. Before the Fraternity Phi Chi Theta. He also co-hosts Take invasion of 1974, the city was one of the It Away, a weekly radio talk show on WPGU 107.1 FM.

Briefings and meetings were held with American embassies, officials from various foreign ministries, members of parliament, the armed forces, prominent think-tanks, and members of academia and the private sector of both countries. The principal events of the trip included a visit to the Turkish-occupied area in Cyprus and a day-trip to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Crete, where the students toured the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI) and received numerous briefings. The 2019 Application can be found at https://www.ahiworld.org/students/policy-trip/

Reflections on a Case Study of Perception vs. Reality in International Affairs: Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and the United States

by Sophia Kyrou As the warm sun shines on my face and the salty water of t h e Mediterranea n glides around my feet, I should feel relaxation and bliss.

Instead, I feel anxiety, and an unsettling need to be aware of everything that is going on around me. It is July 2018, and I am on a beach in Famagusta (Ammochostos, in Greek), a ghost city in the Turkish occupied zone in Cyprus. Famagusta has all the trappings of a proper Mediterranean beach scene. That is, until you turn from the strikingly blue water and around towards the city—or what’s left of it.

Behind a few eerily empty beach bars is a stretch of taller, older buildings, all of which are bombed out. The bombed-out buildings—shells of what they once were prior t o t h e 1 9 7 4 Tu r k i s h i n v a s i o n a n d occupation—stand as a physical reminder of what once was, and what is now. I turn to look at the guard tower fixed immediately behind the sand dunes connecting beach to road.

Squinting, I see the figure of a Turkish occupation soldier and the unmistakable outline of his submachine gun.

This unsettling juxtaposition of settings and circumstances is a perfect microcosm of the way in which Turkey operates on the global stage. Underneath an inviting exterior lies a dangerous reality, ready to explode at any moment. My experience on the beach in the Turkish-occupied zone in Cyprus is only one of the many things I learned from the American Hellenic Institute’s Foreign Policy Trip. I took away similar lessons in the U.S., Greece, and elsewhere in Cyprus, but this example was perhaps the most disquieting exposition of the vast disconnect between p ercept ion and re a lit y ; b et we en t he possibilities that a strategic relationship with Greece and Cyprus promise and the stifled roles they are given; and between the polished image Turkey displays on the global stage and the true actions of the Turkish government. I have come away from the trip with the strong conviction that, in politics and media, perception and reality can be at variance with one another. With this, I know that perception

must be reshaped.

GDP on defense. Greece and Cyprus abide by international law and human rights norms and have shown compassion to refugees and migrants. Turkey, on the other hand, routinely violates international law, infringes upon other states’ sovereignty, ignores human rights standards, funds Islamic terrorism, ethnically cleanses the indigenous Kurdish population within its own borders, and occupies the territory of a sovereign nation and EU member state—Cyprus. Despite these realities, Greece and Cyprus continue to be undervalued by the United States and much of

Most importantly, I realized that my disappointment should not only be limited to Turkey or Turkish politicians. At the July 16th Russia-U.S. Summit in Helsinki, President Donald Trump showed his support for increasingly authoritarian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by fist bumping him and saying that he “does things the right way.” In the days following the summit, the media was almost entirely occupied by a flurry of Trumpand Putin-induced hysteria. In stark contrast, on July 20, there was virtually no recognition to mark the 44th year of Turkey’s invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus in mainstream American media. This communicated to me that the world perceives Greece and Cyprus as peripheral countries that are not worth advocating for or protecting. As both a Greek-American and CypriotAmerican, I have always been aware of the assets that Greece and Cyprus have to offer, but this trip helped me to solidify certain ideas, particularly The students in a desecrated church about Greece and Cyprus’ role in the Turkish occupied area of Cyprus as pillars of stability in an the international community while Turkey, u n s t a b l e r e g i o n , a n d a b o u t t h e i r which continually violates international law, u n q u e s t i o n a b l e i m p o r t a n c e i n t h e continues to be appeased.

