First-ever St. George’s Mediterranean Fest promises fun for all

Festival proceeds to benefit Heart Center of Niagara

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 18, 2005

Looking for something different to check out and help your neighbors in the Niagara community at the same time?

Members of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, a long-time presence in the City of Niagara Falls, now located on 1073 Saunders Settlement Road just outside Lewiston, have announced plans for its first ever Mediterranean Festival, coming up the weekend of July 15, 16 and 17 on the church grounds.

According to St. George’s pastor, the Rev. Paul Solberg and Rich Chown, Parish Council president, church officials teamed up with the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the new Heart Center of Niagara to present this affair as a tribute to its long-time pastor, the Very Rev. George Aswad.

“The inspiration for this joyous undertaking has been our very own Very. Rev. Father George Aswad,” said Solberg, who reports that Aswad marked his 40th year of service to the community this past May. “We are honored, proud and blessed to have him as our pastor emeritus.”

Solberg explained that the purpose for holding this festival was marked by the church’s desire to expand further out into the community. In past years they have been involved in a number of Falls community endeavors and a part of such Niagara attractions as the Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival. “Our desire to reach out ... has prompted an unprecedented decision regarding this new annual festival,” Solberg said.

He pointed out St. George’s shares a genuine love for Niagara and its residents, and this is reflected in its new partnership with Niagara Falls Memorial in presenting this festival. A portion of this year’s festival proceeds as well as those in future years will go directly towards supporting Memorial’s new Emergency department and Health Center -- both of which have taken the lead in the Niagara area in combating heart disease.

“We have a deep love and concern for the city that was so generous to our founding members and their families,” Solberg said. “We are dedicated to help improve the lives of the people here.”

Both Solberg and Chown point out the area’s unfortunate distinction of having very high heart disease rates relative to its low population numbers prompted St. George’s to take a stand to help combat this dreaded malady.

“Our family at St. George is plagued with heart disease,” Chown said in conversation earlier this week. “We have lost many, many of our beloved family members to it, and could do little else but pray and mourn our losses. Until now.”

That “now” is St. George’s first ever Mediterranean Festival. Likened to the ever-popular Greek Hellenic Festival presented by the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation and held each May on West Utica Street in Buffalo, visitors to the Mediterranean Fest next month can expect to experience Greek-Middle Eastern culture in full fashion.

On the menu that weekend will be an assortment of Greek and Middle eastern food offerings, along with pastries, beverages and more. Visitors can look forward to such items on the menu as souvlaki, falafel, hummus, tabouli, stuffed grape leaves, spinach pies, kibbee, along with an assortment of pastries and homemade breads.

That’s not all. There will also be a good variety of entertainment, music and dancing. Throw in a kids park, clothing and jewelry offerings a tea room, a weekend backgammon tournament, a beer tent and more, and you have what is shaping to be yet another good weekend event in Niagara.

Best of all, by attending it you will assist St. George’s in their partnership with Memorial to overcome and conquer heart disease.

“We believe that now we can take an active part in the fight against this foe that has taken so much from us,” said Solberg. “We believe that this is the beginning of a much-needed change for the better in Niagara Falls ... we pledge to support it.”

Announcing St. George’s intentions of pledging 10 percent of the profits from this inaugural event and all Mediterranean Festivals in future years to go towards Memorial’s Heart Center, Solberg closed by stating, “... You can help by supporting the festival, simply by coming down and joining in the fun, food and dancing. ... You can help by believing in our dedication to the community, and joining in our prayer that we can make this happen if we all believe that all things work together for those who love the Lord.”

For further information on the Mediterranean Fest, contact Solberg or Chown at 297-2668.