2 COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, MARCH 15, 2008

GOINGS ON...

■ MARCH 17 cation technology on that division. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The President Their work in Cyprus began in 1994 of the Alexander S. Onassis Public as an extension of their study of the Benefit Foundation Mr. Anthony Pa- Greek American Community in Asto- padimitriou cordially invites the ria. They have lectured throughout community to a dramatic reading of the world on the role of communica- selected passages “Thucydides’ His- tion in sites of conflict and division. tory of the Peloponnesian War,” with They have visited Cyprus at least 20 commentary by Dr. Josiah Ober Pro- times and have published extensive- fessor of Classics and Political Sci- ly as the result of their research. ence; Constantinos Mitsotakis Chair, They have interviewed Presidents School of Humanities and Sciences, Clerides, Papadopolous and Stanford University, California at Christofias, as well as Turkish Cypri- The Shakespeare Theatre Company ot community leaders Rauf Denk- Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street tash and Mehmet Talat and other no- NW) on Monday, March 17 at 7 PM. table figures in Cyprus. They have Dramatic reading by professional ac- conducted Media Literacy work- tors. Directed by David Muse, Associ- shops for Greek and Turkish Cypriot ate Director, Shakespeare Theatre participants. For more information, Company. The Spartans consider ar- call Despina Axiotakis at 201-444- guments for and against going to 8237. war with the Athenians, exposing timeless issues of foreign policy. Peri- ■ MAY 2 – JUNE 1 cles delivers his great funeral oration NEW YORK – Theatron Inc. cordially setting forth the highest ideals of the invite the community to the play “39 civilization of Classical Athens. & Single!” (Despoinis... eton 39!) at Those ideals are tested when Athens The Hellenic Cultural Center The- destroys Melos. Alcibiades urges the atre (the intersection of Crescent Athenians to expand their empire, Street and Newtown Avenue in Asto- but the invasion in Sicily fails, lead- ria) from May 2 – June 1 on Friday ing to Thucydides' sober assessment and Saturday at 8PM, Sundays at of the most momentous event in all 2:30 & 7:30PM. This bitter-sweet The Hellenic American Academy in Lowell, Massachusetts is on the right track say members of the faculty and parish that support it. Hellenic history. comedy written by one of Greece’s foremost teams, Sakellarios and Gi- ■ MARCH 20 annakopoulos, examines an old NEW YORK – The Hellenic American Greek tradition as it relates to mar- Bankers Association cordially invites riage. Tilemachos postpones marry- Hellenic American Academy of Lowell Roundtable the community to its’ Executive of ing his girlfriend in order for his old- the Year Award Dinner in honor of er sister, whom he lives with, to mar- Captain Panagiotis N. Tsakos and ry first. His closest friend convinces Discusses the Past, Present and Future with TNH Nikolas P. Tsakos, President & CEO of him that the fastest way to attract Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited at potential husbands is to place an ad By Theodore Kalmoukos The New York Athletic Club (180 in the newspapers. The suitors arrive Special to The National Herald Central Park South) on Thursday, and are ready to marry but it turns March 20 at 6 PM. Tickets are $250. out that the women they meet in BOSTON – The principal Doug An- Master of ceremonies will be Sote- Tilemachos’ house, are not his sister. desron, Melia Mahoney the school rios Johnson, host of NPR’s Morning This leads to a series of hilarious committee chairperson along with Edition, WNYC Radio. For more in- episodes and farcical encounters. Di- members Dona Zouzas and Mary formation, call 212-421-1057. rected by Larisa Antipa. For more in- Themelis and also Steve Themelis formation, call 718-721-7610. president of Holy Trinity’s Parish ■ MARCH 22 council discussed the state, the STAMFORD, Conn. – The Stamford ■ THROUGH MAY 2008 challenges and the vision of the chapter of AHEPA and the Greek Or- NEW YORK – The Children’s Muse- Hellenic American Day School of thodox Church of the Archangels um of Manhattan cordially invites the historic community of the Holy cordially invite the community to a the community to “Gods, Myths & Trinity of Lowell, known today as performance by The Hellenic Mortals: Discover Ancient Greece,” Hellenic American Academy since Dancers of New Jersey on at the an exhibition which allows children its name was changed three years church hall (at 1527 Bedford Street, to explore the world of ancient ago, in an interview with the Na- Stamford, CT 06905) on Saturday, Greece at CMOM (The Tisch Build- tional Herald. March 22 at 7 PM. Doors will open at ing, 212 West 83rd Street). Your ini- Principal Andesron who brought 7:00 p.m. for a buffet of Greek appe- tial tour guides will be the great gods to the school more than 35 years of tizers and wine (included in the tick- Zeus, and Athena as they educational and administrative ex- et price). The performance will be- reminisce about their powers and re- perience said, “It’s been my first gin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sponsibilities. Learn how the Ancient year and I am extremely excited $35 if payment is received by March Greeks believed gods and mortals in- about this opportunity to work with 15; $40 if payment is received after teracted and take an on-screen per- young people, not only of culture March 15 or at the door; $10 for stu- sonality quiz to determine which but of tremendous knowledge and dents; children under 12 free. This is mythological character you are most potential. The school is doing