THE DAY OF CHAMPIONS

For the past decade, Annunciation Basketball has, perhaps, been best represented by the success and dominance of our famous “Lady Angels.”  Comprising a record of over 70 wins and 1 defeat, our young ladies truly personified what pure basketball and sportsmanship are. While choosing not to participate this past varsity season, our Lady Angels appear to have left a large void in our basketball program (especially since our Korinthias Center was chosen to host the 2008 Varsity Championships).  Yet, in the true spirit of the Annunciation, our remaining teams came forth, accepted the challenge, and participated in one of the most competitive, entertaining, and memorable seasons ever.

By Sunday, May 4, designated as “The Day of the Champions,” three of our Annunciation teams had qualified in their respective divisions to participate in the championship round.  Although our young High School Girls were destined to fall short in their championship quest, their hard play, sportsmanship, and dedication not only  captured our hearts, but set a standard of play for our other teams to emulate.   Congratulations to coaches Ari Stratakis and Nick Kontonis for a most successful season.

In what many consider to be the most exciting game of the day, the 6 and 0 Ascension High School Boys Team and the once defeated Annunciation High School Boys Team met.  The teams were almost mirror images of each other—well coached, quick, and extremely athletic.  The game was played at a frantic pace, with each team literally racing down court to exchange baskets.  While fans and players jumped from their seats to acknowledge each score, the Annunciation coach, Darrell Chase, remained calm, never losing his composure, but, rather, exuding a constant air of confidence and control.  Through their relentless determination and the constant stressing of team play, Coach Chase’s team began to gradually assert its dominance.  By games’ end, the scoreboard read: Annunciation 52, Ascension 43!  Our High School Boys brought home (on their own court!) the coveted championship.

As the third game of the “Day of Champions” was about to commence, we noticed distinct contrast between our undefeated Men’s team, coached by Chris Kallas, and their opponents from the Ascension.  While the Ascension team seemed to personify size and strength, the Annunciation countered with quickness and speed.  This theme prevailed throughout the game, as each team tried to assert its style of play upon each other.  In reality, the game was similar to a chess match, moving and countering with each possession growing in urgency and excitement.  As the final moments approached, the game evolved into a pressure-filled free throw contrast with the Annunciation hitting on 7 of their final 8 attempts to preserve their 47 to 43 victory.  On this very special day, a new era of Annunciation basketball had arrived!

On Wednesday, June 4, 2008, at 6:30 p.m., in our Korinthias Hall, we will be honoring all of our teams (varsity and junior varsity) with an appreciation dinner and awards presentation.  All are cordially invited to join the teams for this night of fellowship and much-deserved celebration.

YOUTH BASKETBALL CLINIC

All youth, Ages 5 through 12, are invited to attend a one-week basketball clinic, to take place in the Cathedral’s Korinthias Hall, Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18.  The clinic will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. each of those days.  Players are responsible for bringing their lunch.  Drinks will be provided by the Cathedral.  Players are also asked to wear non-scuffing sneakers and appropriate basketball attire.  Fliers, registration and parental permission/medical release forms are available at the Catehdral office. For additional information, please call Mike Canellos, at 415 864-8815.

BASKETBALL AWARDS DINNER JUNE 4

A basketball awards dinner will take place Wednesday, June 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Players and their families and friends are invited to this awards dinner, celebrating our championship and honoring all players, those of our junior as well as our senior varsity teams.  Trophies and participation awards will be bestowed that evening. To indicate your attendance, please call Mike Canellos, at 415 864-8815.

ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL’S SUMMER CAMP

The Annunciation Cathedral’s 9th Annual Summer Camp will take place August 1 through August 6, at the Casini Ranch Family Campground on the Russian River.  Casini Ranch is located near Duncans Mills, off US 101, not far from Bodega Bay.  Experiencing the beauty and excitement of California’s North Coast is unforgettable.  The camp offers 120 acres of family fun and a mile of sandy waterfront. Hiking, bicycling, volleyball, softball, horseshoes, fishing, drifting along the river in a canoe, or just relaxing the beach are among the activities campers and their families experience, not to mention arts and crafts, campfire and, of course, eating.  Space is limited.  Reservations, therefore, are on a first come, first serve basis.

