The AHEPAN - Summer 2009 - (Page 16)

literAry corNer New Book Features History of AHEPA Family in Northeast Ohio Presented by Dr. William H. Samonides The Longfellow AHEPA Chapter 59, Canton, Ohio, was established in January 1925 and almost immediately achieved national prominence. In March 1925, Supreme President V. I. Chebithes installed the officers on his first trip to the Midwest. By October 1925, charter member Andrew Nickas had been elected to the Supreme Lodge. Chapter 59 helped establish chapters in Akron (1925); Massillon (1926); Warren (1926); New Castle (1926); Steubenville (1926); Youngstown (1926); Weirton, West Virginia (1926); and even in distant Buffalo, New York (1926). It sponsored public lectures, donated to help needy schoolchildren of all nationalities, and supported Greek language instruction. Chapter 59 even ventured into the creative arts, as member Angel Alex wrote plays that were staged by AHEPA chapters nationwide. Greeks of Stark County, which was published in June, tells the story of this remarkable flurry of activity. Written by Ahepan Dr. William H. Samonides and his wife Dr. Regine J. Samonides, the book is part of the Arcadia Publishing Images of America series. It focuses on the early history of the Greek community in the northeastern Ohio cities of Canton and Massillon and surrounding area. The photographs and stories of the immigrant generation and their children, of the obstacles they overcame and of their achievements, are relevant to members of the AHEPA family everywhere. The history is told through 227 vintage black-and-white photographs gathered from across the country and selected from thousands of submissions. The book is based on years of research, including work done at the AHEPA Archives at the Immigration History Research Center of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. This research was jointly funded by Canton AHEPA Chapter 59 and Daughters of Penelope Chloris Chapter 40. Greeks of Stark County also features AHEPA Philanthropos Chapter 74 of Massillon, the city that was home to Robert Peet Skinner, the United States Ambassador to Greece from 1926 to 1932. Chapter 74 played an important role in the establishment of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Massillon. This book traces the role of women in AHEPA before and after the establishment of Chloris Chapter 40 in 1935. As early as 1928, the AHEPA Women’s Committee organized a fundraiser for victims of an earthquake that devastated Corinth, Greece. During World War II, Maids of Athena Victoria Chapter 73 raised the morale of local servicemen and servicewomen by producing a newsletter that featured stories of home. Greeks of Stark County ends with the debutantes’ ball organized each spring by Chloris Chapter 40. After 42 years and 500 debutantes, the energetic women who established the ball remain active, and the event continues to fund scholarships. Canton Chapter 59 is still producing national AHEPA leaders and continuing its philanthropic work. Greeks of Stark County is being used as a fundraiser by the local Greek Orthodox parishes. Those interested in purchasing a copy should contact Earnest Paris, Treasurer of AHEPA Philanthropos Chapter 74, at 330-832-6605. the ahepan Summer 2009 www.ahepa.org http://www.ahepa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN - Summer 2009

The AHEPAN - Summer 2009
Contents
Supreme President’s Message
AHEPA Family News
AHEPA Goes Green
One Mission. . .One Fraternity. . .One AHEPA
AHEPA Answers the Call to Public Service
Education
Housing
Athletics
AHEPA Family Chapter News
Book Review

The AHEPAN - Summer 2009