The Lebanese newspaper, An Nahar, on Sauturday reports the opening of the Apostolic Library in the village of Kfarhata by the Archbishop of Tripoli, Georges Bou-Jaoudé.

The article can be read here.

On Sunday, 16th December 2007, the Association of Zgharta (Youssef Bey Karam Batal Lebnan) held its annual Christmas Picnic at Prospect Reservoir, Sydney.

Many Zghartawien families braved the overcast weather and came along to enjoy the picnic.

Those attending included the President of the Association, Sarkis Maksisi; the President of the Zgharta Ladies Committee, Alia Halabi and the President of St. Joseph Soccer Club, Peter Basha. The Association distributed Christmas presents to those under ten years of age.

The Association sends Christmas and New Year greetings to our readers.

Photographs of the picnic can be seen in the Galleria.

Those passing by St. John the Baptist Church, Zgharta, will now see a banner erected by the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council referring to the establishment of the Antonin University's new campus being built in Mejdlaya.

Construction of the University started some 3-4 months ago which is located close to the Jihad Mouawad Gas Station (formerly Bou Shaheed). The village of Mejdlaya is some 2 kilometres from Zgharta and some 4 kilometres from Tripoli.

The photograph of the banner was taken on Wednesday, 19th December 2007. A bigger version can be seen on the Full Story page.

The Order's University has its own website. A English version can be seen from here.

According to the University's website, the Mejdlaya campus will have a Faculty of Business Administration and a Faculty of Engineering in Computer Science, Telecommunications and Multimedia. The Director of the campus is given as Fr. Nader Nader. An image of the propose building can also be seen on the Full Story page.

On Saturday, 15th December 2007 the University held a chorale concert to celebrate the launch of the new campus at the Antonine Sister's School Theatre, Khaldieh.


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The North Lebanon newspaper, Attamaddon, writes on Christmas in Zgharta.

The article can be read here. A Google English translation can be read on the Full Story page. The photograph illustrates the article in the newspaper.
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Despite the gloomy news on the national front, people are determined that Christmas is not spoilt for their children.

Driving down the Sleiman Frangieh Boulevard, Zgharta's shop windows are ablaze with lights and enticing presents. We have taken some recent photgraphs which can be see in the Galleria.

Over the holiday period, St. Joseph's Church, are holding a children's concert at 4 p.m on 27th December 2007 at the Etoile Cinema, Entrance 10,000 LL. The singer Mirna Sarkis, will perform.

Also the Ehden Zgharta Parish has announced that in co-operation with the La famille Chrétienne Vesoul, France it is opening a College of Music, next to Al Faniya Library, Tal Zgharta. Teaching includes, Guitar - Piano- Oud - Organ - Chant - Solfège - Rythme . For more information phone 03/114331

In the Saturday edition of the Lebanese newspaper, Al Anwar, their journlist Robert Frangieh, writes on the new book on Patriarch Estephan Douaihy.

The newest is,"Patriarch Estephan Douaihy, from the Heights of Ehden to the Heights of Sanctity,” by Jamil and Rouba Douaihy, which was launched, as we reported, last month in Australia.

The article can be read from this link

Another book to be mentioned is, Mikhael S. Doueihi's,"Patriarch Estefan Doueihi: A Biography", which he published earlier this year. It can be downloaded via our site by clicking on the book's image on the home page.

The 2nd floor extension to the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council's office in Ehden seems to be progressing at a pace. On a visit to Ehden on Wednesday it was seen that the outside walls and roof supports had been erected.

As we reported earlier, Mr. Sarkis Yammine of Venezuela, has agreed to underwrite the cost of the new floor up to a particular limit.

The photographs of the building work can be seen in the Galleria.

It is reported that, Igance Jamil Mouawad, of the Ehden Country Club has donated 30 Cedar saplings as part of the process of reforestation arising from the forest fires suffered this autumn.

Once again the Club shows its support to the local community, hosting many public gatherings and exhibitions for free.

It is unclear if the, Union of Zgharta Zawie Municipal Councils, are taking part in the Lebanese Government's reforestation programme ,Heart Burn, launched in October of this year.

We are told by USAID that it is currently funding the reforestation of the burnt forests in the Qobayat/Andket and Deir El Qamar areas, through their partner, Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), a papal agency for humanitarian and pastoral support.

We hope to bring you more news about local iniaiatives in any event.

