Dear Brothers,

Finally, our District is proud to announce the start of our own Website. Soon, in time, we will be permitting Chapters to enter some information regarding events and other important matters, needing to be shared with our entire District of Brothers. To do so, kindly contact our Lt. Governor, Gus Drivas, @ 845 947 3448, who in turn will inform you of our screening policy, with regards to what is being entered on to the site. We thank Lodge Brother Paris Karounos who along with some personal friends put together our site and of course to the remaining Lodge members for their consistent input, that helped to finalize the project.

To all of the Brothers and Daughters of Penelope who participated in the Greek Independence Day Parade - 2008 - we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Without a doubt, this was the best attended Parade in years, as we were told throughout the day, counting over 60-70 attendees from NY, Jersey and a few as well from Connecticut. Out float was beautiful to behold and among other things, listed on both sides of the float a sign, indicating "In Memory of Gus Cherevas and John Koronakos." This entire fraternity will miss their years of dedication and their personal accomplishments that have contributed in keeping the AHEPA one of the greatest organizations in America. Another sign, a suggestion from the Babylon Chapter read, "Greeks make Great Americans!" There is no doubt to that statement.

On Saturday May 10, at 12pm, the Poughkeepsie Chapter will host our Spring Conference. The Bronx Chapter did so with our Fall conference (a great success) and now we look forward to spring. We thank the entire Chapter and our Lt Governor Gus Drivas for coordinating this event thus far. If you are part of the Chapters in the upstate areas, please attend and contact our Lt Governor to inform him. His # is listed above.

Lastly we remind all that on Saturday June 7, we will be holding our District Convention at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Hotel with the Daughters of Penelope from 9AM - 5PM. Look for the flyers that will be sent to your chapters, shortly, which will include delegate forms. Remember your per capita dues are $3 per Brother, an increase approved at last years convention in Atlantic City. The costs of the day are way down, since we are sensitive to everyone's personal needs and ask that you all attend our luncheon that day, held in concert with the Daughters of Penelope. I am gratified that our Lodge and the Daughters together are sharing such a very, cordial year, proving and showing what an AHEPA family is truly all about. The luncheon will cost each Brother $40.00 and of course our annual Awards will be presented there. We made sure to make this convention cost effective to all, thanks to Secretary Deme Pamboukes and Treasure Jimmy Kokotas, who arranged for the hotel, selected. We look forward to all delegates attending but that does not mean, other Brothers cannot attend, it just means other than the delegates no one else is permitted to vote. Come one and all to break bread with old and new friends. Join us!

By the way, we visited the Estia-Pindus Gus Cherevas Estia-Pindus chapter 326 last week — another great chapter with a history. I was permitted to stay during the meeting — the formality of the meeting was impressive and I look forward to seeing their Brothers at the Convention. I ask again, repeating my request to the Chapter to submit your history, so it can be part of May's "A look at Chapter..." series, that we look forward to, now that we have our website. To President Taso Baltzis, please let me know of our decision...

In the meantime as always I remain,

Fraternally,