Trumbeta Shqiptare Volume 102 December 2018 The Official Publication of the Albanian-American National Organization, Inc. “We, American citizens and Canadian citizens, of Albanian descent and others interested in Albanian-Americans, desiring to form and perpetuate a federation and promote its objectives and principles; to effect a perfect and harmonious understanding between ourselves and others, to promote the cause of good citizenship in the country in which we live; to stimulate the spirit of good fellowship and good cooperation; do hereby establish and ordain these By-Laws.” Please visit us at: www.AANO.org Inside This Issue: 3-9 President’s Message, Chapter Activities 10-14 72nd Convention Wrap-Up 15-17 Social News 17-23 Cultural, Recipes 2 Trumbeta Shqiptare Published Two Times A Year By The Albanian-American National Organization, Inc. Website: AANO.org 2018-2019 NATIONAL OFFICERS & BOARD OF GOVERNORS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY John Lulgjuraj Lea Bitta Richard Rafail Gayle Orlow Transworld Syhstems, Inc. 2800 No Lake Shore Dr., #510 36 South Church Street 31057 Rivers Edge Court 5601 Mariner Street, #475 Chicago, IL 60657 Bedford Hills, NY 10507 Beverly Hills, MI 48025 Tampa, FL 33609 Home: (847) 951-5691 Home: (914) 843-7629 Home: (248) 761-1184 Home: (248) 682-7479 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP TRUMBETA PUBLIC APPLICATIONS FUNDRAISING SHQIPTARE RELATIONS Gayle Orlow Nancy Capstick Linda George TBA 31057 Rivers Edge Court 15 Ellis Drive 100 Piedmont Street Beverly Hills, MI 48025 Worcester, MA 01609 Worcester, MA 01609 Home: (248) 761-1184 Home: (508) 753-7184 (508) 757-9548 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] NATIONAL INTERNET HEADQUARTERS ALBANY BOSTON David Sosnowski Paul Apostol Paul Apostol Klodjan Pepi 6371 Twin Oaks Lane 71 Hubbs Road 71 Hubbs Road 40 Cross Street, #19 Lisle, IL 60532 Ballston Lake, NY 12019 Ballston Lake, NY 12019 Quincy, MA 02169 Home: (630) 618-9111 Home: (518) 877-7639 Home: (518) 439-0998 Home: (617) 642-6857 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] CHICAGO CLEARWATER DALLAS DETROIT Olga Titos Metat Idrizi Igli Laci Julia Black 362 Sundance Drive 510 Island Way Drive 523 Goodwin Drive 7421 Lake Forest Bartlett, IL 60103 Clearwater, FL 33767 Richardson, TX 75081 Clarkston, MI 48346 Home: (630) 837-5875 Home: (727) 441-3242 Home: (214) 707-9609 Home: (248) 682-7479 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA WASHINGTON WORCESTER Jana Foundos Elena Shomos Iris Maluka Nancy Capstick 5 Twelve Pence Court 42835 Pilgrim Square 15 Ellis Drive Melville, NY 11747 South Riding, VA 20152 Worcester, MA 01609 Home: (631) 577-0032 Home: Home: (703) 327-1187 Home: (508) 753-7184 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Trumbeta Shqiptare is the official publication of the Albanian-American National Organization, Inc., and is distributed to members of this Organization in the United States and Canada. THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN TRUMBETA SHQIPTARE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE A.A.N.O., INC. 3 Trumbeta Shqiptare December 2018 President’s Message Mesazhi i Presidentit We also congratulate the recipients of our 2018 Greetings to All, annual awards. Col. Christopher P. Costa, (USA- (Retired) was the recipient of the “2018 Lifetime On behalf of the AANO National Board, we wish all Achievement Award.” Mr. Costa served as the of you peace, good health and happiness for the Special Assistant to the Holiday Season. President and Senior Director for Counter- As we close the year 2018 and complete 72 years of terrorism on the National serving the Albanian-American community, I would Security Council (NSC). like to extend my sincere Thank You to the elected His military awards and and appointed members of the National Board, decorations include the Board of Governors, all the Chapters, and all the Defense Superior Service AANO members for your dedication, commitment Medal, Legion of Merit, and hard work to keeping the AANO moving and two Bronze Stars. forward. Most recently, Mr. Costa joined the International Spy Museum as the Executive Director. Mr. Costa The 2018 Annual Convention, held in Washington is the son of the late Paul N. Costa, past president of DC, on August 3-5, was a successful, three-day, all- the AANO, and Marge Costa. Albanian gathering of members from the Albanian- American community of Washington, DC and We had two worthy recipients of the “2018 Albanian-American communities from different Community Service parts of the country who came to celebrate with us Awards.” First, Dr. Artur our 72nd anniversary and together to commemorate Elezi, Professor of the 550th anniversary of the passing of our legendary Mathematics at American hero, Gergj-Kastrioti Skenderbeg. We thank all of University in Washing-ton, you who made the sacrifice to attend the convention DC who is also the and trust that you had a great time. President of Albanian- American Academy We congratulate the 2018 scholarship winners, (AAA). Dr. Elezi is the wishing them much success in their pursuit of co-founder and Chief Editor of Albanian Journal of academic endeavors. Mathematics and the founder and Director of the Graduate School at the University of Vlora. 