The Parish of Ehden Zgharta has announced that starting on Sunday, 16th December 2007, the Sunday Ehden Mass at 10 a.m. will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul's Church, instead of Mar Gergis. This is because of the problem of heating the vast space of Mar Gergis during the winter months.

Parishioner and one of the suppliers of electricity to the inhabitants of Ehden, Sayed Bou Saada Makary, has agreed to supply electricity through one of his generators at his own expense; with the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council providing the heaters and carpets.

The Church of Sts.Peter and Paul, is older than Mar Gergis, being built in the 13th century, then rebuilt built at the beginning of the 17th Century and renovated in 1900. The present Church of Mar Gergis was constructed during the 1850's and 1880's, with its tower completed in 1895.

The photograph is of Sts.Peter and Paul Church.

On the Feast of the the Immaculate Conception, 8th December 2007, the village of Ardeh, held Mass at St. John the Baptist Church. The Mass was officiated by the Archbishop Georges Bou-Jaoudé, the Archbishop of Tripoli, assisted by Monsignor Moussa Yousseh and Fathers Youssef Jneid and Charbel Fadlallah. The village is part of the Diocese of Tripoli.

Those attending included the former Chief of Police, General Sarkis Tadros; the village's Mokhtar, Nakhoul Chedid; the President of the Regional Committee for North Lebanon's religious organizations, Mr. Laba Hbaiter; the President of the Regional Committe for the Knight's Brotherhood, Ms Hiba Bou Antoun, together with members of the parish.

In today's editions (11th December 2007) of the Lebanese newspaper's, As Safir, and ,An Nahar, they report that, General Joseph Maarrawi, in his capacity as President of the Union of Zgharta Zawie Municipal Councils, held a meeting on the forthcoming local development project with representatives of the Lebanese Government ministry, OMSAR, (Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform), which will be funded by the European Union.

The Project's manager, Hind Al Khatib, explained the steps to be taken to execute the project, based on the study by IMG. The project aims to develop and market the area's tourism, highlighting in particular its environment and religious sites. It is envisage that the project will take 2 years to implement.

The articles can be read here

As Safir - Arabic
As Safir - English
An Nahar - Arabic
An Nahar - English

The Lebanese newspaper, As Safir, in today's (11th December 2007) edition features an article on the cost of heating and the use of wood for heating in Zgharta, instead of diesel. It refers to the problems schools face to make sure their students are warm.

The article can be read here

Arabic
English

The students from the Zgharta schools, the 1st Intermediate School for Girls and the 2nd Intermediate School for Boys took part in an environmental outing on Friday, 2nd November 2007.

After having breakfast, students and teachers travelled by four busses to the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve. There a Reserve's guide explained the history of the Reserve and the types of wild life and plants found there. He also explained the importance of preserving the environment and the Reserve in particular.

The group after exploring the Reserve then went onto Ehden to visit Saydet Al Hosn, Mar Gergis Church and the tomb of Youssef Beik Karam.

After the tour they went to the Ehden Country Club for a meal.

The programme was organised by the René Mouawad Foundation as part of the USAID funded, Lebanon Education Assistance for Development, (LEAD) programme.

Photographs, courtesy of the Foundation, of the trip can be seen on the Full Story page.

The Foundation has put online a 9 minute documentary video called,'Giving Hope,' featuring its activities, in particular its work with working children in Bab El Tebbaneh, Tripoli, the Medical Clinic in Zgharta and its agricultural centre and olive oil marketing. It can be viewed from here.


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For the past few days it has rained in Zgharta.

Despite such weather the streets are beginning to be festive as street decorations have been put up by the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council.

The photograph shows St. John the Baptist Church. More recent photographs of Zgharta can be seen from the Galleria

News Digest Archive: You can read past News Digest articles (over 1200) - local & community news; local & general elections; Ehden festivals; sport; interviews; Special reports - by going to the Archive: 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced additional funding for its, Lebanon Education Assistance for Development, (LEAD) programme, which seeks to rehabilitate and support Lebanese public schools. One such school which has already received support is, The First Intermediate School for Girls, in Zgharta.

LEAD was launched in December 2006 as a $7 million initiative to reach 209 public schools across Lebanon. Owing to the success of the initial programme, USAID announced increase funding of $2.6 million. Through LEAD, the United States is funding repairs to school infrastructure; additional school equipment - science and computer laboratories and supplies; programmes on health, nutrition and social awareness; and extracurricular activities to enhance the skills and learning experiences of students.