Mediterranean.

I walk away from my experiences in Geopolitically, Turkey undeniably occupies a Washington, D.C., Cyprus, and Greece both highly strategic location, but Greece and frustrated and determined. I am frustrated by Cyprus hold nearly identical strategic the lack of international and U.S. support for positions. Greece is a crossroads between Cyprus and Greece, as well as by the United Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, and States’ continued alliance with Turkey. I am North Africa. It is a country situated at an determined, on the other hand, to do essential point of the Mediterranean Sea that everything I can in the U.S. and abroad to connects East to West. Cyprus provides an contribute my all to liberating Cyprus and even closer window to the Middle East and Greece from the injustices and threats they North Africa, with almost immediate air and face from Turkey. naval access to Israel, Syria, Egypt, and other countries in the region. Given these immense Sophia Kyrou, a sophomore at Trinity College, is geographic advantages, it is foolish to double-majoring in Political Science and overlook Greece and Cyprus’ vital geostrategic Human Rights and minoring in French. A importance.

Faculty Honors student and an 1823 Scholar, Sophia was acknowledged by Trinity’s Dean of On the political and legal front, Greece and Student Success as an emerging leader, invited Cyprus are democratic, rule of law states that to serve on Trinity’s Scholars Advisory Board generously contribute to the European and and selected for Trinity’s Catalyst Leadership global community. Something I was not aware Program and for Venture Trinity. Sophia spent of before embarking on this trip was that a gap year learning about Middle East Greece is one of the few NATO members to geopolitics and Mediterranean migration to meet NATO’s defense spending standard and, Greece, interning at Harvard Kennedy School’s after the United States, is the country which Middle East Initiative and the GOARCH UN spends the second-largest percentage of its Office.

hellenes without borders The Battle of the Atlantic: The Gruesome Tale the Numbers Tell of Triumph and Tragedy I have always been a textual type. I am a writer, a lawyer, and now a historian in training. I have always been text-heavy. Having said that, I have a business degree, I own part of a business, and I was a banker for fifteen years, so numbers are not a foreign language to me.

Alexander Billinis is a writer and lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. He and his family returned to the US after nearly a decade in Greece, the UK, and Serbia. He writes prolifically on Balkan topics. His books, The Eagle has Two Faces: Journeys through Byzantine Europe, and Hidden Mosaics: An Aegean Tale, are available from Amazon.com. airborne rage. Here too the numbers illustrate.

Greek ships are going down in Transatlantic runs, hitting mines in the English Channel, or falling victim to German Stukas and bombers as France is overrun and the “Blitz” begins over Britain. After May 1940, Italy’s considerable navy goes into action. While the most famous pre-war Greek naval casualty was the destroyer Elli, torpedoed August 15, 1940, before Greece entered the war, the Italians had picked off other Greek ships, and aside from the martyred sailors of the Elli, over 100 sailors died in 1940, before Greece entered the war. Greek ships were a vital part of the lifeline that kept the British islands supplied at a point when all seemed lost.

and islands. My figures only cover those ships larger than 2,000 tons, but the loss in Greek waters was near total, and the Germans and Italians often commandeered local shipping that survived. These ships rarely returned to their owners but ended up at the bottom of the sea.

In terms of total losses, 1941 was the worst year for Greek shipping, in large part due to the invasion of Greece and losses in the Mediterranean, but 1942 in the Atlantic was the worst year for Allied shipping in aggregate, with massive losses, often within sight of major seaports on the US Atlantic seaboard.

American statistics indicate that service in

Both text and numbers have a certain manipulability and interpretation, yet I have found increasingly that generally accepted numbers and statistics tell their own story.

Stories can be “backed into” from numbers and are often far more credible histories.

In the case of The Battle of the Atlantic, beyond the harrowing stories, the personal loss in my own family, touching letters to and from home, it was the cold hard statistics that chilled me more than anything else.

