On a lightier note, the Lebanese Newspaper, As Safir, today reported on the joys of snow in Lebanon. It featured a photograph of an Ehdenite, having been able to travel up to Ehden from Zgharta by cleared roads, enjoying a cup of coffee at his home.

The annual migration back from Ehden to Zgharta gathered apace this weekend with more Ehden homes being closed for the winter.

The colour of Ehden's trees are already turning autumn gold with clear bright skies and cooler breezes.

-
Said a blade of grass

Said a blade of grass to an autumn leaf, "You make such a noise falling! You scatter all my winter dreams."

Said the leaf indignant, "Low-born and low-dwelling! Songless, peevish thing! You live not in the upper air and you cannot tell the sound of singing."

Then the autumn leaf lay down upon the earth and slept. And when spring came she waked again -- and she was a blade of grass.

And when it was autumn and her winter sleep was upon her, and above her through all the air the leaves were falling, she muttered to herself, "O these autumn leaves! They make such a noise! They scatter all my winter dreams."

-
Khalil Gibran
The Madman - Chapter 29

To listen to George Yammine's song, Warael Kharif - Autumn Leaves click here

On Friday, 29th December 2006, local man Said Harbieh, won the end of year Lebanese lotto. He won about 2 million US dollars, there having been a roll over of the Lotto for the past few weeks. He learnt of his luck whilst at the encamped demonstration in Beirut. In the Lebanese newspaper, Assafir, he was reported in saying that his family of six could only up to now hardly make ends meet.

The photograph is of Said Harbieh.

On Tuesday, 19th December 2006, representatives of the Parish of Ehden Zgharta and members of the family of the Monsignor Boutros Barakat visited the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir to thank him for his condolences for the late Monsignor. Those attending included His Excellency Mgr. Samir Mazloum, Maronite Apostolic Visitor, Europe Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta,General Joseph Maarawi, the President of the Union of Zgharta Zawie Municipalities, Father Estefan Frangieh, General Antoine Barakat, the brother of the Monsignor, and members of his family. At the funeral of the Monsignor, the Patriarch was represented by Archbishop Roland Abou Jaoudeh, Vicar General to the Patriarch.

After the audience with the Patriarch the visitors went onto the Palace of the Lebanese President to thank President Emile Lahoud for his condolences.

On Saturday,16th December 2006, early morning there was a shooting incident outside the Palace of President Sleiman Frangieh, Zgharta. No one was hurt in the incident.The precise facts of the shooting are being gathered by the Lebanese Security Forces.

The Lebanese media is reporting the incident and there is much speculation about the shooting. Former Minister and President of the El Marada Party, Sleiman Tony Frangieh has called for calm in Zgharta. This call has also been made by Minister Mrs Nayla René Mouawad and her son, Michel, who have denounced the incident.

We have attached the article in the Lebanese newspaper Al Anwar of 17th December in the Forum. which reports the incident. As and when more official details are known we shall post them. Due to the political sensitivity of the incident please on this occasion refrain from posting comments.

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council has announced the appointment of eight new municipal police officers, having undertaken their training.They are:

Salim Sheikha Douaihy
Pierre Boutros Fenianos
Tony Charbel Karam
Joseph Chahid Macary
Rene Ishak Moawad
Edmond Mikhael Bou-Rada
Sayed Sarkis Saroufim
Antonios Degaul Zakhia

These appointments now bring the municipal police force up to ten members, the existing officers being Gerges Bou-Daher and Sayed Bou-Satout.

As zgharta.com reported in December last year the Council undertook an recruitment drive to bring up to strength the force. Applicants had to show that they were Lebanese; aged between the ages of 20 and 40; were of good health; had no criminal convictions; held an brevet certificate or equivalent.The remuneration package announced at the time was 440,000 LL ($293 US: € 245) per month plus a transport allowance.

The photograph, taken by the Council, shows the President of the Council, General Joseph Maarrawi and the ten officers.To see a larger version of the photograph go to the Full Story page.
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The Saydet Zgharta Hospital has its accreditation with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health upgraded to Class A following its appeal against its Class D accreditation. The original accreditation process was conducted last year which attracted wide spread criticism.

Accreditation is important as based on it the Ministry of Public Health issues contracts to hospitals, providing them with a large percentage of their income.

We congratulate Dr Fadi Fenianos, Medical Director of the Saydet Zgharta Hospital, and his dedicated and hard working staff on such an excellent and well deserved result.

