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Annual Greek festival celebrates food, culture, friends February 11, 2007

Ten minutes before the start of the 23rd annual Greek Glendi on Thursday, Kosta Koutelias arranged replicas of ancient Greek art on a table covered with a white cloth.

Visitors already were entering the roped-off areas set aside for the Greek festival held on the grounds of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, and Koutelias wanted to make sure he was ready for them. Some headed straight for the food, while others chose to check out the Greek marketplace, or agora, first. Koutelias set vases, bronze figurines, wall hangings and other pieces on the table, which was under a huge white tent in front of the church on North Lockwood Ridge Road.

His is one of about 20 booths featured at the four-day festival, which celebrates everything Greek: music, folk dancing and food. There’s even a special children’s area with games and activities for kids. Not far away from Koutelias’ booth, visitors sorted through items in Yiayia’s Attic, which resembled a flea market with finds that included books, dishes and children’s toys.

Carol and Bill Pierskalla admired silver jewelry in the agora, but what they really were looking forward to was the food. The couple have visited Greek Glendi every year for three years, and when asked about their favorite Greek food, the two looked at each other and said in unison, “The lamb.” With the smells filling the air, it was no wonder the Pierskallas had Greek food on their minds. The aromas of lamb shanks, shish kebabs and other dishes mixed in the air and wafted into the church, which was open for viewing and tours.

Inside, church sexton John Olenick answered visitors’ questions about the church, which has a ceiling dome with windows that seem to stretch to heaven. Olenick tries to answer questions, he emphasized with a smile, but there was one thing he knew for sure: “All I know is, the lamb shank is delicious.”

Back on the church grounds, the Peter Lambropoulos Band played for the crowd as a dozen or so festival-goers enjoyed an early lunch. Besides the traditional Greek dishes, Greek pastries, cookies and candies were available in the agora.

The bakaliko booth, or Greek grocery store, offered quite a spread, all of which was imported from Greece. There was coffee, tea, fruit juice, olive oil, tahini, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts, grape leaves, feta cheese and more. There was even the red dye that traditional Greek families use to dye Easter eggs.

This is Denise Chimbos’ first year working in the bakaliko, but she chaired the entire festival for three years. “It’s nice sharing our culture with everyone,” she said. “The nice part is we can share it with the community and help the church at the same time.”

Greek Glendi is a fundraiser for the church, and proceeds go toward expansions or renovations. Koutelias, the vendor of Greek art replicas, also likes meeting fellow Greeks and sharing his heritage with interested members of the community. With a heavy Greek accent, he said people will stop at his table and listen to him talk about the history behind his pieces, some of which date back to 1500 B.C. “It’s a very nice place ’cause you meet lots of Greek people,” Koutelias said. “But everyone’s nice, really.”

Greek Festival in Port Charlotte February 11, 2007

Advance about Greek Fest ’07, hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Port Charlotte. The 14th annual event displays Greek culture, and will begin on Friday, February 16 and finish on Sunday.

Greek Fest is back for the 14th year at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Port Charlotte. Greek Fest ’07 will be held February 16-18 at the church, 24411 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte.

“What we do is present a wide assortment of Greek foods and pastries, dancers and vendors, and a lot of stuff,” said George Sklom, secretary and handyman with the Church. “We try to bring our Greek culture in front of people. Plus, there’s the opportunity to get some really, really good food.” Sklom said the Greek Fest utilizes local restaurant cooks and chefs.

The fest features church tours, food and pastry, a carnival and rides, a raffle, Greek wine and beer, and a live Greek band.

The Pride of Greece Youth Dancers Exhibition will be held at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

“You can come out and see what all is available,” he said. “It allows you to experience the Greek culture.”

The Greek fest will be at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 24411 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. A $2 donation is requested. For more information, call 941-629-3888.