All NY Professional Societies in Unison Grind the Pepper during Traditional Greek APOKRIES

NY Hellenic professional societies celebrated Greek traditional Carnival “Apokries” at Terrace on the Park, Queens NY. The Hellenic Medical Society of New York, invited the Hellenic Profession Women (HPW), HABA – The Hellenic Association of Professionals in Finance, the Hellenic Lawyers Association (HLA), the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce (HACC), and the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce, to join in the annual festivities of Apokries, thus providing a casual and festive environment for members of all societies to mingle and enjoy Carnival season.  Many guests were dressed in costume and participated in the custom of celebrating Aprokries as is done in Greece, with satire, traditional songs, dancing, good food, and wine.

Apollo Orchestras led by clarinetist Lefteris Bournias, featuring lead singer Thomas Vrettos and musical director Christoforos Ellis delighted the guests with a real potpourri of Greek traditional Αποκριάτικα songs made famous by  Domna Samiou, like “Pws to triboun to Piperi” and  “Νά’μουν νύχτα στο γυαλό” shocking and entertaining the guests with the puns and innuendo’s of the songs’ double entendres.

In attendance was HLA president Michael Hartofilis, HPW Founder Maria Frantzis, HMS President Dr. George Liakeas – in costume, as usual, along with HACC President, Ms. Nancy Papaioannou, and Dino Paliatzis, representing HABA.  Dr. Stella Lymberis, organizer acknowledged Ambassador Vasilios Philippou, of Cyprus, who was just promoted to High Commissioner for Cyprus in New York, and his wife Anthea, as well as Greek Consul Mr. Manos Koubarakis, and Nassau County Comptroller Mr. George Maragos and his wife Angela and thanked HMS administrator Evangelia Tavaris for her tireless organizing efforts.  Mrs. Roula Lambrakis welcomed the guests in Greek and thanked Mr. Demetrios Kaloidis, owner of Terrace on the Park, and manager George Cadsounis for his support to host the lively event.  Mrs. Lambrakis further encouraged all young professionals to maintain close ties with the motherland and act as ambassadors for Greece while excelling in here in US in all their respective professional roles.