"Mapping Greek Astoria, Retrieving Memories and History" by Alexander Kitroeff, published in The National Herald, May 4, 2024. ---------- Several years ago, we were lucky enough to get permission from  The National Herald  to repost articles that are of interest to our group.                                                                                           ---------- A few weeks ago this column suggested there was a need for a GreekAmerican Museum in Manhattan. This elicited a response from Mr. George L. Stamatiades, a founding member of the Athens Square Committee which created the only Hellenic themed public space in North America over thirty years ago. He made a strong and detailed case about t...

GROWING UP IN ASTORIA: RECOLLECTIONS OF A GREEK-AMERICAN YOUTH  By Peter Nicolelis published in The National Herald  Jan 9, 2021   The National Herald has given HellenicGenealogyGeek.com permission to post articles that are of interest to our group. -------------------------------------------- I lived my formative years in the mid 30’s and 40’s with my parents and my sister Vasilea in a three-story, six-unit apartment building. Our unit was the front two-bedroom apartment on the third floor. The apartment rented for $40 per month.  My best friends were all Greek-American boys, each of whose parents had migrated from Greece or from Asia Minor. All of our parents became American citizens, first generation Greek-Americans.  The meeting place for me and my best friends was the Saint Demetrios Church on 31st Street in Astoria. Going to church and meeting after the Liturgy was a Sunday ritual. During those years I believe that the Astoria community was the largest par...