The New England Scene By Sophia Nibi

The Consul General of Greece, Vassilis Papaioannou with Dr. Georgia Valaoras, right, and Maria Georgiopoulos Mackavey at the reception to inform Greek-Americans of the efforts of the world wildlife fund to preserve the Greek

environment.

The World Wildlife Fund for Conservation has apointed Maria Georgiopoulos Mackavey of Wayland, MA., Devel­opment Associate for Greek Conservation. "As Greek­Americans, we have been blessed with a rich cultural and spiritual heritage," says Maria. "While we take our being Americans very seriously, we continue to find strength and nourishment in our Greek heritage. This heritage of ours is being threatened today in a profound way. The natural environment that has given birth to and sustained the cultu­ral and spiritual life of Greece over the centuries is endan­gered." With much conviction and enthusiasm, Maria has

Commander and Mrs Alexander Padis were very pleased with Dr Georgia Valaoras' slide presentation on the efforts

to confront the environmental issues facing Greece.

JUNE, 1991

undertaken the task to acquaint Greek-Americans with the WWF and the work being done in Greece to preserve the Greek environment.

Last month the World Wildlife Fund for Greek Conserva­tion hosted a reception which featured Dr. Georgia Valao­ras, the coordinator and administrator of all WWF projects in Greece. Georgia presented a most informative slide pro­gram and, while genuinely concerned, she was most optimis­tic for the future of the environment in Greece "as long as we continue to educate the public there about both the natural beauty of the country and the perils which can destroy it if we do not aggressively face the enviromental issues con­fronting the historic and beautiful country.

Munya Miller and sister Sonia Lingos share an interest in ecology and were very pleased to hear Dr Valaoras describe

the activities of the world wildlife fund in Greece.

When Angelos Cotsidas, a resident of Worcester, MA, was a young boy in northern Greece, he admired those whom society had recognized as "benefactors." As a teenager, he stood in awe before their statues and photographs and, while blessing himself, he'd say, "God, please help me be like them some day." His faith, determination, and willingness to work hard, along with his warm and kind personality blended perfectly to produce a Great Benefactor for the Greek Orthodox Community of Worcester, the Worcester Community at large and the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas. "How does it feel to be a benefactor?" 1 asked Mr. Cotsidas during a recent interview. "I like it," he said quietly and humbly.

Angelo Cotsidas has been a trustee of Hellenic College­Holy Cross for 40 years! "We set out to produce an excellent school to educate our spiritual leaders," he says, recalling the early days of this important school in Pomfret, CT.

9

"And did you?" we ask, to which he replies without hesita­tion, "we most certanily did." The founder, along with the late Theodore Tonna, of Table Talk Pies, Mr. Cotsidas employed hundreds of Greek immigrants in his business. The man, who everyone agrees has always been a gentleman, has never refused to help anyone. He cared for people when he was poor and he cared for them when he became a multimillionaire. Mr. Cotsidas, who enjoys being in the tenth decade of life, is a man of quiet demeanor whose deep faith in God is truly inspiring and whose achievements, humility and generosity are worth emulating, "with," he would add, "God's help."

Bishop Methodios of Boston was only four years old when Angelo Cotsidas was appointed trustee of Hellenic College-Holy Cross. Today. Bishop Methodios. an Alum­nus of both Hellenic College and Holy Cross. is the Presi­dent of the school. Mr. Cotsidas who is known by and knows most priests serving the Archdiocese of the Americas is a great benefactor of his parish. the St. Spyridon Cathed-

ral in Worcester. the school and the church.

