Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Bishop Katre to leave Las Vegas for new position

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 31, 2002 | 8:26 a.m.

Few leaders are given the bittersweet farewell granted his Grace Bishop Ilia Katre by the community of St. John Greek Orthodox Church.

Having served the Las Vegas community for 14 years, Bishop Katre was honored for his dedicated leadership and humanity by his recent elevation to Titular Bishop of Philomelion to lead the Albanian Orthodox Church of America. He will divide his time between Albania and sites in the United States.

The ordination ceremonies took place in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 12, with special blessings of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bathlomew. Bishop Katre was further recognized by President Bush during a July meeting of Orthodox leaders at the White House.

Present for a splendid dinner and program July 20 at The Orleans was his mentor Metropolitan Anthony, presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of San Francisco, as well as longtime friends and colleagues Archpriest Paul J. Eyler and Reverend Protopresbyter Constantine J. Raptis, both of Las Vegas.

Leading the program was attorney Gus Flangas, parish council president of the St. John Greek Orthodox community, who praised the efforts of dinner coordinators Helen Stock, Nick Salon and John Mihopulos.

Among those bidding Bishop Katre farewell was Dora Hart, president of the Philoptohos Society, a philanthropic organization of Orthodox church women. Joining Hart was emcee Sue Manteris, as well as Rep. Shelley Berkley and Sen. Harry Reid with his wife Landra.

Also attending were parish- ioners Cheryl Pandelis, David and Elena Madsen with Elena's parents Lincoln and Helen Stock, Michael Dudunakis, Alice Kupke, Nadia Gamblin, John Curtas and Eileen Eyler. Dr. Alex Sparkuhl, attending with his wife Paula, was seen taking photos of guests Trudi Von Tobel with Albert Flangas, Art Manteris, Ed and Penny Prud- homme, Stavros Anthony, Dr. Larry Lehrner and Yvonne Raptis.

Taking a supportive role in the dinner gathering were longtime parishioners Bill and Marilyn Flangas with son Dr. Gary Flangas, his wife Amanda and their daughter-in-law Tammy Flangas, wife to son Gus Flangas.

Bishop Katre, who led the church community in efforts to construct a new church near West Hacienda and Rainbow, will remain in Las Vegas through November to oversee completion of a community center and administrative building. He will continue with his rural outreach ministry to the Orthodox community living near Ely as well. His successor, Father John Hrandis of the Seattle Diocese, will arrive in September.

Great Shakes

Once more the magic of the Utah Shakespearean Festival proves an irresitible lure for Southern Nevadans. Now in its 41st season, the festival has even greater depth and riches, providing theatre-goers with an innovative blend of traditional Shakespeare productions plus modern selections in a six-play, three-day rotation.

My recent trip to the festival on the cool campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City was shared with Cari Vlaming, Mikel Cortez and Helen Sax, all drama teachers enrolled in the festival's educational programs, where they enjoyed backstage tours, time with the actors and intriguing visits to the costume and prop shops.

Their visit coincided with the Shakespeare Showcase coordinated by Michael Don Bahr, educational director, where elementary and middle school participants included a 13-member drama ensemble led by Cari Leary, third grade teacher at Lummis Elementary School in Summerlin. Her students, charmingly costumed and always ready with their lines, performed scenes from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in a rustic reproduction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

In the audience for the children's performance, as well as those by professional actors, were Las Vegas residents Connie Porray, Gene Dannen, Gloria Lee with Eileen Horn and David Ayres, as well as Carol and Bob Spinelli, who divide their time between homes in Las Vegas and Cedar City.

Appearing in professional roles for the festival's 2002 season are Las Vegas residents Phil Hubbard, who heads the Masters of Fine Arts acting program for UNLV, Chad Ryan, son of Doug and Maureen Baker and a second generation festival performer, and Melinda Pfundsein, who appears in the season's runaway hit "Man of La Mancha."

Tickets and details for remaining performances at the Utah Shakespearean Festival are available by calling (800) PLAYTIX.

Playing house

Calling all creative individuals, businesses and civic organizations: Endeavor is now accepting applications for Playhouse 2002 builders.

Those who wish to build playhouses for Playhouse 2002 Goes Under The Sea, a charitable dinner gala slated for Oct. 12 at The Mirage, should contact Angie Wallin at 870-7050, Ext. 26.

The special playhouses offered for auction each year at this event are magnificent, elaborate and certain to catch the fancy of every child with their elaborate themes, furnishings and even costumes to enhance the mood of the tiny structures.

Participating builders to date include Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects, Bellagio, Luxor, Cox Communications and Greystone Homes as well as Nellis Air Force Base, Pulte Homes and Southwest Gas.

Working as teams, the homes are designed, constructed and finished to perfection by supportive businesses or individuals who realize the importance of supporting Nevada's only licensed special-needs childcare facility.

Proceeds from the playhouse auction support services provided by Endeavor, formerly known as Nevada Association of the Handicapped. Endeavor, with facilities at 6200 W. Oakey Blvd., is a nonprofit agency serving the disabled in the community with employment training and services, vocational training and assessment, family support services, respite services and a full range of supported/assisted living programs.

Funding is provided through public and private sources including the annual Playhouse dinner gala.