In 1939, Greece had the ninth largest merchant fleet in the world. The merchant marine was a vital and higher paying employer to thousands of Greeks, sending badly needed foreign currency home to a country that had endured the Asia Minor Catastrophe less than two decades prior. The merchant marine absorbed a large proportion of Greek capital, both native and diaspora, and the network of Greek ships tied together a global Hellenic presence. Again, just to give an example from my paternal line. By 1939, there were Billinis family members in Mozambique, the US, and in several Latin American countries. All these people had at least a tenuous or a direct relation with the merchant marine.

In September 1939, Britain and France went to war with Germany over the latter’s invasion of Poland, and though the war was “phony” on the Western Front until May 1940, it was real at sea from the very first day. Though Greece was neutral, her ships were not, and five Greek ships were sunk by U-Boats in the last three months of 1939. The first Greeks who died in World War II were at sea, well before Greece was at war.

With the coming of 1940, the carnage continued. Greece remained neutral until attacked on October 28, 1940, but her ships bore the full brunt of German naval and 48

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After October 28, 1940, as Greek forces crushed the Italian army on land and the Greek navy inflicted a fair amount of bruising in the Mediterranean, the carnage continued at sea. Greek ships continued to fall victim to U-Boats and German aircraft, now based in occupied France. Again, numbers tell a tale; Greek ships tended to be small and old, and rarely could outrun the deadly German subs.

Often stragglers in convoys, the Germans would isolate and kill these ships.

With the new year 1941 the two-theater carnage continued. Greek ships were targets in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and when Germany invaded the Balkans to rescue Mussolini’s botched invasion of Greece, German air support obliterated dozens of Greek ships in various Greek or Mediterranean ports, as well as hundreds of smaller caiques plying between the mainland

the American Merchant Marine was more dangerous than any wartime service except for the Marine Corps. Merchant mariners, however, did not get the accolades their brothers did in the armed services; American merchant mariners were not eligible for the GI Bill that educated millions of returning soldiers[!].

In the first few months of 1942, with an unprepared America unable to defend its m a ss ive At l ant i c c o a st l i n e, U - B o at s sometimes surfaced and shelled their prey, apparently unconcerned that American warships or aircraft would appear. Greek shipping suffered in turn, and one Panamanian registered Greek ship, the Halcyon, went down after being shelled about 500 miles off the North Carolina coast. My grandfather, the ship’s cook, did not survive the attack, one of tens of thousands that bloody year.

Greeks fought and died everywhere carrying the goods of war, from Germans and Italians, and even the random Japanese submarine, in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. By 1943, the American naval and air cover began to turn the tables on the Germans decisively, and Greek losses were considerably less than in 1942. The trend accelerated in 1944, and by 1945, the last year of the war, there were no Greek ships lost.

But what a carnage it was. In 1939, there were 404 Greek ships (aside from hundreds of smaller coastal craft). In 1939, 159 were left.

Over 200 ships were sunk, and another 39 were lost due to marine hazard, a condition exacerbated by wartime conditions. Sixty percent of the Greek merchant fleet was at the bottom of various oceans and seas, often as not with their crews entombed. They kept the game going, sailing often unarmed against a deadly and ruthless enemy, that did not respect neutrality or helpless sailors in the water. Greeks died from the beginning protecting the supply lines, just as they would die in greater number—but not greater percentages—defending the nation’s honor in the mountains of Epirus and Albania. The Greek merchant mariners said their OXI from September 1939.

Almost 75 percent of Greek losses were in

the Atlantic, supplying their British allies through the watery graveyard of the North Atlantic; most of the rest of the losses were in the Mediterranean near the Greek homeland, but a smattering met a watery grave in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Germans were responsible for about 85 percent of the carnage, but the Italians and Japanese did their deadly work on the rest. Of the Allied nations, Greece was fifth in terms of losses in the Battle of the Atlantic, after Britain, the US, Norway and the Netherlands. Unlike the other four nations, however, Greece was far poorer and while Norway lost more per capita than Greece, she was far far richer and her war experience was far gentler than that suffered

by Greece, notwithstanding these horrific losses. For Greece, moreover, the war did not end in 1945; a fraternal tragic bloodletting killed more Greeks in battle than the World War Two battle casualties, and lasted into late 1949.

faster and larger than most ships of the era, the hulls of these ships carried the materials needed for the massive victory that would have been impossible without the might of American industry.

