Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

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Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243 celebrated its
80th Birthday Celebration on Saturday, October 17, 2009
at Harry’s Plaza Café in Santa Barbara. Members,
friends, and visitors from around the District joined us
for a night of celebration and good food. Guest speaker
included Ahepa Brother Steven Tripodes, Past Member
of the Ahepa National Board of Directors, who
spoke about the history of the Santa Barbara Chapter.
Many members participated in the celebration.
Bill Poulis was masters of ceremonies, Constantinos
Frangos — PDG, spoke about early church history,
Kosta Davlantes and Jim Chachakos created
the outstanding slide show, with Jim also narrating. Jim
Chachakos has been working with the St. Barbara
Church Museum on the history of the Greek Community
in Santa Barbara dating from the beginning of the
20th Century. The event was missing Chapter President
Jim Brown, who could not attend due to health
reasons. It was Jim’s idea to celebrate the 80th anniversary.
Vice President Alex Chuchas, spoke to the
audience and did a great job filling in during Jim’s absence.
Also in attendance were District Governor Bill
Lambropoulos, Nick Perdaris — PSG, PDG, Dean
Tripodes — PDG, Zachary Prineas — PDG, and DOP
District Treasurer Georgia Gastouniotis — PDG.
On November 14, 2009, we held our annual November
Glendi at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.
Entertainment with Greek and American Band Music
was performed by The Greeks. Reservations were managed
by Stephen Compogiannis. All profits from this
event being donated to AHEPA Philanthropy Programs.
On Sunday, December 6, 2009, we fully sponsored
a Greek team in the First Santa Barbara International
Marathon.
Panos Mitroulias
and eleven other
Greek-American
runners participated.
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