AHEPA e-News! | Vol. 12 Issue 28

Meet us in A.C. for the 96th Supreme Convention.  More info | Meet our honorees! | 2018 National AHEPA Basketball Tournament | Online registration deadline extended to Monday, 7/16, 6 p.m., EDT   Congressional Hellenic Caucus Membership is 126.   Help It Grow.   Although Congress is heading into the homestretch of the 115th Congress, there is still plenty of time to increase the membership of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. AHEPA asks for your help. The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in 1995.  It is co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and its co-founder, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). Membership in the Hellenic Caucus stands at 126.   Is your U.S. representative a member?  Click here to find out. Download & Share: Action Alert to help you outreach to your U.S. representative   Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:                                            Upcoming Events & Deadlines July 22 - 28 | 96th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, Atlantic City, N.J. Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Greek American News Digest   Editor's Note: Editorials, Commentaries, and Opinion pieces are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.     'Classical Greek Oligarchy,' 'House of Names' share Runciman Award Ekathimerini (July 4)    It is said that Sir Steven Runciman fell in love with the Byzantine Empire as a young man in 1929, while on the deck of the family yacht. Looking out to Monemvasia on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese, he saw the castle town's walls and churches from afar and felt a strong affinity toward Greece.  This affinity lasted his entire life and compelled him to study Byzantine history and bring it out of international obscurity. He taught, wrote and forged friendships with important Greek literary figures, such as Giorgos Seferis and Angelos Sikelianos, becoming an important bridge between Greek and British culture.  read more    Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals how Roger Federer played key role in his Wimbledon run Metro (July 10)   Stefanos Tsitsipas' impressive Wimbledon run was brought to an end on Manic Monday as he failed to deal with the ruthless serving power of John Isner. The young Greek Next Gen star had wowed crowds at the All England Club with his all-action style, particularly his Boris Becker-esque dives, and he has now firmly established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in the sport.  read more   Additional coverage Clay plaque found at Olympia hailed as oldest written record of Odyssey Ekathimerini (July 10) Archaeologists in Greece have discovered what they believe to be the oldest known extract of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey."  A team of Greek and German researchers found it on an engraved clay plaque in Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games in the Peloponnese peninsula, the Greek culture ministry said on Tuesday.  read more   Energean asks Cyprus for approval to import Israeli gas via new pipeline Reuters (July 5)   Energean is seeking approval from Cyprus for the Greek oil and gas firm to build a pipeline from its Israeli offshore gas fields and import 0.5 to 1 billion cubic meters of gas a year to the island, Energean's chief executive said on Thursday.   read more    Greece's population shrinking due to crisis  Ekathimerini (July 7)   Greece's population has decreased by around 355,000 people since the financial crisis started hitting hard in 2011, and if nothing is done to offset this downward trend, by 2050 Greek citizens will at most number 10 million, according to the country's statistics agency (ELSTAT).  Even more worrisome is ELSTAT's prediction that by 2080 the country's population could drop to 7.2 million.  read more    Uruguay: The Little South American Country with Many Philhellenes  Greek Reporter (July 7)   One can say that Uruguay is a country of philhellenes, as out of the 3,500,000 million people living there, at least 6,000 people speak fluent Greek as if it is their mother tongue.  Ancient Greece features prominently in the South American country.   Roads and squares have Greek names and statues of ancient philosophers decorate public buildings.   read more    Greek-American Daughter of Seattle AHEPA Member Publishes Book The National Herald (July 4)      A night of spooky fun exploring a haunted house takes an unexpected turn when Anthony meets the undead Emily. Their awkward, newfound friendship attracts an eccentric group of demon-fighting paranormal investigators-as well the cult of dark mages holding Emily's soul captive for their mysterious schemes.  Released in April 2018 by Blysster Press, "Midnight Waltz" is the first book from the Greek-American author Maria Giakoumatos, and the first of the four-part Infernal Symphony series.  read more