Astoria/LIC Kiwanis Celebrates 20th Anniversary
BY LIZ GOFF

What better way is there to celebrate a special anniversary than by spending it with family and friends?

Members of the Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis did just that on September 14 - hosting their annual cocktail reception at Riccardo's by the Bridge, where Kiwanians and their guests celebrated the club's 20th year of service to the community.

Ahighlight of the evening was the presentation of the Kiwanis "Woman of the Year" award to Anita Halvatzis, "Man of the Year" award to George Alexiou and "Community Person of the Year" award to Vinicio Donato.

Outgoing Kiwanis President Rose Anne Alafogiannis wished the honorees success in their future endeavors. "You are truly deserving of this honor," Alafogiannis said

Woman of the Year Anita Halvatzis was a single mother supporting three sons in 1972, when she decided to switch gears and follow her heart into the world of real estate.

The former teacher had just graduated from college when she decided to take the plunge opening her first real estate office at Steinway Street and Ditmars Boulevard. The decision proved to be worth its weight in gold when, years later, her sons, Paul, George and Jim joined the firm, turning Halvatzis' dream into a family tradition.

At left:Linda Perno, outgoing Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis president. Above: Rose Marie Poveromo (at lectern) with (l. to r.): outgoing Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis President Linda Perno, "Woman of the Year" Anita Halvatzis, City Councilmember PeterVallone Jr., "Man of the Year" George Alexiou and "Community Person of the Year" Vinicio Donato.

Family and friends said Halvatzis' success was the result of her hard work and determination. On countless occasions, after working 16-hour days, Halvatzis would attend real estate and business management courses and seminars to strengthen her skills, friends said. Halvatzis later brought her acquired skills to her own employees through training sessions she conducted at her office-a move that brought accolades and awards to the agency.

Halvatzis is also credited for urging Astoria homeowners in the 1970s to renovate and restore their properties to increase property values, helping the local real estate market to skyrocket in recent years.

Halvatzis is a graduate of the Trap Hagen of School of Fashion Design. She also holds an Associate Degree from Queensborough Community College.

A native of Queens, Halvatzis has six grandchildren and another on the way. She has been a licensed real estate broker for more than 35-years, with offices at 28-16 Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria.

Man of the Year George Alexiou, another Astoria realtor, wears many hats-a businessman, community activist and a world traveler. The owner and operator of Century 21 Alexiou Realty on 24th Avenue, Alexiou was born in Trikala, Greece. After graduating from high school in Athens, Alexiou held down a full time job while serving as a Sub lieutenant in the Greek Infantry. His travels later took him to Heidelberg, Germany, where he attended Hotel Management School.

Alexiou then crisscrossed Europe, heading first to Dusseldorf, Germany, where he worked for two years at a Hilton Hotel. He then traveled to London, where he worked for two years as an assistant manager and headwaiter in the Savoy and Charing Cross Hotels. Alexiou then attended hotel management courses in Paris, where he lived for one year and acquired full knowledge of the French language.

After arriving in Astoria in 1972, Alexiou worked as a waiter and manager at some of New York City's top hotel chains. He owned and operated his own hotel until 1982, when he established Century 21 Alexiou Realty. Alexiou is currently president of the Greek American Homeowners Association, the largest homeowner organization in the United States. He is a member of Community Board 1 and the Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis Club and the parish board of the Cathedral of St. Demetrios in Astoria, and boasts memberships in numerous other Greek-American organizations. Through it all, Alexiou has never lost his zeal for travel or his curiosity for exploring new places.

In 2005, Alexiou and his wife, Elpida, traveled to Alaska. Their trip took them all the way to the North Pole. In between their travels, George and Elpida Alexiou continue to call Astoria their home.

Vinicio Donato, Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis Community Person of the Year for 2006, was born in Manhattan, the third of four children of Domenico and Angela Donato. Known as "Vinny" to friends and associates, Donato moved with his family to Astoria when he was eight years old. He attended Immaculate Conception School, the "original" Long Island City H.S., and graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in 1956 and a master's in 1958.

Donato taught in the New York City school system from 1956 until his retirement in 1991, and served as a representative of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) from 1968 to 1991. He was elected a UFT Executive Board member in1970 and served in the position until his retirement in 1991 and has served as UFT Chairperson of Travel, Recreation and Conventions from 1991 to the present. Donato is also a New York State Driving Instructor and serves on the National Safety Council.

The name Vinny Donato is synonymous with that of Community Board 1 in Astoria. Donato has been a member of the board since its establishment in 1972, and has served as chairperson of Community Board 1 since 1976.

Donato was appointed a member of the Elmhurst Hospital Advisory Board in 1973 and served as chairman of the board from 1982 through 1984. He is also a current member of the Queens Museum Board of Trustees, a member of the Board of Directors at the Museum of the Moving Image, and the Board of Directors at the Astoria Civic Association, a board member of the Greater Astoria Historical Society and the Astoria Restoration Association, and is a longstanding member of the Astoria Heights Homeowners Association. Donato has also served on the Selective Service System, New York City Local Board 157 since 1991.

Donato has lived on 29th Street in Astoria for more than 60 years. He and his wife, Flora, married for 47 years, have one daughter, Donna. Friends and associates said Donato is never short of photos of his seven-year-old grandson, Antonio Vinicio, who he describes as his "little love." Vinny and Flora Donato also have more than a dozen nieces and nephews.

The travel bug bit Donato when he was a young man. He has traveled with his family to Europe, Canada and Mexico, but has settled on his vacation home in Hunter, New York, as his current "favorite place," friends said.

Friends also describe Donato as a "shopaholic" who is "lucky to live in the world's biggest shopping center-Astoria."

Linda Perno, chairman of the board of the Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis, expressed her thanks to Halvatzis, Alexiou and Donato for their dedication to the community. "We thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Perno said. The Astoria/Long Island City Kiwanis Club is community organization dedicated to serving those in need. The club currently provides scholarships, service and financial support to more than 25 events and organizations in Western Queens.