4 Trumbeta Shqiptare The second “2018 Onward we go to August 2-4, 2019. Our next Community Service Annual Convention will be hosted by the Chicago Award” winner was Mr. Chapter. The hotel is reserved and the awesome Alban Pruthi. Mr. Pruthi Chicago Chapter is hard at work to organize a was born in Gjakova, memorable convention. I hope all of you will mark Kosova and moved to your calendars and reserve August 2, 3, and 4, 2019 Washington, DC in 2006 to to join us for three days of “All Albanian” complete his Masters celebration and fun, as we celebrate our ethnic Degree at the School of heritage and culture, honor our past, celebrate our Advanced International present, and look forward to our future. For all the Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University. Since convention information, please visit our web-page late 2000, Alban has played an instrumental role in www.aano.org. laying down and strengthening the foundations of the Albanian-American Community in the On behalf of the AANO, I would like to take this Washington, DC area by establishing an informal yet opportunity to congratulate the AANO’s Chicago innovative virtual network called Albanian Chapter on their 55th anniversary. Congratulations Professionals in DC. and thank you to all the members of this model Chapter for their selfless commitment to making a These are special people who deserve to be positive difference to the many Albanian-American recognized for their unselfish contributions that they students and to the Albanian-American Community. make, each and every day, to our communities. We wish you many happy returns in good health and prosperity for all. During the 2018 Convention, we were happy to recognize Ms. Elena Busciacco, representing the One of the primary goals and focus for 2018 will be Arbreshe Community. Ms. Busciacco is the to increase the AANO membership. Please help us spokesperson for ”Bilte e Firmozes” (The Sons of attract more people to our organization by asking Firmoza), an Arbreshe Folklore Group, famous for your family members, friends, and your Albanian spreading their message of peace, love, and unity neighbors to become members. They can become between the Arbreshe and Albanian communities all members of a local chapter by contacting the over Europe and abroad. Chapter Board of Governor in your area. You can find their information by visiting Attending our convention was Her Excellency, http://www.aano.org/about-us.html. They can Floreta Faber, Albanian Ambassador to the US. also become members-at-large by visiting Ambassador Faber and her staff organized a www.aano.org/membership.html. The annual fantastic reception for the AANO members on membership cost is only $25.00, tax deductible. The Sunday, August 5, at the Albanian Embassy in AANO members do get a discount pricing on all Washington DC. AANO events. The Westin Hotel City Center was the place to be And please, never forget to share with your family during our convention, with great fun dancing to and friends, who we are! The Albanian-American Albanian songs and music till early hours of the National Organization is a non-religious and non- morning, visiting the State Capital, the Albanian political organization established in 1946 to Embassy, while many participants visited other perpetuate and celebrate those special things, which interesting places in the DC area. come with our Albanian heritage. Among our priorities is to support the academic endeavors of I want to thank the National Board, Board of Albanian-American college students through annual Governors, and all the Chapters for their invaluable scholarships. Each year, the organization gives out contributions to making the 2018 Convention a great thousands of dollars in scholarships, and through the success. years, hundreds of students have received assistance through the A.A.N.O. Generous contributions to 5 Trumbeta Shqiptare this fund have been made over the years by the Albanian-American Community. To successfully carry on the above stated purpose for 72 years, it takes hard work and commitment from many volunteers, some of them we get to see at CHAPTER ACTIVITIES the annual conventions every year, but some of them, because of their busy schedules, we don’t get Angelica (Apostol) Greco brought her son, future the opportunity to see them often, yet, their member Christian Greco (age 6), to the commitment and hard work is very important to Washington Convention where he renewed his move our organization forward.