More than 100 attend AHEPA Christmas Party

The AHEPA Chapter No. 61 Christmas Party was a big success with more than 100 in attendance. (Photo by Chris Dikos)

About 130 guests attended a Family Christmas Party hosted by the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 Order of AHEPA on Monday, December 29, 2025, in the Kraras Hall at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading.

Those in attendance, including dozens of children, were treated to food and drink, music, a magician, and a ventriloquist.

Gino Caloiero and Sal Caloiero from Salvatore's Pizza, Pasta & Subs donated their time and talents to man the kitchen and make delicious pizzas, steak sandwiches and 'Greek' fries.

Erick Hershey dazzled children with his magic, and Marian & Friends captivated the kids with her ventriloquist act. The evening concluded with the singing of Christmas carols.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Ventriloquist Marian Gehman with one of her puppet friends entertains a group of children at the AHEPA Christmas Party. (Photo by Chris Dikos)

Erick Hershey performs a magic trick for a group of children at the AHEPA Chapter 61 Christmas Party. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

Gino Caloiero and Sal Caloiero manned the kitchen at the Christmas Party, along with a few helpers. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

AHEPA Chapter 61 President George Giovanis welcomes everyone to the AHEPA Christmas Party on Monday, December 29, 2025. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

AHEPANS volunteered at the Chapter 61 Christmas Party. Pictured l-r: Alex Simotas, Tony Phyrillas, Chris Wagner, Jon Thompson and Bryant Shunk. (Photo by Anthony Koumaras)

AHEPA Chapter No. 61 to host Christmas Party

All members of AHEPA Chapter #61, especially those with young children or grandchildren, are invited to join our Family Christmas Party on Monday, Dec. 29, at 5:30 PM in Kraras Hall at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading. There will be plenty of fun activities for children and a great opportunity for fellowship with AHEPA members. The event is open to all parishioners of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

Photo Highlights From 2024 Golf Tournament

The 15th Annual Ernie Orphanos Memorial Golf Classic was held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, concluding another successful year for the Reading AHEPA Chapter. Congratulations to the 2024 tournament foursome champions - Jason Hornberger, Mike Ramsden, Dave Rowe and Brian Rowe. The event raised $9,417 for the chapter's scholarship fund and other worthy AHEPA charities.

Reading AHEPA Chapter recognizes Anna Frangakis Burkman & Deluxe Restaurant

AHEPA President George Giovanis presents Anna Frangakis Burkman with a framed certificate commending her and the Deluxe Restaurant for its support of the Reading AHEPA Chapter.

Anna Frangakis Burkman was honored by AHEPA Chapter No. 61 for her family's support of the Order of AHEPA. Burkman is the owner of the Deluxe Restaurant in Shillington, where the Reading AHEPA chapter has been holding many of its dinner meetings for the past decade. Anna and her staff have provided delicious meals and a private room for AHEPA Chapter meetings. Deluxe Restaurant has also supported the chapter's annual golf tournament and scholarship banquet.

A flurry of activity to end another successful year for AHEPA Chapter No. 61

Six new members were initiated into the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 Order of AHEPA in 2021. Pennsylvania District Governor Harry Mackrides and members of the District Lodge were on hand for the initiation ceremony at the Deluxe Restaurant.

The Reading AHEPA Chapter concluded a very active year in 2021. The following is a summary and highlights of the action taken at the chapter's most recent business meeting held at the Deluxe Restaurant:

• 37 Ahepans were in attendance at the dinner meeting who enjoyed fellowship and great food hosted by the Frangakis family and Deluxe staff.

• In attendance were AHEPA Power District No. 4 District Lodge members: District Governor Harry Mackrides, Lt. Governor Chris Megoulas, and District Treasurer Tim Vlassopoulos.

• Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council member Thomas Crassas made a presentation about a proposed AHEPA ministry/outreach program in which action was approved at the business meeting as follows:

AHEPA currently supports the church's monthly food pantry with a total of $1,440 covering the operational costs of this outreach program. The AHEPA donation covers the 2021 and 2022 calendar years. AHEPA Chapter No. 61 approved to enhance the food pantry program in providing Christmas gifts for the 124 children of the pantry participants in December totaling approximately $1,000.

Currently, 100% of all proceeds from the annual AHEPA Golf Classic provide scholarships for our youth continuing their education following high school graduation.  Since 2011, AHEPA has awarded monetary scholarships for 39 deserving youth.  In 11 years, most of the scholarships awarded have been $1,000 per student. The AHEPA Scholarship Fund investment currently has as of October 31, 2021, a balance of $83,008. AHEPA took action that the proceeds allocation from the annual golf outing be adjusted starting with the 2022 tournament as follows: 50% of the proceeds will be earmarked for the scholarship fund investment and 50% towards an AHEPA ministry/outreach program to be determined on an annual basis.

It was recommended that AHEPA endorse a very worthwhile cause; the digging and building of a water well for an Orthodox Seminary in Guatemala to provide clean water to our fellow Orthodox brothers and sisters. The goal for this ministry project is to raise $10,000 by the end of 2021. AHEPA approved donating $5,000 toward this ministry goal.

• AHEPA Chapter No. 61 hosted a lunch for the Sunday School Christmas pageant participants on Sunday, December 19.

