Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation Christmas Holiday Celebration Centennial Plaza and St Casimir Church December 10, 2023
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF)is the governing body for all its member gardens. It acts as an advocate for the gardens, works to help preserve and promote them, and acts as a liaison between the Gardens, the City of Cleveland, and partner organizations.
Each year they host a holiday dinner meeting for board members, delegates and friends of the Gardens. On December 10, 2023 they gathered in the St Casimir Church social hall. Before dinner, Dr. Wael Khoury, president of CCGF, gave some remarks thanking people and giving a recap of the year's events including One World Day and the World on Stage events.
Dr. Wael Khoury
Then CCGF Executive Director Lori Ashyk gave her remarks.
Lori Ashyk
She introduced Joe Feckanin from St Casimir's who told about the miracle that occurred at the Church a few years earlier.
Joe Feckanin
Event Chair Suzelle Aghamalian thanked her committee and gave some housekeeping notes.
Suzelle Aghamalian
Carl Ewing led the group in giving thanks for the food.
Carl Ewing
Watch the video (below) of the speeches.
A delicious Peruvian dinner was served by Las Americanas restaurant from Bedford Hts.
After dinner and the raffle there were tours of the historic and beautiful St Casimir Church. Here are just a few images from the event.
Volunteers Tom Turkaly and Samy Tanious
Before the dinner event, some of the attendees gathered on the stage of the Centennial Peace Plaza on MLK Blvd. in Cleveland.
Members of the community were invited to have hot chocolate and cookies and make ornaments for the tree as the Gardens delegates led the singing of Christmas carols.
A special guest was on hand - Santa Claus himself.
The Centennial Peace Plaza is very special to this group because they were the driving force in its creation as a million dollar plus gift to the people of the city of Cleveland. The Plaza project was led by Dr. Wael Khoury, president of CCGF, and past-presidents Sheila Murphy-Crawford and Paul Burik along with architect and board member Berj Shakarian.
Here is a short video of some of the songs at the celebration.
Enjoy these other photos from the celebration on the Plaza stage.
