| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Hellenic News of America | |
| 26 West Chester Pike Havertown, PA 19083 | |
| tel: 610-446-1463 fax: 610-446-3189 | |
| Contact us |
Velas Tours
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
The New Board of Directors of the Hellenic Link Acts in Support of the Hellenic CommunityThe New Board of Directors of the Hellenic Link Acts in Support of the Hellenic Community As was reported in the last Bulletin, the membership of the Hellenic Link elected recently a new BOD. The Board at its first executive session elected its officers and determined the composition of several other committees charged with functions stipulated by the by-laws of the Association. Members of the Executive Committee include: Constantine J. Efthymiou, Ph.D., President; Spyros Katsifis, Ph.D, Vice President; Katina Efthymiatou-Stabile, Ph.D., Secretary and Constantine Gajdjis, M.A., Treasurer. VP Spyros Katsifis will chair the mandatory “Member Relations and Growth Committee” The Board asked Mr. James Kalpakis, Esq. and Mrs. Helga Gajdjis, MBA, to serve in the Audit Committee. The Board also created a special support team to provide guidance and assistance to teachers, parents and students in the community, who are involved in efforts to introduce Greek language teaching in public schools. Initially, this standing committee will include Drs. Constantine Hatzidimitriou, Katina E. Stabile and Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis, who is a new member of the HL Advisory Council on Hellenic Education. Later, this task force will be augmented with parents and other persons motivated to work for the above purpose in particular educational districts. For information and to register interest in participating, please e-mail to: info@helleniclink.org The Board reiterated its determination to continue to place a high priority in its cultural activities and the related application of its available member resources to the study and service of needs of Hellenic Education in America through its Advisory Council. Other concerns, which preoccupied the Board at the same meeting, focused on a review of internal operations and of several articles of the HL by-laws. If, after discussion, amendments will be deemed necessary, the Board will refer them to the members for approval. In view of the wide geographic dispersion of the HL membership, the Board will also examine ways to overcome difficulties preventing members to attend scheduled events and general meetings. Suggestions from the members themselves will be essential for an effective management of this issue. The Board of Directors of the Hellenic Link, Inc. wishes to all members and their loved ones a Happy and Meaningful Thanksgiving! At this time, let us not allow the grim global malaise and suffering becloud our feelings of gratitude to God for the so many blessings bestowed on us! Let us be quick to share our blessings with our less fortunate brethren all around us! This, we believe, is the best expression of Thanks acceptable to Him! Modern Technology to Serve the Teaching of the Greek Language and Culture With the initiative and active participation of members of the Advisory Council of the Hellenic Link, Inc., a significant conference between authorized representatives of the Richard Stockton College (RSC) of NJ and the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA, also widely known as Ethnikon Metsovion Polytechneion, EMP) took place in Margate, NJ on October 26, 2008. The purpose of the conference was to discuss a possible cooperation between the Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies (ICHS) at RSC and the NTUA, which is favorably disposed “to engage modern technology to serve the needs of Stockton College by means of digital delivery systems and video conferencing via the internet, free of cost. Academic faculty from Greece would be engaged by NTUA to offer academic content to Stockton in language instruction, history, archaeology, literature, etc, on a voluntary basis. Faculty for this purpose will be assigned by an inter-institutional committee to be directed by Dr. George Bozonis, Professor Emeritus of Greek Philosophy, University of Athens. A key objective in this educational collaboration will be the graduation of certified teachers of the Greek language and culture for the primary and secondary schools of New Jersey and possibly other States. It is foreseen that the School of Education of Stockton, by participating in the academic structure of the program, will play a determinative role to this end. We are pleased to inform our members that the conclusions reached and decisions taken at the conference converged on consensus of views that the initiated cooperation will be beneficial to both institutions, that it should continue, and lead to the signing of a formal agreement representing the expectations and responsibilities in the cooperative effort. This indeed is a proposition of far reaching significance in the context of preservation and nurture of the Greek heritage in America. We wish to congratulate from heart the academic leaders in both institutions for their foresight and fortitude. And we express our deep thanks to Dr. Bozonis and his colleagues who are undertaking this unprecedented great initiative. The Hellenic Link