The press release of USAID in October 2007 says, "The U.S. Government is responding to the specific needs of public schools throughout Lebanon, by providing them with renovation works, computer and science laboratories and extracurricular activities. The First Intermediate School for Girls in Zgharta is one of 263 public schools that are currently receiving USAID assistance under the LEAD (Lebanon Education Assistance for Development) program. Established in Zgharta since 1962, the school accommodates 268 young girls coming from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The school’s physical structure was in dire condition, with the staircase constituting a hazard to the children. With USAID funding, the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) repaired the school’s staircase, painted the school’s external façade and did maintenance works in the restrooms.

Photographs of, The First Intermediate School for Girls, before and after, can be seen in the Galleria

USAID has been a friend of Zgharta Zawie for many years and may it continue. Behind USAID are the tax payers of the USA, including members of the Zgharta Zawie community, so a double thank you to USAID and our American cousins.

The Order of North Lebanon Doctors held a meeting on Wednesday, 5th December 2007, concerning the meningitis outbreak and issued a statement which was carried by the Lebanese newspaper's, Al Anwar, and As Safir, No new cases have been reported and it seems that they are confident that measures are in place to deal with any new cases if they arise.

The articles can be read from these links:

Al Anwar - Arabic
Al Anwar - English
As Safir - Arabic
As Safir - Arabic

The Lebanese French language newspaper, L'Orient Le Jour, reported today (5 Dec 2007) on the meningitis outbreak in Zgharta. The consensus seems that the outbreak is isolated and that there is no risk of an epidemic.

The report can be read on the Full Story page.

The Lebanese newspaper, An Nahar, reported futher today and the article can be read in Arabic or English.

The translations and the others we have reproduced are by Google. We have posted them knowing they contain translation errors but we feel that they at least give the gist of the article for our non arabic readers.
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The meningtis scare in Zgharta has been covered in the Lebanese newspapers, Al Anwar, An Nahar, and As Safir, today.

The reports can be read from these links

Al Anwar - Arabic
Al Anwar - English
An Nahar - Arabic
An Nahar - English
As Safir - Arabic
As Safir - English

The North Lebanon weekly newspaper, Attamaddon, has also reported on death of Toufic, which can read from these links:- Arabic and English

The Lebanese newspaper, Al Anwar, reported on Tuesday, 4th December 2007 the opening of a new center for the Lebanese charity, Caritas, in the village of Kferdlakos. The name of the village means, whose fruits ripen late and is situated some 2 kilometres east of Zgharta at an altitude of 125m. It is within the Diocese of Tripoli and its Archbishop attended the opening of the centre which was donated by Dr. Antoine Nakad.

The report can be read from this link

The Lebanese newspaper, As Safir, reports today the tragic death of three year old, Toufic Al Khouri, from meningitis. The source of the infection is being investigated and as a precautionary message the nursery school in Zgharta, which he attended has been closed. Staff and students who may have been exposed have been vaccinated. Toufic came from the village of Majdalia.

The newspaper article can be read from this link in Arabic and from this link in a English translation

We send our condolences to the family.

It seems that the forests of Zgharta Zawie, which were damaged in last month forests fires, are being forgotten when it comes to current national reforestation programmes. In recent weeks there has been newspaper reports of reforestation programmes elsewhere, but not for Aitou, Karm Saddeh and Sebeal.

The Lebanese NGO, Association for Forests, Development & Conservation, AFDC, have announced on their website today that they will launching, Tree Day, on Thursday, 6th December 2007, a reforestation campaign. The campaign will be between the months of December and February and its preliminary reforestation list includes the following regions: Akkar, Aley, Hasbaya, Baabda, Al shouf, Jezzine, Arqoob, Al Maten.

They quote an ancient proverb, “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today”.

We are unaware of any local initiatives in the Caza.

The Environmental Committee of El Marada and the El Marada Junior Club, organised the planting of 170 Cedar saplings at the foot of Mount Saydet El Hosn, in commemoration of those who died this summer at Nahr el Bared.

Those attending included, Major General Izzat Deeb, representing the Lebanese Commander of the Army, Gen Michel Sleiman; Gen Joseph Maarrawi, as President of the Union of Zgharta Zawie Municipal Councils; Mr. Youssef Saadeh, representing the President of El Marada, former Minister Sleiman Tony Frangieh; Madam Josephine Frangieh Harfouche, President of the Zgharta Red Cross, representing Sheikh Sami Dahdah, President of the Lebanese Red Cross. Also attending were the Municipal Presidents and representatives of Mazraat al Toufah, Mejdlaya, Kfersghab, Kkfarhabou (which is not part of the Caza of Zgharta)and Mmiriata.

