I think it is accurate to say the 77^th AHEPA Supreme Convention that took place in San Diego over the 4^th of July weekend was a tremendous success. It was really an international event made special with AHEPANs from Australia, Greece and Canada. We were also honored with the presence of Archbishop Spyridon, Metropolitan Anthony, and the Greek and Cypriot Ambassadors to the United States.

This was my first experience of a Supreme Convention. Constructive comments aside, I was impressed with the various speakers and, for the most part, enjoyed the proceedings. It was a unique opportunity to meet AHEPA family members from all over, and learn more about our extended family and the current contributions our international organization is making. I believe the leaders voted in for this new year will continue AHEPA's renewed prosperity and guide the organization into its next stage of life.

I saw many of our local people take advantage of the convention location and make time to participate in the activities. I am proud of the way all five local AHEPA family chapters worked together and with the National office to make every aspect of this convention a success. And to the convention co-chairs, Chris Zazas and Alex Rigopoulos, congratulations on a job well done!

Hopefully, we can ride on the momentum of this convention "high" to kick start our new year. This is the most important time of the year for our chapter; our fiscal year starts and we establish the pace for the rest of the year. The spending plan and the program plan are the key orders of business near term. I urge all brothers to submit their ideas on what they'd like to see this year, in the way of programs and speakers, as well as how they envision the money being spent. Please attend the meetings or submit your ideas to our chapter corresponding secretary. Have a groovy summer.

Art Pathe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 12, 1999

Contact: Andrew Kaffes

Phone: (202) 232-6300

Washington-- The delegates of the 77^th Annual AHEPA Supreme Convention elected George J. Dariotis, Alexandria, Va., as their Supreme President to lead them into the new millennium. Elections were held Tuesday, July 6, in San Diego, Calif.

Dariotis, 36, was elected on a platform to institute a renewed and stronger emphasis on Hellenism. The continued growth of AHEPA and the harnessing of the technological revolution to communicate more effectively (via the Internet and e-mail) also comprised Dariotis' platform.

A native of Flint, Mich., Dariotis held numerous offices in his AHEPA career including Supreme Vice President and Supreme Treasurer. He was a two-term District Governor

See PRESS RELEASE page 2

Best Wishes and CRONIA POLLA to the following Brothers who are celebrating birthdays:

Peter Mellos 8/1

Napoleon Zervas 8/2

Harry Koutrouvalis 8/3

Peter Stacy 8/8

Jim Stathes 8/11

John Ronis 8/19

George Chachas 8/19

John Koufoudakis 8/28

Ioannis Kapsis 8/31

Happy Anniversary!!! to the following Brothers and their lovely brides who are celebrating wedding anniversaries:

Emmanuel & Catherine Theodorakis 8/3

Vince & Paulette Janikas 8/5

George & Despina Dramby 8/22

John & Angie Anas 8/26

George & Mary Regas 8/29

Meeting Agenda - The following is the meeting agenda for the next Social/General Chapter Meeting, Tuesday, August 3, 1999:

Ways and Means Committee Report

Scholarship Committee Report

Old Business

New Business

Good of the Order

General Business Meetings - General Business Meetings will be held every third Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be Thursday, August 19, 1999, at SS. Constantine and Helen Senior Citizen Center at 7:00 p.m. All Officers and appointed officers are expected to attend. Any interested members may attend. Come and see your administrative board at work planning and coordinating for better functions and best events for the membership.

AHEPA Volunteers for KPBS - KPBS is looking for telephone volunteers for their upcoming membership drive starting August 6 through August 22. Brother Stephen Stubberud is looking for those in our Chapter, or anyone in AHEPA, interested in volunteering. Brother Stephen can be reached at: Bus: 619-466-5530, Res: 619-678-9430, e-mail: stubberu@orincon.com.

