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By Jill Brown

The St. Spyridon Church Greek Food Festival, held at 119 St. Spyridon Lane in Monessen, was a fun weekend event, taking place on Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20, 2016, from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. At the annual event, people came together for good food, lively dancing, music and over 50 years of memories.

“Panigiri,” the Greek band at the festival, held everyone’s attention.

Nikki Mornak, coordinator of festival functions, said, “We worship together; then we have one common goal. This is one thing we love to do most—cook. [The parish] has been doing this for a very long time.” According to the other dedicated lady volunteers, the church has been holding this event for over 50 years, since all the different churches would get together to hold this as one event.

A food favorite at the festival was the gyro (rotisserie cooked gyro meat piled high on warm pita bread and topped with lettuce, etc.). George Apodiakos is credited for the gyros. He resides in Belle Vernon and has a restaurant, “By George.” Also delicious are loukomades (fluffy honey puffs served warm with syrup). The rest of the food on the menu was fantastic as well.

The festival featured a band both evenings at 6 p.m. featuring “Panigiri,” who played all Greek music designed to get people up and dancing. There were wonderful performances later in the evening by the St. Spyridon Greek dancers, too.

St. Spyridon Staff

Mornak noted that with the Willow Room closing, the St. Spyridon Hellenic Center Hall is available 7 days a week for weddings, parties, and business functions. It can also accommodate a nice-sized business meeting. They are an experienced, hard-working group of women on staff. So too, their fresh vegetables come from Mr. Joe Fafalios, who owns an excellent farm. Mornak said of the hall, “The food is awesome and the place is nice.” To see the hall, visit their Facebook site. For information on renting the hall, call 724-684-4841.

The festival was a great opportunity for people to come together and also made Very Rev. Joseph Cervo, new to the parish as of July, feel welcome!

In the photo at right: Festival church staff members Angel Temoshenka-kitchen worker, Annette Kubitza - kitchen manager, Tommie Kostko - director of women’s auxillary, Nikki Mornak- coordinator, and Stephanie Buddle - church treasurer.

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