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Greeks seek U.S. help in WWII, officer says

By THERESA BLACKWELL
Published December 24, 2006

DEC. 19, 1940

CLEARWATER - Maj. George Hatji Stavris, officer in the Greek army, told members of Turner-Brandon post of the American Legion last night that the Greeks are looking to the United States for aid in their struggle against Italy more than to any other nation.

Major Stavris, speaking with the assistance of interpreter Spyros Bossen, extended the thanks of the Greeks for help given by America. The Greeks, he said, are outnumbered 12 to 1 by the Italians but will win the war if the United States will aid them with supplies and equipment. Albania, the general said, is a land of little more than "sheep and mountains."

The Greek officer arrived in the United States 36 days ago for the purpose of seeking volunteers for army duty. He will leave soon, proceeding by clipper to England and then to Crete.

The Clearwater post voted to join with Tarpon Springs on Jan. 18. Mayor-elect George Seavy will proclaim that day Greek Relief Fund Day, and Greek girls from Tarpon Springs will come here to solicit funds.

At the invitation of Charles Criticos of Clearwater, the post will send a color guard and delegation to Greek Cross Day in Tarpon Springs on Jan. 6. The ceremonies will include public prayers for the Greek army and British navy.

DEC. 21, 1940

White Gift Service will be on Sunday morning

DUNEDIN - The Dunedin Presbyterian Sunday school will present the annual White Gift Service on Sunday morning. Gifts of food, clothing and toys will be sent to the Thornwell Orphanage. The Rev. Tenney I. Deane will speak on "And On Earth Peace" at the morning service. The choir of 25 voices of the church will present the Christmas cantata On Wings of Angel Song in the evening.

DEC. 27, 1940

Nearly 10,000 Pinellas properties go on sale

CLEARWATER - Pinellas County residents and winter visitors still have an opportunity to purchase at "bargain basement" prices a wide variety of Pinellas lands owned by the state internal improvement board.

Scattered vacant lots, solid blocks of lots and acreage are available, some in residential areas and others in agricultural sections.

Applications for sale of those properties, nearly 10,000 of them at public auction, must be made at the office of County Clerk Ray E. Green, agent of the board. The auctions are held after only one publication of descriptions of the lands to be sold.

In instances in which there is no competitive bidding, the lands are sold to applicants at their base bids posted with the clerk.

DEC. 27, 1940

Employees give sheriff horse saddle, bridle

CLEARWATER - Sheriff E.G. Cunningham received a Christmas present in the form of a hand-tooled Denver leather saddle, with his name embossed upon it, and a new bridle, the gift of his employees.

The sheriff placed the saddle and bridle on his favorite horse yesterday and went for a ride around his cabin near Safety Harbor.

DEC. 27, 1940

Doctor, wife host group for Christmas

CLEARWATER - Dr. and Mrs. P.H. Guinand entertained a large group of friends at open house at their Drew Street home Christmas morning. Mrs. T.J. Bratten, mother of Mrs. Guinand and a winter visitor from Tennessee, presided at the eggnog bowl, while Mrs. Fred Evans and Mrs. Guy Horne assisted in serving.

Pinellas History is compiled by Times staff writer Theresa Blackwell. She can be reached at tblackwell@sptimes.com or 727 445-4170.

[Last modified December 23, 2006, 22:58:39]