Author Archives
Harry Karapalides
Welcome Greeks To The Big Times – Who Loves Ya, Baby!
When Greek-Americans watch television or a movie, we all like to see if there are any Greek-American actors in them and today there are so many. Jennifer Aniston, Rita Wilson, Billy Zane, Olympia Dukakis, Zach…
Welcome to the Macedon Diner
Previously I wrote a blog about Jersey diners and although my father owned one back in the 1960’s, he also had one in Northeast Philly (7400 block of Frankford Avenue) from 1977 to 1983. He…
Release the Kraken! A Clash of Titans!
Super Bowl 50 is now over and all the beer has been consumed, the pizzas and hoagies eaten, the commercials over, and the Denver Broncos can now enjoy the acclamations, praises, and cheers of a…
The Hottest Bouzoukia
Close your eyes and imagine you’re back in 1988 a/k/a the decade of big hair and shoulder pads, and you’re sitting in a seat at one of the area’s hottest bouzoukia / nightclubs. It’s around…
The Best Restaurant in the World
Like many of you out there in Greek Land, I have had many fine meals at some of the top restaurants in the country… and out of the country too. I have had Kobe beef…
Mele Kalikimaka
For the last few years, right after Thanksgiving, our local American radio station becomes a 24-hour Christmas song fest. Even Sirius Radio has two stations playing your favorite Santa Claus songs and each year I…
Greek Sons and Gods
If you’re the son of a Greek mother, whether that mother was born in the old country, America, Canada, Australia or anyplace else, you are…a god. It’s as simple as that. There’s no debate. And…
Good-Bye Amerikanaki, Hello Frappedes
This crisis in Greece is a good thing. What???? Okay, you’re wondering what is old Harry talking about? Has he gone insane? No, I haven’t. The crisis is a horrible thing for the people of…
Thermopylae and the “Other” Spartans
We all know the most famous words of defiance uttered by King Leonidas I of Sparta, when Xerxes I of Persia demanded that the Spartans guarding the Pass at Thermopylae lay down their arms and…
This Moment in Philadelphia Greek American History: Evzones and Hooters
March 1996, Philadelphia, PA – The Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia was sponsoring the annual Greek Independence Day Parade in Center City Philadelphia, and marching in the parade was the members of the…
Death Becomes Us
Death. Such an ugly word. It’s so… ending. Why am I writing about death? It’s all around us, you know. Trees die, flowers die, animals die… we die… oops, there, I said it. People just…
Democracy in Greece… A History Lesson According to Argyri
Do you remember when we were kids in elementary school and your teacher announced that we would be learning about the Ancient Greek civilization? Sure you do. We were excited to learn about our ancestors.…
