GREEKTOWN’S MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER, APRIL 27, 2007

The Greektown Merchants Association’s annual fundraiser at the Atheneum Hotel was a sellout.  And for good reason: the combination of great Greektown food, all donated by Greektown restaurants, Greek music by Enigma and the expected comradery of the Greek community made the affair a ‘can’t miss’, not only for the Association, but for all friends of Greektown.

Just prior to the event we were fortunate enough to meet up with Elena Kerasiotis, whose mission (as she tells it) is ‘to keep the Greek thing going.’  A court administrator by day, she’s also a talented writer whose feature stories in Malista and other Greek American publications makes her, in many ways, the voice of Greeks in Detroit.  She squired us through the event, keeping us up to date not only Greek American activities throughout the city, but her own fascinating story: we’ll look forward to interviewing her Spartan husband, a marathon-running doctor of physical therapy, who seems to personify the sort of Greek ideals that have become synonymous with discipline, loyalty and strength—partially as a result of the recent blockbuster 300.

Another vital hook up during the evening was with Dr. Steve Georgiou, President of Greektown Merchants Association.  The congenial medico, whose specialty is internal medicine at St. Joseph’s in Clinton Township, also owns Olympia Restaurant—top spot in ‘the Alley’ for Souvlaki, gyros, lamb chops, grape leaves and mousaka.  The progeny of a Cypriot father and a Samian mom (from the beautiful island of Samos), Dr. Steve is an eloquent spokesman for the twin passion of Greeks: education and the good life of Greek cuisine.