Hellenic News of America

Interview with Greek-American country artist Paulina Jayne

By: Markos Papadatos

Rising country singer and Greek-American country artist Paulina Jayne spoke via telephone with Markos Papadatos about her four nominations at the Detroit Music Awards, which are slated to take place next month.

Born Paulina Jayne Perakis, she is nominated in such categories as “Outstanding Vocalist/Band,” “Outstanding Songwriter,” “Outstanding Song” as well as “Outstanding People’s Choice Song.” “That was so cool and it was such an honor. I am very excited and I hope we can come home with a couple of wins,” she said. “My band will be excited too and we are looking forward to it.”

By Catherine Tsounis

Preserving culture and heritage played a prominent role at the Geros Tou Morea chapter of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America celebration on Sunday afternoon, May 20, 2012. The event took place at a closed street in front of the clubhouse at 27-02 39^th Ave. in Astoria. An NYPD auxiliary police presence provided a feeling of security in an urban setting. Lambs were barbecued with excellent Greek cuisine. The St. Demetrios High School dance group performed under the direction of Demetrios Valkanas. Prominent members of the community were presented its 23rd Annual Spring Festival of the. The urban festival was held overlooking the Queensboro Bridge and attracted members from New Jersey, Chicago and Illinois who met at the clubhouse of the New York chapter at 27-02 39th Ave. in Long Island City in May. Lambs were barbecued and all enjoyed excellent Greek cuisine. The St. Demetrios of Astoria Dance Group led by Demetrios Valkanas was the highlight of the event.

The Council of Greeks abroad and the Greek-American vote once again on the discussion table

By Dimitri G. Soultogiannis

Special to the Hellenic News of America

New York, NY

The Greek government’s policy on Greeks Abroad was one of the main issues discussed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Konstantinos Tsiaras during his visit in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and New York. In the last three Mr. Tsiaras accompanied the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Dimitri Avramopoulos.

During a Press Conference at the Greek consulate in New York, Mr. Tsiaras expressed how important it is to build a bridge of constant communication between Greek Abroad and Greece as well as rebuild the relationship between the Greek state and the various Greek-American organizations.

In the District with Dee | Senate 33: Glen Shibley Vs. Lou Raptakis

He’s back: Former State Senator Lou Raptakis wants his Senate seat back and after a successful primary against the party favored candidate David Gorman, Raptakis will now take on freshman Republican Senator Glen Shibley.

Shibley ran against Democrat Frank Hyde in 2010 after Lou Raptakis left his General Assembly seat to pursue the Secretary of State’s office.

Raptakis lost to incumbent Ralph Mollis in the Democratic Primary but Raptakis was determined that this was not the last time Rhode Island would hear from the Coventry pizza shop owner.

With Raptakis out, Shibley beat Democrat Hyde in the General Election by nearly ten points and became the new Senator from District 33.

Viewpoint: 25^th Anniversary of the Hellenic News of America

By Catherine Tsounis

            Our main goal is to attract 2^nd and 3^rd generations of Greek Americans,” said Paul Kotrotsios, Hellenic News of America publisher and Hermes Expo International. He accomplished is goal at the Oct. 14^th Twenty-fifth Anniversary Celebration of the Hellenic News of America (HNA) newspaper. The event was held at the Concordville Inn-Best Western Hotel & Conference Center in Concordville, Pennsylvania. A packed audience attended from states on the northeastern seaboard. I mingled with families whose grandparents and parents immigrated to America 100 years ago. Mr. Kotrotsios and his team of workers are exciting an interest in mainstream America.

Agris Scholarships kick off 21st year with over $400,000 in grants

given to Greek American journalism students from across the nation

~ Deadline for 2013 applications is March 1 ~

BOSTON - Hellenes across America tuning in for the latest on air news, searching cutting edge web publications, tapping online resources for travel tips or just perusing a magazine feature article have most definitely come across the name or face of a former recipient of the Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarships.

This two-decade strong collaboration of the Alpha Omega Council of New England and the family of its founder, has provided over $400,000 in grants to 81 Greek Americans seeking to present their Hellenic heritage and their Orthodox faith to our nation through careers in journalism and related communications fields.

Jason D. Antos Presents Whitestone Lecture at Pan Macedonian Studies Center

By Catherine Tsounis

           “Whitestone became an idyllic spot for celebrities and upper class citizens,” said Jason D. Antos, author of the book Images of America: Whitestone. “The quiet country setting by the seaside just 10 miles outside of Manhattan was the perfect combination…In the years that followed, Whitestone experienced an expanding population…Whitestone’s cultural landscape has changed since the time of the Dutch. The town consists of Irish, Greeks, Koreans and Italians. Many families have lived there for generations, since before the time of the 1939 New York World’s Fair.”

Daughters of Penelope District 5 Salute to Women Announce 2013 Honoree
By Antoinette Marousis-Zachariades

It is with great pride and pleasure that the Daughters of Penelope of the Fifth District announce that Margaret A. Scopelianos has been chosen as the Daughters of Penelope, District 5 Salute to Women 2013 Honoree. A luncheon in her honor will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the Crowʼs Nest Restaurant, Hackensack, NJ.

AHEPA's Humanitarian Campaign for Greece Addresses Medical Supply Shortage;

Helps Secure $650,000 Shipment

With Greece's Public Health Budget Slashed, AHEPA and IOCC Secure Medical Aid for AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki

AHEPA Canada Donates Vital Medical Equipment to Evangelismos Hospital

WASHINGTON - A shipping container filled with more than $650,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment is bound for the AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki thanks to the efforts of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading membership-based association for the nation's millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, which donated $15,000 to secure the shipping container and to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), which worked diligently to coordinate the assembly of the medical supplies, announced Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides. The container left for Thessaloniki this week.