Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 3, 1995 TAG: 9511030025
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
You've seen one too many mud-slinging TV commercials; read one too many endorsements; heard one too many false accusations.
You imagine yourself on an exotic vacation. How about Greece? There's music, dancing. And, of course, the food.
Even if you can't afford a trip to the Aegean, you can get a taste of it Sunday at ``Holiday in Athens'' at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
For two decades now, the congregation has been sponsoring an authentic Greek dinner as a fund-raiser for charity and its own capital improvements budget, according to Maria Apostolou, co-chairman of this year's event with her husband, Greg.
The event alternates between a full-fledged Sunday afternoon dinner and a weekday luncheon, Apostolou said.
Only 1,500 tickets, which cost $12.50, are available for Sunday's noon until 7 p.m. feast. A few tickets were expected to remain today. Information is available by calling 362-3601.
On the menu this year are:
Salata Elliniki, Greek salad; souvlaki, beef-ka-bob made with marinated tenderloin served over rice pilaf; pastichio, layers of macaroni, ground beef and cheese with a cream sauce; fasoulakia, Grecian-style green beans; spanakopita, spinach pie with herbs and feta cheese; and baklava,, the most famous Greek flaky pastry.
Congregants, who include several area restaurateurs, prepare the meals, Apostolou said. ``Everything is homemade by us.''
There also will be a selection of Greek pastries, including breads, baklava, koulouria, Kouramiedes, and frozen tiropitas, for the annual bake sale sponsored by the women's philanthropic organization, Philoptochos.
And the atmosphere will be completed with performances by a Norfolk-based Greek dancing troupe who will perform every 45 minutes, Apostolou said. ``This is a great way to get the flair of Greece.''
While the event is the only fund-raiser of the year for the church, besides congregants' offerings, the congregation also wants to share the proceeds with the community, Apostolou said. Last year, the Bradley Free Clinic was the beneficiary. This year, a percentage of the profits will be donated to a Habitat for Humanity project. A coaltion of six Williamson Road-area churches is planning to build a Habitat home for the working poor in 1996.
The church is at 30 Huntington Boulevard N.W., off Williamson Road.
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