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!

Visit a great blog site and check the bio of Barbara Rolek, Eastern European Food expert. She is an award-winning writer, editor, and restaurant and food critic. She surely enjoyed her visit to this year's Serb Fest, and we are definitely sending her a Serbian Sisters Cook Book. Read about her Serb Fest experience titled Serbians Know How To Party at About.com. See you next year, Barbara!

Thanks to all our Sponsors for their generous support at this year's 14th Annual Serb Fest Kick-Off Golf Classic. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed great Serbian food and music at the luncheon. Be sure to patronize our Sponsors whenever possible.

The Sponsor signs were also displayed during the entire 3-day Serb Fest event and viewed by thousands, so keep us in mind for next year's Sponsorship Drive.

Re-live the fun at this year's Serb Fest, Northwest Indiana's best ethnic festival. If you missed this year's event, visit us next year, always the first weekend in August. This annual fund raiser will help build facilities for future festivals and events on the Church grounds in Merrillville. Serb Fest is staffed by dedicated volunteers of all ages. The first day is always kicked off with the Golf Classic, followed by a Serbian Buffet, and the evening is filled with music, dancing, and of course, more great Serbian food. This 3-day event includes a Big Cash Raffle with a $25,000 Grand Prize, many live bands, and a Cultural Exhibit. Serb Fest Menu includes BBQ Lamb, Cevaps, Raznici, Sarma, Chicken, Palachinke, Krofne, Nut Rolls, Strudels of many flavors, and the fabulous Serbian Bakery! See you next year! Watch all 3 Slideshows in the VIDEO section to your right.

Helpful Hint: You can double-click on the arrow, go directly to YouTube, RE-START, and click on HIGH QUALITY for a better picture.

For twelve consecutive years, Dave and Beverly Suban have traveled from Tallahassee, Florida to help at Serb Fest. Lt. Colonel Dave is retired after 32 years active duty with the United States Air Force, 10 years civilian with Special Operations, and is a member of St. Sava Church. Together Beverly and Dave cheerfully average about 60 hours of service during Serb Fest each year, a donation of their time that is greatly appreciated. They have also contributed several items to our new museum, all family heirlooms. Dave's grandfather was the #2 man hired to help build the steel mills in the early 1900's, when there was nothing there but sand dunes and tall grass. St. Sava Church is extremely grateful for friends like Dave and Beverly!

The Serbian Historical Society put on a large display during Serb Fest, featuring many popular themes. Serbs in the U. S. Armed Forces, Serbs as Chetniks, Serbs in Sports, St. Varnava, St. Sava Church Old and New, Nikola Tesla, and many other themes filled the large room in the north wing. Hundreds viewed the exhibit each day, and even returned several times to take in more information. This is the third year that Serb Fest has hosted a cultural display, and has become unique to St. Sava Church. The Serbian Historical Society would like to Thank everyone who has donated or loaned items and photos of interest to their collection. In the future, you will see many more themed exhibits. (Click photos to enlarge)

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!

Everyone had a great time. The food was outstanding, the palachinka lines were long, the pivo taps were working non-stop, and Thanks to all the hard-working Volunteers, Serb Fest 2008 was a successful new beginning for St. Sava Church. Non-stop music kept everyone dancing. Saturday night's highlight was hearing all the young voices singing "Djurdjevdan" with "Sumadija" Orchestra in the moonlight with the lighted domes of the church behind them. Positive remarks from the public were focused on being impressed with the number of workers of all ages, and the friendliness and hospitality they were shown. Check back daily for more info and photos from Serb Fest.

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St. Sava Church towers over the many tents, providing a picturesque backdrop for the festival. This was the first year for hosting our Serb Fest in Merrillville, and proved to be the right choice. As soon as the final attendance and food numbers come in, we'll let you know. Check back daily for more photos.

The volunteers are the foundation for the success of this monumental event, and we'd like to THANK each and every one of them. Many have worked for months preparing nut rolls and strudels, while others worked feverishly to remodel the garage and transform it into a functioning kitchen. Planning the layout, utilities, and set-up took weeks. Raffle Ticket sellers had an especially big challenge this year. Preparations in all areas were covered by our parishoners and our dear friends. Moving Serb Fest to Merrillville in such a visible location has drawn many new local faces this year. And of course, with all your help, we handled it. Thanks to everyone!

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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.