quite a fundraiser for the benefit of the like. Visit the gymnasium (school) well, I see nothing but optimism Stamford AHEPA Scholarship Fund. and oikos (home) to discover which here. The people care about the The Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey skills were most valued in Ancient children in this community and have performed at Presidential ral- Greek boys and girls. Explore the im- that includes their culture, their lies and inaugurations, for the royal- portance of athletic competition as heritage, their knowledge and their ty and ambassadors of several na- you arm wrestle coun- future.” Principal Anderson teaches tions, the NJ State Ethnic and Diver- terparts using mechanical arms, or social studies as well. sity Festival, won first prize at the test your leg strength as you learn “Today we discussed democracy A roundtable discussion about the Hellenic American Day School included Principal Doug Anderson, Com- Garden State Arts Center intra-State about ancient jumpers. Become fa- and what role it played in ancient mittee Chairperson Melia Mahoney, Dora Zouzas and Mary and Steve Themelis. Competition, sent dancers for the miliar with the ancient Greek alpha- Greece and where it is today with Closing Ceremonies of the 2004 bet by translating messages from us,” he said. ture through the students.” vestment for the community, of continuous existence of the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Greek to English. Learn about the The school today has 143 pupils Concerning the student popula- Themelis said “the best” and Ms. school, can the hundreds of gradu- as well as many other Greek and oth- heroism of ancient Greek women in pre-kindergarten through Grade 6, tion and if it is up, down or steady, Mahoney added “absolutely, you ates do well in academics, profes- er cultural festivals and programs. myth and daily life and compete 78 boys and 55 girls, the break school committee chairperson put your money in your future.” sional life, or just life in general Their most recent performance was with the goddess Athena in a virtual down is 32 in Pre-K and 110 in 1st Melia Mahoney said, “It has been Ms. Mahoney also said that “the without the school being accredit- at the Annual New York Times Travel weaving contest. Climb inside a 12 to 6th grades. steady. We had a little a bit of a loss school is also the future of the ed, Ms. Mahoney said, “that is ab- Show at the Jacob Javits Convention foot tall Trojan Horse before step- School committee chairperson last year but we made up for it. I church because it is the young cou- solutely true” and she added “but in Center in New York City on March 2, ping into Homer’s great epic poem, Melia Mahoney called the Kinder- think we have something so special ples, the children, your faith, your order to move on I think that also 2008. For more information, call The Odyssey, where you will journey garten a “feeding program” be- here and we are trying to figure out heritage. You are insuring it.” people are looking for certain types 203-554-5570. through rocky caves and over open cause as she explained it “feeds up” how we verbalize what we know The tuition is $2,550 for the of validation.” seas; escape the crawl-through Cy- meaning that the Kindergarten about this place. We have a dia- members of the Holy Trinity parish Asked if stability in administra- ■ MARCH 26 clops Cave; and sing like a Siren in pupils will eventually enroll in the mond and we want to make sure and $2,850 for non members. tion and faculty are pivotal to the NEW YORK – The Cyprus Federation the Sirens Karaoke Cove. Be pre- first year school program. She also people see it.” Asked if they agree with the idea school, Mr. Themelis said, “Yes it is of America and The International pared to face on-screen dilemmas, said that “one of the most amazing According to Principal Anderson that parishes which sustain Day critical.” Coordinating Committee Justice for your choices will be tracked along things that I see is that in the cur- the school has eight full time teach- Schools be excluded from their fi- Asked how the school is admin- Cyprus cordially invite the commu- the way and your personalized on- riculum of the early childhood de- ers and five support faculty staff for nancial obligations to the Archdio- istered and who makes the deci- nity to “Memories in Cypriot Soil,” screen Hero Record can be e-mailed velopment they are also learning music, computers e.t.c. cese and instead put the money in- sions, Ms. Mahoney said, “The by Professors Susan Drucker and home. Budding archaeologists can Greek.” “I couldn’t be happier with the to the school, Mr. Themelis said, parish council of the parish makes Gary Gumpert at the Cyprus House visit the Temple of Zeus at Olympia “A three year old girl came up work that the faculty does,” he said. “Personally I think it is a great idea. the final decisions. They have put (13 East 40th St.) on Wednesday, and assist in the reconstruction of a and greeted me in Greek. Her The operation of the school an- The way our system is set up here in place a school committee that March 26, 2008 at 6:30 PM. The pre- 3-D temple; learn about column con- mother was present, and I asked nually costs $500,000, according to ,we are taxed on the expenses of they trust and it serves as an inter- sentation is based on research on the struction, sculptures and the giant her what it means. She said it parish council president Steve the church, the school is excluded mediary between the school and forgotten history of the Jewish De- statue of Zeus (one of the Seven means good morning, how are Themelis. The income “comes from that.” the parish council.” tention Camps run by the British on Wonders of the Ancient