• Sts. Constantine & Helen Church will host our Metropolis Goya basketball tournament on January 14, 15 & 16.  AHEPA will be preparing and serving dinner after Vesper Services on Saturday, January 15, for all participants. Additionally, AHEPA will host a fellowship breakfast on Sunday, January 16 in support of our youth.

• District Governor Harry Mackrides conducted the initiation ceremony of the following candidates for membership into AHEPA: Jason Arnold, Gino Caloiero, James Phyrillas, Chris Siozos, Jonathan Thompson and Dr. George Visnich.

• The next AHEPA dinner meeting in 2022 will be held at the Crossroads Restaurant on Tuesday, February 22, at 6:00 p.m.

-- Submitted by Chapter President George Giovanis

District Governor Harry Mackrides addresses the members of AHEPA Chapter 61 during the dinner meeting. Brother Mackrides gave a brief history of the AHEPA's 100 years of service.

Thomas Crassas, a member of the Parish Council at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, speaks about a water well project for an Orthodox Seminary in Guatemala. AHEPA Chapter No. 61 donated $5,000 toward the project.

Chapter President George Giovanis gave highlights of 2021 chapter activities and briefed chapter members about upcoming events for 2022.

Chapter President George Giovanis presents gifts to the three visiting members of the District Lodge.

Michael Macaronis presents a report on the successful 2021 Ernie Orphanos Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament hosted by the Reading AHEPA Chapter in August.

Rev. Father Theodore Petrides from Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading gave the opening and closing prayers and thanked the Reading AHEPA Chapter for its longtime support of the church and its ministries.

Reading AHEPA Chapter Treasurer Tony Phyrillas updates members on the chapter's finances.

The newest members of the Gust C. Kraras AHEPA Chapter No. 61 are from l-r: Jonathan Thompson, Dr. George Visnich, Jason Arnold, James Phyrillas, Gino Caloiero and Chris Siozos.

Reading Chapter No. 61 Supports AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors

Reading AHEPA Chapter #61 Treasurer Tony Phyrillas, left, presents a check for $1,000 to Power District #4 District Governor Charles Mackenzie to support the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors project. Each fully trained service dog costs $15,000. The AHEPA has donated $240,000 so far to provide 16 service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD. To find out more about the project or to donate, visit https://ahepa-servicedogs.org

Reading AHEPA Chapter Welcomes New Members

New members of AHEPA Chapter #61 pose with members of the District Lodge who presided during the installation ceremony. From left to right: District Marshal Dr. Michael Billys, District Warden Christ Megoulas, Shawn Moliatu, Bern Donahue, Nick Lecatsas, Panagiotis Asimakopoulos, George Asimakopoulos, District Governor Charles Mackenzie and District Athletic Director Harry Mackrides. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

The Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 Order of AHEPA welcomed six new members into the chapter on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at a Dinner Meeting held at the Crossroads Restaurant. Five of the new members were able to attend the meeting and were sworn in during a ceremony presided by District Governor Charles Mackenzie and members of the District Lodge.

The new members who took the Oath of Office are: Panagiotis Asimakopoulos, George Asimakopoulos, Bern Donahue, Nicholas Lecatsas and Shawn Moliatu. The sixth new chapter member, James Phyrillas, was unable to attend the meeting but will be initiated at a future date.

More than 30 members of the Reading AHEPA Chapter were in attendance to welcome the new members into the Order of AHEPA.

The meeting was chaired by Brother Christ Kraras in the absence of Chapter President George Giovanis, who is recuperating from a serious illness but was at the meeting in spirit. At the end of the meeting, the Brothers called George to wish him a full recovery and sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

Below are additional photo highlights from the April 2 meeting.

The five candidates for membership - Nick Lecatsas, Bern Donahue, Panagiotis Asimakopoulos, George Asimakopoulos and Shawn Moliatu - kneel before the altar and prepare to recite the AHEPA oath from District Governor Charles Mackenzie. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

The candidates place their left hands on the Bible as they recite the AHEPA Membership Oath. (Photo by Lefteris Plevrakis)

After they were officially sworn into the Order of AHEPA, the new Brothers receive their membership pins from the visiting members of the Pennsylvania District Lodge. (Photo by Lefteris Plevrakis)

Bern Donahue receives his AHEPA membership pin from District Governor Charles Mackenzie. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

George Asimakopoulos receives his AHEPA pin from District Athletic Director Harry Mackrides. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

Nicholas Lecatsas receives his AHEPA membership pin from District Warden Christ Megoulas. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

Shawn Moliatu receives his AHEPA membership pin from District Marshal Michael Billys. (Photo by Lefteris Plevrakis)

The newest members of the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 - Shawn Moliatu, Bern Donahue, Nicholas Lecatsas, Panagiotis Asimakopoulos and George Asimakopoulos - pose with District Governor Charles Mackenzie. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

Brother Christ Kraras reunites with an old friend, District Marshal Dr. Michael Billys, who grew up in Reading. (Photo by Lefteris Plevrakis)

The Gust C. Kraras Chapter N. 61 was honored to have four members of the District Lodge attend the April 2 Dinner Meeting/Initiation Ceremony at Crossroads Restaurant. From left-to-right: District Marshal Dr. Michael Billys, District Warden Christ Megoulas, District Governor Charles Mackenzie and District Athletic Director Harry Mackrides. (Photo by Tony Phyrillas)

Highlights from 2018 Reading AHEPA Golf Tournament