A former neighbor, my state representative and ex GOP chief in Massachusetts, Andrew Natsios, was one of our brave men in the Persian Gulf. Andy is a major in the Army Reserves - 352nd Civil Affairs Command. N ow a resident of Silver Springs, MD., Andrew served as the Director of the Agency for International Developments Office of For­eign Disaster Assistance, a position that sparked a lot of jokes among his political friends who remember him presid­ing over a few Republican political disasters in the common­wealth in 1986! But Andy has a great sense of humor.. . so, he understands. I remember Andy as a conscientious state representative and GOP chairman. I remember when he married his wife Elizabeth and when their first born, Emily, was born II years ago. Now, the family also includes Alex­ander, 8, and Philip, 4. Andy is now in Kuwait to assist the government on the rebuilding of the country.

Rhode Island is a tiny state with a most active Greek Orthodox community and parishes in Pawtucket, Newport and Cranston. The Philoptochos Chapter ofthe Good Sam-

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Among the many ladies responsible for the success of the "Spring Elegance" fashion show in Cranston Rhode Island are. left to right : Bessie Papigiotis. President of the Good Samaritan Philoptochos. May Quinn and Mike Economos.

aritan of the Annunciation Church in Cranston, celebrated 60 years of Christian Chairty in Love recently with a "Spring Elegance" Fashion Show chaired by the president of the group, Bessie Papigiotis. As are all events on which these dedicated women participate, this too was a social and financial success. The "Good Samaritan" women are most visible and active in the community at large and respond to all calls for support from all Church organizations, local, diocesan, national. Whether they visit the sick, support Hellenic College/ Holy Cross, the Philoxenia House, the American Cancer Society, Unicef, etc., they believe that their particiaption makes a difference. And it does!

Georgia Valaoras earned the doctor of science degree from Washington University inSt. Louis, MO and worked for the United States Enviromental Protection Agency in Washing­ton, D.C. from 1984 till 1990, as an enviromental scientist. Among her many accomplishments, she was one for the first scientists to analyze "Nephos" in Athens and identify its causes. Among those attending the reception was the Consul General of Greece in Boston, Vassilis Papioannou, Com­mander and Mrs. Alexander A. Padis, Mrs. John Lingos, Mrs. George Demeter and daughter Alexandra, Pamela Frankudakis, Dr. James Triant, Christina Pagonis, Mary Chiochios and Steven Zorzos.

John Ghanotakis, Bowdoin College (Maine) Class of 1994, wrote a letter to the school's paper, The Bowdoin Orient, recently, calling for the return of religion. He was reacting to a decision by the faculty to discontinue the practice of invocations, benedictions, and other religious observances at all major college-wide events. The following are excerpts from John's letter: "First of all religion ... will always remain in history as an integral aspect in the growth of America's colleges and universities ... Secondly, there is still a good

GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW

majority of individuals who remain true to the belief in God. They just might not be as outspoken or as loud as those who do not but they are out there ... " John's family worships at the St. Nicholas Parish in Lexington, MA.

Nick Paleologos, former state representative and unsuc­cessful democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, is now a Broadway producer whose latest play, "Our Country's Good," is being considered for six Tonys this month (June 2). When he lost the election last fall, Nick was philosophi­cal, recalling that his grandmother has taught him that everything happens for the best. She may very well have been right. Nick is not only "thrilled" by the Tony nomina­tions, he also very much enjoys being a producer.

Massachusetts Governor William Weld has appointed George Decas of Wareham, chairman of the Southeastern Regional Committee of the Judicial Nominating Council Executive Committee which recommends candidates for judgeships to the governor. Mr. Decas is a partner of Decas, Murray and Decas.

George Taloumis, a popular Boston Globe garden colum­nist whose articles are delightful as well as instructional to read, was ajudge ofthe9thAnnual Arno Nehrling Award at the Spring Flower Show in Boston. The Flower Show is one ofthe most enjoyable activities of the sringseason in Boston, one not to be missed.

Speaking of the Boston Globe, one of its most capable and knowledgeabe reporters is Peter S. Canellos who specializes in housing issues. The young reporter, whose by-line often appears on the front page of the Boston Globe, is respected for his thorough examination of the subjects he covers and his professional reporting.

