Romancing the Table for Charity

Romancing the Table for Charity
by Contributing Writer Elena Kerasiotis

Grosse Pointe, MI-
Daughters of Penelope Grand President Georgia Psichogios, Chicago, IL, visited District #10, Michigan, on Sunday, October 22, 2006 for the Fourth Annual Festival of Tables. President of Thamyris Chapter #272, Dorothea Williams, District Governor, Penny Khorraminia, and Festival of Tables Chairperson, Alexandra Moisides warmly welcomed their distinguished guest to the chapter's premiere fundraiser.
Grand President Georgia Psichogios and Past District Governor Liz Gianasmidis
Additional Photos Available in Malista Photo Gallery

Grand President, Georgia, toured the 30 elegantly designed table displays. Every table was decorated with a different theme, which ranged from "Hope for the Holidays" for Cancer Awareness, to "High Maintenance", a pink and brown confection which included chairs swathed in faux fur stoles.

As she viewed the tables, the Grand President met hostesses from throughout the Michigan District. District Governor Penny Khorraminia proudly advised that table Hostesses included, PDG, Elizabeth Gianasmidis, "Wedding Rhapsody," from Dares, Dearborn, MI; and Cleo Pasvant, and Peggy Collias, "Birds of Paradise" Doris Chapter, Bloomfield, MI. District level contributors included: PDG Elena Kerasiotis, "Malista.DOT.com," Lt. Governor, Olga Tecos, "Tuscany Sun," and MOA Advisor, Dori Daskas," Diamonds and Pearls."

Grand President Psichogios congratulated the committee Chair, Alexandra Moisides, and co-chairs, Dori Daskas and Elena Kerasiotis for the fantastic display of creativity with a purpose.

"I was so pleased to be able to attend this beautiful event hosted by the Daughters of Penelope of District #10 Michigan. Each table was so beautiful and artfully decorated, I couldn't take it all in at once, I had to revisit each table several times just to absorb the splendor of each one. The Sisters of District #10 all came together to work for a common cause, the Liggett Breast Center. It was also a pleasure to see two Chapters of the Maids of Athena of District #10 participating in this event. I applaud the efforts of the Committee, it's Chairman and especially the Sisters for their continued dedication to the Daughters of Penelope and it's support of women's issues."

Following a warm welcome extended to all by Chairman Sandy Moisides, who introduced Chapter, District and National dignitaries, as well as, committee members, and partnering support members from Liggett Breast Center, who provided guest gift bags, the group enjoyed a delicious holiday repast. During dinner, guests eagerly bid on Silent Auction items. Over 50 contributors participated in the auction and the chapter was extremely grateful for their generosity. Items included a handmade quilt donated by Nurse Navigator, Bernadine Sherwood, and an array of jewelry from Pat Scott Jewelers, as well as, high bid items, Rattle Run Golf Course VIP Tee passes and a framed Grosse Pointe collage donated by the Great Frame Up and artist, Elizabeth Carpenter.

Auction Chair, Connie Katikos, closed the auction shortly after dinner and the festivities proceeded with the modeling of designs offered by Jane Woodbury, located on Fisher Road in Grosse Pointe, MI. Models included: Katherine Agriostathis, Calli Duncan, Elena Kerasiotis, Penny Khorraminia, Marina Palmer, Genna Panagopoulos, Stephanie Sintaxis, Maria Tecos, Olga Tecos, Cindy Vickery, Nicole Bammel and Antonia Zitros.

In addition to participating in the Fashion Presentation, the Maids of Athena hosted two whimsical table displays. They included: the imaginative "First Date" complete with freshly kissed mirrors designed by Grosse Pointe's Tri-Beta Chapter, inspired by their highly successful "Date Auction" and the musically creative "Phantom of the Opera" presented by Anastasia Chapter, from Ann Arbor, MI.

Each dinner and viewing guest received a special commemorative program designed by Dorothea Williams, with graphics created by Tri-Beta Maid, Kristina Khorraminia. Remaining committee members included: Treasurer, Georgia Gianoplos, Hostess Coordinator, Mary Penz, Facilitator, Tina Joanides, Viewing Tickets, Penny Khorraminia, Legal Consultant and Calendars, Calli Duncan, Corinne Smith, Effie Pappas Gelhert, Kathy Livingston and Olga Tecos.

A well-stocked holiday gift boutique featured Chaundy Art Gallery, Jacobson's Alumni Association, 925 Designs, Déjà Vu Boutique, Northern Lights Jewelry and the Maids of Athena, who provided an assortment of hand made items. Featured Pianist for the evening was Charlotte Beach.

Tables and Hostesses

Flash in the Past - Geogia Gianoplos and Sylvia Lang
High Maintenance - Natalie Simon
Black Tie - Mary Anna Daskas and Stephanie Daskas
Pretty in Pink - Georgeanne LeDuc
Buddakan - Maria Cardasis-Malliaras
Twilight Garden - Connie Adamo (Connor Park Florist)
Thanksgiving - Marlene Harle
Malista.DOT.com - Elena Kerasiotis and Erasmia Novotny
Scottish Christmas - Mary Natschke and Susan Lockhart
Ribbons for Breast Cancer - Lillian Li, Arinda Mele and Kathy LaBash
First Date - Maids of Athena Tri-beta Chapter
Hope for the Holidays - Bernadine Sherwood, Mary Ruhana, and Carolyn Kaczmarek of Liggett Breast Center
An Affair to Remember - Maria and Ellena Gatzaros International Grand Ballroom
Diamonds and Pearls - Dori Daskas and Mary Penz
Phantom of the Opera - Maids of Athena Anastasia Chapter, Ann Arbor, MI
Christmas Holly - Sandy Moisides and Fran Georgeson
Island Hideaway - Charlene Morris
Tuscany Sun - Olga Tecos and Anna Kotopoulos Anoyiannakis
Renaissance - Corinne Smith, Deborah Calverley and Paula Tapert
Holiday Elegance - Joan Whitman
Reindeer Games - Calli Duncan and Ann Saurbier
One Enchanted Evening - Dorothy Troutman (At Last)
Experience the Safari - Cathy Livingston
Starlight Dinner - Christina Duceatt and Jean Ellery
The Art of Motion - Roxann Scotella (Bellyrox)
Winter Wonderland - Pat Brinker (The League Shop)
Wisteria Lane - Sandy and Genna Panagopoulos
Magnolian Gold - Roxann Scotella (Pat Scott Jewelry)
Birds of Paradise - Peggy Collias, Shirley Collias, and Cleo Pasvant
Wedding Rhapsody - Liz Gianasmidis

2007 calendars are now available for purchase at just $15.00, contact ekeras@aol.com.

Malista!