Newsletter - Hellenic Museum Of Michigan

Hellenic Museum of Michigan
Summer 2015 Newsletter
Experience
Detroit’s Greek
Culture &
Cuisine this
Summer outside
in our court yard
FROM THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of
you who have shown your support for the Hellenic
Museum of Michigan throughout the lengthy process
of building renovations and programming
improvements. We have made several strides over
the past few years, which would not have been
possible without the help of our fundraising
campaigns such as our FRIENDS, led by chairs Dr.
Anthony Kales and George Reganis , Membership
which is being led by Laurie Bournias, as well as the
support from local institutions and community
organizations, individual contributions to our
collections, grants from Midtown Detroit Inc., the
AHEPA National Housing Corporation, and The
Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs.
S a t u r d a y s
1 2 p m
t o
4 p m
Today, it is estimated that forty percent of Greece's
population and Diaspora can trace their roots to Asia
Minor. While the hardships suffered by the Asia Minor
refugees were enormous, the contributions to the
Greek world are incalculable. Greek music, literature,
the sciences, and politics all have been influenced
by the Greeks of Asia Minor. The Uprooted Exhibition
opened on April 17, 2015 in conjunction with the
Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade
celebrations. The Museum, along with the Semendre
Brotherhood will be holding a special
commemorative reception on Sunday July 19th from
3pm to 6pm. The event is open to the public and we
would like to invite you to attend. Please see page 3
for more information.
This spring, we were pleased to once again being a
Once again, on behalf of the entire Hellenic Museum
part of the 14th Annual Greek Independence Day
of Michigan Board, we thank all of you for your
celebrations. Please join us as we continue to
support and look forward to seeing you this year at
commemorate Greece's 1832 independence from
“your” museum.
under Ottoman rule with our latest exhibition
"Uprooted" which tells the story of the Greeks in Asia
Minor over the course of the generations of
THE HELLENIC MUSEUM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
MICHIGAN
occupation.
Summer 2015 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | The Hellenic Museum of Michigan | 67 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202
Prior to the FRIENDS campaign, from 2009 to September, 2013 (roughly a four-year period), HMM Board fundraised a total
of about $188,000. This total consisted of roughly $100,000 from individuals, organizations and businesses and $88,000 from
grants from local agencies. Of the $88,000, $50,000 was from Midtown Detroit. The latter funds were not utilized at that
time. After the initial success of our FRIENDS campaign, the funds were restored from Midtown Detroit and utilized for our
recent restoration projects.
Our FRIENDS campaign began in September of 2013 and consists of two major efforts: (1) fundraising from individuals,
organizations and businesses and (2) fundraising from local, state and federal granting agencies. We envisioned the
FRIENDS campaign to extend over a two-year period. Initially, a goal of $200,000 was established for each component of
the campaign for a total of $400,000. However, after our fundraising team had raised over $150,000 in just several months
from fundraising from individuals, organization and businesses, we raised the goal for each component to $350,000, for a
total of $700,000.
At the end of the first-year of the campaign, September 30, 2014, our team had raised over $250,000 from individuals,
organizations and businesses. Our team (Dr. Anthony Kales, George Reganis, Joan De Ronne and Anthony Niarhos)
projects that by the Spring of 2015, we will raise another $100,000 for a total of $350,000 This will more than meet our stated
funding goal from individuals, organizations and businesses for the two-year period. Our team believes strongly that it has
been maximally and functionally effective in all respects. This is not surprising considering each member’s previous
experience and success in fundraising and organizational teamwork in the past. Here are the credentials and experience
for our two Co-Chairmen:
Dr. Anthony Kales-Psychiatry Department Chairman for 28 years; raised over $5 million in endowments for Penn State (worth
about $11 million now); raised over 1.5 million dollars combined for three Greek Orthodox churches; recipient of an
Honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Athens School of Medicine in recognition of his accomplishments as an
Educator and as one of only several Founders worldwide of the field of Sleep Disorders Medicine. Currently, Dr. Kales serves
as Vice-President Development for the Hellenic Museum.
George Reganis-President, Greek Independence Day Parade Committee; responsible for resurrecting the Greek
Independence Day Parade after a 40-year hiatus; presided over 14 successful Greek Independence Day Parades; key
Board Director of the Foundation for Modern Greek Studies where he worked closely and successfully for over 15 years with
Dr. Anthony Kales; a Founding Board Director in the funding of the Cavafy Chair in Modern Greek Studies at the University
of Michigan; Chairman, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit Greek Language and Cultural Committee. George Reganis
is the Cultural and Church Liaison for the Hellenic Museum.
