Community Photographs

Greek Ancestry In Middletown, Ohio

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Last Updated 09/15/2013

	GRAND BANQUET Greeks enjoy a banquet at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Wednesday evening, May 25, 1938. The location was at the corner of First Av. and Curtis St. The head chef at the left end appears to be Steve Lazaron.	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	A traditional Vasilopeta celebration following special church services. Organization presidents and the choir participate in a ritual when slices of the blessed bread is distributed to all.	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Daughters of Penelope. The Middletown chapter Seated: Maria Georgopoulos, Irene Bugitzedes, Georgia Papakirk, Thalia Ververis, Helen Karras, Cleo Laras Middle: Zelma Chifos, Presbytera Pappas, Maria Ververis, Helen Pallas, Anna Garofalos, Harriet Kiniyalocts, Mary Kucer, georgia Weaver, Kitsa Papakirk Back: Krystal Pantel, Carol Valen, Mary Ellen Stilianos, Efthemia Revelos, Edna Skalkos, Sue Rikas, Yannula Johnson, Tina Revelos, Dolores Revelos. Helen Petroglou Stephan receives a pin from Irene Sigouras for 50 years of membership in 2005. This float was sponsored in a parade celebrating "I Am An American Day" parade.	by Mary Ellen Stilianos May 2010 and Kathy Spirou
	Order of Ahepa. The Middletown chapter Seated: V. P. Karras, Gust Chifos, George Bugitzedes, Stratton Papakirk, Paul Mathews, John Pantel, Mike Mathews Standing: Jim Gryparis, Jim Bugitzedes, George Coures, Jim Ververis,Mike Revelos,Fotis Papakirk, Nick Ververis, Vasilios Kioultzopoulos, Nick Georgopoulos. Order of Ahepa initiates new member, Chris Stevens. Ahepa makes donation to Miami University Classics Library Ahepans toast George Bugitzedes on his 95th birthday. Local chapter members attend Ahepa District Convention in Dayton, Ohio. Another Ahepa convention awaits Paul Mathews and his flying machine.	Ahepa names By Mike Mathews April 2010 ____ Pictures From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Greek Orthodox Youth of America G.O.Y.A. - Big rehearsal night for production of Minstrel Show. A script re-write comes off the mimeograph machine while the cast waits. A chartered bus ride to Grand Rapids, Mich. for the National Conference. C. 1961 G.O.Y.A Officers - from 1962 National Bulletin. L to R - Mike Revelos, Jimmy Bugitzedes, Dolores Revelos, Jim Demetrion, and George Christy G.O.Y.A. National and District officers meet with Archbishop Iakovos in 1961. Jim Demetrion, national treasurer, is in first row, second from right. Behind him is Mike Revelos, 2nd from right. Middletown G.O.Y.A. visits Springfield, OH G.O.Y.A. Picture taken on steps of Springfield church c.1949 - L>R: Steve Axiotes, Dolores Revelos, Terry Comminos (with glasses), Jim Axiotes,Cosmas Hiotas, Lula Revelos(in back), Georgia Lazarus Sempeles, Dena Eliopoulos, John Jelson, Georgia Comminos, Helen Petroglou, Mary Garafalos.	by George Christy and Jim J. Demetrion February 2009 and Kathy Spirou
	A Junior G.O.Y.A. sponsored vespers service. A large contingent of Juniors GOYA in an impressive display of numbers fills the church.	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Young American Helenic Organization Picture#1 - Y.A.H.O. gathers in late 1940's Standing L~R: Mary Kara, Stella Axiotes Willis, Irene Bugitzedes, Terry Comminos, Sue Mardas Kaloyanides, George Nick Revelos, Mary Eliopoulos Kucer, Chris Hagis, Georgia Comminos, Tony Valen, Lula Revelos Poulis, Jim Demetrion, John Garofalos, Steve Demetrion, George Kavouras, Charles Revelos, Jim Hagis. Kneeling L~R: Thalia Thomas Ververis, Despina Valen Sakelos, Bea Revelos, Mary Garofalos Gremley, Dolores Revelos, Mike Revelos. Note by G.N.Revelos: the picture was taken at Porfirio's Wishing Well Restaurant in Cincinnati where we had stopped on our way home after a field trip. I can't recall the destination of the field trip. I believe Dena Eliopoulos may have been secretary of YAHO for a while. Where did you dig up the minutes? I remember that John Jelson, Cleo Laras' brother, was either an advisor along with Mary Kara or a member when he was in Middletown. It's so long ago I don't have many memories of the organization. Picture#2 - Y.A.H.O. members enjoy a Valentines Day party Picture#3 - Graduation Day - a time to party. Photo#4- We hiked to a Sunrise Breakfast at Old Armco Park in 1947 R1- Steve Axiotes, Irene Bugitzedes, Stella Axiotes, R2- Georgia Comminos & Mary Garofolas & the rest of the crew. Photo#5- After breakfast, the sun shone brightly on all. (Helen Petroglou had assured us we would enjoy it.) Photo#6- Do you remember the "high swing" on the hillside? Thrills galore!	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004 and from Kathy Stephan Spyrou Aug. 2011
