The National HeraldA weekly Greek-AmericAn PublicAtion

July 21-27, 2012

www.thenationalherald.comVOL. 15, ISSUE 771 $1.50

c v

Bringing the newsto generations ofGreek-Americans

o C VΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ

ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915NEW

S

Fires Rage near Third Largest City in GreeceFires burn in a forest above the village of Drepano, near the Western Greek port city of Patrasin the Peloponnese on July 18. Greek authorities declared a state of emergency on Wednesday,but officials said no inhabited areas were under immediate threat.

By Steve Frangos

PART 2The era of silent film can be

roughly marked between 1894and 1927. During that periodGreeks in Hollywood often en-joyed a privileged position.From the early 1900s to theGreat Depression, AlexanderPantages owned and operatedthe largest independent chainof vaudeville and movie theatersin North America.

Pantages was a born show-man and so his name and ac-tions were often in the nation'spress promoting one of his ven-tures or another. Two of Pan-tages’ children, Lloyd and Car-men, were often covered bywhat today is called thecelebrity press. Given their fa-

ther’s prominence, Carmenseems to have associated withthe Hollywood stars and studiopersonnel, and Lloyd took on aneven more active role.

Lloyd Pantages (1907-1987)appeared on stage as first adancer and singer. Officialrecords only cite one movie inwhich Lloyd appeared Dante'sInferno (1935), where heplayed an uncredited role as adrunk in the ship's cafe. Never-theless, various newspaper ac-counts and columnists frommuch earlier report on Lloyd'sbeginnings in Hollywood film.The features were not alwayscomplimentary, such as: “An-other millionaire movie extra!Lloyd Pantages, son of the fa-mous Alex of vaudeville fame,is working at the De Mille Stu-

dios." The June 24, 1925, edi-tion of the Kingsport Times inKingsport, TN wrote: “LloydPantages, son of Alexander Pan-tages, owner of the Pantagesvaudeville circuit, is seekingfame in the movies. Lloyd is verydark, has dramatic ability andis a dandy dancer. He makes hisdebut with Rod LaRocque inThe Coming of Amos.''

Lloyd’s role in this 1925 filmmust have been practically in-significant, as no mention of hisname appears in official descrip-tions. But young Lloyd musthave tried to make a go of a filmcareer. An example would be a1927 review of The Last Trail, afilm adapted from a Zane GrayWestern novel. Tom Mix (1880-

Greek Actors of The Silent Film Era

By Constantine S. SirigosTNH Staff Writer

THESSALONIKI – Despite beingsituated in a country filled withmuseums, the Jewish Museumof Thessaloniki stands out. Allvisitors immediately encounteran attractive well-conceptual-ized place filled with interestingobjects and their stories, butGreek visitors in particular aregiven an opportunity to learnabout a part of their own historyof which they have been de-prived.

To those who are familiarwith the history of the city’sJewish community, the mu-seum, although a secular estab-lishment, has the feel of a sacredspace, honoring the memoriesof the departed. The museum’sexcellent website, www.jmth.grpoints out that “on the groundlevel are monumental stonesand inscriptions that were oncefound in the great Jewishnecropolis that lay to the eastof the city walls.”

There are also beautifully-displayed items of clothing andhousehold objects that evokeeveryday life in the community.Impressive stone carvings thatonce marked places of busi-nesses owned by Jewish familiesgreet visitors.

A separate exhibit on theShoah [the Holocaust], showshow it affected the Jews ofThessaloniki. Thessaloniki hadthe largest Sephardic commu-nity [in the world]. It has virtu-ally disappeared, and becausethere are few left who can tellits story, the history of the com-munity is unknown. Erika Per-ahia Zemour, the museum’s di-rector told TNH that “thecommunity was wiped out. Inplaces like Athens, humble citi-zens and religious and politicalleaders were able to save manyof the Jews in their communi-

For subscription:

718.784.5255subscriptions@thenationalherald.com

By Demetrios TsakasTNH Staff Writer

NEW YORK – The Board of Di-rectors of the Holy Institution"Panagia Soumela," the religiousand cultural center establishedby the Pontians of the US andCanada, hosted a press confer-ence to inform the communityabout an initiative regarding or-ganization’s finances on July 12at the Astoria headquarters ofthe Pontian society Komninoi ofNew York.

The Institution, which isheadquartered in West Milford,NJ, features a chapel and cul-tural center at that locationwhich is the focus of religiouspilgrimages and special events.

Foundation President Dr.Haralambos Vasiliadis and thePresident of Pan-Pontian Feder-ation of USA Dimitris Molo-hides, called for the meeting,which was attended by mem-bers of the boards of both orga-nizations, and presidents andrepresentatives of the associa-tions in New York and Connecti-cut.

The participants discussedthe challenges involved in fi-nancing the 20-year mortgageon the West Milford property,which was signed with Ponce deLeon Bank in 2006. Although a2007 refinancing reduced therate to 7.25, the monthly pay-ment plus escrow, insurance,and other costs related to theloan constitute a substantialburden.

The Board members have de-cided to cut the financial “Gor-dian knot,” by replacing themortgage with a promissorynote. They will appeal to itsmembers throughout the UnitedStates and to the community atlarge by inviting 100 people tolend the institution $5000 atthree percent interest.

The instrument was de-scribed as a “typical unsecuredpromissory note. “The onlyguarantee is the current site ofthe Holy Institution and the sa-cred and national purpose thatwe serve,” according to an offi-cial note. They plan to repay infull five or six people each yearto be selected by lottery, how-ever there will be provision topay back up to two people eachyear who are in urgent needs ofthe funds.

At the meeting Vasiliadis de-scribed the efforts of the HolyInstitution to date, noting thatthe original loan was for

Hope OverPanagiaSoumela’sFinances

By Demetrios TsakasTNH Staff Writer

NEW YORK – The heart of Dim-itri Manguravdos could not giveany more. The man who lovedhis family, his community, andall humanity was betrayed bythat organ that stopped beatingthe evening of July 10. He wason a business trip in MexicoCity.

Manguravdos was still work-ing at the office because hewanted to finish an hour earlierso that he could return to NewYork in time to see off his 10year-old daughter Chrysoula,and his mother before they leftfor a vacation to Sparta.

The news of Manguravdos’sudden death shocked his fam-ily, relatives, and friends be-cause he was healthy and neverrequired a doctor’s services.

As soon as his boss, the pres-ident and CEO of Sotheby's, oneof the world’s largest auctioncompanies, and all of Mangu-ravdos’ colleagues learned

ManguravdosPasses AwaySuddenly, 46

By TNH Staff

ATHENS – Greece’s Ambassadorto the United States, VassilisKaskarelis, has been appointedGeneral Secretary of the GreekForeign Ministry. The announce-ment was made this week inconjunction with those of thegeneral secretaries of all theministries of the Greek govern-ment.

Kaskarelis has served withdistinction in Washington sincehe presented his credentials toPresident Barack Obama on July20, 2009. Greek-American lead-ers are unanimous in expressingtheir congratulations and bestwishes.

Speaking on behalf of the Or-der of AHEPA from its Washing-ton headquarters, Executive Di-rector Basil Mossaides told TNH,“it was an honor to work withsuch a professional diplomat. Heis one of the most talented gov-ernment officials we ever hadthe privilege to work with.” Hesaid, “we wish him the best inhis new position, but we lookforward to continuing our rela-tionship with him personallyand professionally.”

Rev. Alexander Karloutsos,Protopresbyter of the Ecumeni-cal Patriarchate told TNH, “I be-lieve it is very clear that PrimeMinister Samaras and ForeignMinister Avramopoulos recog-nized the best talent in the field,a man of great integrity and re-spect among his fellow ambas-sadors.” He echoed the wordsof many who know him whenhe added, “We will miss him,but because we love him wewish him well and we know hewill do the best job for Greeceand for Greeks all over theworld.”

Ambassador Kaskarelisjoined the Greek Foreign Servicein 1974. To Washington hebrought almost two decades of

KaskarelisTo be For.Ministry’sSec. Gen.

Continued on page 6

Cyprus 38 Years Later - Never ForgetClockwise from above: Greek and Cypriot officials and mem-bers of the community gather for a memorial at St. Demetrios(story on p. 2); a Turkish warning to “trespassers” at theghost-town of Famagusta-Varosha; Greek Cypriot children ata refugee camp in 1974; Turkish landing craft about to dis-gorge invaders on July 20, 1974.

By Andy DabilisTNH Staff Writer

ATHENS – New Greek PrimeMinister Antonis Samaras’ un-easy alliance government hasdecided to postpone makingmost of the $14 billion in cutsdemanded by internationallenders, but said it had agreedon a basic framework andwould not impose any moreausterity measures, apart froma big hike in heating oil taxesthat could hit the poor and el-derly the hardest.

Samaras, who is overseeinga coalition of his New Democ-racy Conservatives and his rivalPASOK Socialists and tiny De-mocratic Left, had vowed tomake the cuts himself if his min-isters failed to reach an agree-ment with Finance MinisterYiannis Stournaras, but backedoff. Instead, he said, they hadagreed only in principle how tofind ways to raise the revenuesover the next three years andwould reveal the plan only afternegotiating with the Troika ofthe European Union-Interna-tional Monetary Fund-EuropeanCentral Bank (EU-IMF-ECB)that put up a first series of $152billion in rescue loans but iswithholding a second bailout of$173 billion until the govern-ment imposed more reformsand found ways to save or cut$14 billion.

Samaras, PASOK leaderEvangelos Venizelos, and Demo-cratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelissaid they would try to renegoti-ate some of the harsh terms at-tached to the bailouts, althoughSamaras and Venizelos sup-ported them and signed a mem-

Coalition:No AccordOn Cuts inSpendingGreek Gov’t Unableto Reach Agreementon New Auesterity

Continued on page 7

Continued on page 4

MuseumPreservesThessaloniki’sJewish Past

Continued on page 9

AP Photo/thAnAssis stAvrAkis

Continued on page 3

Continued on page 9

COMMUNITY2 THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 21-27, 2012

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Vote on our website!You have the chance to express your opinion on our website

on an important question in the news. The results will be pub-lished in our printed edition next week along with the questionfor that week.