In a combination of self-interest and altruism, the ultimate win-win, the United States made the decision to sell off a portion of this huge and now idle Liberty Ship fleet to Allied nations, all of which had suffered massive losses in the war. Terms were favorable and the price was cents on the dollar. Greek shipowners, among the world’s most skilled, with hardy, brave, and experienced crews, were the biggest buyers. Over 500 ships, Greek- and convenience-flagged, marked the resurrection of this dynamic force in Greek and global economics and history. Having delivered tens of millions of tons of war material, and after the loss of over 2000 shipmates, these survivors and children of the World War Two generation, guys like my Yet, phoenix-like, the Greeks returned, and father, my uncle, and countless relatives, stronger. The US government, watching its created a final number for this discussion. ships slaughtered in the killing zone of the North Atlantic, embarked on a mass- Today, Greeks own the world’s largest shipbuilding program, combining the best of merchant fleet.

American industrial might and ingenuity. On an assembly line scale, often in the space of just Let’s not forget how it happened. It’s a great one month’s construction time, the Liberty story, one filled with sacrifice, triumph, and Ships emerged on the scene. Welded, hardy, tragedy. A very Greek story.

by Kelly Fanarioti

METAXA: the Original Greek Spirit – a Modern Classic!

Constantinos Raptis with Metaxa AEN which was first released in celebration of the company's 120th birthday and made with a blend of spirits aged up to 80 years.

The decanters are filled from their cask #1, known as the Spyros Cask (named after the Metaxa founder, Spyros Metaxas), which has been used for more than 80 years for blending. It's traditional for the Metaxa master blender to assess his blends and at the start of every year, choose some exceptional spirits aged for at least 20 years and transfer them into this legendary cask.

It all started in 1888 when Spyros Metaxas, an taking and courage – so it became the perfect adventurer and man of taste, decided to start emblem for Spyros Metaxas' new venture. his own business in fine goods.

The years went by and success followed Always travelling, Metaxas discovered success. And the slogan, "Between us ... different spirits and wines from around the METAXA," (“Μεταξύ μας, Μεταξά”, in Greek) world, but the spirits of his time tended to be became one of the most successful in harsh on the palate, without much aroma or marketing history and the company lived up character. So he dreamed about crafting a to its reputation. On the cold nights of winter unique spirit that was smooth, yet intense. METAXA still has a place in every Greek Instead of using sugar or some syrup to home, while those who know good drink "soften" the brandy, he decided to use the enjoy its amber color and unique flavor and sweet Muscat wine of Samos. So he blended aroma in the special glasses of cognac. the sweet Muscat with the old distillate and the In 1989, with the completion of 100 years since result exceeded his expectations. its inception, the Metaxas family And that’s how he created METAXA, the retired and sold the company to a Original Greek Spirit, which for 130 years has group of English interests IDV. been recognized for what it is: a unique amber S i n c e 2 0 0 0 , M E TA X A h a s belonged to the family group of gem!

Remy Cointreau, who continues As for the unique METAXA emblem, the story to respect the tradition of Greece's says that when Spyros Metaxas built his most famous drink. distillery in Piraeus he found an ancient medallion depicting the Salamina Warrior “METAXA is Greek by essence: it’s from the Battle of Salamina which took place the original Greek spirit always in 480 BC in the waters near Piraeus. The produced and aged in Athens, Salamina Warrior was a symbol for risk- starting in Piraeus, and since 50

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1968, in Kifissia,” Stephanie Ancel, the CEO of METAXA, told NEO. “The reason for METAXA’s appeal are its intense smoothness, its authentic character, and its uniqueness in origin and savoir-faire. METAXA attracts men and women who are curious, who look for new sensations, who are everyday explorers.”

