Honoring Those Who Preserved the Heritage - #3
From Working to Preserve Our Heritage: The Incredible Legacy of Greek-American Community Services:
"In the third year, the Heritage Award went to John C. Geocaris (40th Ward Democratic Party committeeman and deputy commissioner of the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation), James Mezilson (columnist for the Greek Press), and Georgia Mitchell (founder and director of the Hellenic Choral Society).
The event was held on September 22, 1989, at Diplomat Banquets. The dinner co-chairs were Michael Lascaris and Congressman Frank Annunzio. Sandy Papadopoulos was the coordinator. John Rassogianis was the master of ceremonies and introduced the honorees as Elaine and I presented the awards. His Grace Bishop Iakovos offered the invocation and benediction. We believed he attended because Georgia was being honored. Spyros Aliagas, Consul General of Greece, spoke. The Panos and Stratos Orchestra provided the music. In honor of Jim’s 50th anniversary as a columnist for the Greek Press, the newspaper printed his noteworthy acceptance speech in its October 29, 1989, edition:
'EDITORIAL NOTE: In lieu of his regular column, the GREEK PRESS is substituting Mr. Mezilson’s remarks made on September 22, 1989, when he was honored by the Greek-American Community Services upon the occasion of his golden anniversary as a columnist. They are as follows:
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, – Your Grace Bishop Iakovos. Reverend Fathers Nicholas Nikokavouras and Stavroforos Mamies, Officers and members of the Greek-American Community Services, and dear friends.
When the president of Greek-American Community Services, Evangeline Mistaras, called me some weeks ago to invite me to become one of three honorees this evening, I was flattered and honored. And when I learned the names of my two co-honorees, Georgia Mitchell and John Geocaris, I accepted with no hesitation. What I did not know initially was that I was expected to speak. Those who know me are aware of the fact that I am not a speaker and not blessed with the oratory of the past honorees. The printed word is my speed.
It is indeed a pleasure to see so many of you here, who have been loyal readers of the column, which began as ‘Periclean Patter,’ and which endured many name changes over the years. And now known simply as ‘Mez.’ A name like that has been with me from boyhood, and one used to later identify my news copy from the time I began writing for the old Chicago Sun, the predecessor to today’s Chicago Sun-Times.
In accepting this honor tonight, I want to say that I am doing so as a representative of the legion of columnists who have contributed their talents to the Chicago Greek media with no personal financial remuneration – including myself.
These writers include some of the earliest that I can recall at the moment, such as John Chiakulas, Paul Nicopolos, Irene Harvalis Glyptis, Stella Adams Cuthbert, and Angelo Geocaris, with whom I began this column, before going solo several months later in 1939.
Others include Niki Farmakis Skodon, Dr. Andrew T. Kopan, Urania Damofle, Aphrodite Flambouras, Steven Javaras, Stacy Diacou, Katherine Valone, Nick Poulos, Dean Dranias, Helen Galanopoulos, Kathryn Adinamis, Tom Karalis, Dr. Chadwick Prodromos, Dr. Nicholas Kokonis, Professor Basil Papadakis, and others. And one must not forget the venerable Theano Margaris, who did her writing in the Greek language, and unlike the others, was compensated for her work, but not in the measure that it was worth.
One must not forget the regular staff writers of the Chicago metropolitan press, of which the late John Matsoukas was the first at the Chicago Daily News. Later came Peter C. Latsis at the Chicago American while I was at the Sun, and Nick Poulos at the Chicago Tribune and now with the Atlanta Constitution. Today, there are four with the metropolitan media – all with the Chicago Tribune: George Lazarus, John Kass, George Papajohn, and Elaine Markoutsas.
Of course, for my part, all of this could not have been done unless given the opportunity by my mentor, the late Paul Javaras, publisher, and editor of the Greek Press, who made possible the reintroduction of English columns.
My interest in newspapers began after having graduated from the six-year Koraes Greek-American School. I entered Healy Public Elementary School at the seventh-grade level. At the time, with others, I put out the school newspaper – the Healyville News – which was mimeographed by us on a manual duplicator. Also, the help of my sister, Fay Machinis, who hustled ads for the paper from the neighborhood merchants to help sustain the paper financially in those Great Depression years.
Writing the column has been a most enjoyable interlude for it has given me the opportunity to report activities from here and Greece, which time span has covered that of several generations. It has served as a bridge from the world of our immigrant parents to that of their children and grandchildren. It has also afforded me the additional gratification of having made a contribution to the welfare of our community in reporting its activities, its accomplishments, its goals, its joys – and unfortunately its sorrows.
My involvement in Hellenic life has carried me forward to the extent that I have been an active participant, having served in different capacities with Greek and non-Greek groups.
In recent years, this involvement has primarily been centered on the creation of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. I have previously spoken out for its formation and although today the Hellenic Museum does not, at this stage, have a permanent home, it is anticipated that in the very near future, it will be a reality.
With the help of the United Hellenic American Congress, its chairman Andrew A. Athens, and its responsive leadership, a physical home for this institution will be found.
Individuals such as Dr. Andrew T. Kopan of DePaul University, have amassed a wealth of material that will serve as a nucleus for this project. He also brings much expertise to this arena, for he has done in-depth research on immigrant life in Chicago and elsewhere and has published books toward this end.
Another activist in this endeavor is Leon Marinakos who serves as honorary Cultural Attache of the Consulate of Greece. His writings, his films, and his slides are all of significant historical value.
The achievements of Greek Americans have been chronicled in the media, periodicals, and books. The trials and tribulations of our immigrant forebears have been recorded in various archives, but are scattered, and not under the control of its Greek heirs. Much of this material is also slowly being lost by virtue of the fact that death has claimed the original possessors of these materials, and it is eventually being discarded by their offspring as unwanted ‘junk.’ Thus, priceless photographs, letters, periodicals, albums, books, objects of the relevant art, and icons, have been lost due to the lack of a general depository. Hopefully, this will soon be remedied by the Hellenic Museum, and this material is classified and made available to research scholars.
As executive secretary of the Hellenic Museum, I request, ‘Don’t get rid of anything before consulting with me. I am available anytime.
I hope that I have played a significant role in the life of the Greek community. Several years ago, Leon Marinakos pointed out that the column has been on the scene for 45 years – now fifty – which represents 20% or one-fifth of the life of this country. And my other good friend, Dr. Kopan, has bestowed upon me the title of ‘Dean of Hellenic Journalists’ in view of my longevity.
Again, many thanks for the award which I also accept on behalf of the thousands of readers and those others who have supported my endeavors these past five decades. Thank you and God Bless you.'"
Third Annual Heritage Awards Dinner. Pictured (L-R): John Psiharis, Athanasia Papadopoulos, Evangeline Mistaras, James Mezilson, Georgia Mitchell, His Grace Bishop Iakovos, John C. Geocaris, John Rassogianis, Elaine Thomopoulos, Peter Maroutsos, and Toni Panos. September 22, 1989. John Psiharis collection.