undoubtedly will do its utmost for the success of this collaborative effort and will also bring it to the attention of the community with fervent calls to embrace it and support it. “Women Shaping History” Under the above title, the Journal “Education Update” published in March 2008 a series of articles on several American women, who in the course of their careers made extraordinary contributions to society. Among the distinguished ladies there is one Greek American, Dr. Artemis Simopoulos, whose nutrition research, due to its health significance, has captivated the interest of millions around the world. For the purpose of increasing awareness among the HL members and the community at large of outstanding accomplishments by scholars and scientists of Greek descent as well as for presenting the latter as role models for emulation by the upcoming young generation, we are privileged to reprint below the story on Dr. Simopoulos, written by herself as a self-portrait. Her ascending career pursuits and achievement scores in the field of scientific endeavor, related in this article with plain warmth, are most didactic for many and a source of pride for all: Artemis Simopoulos, M.D., Founder, Center for Genetics & Nutrition Career Choice: Growing up in Greece after the Second World War, there were many children suffering from malnutrition and infectious diseases including tuberculosis. In high school we were taught biology and human development not by a high school teacher but by the director of public health of the town of Kalamata who was a physician. He was very enthusiastic about the importance of Nutrition, Physical Activity and their contribution to health. He emphasized that all of us could participate in taking responsibility individually and collectively about our health. In addition to the physical activity which we had three times a week for forty minutes each day, we were taught Greek traditional dances. I became very proficient in dancing and in 1949 I performed for Queen Frederika of Greece. I still love dancing-I could then say that it was Dr. Lambropoulos who inspired me about medicine, the different contributions that a physician could make not only taking care of the sick children but teaching, and motivating the healthy children to stay healthy. When I came to Barnard, I took the exam that all foreign students were required to take and was given 16 (one semester) credits which gave me a lot of confidence; I graduated in three years. At the interview for medical school, I was asked why I wanted to be a doctor. At the same time I was told by the interviewer that medicine was all consuming- what about children, family, etc. My response was that unlike the U.S., in Greece, the majority of dentists, pediatricians, dermatologists and public health physicians were women, who also had families. Why shouldn't a woman have it all? Of course a supporting husband is the most important person in a woman's life. I was surprised when the interviewer Dr. Greeley said, "I think you will make a very good doctor, you appear determined and disciplined-you will make a good pediatrician." Challenges: After five years at the National Academy of Sciences I went back to the NIH where I was appointed chairperson of the Nutrition Coordinating Committee in the Office of the Director, NTH. It was a very difficult job because the Institute directors are like Barons and do not want to have programs that their staff has to report to a coordinating chairperson who is independent of them, and reports only to the Director of the N1H. It was the most difficult job because of those feelings and beliefs of the Institute Directors. Dr. Frederickson, the Director of NTH wanted the committee to succeed and I had his full support because I worked very hard, was disciplined and read every funded grant on nutrition and insisted on the importance of Genetics. The biggest problem though was the people outside the NIH who looked at Nutrition Research as being an extension of Dietetics rather than metabolism and genetics. In 1986 I left NIH because I wanted to pursue the role of Omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease and genetic variation and nutrition. I set up the Center for Genetics, Nutrition & Health a non-profit educational organization. We were very successful because we established the International Society of Fatty acids and Lipids (lSFAL) which operated out of our Center for the first seven years and led to expansion of research on Omega-6 and Omega-3 tatty acds worldwide. Two years ago we established the International Society of Nutrigenetics Nutrigenomics (lSNN), of which I am President. Every four years prior to the Olympic Games we hold the International Conference on Nutrition and Fitness (ICNF) at the International Olympic Academy at ancient Olympia or in Athens, Greece. The conferences were the first to point out that physical activity in combination with diet which is consistent with the diet we evolved in, are the major contributors to health and must always be considered as dyad. Three years ago the World Health Organization adopted this concept. Accomplishments: It is without saying that my research which is defining the components of the traditional diet of Greece clearly showed that under completely natural conditions the Omega 3 fatty acids are found