AHEPAAHEPA YankeeYankee DistrictDistrict NewsNews Publication of District #7 (Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Western Massachusetts) Volume XLVIII Number 3 Fall 2008 Message from the to AHEPA, I am certain he will con- to have an opportunity to explain it Order of AHEPA tinue to be a key player in the district to you in more detail and to get District Governor lodge. your valuable feedback. Appreciation and gratitude are Communication is a key com- Dear Brothers, also due to our man in the Supreme ponent of any successful organiza- It is with humility and hope Lodge, John Grossomanides Jr., for tion. Hope to hear from you soon. that I accept the office of Dis- trict 7 Governor bestowed upon his continuing contributions as editor Fraternally, me at our annual convention on of the Yankee News. As you probably Nicholas Nikas May 31. I thank all of you for know by now, John did us proud once 203-554-5570 this great honor and pledge to again by getting re-elected to the of- [email protected] fice of Supreme Secretary for the support every chapter in our coming year. Congratulations, John! common effort to achieve our Message from the mission of promoting Hellenism, ΚΑΙ ΕΙΣ ΑΝΩΤΕΡΑ. Daughters of Penelope education, philanthropy, civic In my new role, I have already District Governor responsibility, and family and represented you in two important I would like to begin this New individual excellence. events: (1) the very impressive an- Year with a thank you to all sis- My first responsibility is to nual awards dinner of the Norwich ters, who by their vote have asked chapter on June 24, and (2) the ex- visit every chapter, meet with me to once again take the position cellent AHEPA Family national con- you, get your perspective on of Governor. I hope that by work- what we should be focused on, vention in Athens, Greece, on July 1- ing together we will end this year and share with you my sense of 6. They both made me proud to be as a stronger and a more invigo- urgency and concern for the fu- an AHEPAN. The next event is the rated sisterhood. ture of our organization. Please Governors Conference in Washington, Over the past few years, our invite me to join you at your D.C., on September 13. If there is an record of growth has almost been issue you want me to bring up there, next chapter meeting or com- non-existent. In fact, we have please let me know. munity event. lost some chapters all together. It Before I go any further, I It has been my dream in the past would be a shame if our district did want to express my deepest ap- few years to participate in a district- not exist at all. In that aspect, let preciation and gratitude for my wide event, other than a conference me share some of my thoughts predecessor, Kip Kyprianou, for or convention, in which we celebrate with you. our common heritage in such a all his contributions to our Dis- All of the organizations within unique and enthusiastic way that we trict in the past few years, and our churches, clubs and communi- manage to get some attention from in particular, for streamlining ties have their goals and ideals. the Scholarship Selection proc- the media. My proposal for such an Many sisters have complained that ess and for creating and main- event is the Hellenic History Trophy, the Philoptochos Society has taken taining the District 7 website. I a high-school-level competition in the precedent over the Daughters of was very proud to serve as his format of a quiz show that will pro- Penelope in many church commu- vide scholarships for students who Lieutenant Governor. Kip’s lead- nities. The Philoptochos organiza- best demonstrate their knowledge of ership will be sorely missed, but tion is concentrated on being the we are fortunate to continue to the 4000 year old history of the Hel- right hand of the church, along have access to his friendship lenes. If this sounds interesting to with their many charitable contri- and advice. Given his dedication you, please contact me. I would like 1 Fall 2008 butions. Others, such as Choks, Libraries, Athletic, Mothers, or Upcoming Events Cooking Clubs, etc, all have their merits and add so much to our AHEPA District #7 Fall Conference AHEPA District #7 churches and communities. The October 11, 2008 District Lodge Officers Daughters of Penelope is the only St. Barbara’s Greek Church 2008—2009 organization that promotes the ide- als of Hellenism, locally, nationally, 10AM District Governor internationally, while successfully Orange, CT Nicholas Nikas promoting our Philanthropic en- 58 Benjamin Street deavors along with our education/ AHEPA New England Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203-554-5570 scholarship programs. Joining and Regional Conference X [email protected] serving the local chapters as June 5,6,7, 2009 women of Hellenic roots or those Holiday Inn District Lt. Governor who share Hellenic ideals is your Mansfield, MA Emmanuel Moshovos way of perpetuating your culture. 