2012 BIG CASH RAFFLE Winners List Below:

$25,000   The Watts Family - Chicago

$10,000   Charles Donovan - Hammond

$5,000   Jerry Raderstorf - LaPorte

$1,000   Robert Thompson - Hobart

$1,000   Katie Vranjes - Crown Point

$1,000   Tom Mitchell - Fair Oaks

$500   Garry Mikolics

$500   Mike Janich

$500   William Paige - Merrillville

$500   Ray Radjenovich - Munster

$500   Sandi Lalich - Munster

$500   Donna Nicolich - Crown Point

$500   Mark Snyder - Hammond

$500   Michael Hayes - Sauk Village

$500   Marta Petrovic - Munster

$500   Steve Winarski - St. John

$1,000 Early Bird #2   Don Wheeler - Merrillville

$1,000 Early Bird #1   Cathy Delvalle - Merrillville

To honor their grandfather's memory, Sarah and Rachel Gerbick were asked to draw names for this year's raffle. Gordon Gerbick passed away since last year's festival. We will always remember him as a lifelong dedicated member of St. Sava who is truly missed. Gordon was always spotted at Serb Fest selling raffle tickets in his funny hat.

Zivio, Gordon, rest in peace.

In spite of the extreme hot weather, many parishioners attended the annual Serbian Day Memorial Service for General Draza Mihajlovich and other deceased members who served their country. After Divine Liturgy, a procession led the faithful to the new Legacy Tree for a short service. Special guests included Fr. Dragomir and Kristina Tuba from Akron, Ohio with their family, as they make their way to Phoenix to serve that parish. Young Lazo Knezic was in charge of the lamb and pig crew - great job, gentlemen! Thanks also to the Ajder family and Snezana for serving a delicious luncheon.

Violet Milanovich was remembered with a 40 Day Parastos when members returned into the church before the luncheon.

THIS SUNDAY, JULY 15TH, at the Serbian Day Celebration, the SECOND DRAWING for the EARLY-BIRD RAFFLE will be held in the south wing after the luncheon. It's a chance to win an extra $1000 Prize, plus your ticket will be re-entered into the drawing for the $25,000 Grand Prize and all other Prizes in the SERB FEST RAFFLE! Get your tickets soon from any church member, or contact Vinko Mancich, Mike Jaksich, or David Gerbick. Ticket price is $100. Good Luck! Winner need not be present.

Thank You to everyone who purchased a chance to win a "Smithsonian Prima" built by Milan Opacich. He spent many hours in his workshop crafting the prima, with the entire proceeds donated to the Serbian Historical Society. Sarah Gerbick pulled the winning ticket belonging to Mike Stoyshin from Canada. Congratulations, Mike!

Congratulations to the following lucky BIG CASH RAFFLE prize winners!

$25,000 - Terry White

$10,000 - Steve Shaban - Valparaiso

$5,000 - Peter Fleming - Crown Point

$1,000

Vasil Kolar - Portage

Edward Swike - Merrillville

Sasa Dimitrijevic - Munster

Mary Uzelac - St. Joseph, MI (Early Bird Drawing)

Milos Radjenovich (Early Bird Drawing)

$500

Sandy Shinovich, Schererville - Joe & Janice Orlich, Crown Point - Terry White - Jeff & Millie Griggs, Hobart - Aunt Sally's Rest., Calumet City, IL - D. Svilar/D. Pejnovic - Bill Schipani, San Francisco, CA - Joka Garcev, Crown Point - B. Berrier/J. Hornick, Merrillville - Lynn Svilar, Park Ridge, IL

This is your last chance to buy a chance to own a replica of the tamburitza PRIMA that  was displayed at the Smithsonian Exhibit "Old Ways In The New World" in Washington, D.C. Milan Opacich built the prima to raise funds for the Serbian Historical Society of St. Sava Church. Buy Raffle Tickets at the Tamburitza Spectacular Exhibit during Serb Fest, or at the food ticket tables, the Bar, or from any member of the Historical Society. Drawing will be held Sunday evening, August 7th during the BIG CASH RAFFLE Drawing. Good Luck!