throughout the food supply in equal amounts to Omega 6 fatty acids and that a balanced ratio of 1-2/1 of Omega-6/Omega-3 is necessary for normal development throughout the life cycle. This concept, which was totally new in the 1980¢s created problems for me, putting me up against the vegetable oils lobby as well as the pharmaceutical industry. But I knew that my data were correct and thus I persisted. The book on "The Return of Omega 3 Fatty Acids into The Food Supply", which I edited following the conference I organized at the National Institutes of Health and "The Omega Plan" (hardcover), "The Omega Diet' (paperback) for the public, were fundamental for the recognition by the scientific community and the public of the importance of the balanced ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 fatty acids. The tide finally turned and science triumphed. The Omega diet has been translated into Dutch, Swedish, French, and Greek, published in Australia, New Zealand and the U.K, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Bulgarian, and expected in Spanish soon. Knowing who is at high risk for the development of the disease will increase the motivation of people to take specific actions. The idea that each one of us is unique and that all of us or each one of us carries genetic variants, has been shown to have a strong scientific base. Turning Point: Being at the NIH at the right time when in the late 70's and early 80's science was advancing and the political pressures were less so, allowed me as chairman of the NlH NCC for 13 years to develop many programs such as the Clinical Nutrition Research Units (CNRU) and about 100 requests for proposals (RFPDQ), in different areas of nutrition research over a period of 13 years. It also gave me the opportunity to" know what is coming down the pike" in research advances. Since knowledge is power I felt strongly that research data should be the basis for health improvement and to fight for the scientific truth. Mentors: First and foremost, my husband Alan Lee Pinkerson, M.D., who was supportive of my interest in Research, taught me the importance to fight for scientific truth and scientific integrity. I was very much influenced by his thinking of the importance of medical research to improve health worldwide. In fact Alan showed me how to develop research proposals, defend them and implement them. Dr. Richard Day. Chairman of the department of pediatrics at the downstate Medical School in Brooklyn, with whom I took my straight pediatric internship and first year residency was a pioneer in the metabolism of premature babies. He was the first to show that you need to feed preemies early instead of the standard accepted ways in the 1960¢s when babies were not given any calories for 72 hours. Advice: It is essential to select a field that you feel you can contribute to. Furthermore your selection must command your interest, to succeed in your field, passion, discipline, dedication and determination. If you are lucky enough, then work is not really work, but a way of life. Try to work with scientists that “have already arrived” and do not expect to grow from your research but consider you a major contributor to their research effort. You cannot do it alone. New ideas make skeptics out of people. Give credit to your mentors, co-workers and family. I could not have done it without my husband's support and 3 daughters¢ support. In the end it is always the family that matters. Since publication of this autobiographical sketch in Education Update, The Hellenic American Women¢s Council honored Dr. Simopoulos with presentation to her of the Aristeon Award, at its 15th Annual Conference in Miami Beach, Florida on October 25, 2008. A few days earlier (on October 20), Dr. Simopoulos had delivered the prestigious Chancellor¢s Award Lecture “Evolutionary Aspects of Diet: Omega-6/Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio and the Brain,” at the Neuroscience Center of Excellence of the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Simopoulos for these new accolades and well deserved recognitions of her scientific contributions and we hope that in the near future we will have the honor and the pleasure of having her speak in a Special Lecture on her fascinating work to a New York audience. ATTENTION:Deadline for Hellenic Research Papers Close We remind our members and friends in the academic community that the 8th International Conference on Greek Research will be held at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, July 2-5, 2009. This is a prime event, which affords a significant forum for projection of Hellenic themes and the intellectual productivity of Hellenes abroad. It has particular importance as venue of presentation of Hellenic Research in the English speaking world. We have been informed by the organizers of the Conference that papers for presentation will be accepted if their authors, in faculties of U.S.A. and Canadian universities, are unable to present them in person. It is recommended that a paper be accompanied by a poster for display at the Conference. The full paper will be considered for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings. CALL FOR PAPERS due by 20 December, 2008 Contact: Mary Skaltsas, Conference Coordinator, School of Humanities- Modern Greek