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Taste of Slovenia

Annual event celebrates a slice of Ely culture

Keith Vandervort
Posted 8/9/18

ELY – A line of foodies waited patiently outside the St. Anthony Church Hall in Ely Saturday at noon. They could only smell the rich, slightly vinegar fragrance escaping out the door each time …

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Taste of Slovenia

Annual event celebrates a slice of Ely culture

Posted

ELY – A line of foodies waited patiently outside the St. Anthony Church Hall in Ely Saturday at noon. They could only smell the rich, slightly vinegar fragrance escaping out the door each time another person made it past the threshold.

As a visitor approached the entrance, the smell of food hit like a blood sausage across the cheek. A faint sound of accordion music could be heard deep inside.

Is this heaven?

Pretty close. It was the annual Taste of Slovenia event, hosted by the Slovenian Union of America, Branch 23, of Ely.

Mike Koski greeted all visitors with a basket of bread and a shot of plum brandy. “Our traditions tells us to offer all of our guests this welcoming bread and Slivovica,” he said.

With mouths watering and the heavy smell of Slovenian cooking in the air, visitors paid $10 for 12 “tasting tickets” and made their way around the hall visiting various stations to fill their trays with a plethora of soups, sausages, vegetables, sauerkraut, breads, strudel, potica and more. Finding a place to sit and enjoy the ethnic eats proved daunting.

Chairs were set up in front of the stage for the audience to enjoy the sounds of polka music played on an accordion.

In a classroom down the hall, one could witness a demonstration by Mirjam Gremes showing the intricate art of bobbin lace. “I learned this many years ago from my mother, Marian, who was a master at this Old World art,” she said.

Later that day, many people enjoyed an evening of polka music and dancing, hosted by Amici’s Event Center.