To date, we have successfully completed many needed building renovations. These include: the installation of a new roof;
window repairs; masonry cleanings; tuck pointing work; landscaping improvements; and, parking lot improvements. Let us
be very thankful. These renovations never would have occurred without the remarkable success of our fundraising from
individuals, organizations and businesses and Jim Papas, our Greatest Benefactor, stepping in strongly and effectively. He
markedly assisted our restoration efforts both from the standpoint of obtaining excellent contractors at markedly reduced
prices and moving our projects to completion rapidly and effectively. Now we can move forward and complete fully the
restoration of our building by Spring of 2015. This will be accomplished with the installation of our HVAC system and
renovation of two bathrooms with disability accessibility.
The next phase of building improvements is to expand our facility to obtain needed space, have an attractive entryway
with an elevator and a connection to the Carriage House and redo the Carriage House. It will have taken HMM 5 to 6
years to fundraise for and complete the restoration of the existing building at a cost of about $540,000. Considering many
factors, it could take us well over 10 years to fund and complete the expansion of the facility as just described. Thus we
believe it would be prudent to enter a critical and needed Consolidation Phase extending from the Spring of 2015 to the
Spring of 2016. During this time, we can implement our Strategic Plan in a number of important areas and directions. For
example, we would plan to upgrade, modify and implement our Membership Drive, KEFI Nights and Written Histories
Program in a manner that would allow us to generate over $100,000 yearly for our operating costs. These self-generated
funds would not only provide us with a solid financial base for our operating costs but would greatly assist us as we apply to
various granting agencies and/or foundations for additional, supplemental operating funds. In addition, our fundraising
team for individuals, organizations and businesses will assume responsibility for obtaining funds from granting agencies and
foundations as we believe we can strongly bolster fundraising from these resources. We expect this approach to be
successful with the two separate funding efforts together having a strong synergistic effect for our overall fundraising
efforts.
Summer 2015 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | The Hellenic Museum of Michigan | 67 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Papas
Drs. Anthony and Joyce Kales
Hellenic Heritage Society
Larry and Helen Stassinos
The Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade
Committee, Midtown Detroit Inc.
†Angela Bournias, Leo Bournias Family,
†Demetrios, † Demetra Partalis and †Nicholas Kales,
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Kefallinos, †Vasil P. and †Penelope Moisides,
Drs. Theodore and Nana Pantos, Dr. and Mrs. Steve Tsangalias,
Dr. and †Mrs. Ignatios Voudoukis, Ernest and Diane Zachary,
The T K Zampetis Family Foundation, Epirotic Society of Michigan,
Wayne State University
Costas and Ioanna Boutsikakis,
Stefanos and Irene Becharas, John and Martha Cannis, †Tom and Beck Demery,
George and Kathy Demopoulos, Richard and Joan Christy DeRonne,
James and Gabriella Jacobs, George and Virginia Gazepis, †Panteles and †Elpis Lezos Kales,
Dr. Costas and Sylvia Kleanthous, †Athanasios and †Aglaia Kotsis,
†Nicolaos and †Vasiliki Lolis Kotsis,†Petros and Stamatia Kales Kotsis,
Chris and Labrini Liakonis, Anthony J. Niarhos,
†George and †Athanasia Panarites by Paul Koulegeorge, Niko and Vivian Moschouris,
†Spiros, Haralambos, Fotios and Alexandros Partalis, Constantine and Stelgene Psachoulias,
George and Nancy Reganis, Michael and †Angie Roustemis, †Spero and †Barbara Theros,
Thompson Dersch Charitable Fund, Peter and Anne Cannis Vestevich, Mr. and Mrs. Lou Vlahantones,
AHEPA/Daughters of Penelope-District 10, AHEPA National Housing, AHEPA Omega 371,
AHEPA Chapter 195-Ann Arbor, Federation of Sterea Hellas-USA and Canada,
Stereoelladites of MI.-Athanasios Diakos
- Atlas Foods, Astoria Pastry Shop, Marchiori Catering, Panormitis and Kyriaki Makarounas,
Motor City Brew Works, The Display Group
†= In Memory Of
Summer 2015 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | The Hellenic Museum of Michigan | 67 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202
UPROOTED
The region of Asia Minor has held
an important place in the history of
Hellenism. Come explore the
mythology of this region, how
Alexander spread Hellenism
throughout the peninsula, the
influence of the Byzantine Empire
and how the region was
eventually lost to the Ottomans.