Today is the last chance you'll have to enjoy the best ethnic festival in the region, so come early and stay late, you'll be glad you did. Live music will be performed all day long, so relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. Visit the Cultural Center or take a tour of our beautiful St. Sava Church. Services are from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by a tour and explanation of our church, hosted by Father Marko, ending at 8 p.m. There's still plenty of delicious lamb, cevaps, sarma, and chicken to enjoy, but come early, we may run out. The fantastic Serbian Bakery will be making palachinke, strudels, and incredible baked goods, too. Pick up one of our Serbian Sisters Circle Cook Books so you can discover the recipes for yourself! They're for sale in the Bake Sale area. There's still time to purchase a Raffle Ticket for the $25,000 Grand Prize. Big CASH RAFFLE and the TAMBURA PRIMA RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN at 7 PM, and SERB FEST ENDS at 8 PM. See you later!

Family and close friends from church fondly joined in the celebration of Ann Pamachena's 100th Birthday. Karageorge is proud of their relationship with one of the most incredible women you'll ever meet. She can tell you all about the early days in Gary and the pioneers from our church. Ann has enjoyed many long, healthy years and we are all blessed to be among her circle of friends. Zivela, Ann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bring your dancing shoes and your appetite, because you won't be able to resist the best ethnic foods or the effects of the music on your feet. Live bands will perform all day and night. The Lamb, Pig, Cevaps, Raznici, and wonderful baked goods will leave you craving even more. (There's still Sunday). Visit our new Cultural Center in the north wing for a special themed exhibit featuring Serbs in Sports and the Military. Be sure to attend, you'll be glad you did. See you at Serb Fest!

The heat was extreme, but so was the fun. Turkey Creek Golf Course was filled with carts full of Serbs and their dear friends from the business community and other nearby churches. Father Marko's opening prayer is a traditional beginning for the event.The luncheon was held at the church grounds in Merrillville for the first time. T-Roma played tamburitza music for everyone's enjoyment. And of course, the lamb, pig, sarma, and cevaps were delicious too. Looks like everyone had a great time. Special thanks to all sponsors for supporting this annual fund raiser. The festival and golf outing proceeds will help fund the building of new facilities for future festivals on the Merrillville property.

Come hungry, come often, just come! This is the Summer Festival that offers non-stop live music as well as fresh, delicious Bar-B-Q Lamb, Cevaps, and more great food. The fantastic Serbian Bakery is the treat you won't want to pass up-you won't believe your eyes. Serb Fest starts Friday at 4 p.m. and at Noon on Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to visit the Cultural Exhibit in the North Wing. The Serbian Historical Society is presenting a Tribute to the Military and Serbs in Sports, as well as many other areas of interest.  We look forward to seeing you, everyone is welcome!

It's almost here, so make sure you're getting plenty of rest and be sure to build up an appetite for the big weekend. Work on those dance moves, too. Remember that we've moved the festival to Merrillville at our Church grounds on 91st & Mississippi.

There's something new this year: Church Tours and Vespers. The Church will be open from 6 p.m. to 8p.m., and Father Marko will hold Church Services nightly.

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!

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Kick off the Festival Weekend with a great round of golf, followed by a delicious Serbian Buffet Luncheon. This year's golf outing will be held at Turkey Creek Golf Course Friday, August 1st. The Luncheon will be hosted at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi St., in Merrillville. There are still some openings left for single golfers or foursomes. Price per Golfer is $125.00. Sponsorships for this popular event are still available as well. Contact one of the following committee members for sponsorship or sign-up, then fill out this form.

• John Devaney (219) 508-5936

• Barb Grimsgard (219) 617-1645

• Ray Radjenovich (219) 322-4002

• Vlad Stevanovich (312) 907-1244
  

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!

The sarmas are coming! They're coming to Serb Fest at St. Sava, and you know you're in for a treat! Those tasty cabbage rolls are being made with all the right ingredients and we know you'll enjoy them. Our Kolo Sisters are busy preparing many homemade delicacies, and look forward to seeing you at this year's Serb Fest held at the church grounds at 9191 Mississippi, no longer on 49th Avenue. You'll be entertained by many live bands, enjoy great Serbian food, and help support the Building Fund for future projects.

There are only ten days left until this year's Serb Fest, so be sure to call the church office to volunteer to help. There are needs in all areas; ticket sales, parking, bar, golf luncheon, raffle ticket sales, set - up, bake sale, cooking, and cleaning. Volunteers are needed to assist Mike Suvajac and his crew who are working tirelessly every day to finish the kitchen project, so please stop by to offer your services. This year, we'll need everyone's help, so please be willing to put in several hours.

Any donations to help offset expenses will also be greatly appreciated, contact the church office.

• Lamb Donation $100

• Cevap Box Donation $75

• Purchase or Sell $100 Building Fund Raffle Ticket

• Donate Any Amount to Help Reduce Costs

We Thank You In Advance and know that you will all be part of this successful event.

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)