	March of Dimes fund drive for polio on Central Avenue in the 1940's. Volunteers from different city groups manned the booth in rotating shifts. Local Greek men take their turn here. L to R: Unknown, Peter Laras, George J. Revelos, Unknown girl, Jim Eliopoulos, Paul Regas, and Theodore Alex. Photo by Middletown Journal. Can you name the unknown people? Let us know.	by Mary Ellen Stilianos
	Wearing the traditional uniform of the evzone, Jim Axiotes, is the Lead-marcher for a unit of soldiers marching in a Memorial Day Parade following World War II. They are pictured on Central Avenue approaching Clinton Street. They will march westward to Verity Parkway, turn left and on to Woodside (a long way yet to go)	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Who knows the details of this float? Which parade in 1983? Riders? Let George Christy know of any details.	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Greek Week observed in Middletown, Ohio See Middletown Journal feature article, Right Half and Left Half	by Virginia Christy July 2010
	Greek Baseball Team in 1931 Row 1: Chris Politz, John Revelos, Paul Mathews, Jim Revelos, Gus Valen, -- Row2: Nick Revelos, Bill Netsos, Alex Politz, Pete Laras, George Manos, Jim Vradelis, Gus Mardas George Terloukas	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Our Sts. Constantine & Helen sponsored Basketball Team gets picture taken at church sponsored tournament. Can you name the players? If you can, let us know.	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	A celebration of Greek Independence Day (On March 25th Greeks celebrate their liberation from the Ottoman Empire in 1831) Dressed in traditional costumes are: L-R: Georgia Comminos, Stella Axiotes, Dolores Revelos, Thalia Thomas, Charley "Peanuts" Revelos, Mike Revelos. At rear is Lula Revelos. Do you know who is in front? Another one of many celebrations of this event. And another with a younger group. Yet another celebration held in later years. L-R: Thalia Ververis, Georgia & Stratton Papakirk, Fr. ? , Louis Caparellis, Georgia Weaver	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Local Thespian talent on display in a play directed by Steve Lazaron and featuring from L to R: Nina Thomas, Mary Ellis, Nick Nick, Helen Petroglou, and Ann Nick, These Thespians find that practice makes perfect. The play pre-dates Nick Nick's entry into priesthood in 1945.	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Greeks tell their story on Middletown radio WPFB. Chris Pallas hands out scripts to Bessie Regas, Krystal Pantel, Helen Stoikas, Ourania Petroglou, and George Demetrion. The occasion was to celebrate their newly acquired American Citizenship.	From Chris Papakirk collection 2004
	Local Greeks Become Citizens - Picture#1- A new class passes the tests and is granted citizenship at the Butler County Courthouse in Hamiltom, Ohio. Persons identified so far are: (left to right ) 1^st row: #2 female Antigone Demosthenes, #3 female Maria Thomas, #10 adult 7^th male Gus Valen, #12 adult last person in first row George Violaki. Skip to 3^rd row: #1 Paul Mathews, #2 Tom Demetrion, #3 Constantine Demetriou. Upper right hand corner is John Demetrion (light coat) standing with other observers. Read article from Middletown Journal about more citizens - c.1940 Ship's Manifest (S.S. Iouannou departed from Athens port (Pireaus) showing immigration of 5 month old Chris Stevens (2nd line from bottom). His parents are listed right above him.	Group #1 by Cleo Garvin 2/10/2009 -------- Article by S. K.Sharon 22 April 2010

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