An association of Cretan businessmen abroad and «Non profiteering companies» aiming to education and transfer of the Greek culture to North America along with the participation of the Greeks abroad to charity projects of the American government are the cornerstones of the new project of action that the new chairman of the Pan Cretan Association of America Mr. Theodore Manousakis who is also the chairman of the Chanian wine-making company «NOSTOS» will realize.
In an interview given to «In-On», the new chairman of the Pan Cretan Association of America clarified that «I feel honored by the members of the Association and my role in the new Board of Directors is to contribute to the continuation of the association in the U.S.A and promote the role of Greece as a representative of Hellenism and Crete».
In order to materialize the new «project of action» and also the projects that the old Board of Directors has decided to continue –he stressed– the whole Greek community of America should assist.
He also clarified that «it is necessary to have a series of periodical laboratories, the so called forums, namely one every six months, where the chairmen of the associations and the local members will meet with the members of the Pan Cretan Association of America. They will exchange views and ideas so as to solve problems and therefore contribute to the stabilization of a united Pan Cretan Association.
Without powerful associations and stable members, the Pan Cretan Association would not have existed.
The Pan Cretan Association is nothing more than its associations that are spread throughout the U.S.A.
There are more than 72 associations with more than 30 council members and appointed committees working on numerous projects regarding education, civilization and charity along with million dollars funds. However, there is not a standard procedure that the recently-elected officials can follow in order to carry out their duties and accomplish their responsibilities. I am fully committed to verify an amount of functional instructions and procedures, a Manual (ΤΛΕ), which will be accomplished within the next two years and will be used by our top executives as a guideline that facilitates the realization of assigned relevant duties». There have to be found –he pointed out– ways to bridge the gap so as all our members, no matter where they live, feel as part of the Pan Cretan Association of America. Regarding tax responsibilities, he mentioned that «time has come to put our economic files in order, standardize the procedures to submit proposals, work on and act accordingly within the framework of our budgets and provide our members with accurate financial reports. Being assisted by independent accountants as well as the treasurer of the Pan Cretan Association, we will enhance and standardize account checking and the submission of financial reports». Concerning the promotion of Cretan Civilization, he mentioned that «the promotion of our rich culture is a significant challenge for the second and third generation of Cretans. Novel ways must be found in the US.A so as our children can have access to celebrations participating to dancing, singing, history and literature. We have to challenge their interest through the creation of competitions either in a local or national level, resembling those that are realized and supported by the church such as the dance competition (FDS) in the west coast. In Crete important endeavors are made for the construction of the Minoan village in the area of Atsipopoulo in Rethymnon. In this way a basis is created for all our members, young and old, where they will be able to sample firsthand the culture and the lifestyle of modern Crete in the environment of a five-star hotel.
Also, the students can have the opportunity to attend courses in the neighboring campus of the University of Crete.
The design of the Minoan village:
DAEDALOS VILLAGE (unit 1) 2736sq.m
It regards the accommodation unit of the complex, the section with the largest number of guest houses. Daedalos village consists of a complex of one-storey and two-storey buildings that can host totally 142people.
ARIADNI GUEST WING (unit 1) 1230sq.m
The Ariadni wing is the home of the complex having 18 rooms out of which 16 three-bed and 2 five-bed rooms. The rooms are in two floors, each floor being 615 square meters. Therefore, Ariadni can host 58 people.
Minotaurus – Exhibition Center (unit 1).
It regards the free exhibition area of the complex which can be formulated according to the needs. The exhibition expands in two floors (about 780 square meters for 300 people) where each floor is 390 square meters.
EUROPE – STAND (unit 1) 540 square meters
On the ground floor of the building, there is a convention center for 200 people while there is a restaurant on the first floor.
MINOAN HEADQUARTERS (unit 1) 430 square meters. Administrative sections of the building will be housed here like the reception, the library of the foundation and the services of the users.
Curriculum Vitae
Mr. Theodore Manousakis was born in Vatolakos in the prefecture of Chania and at the age of 11 (1955) his family immigrated to America. His father had American citizenship because he had worked in the United States since 1912. He studied economics in the area of Washington and post-graduated in the University of New York.
His first company was a «security» one. When the company expanded all over America he sold it creating a chain of restaurants that he owns till today. In 1985 he returned to Greece and in 1991 in the prefecture of Chania he created the hotel unit called «Creta Paradise» (500beds) in an area of 65 m2 and in 2007 he sold it. At the same time in 1993 there was the first planting of the wine varieties for the wine-making company «NOSTOS».
The Chanian wine-making company «NOSTOS» which is located in the area of Vatolakos in the prefecture of Chania produces 40.000 wine bottles a year. The vineyards are situated in an altitude of between 350 to 600 meters at the foot of Lefka Ori(White Mountains) while the winery is close to the farming areas. The varieties of the wine production come from the south Rodin river of France. They are cultivated in an area of 130 m2. There are four varieties, which are: Grenache, Mourvedre, Roussane (this is a unique kind that is cultivated in Greece producing 4.000-5.000 a year). There are also experimental varieties such as: Agioreitiko, Asyrtiko, Chardonay, Romeiko (A variety from Chania).
Source of publication8th issue In-On