Hello,I just wanted to congratulate you for this great job you've done and I really liked the photo gallery and everything. It's really a nice place to live. It is located in a very nice area and you can say it is a small example of Lebanon, the beauty, the events and the mix of many religions that live together in peace like one family...I am not really from the South but I would like to see a website for every town in Lebanon that talks about its history and that makes us proud of our origin.
Keep on the good work guys.
Georges Hage / hage_georges@hotmail.com    Mansourieh El Maten, Lebanon. 15 Mar 2002

Things to remember about Machghara. 
I missed the smell of birds flying on the tree 
And coffee brewing on the old wood stove 
My feet would land on naked floors so chilly from the cold, 
And shivering in my tattered flannel gown 
I’d hurry to the kitchen where I’d find 
My mom baking biscuits big and brown, 
And crackling fire from our wood stove to warm my cold behind. 
Outside in the Mountains, I’d hear the wind so harshly blow 
I’d remember the days we used to dance in the fertile fields 
Where we use to dance among the rows of yellow corn, 
beneath a clear and brilliant sky of blue. 
Today I feel once more the safety of my youth 
Some say you never can go back again 
to childhood days forever lost in time, 
but I say to everyone from Machghara 
if we ride the winds of memory, together 
we will find a childhood residing in our mind. 

Hassan Habib Hajjar  15 Mar 2002

It has been eight years since I have visited the beautiful paradise which is Machghara. I am currently 16 years old and I live in Canada. I am the son of Issam Abboudy and Bahia Hajjar.
Eight years later...I still feel like the little kid running around the streets of Machghara, throwing rocks by the river, eating ice cream beside Ammo Fares's store...And I realized that what makes Machghara so beautiful, other than the mountains, the gardens and the old houses, it’s the people who live or who once lived in this amazing little village. And I want to thank the creators of this site for reuniting all the good people of the village to rebuild the dream we like to call MACHGHARA.
Fadi Issam Abboudy    Heavy_d_99_2000@hotmail.com Canada.  16 Mar 2002

We are Lebanese and Syrian descent, but me and my sisters are proud of our mother's roots, which came from Machghara, and one of these days our mother and us will visit our country which we are so proud of, because that is where all of our mother's family was born and raised.
Job well done to this beautiful web site.
Sincerely, Amer & Nesreen Lababidi, and Rima Saman.
All love to Machghara from my mom Leila Rayshouny, Orlando, Florida, USA. 16 Mar 2002

Hey, this is Ghassan a proud person that was born and raised in Machghara and I really love this web site. I took my kids to Lebanon a couple summers ago and they really loved it there,  the place they loved most,  was in Machghara. I think this webstie is amazing because as I look through all the names I see so many that sound familiar. And just today I looked at one Named Leila Rayshouny, Do u remember me Leila I'm Ghassan I think u were in my class 32 years ago if u do remember me, email me at sayegh_ghassan@hotmail.com Canada.
17 Mar 2002

Hello, I'm Maher Ankouni,  I SAY HI To All The People WHO know Me; Keep Up The Work. 
My Email is mankouni10@yahoo.com U.S.A.  18 Mar 2002

Congratulations Nasser for this great and hard work . Each time I look at this website, I feel that I am now in my Machghara because you put all the lovely and beautiful details that we adore..... Simply you put our memories. You deserve a big Thanks . 
Yours: Wassim Mahfouz, United States.  19 Mar 2002

Hello Amu and family! Just wanted to say a job well done on this excellent website that you have created for us people and citizens of Machghara! I am very glad because I would love to learn more about Machghara because that's where my father ( Riyad Rayshouny ) and his family are from. I went down there in 1994 and I can tell you that I had the time of my life there. Its beautiful!!!! Keep up the good work....
Always SAMI RAYSHOUNY, STERLING HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN. rayshouny02@aol.com  19 Mar 2002

Hallo everyone, glad to see the guest book up and running again. Its wonderful to hear from friends that I haven't seen for nearly 30 years, all because of this excellent site.
I have a proposal, which is a follow up of an idea my cousin Salem put forward last year. That is to have a reunion in Machghara, I propose that we set a time two years from now, which will give people lots of time to plan, and have an open invitation to all of the sons and Daughters of Machghara to reunite and meet. I would like to hear your opinion on this, please respond. If there is enough interest as I am sure there will be, we can hash out our ideas on this site, and take this further.
Best regards, Alissar Gazal alissar@iprimus.com.au  Australia.  20 Mar 2002