There is a one tent per family limit.  The fees, due by July 11, are based on the size of the family.  For a family of 2 the fee is $370.  For a family of 3, it is $390.  For a family of 4, it is $410.  And, for a family of 5, the fee is $430.  The fee includes all meals, but not the cost of the tent itself.  However one looks at it, this is a bargain, considering the cost of going anywhere these days.  And what a better experience, than to spend 6 days, 5 nights with your friends and fellow parishioners.  For reservations and information, you are invited to contact Patty Rally.

EFFORTS UNDER WAY TO RE-ESTABLISH GREEK SCHOOL

For a year, now, the Cathedral has had no Greek School.  Just prior, we were down to one student (from 12 students, two years earlier).  Our teacher took a position at a Peninsula parish and, so, the Cathedral’s language program effectively ceased to exist.  However, efforts are under way to re- establish the Greek School, at the request of a number of individuals, who would like to avail themselves of the opportunity to learn the language in an inner city, non-university, setting.  We are, therefore, hoping to start up again in September, 2008 and would like to ask for your assistance and support.  The planned curriculum covering Greek language immersion, Greek culture, and Orthodox values, is geared toward young children and teenagers, as well as adults. Various options for the operating hours of the school are also being considered, including weekdays (afternoons and evenings) and Saturday mornings.  Lastly, we are seeking dedicated parishioners with the required skills and talents to staff the school as teachers, administrators, and parent support group members. If you are so motivated, please contact Father Stephen Kyriacou, 415 864-8000 or dean@annunciation.org or Dr. Peter Nanopoulos, Director of the Metropolis Office of Greek Education, drpetern_sfarch@yahoo.com

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Sunday School graduation will take place on Sunday, June 8, immediately following the Divine Liturgy.  The program will take place in the Cathedral’s Korinthias Hall.  Everyone is invited—parents, grandparents, relatives, friends.  Following the program, a complimentary luncheon will be served, co-sponsored by the Sunday School and the family of George Tsokas, in his memory.  Students are asked to wear their Sunday School pins.  A bar will be added to existing pins.  New students and Pre-K students will receive their first pin. The Sunday School extends congratulations to Tommy King and to Yvonne Chiappari, who will be graduating from Sunday School this year.

Sunday School will resume on Sunday, September 14.  September 14 is the great Feast of the Worldwide Elevation of the Holy Cross.  It is a day of fasting and prayer.  Please mark the date on your calendars.  We look forward to welcoming our teachers and students back, on September 14. We also look forward to welcoming new students and parents to our Sunday School and, in some cases, to our community as well.  Although September 14 seems like a long way off, it is not too early to get the word out that we need three (3) additional assistant teachers , and we invite parishioners to step forward and volunteer for this most important job.  Without teachers, we have no students.  Without students, we have no future.  Perhaps this is why our Lord’s last admonition to the Disciples was “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20.  First, baptize.  Then, teach.  We thank everyone, teachers, students, parents, one and all, for a great year!

DANCE GROUP BRUNCH AND DANCE EXHIBITION

The Annunciation Cathedral Dance Groups extend a cordial invitation to their pre-Festival kickoff, which will take place on Sunday, September 21.  They will host a brunch following the Divine Liturgy that day and dance for the community. They will be performing some of their semi-final and final rounds from this year’s Folk Dance Festival, as well as some new material which they plan to perform at the 2009 Folk Dance Festival.  The donation is only $5.  It’s well worth it, and a great way to get into the festival mood. For additional information, please contact Athena Stavrakaras, haniotisa@hotmail.com.

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June 2008 Herald
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral