Salem residents serve as longtime Lebanese Festival contributors

posted on: May 13, 2015

Sometimes it seems like the Lebanese Festival should be called the Salem/St. Elias Lebanese Festival because of the many Salem residents involved in creating this popular annual event.
Renee Turk, co-chair of the festival, lives in Salem with her husband, David. She’s been active in the festival since its beginning 17 years ago, and David and their three children, Michael, Daniel and Rachel, have been right there working alongside them all those years. Renee has previously served as co-chair of the kitchen and chairperson of marketing, among other responsibilities.
She’s not alone. Renee is quick to give credit to many other Salem residents, such as Sam and Dawn Silek, who chaired the festival for 10 years and whose two sons have long been actively involved. Mandy Tolano, the St. Elias office manager, and her husband, Joe Moses, have helped keep things running since the festival began. Ed and Judy Aesy have been involved in price shopping, ordering food and supplies and preparing their family recipe for the 1,280 lbs. of lamb and green beans, a staple on the festival menu. Others from Salem include Roger and Antionette Chahine, whose four children have performed for years as dancers with the youth dance troupe.
This year’s Lebanese Festival at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 4730 Cove Road, runs from May 29 to 31, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
It features Lebanese food, like grilled lamb and beef kabobs, hummus and baklaweh, plus traditional folk dancing in full costume, live Lebanese music, tours of the church and children’s games. Admission and parking are free; there’s a moderate charge for food and children’s activities. Takeout is available for food orders and some food items are available frozen in bulk to take home. It’s great family fun, so all Salemites should mark their calendars for the festival.
For more information, contact Renee Turk at 293-4011 or go to www.steliaschurch.org.

Source: www.roanoke.com