Price: $5 each or 5 for $20. All proceeds benefit the Serbian Historical Society.

The final Grand Prize drawing will be held at Serb Fest on Sunday, August 8th. See any church board member to purchase your winning raffle ticket!

Congratulations to this year's winners of the Serb Fest 2010 Big Cash Raffle. We Thank everyone for buying a ticket and for your continued support. Your donations will help fund future building projects to improve our church grounds and facilities.

WINNERS LIST

$25,000

Gloria Georger, Lowell          (Lou Stefanovich)

$10,000

Moe Mantz, Hobart       (Ned Pujo)

$5,000

Jose Diaz, Chicago      (M. Janich)

$1,000

Larry Fegeras, Michigan City    (Ned Pujo)

Bob Fadell, Valparaiso      (Mijo Dukic)

Don Wheeler, Crown Point    (Vlad Stefanovic)

John Conley, Schererville     (Mijo Dukic)

Karen Kallok, Griffith [Early Bird] (Vinko Mancich)

$500

George Paras  N/A     (Dan Bozich)

Nick Pejnovich, S. Milwaukee, WI       (Mijo Dukic)

Dorothy Hoffman, Crown Point     (Nick Tarailo)

D. Bozich & T. Lopez  N/A     (Dan Bozich)

Bruce Berkman, Merrillville    (Gordon Gerbick)

Steve Ruzich, Munster     (J. Ivetic)

Rick Duncan, Lake Village     (Mike Jaksich)

David Bentley, Valparaiso     (Dan Bozich)

Stevan Andric, Chicago     (Zoran Andric)

Mary Uzelac, St. Joseph, MI     (Gordon Gerbick)

Special Thanks to raffle committee members and ticket sellers for all their efforts!

Thank You to Lake County Police Chief Marko Kuyacich for donating a large flat screen TV for our Sunday School Raffle.

Serb Fest Sunday will be full of non - stop music, dancing, and great food: cevaps, lamb, pig, raznicici, palachinke, and strudel. All this with a background of wonderful live Serbian music. You can even dance off those calories and start all over again. At 5:00 pm, the combined choirs of St. Sava and St. Elijah in Merrillville along with St. Peter & Paul from South Bend will perform a medley of Serbian Folk Songs, accompanied by tamburitza musicians. You won't want to miss this performance. Visit the historical exhibit in the north wing, featuring the Serbian Sisters Circle and Serbs in Sports. Bring the kids, there are plenty of activities for all age groups. Sunday Hours: Noon to 10 pm.

BIG CASH RAFFLE TICKETS can be purchased for the $25,000 Grand Prize, Total $50,000 Pay Out Raffle. Purchase tickets from any church member or at the food ticket tents for $100. We're very happy to see that Lucky Gordon Gerbick broke out of the hospital just in time to sell you a winning ticket wearing his lucky hat. Pictured below are National Treasures Gordon Gerbick and his buddy Milan Opacich. Visit Milan today in the north wing exhibit room (museum).

Get ready for the MAIN EVENT: SERB FEST 2010. Let's use our social networking tools to help get the word out. Simply copy this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83YFYOfB230

to an email or post to your Facebook videos to help get the word out. Invite all your friends and family for a weekend of great food, music, dancing, and Serbian culture. Welcome to Serb Fest 2010!

The Early Bird Drawing for our Big Serb Fest Raffle was held Sunday afternoon. Congratulations to Karen Kallok of Griffith, Indiana for the $1000 Prize, Ticket #294!

You'll have a chance to win the Big Money by purchasing a $100 ticket from any church member. Call the church office for  tickets at (219) 736-9191.

ST.  SAVA CHURCH

9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville
Cash Raf?e:
1st Prize: …………… $25,000
2nd Prize: …………… $10,000
3rd Prize : …………… $5,000
4th-7th Prize: ……… $1,000
8th-17th Prize: ………… $500
Prize:…………
EARLY BIRD RAFFLE OPPORTUNITY!
Early Bird Drawing is May 30, 2010
1:00 p.m. in the South Wing of Church
Payout for Early Bird Drawing = $1,000
Total Payout on Sunday, August 1 = $49,000
Early bird winner is eligible for ?nal drawing on
Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. during the Serb Fest.
219-736-9191
To purchase tickets call
Ticket cost: Donation of $100/ticket
Only 1000 tickets will be sold
Winner Need Not Be Present

Yes, Serb Fest now has a commercial!