The question this week is: Do you plan to watch the Demo-cratic and Republican Conventions?o Yeso Noo Maybe

The results for last week’s question: Do you think thatGreece will be in better shape this time next year?44% voted "Yes"45% voted "No"11% voted "Maybe"

Please vote at: www.thenationalherald.com

TNH Staff

ASTORIA – New York State As-sembly member Aravella Simo-tas and State Senator Jose Per-alta hosted a rally at AthensSquare Park in support of theNew York Family Leave Act,which they introduced in theirrespective legislative bodies.The bill will extend unpaid fam-ily leave for mothers from 12weeks to 24 weeks.

Numerous speakers empha-sized the purpose of the pro-posed law is to eliminate fear-based decision-making infamilies about how to care fornewborn babies. For Simotas,the point is for New York Stateto support its families, and herlogic is simple: “it is unrealisticto give a new mother only threemonths’ leave,” especially whena bill like hers comes at no ex-pense to the state or its busi-nesses. She declares it is a badindicator of a society’s prioritiesthat mothers are forced tochoose between caring for theirchild and losing their jobs.

Simotas introduced Peraltaas a father of two who under-stands what it takes for a womanto recuperate after childbirth. Heis the ranking Democrat on theState Senate’s Labor Committeeand “he plans to push this billvery hard this year,” she said.There will be a special sessionof the State Legislature this yearafter the November elections,and Simotas and Peralta hope toget the bill passed.

Peralta told the crowd, “thedays where the stay at homeparent was the norm have comeand gone,” adding, “it is essen-tial that New York recognize thebenefits of extended familyleave to early childhood devel-opment and the quality of lifeof working parents.” He notedthat there is now powerful sci-entific evidence that a child’sfirst four months are “absolutelycritical to its future development– physical health, scholastic per-formance, social adaptation.”One of the event’s speakers saidthat pediatricians consider thechild’s first 12 weeks the fourthtrimester because it is still de-veloping all of its major systems,and Simotas noted that is takeseven longer for mothers to re-cover from C-sections.

Peralta called the legislation“a targeted, common-sense so-lution,” and said it does not ap-ply to small businesses, also em-phasizing that it does not forceemployers to pay workers dur-ing the leave. “All it does is in-sure that the parent can takethat all-important extra timewithout fear their jobs won’t bewaiting for them when they get

back...this is a win-win-win:great for the children, the par-ents and business.” He urgedeveryone to spread the wordand get people to reach out totheir legislators and ask them tosupport the bill.

The idea came to Simotasduring a conversation with a fel-low attorney who had taken ma-ternity leave and was greatlydistressed about having to re-turn to work after three months,even though her child was notready to be left alone with ananny – she was afraid of losingher job. “What does that sayabout New York, about our poli-cies and what we value here,”Simotas asked, who is waitingto give birth to her own child ina few weeks.

She herself was put on amodified bedrest regimen by herdoctor and said she is fortunatethat as a State Legislator shehad a flexible schedule, “butmany women have jobs that willnot allow them to do that,” shesaid.

“Three months just doesn’tcut it. Compare the U.S. to othercountries. These facts are shock-ing,” she said. “England givesmothers one year maternityleave,” adding that it is paidleave. Japan provides 14 weeksof paid and an additional yearof unpaid leave. “We are so farbehind these industrializedcountries,” and numerous lessadvanced economies.

Marie Torniali of Central As-toria Business Development Dis-trict declared the bill is good forbusinesses and Laurie Nichol-son, owner of Raising Astoriaand recent new mother herself,said she will be happy the work-ing mothers she employs will be

under less stress when the billis enacted, adding that the timeshe spent with her baby was themost amazing time of her lifeand that she “can’t imagineother women not having that.”

Simotas said it is importantto highlight this bill now be-cause it is an election year, butif it is not passed this year, sheand Peralta are both committedto making its their main focusfor the new legislative term. Shesaid citizens should ask for theirlegislators’ public commitmentto the bill.

Peralta made the point thatthere is so much partisan fight-ing across the country onwomen’s issues, reproductiverights, etc., and this is an op-portunity for Democrats and Re-publicans to support womenjointly because it is a win-winfor everyone. Simotas addedthat she is very proud of the bi-partisan support for the bill inthe Assembly and urged SenateRepublicans to put themselvesin the shoes of their wives,daughters, and nieces, “and dothe right thing.”

Simotas and Peralta Support Working Mothers

NY Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas speaks in support of her New York Family Leave Act. ItsState Senate co-sponsor Jose Peralta said, “it is essential that New York recognize the benefitsof extended family leave to early childhood development and ...working parents.”

Athens Square Rocks Greek on TuesdaysThe Summer Events series presented by The Organization ofAthens Square and the NY Federation has begun in Astoria.The third helping of delicious Greek music was offered byYiannis Papastephanou and his orchestra this week.

Hellenism and Kefi at Hamptons FestivalThe Hamptons Hellenic Dancers thrilled guests at the annualfestival of The Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church of theHamptons. Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ec-umenical Patriarchate was very proud of all of them.

tnh/costAs beJ tnh/costAs beJ

n JUNE 14-AUGUST 31CHICAGO, IL – Looking for funand educational activities to dowith the kids this summer? TheNational Hellenic Museum hasweekly summer programmingfor children ages 3-10. YoungMuses: Arts and Crafts, takesplace every Thursday, startingon Jun. 7 and runs until August30. The activities are free withmuseum general admission, $10for adults, $8 for seniors andstudents and $7 for children.The inaugural exhibit Gods,Myths and Mortals will be fea-tured through August 31. Visi-tors of all ages can meet thegods, experience Ancient Greekdaily life and interact with theepic poems The Iliad and TheOdyssey through over 25 engag-ing interactive components –climb into a 12-foot tall TrojanHorse, journey into a CyclopsCave and then a karaoke caveto sing like a Siren. The Mu-seum is located at 333 S. Hal-sted St. in Chicago. http://www.nationalhellenic-museum.org/

n JULY 19-22NORTH ROYALTON, OH – TheSt. Paul Greek Orthodox Churchwill be holding a Greek festivalfrom Thursday, July 19 to Sun-day, July 22 at its churchgrounds at 4548 Wallings Road.The hours will be from 11AMto 10PM on Thursday, 11AM to10PM on Friday, 11AM to 11PMon Saturday and 11AM to 10PMon Sunday.

n JULY 27-29 MATTITUK, NY - The Churchof the Transfiguration in Matti-tuck, Long Island invites every-one to its annual Greek Festivalfeaturing food and drink, spe-cialty vendors, and live musicon Saturday night, July 28. Thefestival will be held on churchgrounds at 1950 BreakwaterRoad in Mattituck. For addi-tional information call Kosta at631-276-6182 or Maria at 631-2998-9199.

OCEAN CITY, MD – The St.George Greek Orthodox Churchwill be holding it’s Greek festfrom Friday, July 27 to SundayJuly 29. There will be deliciousauthentic cuisine with plenty offree parking. There will also belive Greek dinner & dance musicby Zepharos. It will be held atthe Roland E. Powell Conven-tion Center, at 4001 CoastalHighway. The hours will be fromNoon to 11PM on Friday andSaturday and Noon to 9PM onSunday.

BEAVERTON, OR – The St. Johnthe Baptist Greek OrthodoxChurch is having a Greek Festi-val from Friday, July 27 to Sun-day, July 29 at 14485 SWWalker Road in Beaverton. Joinus for the Glendi Greek Festival,a celebration of ethnic culturesfrom around the world. Wewant to share our heritages(Greek, Middle Eastern andEthiopian), music, traditions,customs, and culinary skills withyou, our neighbors, families,and friends. Come to the GlendiGreek Festival and partake ofthese fine foods, pastries, andactivities…and you’ll see whyyou will want to come back yearafter year.

NEWBURYPORT, MA – The An-nunciation Greek OrthodoxChurch is holding a Greek Fes-tival from Friday, July 27 toSunday, July 29 at 7 HarrisStreet in Newburyport. Therewill be gyros, lamb shanks,moussaka, pastichio, souvlaki(chicken and lamb kebobs),keftedes (meatballs), dolmades(stuffed grape leaves), spanako-pita (spinach pie), loukaniko(sausage), Greek salad, fish"plaki" (Friday only) and manydelicious homemade Greek pas-tries! It is also air- conditioned,with free admission rain orshine.

BURLINGTON, VT- The SummerGreek Food Festival will be heldon Sunday, July 29 from 12 to5PM at the Greek OrthodoxChurch of the Dormition of theMother of God featuring a fullGreek menu, pastries, music,and dancing and more. Thecommunity will also be holdingits annual Golf Outing on Sun-day, August 19. For more infor-

mation call 802-862-2155.Thechurch is located at 600 SouthWillard Street in Burlington. Formore information: (802) 862-2155.

n AUGUST 1-5CHICAGO, IL – The Laugh Fac-tory is hosting a Greek StandupComedy Show from Wednesday,August 1 through Sunday, Au-gust 5. Angelo Tsarouchas andHarry Basil are the Greek com-munity’s premiere comedians.Performing together for the firsttime in My Big Fat Greek Show-case, this dynamic duo plans totake audiences by storm withtheir incomparable charismaand flare. Angelo Tsarouchas isa hot commodity, appearingboth on the Russell Peters WorldTour and Vince Vaughn’s Com-edy Roadshow. Basil was alsoRodney Dangerfield’s exclusiveopening act for 17 years. $10off tickets with promo code:OPA! The Laugh Factory is lo-cated at 3175 N Broadway inChicago, IL.

n AUGUST 10-19CHIOS, GREECE - The Panchi-aki “Korais” Society of New Yorkinvites all Chians and membersof the Greek American Commu-nity to celebrate the 100th an-niversary of the liberation fromOttoman rule by visiting beau-tiful Chios this summer and par-ticipating in the numerousevents that await them.SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CHIOS2012: Official Opening - MusicalPerformance & Reception. Site:Homeric Center on Friday, Au-gust 10; First Excursion. Sites:Aghia Markella and Surround-ing Villages on Saturday, August11; Second Excursion. Site:Southern Villages - MastihohoraDate: Monday, August 13; For-mal Dinner-Dance. Site: GoldenSand on Friday, August 17;Archieratical Liturgy. Site:renowned Byzantine monasteryof Nea Moni on Sunday, August19; Farewell Luncheon at theChandris Hotel on Sunday, Au-gust 19. For more informationcall the society’s office at 718-224-4846 or 917-209-3330.Email: koraisny@verizon.net.

