St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church

Current News Article from Buffalo News on Mediterranean Festival 2008

Niagara Frontier Publication

National tragedy demonstrates importance of local event

by Jim Burton
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, July 3, 2008
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, July 5, 2008

 

http://www.wnypapers.com/news/2008/07/ts3_medfest.htm

 

Photos by Dave Young

 

LEWISTON

A Mediterranean twist on fair treats

By Nancy A. Fischer - NEWS NIAGARA BUREAU
Updated: 07/11/08 6:42 AM

LEWISTON — Most don’t expect to munch on heart-healthy food at a summer festival, but that’s not the case at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church’s Mediterranean Festival.

The fourth annual festival runs today through Sunday on the church grounds, 1073 Saunders Settlement Road, near Military Road.

But with Buffalo and Niagara County holding a dubious distinction as a leader in heart disease patients, the festival has also become an important cause for church members.

A portion of festival proceeds will go to the Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital Heart Center and to Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center.

Church members taking a break from stuffing grape leaves to talk to The Buffalo News said that olive oil, vegetables and whole grains, some meat and lots of fresh foods are a big part of the Mediterranean diet.

Gayle Fadel, the church’s lead baker for the pastry booth, praised the Mediterranean diet, healthy except for the desserts.

“But even desserts are OK when they are eaten in moderation,” said church member Judith Mokhiber.

“One of the healthiest dishes is the tabouleh,” an Arabic salad which consists of bulgar, parsley, mint, scallion and other herbs with lemon juice and olive oil, Fadel said. “Our version is packed with parsley, fresh parsley.”

Other dishes include gyros, homemade pita bread, souvlaki, falafel, hummus, spinach pies and kibbee.

Desserts available will include baklava, ajwee, melomakarona, khourabiethes, koulouraki and macaroons.

“It’s not junk food fare,” said Mokhiber, adding that with ingredients that include nuts and chick peas, these dishes appeal to vegetarians. Meat will be removed from any dish if people ask.

“Get a sample platter and try everything,” suggested the Rev. Paul Solberg, church pastor.

Solberg said the festival began as a way to preserve some of the Lebanese and Greek heritage of the Antiochian church, but also to raise awareness of the Niagara Falls Memorial Heart Center, which was being built when the festival began.

Solberg, who is of Scandanavian background, said members of the church vary in ethnic heritage, especially new members, but that preserving the Mediterranean heritage was very important to them.

“There was a sense [of losing our culture]. We wanted to embrace it and share it with a broader cross section of the community,” he said.

In addition to church tours, the festival will also include raffles, auctions, vendors and a children’s village with rides and activities.

The opening ceremonies of the festival begin at 5 p. m. today and the event runs until 11 p. m.; the fun continues from 11 a. m. to 11 p. m. Saturday and noon to 7 p. m. Sunday.

nfischer@buffnews.com