On Sunday, 10th December 2006, Monsignor Boutros Barakat, died.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday, 12th December 2006 at St John's cathedral, Zgharta at 3 p.m. Condolences can be made on Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday at St John's Church Hall and at the Mar Takla Church, Hazmieh, Beirut on Saturday, 16th December 2006 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The Monsignor lies at the Church of Saydet Zgharta where prayers and masses will be held at 8.30, 10, 11.30 a.m., 1, 2.30 and 4p.m. On Tuesday the Monsignor will be moved to St John's Cathedral where prayers and masses will be said at 7, 8.30, 10,11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

It has been requested by his family that mourners who wish to should make donations to the Parish instead of giving flowers.

The Monsignor was born in 1927, Zgharta and was ordained on 30th May 1954. He was made an monsignor on 16th September 2000. He held many posts in the Ehden Zgharta Parish, including Custodian of the Parish.

We send our condolences to the Monsignor's family.

On 18th October 2006 we reported under the title,“ Two New Ehden Developments” the propose developments near the Mar Sarkis Monastery, to be called "Kroum", and at the bottom of the Saydet Al Hosn Mountain, to be called "Les Parcs d'Ehden". The developer is Europtima S.A.L who have leased the land from the Monastery of Mar Sarkis. Our article, which also included an PDF link of the Tripoli base newspaper, Attamaddon own article, can be read from this link.

As we mention in our article, some in the community object to such developments. One such person who questions the developments is Paul Moawad, who is an architect in the USA. He is a frequent visitor to Lebanon and is the son of General Maroun and Yasmine Moawad. As part of zgharta.com open door policy we have agreed to publish his comments.

For all who care about Ehden’s Heritage

I read on Zgharta.com that two development projects are being proposed and planned. It is mentioned in the article that the locations are: Mar Sarkis and Saydet Al Hosn area. Those two sacred places always impose their architecture charisma and holiness through the mystical silence their surroundings convey. They embody a sacred character, holy in their nature and embrace the collective memory of many generations in Ehden.

I believe these two areas need to be preserved and not developed. .

To read the full article click on the Full Story tab.


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Reports are coming in that houses in Ehden are being burgled. To date some 31 cases have been reported, with more feared. There has also been a case where fuel for a generator has been stolen.

Although burglaries are not uncommon at this time of year when Ehden is empty but the large number of them is causing concern. People with homes in Ehden are being asked to check them and make sure that doors and windows are as secured as far is possible.

To add to people's woes there has been an increase in electricity cuts both in Ehden and Zgharta.

Tragedy struck on Tuesday night, 5th December 2006, when 18 year old Marcel Al Shidrawi was killed whilst crossing the road near the City Mall at Dawra, Beirut. The funeral was held on Wednesday at Saint Joseph's Church, Zgharta. Condolences from Friday to Sunday can be made at Marcel's family home at the Fouad Kaadou Building, Zgharta.

Marcel is the son of Milad Michael and Ghoura Mehsen ( néé Skandar) Al Shidrawi. His brothers are Michel, Marawan, Marx and sisters Micheline and Maryan.

We offer our condolences to Marcel's family.

The Parish of Ehden Zgharta has recently published photographs of its clergy which we have assembled in our Galleria which can be seen from this link.

The Parish of Ehden Zgharta is part of the patriarchate of the Maronite Patriarch, His Beatitude Mar Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. As Zgharta Zawie is not a seperate diocese the head of the Patriarchal of Zgharta, as it is formally referred to, is known as the Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta. The present incumbent is Bishop Samir Mazloum,Auxiliary Bishop of Antioch, Maronite Apostolic Visitor, Europe, Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta.His predecessor was Bishop Paul- Emile Saade, who was appointed Bishop of Batroun on the creation of the Eparchy of Batroun on 5th June 1999. This followed the Patriarch's declaration that the Patriarchal Vicariate of Batroun became an eparchy. ( An eparchy is a diocese of the Eastern Christian Church). Also part of the Patriarchal Eparchy are Jebbeh, Jounieh and Sarba. For many in the Parish, being in effect part of the Patriarch's own "diocese", makes for an greater immediacy between them and him. To them, this is more important than being one of a number of dioceses, within the Maronite Church.

The clergy of the Parish consists of Monsignors Youssef Saidy and Boutros Barakat and eleven priests Fr. Hanna Maron Abboud; Fr. Milad Abboud;Fr. Charbel Fadlallah; Fr. Estephan Frangieh; Fr. Youssef Mousi Frangieh; Fr. Pierre Alkas Hanna; Fr. Hanna Makhlouf; Fr. Youssef Mouawad; Fr. John Moura; Fr. Antoun Yammine; Fr. Youssef Yammine.

