The National Herald a b hey were telling me: You have to do it. The community needs an English language newspaper. TFrankly, I was hesitating because an earlier attempt OCTOBER 27, 2012 with Greek Accent magazine, an original, quality magazine www.thenationalherald.com I founded, led to a substantial loss of money. It truly feels like it was yesterday when the whole thing began. My close associates and I were determined to produce a newspaper of record, an independent newspaper focused on the community that would bring the news to generations of Greek Americans in a responsible, objective fashion but would not hesitate to express our views in a direct even forceful way if need be. It had to be a newspaper unlike any other our Community had ever known in the past. Looking back today, 15 years later, I can say that we have exceeded our expectations. To be sure much work remains to be done. But now it is time to celebrate. To celebrate our 15th anniversary with the publishing of this Special Collectors Issue. To celebrate, above anything else, by expressing thanks: By thanking first of all, my associates, those extremely talented and devoted individuals who go beyond and above the call of duty to make you proud of your community’s paper. Second I want to express my heartfelt thanks to you, our readers. It’s you, our readers, who this paper is all about. It’s you we do our best for, every day of the week to make you proud. And third, I want to thank our advertisers. I am especially grateful to those advertisers who place their ads with us even though they don’t have a product to sell or a direct benefit for themselves; they just want to support the paper because they know how important it is for the community to have a first-rate newspaper. Last but not least I want to thank my family for their unwavering support in meeting the demands of my schedule year in and year out. One more word: We know we need to earn your trust every day online and every week in print. I assure you we will continue to do everything possible to make you proud of your community’s paper every time. Thank you for your support. Antonis H. Diamataris Publisher/Editor The National Herald The National Herald The Link to Hellenism in Changing Times Major Underwrites George and Ursula Andreas / Drs . Miranda and George Kofinas / John G. Rangos Sr. / Drs. Amalia and Spiros Spireas Distinguished Friend John and Margo Catsimatidis / Angeliki Frangou Major Supporters Antonia and Spiros Milonas Benefactors Mike Angeliades / Atlantic Bank of New York, Spiros Voutsinas, President / Jim and Ted Pedas / Emmanuel Stamatakis / Sotirios Vahaviolos Good Friend Anonymous / Cyprus Federation of America 2 TNH 15 th Anniversary THE NATIONAL HERALD, OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2012 THE NATIONAL HERALD, OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2012 TNH 15 th Anniversary 3 HAPPY 15th ANNIVERSARY John G. Rangos Sr. and his family wish to congratulate The National Herald for doing such a tremendous job Keeping the Greek American community, as well as the wider American public, informed about Hellenic issues. Throughout its Long history, the Herald has served a vital function in that regard, Fulfilling its mission admirably, and taking it to the next level With the advent of its English edition 15 years ago this month. It is also fitting that we honor our community’s newspaper on the Weekend of October 28th, the day Greece rejected fascist demands And helped the world turn the tide against tyranny. BRAVO, KAI ΕΙΣ ΑΝΩΤΕΡΑ ! PLEASE SUPPORT GREECE BY GIVING TO IOCC In wishing The National Herald a happy 15th anniversary, We once again urge the community to support Greece during Her time of ongoing need by giving to International Orthodox Christian Charities. The motherland is heavily weighed down by Immense economic upheaval. Our brothers and sisters overseas Need help. As the Church’s only trans-national humanitarian relief Agency, IOCC has received tremendous commendation from its Philanthropic partners and many foreign governments for its fine work. IOCC is a shining star, deeply committed to helping Greece cope with Colossal hardship. Please contact IOCC today and donate. Thank you. Website: www.IOCC.org TEL. 410-243-9820 or 877-803-IOCC (4622) 4 TNH 15 th Anniversary THE NATIONAL HERALD, OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2012 THE NATIONAL HERALD, OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2012 TNH 15 th Anniversary 5 Drs. Spiro & Amalia Spireas and Sigmapharm Laboratories 15 years of service to the English speaking members of our Community by The National Herald and 97 years of the Ethnikos Kirix, is an achievement to be proud of. Thank you and congratulations. Innovative Pharmaceutical