Annual Family Fair &

Armenian Picnic Recap


On September 25, 2022, St. Gregory brought back its Armenian Picnic after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, and it was a great day! It was wonderful to see so many people back on the church grounds, happy to gather together once again and to celebrate the return of our traditional picnic.

Despite threatening weather, we had a strong turnout, with guests enjoying delicious Armenian food prepared by the Women’s Guild and Men’s Club and Armenian music performed by St. Gregory’s own Paul Derderian and Arsen Yelegen joined by DJ Arshot Soghomonyan. Children were treated to complimentary face painting, cotton candy and popcorn and had fun jumping around in the very popular bouncy castle. Armenian wine for the event was provided by Krush! Armenian Wines. 


In addition to the many parishioners and guests in attendance, we were pleased to welcome to the picnic Italian-Armenian writer and academic Antonia Arslan and several local politicians.

The Grilling Team did an exceptional job perfectly grilling lamb, chicken and luleh kebobs and vegetables. The Women’s Guild sold out of all the delectable Armenian mezze, desserts and baked goods they prepared. Picnic Co-Chairs Arek Ohanissian and Elizabeth Shaghalian Vranka were thankful for the support and guidance of past picnic chair Ann Daw and for the hard work of all the other volunteers that prepared food, organized the picnic, set up the grounds and worked at the event to make it a success.


We are especially thankful to all our sponsors, generous food, wine and raffle donors and to all who purchased raffle tickets. You greatly contributed to the success of the 2022 St. Gregory Picnic!


Last, but not least we express our heartfelt appreciation to picnic Co-Chairs Arek Ohanissian and Elizabeth Shaghalian Vranka for their diligence in organizing this year's picnic and bringing everyone to work and enjoy their time together.


Annual Family Fair and Picnic Sponsors


Business & Personal Donations ($12,750 in total)

$750

Bashian P.C., Gary Bashian, Esq.

Ballard-Durand Funeral Home

Greenwich Wealth Management, Vahan Janjigian


$500

David Mangum Sports, LLC.

Gigi Bazarian, Realtor

St. Gregory Women's Guild

Melanie Dadourian 

Tom & Ann Giragosian Daw & family

Rosalind Hewsenian - In memory of Margaret Hachadoorian Brophy

Diron Jebejian

Edna Keleshian - In memory of Harry Keleshian


$350

EC Jewelry, Edna Eskandarian


$250

Nature's Cradle, Raffi Ishkanian

Westchester Tai Chi Center, Lisa Rawson

Yaranush Mediterranean Foods & Gourmet Grocery

Tri State Electric, Anthony Izzo

Miguel & Adrena Hernandez

The Papalian family

Beatrice Postian & The Postian Family - In loving memory of George Postian

Maria Elise Rabar

Bryan & Maria Stepanian

Larry & Elizabeth Shaghalian Vranka

The Tachdjian Family – In loving memory of Zaven Tachdjian


$200

ACYOA Seniors

St. Gregory Cultural Committee

St. Gregory Men’s Club

Mark & Joanne Chitjian - In memory of Al & Ann Chitjian and John & Margaret Dorian

Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan & family

John & Anita Wolohojian


$150

Guys & Dolls, Betty & Cesar Ortiz

Armen K. Boyajian

Paul & Carrie Soghigian - In loving memory of Mary Sohigian


$100

A & C AUTOBODY Inc., Joseph M. Pacelle

Harte’s Bridge Club, Alison Harte Shenberg - In honor of Zaven Tachdjian

St. Gregory Armenian School

St. Gregory Sunday School

Chris & Adriane Keleshian Bonfiglio

Lisa & Lenna Kouzoujian - In memory of Harry & Gloria Kouzoujian

Dennis & Ellie Krolian

Gayane Manukyan

Arek Ohanissian

Kaprel & Janet Ozsolak

The Pisani family

Sylvia Fesjian Sarkisian - In memory of Virginia & Suren Fesjian

Greg & Robin Zorthian - In memory of Margaret & Barry Zorthian

Anonymous - In Honor of the amazing women in the kitchen who work to preserve our heritage by preparing traditional Armenian items for our collective enjoyment!


$50 

V.J. Carbonic's, James E. Sellian

Artemis & Sergio DiBenedetto - In memory of George H. Watts

Sara Hatchadoorian

Pearl Khachadoorian & the Flynn Family, Mary, Jon, Courtney, Colt & Caitlin

The Pacia family, Raymond, Silvia, Gregory & Rose

Mary A. Tatarian - In memory of Alice Keleshian Tatarian

Beatrice Yesian - In memory of Adam, Rose & Dr. Arthur Yesian


Donors of Products & Services

All American Tree Care, Tim Khachetoorian

Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation

E. C. Jewelry, Edna Eskandarian

Krush! Armenian Wine Imports

Lombardo’s Pizza & Bar Restaurant

Stew Leonard’s

St. Gregory Women’s Guild Thrift & Gift Shoppe

Terra Rustica Ristorante Italiano

Toufayan Bakeries

Nadia Basil

Adriane Keleshian Bonfiglio

Pearl Khachadoorian

Dennis & Ellie Krolian

David & Cindy Postian

Beatrice Postian

Dr. Harout Tikranian

The Tachdjian Family

Elizabeth Shaghalian Vranka

Click here to view the pictures
Click here to download the picnic booklet