ISLAND PARK, NY – Panaghiaof Island Park is hosting a GreekFestival from Thursday, August16 to Sunday, August 19 at 83Newport Road in Island Park.The event will take place rainor shine and will feature au-thentic Greek cuisine as well asa daily raffle.

MANHCESTER, NH – The As-sumption Greek OrthodoxChurch‘s annual two-day festivalGreekfest 2012. The annual fes-tival is held as a celebration ofthe parish’s August 15 Feast Day.All festivities will take place un-der a big tent. Visitors will beable to sample a variety ofGreek food and pastry – allmade by the parish’s excellentchefs. DJ Meleti will provideGreek music all day Saturdayand Sunday. A variety of ven-dors will be selling fine jewelry,gifts, crafts, and ethnic and re-ligious items. Other highlightsof the festival include a multi-prize raffle, a penny sale, chil-dren’s activities, and tours of thechurch. The event will takeplace at 111 Island Pond Roadin Manchester.

n AUGUST 25-26VALLEJO, CA – The Sts. Con-stantine & Helen Greek Ortho-dox Church will hold its annualGreek festival from Saturday,August 25 to Sunday, August 26at 1224 Alabama Street inVallejo. Free parking / admis-sion $1.00. Live band both days,secure kids area, with games,and much more. Best food fromthe best Greek Yiayiathes,homemade. Everything held un-der large tents, Greek food,wine, beer and pastries. Boothswill sell Greek items and food.

n NOTE TO OUR READERSThis calendar of events sectionis a complimentary service tothe Greek American community.All parishes, organizations andinstitutions are encouraged toe-mail their information regard-ing the event 3-4 weeks aheadof time, and no later than Mon-day of the week before theevent, to english.edition@then-ationalherald.com

GOINGS ON...

POCKET-LESS PITA BREAD

Kontos Foods

manufacturers of Authentic ethnic hand stretched Flat bread.

kontos the first family in fillo dough and fillo products.

Fillo kAtAiFi, bAklAvA, sPAnAkoPitA, tyroPitAnut roll, melomAkAronA

and the trADitionAl meDiterrAneAn Desserts.excellent quality and service.

We distribute in USA and Canada. special prices for communities, schools, churches

festivals and other events

Kontos Foods, Incbox 628, Paterson, nJ 07544

tel.: (973) 278-2800 � Fax: (973) 278-7943kontos.coma

b

The Leading Company in Flat BreadsWell known for the Pocket-Less Pita

By Demetrios Tsakas

NEW YORK – The InternationalCoordinating Committee Justicefor Cyprus (PSEKA) and theCyprus Federation of America incollaboration with the ConsulateGeneral of Cyprus in New Yorkorganized the annual memorialfor the victims of Turkish inva-sion on July 15 at the Cathedralof St. Demetrios in Astoria.

Archbishop Demetrios, whopresided over the memorial, re-ferred to the tragic events of1974 and called for the Greekand Cypriot-American commu-nities to continue the strugglefor the re-unification of Cyprusand the end of the Turkish mili-tary occupation.

The Permanent Representa-tive of Cyprus to the UN, Am-bassador Nikos Emiliou, whowas the featured speaker said,"For those of us who experi-enced the events of July and Au-gust 1974, the memory of thoseunfortunate events, of thosedays 38 years ago, remains aliveand vivid. First, those related tothe coup, and the after that, theinvasion; the victims, the miss-ing, ruins, refugees, the tram-pling of the human rights of theGreek Cypriots. And unfortu-nately we live with the conse-quences of everything that hap-

pened 38 years later.”After recounting more of the

painful recent history of Cyprus,he declared that "the memoryof all that happened is an invi-tation to continue the strugglefor the return, the restorationour rights, and of course the vin-dication of our country.”

He then referred to the roleof the community and amongother things said: "I take this op-portunity to thank our brothersand sisters here in the U.S. forall their support, for their laborsand sacrifices since 1974. TheChurch remains the spiritualfoundation of the community,which is very important. We arecontinuing and we will con-tinue.”

Emiliou also noted that “38years after this disaster that oursmall country has achievedmany things. First, we rose upfrom the ruins, later with thesupport of Greece, we joined theEU. Transcending the wreckageof 1974 we arrived at the joyousday of July 1, 2012, when weassumed the Presidency of theEU.”

He concluded by saying, "Al-though today's memories arepainful and the struggle is diffi-cult, I have faith that we willsurvive, prosper and and con-tinue the fight for Justice.”

Community in NY HonorsVictims of Turkish Invasion

The boiled wheat offered up in memory of the dead of 1974also speaks to the hope for the liberation of all Cyprus.

tnh/costAs beJ

tnh/costAs beJ

COMMUNITYTHE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 21-27, 2012 3

By Scott HuverNBCNewYork.comNEW YORK – Nia Vardalos hasmoved on to parenthood, onscreen and off. After getting fa-mous as a big screen bride inher breakout indie film a decadeago, Vardalos takes on her firstmovie role as a mother, in “AnAmerican Girl: McKenna ShootsFor the Stars,” which debutedon home video July 3 and airedon July 14 on NBC. The film,based on the wildly popular dollbrand, casts the actress as themom of a competitive younggymnast who struggles to findbalance between her everydaylife and her big dreams.

This must've been a reward-ing project to get involved with.

I saw Debra Martin Chase,the producer, at a party and likeall good things that come myway, they're always not from anaudition or a meeting that's setup. It's always by some sort ofsocializing and this is exactlywhat happened. She said, 'I'mdoing a movie in Winnipeg.' Isaid, 'Oh, that's my hometown.If you need anything, here's mycell phone number' – because ofcourse all Canadian middle chil-dren, all we ever want to do ishelp people. She took my cellphone number and she calledthe next day, and she said, 'Nia,there's a mom role in this movie.'I went, 'What?' She said, 'It's the"American Girl" movie.' I went,

'Stop talking!' I was so excited. 'I'm sure he made certain you

didn't. I have to tell you, I would've

done it for just a week of dolls.My daughter thinks that I'm cooland that's all that matters.

Where were the AmericanGirl dolls on your personal radar,in your life, before this project?

Actually, it's almost too tiedin. I'll tell you what happened.

We were at The Grove. We hadadopted our daughter when shewas three years old, and wewere at The Grove and pa-parazzi were there and we weretrying very hard – this was in2008 – to keep her privacy andanonymity. So we ducked intothat store, and this was a storethat I avoided like you wouldn'tbelieve. Motherhood for me washard to come by, and so I would

never have gone into the storebefore that. I was so charmedby the place because of how it'sabout child empowerment.'What's your talent? Oh, it'shorseback riding. Mine is gym-nastics. Oh, you're a reader? I'ma writer.' I just love that aboutthe whole American Girl world.So as we walked around thisplace, I said to my daughter,'Choose a doll that you feel looks

like you,' in helping her form heridentity and also keep who sheof course is in the first place,when she came to live with us.So she chose a doll that day andthe American Girl people wereso kind to us and didn't even actlike that it was out of the normthat suddenly I had a child withme. That was it. We left and thatwas it, and so it's kind of beauti-ful and very full circle for me tobe playing my first mom role ina place that helped my daughter.

Did you feel that it was al-most a give back, that you gotsomething great from AmericanGirl and so you wanted to giveback whatever you could?

No, because I still think thatI win in this situation, to get toplay the mom. I still win becausemy daughter threw her arms upin the air. She had no interestwhatsoever in my career beforethis. She'd been seeing the‘American Girl’ movies for years,and when I told her that I wasgoing to play the mom in thenext movie she threw her armsup in the air and screamed'That's my favorite!'

What's the thing that sticksout in your mind about how be-ing a mom changed you, some-thing that you never really sawcoming?

I think the thing that got methe most is that I've always beenan organized person, to thepoint where Ian Gomez, my hus-band, makes a joke about how Imake lists of lists that I have tomake, and yet nothing preparedme for how organized you haveto be as a parent. Otherwise youwill slowly keel over grey andhave a heart attack from theamount of goldfish crackers thatyou eat as your daily intake.That's how I felt. I suddenly feltlike, 'I'm not taking care of me,'and I had to really find time forexercise, taking my supple-ments, eating a balanced dietand go to my classes, my exer-cise classes. Otherwise I justwasn't present. I felt a little bitalmost foggy and sleep deprived.So, that scene in the moviewhere the mother charactertalks about finding balance, find-ing time to do things with bal-ance. For kids that makes a lotof sense because kids are overscheduled these days, and forparents, I think they'll be able torelate to that moment.

Did you have a toy growingup that you had an especiallysignificant connection to?

Yes. I had a dog that was awiener dog that I pulled on astring all over the neighborhood.I was that kid. Because of the'Toy Story' movies – and alsonow seeing how my daughterfeels so incredibly safe with herdog, one that looks exactly likeour real dog and certain thingsthat she holds and sleeps with –I don't throw anything of hersout now – anything! If she's notreally playing with it I'll just putit in a box and put it away, be-cause of those movies wherenow I look at her toys and I won-der when the lights go out, 'Dothey come to life? Sure.' Thosemovies have captured somethingin them that makes us all reliveour childhood…

What's going on for you be-hind the camera these days? Anyprojects as a writer or directoron the horizon?

Yeah. I have a project withRob Riggle that I've written, andalso a film called 'For A GoodTime, Call…' that I'm in thatcomes through Universal Focusin the fall, I think. Just all thesedifferent things: John Corbettand I just sat down and said,'Hey, we should do somethingtogether soon.' You never know.Our ideas are always so far-fetched. We're like, 'Hey, maybewe're in a spaceship and we'relooking for alien planets!' 'Yeah,maybe that's it – and we playguitars!'

It seems that with everyonethat you became close to on ‘MyBig Fat Greek Wedding,” likeJohn, you've remained profes-sionally and personally veryclose to. What's it been like tohave that extended Hollywoodfamily and have those bonds re-ally last over this time?

Very, very lucky. The beautyof 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' isthat first of all Rita [Wilson] andTom [Hanks] treated me likegold before the movie made adime, ever. They were absolutelyon my side, and then the cast,we became friends on the set be-cause we didn't know we werelow budget. We were just havinga blast. There was catering. Wewere happy. Then the moviecame out and that explosionhappened, but it didn't really af-fect us because we were alreadyfriends. Subsequently, everymovie after that… RachelDratch, we were friends fromour days at Second City. I justmade her be in two movies withme just so we could hang out.