Formulations, Maximizing Drug Therapy. Sigmapharm Laboratories, LLC 3375 Progress Drive, Bensalem - PA 19020 Tel.: (215) 352-6655 - Fax: (215) 352-6644 www.sigmapharm.com 6 TNH 15 th Anniversary THE NATIONAL HERALD, OCTOBER 27 - NOVEMBER 2, 2012 The National Herald An Interview With Antonis Diamataris A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. TNH Staff (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), lot of money. And then I did a Were you considering doing an reporting the news and newsletter for about a year or so. English translation of the Greek addressing the issues of What was the original inspira - And all this because I knew version, or to come up with differ - paramount interest to the Greek tion for the paper? that we had a responsibility to ent stories that address a com - American community of the On the front page of the first reach the American-born part of pletely different audience? United States of America. issue of Ethnikos Kirix (our Greek the community. It was both, actually. There language sister newspaper), on But to respond directly to were and are some translations, April 2, 1915, there was an edi - your question, this newspaper, from the Greek paper but re-writ - Publisher-Editor torial that was both in Greek and whose name is the translation of ten for our English edition. And Antonis H. Diamataris in English. In 1915 there was a Ethnikos Kirix, was launched as of course we have many articles Assistant to Publisher, Advertising text in English on the front page, a result of pressure I was getting that are written especially for us, Veta H. Diamataris showed the understanding that from members of the community as well as a number of outstand - Papadopoulos the owner and the editors had at –included the by then retired ing columnists. So we started it the time: that this paper had to Archibishop Iakovos – for a re - with the clear intent and purpose Special Section Editor serve the needs of the English- spected, objective, independent of making it the paper of record Sophia Stratakis Huling speaking part of the community English-language publication. I for the community, the way the Production Manager as well. knew that people were translat - Greek edition was developing. Chrysoula Karametros When I bought the paper in ing some of the articles we had And if you go back and compare 1979 there was a small, two-page in the Greek paper. So there was the progress made through the 37-10 30th Street English edition in the newspaper, a distinct and a real need for a years you will see the constant LIC, NY 11101-2614 but it was something. paper of record that would bring evolution of the paper. Tel: (718)784-5255 A few years later I launched the news to the English-speaking Now, at the beginning, The Fax: (718)472-0510, a magazine, Greek Accent, a segment of our community. National Herald was part of our e-mail: highly rated magazine, which So this was the motivation be - weekend Ethnikos Kirix. How - [email protected] folded about 10 years after it hind launching the newspaper: ever, after a couple of years, I de - started because it was losing a the need for it. cided to spin it on its own, be - Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, cause there were people who Athens, 10671, Greece couldn’t read any Greek, and Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598 they were getting the whole Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776 thing, the Greek and the English e-mail: [email protected] papers, they were paying more than they would pay otherwise, Subscriptions by mail : 1 year $66.00, 6 months $33.00, and it was becoming a nuisance 3 months $22.00, 1 month $11.00 to them. So that was important. Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: The other part of course is that 1 year $88.00, 6 months $48.00, the English paper has its own 3 months $33.00, 1 month $14.00 staff, its own structure, and ex - Home delivery New England States : penses, so it had to evolve on its 1 year $109.00, 6 months $57.00, own to be truly independent, to 3 months $41.00, 1 month $18.00 become a truly independent and On line subscription : significant publication. Subscribers to the print edition: Any thought on expanding the 1 year $34.95, 6 months $23.95, audience, including readers of TNH's first issue, Oct 17-18, 1997. 3 months $14.95; other ethnic backgrounds who Non subscribers : 1 year $45.95, 6 months $29.95, 3 months $18.95 would have an interest in anything day you do not serve anybody owned by people whose primary Greek or Cypriot? How do you ad - quite well to make it worthy for business is anything but the me - dress that – is it counterproductive anyone in particular to follow dia: it can be construction, it can to try to spread out too much to you.