Sixth Reunion Photo Album

Sixth Reunion Of
Assyrian School Kirkuk
July 2-4, 2006
Illinois and Wisconsin – U.S.A.

I. CHICAGO, SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2006

A Get Together Dinner/Dance Party took place at the Hanging Gardens in River Grove, Illinois until around 03:00 Monday morning with our gratitude’s to the owners of the Hanging Gardens Joe and Ginger Kamber for their continuous generosity.

A special thank you to His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa the Metropolitan of Iraq in particular and to all the 250 guests in general, more attendance was expected, but due to the July’s holiday and a few sad-full events occurred in some of our members in Illinois, with our sympathy. Also we are grateful from all those from out-of-State/Overseas who did not make it, but were so kind in sending their kind donations, their names as well were printed in our famous (2006) Guest Directory/Ad Book.

The Hanging Gardens Banquet was beautifully decorated and on each table there was a plate of delicious Baklava as well as various kinds of Mediterranean appetizers and wine. Also a nice location was made available for the 15 display-boards that featured old pictures dating back to 1931, as well as some from previous reunions.

The M.C. Shamasha Youarish Bet Qashisha announced all to stand for a holy prayer by His Beatitude Mar Gewargis followed by one minute’s ovation in honor of all Assyrian martyrs.

The Celebration started as follows:

1. The American National Anthem chanted by a very young (sweet) girl Mernia Bazi; (Mernia is daughter of Raabi Odete and Dr. Sargon Bazi (Great Grand son of Nana Meranie) the famous and professional mid-wife for many decades in Kirkuk.

2. The Assyrian National Anthem “Roosh Jwanqa” was beautifully chanted by Mr. Sunny Ibrahim of Assyrian American Association in Chicago.

3. Welcome Speech by Mr. Awisha Z. Lazar, the Reunion Organizer.

4. A Great Speech was delivered by the Guest of Honor, His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa who in his speech mentioned the completion of the new Assyrian School in Kirkuk and another one under construction besides St. Mary’s church in Naeria Qaiara Baghdad. Also in his speech he acknowledged the receipt of a check from the reunion (Awisha Lazar) for the amount of US$12,000.00 to be used for computers, etc. in the newly built school.

5. Immediately after his speech, His Beatitude did bless and cut a special cake that was prepared in honor of the Six Reunion anniversary.

6. A special tastefully dinner was prepared by Mr. Daniel Sarkiss the professional ‘Chef’ of the Hanging Gardens. The Dinner menu consisted of:

a) Cream of Chicken Soup
b) Vegetarian Soup
c) Assyrian Salad
d) Roasted Chicken OR Fish
e) Beef Shew-Erma
f) Rice Pilaf prepared with ‘Hanging Gardens Mediterranean Seasonings
g) Seasoned Roast Potato
h) Mixed Californian Vegetables
i) Red Wine
j) Coffee and Tea
k) French Vanilla Ice Cream with Amaretto Topping.

7. During Dinner, Slides of old school pictures prepared by His Beatitude were presented on a Screen by Rev. Antoine Lachin.

8. Speaker of the Night was Raabi Sargon Sapper, who so splendidly delivered his speech that almost covered all aspects that the guests were eagerly listening to, well done Raabi!

9. Song ‘Zegge Khelie – Sweet Bells’ (A more than six decades old song written and composed by Raabi Gibraiel Babilla) was chanted by the same sweet girl ‘Mernia.’

10. Last Speaker was a guest from California, Mr. David Yousif, Writer and Author of “End of Saddam,” “Murderer Since He Was Born” and more than a dozen other books in Arabic. Email: doodooshka@yahoo.com - Tel.: 818-731-8654.

11. His Beatitude Mar Gewargis Sliwa was honored with the first ‘Medal of the Night’ for accepting the invitation to attend the Reunion, meanwhile H.B. was requested to kindly present Medals to: Attorney Miss Carmen E. Asker (U.A.E.,) Mrs. Luba Sheeno (Spain,) Mr. Antoine Sapar (California,) Sh. Moshe Sarkis (Canada,) and from Illinois were: Mrs. Shamiram Zechariah, Dr. Sargon Bazi, Mr. John Moshe, Mr. Norman D. Israel and Mr. Emmanuel Dinkha.

12. Raffle Tickets were drawn and the winners were:
The First and the expensive prize of a Hand-Engraved wooden “Mar Gewargis – Saint George” Picture (by Mr. Romeo Mirza) went to Ms. Doris Younan, followed by Mr. Haroon Mattey (Canada,) Mrs. Mariya Sliwa, Miss Janet Katene, all prizes, but the Mar Gewargis one, were donated by Raabi Youlia Barouta, Raabi Odete Bazi, Mrs. Virginia Marcus and Mrs. Mariya Sliwa.

13. Guest Directory/Ad Book, T-Shirts and Medals were specially prepared for the occasion. The sale of the ‘Books’ and ‘T-Shirts’ were taken care of by two beloved sisters, i.e. the last Principal of the Assyrian School Raabi Youlia Barouta and her sister Raabi Nelly Younan, you both did a marvelous job.

14. Also gratitude’s go to the door control persons: Mrs. Mariya Sliwa, Mr. Romeo Mirza, Mrs. Virginia Marcus, Raabi Odete Bazi, (guest from Dubai) Attorney Miss Carmen Asker and Dory Yalda.

15. ASSYRIAN BREAKFAST BUFFET: prepared and donated by our beautiful Ladies: Mariya Sliwa, Younia Mirza, Virginia Marcus, Youlia Barouta, Haikanoosh Lazar, Dorothy Yalda and Hanging Gardens. The Breakfast menu consisted of:

a. Assyrian Buried Cheese (from Arabello)
b. Cream (from Nineveh)
c. Qurushta - Gaimar (from Karkha D’beth Slokh (Arrapha-Kirkuk)
d. Assyrian Assorted Miniature Pastries and Cookies
e. Fresh Kadeh
f. Assyrian Bread by Hanging Gardens
g. Tea and Coffee.

16. While the Breakfast was served, the groundbreakers did not give up dancing on the tunes of the entertainer Mr. Isam Behnam and band until after 02:00 Mon-day morning.

II. LAKE GENEVA (WISCONSIN,) MONDAY, JULY 3,2006

At 10:30: A Midwest Motorcoach driven by Mr. Jeff Hankins, followed by some private cars did leave the Assyrian Social Club to Lake Geneva (Wisconsin.) Lunch was pre-arranged at the “Popeye’s On The Lake,” some others had their lunch at other different restaurants. Unfortunately a few missed the trip.

b. At the Lake some took cruises, others especially (our beloved ladies) began shopping for souvenirs, and some others did stretch their legs around the Lake site seeing the famous huge mansions. The weather was wonderful ‘partly cloudy.’

c. Those used the Bus to and from Wisconsin did enjoy a lot, singing and dancing, as well there were some Assyrian C.Ds played.

d. The Bus returned to the Assyrian Social Club at around 8:00 evening and everybody arrived home safe and happy.

III DOWN TOWN CHICAGO, TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2006

Few Guests were lucky enough to have the chance in visiting: the Sears Tower (the tallest building in the United States,) Navy Pier, The Museum (Assyrian Section,) etc.

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Video by ‘Elina’s Video Production’ Mr. James Eramia, Professional Digital Videographer.

Professional Camera Man, Mr. Waltin William who again volunteered all out of kindness in covering the Reunion with his beautiful shots, Mr. William your service is greatly appreciated.

Thanks everybody, and may the Lord bless you and bless Assyrians all around the world, especially those brothers and sisters back home.

Take care until we meet again!

Awisha Z. Lazar