DEMETRIOS IS NOW JIMMY

Greek Immigrants in the Southern United States 1895-1965

         ©2006 Larry Odzak. All rights reserved.          

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In January 2009, the Ladies Philoptochos Society of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, in Houston, Texas, invited the author to be the guest speaker at its annual Membership Meeting and Brunch.  The Cathedral's periodical, "The Annunciator," carried the following notice, composed by the then Philoptochos President, Ms. Mary Poulos:

  "Our program will include a presentation by Larry Odzak, author of "Demetrios Is Now Jimmy."  Dr. Odzak has compiled information about the settlement of Greek immigrants in the southern United States in the early 1900s.  They came from Greece and Ottoman occupied Asia Minor and established themselves, adjusting rapidly to life in the New South.  The story will touch many of you!  A book signing will follow Dr. Odzak's presentation."


 

 

 

 

 


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Larry with Annunciation Cathedral Phioloptochos

Ladies Ms. Mary Poulos and Ms. Irene Cassas

At the book signing

Author Larry Odzak talks about Greek immigration in the southern states at "St. Photios Shrine", in St. Augustine, Florida.


The St. Photios National Greek Orthodox Shrine displays and commemorates the history of the earliest Greek immigrants to this continent, several hundred of them, who in 1768 left Ottoman occupied Greece and sailed to Florida to work on establishing a large plantation - "New Smyrna" - where the English colonizer Andrew Turnbull wanted to grow olive trees.   Ms. Polexeni Maouris Hillier, the devoted director of the Shrine, invited Larry to come in October, 2007 and give a talk during the Shrine's Cultural Weekend, celebrating Hellenism in America.  Ladies Philoptochos Societies of Florida's Greek Orthodox Churches St. John the Divine [Jacksonville] and Holy Trinity [St. Augustine] were the official hosts of that event, and enriched the occasion with Greek pastries and local wine.  The Shrine's Gift and Book store carries for sale copies of "Demetrios Is Now Jimmy" 

Larry discussing his book with audience

At St. Photios Shrine's Gift and Book Store L-R  

Ms Kay Carantzas [Jacksonville, Fl.], Larry,  

Shrine Director Polly Maouris Hillier

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