We are sad to relate that Monsignor Boutros Barakat has been in intensive care at the Saydet Zgharta Hospital for some weeks. He was born in 1929 at Zgharta and was ordained a priest on 30th May 1954. Prayers are being offered for his recovery in the Parish.

This weekend will see small ghoulish apparitions walking the neighbourhood. There will be a knock on the door and when opened little smiling faces in frightening costumes will materialise. For it is Zgharta's Halloween, as Monday, 4th December, sees Saint Barbara’s Day.

Saint Barbara’s day signals the beginning of the Christmas season in Lebanon, Syria, and parts of France and Germany. Children in their costumes go door-to-door collecting candy and other small gifts.

To read more about the Saint click on the Full Story tab.
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The funeral of Mary Qablan (née Abeche) Doueihi, the mother of former Minister and Member of Parliament Estephane Douehi took place on Sunday, 26th November 2006 at Mar Maroun Church.

The congregation consisted of members of the family, representatives of the Lebanese state, political parties and individuals.

The funeral was reported today in the Lebanese newspaper, Al Anwar and the report can be read from this link.

Those officiating at the service were Bishop Samir Mazloum, Vicar General Patriarchal of Zgharta; George Bou Jaoude, Archbishop of Tripoli; Bishop Francis Neme Baisari; Paul Emil Sadde, Bishop of Batroun.

We offer our condolences to the family.

The Caritas Zgharta Ehden traditional Christmas Tree Appeal for gifts for those in need began this weekend. The participating churches are Saydet Zgharta, St John's, St Joseph's and St Maron's.

If you are holding a charity or Christmas event in your community let us know so that we can offer our support by mentioning it on the site.

The village of Toula is famous for its arak and our friend and collaborator, Charbel Gereige, recorded its making when he visited his parents there last September for his own blog. He has kindly agreed to share with our readers his account of the process and photographs which can be seen from this link

The village is situated in a green beautiful valley, some 1100 metres above sea level, on the western slope of Mount Makmel. It is some 29 kilometres from Zgharta.

On Monday, 13th November 2006, the Lebanese newspaper, An Nahar published a summary of the survey by Youssef Shahid Doueihi concerning the demographics of Lebanon. The survey has attracted much attention in Lebanon in particular because of the current political climate.

The major "headlines" of the survey are that Lebanon's population is 4,855,000, of whom, in round figures, 35% are Christians; 58% Muslims; 5% Druze. To read more about the survey and read the article click on the Full Story tab.

The picture shows the Lebanese flag at the time of the French Mandate.


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On Sunday, 12th November 2006 the late environmentalist Professor Ricardos El Haber will be posthumously honoured at the Horsh Ehden. Representatives from the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve Committee, the Friends of Horsh Ehden and other environmental organisations will attend a ceremony to honour Dr Haber and to name a path in Horsh Ehden after him, called the Ricardos El Haber Path.

The Professor died on 1st January 2006 and was a key figure in the creation of the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve.He was a botanist at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and during the Lebanese civil war he worked to revive interest in creating and managing protected areas in order to preserve Lebanon's remarkable biological diversity. He described Horsh Ehden as "a paradise" and he was a leading figure in the establishment of the Friends of Horsh Ehden (FoHE). Some of the founding members were his former students at the AUB. In an article on the setting up of the nature reserve it said of Professor Haber that " it was his intensive public awareness raising and lobbying efforts that facilitated the official designation of Horsh Ehden as a reserve in 1992".

Recently a delegation from the Municipal Union of Zgharta Zawie Councils had an audience with the Maronite Patriarch, Mar Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir at his summer residence at Diman.

The President of the Union, Gen Joseph Maarrawi explained to the Patriarch the work of the Union and its recent role in helping those who were stayed in the Union's area as an result of being displaced during this summer's 34 day conflict.

The photograph of the Horsh Ehden is from the Galleria Nature & Environment - Horsh Ehden, taken by Roland Merheb in September 2005.

This evening, Tuesday, 7th November 2006 at 9.30 p.m. (Zgharta Time) the Mar Maroun Church Hall, Zgharta, will be the venue of Al Manar TV's programme "People's Issues" hosted by journalist and presenter Imad Mermel. The programme is part of the evening news.

