Reunion celebrates 100th anniversary of Nedeff's arrival in United States; By Roger Nedeff

Parkersburg - Descendants of Mike and Mose Nedeff gathered at Parkersburg's City Park for their 27th annual family reunion on August 18th.

  This year's reunion celebrated the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Mike Nedeff and the 75th anniversary of the arrival of his brother Mose to the United States from Syria.

  A total of 114 family members and friends from the United States and Canada attended this year's event. Family members began the reunion with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by the Nedeff family pledge which preceded the picnic. The picnic consisted of a wide array of American and Arabic dishes, including baked and raw kibbey, tabouleh, grape leaves, hummus, Syrian bread and cookies and fresh fruits.

  Recorded Arabic music was played during the festivities including a pre-1960 recording of Mose Nedeff singing several "atabas". Atabas are a type of Arabic poetry set to a melody and sung without musical instruments.

  A family trivia quiz was conducted by Adam Nedeff of California. Romea Dennis of Canada was chairman for the childrens' games which included balloon toss, egg and sack races and other contests. The afternoon concluded with a 50-50 drawing which was won by Mary Cuttro of New York.

  A total of $150.00 in proceeds from the drawing was donated to Catholic Relief Services Emergency Syria Fund to assist those displaced by the current violence in Syria.

  The weekend activities concluded with a Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church in Parkersburg celebrated by the Rev. George Nedeff of Texas in memory of deceased family members.

[This article was written by Roger Nedeff and published in Parkersburg News and Sentinel on August 27^th 2012]