Right now METAXA is exported to 50 countries, among which US, Canada, Germany, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. In Greece, METAXA remains the number one amber spirit. The company produces about 11 million bottles a year.

METAXA Master Constantinos Raptis – the fifth METAXA Master since 1888

The Metaxa Cellars in Kifissia, Greece

How is METAXA a leader despite the intense several stories associated with this competition? historical spirit. One of them says that METAXA was the first spirit consumed Apart from its uniqueness, Mrs. Ancel says in space. Another one says that it was METAXA offers a complete line of products, the favorite of Fidel Castro. from METAXA 5 Stars to METAXA AEN, appealing to a broad clientele. “It has a strong “There are many stories about the identity with a powerful brand campaign Original Greek Spirit during those 130 based on the theme of exploration embodied years,” says Mrs. Ancel. “Last April by charismatic people such as the well-known 2018, METAXA was also part of professional explorer Mike Horn. It attracts history, being the first spirit to be worldwide top-class bartenders, such as The consumed on top of the Mount Everest.

Clumsies in Athens, voted 7th best bar in the Neil Laughton, a former British special world, by the quality and the versatility of its forces officer and his team of seven products. Bartenders enjoy creating Signature alpinists broke the world record by Cocktails with METAXA 12 Stars. Last year, organizing the world’s highest feast on METAXA joined up with The Clumsies for a Mount Everest, at 7050m, where they unique and big scale pop up event. In July, explored the METAX A 12 Stars METAXA & The Clumsies embarked on a Signature Cocktail 'North Col' made by journey to explore Greece through unique Mr. Fogg’s top bar.” experiences and creations”.

The House of METAXA does not have a Master Distiller, nor a Master Blender. It has a METAX A Master, Constantinos Raptis – the fifth METAXA Master since 1888 - who embodies the unique savoir-faire of the House. The creation of the spirit is part of a whole ‘’ritual,’’ which starts with the selection of Muscat wines Picking the famous Muscat grapes at from the Island of Samos for the Metaxa vineyard in the Island of Samos their aromatic concentration and intensity. It continues with fine wine distillates for their character and complexity.

Maturing slowly in the cellars of the House, the wine distillates and Muscat wines are aged separately in oak casks to their fullest potential. A secret bouquet of Mediterranean botanicals brings the final touch and then Constantinos Raptis blends them just perfectly to create the one-a-kind amber spirit: METAXA. Over the years, we have occasionally read

Stephanie Ancel, the CEO of METAXA

NEO's Demetrios Rhompotis recommends Metaxa Angels' Treasure, a blend of Muscat wine from Samos and grape spirit which has been aged for more than 50 years in French oak. Rich and fruity with notes of orange peel, sweet spice, chocolate and toffee. Small numbers of these bottlings are released every year, and named after the Angels' Share explanation for spirit evaporation from casks.

Always blame it on the angels!

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Mr. & Mrs. Duran with Nick Katopodis

Maria Mamais with daughters Irene and Calliope

Bishop Apostolos and Stelio Katopodis cutting the ribbon

North Shore Farms Markets Inaugurate Newest Location in Whitestone, Queens

by Cindy Klimek The North Shore Farms supermarket chain opened its newest location in Whitestone, a neighborhood on the eastern side of Queens, New York, on Friday, December 14th. An opening ceremony was held the evening before, beginning with a traditional Greek Orthodox Agiasmos/blessing officiated by Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, Father Dionysios Anagnostopoulos of Holy Cross (Whitestone), Father John Lardas and Father Dennis Strouzas of Archangel Michael (Port Wa s h i n g t o n ) , F a t h e r N e k t a r i o s Papazafiropoulos of St. Demetrios Cathedral (Astoria), and Father Gerasimos Ballas of Sts. Anargyroi, Taxiarchis and Gerasimos in Greenport. A ribbon cutting ceremony followed, presided over by Queens Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Grech, representatives from the NYPD Community Affairs Office, the heads of the We Love Whitestone Civic Association, and members from assorted local nonprofits and churches.