Costas Lyrintzis Memorial Scholarship Fund -

Brothers, we of the Hellenic Community of San Diego must keep Costas' memory alive, and we can do this by instituting a memorial scholarship in Costas' name. Please send your tax deductible contributions, in any amount to: Order of AHEPA, c/o George Polos Chapter 505, P.O. Box 2682, Del Mar, CA 92014.

We need TA NEA Advertisers! - This newsletter is budgeted to be funded and made possible by those that place advertisements into the publication. We have run some issues without Ads and we must not allow this to continue to happen! If we wish to continue this publication we must encourage more advertiser submissions.

Ad space rates are: one full page (8 1/2" by 11") $125 per issue, half page (5 1/2" by 8 1/2") $75 per issue and $25 for business card ads per issue. Please contact Brother D. A. George to place your next ad. All necessary art work will be created for you and as always, readers, please patronize our advertisers. Thank you.

Please Notify Us - Should you know of any Brother recovering from illness or surgery, or known to be hospitalized, please notify Brother Alex L. Rigopoulos at 233-7158 or 469-9239.

Newsletter Entries - Please direct all newsletter announcements for "TA NEA" to the editor: Brother D. A. George, (619) 273-2868, FAX (619) 273-0416 or e-mail: dageo@worldnet.att.net. All entries must be received by the 20th of each month.

from AHEPA District No. 20, which encompasses Southern California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. In addition, Dariotis is a Past Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles.

He is a member of Washington, DC Chapter No. 31, one of the strongest chapters in the AHEPA Domain with over 250 members. Dariotis is a 17-year member of the organization.

The rest of the Supreme Lodge is comprised of the following: Supreme Vice President Dr. James F. Dimitriou, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; Canadian President James Giannoulis, London, Ontario; Supreme Secretary George Anagnostos, Portsmouth, R.I.; Supreme Treasurer Vacilios "Likie" Beleos, Columbia, S.C.; Supreme Counselor William Marianes, Atlanta; and Supreme Athletic Director Dr. Monthe N. Kofos, Marlboro, Mass.

The eight Supreme Governors hail from all over the United States. They include: Constantine Basdakis, Yorba Linda, Calif.; Peter Leasca, Worcester, Mass.; John Mehos, Jersey City, N.J.; Ernest G. Mylonas, Houston; Chris Peppas, Crown Point, Ind.; E. John Rumpakis, Portland, Ore.; Dr. Michael Syropoulos, Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Nicolaos Trintis, Baltimore, Md.

Peppas, Rumpakis, Syropoulos and Trintis were re-elected as Supreme Governors, providing a "veteran" presence on the Supreme Lodge.

A. Jack Georgalas, Seaford, Va., was re-elected by his peers on the AHEPA Board of Directors as Chairman.

Newly elected to the Board of Directors this year are Harry Lake, Dayton, Ohio and Steve Georgilakis, Bethesda, Md. Both will serve three-year terms on the board.

A. Steve Betzelos, Lincolnwood, Ill., Past Supreme President, was re-elected to a three-year term on the board.

Robert Leckrone, Joilet, Ill., was elected Vice-Chairman of the Board and Georgilakis was elected Secretary of the Board.

Paul Taros, Southfield, Mich., was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Auditors.

The auxiliaries of the AHEPA Family also held elections.

Constance Aretos, San Jose, Calif., was elected Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope; Mike Paxos, Canton, Ohio, was elected Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles; and Niki Spiridakos, Clearwater, Fla., was elected Grand President of the Maids of Athena.

The convention officially concluded with the installation of all AHEPA Family officers last Wednesday, July 7, 1999.

The mission of the AHEPA Family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, Philanthropy, Education, Civic Responsibility and Family and Individual Excellence.

David Klinghoffer, of National Review fame, writes now that he received "innumerable" letters from irate Greeks and philhellenes. Yet not one letter by a Greek was included in the three rebuttals published on the June 17 National Review issue. The editors could not ignore a letter by Mary Lefkowitz, however, who chastised Klinghoffer for his ignorance, giving his idiotic article generous C-. By way of explanation, Klinghoffer responded that he was just having some fun with his most subjective and flippant remarks. So now we know: it is fun for Klinghoffer to attempt ridicule by being ridiculous.