“Because this is where we are from. This is where my
roots are… We were always from there, We were
M i k r a s i a t e s . ” - Clara Baldwin
The Ottoman Empire had a
profound impact on the
region of Asia Minor. Begin
to understand what life was
like for the Greek-speaking
population who lived during
this time, learn about the
events leading up to the
population exchange and
hear personal stories of
struggle during this time.
Summer 2015 | Volume 3 | Issue 2 | The Hellenic Museum of Michigan | 67 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202
PLATIA
INSPIRED DINNER PARTIES
THURSDAY
NIGHTS
IN THE COURTYARD OF
THE
H ELLENIC MUSEUM OF MICHIGAN
6 PM TO 1 0 PM
$ 2 5 S UG G E S T E D D O N AT I O N
$ 1 5 M USEUM M EMBERS
$ 1 0 C HILDREN
Be sure to check our website & Facebook page for added dates
Summer 2015 | Volume 3 | Issue 2| The Hellenic Museum of Michigan | 67 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202
The Hellenic Museum of Michigan is proud to be a repository for your family’s history. Through our Written
Histories Program, we will capture the struggles and triumphs of Greek immigrants as they came to the
United States. The program also focuses on second and third generations Greeks and their experiences
growing up Greek in modern America. Let us preserve your story for future generations today.
w w w . h e l l e n i c m i . o r g
Become a member TODAY!!!
Summer 2015 | Volume 3 | Issue2| The Hellenic Museum of Michigan | 67 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202
Recipe of the month
Evan Sung for The New York Times
Greek
Skillet Pies
With Feta
and Greens
DAVID TANIS, New York Times
The Greek cookbook author Aglaia Kremezi has no problem making phyllo dough at home whenever she makes
anything pie-like. With a little practice, anyone can do it. For these simple skillet pies, she recommends grilling them
in an iron stovetop ridged pan or on a grate over coals. Filled with feta and herbs, these flat thin-crust pies give a new
meaning to grilled pizza Featured in: Greek Pie On The Skinny Side
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE PHYLLO DOUGH:
3 cups/375 grams all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
Cornstarch or rice flour, for dusting
FOR THE FILLING:
8 ounces/225 grams spinach or mustard
greens, or a combination of cooking greens
1 cup/30 grams chopped parsley
½ cup/15 grams finely chopped freshdill
1 teaspoon dried Greek oregano
Salt and pepper
Maras pepper or crushed red pepper
1 cup/120 grams crumbled feta cheese
Olive oil, for brushing
Nutritional Information
PREPARATION
Make the phyllo dough: Combine flour and
salt in the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted
with dough hook. Add olive oil, vinegar and
1/2 cup cold water. Mix at medium speed for
about 5 minutes to obtain a smooth, soft
dough. If the dough seems dry, add up to 3
tablespoons more water. Wrap in plastic film
and let rest for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the filling: Blanch greens in
salted boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain, rinse
with cool water, squeeze dry and chop fine. In
a small bowl, put chopped greens, parsley, dill,
oregano, black pepper to taste, a pinch of
crushed chile pepper and the feta. Mix with a
fork to combine.
Give dough a quick knead and divide into 6
pieces. Dust dough with cornstarch or rice
flour, then roll each piece of dough as thinly as
possible, stretching gradually to a diameter of
16 inches. Alternatively, roll dough to the
thinnest possible setting of a pasta machine.
Cut each circle in half and dust pieces with
cornstarch or rice flour and stack off to the
side. Alternatively, roll dough to the thinnest
possible setting of a pasta machine and make
smaller pies.
Assemble the pies: Put a ridged stovetop grill
or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. For
each pie, lay 1 sheet phyllo on work surface
and brush with olive oil. Cover half the sheet
lightly with filling, using 3 to 4 tablespoons of
mixture per pie. Fold over the other side and
press down to seal pie. It will be a rough, very
flat triangle shape.
Brush both exterior sides with olive oil, carefully
lay pie on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes,
until golden and crisp (reduce heat as
necessary). Flip pie and cook the other side for
3 to 4 minutes, until golden and crisp. Remove
and serve warm; cut into smaller pieces if
desired. Continue to make pies with remaining
ingredients.
Summer 2015 | Volume 3 | Issue 2| The Hellenic Museum of Michigan | 67 E. Kirby, Detroit, MI 48202