Here are photos of a gathering at the National Hellenic Museum on May 5, 1994 sponsored by the Superior Coffee Company with antique Greek costumes and textiles on exhibit. The museum was located at the National Bank of Greece Building located at 168 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago. The film negatives were scanned in 2025 and fortunately I recognize some of the people in the photos starting with #5, 10 & 11 with Bill Vranas (center) who serves on the board of the museum and Helen Alexander. In #9, 16, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, & 35+ we see Stan Grenias (2nd from the left) who was the owner of Superior Coffee and Director of the NHM, Elaine Kollinzas Drikakis. In #17 is Jim Mezilson (2nd from left) with Peter Parthenis, the owner of the Grecian Delight who serves on the board of the museum and can be seen in #17, 21, 43-52, 59, 62, etc. His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas (Lulias) of Thyateia is also in attendance in #55, 62-65. In #43-48 are donors making a pledge of financial support of the museum that include Stan Grenias (left), Peter Parthenis (right), seated on right is Sam Stavrakis who was the owner of the Cosmopolitan Linen Company. Aristotle P. Halikias is delivering remarks in #60, 61+. In 68-69 are Sam and Helene Stavrakis who I remember from my childhood as stalwarts of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Chicago and Palos Heights. Helene served in the choir, volunteered in Koraes Greek School, Agia Paraskevi and more. Andrew Athens of Metron Steel can be seen in #73 & 75 with Aristotle Halikias, in #78 are Bill Vranas, Theodora Vasils and Dino Armiros, in 79 & 80 is John Marks on the left. In #26, 86-88 are Jim and Pota Gianoukos who were sponsors of the event and owners of Caffe Florian in Hyde Park. There are many people in attendance at the Superior Coffee reception and I have identified the ones that I know. Who do you know? Please contact me to fill in the blanks. Thank you!
© Diane Alexander White PHOTOGRAPHY