Once the doors opened at 9:00am on the 14th, 52

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Photos: ETA PRESS / Christos Cavvadas

customers were greeted by cheering, locally hired employees, and the first 10 shoppers to enter the store were rewarded with $25 North Shore Farms gift cards.

landlord expressed to us that there was a big interest in a supermarket in the area, they had some conversations with us about their willingness to subdivide and that made it a lot more appealing. It was a combination of both “We’re excited to bring North Shore Farms to t h e bu i l d i n g a s s u b d i v i d e d a n d t h e Whitestone and to Queens,” said company community.” spokesperson George Tsiatis. “Our Great Neck store was close, but there’s nothing like being The first North Shore Farms store opened in in the heart of a vibrant community like 2003 in Port Washington. Since then, it has Whitestone. We’re lucky to have had the expanded to an eight-store franchise, with support of the community, and we look additional locations in Great Neck, North forward to serving them now and in the Bellmore, Glen Cove, Commack, Mineola, future.”

Hauppauge, and now Whitestone. The newest store also marks North Shore Farms’ first foray According to Tsiatis, the Whitestone store into Queens. Says Tsiatis, “Whitestone is a came about due to a stars-aligning moment of community that appreciates the type of food the owners’ interest in Queens location paired and the type of store that we are. We bring with a newly vacant building. “The building together sort of the best of your farmer’s itself used to be a Waldbaum’s but the footprint market, your specialty store, and your was too big for our store. We know our store standard supermarket. I think there really isn’t performs well at a certain size building and a a similar store in the neighborhood so we don’t Waldbaum’s like that was too big. Once the have a competitor, as a result.”

Stelio Frankis and daughter Marilena Katopodis with friends

The Agiasmos, officiated by Bishop Apostolos and Fathers, from left, Gerasimos, Dennis, Nektarios, Dionysios and John

Peter and Athanasios Mamais

Maria Frankis, Marilena Katopodis, John Frankis and Nick Katopodis

Evangelia Frakis with friends

Faye and Thomas Tsamis with daughter Calliope and Peter & Maria Mamais

Nick Sahlaras with Chris Cavvadas

Thedore Stamas, Steve Valiotis

Nick Katopodis and Maria Zoitas holding a photo of their late mother Efrosini

From left, Michael, Vangelis and Alex Gerasimou

According to Tsiatis, by combining the best aspects of various types of markets, North Shore Farms enables its customers to tailor their shopping experience to their specific needs. “The company slogan Eat Well, Live Better is a driving force. There is a little bit of a philosophy that you see on display when you actually walk through the store. You’ll see in any aisle in any product category there’s going to be a whole array of options, from the generic to the highly specialty. So you’ll have everything from like Krasdale and Goya olive oil, to Greek olive oil, to Moroccan organic pressed olive oil and everything in between.

Really the driving force there is we want our customers to make the choice for themselves what they want to either splurge on or spend on and what they want the budget version of.

So rather than get too preachy about it and tell them we only give you organic options or we only give you generic options we try to give them as broad an array of options as possible and let them decide for themselves what they want.”

Michael Gerasimou, Stelio Katopodis and Marilena Katopodis Jim & Bessie Ziozis and George Patilis

From left, Gina Frankis, Stelio & Angelo Nick Katopodis, Katopodis, Athanasios Mamais Soteres Tsadaris

Besides items for purchase, North Shore Farms locations regularly host in-store events and samplings. “Store guests get to explore the fresh produce section and talk to the staff about freshly-baked goods, the fresh seafood and meat selections, the seemingly limitless supply of cheeses, and the aisles of ready-toeat prepared foods—many of which are available to sample. Cooking demonstrations from local vendors will also be a regular part of the shopping experience,” says Tsiatis. One such event occurred on December 22nd, when the Whitestone location hosted a signing for cookbook author Maria Zoitas. “We’ll host that type of thing at a number of our stores from time to time. We have a few of those a year and we do have regularly cooking demonstrations and sampling throughout our stores on a more ongoing basis as well.” North Shore Farms stores also offer catering service, as well as online ordering at the Commack location.