Beginning in September, the Greek Language and Culture Academy of Vuperthal in Germany will offer Greek language lessons on the Internet. The lessons will be renewed each week and will be offered to everyone in the world who wishes to learn Greek and who has access to the Internet. Stay tuned for more details.

After all the furor, fear and fury about all that contaminated food in Greece (in fact,in all of Europe), one columnist in TO BHMA joked that "the least dangerous consumption for Greeks now is smoking."

The special fiction issue (June 21 & 28, 1999) of The NewYorker, after some arduous speculation as to who would be included, published samples of the work of "the twenty best young fiction writers in America today." Among those selected is Jeffrey Engenides whose "Virgin Suicides" made quite a splash few years ago. In this fiction issue he is represented with a story he entitles "The Oracular Vulva." Engenides, who is currently in Berlin as a guest of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, is writing a novel that originates with his grandparents journey from Greece in the early part of the century.

The American Civil War determined that there will be one United States, not "a house divided" with the southern states as a sovereign nation. But now the philosophical heirs to the Confederate States of America are trying to do with the ballot what the musket could not: they are forming a new political party whose short term-goal is to elect candidates in as many states as possible, especially in the 11 states of the old Confederacy and the border states of Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Oklahoma and West Virginia. The group's Web-site proclaims that, "We intend to promote policies that will ensure that Dixie remains a predominantly but certainly not exclusively, Anglo-Celtic nation." And yet, the national committee chairman of the fledgling new party is the son of a Greek immigrant father and an American Indian mother. A Houstonian and former CIA investigator, George Kalas appears articulate and serious when he explains that when he talks of Anglo culture he is thinking more about language, literature and legal traditions than about race.

"Lincoln once said that a house divided would not stand," Kalas exclaims, "Lincoln was wrong. A house divided will stand. It's called a duplex." The long-term objective of the Southern Party (which troubles some and amuses others) is to send enough party members to Congress to push for a separate southern nation. Let us hope that Kalas and his confederates are whistling Dixie.

deputy came up with a big surprise. She had her daughter Eleni join her on the stage and sing solo and in duet a select number of songs from the diva's repertory. "All good songs must be shared," explained the proud mother, Her two concerts, fund-raisers for the "Melina Mercouri Foundation," also commemorated the 40th anniversary of Mouskouri's career.

Paul Watson who lived for three months in Kosovo and got to know Serbs and Albanians intimately wrote an insightful and honest appraisal of his experiences throughout the bombing and prior to it. Though out of context, one sentence may be deemed the distilled summary of his article in The Los Angeles Times ("A Witness to War," 20 June, 1999): "Before the bombing there was a leak in Kosovo; when the plumbers came they caused a flood."

Sue Arnold, writing for The Independent of Australia (June 27): "Smoking is to Greeks what gum is to Americans. A friend who lives in Athens says that the legendary pollution which hangs over the city like a Zeppelin is only half caused by petrol fumes. The other half is cigarette smoke." The latest estimates, incidentally, have 39 percent of the Greeks smoking - less than the 52 percent some ten years ago, but still well above the United States and the European Union.

An interesting article in TO BHMA (27 June, 1999) by I.K. Pretenteris: The thrust of his admonition to the Greeks who like to shout anti-American slogans, to demonstrate against the United States and to throw eggs and tomatoes at the American Embassy is this: Since we live in a democracy, you have a right to denigrate any one you wish, but remember, when the time comes to seek American support over Cyprus, over the Aegean or any other conflict, do not be surprised if the Americans refuse to side with you. It is human nature, among individuals as among nations,to resent those who resent you.