Beyond the Big, Fat, Greek Wedding: Nia Vardalos a Mom in New Film

The characters portrayed by John Corbett and Nia Vardalos begin their Greek-American “happilyever after.” In “real life” the two actors have become good friends.

THE CHIAN FEDERATION ANNOUNCES THAT

ADMIRAL JAMES G. STAVRIDIS, USNCOMMANDER U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND (USEUCOM)

AND

NATO’s SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER EUROPE (SACEUR),

HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE

33rd HOMERIC AWARDBESTOWED BY THE CHIAN FEDERATION

AT THE 33rd HOMERIC AWARD GALA

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012AT

THE CHIAN FEDERATION CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER

44-01 BROADWAY,

ASTORIA, NEW YORK 11103

For more information contact us at718-204-2550

chianfed@chianfed.org

international experience in keyinternational organizations anda unique knowledge of Euro-pean affairs, transatlantic rela-tions and global issues.

Nick Larigakis, the ExecutiveDirector of the American Hel-lenic Institute (AHI) congratu-lated Kaskarelis “on a very well-deserved promotion. He bringsa wealth of experience from im-portant posts with NATO and inthe USA to his new position,where he will assist the new For-eign Minister in his efforts tomove forward in defense ofGreece’s interests.”

When Kaskarelis presentedhis credentials, the Presidentnoted about Greece and theUnited States: “Our relationshipis strong, and I look forward toour continued collaboration inthe great international efforts ofour time -- to protect democracyand freedom, to deal with theglobal economic crisis, and toconfront terrorism. I look for-ward to working with you Mr.Ambassador, to advance ourcommon agenda and deepenthe strong and abiding friend-ship of our countries. It is a plea-sure to welcome you to Wash-ington.”

His colleagues and friendswill miss him.

Prior going to Washington,

Kaskarelis served in Brussels asGreece’s Permanent Represen-tative to the European Unionwhere he was involved is deci-sion-making on major EU issuesin international affairs. He wasinvolved with matters pertain-ing to the Lisbon Treaty, EU fi-nancial perspectives, enlarge-ment, transatlantic relations,and relations with Russia andTurkey.

He was Permanent Represen-tative to NATO From 2000-2004, serving during 9/11 andits aftermath events, the stabi-lization of the Western Balkansregion, the commencement of

operations in Afghanistan, andthe start of the Iraq war. He alsoserved as head negotiator forthe Confidence Building Mea-sures between Greece andTurkey.

The community first got toknow him when he served inNew York as Ambassador,Deputy Permanent Representa-tive to the United Nations from1994 to 2000. He was responsi-ble for the coordination and anoverview of all U.N. issues at acritical juncture for the Organi-zation. “His other posts includedAnkara and Nicosia, giving himfirsthand experience in the re-

lating issues, as well as WestBerlin, where he witnessed thefall of the Wall and the subse-quent events that changed theface of Europe,” his biographyalso noted.

Kaskarelis was born inAthens on November 26, 1948,and holds an Economics and Po-litical Science Degree from theUniversity of Thessaloniki anda Degree in Law from the Uni-versity of Athens.

Among his numerous distinc-tions, Kaskarelis has receivedthe Grand-Cross of the Order ofthe Phoenix, and Grand Com-mander of the Order of thePhoenix, which the President ofthe Hellenic Republic bestowedupon him. The President of theFrench Republic made him aKnight of the Order of Merit.

Ambassador Kaskarelis to be Foreign Ministry Sec GenContinued from page 1

Ambassador Vassilis Kaskarelis.

By Clark BoydThe World

The European Union held asummit in Brussels last month,with Greece at the top of theagenda. The new Greek primeminister has said he wants torenegotiate the tough austeritymeasures being imposed on itby the EU and the InternationalMonetary Fund. But some in Eu-rope, chief among them Ger-many, want the Greeks to holdto their agreements.

Meantime, the situation formany small Greek businesses isvery difficult. But one Greek-American, Ari Vezene, is findinghis own path through the crisis.

The head chef and owner ofVezene restaurant in Athens saidit’s still kind of strange how heended up here.

“I cannot say that I was oneof those examples where I knewI wanted to become a chef, arestaurateur from the age offive,” he said. “That would be atotal lie.”

Vezene was born in New YorkCity to Greek parents. His familyreturned to Greece when he waseight. Vezene went back to theUS to go to college in theChicago area. To make endsmeet, he got his first restaurantjob: “In Burger King in OrlandPark, IL,” Vezene said. “As funnyas it sounds, that was my veryfirst job.”

Vezene didn’t last long atBurger King. Instead, he endedup in Chicago’s “Greek Town”working for a restaurant. Hemoved up from dishwasher, towaiter, and finally into thekitchen. Vezene said he fell inlove with the food business.

Then in June 2005, he de-cided to return to Greece.

“I was losing my father. SinceI’m an only child, the family as-pect of our culture is very im-portant. So I felt it was my oblig-ation to return to Greece to

reunite with my family,” he said.Vezene wanted to start his

own business right away. But therents in Athens were too high sohe got a job working at therestaurant in the Hilton Hotel.He worked double shifts to earnmore money — and he learnedabout Greece’s unusual ap-proach to credit.

“The term ‘line of credit’ inthis country had no substance,”he said. “There were no creditbureaus, no background checks.What does that boil down to?

We had companies coming tothe restaurant hosting parties of30 to 50 people and expectingto pay us three months later.”

In 2009, Ari Vezene startedhis own restaurant, an Italianplace on the Greek island ofMeganisi. He didn’t get a loan;he paid for it all out of his ownpocket.

The restaurant was so suc-cessful that he decided to takeanother big risk and opened hisplace, Vezene, in Athens lastyear. He admits that opening inthe midst of a financial melt-down seems “a bit crazy” now.But he did his homework. Hegot a good location — in theshadow of the Hilton where hestarted out.

Vezene serves a mixed menu— some Greek stuff, some Ital-ian. His specialties are top qual-ity beef and fish dishes. Vezenesaid he pre-pays in cash foreverything, which means he getsbetter deals.

Vezene does cater to ahigher-end Greek clientele,many of whom have stopped go-ing out quite so much — not be-cause they have less money, hesaid, but because they don’t

want to draw attention to thefact that they still have themoney to go out.

There is a secret to his suc-cess, according to Vezene.

“I have to say that my win-ning point was being Greekwhen I need to be Greek, andbeing American when I need tobe American.”

The American side comes outwhen he has to negotiate andmake tough business decisionswithout letting personal feelingsget in the way, he said, and theGreek side helps him adapt toreality.

“I cannot just go to city halland turn everything upsidedown. I’m not going to changeit. There’s no point of my fight-ing the system. I don’t have tolike it, nor can I entirely changeit. It takes more than one or twoor 100 romantics to change thiswhole thing.”

So far, Vezene’s mix of oldand new worlds has been suc-cessful. The restaurant is fullybooked most nights but AriVezene said he knows it couldall change at any moment, par-ticularly with the economic sit-uation in Greece.

If the restaurant fails, he’s al-ready decided that he’s not go-ing back to the US.

“If all hell breaks loose to-morrow and for some reasonthis doesn’t work out, I wouldmuch rather go back to myhome island, or any island in theAegean, and do a little businessthere,” he said. “Make lessmoney but wake up everydayand look at the crystal clear sky,and the crystal clear water. Thisis me being Greek, and sayingno to the American dream.”

Vezene said he always keepsin mind an old Greek sayingabout spending money:

Only stretch as long as yourarm can.

If only the Greek governmenthad remembered that one.

Successful Business in Greece, for a Change

An American-bornGreek opens a restaurantin Greece.

$559,000; the current balanceis $ 495,000.

Four years ago they wereable to purchase an adjacentparcel of land, which, as TNHhas reported, was made possibleby the gift of Basil and DemetraKakoulidis of Atlantic City, NJ.

Vassiliadis said that after tak-

ing into account the input ofmembers and participants indiscussions at two conferencesof the Holy Institution, it wasdecided that internal borrowingshould be pursued. With thehelp of legal advisers Constan-tine Stamos and Stergios Kos-mides, the first promissorynotes have been issued andwere presented at the Thursday

night meeting.He said that early indications

are more than encouraging, andthey have already receivedpledges for $ 115,000. The gath-ering was also informed thatAvgi Ioannidou, who could notattend the meeting due to travelcommitments, said that whenshe returns to New York she willsend $ 5,000.

Ioannidou had previouslymade three separate donationstotaling $11,000. She told TNH"My children, my grandchildren,and great grandchildren do nothave financial needs. But sinceour protector, the Virgin ofSoumela, needs our help, I willoffer $5000 dollars and Ipromise I will donate to themonastery any money I have left[after my annual expenses]. It'sa sin to pay loan charges andthus work for the bank. By pay-ing off the loan we can [better]utilize this paradise we have cre-ated in West Milford."

Ioannidou was born in Kiklisin Central Macedonia, but herroots are in Trapezounta on theBlack Sea coast. She is 83 yearsold and has two daughters,three grandchildren, and sixgreat-grandchildren. She praysto the Virgin of Soumela to giveher health so that she can con-

tinue to help the Holy Institu-tion

"Money does not have anyintrinsic value, and more impor-tantly, you can’t take it with youto paradise, so I urge those whoare able to help to help us real-ize this goal," she concluded.

The officers who spoke dur-ing the press conference re-ported on the enthusiasm thatthe initiative has caused amongthe membership and expressedconfidence that during the up-coming Soumeliotissa religiousfestival, there will be a miracleand they will be able to "burnthe mortgage.”

The annual celebration at theshrine in West Milford will beginAugust 17 and run through Au-gust 19. As in previous years,Arch-Hierarchic Vespers will becelebrated on August 18, alongwith the procession of the mira-cle-working icon. On Sunday

the Divine Liturgy will be cele-brated, which will be followedby the big Pontian festival.

It was also announced that $17,075 was raised during thespring excursion to the HolyMonastery of Panagia Soumela.George Karvounidis, who wasunable to attend, made a dona-tion of $5000, which made itpossible to make some overduepayments.

Vassiliadis said that “It is ourgoal to communicate with theTrustees of the Foundation, withthe President and the adminis-tration of the Pan-Pontian Fed-eration, and all clubs to keepthem officially informed aboutthe process.

Your assistance is both wel-come and necessary.” The HolyInstitution is a nonprofit(501.c.3) and all donations tothe Foundation are tax de-ductible.