Originally From: Paula Salem, the same can be said about Machghara .... Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 8:55 PM
Subject: MY Lebanon 
THIS IS A LETTER DEDICATED TO ALL LEBANESE OF ALL RELIGIONS WHEREVER THEY MAY BE IN THE WORLD.
THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF LEBANON'S REVIVAL.
My Lebanon is just like yours. It lives in my mind , my heart and my spirit. It lives in my humor and sadness. It thrives in my family , my friends , my countrymen, my memory. Lebanon is in the air that I breathe every day. It is the moon climbing slowly from behind the hills to crawl into the sky, shimmering softly on the calm Mediterranean. It is the sun burning red and orange as it sinks gracefully on the horizon .It is a row of pine trees along a mountain road and a little stone house set back in a quiet little village. 
My Lebanon is just like yours in the long hot summer days beating us down to sleep in the shade of the afternoon. It is in the feasts ,lunches and dinners stretched out along long tables with friends and drink. It is the heartthumping rhythm of the derbakkeh and the whirling dance of the dabke. It is the smoke that curls from the nargileh as you sip your coffee brewed fresh from a large boiling pot. Lebanon is the sheik in his mansion and the priest in his church. It is the Mouezzin calling Muslims to prayer at dawn the voice ringing through the crisp air .It is the Church bell tolling loud and clear from the hilltop. Lebanon is the farmer leading his oxen to plow. It is the shepherd whistling and calling to his flock and the stone flung with the aim of a hunter walking beyond him in the valley. Lebanon is the shahrour and the bilbol singing , the fig tree lending its fruit and the grapes sweetening your mouth like cold wet honey. 
My Lebanon is just like yours and the neighbors who welcome you into their hearts and their homes. It is in the old woman sitting cross-legged before her sajj baking the mouthwatering mankoush and markouk. It is the men sitting before the Saraya under a eucalyptus tree playing tric trac each wiser than the next and both content in their rivalry. It is in Beirut on a busy day with the people walking and the cars honking. It is in the crowded restaurants and cafe's and the beaches. It is the fun of being alive. 
My Lebanon is just like yours when the snow falls on Sannine, Faraya and Bcharre. It is the white laden branches of the cedars in winter that have stood before time itself knew of them. It is the olive tree that was planted by the grandfather of my grandfather and the sindianeh under which he sat and told me. Lebanon is Fairuz and the songs of the loves and dreams of all of us. It is the stars on a clear autumn night flickering like the lights of the fishing boats in the bay. 
My Lebanon is all of that and more .It is beyond any enemy and their devices. It is above any politician and his manipulations. It is bigger than any scheme or any plot. 
My Lebanon is invincible , it is unconquerable and unwavering. My Lebanon is beyond the traitors and the thieves , it is beyond the cowards and the knaves. 
My Lebanon cannot be bombed nor beat, nor bowed. 
My Lebanon is made of things that cannot be broken , of dreams that cannot be erased , of passion that cannot be withheld. 
My Lebanon is as free as the hawk that flies on a hot summer day and as tough as the pillars of Baalbek. 
My Lebanon is powerful and proud, tolerant and forgiving, beautiful and stern. 
My Lebanon is made of the immortal. 
My Lebanon is just like yours. 
LET'S GET IT BACK, PLEASE FORWARD THIS LETTER TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE LEBANON
20 Mar 2002

Viewing the photo gallery of Machghara and reading Machgharanians feelings and emotions .. made me very proud. 
This site is rich with unforgettable memories, it has become a retreat to many of us looking for peaceful and unstressful moments in our daily routines . 
Best of success to the pioneers of this site .Your creation is well appreciated . 
Elissar (GHANTOUS) Jalal.  Canada, E.mail= elissar.jalal@city.ottawa.on.ca  21 Mar 2002

Hello, my name is Wassim Sayegh, son of Khalil and Rita Sayegh. I'm 11 years old and I learned lots of new stuff that I didn't know before. I was 3 years old when I visited Machghara with my family. I didn't remember anything and now those pictures reminded me of how Machghara looks like, and it's beautiful.
Anyways...good job, great site and great success. Thank you very much!  21 Mar 2002

I see a marvelous Machghara website
Where all the people of Machghara, united 
No more ugly wars to fight 
And every wrong, is now righted

No more hate, or greed 
No man, against another 
Life in Machghara is as, God decreed 
Each man, is everyone's brother

