By Catherine Tsounis
On Saturday, June 20th 2015, The Hellenic American Taxpayers and Civic Association of Southold Town (HATCAST) held a barbecue picnic on Saturday afternoon at the South Harbor View Park in Southold. Souvlakis of all varieties were barbecued along with hamburgers and hotdogs, overlooking the scenic Picnic Bay. Rev. Constantine MAKRINOS OF THE Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Mattituck and homeowners from Jamesport to Orient, Long Island attended.
“Our organization is being revived to meet our economic crisis,” said Andreas Markakis, Chairman of the Board and Emeritus President. “I have been a member of HATCAST for thirty years. HATCAST is and will be a collective effort of people with homes. We have a young membership that is performing great projects.”
On August 11, 1994, a large turnout of homeowners attended this barbecue, according to a rare photo from the Traveler-Watchman. HATCAST gave a generous donation to the Transfiguration Church, Mattituck, during the 2nd groundbreaking after a catastrophic fire on May 1, 1988. The 1984Transfiguration of Christ Church Dinner Dance Journal stated “We thank and are grateful to all our Journal subscribers, especially those who subscribe continuously every year…Angie Megdanis, Kostas Roustas, Estelle Voula Georges and John Nicholas of HATCAST our sincere appreciation for their support of our dance,” according to Cleo P. Tsounis, Dinner Dance and Journal Chairman). The 1984 Journal book showed a full page ad of HATCAST with officers.
“In 1979, the first Greek Long Island homeowners’ civic organization HATCAST was formed through Angelo’s Panagopoulos’ encouragement and hard work. He insisted “Greeks will only be heard out here (E.L.I.), if we are recognized as a group. Before the Church (Transfiguration Church of Mattituck) was built, we were considered foreigners from the West and outsiders in Southold town…,” (Proini, Thursday, June 12, 1980).
“An evening Anthol0gy of Greek Song with Grigoris Maninakis and the Mikrokosmos Ensemble” sponsored by the Hellenic Greek Foundation in cooperation with the Greek Orthodox communities of the Transfiguration of Christ Mattituck and SS. Anargyroi Taxiarchis & Gerasimos Greenport churches & HATCAST. A free Greek concert hosted by HATCAST will be held on Saturday evening, September 5, 2015 at Mitchell Park in the Village of Greenport, Long Island (located at the Carousel). For more information contact [email protected]
