TSINTZINIAN Volume 2 CHRONICLENumber 3a July 1997 Words From The Chairman By Dr.John Gregory Dear Tsintzinian Brothers and Sisters, The time is here and within a few weeks of this Chronicle it will be an- other year that we have the chance to be with our families and friends. It is also the year that you will see and experience the beginning of the big change at the Clubhouse and be a part of that transition. The Board of Directors have come to a major decision and commitment in bringing you this new era, and I am very proud to not only lead it but be a part of this experience. I hope that each Pete Lambros Speaks: and every one of you will take the opportunity to hear the presentation that will be given called “CHANGE”, and you will have the opportunity to ask ques- For the past fifty years, we have tions and hear about our new future. There is a commitment to keep up this been content to somehow put together our very unique tradition of ours to come back to Celeron each year and meet with convention in a fairly satisfactory man- our children, families, grandchildren and friends. Hopefully we will see some ner. Fortunately, we had dedicated mem- of the new improvements that will be noticeable as you first drive into the bers living within driving distance of Clubhouse this year, while other improvements will be ongoing. The Board has Jamestown. Our utilities and taxes were committed to a new concept quite reasonable, food costs and hired in the total operation and personnel were rarely a serious problem, maintaining of the Clubhouse and until very recently our eighty-year- and grounds. You will have old building and property received very the opportunity to meet Roger little attention. Volk and Chris Frank, the About ten years ago the board, be- new General Manager and the ginning with George Costianis as Presi- Director of Catering & Ban- dent, realized the gravity of the dilemma quet Facilities, who will soon and initiated the Jack Mitchell Develop- be married and have their re- ment Fund. This fund has been seeded in ception at our Clubhouse. large part by the Chacona family in Erie, This wonderful couple will be taking on the responsibility of maintaining the PA. John and Noolie (Chacona) Flores grounds and bring overdue business of catering from our new facility for large and family have donated more than parties in the Jamestown and Celeron area. This new concept will bring addi- twenty-five thousand to this fund. tional income to the Society and hopefully help to alleviate past money prob- As our fund prospered, we have lems. We will have our children bring us our meals, like in the past, only with added a new roof and new siding to the more efficiency. The band once again is ready for a long night stand. The water building among other less major im- pump once again is pumping clear water. The basketball court was sealed last provements. I was just recently notified week and is looking for a few good players. The children swings have been all that the entire upstairs apartment needs checked, cleaned and tested. Hundreds of hours of work again have gone into complete remodeling including wiring this year’s convention to make it another outstanding year. Now it’s up to you and plumbing before our new caretakers to come and enjoy with your families and friends. The Board and I look for- can be installed. We will somehow get ward to seeing, meeting and talking with you at the 1997, 140th National Con- vention. Please have a good and SAFE trip. Continued Page 2 1 Continued from Page 1 Discoveries Pete Lambros Speaks: On the 29th of June, Board Mem- part of the story was the cost of this done this year. bers, Lee Costianis, Dr. Skevos and $4200.00 to refinish and seal it. Oh In the first Chronicle I promised Barbara Zervos, Dr. John and Donna well maybe next year we will have that changes were forth coming, and our Gregory along with the facilities Gen- the money and hopefully refinish it. first priority is to make our property prof- eral Manager, Roger Volk and Chris Lee and Yainni spent about 10 hours itable and financially productive. After Frank, reviewed the many major reviewing the grounds for the new much investigation with the facilities projects that are under way. For the landscaping ideas that were reviewed available in Chautauqua County for wed- first time the property was resurveyed and planned on steps to complete the dings, parties, reunions, flea markets, and we found 20,000 work prior to the yard sales, etc., we found nothing com- additional square feet National Con- parable to what we can offer. John and of land behind the vention. While at Donna Gregory have spent much time in clubhouse that we the Nursery we Jamestown these past several months and didn’t believe that we picked two new are vigorously moving on this venture. owned. It was like Family Trees that As your outgoing President, I want pioneering through were to be to thank all board members, directors, the national forest planted prior to members, and the ladies organization for and timberland. After the convention. your support these past years. Us that great experience, These two new Tsintzinians - we have vigor, stamina, the next discovery beautiful trees imagination and priden and this implies was the main floor of the hall. Donna will add a unique color to the existing longevity. Gregory contacted floor refinishers to trees. One additional acre will be examine the Great Hall and receive smoothed off and the ground rolled P.S. In May, along with my daugh- estimates on the cost to resand the hard for the additional parking. There ters, Cynthian Christina, and her husband floor. We found out that the floor that are major changes this year, and we Bob, we journeyed to Amsterdam, then been painted over 5 times in the his- hope that all the members will appre- to Greece for 10 days. After the hustle tory of the Society and that underneath ciate it. We are looking forward to see- and bustle of Athens, we found Sparta the paint was solid MAPLE. The hard ing everyone in a few weeks. to be a calming and pleasant change. On our way to Tsintzina, we stopped at my father’s village of Goritsa. Didn’t take us long to get acquainted at Can this Building be Saved? the local coffee shop. We also visited wit Mr. And Mrs. Nick Costa Lambros who We think so. The clubhouse is in respond to everyone. We also pass in- kindly had us visit their home for lunch. need of upgrades. This is no surprise to formation on to those on the board of The presented us with a gallon of olives, those of you that partake each year in directors and fight at all the meetings for and Bob hauled them all the way back to the annual convention. Many have writ- what we believe is the best for our con- Tennessee. ten to us here at the Chronicle to express tinual future. We can’t do it alone though. The highlight of our Sparta visit your thoughts good and bad on the things We need your help, not just with a $$ was the two evenings we spent with Elias you have observed and have concerns for. donation {yes we need those} but if you and Demetra Gregory. They arranged a We read each and every letter and try to have a talent such as sewing draperies, unforgettable dinner at a restaurant in laying carpet, carpentry, Mystra, and we can’t thank them enough. construction, green thumb, Demetra is our voice from Greece who or are just a handy person. writes articles for the Chronicle. Elias is Please contact Donna Gre- presently undertaking an industrious gory as I am leading the re- project involving 165 acres of new olive construction of the club- trees. Pure Greek olive oil is special and house, and we can use your very little is imported to the U.S.. Maybe help. Please call 410- 280- Demetra will do an article on the impor- 3319 if you can help. tance of olives and olive oil to the economy of the Laconia area. 2 Tsintzinian Convention Calendar of Events Children’s THURSDAY NIGHT: Essay Contest 6:30 PM: Great Tsintzinian COOKOUT. Bring your own picnic dinner if you What Does Being a choose. Limited food will be provided. Enjoy the outdoors and get the chance to relax before the main events. Charcoal grill will be provided. Tsintzinian Descendent 7:30 PM: Enjoy an evening of dancing to Greek music provided by the CD’s. Mean to Me? Kentrikon will be open. FRIDAY: 1 Winner age group 14-18 Friday Registration opens. 1 Winner age group 13 and under 8:00 AM: BREAKFAST being served until 11:00 am. Another great special for a great price THE best in town. Winners will be announced Friday 2:30 PM: Historical Presentation of the Tsintzinian Movement By Peter Dickson followed by group round table & question and answers and the history of your night before the talent show when the relatives. winning essays will be read to all attend- 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM: Board Meeting and Open to the general membership. ing. Each winner will receive a $25.00 Directors Meeting Officers Elections. Savings Bond and the winning essays 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Happy Hour - Drinks 1/2 price will be printed in the next issue of the 6:00 PM: Dinner served (Ticket event) Chronicle.