The opening address was made by, Miss Bouchra Soutou, who asked for a minute's silence in remembrance of those who had died. The director of El Marada Junior Club, Madame Nathalie Khawaja al Mousri, also spoke. Members of the Club read poems in Arabic and French about Lebanon and the Army. A montage of those who had died was presented by members of El Marada Junior Club to Major General Deeb, saying that every martyr is represented by a cedar tree.

Photographs of the occasion can be seen in the Galleria - Cultural & Civic Events - El Marada

On Saturday, 24th November 2007 at 6 p.m. there will be a candle procession in Zgharta in memory of President René Mouawad and those who died with him on 22nd November 1989. The procession will start from Saint John's Church and will end at the tomb of the President at the Saydet Zgharta Church.

The President was born in Zgharta on 17th April 1925, his parents being Anis and Evelyn (née Shalhoub) Mouawad. He was educated at the Mar Youssef School, Zgharta and the College des Freres, Tripoli. He graduated in law from St. Joseph University (USJ) in 1947. He first joined the law firm of former Prime Minister Abdallah Al-Yafi (1901-1986) and subsequently opened in Tripoli his own firm in 1951, moving his practice to Beirut in 1958.

In 1965 he married, Nayla Négib Issa El Khoury, and they had two children, Rima, born in 1966, and Michel, born in 1972.

The President was first elected a Member of Parliament for Zgharta in the General Election of 1957 and thereafter in subsequent General Elections. He held ministerial office in Prime Minister Rachid Karamé's cabinet's, as Minister of Post and Telecommunication, from October 1961 till February 1964 and as Minister of Public Work and Transportation, from January till November 1969; and in Prime Minister Chafic Wazzan's cabinet, as Minister of Education, from October 1980 till September 1982.

He was elected President of the Lebanese Republic on the 5th of November 1989 at a Parliamentary session held at the Kleiaat Airport.

The main photograph shows the President as a young man. Go to the Full Story page to see some other photogrpahs of the President.

UPDATE The L'Orient Le Jour reported the event in their Monday's edition which can be read on the Full Story page.
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Since our earlier article quoting the report on Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council's plans to build a second floor for the Municipal Building in Ehden, we have made further enquiries.

It is now our understanding that Mr. Sarkis Yammine of Venezuela has agreed to underwrite the cost of the new floor only up to a particular limit, and not totally as we reported earlier. The Council will pay any extra costs, if the case. The reason for the second floor has yet to be established.

A number of local architects submitted plans to the Council, who subsequently appointed Sylvia Yammine Tayoun to act on its behalf. We have not seen the plans as there was no public exhibition, nor, as far as we can ascertain, was there any pubic consultation process. For those who are not aware of the building's location, it holds an prominent position nearby Sts. Peter & Paul's Church, Al Koubra and Al Midan.

Recent visitors to Ehden say that in the last two weeks work has apparently commenced on the building. We would welcome photographs of the building work if anyone is going to Ehden this weekend.

The main photograph shows the current Municipal Building. Another photograph of the area can be seen on the Full Story page.
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It is reported in the El Marada website (9 Oct) that Sarkis Yammine of Venezuela has agreed to underwrite the cost of building a second floor for the Municipality Building in Ehden. He has asked its President, Gen. Joseph Maarrawi to have plans drawn up for this purpose. The architect, Sylvia Yammine Tayoun has been commissioned to draw up the plans. It is not stated what the second floor will be used for.

In Ehden there are two governmental buildings, 1 kilometre apart, the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council Building and the Serial Building, the later is reserved for the offices of the various Central Government departments. In Zgharta, exceptionally, the Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has an office within the Zgharta Serail building which contains offices for the Central Government departments.

The Union of Zgharta Zawie Municipal Councils have their own building in Zgharta, having moved in 2006 from the Zgharta Serail to the former premises of the Adcom Bank, Al Tal.

Ehden's Municipal Building was originally built with the aid of another émigré, Sarkis Al-Lebian, of Mexico.

Mr. Yammine is also mentioned in the report as having agreed to pay the restoration cost of Ehden's Saint Simon's Church. The Church is situated in the centre of Ehden, and was built in 1803 in honour of the Saint. In the Church’s sacristy there is a painting of Saint Simon. The photograph is of the Church.