COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Carol Panagi is the founder of the Douglaston Village Arts Festival, a local arts festival whose goal is to bring the community of Queens together for a day of art and fun; the next festival will be on September 25. Panagi is also part of the LDC (Local Development Corporation) a nonprofit organization created to better the appearance of Douglaston. She is also the secretary for the Kalavasos Fraternity, a community where Greeks can be around their own culture and people. Panagi was on the PTA for all of her children’s schools. As a true believer in the arts, she also started the art program at Bayside’s local elementary school, P.S. 41.
PERSONAL: Panagi will be celebrating her 24th anniversary with her husband Abe on July 10. They have three children together – Daria, 21, Georgia, 17 and Angeline, 11.
In her spare time, she likes to express her artistic creativity by painting and making stained glass. Her favorite pastime is collecting antiques.
OCCUPATION: A trained French chief and an interior designer, Panagi is currently helping a friend run her dry cleaning business by doing clothing alterations. From time to time she also stages homes.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “My biggest challenge is keeping up with the everyday demands of life like taking care of my family and my household.”
FAVORITE MEMORY: “My fondest memory would have to be the day I gave birth to each of my children.”
INSPIRATION: “I gain inspiration from all of the nature around me.”