65 Primrose Drive I therefore take this opportunity East Hartford, CT 06118 AHEPA 860 568 4383 to challenge, first, the Ahepans of Supreme Convention 2009 [email protected] District #7 to encourage your July 1-5, 2009 wives, sisters, daughters, etc to Hyatt Regency District Secretary join the Daughters of Penelope in San Francisco, CA Jack Isaac order to work with you in promot- 15 Sylvan Road ing the Hellenic culture. Second, I New Britain, CT 06053 860 224-2183 call on any past officers or mem- bers of disbanded or suspended District Treasurer chapters to reorganize and be an John G. Grossomanides Sr. PDG active entity once again. Thirdly, I 86th Supreme 8 Mohegan Trail also challenge all my fellow sisters Convention Westerly, RI 02891 to encourage daughters, sisters, 401-596-7453 Highlights friends, etc. to join our order. We The Annual AHEPA Supreme District Marshal have so many dedicated sisters Convention was held June 30 -July James J. Cocolis who need additional hands to help 6, 2008 in Athens, Greece for the 192 North Street with our educational and charitable Stamford, CT 06802 first time since 1970. New officers works. for the 2008-2009 year were 203-323-9608 Whatever your reasons for not [email protected] elected. They are as follows: participating or joining in the past, I District Warden ask you to take a little time to gain Supreme President: Ike Gulas Gregory G. Benios so much. Contact me at any time. Supreme Vice-President: 10 Valley View Dr. With love for the Sisterhood, Nick Karacostas Farmington, CT 06032 860-680-2363 Supreme Sec.: Dr. John Grossomanides District Advisor Supreme Treasurer: Kip G. Kyprianou, PDG Anthony Kouzounis [email protected] Supreme Athletic Director: Hellenic Affairs Chair Donna Rados, PDG Dr. Monthe Kofos George A. Rados, PDG District Governor Supreme Counselor: John Galanis 7 Cheryl Court Cromwell, CT 06416 Supreme Governors: Charles 860-635-5602 In Memoriam Stamoulis, Thomas Gober, Peter [email protected] Kaldis, Nicholas Perdaris, Louis Ar- Brother Diogenes John, 91,of the Norwich Chapter #110 passed vanitis, Philip Giavasis, John away on July 27, 2008. Mesogitis, and Constantine Cal- May his Memory be Eternal liontzis. 2 AHEPA Chapter #110 Board of Governors: Sotero Daughters of Penelope Rose of New England Daniska, Ernie Pool, Tony Petros, DISTRICT LODGES 2008- John G. Grossomanides. Norwich, CT 2009 In addition, AHEPA service pins OFFICERS The Rose of New England were awarded to the following: a 45 CONTACT INFORMATION Chapter #110 held their Annual year pin to PDG Tony Petros, 40 Awards Banquet and Installation year pins to Robert Booth and of Officers dinner at the Dino Theophanis Lampos, and a 25-year Governor Pappas Community Center on pin to Chief Richard Abele. Donna Rados, PDG 7 Cheryl Court Tuesday, June 24, 2008. The awards banquet was a huge suc- Cromwell, CT 06416 cess. A full house AHEPA Chapter #99 860-635-5602 of ninety mem- Stamford, CT E-mail: [email protected] bers and guests The Harry Fanos Chapter, In turned out for the recognition of the 555th anniver- Lt. Governor event at which sary of the fall of Constantinople to Mary Petrus the chapter chari- the Ottoman Turks on May 29, 315 Cherry Hill Road table Foundation; 1453, we invited Dr. Giuseppe Pa- Middlefield, CT 06455 AHEPA #110 leologo, a descendant of the last 860-346-8858 Foundation distributed $5500 to dynasty to rule the Eastern Roman the following non-profit organiza- (Byzantine) empire, to talk to us on Secretary tions: Norwich Free Academy May 21. Dr. Paleologo covered the Helene Moran, PDG Modern Greek Studies Program, story of the Palaiologos family both 919 Main Street Norwich Free Academy (NFA) before and after 1453 and con- West Hartford, CT 06117 Scholarship on Classical Greek cluded with an interesting discus- 860-236-5351 Studies, NFA Scholarship on sion of the migration of his own Cell: 860-978-5136 Modern Greek Studies, Three personal family branch from Rome E-mail: [email protected] Rivers Community College- to Sicily and back to Rome over a Highest achiever in the History period of about 500 years. His pres- Treasurer Program, Norwich Otis Library, entation was followed by a very Lucia N. Kazakos, PDG Norwich Historical Society, The lively question and answer period, 554 Nott Street Reliance House, ARC of New Lon- an indication of the audience’s high Wethersfield, CT 06109 don County, Bethsaida Commu- degree of interest. 860-257-4257 nity Inc/The Katie Blair House, The event attracted about 45 East Great Plains Fire House, Cell: 860-558-4517 people and enabled the chapter to E-mail: VFW Post #594, and each of the net $500 for the scholarship fund.