You're cordially invited to visit...THE WHITE HOUSE!

This past Thursday I was fortunate enough to attend the Greek Independence Day event at the White House...hosted by none other than President Obama!  I was truly honored to be one of the select few on 'the list' along with AHEPA Supreme President John Grossomanides, Daughters of Penelope Grand Vice President Joanne Saltas and Sons of Pericles Supreme President Manolis Sfinarolakis.




It was such a thrill going through security, wondering if my name was actually on the list, getting through one security point, another security point and a drug sniffing dog!  Once we were inside the White House we were able to tour some of the most famous rooms..the Blue Room, the Red Room, the Green Room.  We were met with an assortment of Greek dishes including mini-dolmades.  Once we finished having a few mezethes, it was time for the big shots to come out!

Vice President Biden

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios was introduced by Vice President Joe Biden.  Both His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and Vice President Joe Biden spoke and then the Big Man...President Barack Obama was introduced!  All three speakers discussed the courage of the Greeks.  It truly resinated with me to hear how they spoke of Greece and Greek Americans in the US.  They all recognize the strength of our community.




Check out this clip of President Obama's Speech:

**Clip provided by Greek News Online.

This Friday I head to Greece with the AHEPA Family.  I am so excited to keep you up to date on all of my adventures in the OLD COUNTRY!  

MOA Loves Canada!

Michelle Wright and Grand Governor Deanna Socaris!

This past weekend I attended the Montreal Maids' weekend with Grand Governor Deanna Socaris.  I was so happy to be back in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada!  I haven't been able to visit Montreal since the AHEPA National Convention in 2010.  It was great to see the hot spots we visited in 2010.  One of those 'hot spots' was Mythos Restaurant, the location of Friday Night's greek night.  This event brought back many memories from National Convention...  Some of the same friends were there along with many new ones.  The Montreal Maids were there in full force representing their chapter.

AHEPA District 8 Warden George Panagopoulos! 

Trying the Maple Syrup with Corina Menagias! 

Saturday was an eventful day full of making maple syrup, a petting zoo, a sleigh ride and shopping.  I think I have found my new calling...maple syrup harvester!  Not only did we see how the maple syrup was made but I also got to see my first snow of the season at 'the Sugar Shack'!

My First Snow of the Season!  

Saturday evening the Montreal Maids hosted another Greek night in the city.    Yet again it was a great event!

Sunday morning was the farewell brunch.  Deanna and I were able to speak with the Montreal Maids about their chapter and what plans they have for the rest of the year.  Some of the Maids will be attending National Convention in Las Vegas...so make sure you tell them you read about their successful chapter and event on the MOA Grand President Adventures Blog!

Keep a look out for my next blog when I met PRESIDENT OBAMA with my Co-President Manolis Sfinarolakis!!!!

Love in Pi Alpha,

Marianthe

Wicked in the Emerald City

 As I sit in the Seattle Airport with Grand Advisor to the Maids of Athena, Melva Zinaich, discussing the weekend and remembering the kind hospitality and wonderful time we had in the Emerald City..aka Seattle, WA, I can only think of one thing…writing my blog and making sure that you all know about it.  Grand Secretary of the Maids of Athena and Grand Liaison to District 22, Constantina Yannitsos, summed up the weekend best…”the girls of District 22 shined like emeralds in the Emerald City!”  The District 22 Maids of Athena came together this weekend for a District Meeting.  There were representatives from Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland (all three D22 chapters).

We started the weekend off right, having dinner on Friday with representatives from Tacoma, Seattle, and Portland.  Helen McClure, District Maids Advisor, told the bouncer I was getting married…one thing lead to another and by the end of the night we were having a bachelorette party. 

Saturday morning was our Maids meeting/ brunch.   Again, representatives from all three chapters attended. We discussed current Maids of Athena projects and other Maids Issues.  The girls voted to work together on a District project to collect prom dresses for girls in need.  This is a wonderful district project and I know the girls will collect many dresses.  After our meeting we held an initiation and initiated one girl into the Seattle Maids Chapter.  It is always an honor to hold an initiation at any visitation I make during my term as Grand President.

After our meeting we hit the town.  We decided to see the city the best way we knew how…through a duck boat tour!  If you don’t know, this is a land to sea tour…meaning the truck can drive on land and then go into the water!  During the tour we got to see many of Seattle’s most famous sites including the boathouse Tom Hanks lived in during Sleepless in Seattle! The next site on the list of many to see in the Seattle area was the first ever Nordstrom's Department Store.  Some of you may know that Nordstrom's started as a shoe store and this Nordstrom's happens to have the largest shoe department....of course I was in heaven!  

Saturday Night we visited a local Greek restaurant owned by our very own Supreme Governor of the Sons of Pericles Niko Antonopoulos.  We made it just in time for the belly dancing performance!  I know you are all thinking…man I missed out if Niko was belly dancing..but don’t worry it was not actually him doing the belly dancing! 

Sunday was another fun and eventful day!  We visited the first EVER Starbucks, the Public Market, the Athenian Restaurant (one of the filming areas for Sleepless in Seattle), the Gum Wall and of course the world famous Seattle Space Needle!   

All in all, we had a wonderful time getting to know the D22 Maids.  I know I will remember this trip for a long time to come!  Next weekend I will be attending the Montreal Maids Weekend!  I can’t wait to visit my Canadian Sisters in such a beautiful setting! 

No Snow In Albany...Just fun! (PICTURES)

As promised below are a few pictures from the Albany Sons and Maids Valentine's Day Dance!  

Past Grand President Sia Zois and Grand Vice President Angela Armstrong (Friday Greek Night Event) 

One of my favorite AHEPA members, George Panagopoulos, District Warden for District 8 Massachusetts and Chapter Warden for Ahepa Athens Chapter 24 Boston (Saturday Bowling Event) 

All-Star Bowling Team!  Winners of the third place trophy!   

The Albany Sons and Maids let me crash their photo! 

Las Vegas...I think NOT...G'Vegas is where the fun begins!

You may be thinking to yourself...Why has Marianthe not blogged about District One's Mid-Winter Conference??  Well the answer to that question, like many, is a simple one...I have been hard at work studying for law school mid-terms.  But don't worry...I am back and better than ever!

Charleston Maids Representatives! 

I visited Greenville, SC February 10-12, 2012.  This was for the District One Mid-Winter Conference.  As most of you know, District One is my home district and Greenville is my hometown.  I moved to Charleston 8 years ago and have been a proud Charleston Maid ever since.  I was initiated into the Greenville Chapter (to many years ago too tell you!).  It was such an honor for me to come back representing the Maids as Grand President.  

Downtown Greenville was nominated as one of the best downtowns in the US. With a city like this, you know I am going to have fun! 

Representatives from Greenville, SC and Charleston, SC 

We held our maids meeting on Saturday.  We were fortunate to have members attend from two of the three chapters in District One.  Both Presidents were in attendance.  The Greenville President Nina Conits gave a wonderful presentation to the whole AHEPA Family on Saturday morning at Opening Ceremonies.  She did such a great job that Mayor Knox White mentioned her in his speech! The girls in District One are full of enthusiasm for the Maids.  It is very refreshing to see a chapter share the same excitement for an organization that I hold so dearly to my heart! 

Saturday night we attended the AHEPA Family Banquet and after the banquet we hit the town.  While we were walking back to the hotel...we met a Tour De France Participant!  Who said the south doesn't get celebrities?!?   

I have a busy schedule ahead and can't wait to share every minute of it with you!  Look for my next blog on my trip to Seattle/ Tacoma, WA!!!