Demosiografiki (a lively monthly from Athens) informs us that the sirto, the kalamatianos and the tsamikos are having a revival in Greece. And it adds, Yes, in imitation of the Greeks overseas, the Greeks of Greece are now dancing to our demotic songs during holidays and festivities. Not that non-Greek dancing has stopped, but that there is a new interest in (the 300, as it is alleged) authentic Greek dances."

Another Euro-survey finds the Greeks with the fewer out-of wedlock-births in the European Union, fewer divorces and the lowest annual income. They also live longer than the people in the rest of the E.U. countries.

Speaking of surveys, one in: Australia indicates that out of 2.8 million foreign-born residents in that continent, the Greeks are second in using their native language more frequently at home. The Vietnamese came first.

I concur with the many guests and delegates who called this years 77th AHEPA convention in San Diego the best in recent memory. The organizers Chris Zazas and Alex Rigopoulos performed their tasks marvelously. I did not attend all the festivities, but some vignettes did thrust themselves into my consciousness. On a sunny afternoon,

July 4th, when Seaport Village was busy with thousands of strolling people, it was dramatic and exciting to have Greek rebetika blasting all around into a two mile radius, while the Greek flag waved above the 34-story Marriott. At the Grand Banquet, moreover, with some 1400 guests listening, I was impressed mostly (among all the 20 or so dignitaries who spoke, AHEPA supremes and others) by the speech of Phil Angelides, the treasurer of the State of California, and by the oration of the new Cypriot Ambassador to the U.S. Erato Kazakou-Marcoullis, who spoke with passion and sincerity about the tragedy of her beloved island. To Chris and Alex and the invigorated AHEPA best regards and warm congratulations.

AARP's Modern Maturity, the journal of America's "Senior Citizens" with a readership of over 6 million readers, included a lead editorial in its July-August 1999 issue whose opening is worth quoting. Entitled "The Greek Ideal," it begins as follows:

"The ancient Greeks had a word for it: ARETE - a term used to label the quest for total perfection of body and mind. But the Greeks didn't only exalt this ideal in the abstract: they did something about it. They organized games where men were glorified for exhibiting extraordinary physical prowess. In so doing the Greeks probably invented physical fitness. And the Olympic Games, first launched in 778 B.C. may stand as history's first physical-fitness program. The Greeks had their reasons. For one thing they were frequently besieged by attackers, and so they needed to be fit to endure the hardships of war. But there was more to it. The Greeks valued physical beauty, grace and harmony.

And they found physical activity pleasurable. Nor by fitness did the Greeks mean only the physical variety. Their ideal of excellence also embodied the intellect. ARETE could be achieved, they believed, only through the perfect balance of mind and body."

The priest of St. Demetrios in Toronto was fined $1000 dollars for refusing entry to a blind woman with her seeing-eye dog into his church. Patricia Simmons brought the suit against the cleric, HaraIamhos Elles, because he refused to let her stay in the church with the canine during a baptism. Instead he asked her to leave the dog out and have a human being accompany her to the service. Ms. Simmons refused and during the trial she was supported by a large group of blind people accompanied by their dogs. Fr. Elles, it was claimed, violated the human rights of the blind. The Metropolitan of Canada, Soterios, is appealing the case, arguing that the court's decision was wrong since it violated religious values.

(Re-printed by permission of THE GREEKAMERICAN)

The 1999 AHEPA Supreme Convention was held here in San Diego, California at the beautiful San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

The host committee for the 77^th Supreme Convention, which was held from Saturday, July 3, through Tuesday, July 6, was co-chaired by Chris Zazas, PSG and Alex Rigopoulos, PSG.

The participating chapters for AHEPA were: San Diego Chapter 223, Heartland Chapter 444 and the George Polos Chapter 505.

The Daughters Chapters were: Tiresias Chapter 142 and Philia Chapter 380.

Brothers Chris Zazas and Alex Rigopoulos extend their sincerest appreciation for a job well done. All chapters worked very hard to make this a very enjoyable and successful convention.

Registration began on Saturday, July 3, allowing only those registering on Saturday to be eligible to vote for Convention Chairman. Registration continued on through Sunday, July 4.