World). For you,” Principal Anderson said. mainly from tuition and through “It is about the philosophy of Principal Anderson added, “I am Cyprus after WWII and their rela- more information, call Janet Ralston “What surprises me is to hear chil- the Endowment. This year they are how important it is across the coun- responsible for the day to day oper- tionship to Cypriot independence. at 212-721-1223. dren speak Greek who come from contributing a little over $50,000. try to keep these schools alive,” Ms. ation of the school regarding recess While the subject has been widely families who do not speak Greek They have $750,000 in the Endow- Mahoney said. “What is the mean- going to a teacher’s evaluation. I documented in Israel, the current ■ NOTE TO OUR READERS and to see them fully engaging and ment right now. That trust is re- ing of these schools, what are they communicate on a weekly basis at project examines the camps in terms This calendar of events section is a participating in the cultural pro- stricted and the interest comes di- providing not just in terms of acad- least with the chair of the school of their impact on Cyprus and its complimentary service to the Greek grams. One of our exemplary stu- rectly to the school.” Mr. Themelis emics and education only but as committee or the parish council people. The Professors are planning American community. All parishes, dents in Greek is Asian.” also said that “the church also con- Mr. Anderson said in terms of cul- president.” on filming a documentary on this organizations and institutions are Mr. Anderson visits the class- tributes. Last year it contributed ture, and their faith, and once that As far as the Niarchos Founda- subject. Over the past 15 years Susan encouraged to e-mail their informa- rooms daily and said, “The students $110,000.” answered I think you have a very tion grant of $280,000 for the pur- Drucker and Gary Gumpert have tion 3-4 weeks ahead of time, and no greet me in Greek and they are de- Asked if the money that the natural answer when decisions are pose to establish seventh and conducted research in Cyprus. Their later than Monday of the week be- termined to teach me Greek. I am parish contributes towards the op- made that the schools are priori- eighth grades with the terms being work has focused on the division of fore the event, to english.edition learning a great deal of Greek cul- eration of the school is a good in- tized.” that the parish would match the Cyprus and the impact of communi- @thenationalherald.com. Some of the reasons the parents $200,000 dollars by May 2008, Mr. should consider sending their chil- Themelis said “we have $135,000 dren to the school are “it keeps plus in the a CD and the deadline is their childhood in a safe environ- for May 1 and we are still working QUESTION OF THE WEEK ment, their language and culture is in meeting the deadline. I have spo- Don’t miss... respected, and family values are re- ken to individuals who may give spected.” contributions anonymously to Vote on our website! Asked if the language, the cul- make that difference.” The National Herald’s ture and the faith are important el- “We want to put in a Middle You have the chance to express your opinion on our website on an ements to all the parents, Mr. An- School which will be self-sustained. important question in the news. derson said, “I think it is an impor- We do not want to strain Pre-K The results will be published in our printed edition next week tant factor sometimes overlooked through 6th,” Ms. Mahoney said. along with the question for that week. in society. In this community you Principal Anderson said that The question this week is: Do you think Florida Governor Charlie can’t measure that up until you talk “our focal group right now as far as Crist would be a good vice presidential running mate for John Mc- to a child.” our student population will be our Cain? Speaking about the near and the current 4th grade. Maybe we will ❏ Yes future plans of the school Mr. An- be able to begin the 7th and the 8th ❏ No derson mentioned the accredita- grades in two years.” ❏ I Don’t Know tion process. Dona Souza a graduate of the “The accreditation is a self- school said, “The spirit is here. The results for last week’s question: Will Cyprus' new president- study, a critique of the school which Every time the students get up on elect Dimitris Christofias' communist party affiliation cause prob- come from within, the faculty, the the stage they are amazing with lems with the country's foreign relations? parents and the children, we take a their performances.” 48.8% voted "Yes" look at ourselves and from that it Mary Themeles an educator her- 39.5% voted "No" goes to professionals,” he said. self said, “The school is a wonderful 11.6% voted "I don't know" Greek American “The accreditation will provide us place that we fortunate to have. It with a foundation of a strategic has a lot of promise and we should Please vote at: www.thenationalherald.com plan that will hopefully be a blue keep it alive. It is a very valuable Wedding print not for two years but for the school, in so many ways including next 100 years. We already had the culture and the teachers. It has people here from the accreditation so much to offer.” committee last October that vali- Today the parish according to dated the hard work of the faculty.” Mr. Themelis has “650 families of Expand your mind... “Accreditation also means quali- good standing. We have other se- ty assurance of education of the nior citizens that do not pay their The National Herald Bookstore March 22, 2008 child,” Ms. Mahoney added. full membership. We are talking (718) 784-5255 Asked if through the 100 years about around 1,000 members.”