Send this to all your Serbian friends and relatives, to friends who know Serbs, and to those who wish they were Serbs...........That's just about everyone, isn't it?

• To send this blog:

• Click on the blog title (permanent link)

• Copy the URL, paste it an email, and send to to all your friends.

Friends of Jovan and Mileva Savich are hosting a Gold Canyon Candle Sale and Fund Raiser to help with Jovan's on-going medical and care expenses. Please attend the event on Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Elijah Hall, 8700 Taft St., Merrillville. Free refreshments will be served and several items will be raffled. A Bake Sale has been added to the event as well. Donations are appreciated. Bring a friend or neighbor, everyone is welcome! If you cannot attend, place your order at Mileva's Gold Canyon website.

A brief description of Jovan's condition:   "Jovan's medical history cannot be accurately summarized in a few sentences.  However, we want to provide you with some information.  Jovan suffers from radiation necrosis from the Gamma Knife Treatment (for a cerebral hemorrhage he suffered on Nov 17, 1996).  In March of 2009, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and went in for a biopsy.  During surgery a huge cerebral bleed developed causing Jovan to stroke and have many serious complications.  Jovan needs extensive rehab and 24-hour medical care that may last years.   Your help will assist the family with the medical expenses and future care."

Cheryl and Mike Samardzija would like to Thank everyone who purchased a Raffle Ticket  for the Jeff Samardzija autographed items at Serb Fest. Almost $900 was raised in two days, and they are still a little short of reaching their goal. Mike walked the full 60 miles and Cheryl walked 45 miles at the "Breast Cancer 3-Day" Annual Walk. They started in Northbrook, Illinois, spent both nights at Oakton Community College, and ended the walk at Soldier Field.

Steve and Mary Watson were the lucky winners of the prima raffle at this year's Serb Fest at St. Sava. Steve and Mary own MINUTEMAN PRESS in Schererville, Indiana. For several years, they have helped print articles and photos at no cost, supporting our research. Congratulations to Steve and Mary!

Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN. 46410, Phone (219) 736-9191

Thursday, August 7^th, 2008

The Saint Sava Serb Fest Committee would like to thank everyone who supported this year's successful raffle.

Here is the 2008 Winner's list:

PRIZE TICKET# WINNER ADDRESS SELLER

(Due to privacy issues, amounts are not posted)

1^ST 985 Z. IVETIC HIGHLAND, IN. G. GERBICK

2^ND 941 M. JAKSICH MUNSTER, IN. M. JAKSICH

3^RD 084 M. RUDMAN VALPO, IN. M. RUDMAN

4^TH 620 M. PEYOVIC KIRKLAND, WA. E. SAMARDZIJA

5^TH 440 A. YANIZ MERRILLVILLE, IN. N. TARAILO

6^TH 841 D. CRIST ST. JOHN, IN. A. MILEUSNIC

7^TH 700 B. NICKOVICH CROWN POINT, IN. B. NICKOVICH

8^TH 893 G. TATALOVICH GARY, IN. G. GERBICK

9^TH 785 K. BOZICH MERRILLVILLE, IN. D. BOZICH

10^TH 062 R. RADJENOVICH MUNSTER, IN. N/A

11^TH 629 M. DJUKIC MERRILLVILLE, IN. V. STEVANOVICH

12^TH 087 S. LOFAY WHITING, IN. M. JAKSICH

13^TH 118 M. KLJACIC CROWN POINT, IN. N/A.

14^TH 610 R. FOREMAN INDIANAPOLIS, IN. V. STEVANOVICH

15^TH 767 T. TRIFUNOVIC HIGHLAND, IN. S. GLUMAC

16^TH 488 E. ZMIJA CHICAGO, IL. E. SAMARDZIJA

17^TH 666 N. TARAILO CROWN POINT, IN. N. TARAILO

18^TH 301 A. GALIC HIGHLAND, IN. S. GLUMAC

Once again, Lucky Gordon Gerbick sold the Winning Grand Prize Ticket!