Jeff Smith, also known as the Frugal Gourmet, is coming to Boston in October for a benefit for Hellenic College / Holy Cross. The October 22 event is sponsored by the Volunteer Women for Hellenic College and will be co-chaired by Evelyn Pavloglou and Clara Nickolson. A large committee of dedicated women have begun working on this event which is expected to be the highlight of the fall season. We'll be hearing from the Chairmen of the standing committees as they finalize their plans.

This month, on June 9th over 1000 representatives of the Greek Orthodox Parishes of the Boston Diocese will gather at the Sheraton Boston Hotel for the fifth annual Awards Dinner, instituted by Bishop Methodios to recognize service on the local level. Each Parish chooses a representative to receive the Award from the Bishop. Soprano Penelope Bit­zas of Worcester will sing the national anthems, accompan­ied on the piano by her aunt Elpis Milias who is a member of the Saint Spyridon Cathedral in Worcester, MA. In fact, Mrs. Milias' Parish chose her to receive the Diocesan Award in 1989 for her long and dedicated service to the Worcester Cathedral. The United States Ambassador to Greece, Michael Sotir­hos, addressed the 31 graduates and their families and friends who filled the Papas Gymnasium of Hellenic College-Holy Cross during the 49th Commencement of the School. He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humani­ties Degree.

Dr. Athena (Stavropoulos) Papas of Weston MA, has been inducted to the American College of Dentists. Dr. Papas is assistant professor of general dentistry at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

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JUNE, 1991 II

TOM SPELIOS LECTURES ON WORLD WAR II

Thomas Spelios, contributing editor of this magazine presented a lecture entitled, "Greece In the Second W orId War" at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria on Sunday May 5th. He cove­red the Greek military victories against fascist Italy in Albania and the fierce resistance against the might of Nazi Germany. For seven months, from Oct. 28, 1940 to June 30th 1941, Hellas defied the Axis Powers. In the Battle of Crete the elite Nazi paratroop divisions were slaughtered, Crete was a pyrrhic victory for Germany. As a result of the three month delay in Greece, Hilter lost the war in Russia. The audience gave him an enthusiastic ovation. Spelios is the author of 'Alexander the Great' a video film, and writer of several books.

THE ORDWAY -KOUSOULAS archi­tectural firm was recently awarded the contract for the new Visitors Center of the White House. George W. D. Kouso­ulas, 32, a graduate of MIT and co­owner of the firm, was recently appointed a full member of the Com­mission of Historical Preservation for Montgomery County adjacent to the nation's capital. Kousoulas is a frequent contri~utor on architectural and city planning issues in various publications including the Washington Post. George is son of the well-known Professor Dimitris Kousoulas who is also a con tn­buting editor of Greek-American Rev­iew.

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On Thursday, May 16,1991 Atlantic Bank held a Business Development Reception at its Bay Ridge, Brooklyn branch. Its purpose was to solidify and extend relation­ships with existing Brooklyn and Staten Island customers, as well as to establish new relationships with key business prospects from these areas. From L. to R .: Charalambos A . Zarakiotis, President & CEO of Atlantic Bank of New York with

Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden.

From L. to R. : Assistant Vice President Zoe KOUlsoupakis; Guest Dimitrios Tzitzikalakis, Foundation Associates; Guest Emmanuel Tzitzikalakis, Hellas America Supermarket; President Charalambos A. Zarakiotis and Vice President

Dennis Syntilas.

First Hand Memories And the Oral History Collection

The Ellis Island Immigration Museum houses the extensive Ellis Island Oral History Collection, pres­ently containing over seven hundred recorded interviews and completed Oral History Project forms.

The Oral History Project is actively searching for living people who were themselves immigrants processed at Ellis Island, people who were employees at Ellis Island during its operating years 1892 through 1954, and people sta­tioned at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty for military service.

ORAL HISTORY PROJECT MUSEUM SERVICES DIVISION

STATUE OF LIBERTY

GREEK-AMERICAN REVIEW