Gregory Sioris with Steve Frankis

Though North Shore Farms has eight locations, and an Agiasmos/blessing was performed at each opening at the request of the owners, the Whitestone branch is the first store to open near an area with a strong Greek population, both with the community in Whitestone itself and the nearby, and still predominantly Greek Astoria, Bayside and Flushing. According to Tsiatis, “North Shore Farms is really grateful to the community for welcoming them, specifically to the Chamber of Commerce, to Senator Tony Avella who was very supportive of us in the process and just various members of the community that have really welcomed us.”

The Whitestone North Shore Farms store is located at 153-01 10th Avenue. All North Shore Farms locations are open seven days a week, from 7:00am to 10:00pm. To learn more, their website is northshorefarms.com

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PHOTO: ANASTASIOS MENTIS

Babis Tsertos and his orchestra: Kostas Zaridakis, bouzouki, Kyriakos Gkouventas on the violin and baglama, Yiannis Tsertos, piano, Kostas Tsekouras, guitar, and Sophia Mermigka, vocals and kanoon

On Friday, November 2, 2018, the New York-based non-profit cultural organizations, AKTINA Productions and CYPRECO of America, hosted once again Greek renowned singer Babis Tsertos at the Kaye Playhouse theater in Manhattan in a magnificent performance which revived the timeless songs of Vasilis Tsitsanis and Mikis Theodorakis, two of the most important and legendary composers of Greece. Produced by Elena Maroulleti from AKTINA’s acclaimed concert series, “GREEK MUSIC JOURNEY 2018” the concert was given to benefit the public service media, AKTINA FM and AKTINA TV. The exceptional repertoire combined beautifully the everlasting rembetika (Greek blues) of Vasilis Tsitsanis with the laika (popular folk) songs of Mikis Theodorakis, as well as exceptional bouzouki solos and instrumentals including Theodorakis’ world renowned “Zorba.” Throughout the performance Babis Tsertos who engaged the audience from beginning to end also referred to the history of the songs and their impact over time as “exceptional examples of the representative folk music of Greece.”

The program opened with the audience singing and clapping along to the classics, “Synnefiasmeni Kyriaki” (Cloudy Sunday) by Vasilis Tsitsanis and “To Feggari Kani Volta” (The Moon is Taking a Stroll), which is an ode to Vasilis Tsitsanis and is commonly known as “Pexe Tsitsani mou” (My Tsitsani play) by Mikis Theodorakis. As the evening progressed the intriguing 2 ½ hour performance highlighted a combination of some 40 of the most well-known songs and instrumentals of Tsitsanis and Theodorakis. Songs about love, immigration, hardship, poverty and justice written by leading and award winning Greek lyricists and poets such as Odysseas Elytis, George Seferis, Manos Eleftheriou, among others.

Referring to this new successful performance Ms. Maroulleti stressed that, “true to our commitment of bringing to our fan base and to all New Yorkers exceptional musical performances, we were thrilled once again to see so many Greek music lovers from the general audience and from all walks of life join us. Everyone had an amazing time, while Babis Tsertos and his band members truly captivated all and this was evident throughout the performance.”

The concert constituted “the grand finale” of AKTINA’s 25th anniversary celebrations”. Ms. Maroulleti referred to the October 26, 2018 honor bestowed upon AKTINA FM by the NYC Council and the City of New York by co-naming the Street that was founded in Astoria, “AKTINA FM Way.” She expressed her heartfelt thanks and appreciation to NYC Council Member Costa 54

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Constantinides for initiating the legislation and to the entire City of New York for “this great honor” stressing that “AKTINA FM is the first Greek American Radio in the U.S., to have a Street named after it.”