U.S. and Canadian Pontians are Optimistic about Panagia-Soumela Loan

By John Zurz

CHICAGO, IL – The FilmHel-lenes organization, in associa-tion with the National HellenicMuseum, hosted their GreekFilm festival kick-off event onJune 23 in the Museum’s Dr.Mary Dochios-Kamberos SpecialEvents Hall.

“The National Hellenic Mu-seum and its beautiful newbuilding are proof and testamentof the commitment of theChicago Greek-American com-munity to Greek culture,” saidConnie Mourtoupalas, NationalHellenic Museum Director.” Atthe Museum, it is our mission tonot only celebrate Greek culture,but to introduce Greek cultureto the wider community, and bypartnering with FilmHellenes, tonot only host their kickoff event,but to help them showcase andscreen Greek films we are ableto do just that,” she added. Theevent, meant to start 2012Chicago Greek Film Festival, in-cluded a tribute to Greek direc-tor, and Academy Award winner,Alexander Payne.

“We could have not asked fora better person than Alexander

Payne to kick off the Greek FilmFest Chicago’s 2012 schedule,”

said Zoe Iltsopoulos Borys, VicePresident of the FilmHellenes.

“Alexander was genuine, sin-cere, and shared his passion and

experiences with the crowd thatmade it authentic of what it isto be a celebrated filmmaker,”she added. Payne was presentedwith an honorary FilmHelleneAward that was inspired by aprop used in the opening andclosing scenes of his film Side-ways. The award’s design wasmodeled after the Cycladic stat-uette from the Museum of Cy-cladic Art, by Panos Fiorentinos.

Payne answered a few ques-tions before mingling with thecrowd and talked about Greekfilmmaking: “I think that thenicest thing we could do is toencourage our fellow Greeks tobecome individually developedartists no matter what story theywant to tell. If it’s telling the im-migrant story then awesome butultimately each story has to tellthe story of that artist’s ownheart and I think that’s how Iinterpret Hellenic storytelling.That the Greek elements insideof all of us will come out with-out trying if simply a degree ofartistry is encouraged.”

FilmHellenes President andCo-Founder Niko Franghias de-scribed a FilmHellene as “some-one who has passion for Greek

cinema and has passion for film-makers of Hellenic ancestryworldwide. Passion is that littlecraziness that makes us go outand do things. Passion is action.So, welcome FilmHellenes.”

FilmHellenes Board MemberDino Vlahakis announced thefestival dates: October 4-8, atthe following venues: GeneSiskel Film Center, National Hel-lenic Museum, and PickwickTheatre. The preliminary lineupincludes the following featurefilms and documentaries: Fish-n-Chips by Ilias Dimitriou, Wel-come to All Saints by SotirisGoritsas, Unfair World by Filip-pos Tsitos, Kisses to the Childrenby Vassilis Loules, The OtherTown by NefinDinc, and Nostosby Nicolas Panoutsopoulos.

The event featured music byRythmos and was catered byChicago’s 9 Muses Restaurant.

The FilmHellenes organiza-tion is a not-for-profit allianceof media people, filmmakers,educators, businesspersons,diplomats and others who arededicated to identifying, pro-moting, and celebrating Greekfilmmaking talent no matterwhere it originates.

Special Guest Alexander Payne Starts off Chicago’s Greek Film Festival

Press conference participants included (R-L) George Tsiflidis, Elias Neofytides, President ofthe Pan-Pontian Federation of USA Dimitris Molohides, President of the Holy Institution, Dr.Haralambos Vasiliadis, and Theophilos Vasiliadis.

Greek-American director Alexander Payne and his mother Peggy arrive before the 2012 AcademyAwards in Hollywood.

COMMUNITY4 THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 21-27, 2012

By Ron LeonardiErie Times-News

Pete Gianaris has been at all24 Panegyri Greek festivals,working as a volunteer helpingto prepare gyros. Friday's open-ing day of the annual festival atthe Assumption Greek OrthodoxChurch, 4376 West Lake Road,was one of the hottest Gianariscould remember.

With afternoon temperaturesreaching 90 degrees and humid-ity high, Gianaris, 80, tried tokeep hydrated, drinking waterand taking an occasional breakto down a Greek beer. "It'ssomething to keep you young,''he said with a laugh.

Organizers are hoping thethree-day festival celebratingGreek culture and cuisine at-tracts more than 40,000 people,like it did in 2011.

The pastor of the Father The-ofanis Nacopoulos, the festival’schairman, Michael Geanous –Sallie Capotis was the co-chair -and Stefanos Paliouras, thelong-standing pillar of the com-munity, told The National Her-ald it was their 24th festival,but the first one that faced suchintense heat.

Friday's scorching afternoonheat sent many people scurryinginside the church, where a din-ner station and a 30-foot-longtable of pastries awaited.

"The food is the top draw,''said Sally Capotis, the festival'sco-chairperson. "Everybodywants a lamb shank and a pieceof baklava. Then they want to

go outside and sit and watch thedancing and music.''

That worked for MichelePulice, 56, of Millcreek Town-ship. Food and dancers are hertwo favorite festival highlights."I've said this every year I'vecome, that the dancers pass ontheir culture and their traditionsto their children, and they keeppassing them on,'' Pulice said."It's a pleasure to see that theystill pass that on.''

The guests, including thenon-Greeks, enjoyed perfor-mances by the parish’s youth,the Olympic Dancers of the Me-tropolis of Pittsburgh, and dancegroups from Cleveland, Ohio,and Buffalo, NY.

Two Greek-American stu-dents from New York State whoare participating in a 10-weekprogram at General Electricgathered their friends and at-tended the festival on Thursdaynight. They were thrilled. “Wehad the chance to experienceGreek delicacies, to dance andto show our pride to our class-mates in our Greek culture,” oneof the students said.

A large tent outside featuredan assortment of Greek mer-chandise, including cookbooks,jewelry, plates, T-shirts, sweat-shirts, dresses and traditionalGreek attire.

Another outside tent cateredto those who wanted hot dogs,sausage and Greek fries. Liba-tions could be purchased at an-other tent.

Then there was the gyro tent,where Gianaris and several oth-

ers began preparing their spe-cialties earlier Friday morning.

"I don't want to downplay thebaklava, because that's verygood, but with the gyros, peoplecome to this tent because they'respecial,'' Gianaris said.

He estimates people will gob-ble up about 5,000 to 6,000 gy-ros this weekend.

By the time the event endsSunday night, Capotis estimates

festivalgoers will have con-sumed 800 lamb shank dinners,720 chicken dinners, 200 fishdinners, 500 sausage sand-wiches, 60,000 pieces of pastryitems and 8,000 hot dogs.

Church staff and volunteersmade 15,000 pieces of baklava,a festival favorite that usually issold out by late Saturday orearly Sunday.

"I tell people, 'We are a

fundraiser, we are not a restau-rant,''' Capotis said. "My goal isto run out of everything. Mygoal is that on Sunday at 9 o'-clock when we're closing, I'd liketo know that I got one box ofhot dogs left, I'd like to knowthat all my pastries are gone,that everything is gone.''

Gerakis, who was born andraised in Erie, Pennsylvania’sfourth largest city, and who has

run the festival for the past eightyears, told TNH this year’s wasone of the best. He expressed hisdeep appreciation for all the vol-unteers, and noted the festival isthe parish’s major source of funds,which enables them to continueimportant work, especially its pi-oneering program for the youth.

Fr. Nacopoulos has serveserved the parish for fivedecades. Its current sanctuary isa Byzantine-style basilica whichis considered an architecturallandmark. It was built after theprevious building burned downin 1985. Rather than despair,within days of the tragedy theparishioners took action to builda new home. The parish hasthree dance groups, a Sundayschool and a Greek school.

Father also spoke of theparish’s miraculous icon ofMary. “There was a woman whowanted to have a child but shecould not conceive. She went tothe best doctors, with no results.One day Presbytera saw her indistress and urged her to prayat the icon,” he said. Ninemonths later, on the very daythe new sanctuary was inaugu-rated, her child was born, a boynamed Alexander.

He told TNH his parishioners“are small in numbers, but weare one of the most dynamicethnic groups in Erie. They areall successful, and lead goodfamilies whose children excel inschool.”

The above article includes addi-tional reporting by TNH.

Assumption Church Festival in Erie One of Hottest in Recent Memory

Festival highlights included performances by the Assumption parish’s youth, the OlympicDancers of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, and dance groups from Cleveland and Buffalo.

MAVROMIHALIS PARDALIS & NOHAVICKA, LLP34-03 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106

718.777.0400WWW.MPNFIRM.COM

Accidents / Serious Injury / Negligence / Medical Malpractice Construction / Wrongful Death

The law firm of MAVROMIHALIS PARDALIS & NOHAVICKA, LLP has assembled a team of experttrial lawyers to serve the community’s need for representation in serious personal injury andwrongful death cases.

If you or a friend has suffered a serious injury you need to retain a firm that has a reputation forinvesting the time, money and efforts needed to get the best results. Some law firms do not have the resources needed to fight for a bigger award for their clients. Insurance companies know that the law firm of MAVROMIHALIS PARDALIS & NOHAVICKA,LLP is always prepared to go trial and will always fight for the best possible result for our clients.

When you choose a firm like MAVROMIHALIS PARDALIS & NOHAVICKA, LLP you are getting ateam of lawyers that has a reputation for taking cases to trial when a fair settlement is not offered.

Don’t make the mistake of choosing a lawyer that will be quick to settle your case prematurely.Make the right choice for your family’s financial security and future.Contact the Law Firm of MAVROMIHALIS PARDALIS & NOHAVICKA, LLP by phone at (718) 777-0400 for a free consultation.

As all injury cases are taken on a contingency fee arrangement, there is no fee for our services unless we win or settle your case.

WWW.MPNFIRM.COM

Continued from page 1

AP Photo/chris Pizzello

COMMUNITYTHE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 21-27, 2012 5

Message by World Council of Hellenes Abroad,

U.S.A. Region Coordinator Mr. Theodore G. Spyropoulos on the 38th Anniversary

of the Turkish Invasion of CyprusAnother year is added to the decades of concerns and troubles of the Greek Diaspora around

the world for a just, viable and functional settlement of the Cyprus dispute. The “Black

Anniversary” of July 20 brings back, even more intensely, the painful memories of those days and

the events that followed.

