It's S-pita-cular!

Grand Governor, Christine Constantine, Chairman, Barbara Tecos, and "Pita Queen" Penny Khorraminia

First Annual Pita Queen Contest, S-pita-cular!
by Contributing Writer Elena Kerasiotis

Ann Arbor - the entire AHEPA Family congregated at their Annual Midyear Conference to share leadership, spirit and enthusiasm. Fun was in the air as members anticipated the selection of the district's first "Pita Queen." On hand for the festivities were Grand Governor Zone III, Christine Constantine, Chicago, IL.

District Governors, Tony Manolias and Penny Khorraminia opened the meeting, welcoming the large delegation with warmth and encouragement. St. Nicholas' Father Nicolaos Kotsis offered prayer for the health and well-being of the organization many philanthropic efforts and its members. Milton Gust, AHEPA District #10 Educational Foundation Executive Secretary, submitted a report from the successful fundraiser held in October featuring author Eleni Gage. He was pleased to advise the delegates present of a profit of over $30,000+ earmarked to provide the first scholarships to worthy College Level Hellenic American students of Michigan. District Governor Tony Manolias updated the group regarding a National AHEPA initiative to raise funds for Thalassimia, also known as, Cooley's Anemia. He advised that this genetically passed trait and blood disorder, is shared by many Hellenes and he recommended that the Michigan AHEPA Family adopt this relevant charity, as a joint philanthropy for the year 2006-2007. The groups separated to conduct business.

Grand Governor, Christine Constantine, introduced the fifty plus DOP delegates, to the Daughters newest membership effort, "Catch the Spirit, Share the Spirit, the Spirit of Penelope." Her words were inspiring and many possible membership recruitment techniques were discussed to assist the district in expansion efforts. Reports were given by each of the Chapter Presidents present, Peggy Collias, Doris, Fran Kontos, Daris, Perry Katsikas, Knossos, Alice Rentjos, PDG, Dryas, Susan Kallas, Iris, and Dorothea Williams, Thamyris. District Maids of Athena Advisor, Dori Daskas, was pleased to report the addition of a third chapter to the Maids, through the reactivation of the Terpsichore Chapter at Oakland University. She then assisted the Anastasia Chapter, Ann Arbor, President, Maxie Roumanis, and Maids members, Alexandra Penz and Maria Daskas, in the initiation of neophyte, Amalia Tolias. The initiation was moving, as the junior members of the order solemnly conducted the sacred ritual of sisterhood. All agreed that they are the future of the Daughters and the newest initiate was presented with a rose of appreciation and greeted with anticipation of her contribution to the group.

A wonderful luncheon provided by host chapter Ann Arbor, was served, then on to the business at hand, the First Annual District Pita Queen Contest! Chairman, Barbara Tecos, stepped forward to explain the procedure to be followed and nominated 5 judges to sample the pitas submitted, District Governor, Tony Manolias, President Kostas Butsikakis, Ann Arbor, Grand Governor Christine Constantine, Liana Golematis, Daris Chapter, and Peggy Collias, District Marshall and President of the Doris Chapter. Pita Queen participants included, Dori Daskas, Penny Khorraminia, Zoe Styloglou and Barbara Tecos. The generous participants had prepared a total of six succulent pitas for the judge's review, they included: Kreotopita, Kolokithopita, Tiropita, Prasopita, Caltsunakia with homemade filo, and Spanakopita. The judges deliberated seriously enjoying each morsel. The scores were tabulated and the results…drum roll please… In third for her tasty tiropeta, Dori Daskas, Second runner up, Zoe Styloglou for her perky prasopita, and the first "Pita Queen" District #10, Penny Khorraminia. The Pita Queen concept was developed by Chairman Barbara Tecos and held in conjunction with the Midyear Conference to boost attendance by offering attendees an opportunity to participate in a fundraiser that was different, challenging, and exciting, and it worked! Pitas were then sold for $1.00 a piece. Proceeds from pita sales were gleefully donated by the Daughters delegation as the first contribution to the District's joint philanthropy, Thalassimia. All agreed that the event was s-pita-cular!

Attached find the winning recipe so that you can judge for yourself.

Zucchini Pita Rolls

4 cups Zucchini grated (add ½ tsp of salt) and squeeze all excess water
1 cup Sugar
1½ tsp Nutmeg
1 Egg
¼ tsp Cinnamon
¼ lb Butter
¼ cup Oil
1 cup Corsely Chopped Walnuts
½ cup Fine Bread Crumbs

1lb Phyllo
½ lb Butter
½ cup Oil

½ cup Powdered Confectioners Sugar
½ tsp Cinnamon

Directions:

Mix together, the thoroughly drained and dried grated zucchini in a bowl with sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, bread crumbs, egg and melted butter and oil. Set aside.

Heat butter and oil, brush one half of each phyllo sheet with butter and fold other half over the buttered part. Brush surface on the phyllo and then place 2 - 3 tbsps of mixture on the phyllo and roll, twist into a coil (croissant shape) and repeat.

Place on buttered cookie sheet and bake 50 minutes - 1 hour at 350 until golden brown.

Dust with sifted Powdered Sugar and Cinnamon mixture.

Pitas can also be prepared with syrup prepared with 1 ½ cups water, 1 tbsp lemon, and 2 cups sugar boiled for 5 minutes. Syrup should be gently poured over the pitas until it is absorbed.

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