The host committees sponsored two dances at this year's convention as follows:

Hellenic Festival: Saturday evening, July 3, with entertainment provided by The Olympians.

Grand Ball: Tuesday evening, July 6, with entertainment provided by Dynamis. Miss Ahepa was selected at the Grand Ball.

The Grand Banquet was be held Monday evening, July 5, beginning with a cocktail reception and later on a superb dinner with speaker presentations from convention officials and visiting dignitaries.

The Athletic Hall of Fame Luncheon was held at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, July 6 at the Marriott.

The Ahepa Family Educational Symposium was be held on Tuesday, July 6, at 3 pm. Admission was free. This year's featured speaker was George Veras, who recently produced the widely acclaimed documentary "Greek-Americans." There was a showing of the film and copies were made available for purchase.

The Annual Convention City Golf Tournament was held on Monday, July 5, at the Singing Hills Country Club with Shot-Gun start was at 8 am.

The Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena had a full week of activities both during the day and after hours.

As is the custom, Ahepa Family members voted to elect a

new supreme president and supreme vice president. The results of the election was George J. Dariotis, as Supreme President and James F. Dimitriou, as Supreme Vice President.

Bio's are as follows:

George John Dariotis was born May 23, 1963 to John and Nitsa Dariotis in Alma, Michigan. As a youth attending Assumption Church in Flint, he was active as an altar boy and in the GOYA. At the age of 14, he joined the Sons of Pericles Stoic Chapter 100, Flint and quickly became an active member serving all offices at the chapter level. Dariotis was elected Sons of Pericles District Governor 10. At the age of 22, he was elected to the office of supreme president of

the Sons of Pericles. Under his leadership, the Sons of Pericles reached its highest membership figures since WWII. While serving as supreme president, Dariotis completed his

bachelor's degree of science in pharmacy from Ohio Northern University.

Upon a move to Southern California in September 1987, he became an active Ahepan in District 20 where he founded Malibu Chapter 509. As with his days in the Sons of Pericles, Dariotis rose through the ranks of the District Lodge. He was the only Brother elected to serve two terms as district governor of Fl Camino Real District 20. As governor, Dariotis established a Charitable Foundation in the district -- the first of its kind. In 1997, he was elevated to serve on

the Supreme Lodge as supreme treasurer. At the 76th Annual Supreme Convention, Dariotis was elected to supreme vice president.

Dariotis comes from a proud Ahepa family. His father John, has been an active Ahepan in Flint Chapter 141 and his mother, Nitsa served two terms as Daughters of Penelope

Grand Governor. Dariotis has been employed with Rite-Aid Pharmacy for the past 12 years and is currently a pharmacy manager. He resides in Alexandria, Virginia and is a member of the Washington, DC Chapter 31.

Current chairman of the National Educational Foundation, Dr. James F. Dimitriou has served the Order of Ahepa, also as past national chairman of the Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee, as well as serving the Supreme Lodge as supreme secretary, treasurer and governor.

Dr. Dimitriou is a noted educator and scholar on Greek American studies. As the faculty advisor to the national award-winning Model United Nations, he was chosen by the Americans to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter in June 1996. Recently, Dimitriou was honored by Vice President Gore for his award-winning Internet Project for students, as the most used in the country. Dimitriou is an author in Greek American ethnographical studies including his extensive works on the Greek community and his award-winning film, The Greeks of Los Angeles. Dimitriou's many contributions to education include being named to the LA Bicentennial Commission and speakers bureau. His career is highlighted by being named Teacher of the Year and for three consecutive years, being named by the California State Superintendent a Mentor Teacher.

Dimitriou earned his doctorate in international studies at USC, where he also earned two master's degrees and administrative credentials.

Dimitriou is a co-founder of the Greek Heritage Society president of AHI, Los Angeles; former executive director of the Axios Foundation; veteran of several years on the St. Katherine's parish council; president of the Marmarinon Society and newly-appointed member of the board of St. Photios Shrine and a 29 year member of the South Bay Order of Ahepa 426.