The station, whose name in Arabic means, "The Beacon", is part of Hezbollah's media network and is owned by the Lebanese Media Group. It began its first terrestrial broadcast in 1991 and began broadcasting via satellite in 2000. Some countries have banned its broadcasts.

Tonight's programme will, it is understood, concentrate on the work undertaken in Zgharta with those who were displaced, during the 34 day conflict this summer. It is not known who will be interviewed during the broadcast.

The photograph is of Imad Mermel.

The Parish of Ehden Zgharta is calling for donations for the installation of a new sound system at Saint John's Cathedral, Zgharta in readiness of the Cathedral's 50th anniversary next year. The estimated cost is said to be $25,000. Those wishing to donate should contact the Parish Office.

The Cathedral was consecrated in 1957, being built through the financial support of Kabalan Macari (1886-1963) who had immigrated to Mexico.

The photograph shows the inside of the Cathedral, taken on Palm Sunday this year.

We have received an open invitation from our friend, Guita G. Hourani, Associate Director, Lebanese Emigration Research Center, who is giving a talk on the findings of a preliminary study, "The Impact of the Summer 2006 War on Migration in Lebanon: Emigration, Re-Migration, Evacuation and Return."

The talk will be held on Thursday, 9th November 2006 at 6.p.m. at the Auditorium, Notre Dame University, Zouk Mosbeh. RSVP by 7th November 2006: 09-218955 ext 2262, or 03-733091

The Notre Dame University Press and Quantum Communications S.A.L are sponsoring the talk. We hope to report the event at a later date. Readers will recall that the Lebanese Emigration Research Center gave in Ehden its first Migration History Workshop in August 2004.

On the same theme since the events of this summer we are hearing the same story from those who were able to visit Lebanon during and after the 34-day conflict. Indeed the leaders of the Maronite Church are expressing concern about the same subject.

It seems from what we are hearing, many young people in Lebanon were up to this summer more minded than in previous years to stay in Lebanon as there was a new felt optimism for the future. Since the 34-day conflict and its perceived consequences many have lost that confidence in Lebanon’s future and are seeking to go overseas. Visitors were often asked how they found a job overseas or whether they knew of any job openings. As someone told us,” it is difficult to advise against the idea when, despite higher overheads, what I save in a year is more than some would earn in a year in Lebanon.” Another put it this way, “ Its like the old times, you are born in Lebanon, leave and ‘make good’, coming back to retire and die.”

As if to answer someone’s prayers the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State has launched its annual Electronic Diversity Visa Lottery, for Visa’s to the US for 2008, which is open to Lebanese nationals .

To read more about the Lottery go to the Full Story page.
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This month has seen the opening of Zgharta's second bank when Credit Libanais opened its newest branch in North Lebanon.

The Bank is located at the Kareh and Mouawad Building, Main Road, Zgharta and its manager is Mrs Elissar Jammoul Frangieh. The branch provides all the usual banking services and has a ATM. The branch's staff have been recruited from the Bank's other branches, all of whom have a minimum of at least four year banking experience. The majority of the staff come from the Zgharta Zawie area.

Credit Linanais was established on 12th July 1961, as a Lebanese joint stock company. The Bank's website says that the majority shareholders are Capital Investment Holding (Manama, Bahrain) and Capital Investment Holding SAL (Beirut, Lebanon). Some 2.98% of the share capital is owned by approximately 75 individual shareholders. The Bank has 56 branches in Lebanon, one branch in Limassol, Cyprus and one Representation Office in Montreal, Canada. In North Lebanon there are seven branches located in Abdeh, Amyoun, Batroun, Tripoli (Azmi, Kobbe,Tall) and Zgharta.

The Zgharta branch hours of business are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Monday to Friday and 8 a.m to 12 p.m on Saturday. Phone numbers 06 66 86 03 (direct); 06 66 86 00/ 01/02; Cel - 03 94 11 24; Fax 06 66 86 0.The website of the Bank is www.creditlibanais.com.lb.

The photograph is of the outside of the Credit Libanais branch in Zgharta. To see photographs of the inside of the branch and Mrs Frangieh go to the Full Story page.

We shall feature Zgharta's other bank, Societe Nouvelle de Syrie et du Liban , once it has moved to its new premises, scheduled for next month. Its current phone number is 06 66 26 67/8; Fax 06 66 08 56. The branch manager is Mr Khalil Rizk Al Khouri Saade.