Ms. Maroulleti also invited all to GREEK MUSIC JOURNEY 2019 also taking place at the Kaye PHOTO: ANASTASIOS MENTIS Playhouse on Friday, May 17, 2019. This new concert will feature from Greece, the Bouzouki Legend, T h a n a s i s Polykandriotis whose presence in Greek music and discography spans over 50 years both as a bouzouki soloist and composer with i n c r e d i b l e contributions and collaborations with Producer Elena Maroulleti addressing the event great Greek stars and international orchestras, while he was the featured artist who performed at the Opening Ceremony of the XXVII Olympic Games “Athens 2004. He will be accompanied by his band and the charismatic singers, Aris Kampanos who captivated the audience during AKTINA’s “Greek Music Journey 2018-The Magic of Bouzouki” given this past April, and Aphrodite Chatzimina.

Happy NEO Year!

Thanks for the support, love and encouragement!!

John Sakellaris, Chairman of Pangregorian Enterprises and NEO's cover in January 2017, received a framed, printed on canvas NEO cover at the organization's recent Christmas party. Left, Mr. Sakellaris with Metropolitan Evangelos and NEO's Tom Harmantzis.

Middle, Sakellaris with Consul General of

Greece Konstantinos Koutras (right), Pangregorian Foundation President James Logothetis (left), Irene Sakellaris-Logothetis and Tom Harmantzis. Right, John Sakellaris with Pangregorian President G eorge Siamboulis and Mrs. Siamboulis (right), James Logothetis and Tom Harmantzis.

PHOTOS: ETA PRESS

PHOTO: MYRNA SUAREZ

By Markos Papadatos

On November 8, this Greek-American journalist and editor had the distinct privilege to interview Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Billy Joel at the red carpet of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

room," he added, complimenting the venue.

PHOTO: MIKE COLUCCI

The "Piano Man" was inducting his long-time lead guitar player, Tommy Byrnes, into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, who has been with him for over 28 years. Byrnes, who hails At the seventh annual Long Island Music Hall from South Shore, Long Island, was the of Fame induction GALA, which took place at recipient of the inaugural "LI Hired Gun" The Space at Westbury, Joel brought his wife, Award. "I don't know. I haven't done it yet," Joel said about inducting Byrnes.

"That's nice," he added.

Joel noted that it feels "really good" to be associated with the Long Island music scene.

He also praised The Space at Westbury for not being a "bad room." "I've never worked here.

How long has this been here?" Joel inquired.

"I've played a lot of shitholes. This is a nice 70

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On December 19, Joel will be returning to Madison Square Garden, for his monthly residency at the "World's Most Famous Arena," and on New Year's Eve, Joel will be performing at NYCB Live: Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale on Long Island; moreover, Joel will play his 60th record-breaking consecutive sold-out show at Madison Square Garden on January 24.

In his illustrious career in the music business, Joel has sold in excess of 150 million albums worldwide. Joel is also one of the highestgrossing touring artists in the world. As of today, Joel has played 105 sold-out lifetime concerts at Madison Square Garden.

Regarding the key to longevity in the music business, Joel responded, "The key is not dying."

Members from Billy Joel's live band and musicians from the Billy Joel tribute band Big Shot were also in attendance to show their supp or t for Tommy

PHOTO: GARY HAHN

Alexis, and three-year-old daughter, Della Rose, with him. "It is fun," Joel said, about having his daughter with him. "It is great. I don't want her to fall asleep, so I've got to catch up with her."

In addition to guitarist Tommy Byrnes, Joel also inducted veteran singer-songwriter and journalist Elliott Murphy, who is known for his lengthy yet respected career in Europe, and for living in Paris, France. As a journalist, Murphy has written for such noteworthy publications as Rolling S t o n e Magazine, and Spin, among other European magazines.

Byrnes, as he received his due.

Billy Joel talks with reporters and with NEO's Markos Papadatos before the Long Island Hall of Fame ceremony