Dimitriou is the father of 10-year-old Kara Sultana and 7-year-old Franguli Dimitri. His parents were pioneer members of the Ahepa Family and the Marmarinon Society. His grandfather, Capitanios Rallis, opened the first Greek caffenion in LA in 1904, The Acropolis Cafe.

Dimitriou's current efforts in education are centered on re-establishing the study of Greece and Western civilization throughout the curriculum of our public schools.

On the first day of school, the kindergarden teacher said, "If anyone has to go to the bathroom, hold up two fingers."

A little voice from the back of the room asked, "How will that help?"

Dear Sisters,

Thank you for your vote of confidence and the opportunity to serve as your President. I am excited about our prospects for the new year and look forward to working together to continue the projects we've begun under the leadership of our immediate past president Mimi Howland. We have a wonderful group of officers that are eager to get things rolling, so please endeavor to attend the meetings and feel free to offer your ideas on how to improve our chapter.

Joanna Pathe

Daughters of Penelope Election Results:

Local

Chapter President, Joanna Pathe

Chapter Vice President, Vangie Sharpe

Chapter Recording Secretary, Catherine Caldes

Chapter Treasurer, Nikki Cozakos

Chapter Priestess, Annie Drakos

Board of Governors

Mimi Howland, Chairman

Jeanette Rigopoulos, Governor

Katherine Prattes, Governor

Mary Garbis, Governor

National

Grand President - Connie Aretos

Grand Vice President - Betty Benjou

Canadian President - Bernadette Falias

Grand Secretary - Joanne Booras

Grand Treasurer - Evelyn Tsiadis

Grand Governor Zone I - Derni Kapolis

Grand Governor Zone II - Angela Viahakis

Grand Governor Zone III - Olga Bush

Grand Governor Zone IV - Julie-Felicia Kendros

District 20

District Governor - Marlene Uchimura, Ventura, CA

District Lt. Governor - Zoe Fovos, Hollywood, CA

District Secretary - Madeline Katsan, Salt Lake City, UT

District Treasurer - Sophie Saltas, Salt Lake City, UT

District Advisor M.O.A. - Lois Kotsambasis, Tucson, AZ

District Advisor D.O.P. - Carol Stathopoulos, Santa Barbara, CA

2 medIun eggplants (about 1 pound each)

¾ teaspoon ground cumin

Kosher salt

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Olive oil for eggplants, plus 2 tablespoons

2 pinches cayenne pepper

¾ Pound ground lamb

½ cup plus 1 cups fresh ricotta cheese

½ onion; diced

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch ground nutmeg

2 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced

Milk or cream for thinning ricotta

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced

¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

¾ teaspoon ground cloves

Chopped parsley for garnish

1. Halve eggplants lengthwise and use a paring knife to score the perimeter, leaving about a third of an inch of flesh around the skin. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving a boat. Use a fork to pierce the skins in several places, liberally salt them and place upside down on paper towels to drain for about 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, chop the eggplant flesh into half-inch cubes. Measure out and set aside 4 cups of the flesh; discard or reserve the remainder for another use.

3. Preheat oven to 400^o. Wipe eggplant shells out with paper towels and brush skin lightly with a little olive oil. Place shells on a baking sheet and bake until they're just tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lamb and cook, breaking up pieces, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic, 4 cups of eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is soft, about 5 more minutes. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, cloves, cumin, cinnamon and cayenne and cook until mixture is fairly dry. Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup of ricotta. Season to taste with salt and pepper and spoon mixture into eggplant shells.

5. Place the remaining 1 cups of ricotta in small bowl and stir in nutmeg and milk or cream until mixture is a spreadable consistency. Spread over the filling in the eggplants and sprinkle tops with Parmesan. Bake until tops are very-brown, 25 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Yield: 4 servings.