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In today's Lebanese national newspaper, Al Anwar, their local journalist, Robert Frangieh, has written an article on the subject of street naming in Zgharta. The article can be read from this PDF link.

The article refers to the previous naming of streets some by tradition others designated by official Municipal decree such as the streets named after President Sleiman Frangieh, Tony Sleiman Frangieh, Patriarch Stephane Doueihi, Fayez Dawood Mouawad, Michel Fouad Sayegh and Milad Al Ghazal Mouawad.

The Zgharta Ehden Municipal Council is planning to have more streets officially named. Its President, Gen. Joseph Maarrawi, denies that there is any controversy between the various Zgharta families concerning the names to be chosen. He is quoted as saying, to highlight such accord, that former Minister Sleiman Tony Frangieh, had always when he spoke to him, referred to the street from the Church of Saint John to the Al Tal (Saraya) as the street of President René Mouawad.

The Council also wishes to honour certain women who, although immigrated, have helped the town namely, Adbat Frangieh Lahham, Damia Mouawad Mansour. Also they wish to honour the memory of Kabalan Macari a great benefactor of Zgharta.

No timescale as to the official naming of the streets was given in the article nor is it clear if other streets will be named at the sometime as those mentioned.To see a tourist street map of Zgharta go to the Full Story page.


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This is the season of the apple which Ehden is famous for but it seems that we are shy to sing its praises.

In an article today the Lebanese English speaking newspaper, The Daily Star, featured Beirut's weekend fresh produce market, Souk al-Tayeb (Arabic for “market of what is good”), which is currently selling many vararities of Lebanese apples. The market, which started in 2004, is located in a parking lot and features natural, traditional and organic food products. The market particularly targets farmers as it eliminates the middlemen, and therefore directly reaches the consumers.

Our point is that in the article, Ehden's apples only gets a brief mention, merely referring to customers," sampling apples and apple-based confections from Ehden to Zghorta to Kfarzebian." We are not aware of any publicity campaign for either Ehden's apple producers or confectioners, nor indeed for other produce or product during the year.

In view of the number of Zghartawiens living in Beirut surely there is already a "captured market" for local produce which could be exploited and expanded upon. As there is a national "buy Lebanese" campaign why not one for our area? Let know if you are selling your produce or products at the Souk al-Tayeb or elsewhere and we will advertise it on the site.

The The Daily Star article can be read on the Full Story page.


Full Story

On Tuesday, 17th October 2006, the Lebanese Parliament commenced its second ordinary session when it elected its parliamentary officials - two secretaries and three commissioners, as well as the members of its sixteen permanent committees.

As part of the process, Zgharta Zawie Member of Parliament, Jawad Boulos was re-elected unopposed as one of the two Parliamentary Secretaries. He was elected for the first time as a Member of Parliament in the 2005 Lebanese General Election and was elected Parliamentary Secretary on 24th June 2005.

Jawad Boulos, whose full name is Jawad Simon Boulos, was born at Zgharta in 1966. His parents are Simon and Elizabeth (née Hanna) and he has two sisters Maria and Alissar.

His family has been invloved in Zgharta Zawie political and public life for many years. His father, Simon Boulos, was an influential, though discreet figure, in both regional and national politics during his lifetime, who died in 1992. Jawad is the great-nephew of former Minister and Member of Parliament Jawad Boulos (1899 - 1982) who he is named after. His great uncle was Member of Parliament for the years 1937 to 1939 and was appointed respectively Minister of Foreign Affairs, of Health and of Public Works during the presidency of President Ayoub Tabet in 1943.

Jawad married Randa Iskandar Ghebril in 1992 and they have three children, Simon, Elizabeth and Farid. He studied at the College des Fréres, Kfaryachite, then going onto the American University of Beirut (1984-1990) obtaining two degrees, Bachelor of Science - Biology and Bachelor of Arts-Business. He then attended in 1991 Saint Joseph University, Beirut when he obtained a Bachelor of Law. This was followed by studies in France at the Sorbonne, Paris where he received a Bachelor of International Law and at the graduate business school INSEAD, Fontainebleau, where he obtained a MBA.

According to Article 32 of the Lebanese Constitution, Parliament must convene twice a year in two ordinary sessions. The first session begins on the first Tuesday after 15th March and continues until the end of May. The second session begins on the first Tuesday after 15th October and ends at the end of the year. While Parliament sessions are generally dedicated to discussing and passing laws and regulations, the second session is specifically reserved for discussions on and the passing of the national budget "before any other tasks."