AHEPA e-News!

AHEPA e-News! - Vol. 12 Issue 4 6 - Wednesday, November 14, 2018

GreekNewsOnline Interviews SP Loucas Supreme President George E. Loucas sat down for an interview with GreekNewsOnline recently.  He discussed his goals and objectives for AHEPA, the Order's relevance today, and how AHEPA serves as a bridge between the United States and Greece.  read the interview AHEPA Happenings | Veterans Day AHEPA Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman retired U.S. Army Col. Nick P. Vamvakias visited Baltimore, Md., to speak with area chapters about AHEPA's programs that support and recognize veterans at a "Salute to Veterans" forum organized by District 3 Governor Nick Forakis ... Delphi Chapter 25, Manhattan, N.Y., held a memorial service for veterans at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Coverage in The National Herald ... Recently, AHEPA Chapter 145, Denver, organized a golf tournament that raised $12,000 for local charities, including the Forgotten Heroes Campaign ... ICYMI: Supreme President's Veterans Day message. Region VI Ahepans Back Cancer Research Hoosier District 12 (Indiana) and Blue Ribbon District 13 (Illinois and Wisconsin) proudly supported the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation Gala, The Wings to Cure, for the third consecutive year. Districts 12 and 13, along with Chapter 78, Merrillville, Ind., have donated more than $15,000 to the Foundation, which supports the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. AHEPA is also a corporate sponsor. Past and current Supreme and District Lodge officers, and chapter officers, attended the gala, which was held at Navy Pier, Chicago, Nov. 10, 2018. ICYMI | AHEPA Receives Major Gift from E. John &Cleo Rumpakis AHEPA is elated to be the recipient of a $100,000 gift from E. John and Cleo Rumpakis of Portland, Oregon, announced Supreme President George E. Loucas. The donation, made in October 2018, officially launches AHEPA's "Century Capital Campaign" - a development campaign to raise $6 million by the organization's 100th anniversary in 2022.  For their generous donation, the lobby of AHEPA's Global Headquarters will be dedicated and named in honor of E. John and Cleo Rumpakis. read entire announcement Did You Miss It?  The Ahepan Fall 2018 Catch highlights from the 96th Supreme Convention, our visits to devastated areas of Attica and Thessaloniki in support for USA-Thessaloniki International Fair 2018, and, of course, see how our chapters are working to strengthen their communities through service. check it out Congressional Hellenic Caucus Membership is 126. Help It Grow.    Although Congress is heading into the homestretch of the 115th Congress, there is still time to increase the membership of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. 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:                                  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.   Saffron, Greece's 'red gold,' fuels trade in wilted economy NBC News (Nov. 10)  Every autumn, Zisis Kyrou is more often found plucking flowers in northern Greece's purple saffron fields than in his office as a civil engineer. Saffron - the spice so expensive it's called "red gold" - has brought jobs and money to a region better known for coal mines and unemployment. A year ago, its producers began exporting to the United States. Now they're looking to China.  read more Opinion | First US-Greece strategic dialogue will mark new chapter in recovery story The Hill (Nov. 8) There is good news coming out of Greece these days. In June, the country ended its long bailout program, pulling out of what at times seemed a pretty grim long-term economic reality. The economy is slowly rebounding, and unemployment is decreasing as well, although it is still at rather high numbers. Tourism is booming. Investors are eyeing Greece again. There are challenges ahead, but Greece seems determined to follow through with the economic reforms and arduous austerity plan. Light at the end of the tunnel is looming, at long last.  read more   US and Cyprus sign deal on security cooperation Ekathimerini (Nov. 7) Cyprus and the United States have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the area of security, according to a statement by the Cyprus Foreign Ministry, which said that the two sides have signed a Statement of Intent on security issues.  read more   Cyprus opens first new border crossings in years BBC (Nov. 12) New crossings have been opened between the Turkish and Greek sides of Cyprus - the first in eight years. Dozens crossed via the new routes near Dherynia and Lefke as guards removed barbed wire fences.  read more Greek authorities say lost ancient city of Tenea is located Associated Press (Nov. 13) Greece's culture ministry said Tuesday that archaeologists have located the first tangible remains of a lost city that the ancient Greeks believed was first settled by Trojan captives of war after the sack of Troy.  read more   Kenya's Kipkorir wins Athens Marathon Associated Press (Nov. 11)   Brimin Kipkorir of Kenya has won the 36th Athens Marathon in the third fastest time, beating Ethiopia's Tesfa Wokneth by almost two minutes.  read more   Stefanos Tsitsipas reflects on winning Next Gen ATP Finals title Tennis World (Nov. 12) Rising Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas didn't hide his happiness after winning the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals title. The Greek defeated world No. 31 Alex de Minaur in the NextGen final 2-4 4-1 4-3 (3) 4-3 (3). Australia's de Minaur got the first break of the match in the fifth game before he served out for the opener in the following game.  read more