Today, 38 years later, with a clear voice, we are actively promoting the message “I won’t forget”,

which for us Greeks Abroad does not constitute a “dead letter”

Complacency cannot be our ally in the case of Cyprus. Under no circumstances should we allow

oblivion to overshadow the blatant injustice that occurred in 1974 against the Greek and,

subsequently, the Turkish-Cypriot Community in the martyred island.

We would like to remind you:

• The presence of Turkish occupation forces

• The brutal violation of human rights

• The illegal settlers

• The violation of Greek – Cypriot properties in the enslaved homeland

• The atrocious plundering of the invaluable Cultural and Religious heritage of our Cyprus;

• It is estimated that over 520 Greek Orthodox churches and chapels and 17 monasteries in the

occupied areas have been pillaged, vandalized or destroyed.  Some have been turned into stables

while others have been converted into hotels, casinos and bars.

• That the determination of the fate of all missing persons in the Cypriot tragedy is still pending

These are only a few of the issues, for which, we all have a sacred duty to continue the struggles

together.

In this course, we, both Greeks and Cypriots, continue to seek valuable allies. We know that we

are not alone and for that we are grateful.

The latest resolutions, numbered S. Con. Res. 47, introduced by Senators Robert Menendez and

Olympia Snowe, and H.Res.676, submitted in the U.S. House of Representatives, respectively, by

Reps. Gus Bilirakis and Eliot Engel on June 5th 2012, primarily condemn Turkish policies

threatening the efforts of Cyprus to develop its natural resources, as well as the excessive settlement

of the region.

These resolutions must be supported by all means by Greek American organizations, byevery Greek – American individually, knowing that we have the power to exert our influenceto the U.S. Government, employing our local representatives in the U.S. House and Senate.

Let’s not forget to stress to everyone that Cyprus, an equal Member of the European Union, still is,

for nearly four decades now, the only divided country in the civilized world.

“I won’t forget” and “I continue to fight”; this is our motto, until we celebrate the much desired

reunification of Cyprus, where the future of Hellenism is determined.

Με θερμούς πατριωτικούς χαιρετισμούς

Θ. Γ. Σπυρόπουλος

ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΑΠΟΔΗΜΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ (ΣΑΕ)ΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΕΙΑΣ Η.Π.Α.

WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD (S.A.E.)U.S.A. REGION

2155 W. 80TH STREET, IL 60620, U.S.A.  Tel: (773) 783 5555 - Fax: (773) 994-5037

E-mail: theogsp@gmail.comhttp://www.spyropoulos.org • http://plantyourrootsingreece.org

It is estimated that over 520 Greek Orthodox churches andchapels and 17 monasteries in the occupied areas have beenpillaged, vandalized or destroyed. Some have been turnedinto stables while others have been converted into hotels,casinos and bars.

WASHINGTON, DC (From theWashington Post, published onJul. 12) – Peter Nicholas Kyrosa former U.S. Representativefrom Maine, died July 10th. Ky-ros was born on July 11, 1925,in Portland, Maine. Peter at-tended public schools in Maine,and the Massachusetts Instituteof Technology. Both his father,

Nicholas, and his uncleserved in the U.S. Army inWorld War I. In the summer of1942, Peter worked buildingLiberty ships at the Todd BathShipyard in Maine, developingan early love for ocean ships.

After graduating from Port-land High School in 1943, Peterenlisted in the U.S. Navy in a V-12 engineering program at MIT.He was one of seven cousinswho served in World War II. Hegraduated from the UnitedStates Naval Academy in 1947.He served in the United StatesNavy from 1944 to 1953, servingon destroyer tours in the NorthAtlantic and the Mediterranean.

Upon discharge from theNavy as a lieutenant in 1954,Peter attended Harvard LawSchool,receiving his law degreein 1957. Peter was admitted tothe bar in 1957 and practicedlaw in Portland, Maine. Heserved from 1957 to 1959 ascounsel to the Maine Public Util-

ities Commission, and as chair-man of the Maine State Democ-ratic Party. In 1966 Senator EdMuskie asked him to run forCongress, and Peter was electedto represent the first district ofMaine.

In the U.S. Congress Peterserved on the House MerchantMarine, Energy and Commerce,and Banking Committees. As amember of the Merchant Marineand Fisheries Committee, Peterhelped develop legislation topromote and regulate the U.S.maritime industry and pressedfor legislation establishing a200-mile offshore fishing limitto protect U.S. fisheries, sup-porting coastal zone protectionand clean water. The enactmentof the 200-mile limit, passedwith the help of allies fromNorthwestern states, protectedthe U.S. fishing industry and theenvironment from the destruc-tion of fisheries in U.S. waters.It stands today as the rule oflaw.

Peter also worked to main-tain the destroyer and subma-rine shipyards in Maine. He wasresponsible for the inclusion ofMaine waters and rivers underthe protection of the Wild andScenic Rivers Act.

While in Congress, Peter'stours of Vietnam caused him toreassess his position on the Warfrom one of initial support to

opposition to administrationpolicy, which he expressed earlyon. As a member of the Health

Subcommittee, Peter wasalso involved with the enact-ment of major health legislationand funding for the National In-stitutes of Health. His effortswhile in Congress were dedi-cated to the State of Maine,which he loved.

Upon leaving Congress, Peterserved in the United States De-partment of State as a liaison toCongress on trade and shippingissues,and resumed a legislativeconsulting practice in Washing-ton, D.C. as a member of thefirm Finley, Kumble andDowney, McGrath. He repre-sented biomedical research sci-entist as an advocate for scien-tific and medical research. Peterorganized a Congressional bio-medical research caucusthrough which scientists haveprovided briefings to membersof Congress and staff for thepast twenty years. During thistime, Peter also taught congres-sional procedure to senior fed-eral officials. He also repre-sented federal administrativelaw judges ensuring that theirjudicial independence and in-tegrity be maintained.

Former Secretary of InteriorManuel Lujan said: "Peter had a

quick warm smile and was alifelong loyal friend." FormerCongressman George Gekas(PA) noted that Peter was "acharming man, classical in everyway but for his golf swing." Hisformer law partner, RichardDavis of Cape Elizabeth, said:"He was a true friend, elegantin conversation, and devoted inhis love for Maine, its historyand people."

Peter was a lifelong memberof the Holy Trinity OrthodoxChurch in Portland, Maine. Hewas predeceased by his belovedson, Peter N. Kyros, Jr., hisbrother George Kyros and AliceW. Kyros. He is survived by hiswife, Susan, his daughterJoanne Carol Kyros, his son-in-law Thomas Schaufelberger, hisdaughter-in-law Valerie Kyros,and his five prized grandchil-dren: Katie, Lindsey, Nicholas,Caroline, and Peter III. The fam-ily received friends at Gawler's,5130 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.,Washington D.C. on SundayJuly 15, 2012 from 1 to 3 pmand there was a Trisagion prayerservice at 2:30 pm.

OBITUARIES CLASSIFIEDS6 THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 21-27, 2012

to PlAce your clAssiFieD AD, cAll: (718) 784-5255, ext. 106, e-mAil: classifieds@ thenationalherald.com

REAL ESTATE

Vicky Lewisbroker-Associate

experience the difference… …the difference is experience

239-777-4904Vicky@TheNaplesExperience.comwww.TheNaplesExperience.com

DOWNING-FRYE REALTY, INC.Μιλώ Ελληνικά

NAPLES FLORIDA REAL ESTATE

2715

97/1

7902

/01-

05-1

3

CLASSIFIEDS

GRPHX.CO. LLC, A DOMESTIC LLC,ARTS. OF ORG. FILED WITH THE SSNYON 5/29/12. OFFICE LOCATION: KINGSCOUNTY. SSNY IS DESIGNATED ASAGENT UPON WHOM PROCESSAGAINST THE LLC MAY BE SERVED.SSNY SHALL MAIL PROCESS TO: THELLC, 462C 36TH ST., BROOKLYN, NY11232. GENERAL PURPOSES.

272035/10709

264 DEAN ST LLC, A DOMESTIC LLC,ARTS. OF ORG. FILED WITH THE SSNYON 3/27/12. OFFICE LOCATION: KINGSCOUNTY.  SSNY IS DESIGNATED ASAGENT UPON WHOM PROCESSAGAINST THE LLC MAY BESERVED.  SSNY SHALL MAIL PROCESSTO: THE LLC, 264 DEAN ST., BROOKLYN,NY 11201. GENERAL PURPOSES.

272034 /10709

Notice of formation of NyabinghiProductions LLC. Articles of Org.filed with SSNY on 2/24/2012.Office loc.: Kings Co. SSNY hasbeen designated as agent uponwhom process against the LLC maybe served. SSNY shall mail processto: 790 Washington Ave., #118,Brooklyn, NY 11238. General pur-poses.

271972/18148/07-21

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF KING ANDKING INVESTMENTS LLC. ARTS. OFORG. (DOM LLC) FILED WITH THE SEC.OF STATE OF NY (SSNY)ON 02/03/2012.OFFICE LOCATION: KINGS COUNTY:SSNY DESIGNATED AS AGENT OF LLCUPON WHOM PROCESS AGAINST ITMAY BE SERVED. SSNY SHALL MAILCOPY OF PROCESS TO: MR. IDRIS M.O’BRIEN, 315 FLATBUSH AVENUE, APT.,#179, BROOKLYN, NY 11217. PURPOSEANY LAWFUL ACT OR ACTIVITY.

271969/18145/07-21

Notice of formation of 337 11TH STREETLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secretaryof State of NY (SSNY) on 05/29/2012. NYOffice location: Kings County. SSNY des-ignated as agent of the LLC upon whomprocess against it may be served. The postoffice address to which the SSNY shallmail a copy of any process against the LLCserved upon him is Nicholas G. Malafis,285 15th ST, No. IB, Brooklyn, NY 11215.Purpose any lawful act or activity.

271986/18158/07-28

Notice of formation of BROOKLYN LIVINGLLC Arts. of Org. (DOM LLC) filed withthe Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on06/12/2012. NY Office location: KingsCounty. SSNY designated as agent of theLLC upon whom process against it may beserved. The post office address to whichthe SSNY shall mail a copy of any processagainst the LLC served upon him is: TOTRINH QUAN, 407 9th Street, Brooklyn,NY 11215. Purpose any lawful act or ac-tivity.