Section, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA, 5001 Australia. Tel. +61 8 8201 3854 (Thurs, Fri) Fax +61 8 8201 2784; e-mail: mary.skaltsas@flinders.edu.au web site: http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/conferences/greek/resconf2009/ For more details of the Conference Program, please see HL Bulletin No.71 (August 2008, posted in the HL Web Site). A Preeminent Cultural Activism Worthy of Emulation Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis. is a friend and a co-worker of the Hellenic Link, Inc.; she is an Educator, who adores Hellenic culture and expends much of her professional as well as free personal time for its introduction and nurture in her immediate surroundings. Being a good user of books, appreciating their power for education and intellectual as well as spiritual uplift, she is an ardent supporter of the Public Library of Morris County, where she and her family live. She has had the privilege of a Greek Orthodox family upbringing; her father Konstantine Tsigas., an Orthodox priest, was for over forty years a “good shepherd” of the spiritual flock that God and the Church entrusted to his watch and care. Now, he is retired, but even at 80 he continues to pursue his life¢s sacred mission with verve. A few weeks ago, his Presvytera Spiridoula and their extended family, including Vasiliki¢s, were about to celebrate Father Konstantine¢ s 80th birthday. That is where the loving daughter¢s duty to honor her parents, in original combination with love for Hellenic Culture, stepped in; Vasiliki decided to plan the family celebration as a community event for a noble purpose and so she went ahead to send the following invitation to their many acquaintances and friends in their community and beyond: “ …. Father Konstantine & Presbytera Spiridoula Tsigas have been blessed in many ways, so we ask not to bring any personal gifts but rather the types of gifts that benefit the community at large. Since their grand children have started The Greek Collection at the Morris County Library, we would like to expand it to include books et al for adults as well. Today, the Greek Collection materials are available to all in the United States through interlibrary loan at each of your local Public Libraries. A wonderful way of honoring them is by donating new books on Greek language, history, culture, religion, customs, literature, poetry …. The types of things they have been living and teaching us throughout their lives. We ask everyone to bring a new book to the library November 2 or if you cannot bring it personally, send it ahead via Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis.” To this Invitation she attached titles of desirable books for acquisition by the new Section of the Library, along with a list of addresses and publishers of Greek books. The Birthday Party , held appropriately at the Library, was exceedingly an eminent success, attended by a crowd of guests and followed by a traditional Grecian Style Reception and Review of the donated books. The unique book drive brought 160 Greek books and over $700 for the purchase of additional ones. New books continue to arrive daily at the Library…. To this wonderful story, which speaks for itself, we wish to add a short comment about the needs the Greek community has for support of the Greek language and heritage. Actually, the comment was made some time ago by the late President of the U.S.A. John F. Kennedy: “Don¢t ask what the country can do for you but what you can do for your country!” We thank Vasiliki for vibrantly and gracefully showing us the type of individual commitment we have to adopt and practice for a bright future of Hellenism in this country and everywhere! Greek Library to Offer Special Service for Hellenic Education Needs Abroad The inventive Morris County Library Project related above makes it timely to inform our readers that at the suggestion of the Hellenic Link, the Korgialenios Library in Argostoli, Cephalonia (Director Mr. Elias Toumasatos) kindly responded to a request for preparation of a digital resource compendium on Hellenic Studies offered by Hellenic Universities as well as the University of Cyprus. This digital document will include detailed information on programs and courses as well as profiles of teaching faculties. The nearly completed resource document will be available to students and student advisors in the United States, Canada and elsewhere, so they can plan a study of the Greek language and other subjects fitting their needs, in Greece or Cyprus. Announcements on the availability and use of this needed resource will be forthcoming in future issues of the Bulletin. Professionals and students in every discipline or field of endeavor, whether of Greek Descent or Philhellenes, are cordially invited to join the Hellenic Link, Inc. as members. It is quite easy and useful! Just contact us at any of the following addresses. THE HELLENIC LINK, Inc. A NON PROFIT CULTURAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION OF HELLENES AND PHILHELLENES INCORPORATED IN DELAWARE Suite No. 278, 38-11 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, New York 11105 Web Site: http://www.helleniclink.org Email: info@helleniclink.org Contact Telephone : (718) 217- 4285
|
Print Article© 2010 Hellenic News of America, Inc. - All Rights Reserved