ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2015 SIATISTA ASSOCIATION - USA Chartered 1923 in Bradford, Pa President: Constantine J. Ditsious [email protected] Vice-president: John P. Plumpis [email protected] Secretary: Argery Bitchakas Cooke [email protected] Treasurer: Katrina Butzer [email protected] Historian: Peter J. Plumpis [email protected] Perpetuating the ideals, values, beliefs and loves of our ancestors and parents is perhaps the most moving tribute we can offer – a truly honorable way to immortalize them President’s Corner Dear Members, Friends and Family, WE WANT YOU! It is that time of year again … Our 93rd annual Siatista Association - USA Convention will take place July 18th and 19th. This year’s Convention is pivotal. We are experiencing a lack of participation that threatens the future of this wonderful event and indeed the Association itself. As you will see in more detail later in this newsletter, the Association loses money on the Convention every year and that attendance is critically low. It is only through greater attendance – your attendance – that the Convention will continue. We must face this predicament, and so at this year’s Convention we need to make critical decisions to help prolong or curtail the Convention and the existence of Siatista Association - USA. Therefore, your participation at our gathering and at our annual meeting is crucial. I invite you to join us as we gather again in Dunkirk, NY. Please take this opportunity to partake in a wonderful weekend of fellowship, fun, and heritage. Our membership meeting on Sunday is most important. As always, there will be Bingo and the hot dog roast, followed by dinner and dancing under the tent. Your participation is crucial to the success, and survival of the Association. Make this the weekend to celebrate your Siatistian ties, and remember our founders - your parents, παππούδες and γιαγιάδες. Make your attendance a priority in your busy life. Get your reservations in early; it promises to be a great time. Let’s make this a celebration to remember. Just return the enclosed Response Card or e-mail the Secretary by July 3, 2015. Sincerely, Constantine J. Ditsious President President: Constantine John Ditsious ([email protected]) Vice-President: John P. Plumpis ([email protected] Treasurer: Katrina (Plumpis) Butzer ([email protected]) Secretary: Argery (Bitchakas) Cooke ([email protected]) Historian: Peter J. Plumpis ([email protected]) ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2015 2 The Siatista Association had 89 members at the end of 2014, including 76 paying members, five lifetime members (who no longer pay dues), three honorary members and five recent graduates. The five graduates were given complimentary membership for two years based on a recent change in the Association’s practices meant to celebrate graduates’ achievements and cultivate the Association’s relationship with young Siatistian Americans. The 89 members also included three new members, Sue Kirages, Sophia (Krestos) Salonikis and Trulla Curtis. In March 2015, we welcomed Nina Krestos as a new member. These four are new to the membership, but they are old friends of the Association. Please pay your 2015 dues of $20 at the Convention or by mail. Mail your check to Katrina Butzer, SA USA Treasurer, 5641 Blacksburg Rd., Catawba, VA 24070. Our Siatistian Community Stories and Photos Jim Giatas, son of deceased former member Mary Giatas, wrote that he has made available his original contemporary Orthodox Christian music (not many of them around) and asks us, with his blessings, to please forward to friends. His music mission is totally non-commercial and he does not sell concert tickets (free admission always). His music is available for free at http://www.indieheaven.com/artists/jimgiatas. He asks for prayers and financial gifts that are needed and greatly appreciated. Sue and George Kirages submitted this picture of their grandson, Drew, and his bride, Lauren, on their wedding day in June last year. Drew is still going to Law school and Lauren is in nursing. Grandson Tyler and girlfriend Makenzie both moved to Seattle, WA, and will be married next year. Granddaughter Stacy will be doing some more classes in her printing, and Granddaughter Kate is still in college. Sue Tremos graciously sent the Siatista Association – USA pins that John Tremos always wore at every Convention. They are a reminder of the bonds our forefathers created for us and serve as a memory of John Tremos. She wishes she and John could have attended just one more Convention and wishes us all a Kali Thiaskethasi. ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2015 3 Our Siatistian Community Stories and Photos (Continued) Here’s what the Butzers are up to: Don is running for Roanoke County School Board. Visit his website ButzerforSchoolBoard.com and like his Facebook page: Donald Butzer for Roanoke County School Board. Katrina is a teacher in a Roanoke County Middle School and both Arianna and Eleni attend Roanoke County schools. Don is also a member of Holy Trinity’s Parish Council. Katrina is in her third year of teaching 7th grade math. She turned 50 this spring and celebrated with a big party. Her dad and brother traveled to town to participate in the birthday celebration. Arianna is a high school sophomore, and plays on the varsity tennis team. Eleni excels at tumbling and is the first seat oboe player in her school’s 7th grade band. Who would have thought the George Washington has a connection with the Greek Community? Argery Bitchakas Cooke met Prince Charles and Camilla during their visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. It was a very special day for everyone. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall took time to acknowledge visitors, pet the animals, and were very gracious. Argery had the pleasure of having some individual time to speak with Prince Charles about Customer Service, but she did not have the chance to tell him about the Greek heritage they share. Note that Camilla’s coat is bordered by the Greek key design. Another special visitor to Mount Vernon was Maddie Ditsious from Louisiana! She is the daughter of Mark and Mollie Ditsious, and the Association President’s (C.J. Ditsious) niece and granddaughter of Katie Ditsious. Here are Maddie and Argery in the Ford Orientation Center. Maddie was selected to lay a wreath at Washington’s Tomb during a special ceremony reserved for her school. ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2015 4 Our Siatistian Community Stories and Photos (continued) John Plumpis had a busy year. Last fall he was seen on an episode of the CBS Drama “The Good Wife," as well as directing Noel Coward's "I'll Leave It To You," for The Actors Company Theatre (TACT). From November through January he appeared Off-Broadway in "Soul Doctor," which he is relieved only a few people saw. He once again directed for TACT in May: Neil Simon's "Come Blow Your Horn." He rounded out the year playing Franz in "The Producers" at the John Engeman Theatre on Long Island through July 12. He is also a faculty member in the BFA Acting Program at Montclair State University in New Jersey, where he teaches Voice and Speech. Nick and Dotty Karras (Karakotsios) say hello. In the photo are Mark & Nikki (son and daughter-in-law) at Lila Emily Karras’ 40 Day Blessing, who was born on March 9, 2015. Lila Emily is Nick and Dotty’s granddaughter and the great granddaughter of the late Constantine & Vassiliki Karakotsios and the late John and Amalia Pekmezaris. Nick and Dotty reside in Wyckoff, NJ, while Mark, Nikki, and Lila Emily reside in Ramsey, NJ. Nick and Dotty convey an additional hello from daughter Nicole, Amalia Karrras, MD, who recently relocated to Pasadena, CA to join the staff at the City of Hope. They wish us a successful convention. Argery Bitchakas Cooke proudly announces the birth of her first grandchild, Mason James, who was born on April 27, 2015 to Teddi Cooke (daughter) and Daniel Mehaffie. Argery’s son, Dustin, is now a proud uncle! We are thankful for our new titles of Yiayia and Theo Dustin, and Great Yiayia Nora Bitchakas, and especially that everyone is healthy and happy. Here is a photo of Teddi, Daniel, Mason James, and of Stella, the outstanding boxer who constantly watches over Mason James. James Siotas informs us that he had his hernia removed on May 20 in Thessaloniki. The doctor's team was supervised by his nephew (his niece's Anna Z. Svoli's husband), Dr. Spyros Metaxas, who heads the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department at the Siatistians' Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki. He had partial hypnosis, the operation lasted about two hours, and he was released the next day. He was looked after by his daughter--both were guests at Dr. Metaxas' home until May 24 when they flew back to Athens. He remarks that it is amazing that medical science is so advanced that a man going on 88 years old can feel comfortable. He sends his regards to everyone and says ΚΑΛΗ ΔΙΑΣΚΕΔΑΣΗ. ANNUAL NEWSLETTER 2015 5 Abbagale Fitzpatrick, daughter of Stephen and Jaenell Ditsious of Stevens, PA was engaged to Timothy Naugher in February 2015. Abby is the Granddaughter of Katherine (Johnson) Ditsious. A July 10, 2015 wedding is planned. Graduations Terry Paul Scouras, son of Kelly and Paul Scouras, will graduate from Lancaster High School. He will attend Niagara University. Elena Georgetson , daughter of Dr.& Mrs. Michael J. Georgetson, graduated from Athens High School, Sayre, PA. Elena will begin her studies at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. Elena is the grand aughter of the late Dr. James M. and Ann (Plumpis) Georgetson. The Hatzis family announces the graduation of two of their daughters: Mimi Hatzis graduated from Hunter College with a Masters in Geography and a Geographic information Science certificate and Eleni M.