272003/18171/0804

Despotidis & Associates (Tax Accountants, Advisors, Auditors)is one of the most successful taxconsultancy firms in Greece. Weundertake with great responsibilitythe completion-submission of anytax return. Willing to cooperate withlaw firms. 203 Syngrou Avenue 17121Athens, Greece.

Tel.: 01130-210-9330-900E-mail: info@despotidis.gr

URL: http://www.despotidis.grΑΑ 75

ANTONOPOULOS FUNERAL HOME, INC.Konstantinos Antonopoulos - Funeral Director38-08 Ditmars Blvd.,Astoria, New York 11105(718) 728-8500Not affiliated with any other funeral home.

APOSTOLOPOULOSApostle Family - Gregory, Nicholas, Andrew - Funeral Directors of RIVERDALE FUNERAL HOME Inc.5044 BroadwayNew York, NY 10034(212) 942-4000Toll Free 1-888-GAPOSTLECONSTANTINIDESFUNERAL PARLOR Co.(718) 745-1010Services in all localities - Low cost shipping to Greece

LITRAS FUNERAL HOMEARLINGTON BENSON DOWD, INC FUNERAL HOME83-15 Parsons Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11432(718) 858-4434 • (800) 245-4872

FUNERAL HOMES

Accountants

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Legal Notice/Notice of FormationLEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

about the tragedy, they con-tacted his wife and brother toexpress their condolences andsympathy. They praised him forhis leadership role in the com-pany where he served as SeniorManager for IT.

Manguravdos’ untimelydeath plunged his family intomourning. He is survived by hiswife Kondilia, his children, 13year-old George and 10-year-oldChrysoula, his parents Georgeand Chrysoula Manguravdos,his brother, Panagiotis and hiswife Helen, his mother-in-lawMaria Parisi, and numerous rel-atives and friends.

The funeral was held at Sts.Constantine and Helen churchin Brooklyn on July 16.

Mangouravdos was born andraised in Sparta and in 1983came to study in the UnitedStates. He worked hard atrestaurants to make his livingand pay for tuition while study-ing at Pace University.

He paved the way for hisyounger brother, Panagiotis,who joined him in his studies,and for their parents to come tothe U.S.

The deceased was a Greekthrough and through, heart andsoul. He and other expatriateGreeks and their fellow studentsfounded a Greek Student Asso-ciation at Pace University, and

its name, “Olympians” is due tohim.

Around the time he wasgraduating from Pace University,another Greek woman, KondiliaParisi from Aigion, had just ar-rived here. Dimitri’s kind andsmiling face, his compassionand magnanimity, his generos-ity, and leadership qualitieswere a magnet for the freshmanfrom Greece.

"I was 20 years old. My par-ents and my sister did not wantme to marry early, but whenthey saw Dimitri they blessedour relationship,” the bereavedwife said with trembling lips.

His brother pointed out thatDimitri was a workaholic. Hisefforts and his genius drove himfrom one professional success toanother.

Despite working late, how-ever, he strove not to miss evena minute by the side of the wifehe adored, his beloved children,and his parents. He did every-thing he could so the childrencould grow up in a Hellenic en-vironment, and entrusted themto the A. Fantis School.

TNH Production ManagerChrysoula Karametros remi-nisced about the key role Dimitriplayed in the 1980s in the stu-dent associations. "We were abig ‘parea’ and Dimitri andPanos held a special place in thegroup…All of us who returnedto Greece are in mourning andexpress sincere condolences tohis wife, children, relatives, andfriends.”

His brother said: "Our phonehas not been silent for a minute.His classmates and friends havecalled to honor his memory,telling us many stories illustra-tive of his work and character.

“He was a great family man.When asked about his hobbieshe always smiled and repliedthat his favorite hobby was hisfamily and his children. He wasalways there for us, a guardianangel for us and for his parentsand brother.”

May his memory be eternal.

Dimitri Manguravdos, 46, Touched ManyContinued from page 1

Former Congressman KyrosPasses On Eve of 87th B-day

Death Notice

Fr. Constantine Nicholas Mitsos(Mitsopoulos)

Reverend Constantine Nicholas Mitsos (Mitsopoulos) wasborn in Elatou, Nafpaktias, Greece on March 21,1924. Hewas the fifth child of six children of Nicholas and SophiaMitsopoulos. Constantine attended elementary school in Ela-tou and then went to the town of Nafpaktos where he at-tended high school. He graduated from the high school inNafpaktos, Greece in June, 1943. He then attended the LawSchool of the University of Athens for two years.

In 1946, he was offered a scholarship to attend the HolyCross School of Theology in Pomfret, Connecticut. After athree-month journey, he arrived at the School along withten other students from Greece. He attended the School inPomfret and then was transferred to the Holy Cross Schoolin Brookline, Massachusetts from which he graduated inJune, 1951. He then attended the Crozer Baptist TheologicalSeminary in Chester, Pennsylvania for one year.

On September 7, 1952, Constantine married EvelynLiarakos in Wilmington, Delaware. He was ordained as adeacon in New York City on November 7, 1952. He was as-signed to the parish of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Churchin Santa Barbara, California. Upon his arrival, he was or-dained as a priest on December 14, 1952. He served thatparish for 2 Y2 years. As the priest of the parish of SantaBarbara, he also served all parishioners from Oxnard, Ven-tura, Pismo Beach, and all the parishes in between.

In March, 1955, Reverend Constantine was assigned tothe Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Huntington,West Virginia where he served for four years. During histenure in Huntington, Father Constantine served the Ortho-dox faithful of southern West Virginia, western Ohio andnorthern Kentucky. With his encouragement, the Saint JohnGreek Orthodox parish of Charleston, West Virginia was es-tablished.

While he was the parish priest in Huntington, Father Con-stantine also attended Marshall University for 1 Y2 years.

On September 1, 1959, Father Constantine was assignedto the Holy Trinity / Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Churchof Cincinnati, Ohio. He was instrumental in the transfer ofthe old church in downtown Cincinnati (a former Jewishsynagogue) to the establishment of the new church on Win-ton Road in the suburb of Finneytown, Ohio. During histenure in Cincinnati, Father Constantine received a Master'sDegree in Theological Studies (STM) from the HammaSchool of Theology of Wittenberg University in Springfield,Ohio in June, 1968.

Father Constantine served on the Board of the MinisterialAssociation for many years, representing the Orthodox com-munity of Greater Cincinnati. As a member of the Associa-tion, he served on many committees. In 1984, he was hon-ored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews withan award which reads:

"For Outstanding Service to the Ideals of Brotherhood,the National Conference of Christians and Jews cites FatherConstantine Mitsos, Pastor of Holy Trinity - Saint NicholasGreek Orthodox Church, NCCJ Dialogian, Teacher and Shep-herd of your distinguished congregation, sponsoring for 10years a widely renowned annual Panegyri Greek Festival at-tracting tri-state residents of all faiths. A humble man ofGod, you are steadfastly dedicated to our community's strate-gic ecumenical endeavors as visually epitomized in stainedglass which you commissioned in the church's beautiful sanc-tuary depicting the historic meeting of Greek Orthodox Pa-triarch Athenagoras and Roman Catholic Pope Paul VI toprovide the vision of ecumenical cooperation among all peo-ples in the service of one God and Father of us all."

Upon his retirement, Father Constantine established aScholarship Fund for any student from Cincinnati whowished to attend the Hellenic College or the Holy CrossSchool of Theology. Several young people, including priestsand presvyteres, have been helped by this scholarship.

"After serving the parish of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas forthirty-one years, Father Constantine and Presvytera Evelynmoved to Florida to be close to their daughter PresvyteraGeorgia and Father Christopher Metropulos and their grand-children: Eleni (Anthony) Alexiou, Constance, Constantine,Lucas, Evdokia and Nicholas Metropulos. Their son Nicholaswho lives in New York is married to Dorothy, and they haveone son Constantine Nicholas. Father Constantine also hastwo great-granddaughters: Nicoletta and Christina Alexiou.

Father Constantine passed away on July 4,2012. His fu-neral was held at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Churchin Fort Lauderdale on July 7th with Metropolitan Alexios ofAtlanta and Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh conductingthe service along with fourteen priests. May his memory beeternal.

8013016/18187

Roger Stevens of the Kennedy Center, left, talks with Rep.Peter N. Kyros, right, and former wife Alice in Washington,D.C. on January 20, 1972.

FrAnk Johnston/the wAshinGton Post

Dimitri with his family: WifeKondilia and children Georgeand Chrysoula.

1940) describes that Lloyd hada “prominent role” in the film(Lima News March 5, 1927).But it seemed clear to everyonethat Lloyd's appearance in filmswas more a gimmick than an at-tribute to his acting abilities.

Olive Borden (1906-1947)was a noted starlet of silentfilms and early talking movies.Borden was nicknamed “TheJoy Girl,” and much was madeof her jet-black hair and overallbeauty. At the height of her ca-reer, Borden was paid $1,500 aweek appearing in eleven filmsfor Fox Studios while workingwith such directors as John Fordand Howard Hawks. One wireservice story that circulatedaround the country under theheadline, “Olive Has HighPriced Support,” states: “Direc-tors seem to be getting ratherparticular about the 'atmos-phere' they put on their sets. Ananonymous background for a bitof Olive Borden's acting theother day included CissyFitzgerald, one of the first ac-tresses who ever faced a motionpicture camera; Queenie Vassar,the former musical comedy star;Lloyd Pantages, son of thevaudeville magnate; Geno Car-rago, the Nebuchadnezzar ofBiblical film fame, and Car-olynne Snowden, leader of acabaret review. Seventy-five dol-lars a day instead of the custom-ary $7.50 was what the ‘extras’were getting.” (Sandusky Reg-ister June 5, 1927)

To be sure, Lloyd Pantages’socializing with Hollywood andBroadway stars was seen regu-larly in newspaper stories andin photographic layoutsthroughout the early 1900s and1920s again with the leading ac-tors, actresses, and entertain-ment promoters of the day. It isdifficult from this distance intime to really judge how his con-

temporaries understood him.Given that Lloyd did appear invarious silent films and in earlysound movies, however, he mustbe included in any survey ofearly Greeks in Hollywood film.Perhaps, in the future, a moreprofitable study of his impact

will emerge from how individu-als living in Kingsport, Lima, OHor Sandusky, OH responded tothose and other news accountsof rich Greeks living in Americain the 1900s through the 1920s.