If you were lucky enough to win one of the 13 signed items offered for this special raffle, then you own a piece of baseball history. This early time in Jeff Samardzija's professional career will be followed by many years of excitement and continued success. The following is a list of winners. Proceeds from this raffle hosted by Jeff's aunt and uncle, Cheryl and Mike Samardzija, will benefit the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket and to little Aleksa Culafic for drawing names.

This formula for fun works well as long as you attend St. Sava's Serb Fest. Bring your friends and family. The fun starts this Friday with the kick-off Golf Classic, followed by an evening of fabulous food and music. Each day, many live bands will entertain you. Sunday night's Big Raffle stirs up loads of excitement as the crowds gather for the drawing. Be sure to take in the Cultural Exhibit in the North Wing. You'll find wonderful themed displays created by our new Serbian Historical Society. Visit the Serbian Bakery in the South Wing for an unbelievable selection of homemade baked goods. There's at least one palachinka with your name on it!

Jeff Samardzija's Aunt and Uncle, Cheryl and Mike Samardzija, have been walking for the Breast Cancer Cause for 5 years now. This is the second year that Jeff has shown his support for The Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. Cheryl and Mike are hosting a RAFFLE: Jeff has signed T-Shirts, Banners, and Baseballs from Notre Dame, Daytona Cubs, and Chicago Cubs. This is your chance to win a piece of history! Show your support by purchasing a RAFFLE TICKET at this year's SERB FEST in the Cultural Display Area at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville, where the items will be ON DISPLAY. RAFFLE TICKETS are only $10, Winner need not be present. The Raffle Drawing will be held at Serb Fest on Saturday, August 2nd at 11 p.m. in the Main Tent. Remember, ALL ITEMS SIGNED BY JEFF SAMARDZIJA, the CHICAGO CUBS Newest Pitcher!

(Click photo to enlarge)

There's still time to purchase a Ticket for the BIG CASH RAFFLE! The Grand Prize is $25,000, 2nd Prize is $10,000, 3rd Prize is $5,000, 4th-8th Prize is $1,000, and 9th - 18th Prize is $500. Your Odds are great because only 1000 Tickets will be sold. The Drawing will be held Sunday Night, August 3rd, the last night of Serb Fest, so give one of the sellers a call for your ticket request. You can also buy Tickets at Serb Fest. Contact names are:

Mike Jaksich (219)972-1585

Gordon Gerbick (219)663-9188

Vinko Mancich (219)972-3252

Oh, and by the way, Gordon's the guy walking around in the stylish hat!

This is your last chance to win a hand - crafted Tamburitza Prima, made and donated by Milan Opacich for this year's final Serb Fest Raffle. Koa wood was imported from Hawaii and used for this special last prima. Ticket requests can be mailed to Milan Opacich, 2255 Robinhood Blvd., Schererville, IN 46375, or call Dorothy (219)613-6133 for tickets. Checks can be made to: Serbian Historical Society or St. Sava Church. Perhaps you'll be the lucky winner of this beautiful heirloom. Tickets are $5 Each, or 5 for $20. Pictured below is last year's prima - Milan's still building this year's prima.

Northwest Indiana's most popular ethnic festival will be moved to St. Sava's Church Grounds at 9191 Mississippi Street this year, and for all future festivals. The 49th Avenue Hobart location is permanently closed. You'll be treated to continuous live Music for dancing, excellent Serbian Food and Pastries, and a Cultural Display unique to any other festival. You just can't beat the variety of great Serbian Food; Cevaps (Serbian Sausages), Bar-B-Q Lamb, Raznici (Shish-kebob), Palachinke (Serbian Crepes), Nut Rolls, Krofne, Strudels, and pastries made by the Sisters. This is the festival you won't want to miss! Great Food, Great Music, Biggest Cash Raffle, Great Friends - Don't miss it!

Enjoy some photos from last year's festival. (Click photo to enlarge)