An extremely popular Greekimmigrant character actor wasGeorge Kotsonaros. Known as“Kots” by his movie andwrestling fans. He appeared in18 films from 1926 to 1931.Kotsonaros had achieved greatpopularity in wrestling long be-fore his debut in Hollywoodfilms. Physically unattractivevery astute business-wise, Kot-sonaros made a highly success-ful career out of wrestling. Var-ious news articles aboutsuccessful professional wrestlersalways cited Kotsonaros asamong those who had quite lit-erally become millionaires.While the 1929 stock marketcrash had forced Kotsonarosback into a heavy wrestlingschedule, he was far from a poorman even after the financial dis-aster.

In 1926, the year Kotsonarosgot into Hollywood films, hefirst established annual pattern:He would spent most of the yearwrestling on a large loop aroundthe country, and then in the win-ter months he made movies inCalifornia. Unlike many other ofthe Greek silent to sound actors,Kotsonaros' movie roles are welldocumented. He first appearedin 1926 in the silent films: Van-ishing Millions, Cupid's Knock-out, and While London Sleeps.

Then in 1927, and it is unclearhow many of these films wereactually sound films (aka“talkies”), in : When a ManLoves, The Tender Hour, Catch-As-Catch-Can, The King of theJungle, The Wizard, The PrivateLife of Helen of Troy, and TheLove Market. Kotsonaros madefour films in 1928: The Fifty-Fifty Girl, Street of Sin, BeggarsLife, and the Laurel and Hardyshort film – still unavailable onDVD – We Faw Down. Then,only two films in 1929: TheShakedown and The BodyPunch. Next in 1930 and 1931,Kotsonaros only made one filmeach, Dangerous Paradise andHoneymoon Lane, respectively.

Given Kotsonaros' physicalappearance. he mostly por-trayed characters such as box-ers, convicts, wrestlers, hench-men, and even a gorilla. Heoften told reporters that he onceplayed the part of a monkeywithout using any make-up!Kotsonaros also played Hector

in the 1927 film The Private Lifeof Helen of Troy, probably thefirst Greek immigrant to play aclassical Greek figure in a Hol-lywood movie. Once Kotsonarosbegan to appear in motion pic-tures he was not above promot-ing them while he was touringthe country and speaking withreporters in all the various ham-lets, villages, towns, and citiesin which he wrestled. Those in-terviews did not go unnoticedin Hollywood.

Various remastered DVDs ofKotsonaros’ films are readilyavailable nowadays, such asWhile London Sleeps, The Wiz-ard, The King of the Jungle, WeFaw Down, and others.

Perhaps there is no betterway to appreciate the history ofthose early Hollywood Greek ac-tors than to watch these films.Meanwhile, expect to read evenmore about them in a future in-stallment of this column.

grecianmon@yahoo.com

By Phylis (Kiki) Sembos

It was almost five o’clock. Ichucked my homework asideand dashed out of my house, sit-uated in brick building in In-wood, to stand on the stoop likeI always did that that hour. Iwas in love – again. I stood onthe stoop waiting for my latestcrush – “him” – to walk by as heusually did at that hour. Whenhe walked by I got a tingly sensein my legs, my heart fluttered,too. He was tall, had jet blackhair and a profile like Apollo atthe museum. Lean, but muscu-lar, he might have been an ath-lete, thought I, dreamily. Trou-ble was he never glanced myway – always straight ahead likea sentry at the royal palace. Ihad to find out who he was.

So, I asked Mrs. Casey, theneighborhood’s know-it-all. Sheknew who was getting married,who was seen coming out ofwhose apartment, the price of

sirloin steak, tomorrow’s fore-cast, had a cure for athlete’s footor rheumatism and what horsewas a best bet at Belmont in thethird race.

“Oh! You mean Alphonso TallTree. Oneida Indian from up-state, New York. Studying to bea medic. Lives with a family inmy building. Nice fellow.”

“Indian?” I was clearly dis-appointed he wasn’t Greek likeI suspected – like I hoped. Still,he was sure nice to look at. So,I continued standing on thestoop hoping he’d look my way.Not a chance! He’d alwayslooked straight ahead and neverat me. Medic! Hmmm, maybe ifI can fall off the stoop. Nah!What if he just walked awayleaving me to get up and limphome. Did I really expect thathunk to notice a skinny, stringy-haired Greek girl; a high schooljunior? He may not have noticedme, but Papa did.

“Don’t you have homework

– or, something?” he asked,waving his hand as signal to getin the house. Oh, yeah! Home-work! I almost forgot. That day,he’d have to go by without meon the stoop watching and wait-ing for him. Hey! Maybe, he’d

notice I wasn’t there and asksomeone where’s that girl – myadmirer?

That evening we all sat –Mama, Papa and my brotherNickie, in front of our preciouspossession, a black and white,

17 inch TV, watching a cowboywestern. Cowboys on horseswere kicking up dust, shootingtons of bullets at an enemy be-hind them as they headed to-wards a fort to safety. JohnWayne, face covered with a ker-

chief, led the way. Not far behindthem came a band of hoopin’ n’hollerin’ Indians, in war paintand little clothing, shootingbows and arrows at the escapingcowboys whose chances for sur-vival seemed slim. I searched theband for someone who might re-semble Alphonso Tall Tree.Nickie got excited. He cried out,“Oh, my God! Here comes thebad guys! They’ll kill them poorcowboys. Gee, they’re mean.They’re dangerous and…”

Papa, leaning back, his armsbehind his head, gave a swiftglance at me before returninghis attention on the TV said, “Bequiet, Nickie! That’s no way totalk about our future in-laws.”

That helped put a bigdamper on all my romantic no-tions about Alphonso Tall tree.At least, with my curiosity andmy latest crush, crushed, safelyharnessed, I could concentrateon homework a little more – justa little.

COMMUNITYTHE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 21-27, 2012 7

Crushed

Between Silence and Sound: Greek Actors of the Early Hollywood Era

In the 1928 Laurel and Hardy movie, We Faw Down, the fighter"First Round" Kelly, who is “the boyfriend,” is played by actorand professional wrestler George Kotsonaros.

ALL HISTORY

GREEK-AMERICAN STORIES

2012 Presidential Race - UpdateBy Constantinos E. Scaros

Oh how much fun it is to watch the masses in action! Theold adage that if you stand in Times Square and look straightup, a crowd will gather and soon enough, there will be over100 people looking straight up, too – at nothing in particular!

That “Times Square” moment was captured about a weekago, when rumors began to circulate that Mitt Romney isstrongly considering former Secretary of State CondoleezzaRice to be his running mate. Never mind that Rice herself hasinsisted that she is not interested in that job specifically, or inpolitics in general, any longer. Quite often, folks prefer to be-lieve in rumors, because they are juicier than the truth, afterall. Why else would conspiracy theories flourish as prominentlyas they do?

Pollster Frank Luntz recently conducted a survey among afocus group of voters – some leaning toward voting for BarackObama, some toward Romney, and others yet completely un-decided. When asked whom they would consider a viable run-ning mate for Romney, almost all of them mentioned Rice. Aweek earlier, many probably would have forgotten that sheeven existed, let alone thought to include her among the list ofpossible VP prospects.

One has to wonder: if the rumor had been that Romneywas considering Mickey Mouse as a running mate, would folksbegin their analysis of whom Romney should pick with: “well,there’s Mickey Mouse, of course, and then there’s”…..?

Stop looking straight up, people! There’s nothing there!

Continued from page 1

Orthodox Christian Laity Celebrating 25 Years of Service

CONGRATULATES and CELEBRATES AHEPA’s 90 Years of History

your civic, educational, athletic, medical, scholarship and philanthropic programs are exemplary.AhePA is also the premier benefactor and patron of the orthodox christian church inu.s. together it is our duty and responsibility to monitor, offer help and feedback to theAssembly of canonical orthodox bishops of north and central America as they work toward developing a blueprint for orthodox unity in the united states. building a newchurch order is the work of all the people clergy and laity.

In this spirit OCL invites you to attend its 25th Anniversary Program Meeting:Our Orthodox Past Our Orthodox Present Our Orthodox Future

Library of Congress Special Program Honoring OCL Friday October 26, 2012 12:30pmVesper and Keynote: St George Orthodox Church 4335 16th Street Washington D.C.

6:00pm Friday October 26, 2012 Panel Discussions: Mt Vernon Campus of George Washington University West Hall,

2100 Foxhall Road NW, Washington, DC Saturday October 27, 2012 8:30am

Guest hierarchs, Panelists and speakers include: his eminence Archbishop nathaniel, Pri-mate, romanian episcopate, his Grace bishop maxim, serbian orthodox church-Dioceseof the west; his Grace bishop michael, Diocese of new york and new Jersey, ProtodeaconPeter Danichick consultant to the Assembly of bishops, Dr. nicholas Govsdov, Professoru.s. naval war college, nicholas marinides, visiting scholar Dumbarton oaks, Fredericamathews-Green, author commentator, lecturer, matthew namee, student, independentscholar and Associate Director of society for orthodox christian history, Dr Andrew nat-sios, Distinguished professor walsh school of Foreign service, marilyn rouvelas, author,speaker, John sitilides, Principal trilogy Advisors llc, manages professional developmentprogram for senior us Diplomats in Greece, cyprus and turkey, member of us –Qaterbusiness council and wilson council, member of board trustees iocc. michael tsakalos,business professional, active layman and board member of iocc, Dr. John J, yiannias,byzantinist and Professor emeritus Art history university of virginia, Dr. Andrew h. walsh,Assistant Director of leonard Greenberg center for the study of religion in Public life,trinity college, hartford, ct, Dr. Gayle e. woloschak, Professor, researcher, Peer re-viewer, Patent-inventor, member of Departments of radiation oncology, radiology, andcell and molecular biology, robert lurie cancer center, Feinberg school of medicine,northwestern university, chicago, il.

Keep Updated on Conference details and Orthodox News at www.ocl.orgOCL P.O. Box 6954 West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Theater mogul Alexander Pan-tages.

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

- Garrison Keillor

The National Herald Bookstore(718) 784-5255 • info@thenationalherald.com

Immigrants learned all they needed to know about Native Americans from John Wayne.

PROTARAS, Cyprus (AP) –Cyprus' former foreign affairsand defense ministers on July 16pleaded not guilty to manslaugh-ter charges in a trial over lastyear's deadly naval base blast