The lion beside, the lamb lay
For us Machghara, no thought of fear 
The wolf beside, the infant lay 
The message, to you is now quite clear

Hassan Habib Hajjar  22 Mar 2002

I am very proud of those who prepared this site for my home "Machghara". It is a nice site which links the families all around the world.

hashemco1@hotmail.com   23 Mar 2002

 هذه كلماتي الاولى لكم على هذا الموقع وكلي شعور بالامتنان والشكر لجميع من يساهم في رفع اسم مشغرة عالياً 
كل الشكر لجميع أعضاء جمعية مشغرة لكل ما يسعون له وفقهم الله لمزيد من التعاون والترابط الاسري الذي تقومون به 
علاء احمد هاشم - مقيم في الكويت

Just to say Hello to everyone.  24 Mar 2002

Thanks Hassana and Nasser. Please keep up the good work. To all Machgharanian friends: it is my great pleasure to read your comments, I look forward to read them and to find out that day after day, new names are added to the list. 
Nawal Hajjar Moussa   e-mail: nawalmoussa@hotmail.com     24 Mar 2002

HELLO FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF MACHGHARA WHEREVER YOU ARE AROUND THE WORLD, GOOD TO SEE SOME FAMILIAR NAMES AND TO GET TO KNOW WHO ELSE IS FROM THIS BEAUTIFUL TOWN.   KEEP IT UP....
WADIH KHALIL TANIOUS TAMER ELHAJJ, WADIHELHAJJ@HOTMAIL.COM  24 Mar 2002

HELLO TO ALL!     MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. EVERY DAY I SIT AND READ ALL THE COMMENTS EVERYONE HAS WRITTEN AND IT GETS ME SO EXCITED. MY FIRST TRIP TO MACHGHARA WAS OVER 25YRS AGO I WAS 4YRS OLD. YOU MAY SAY WHAT DOES A 4YR OLD REMEMBER, SHE WAS SO YOUNG. WELL I DO REMEMBER, I REMEMBER SITTING ON THE BALCONY OF MY SITTO'S HOUSE (IM ABDO ZINAB MERHI CHEIKH) GOD REST HER SOUL, SHE WOULD MAKE US A LABNEH SANDWICH ON MAROUK BREAD WITH LITTLE TEA GLASSES AND A MINIATURE TABLE AND CHAIRS FOR ME AND MY SISTER FATIMA WE FELT ALL GROWN UP, LATER SHE WOULD SEND US DOWN TO AMO KASSEM RIZK'S DAKENEH AND BUY HER A BOTTLE OF ALL THE ELDERS FAVORITE DRINK 7up, THE DAKENEH WAS NOT WHERE IT IS STANDING TODAY, IT STOOD WHERE THE MOSQUE IS PRESENTLY, THERE WAS A SMALLER STORE NEXT TO IT EVERY TIME I WOULD GO IN, AMO KASSEM WOULD GIVE ME A BALLOON HE WAS SO SWEET, AFTERWARD WE WOULD PLAY IN THE SAHA WITH MY AMTO MACKEIYA'S KIDS WE WOULD THROW OUR SLIPPERS IN THE NAHAR AND HAVE SOMEONE GO IN TO RETREIVE IT. THE NAHAR IS COVERED NOW. I WENT BACK TWICE AFTER THAT IN MY LATE TEENS AND BOTH TIMES I CAME BACK LONGING TO GO BACK. THIS SUMMER WITH THE GRACE OF GOD I WILL GO BACK BUT THIS TIME I WILL BRING MY LITTLE TROOPS WITH ME, MY 5 & 4 YR OLD AND 10 MTH CHILDREN, THEY WILL MAKE NEW MEMORIES AND MAYBE ONE DAY WE WILL SHARE THEM WITH YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN INSHALLAH. TO ALLISAR GAZAL: THE IDEA OF REUNITING IN MACHGHARA IS A WONDERFUL IDEA, LETS ALL TRY TO ACCOMPLISH IT . WITH THIS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY:  MAY GOD BLESS THE SOULS OF THE LATE SHARIF MAHESNEY, MOHAMED AND ASSAD MASSOUD ELCHEIKH, ALBERT RAFFOUL AND HAJI IM ALI ZINAB AWADA, THESE PEOPLE ALWAYS MADE THE EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO ANYONE THAT CAME TO THE UNITES STATES FROM MACHGHARA OR AIN TINEH, MAY THEY REST IN PEACE. 
ZINAB MAZHAR CHEIKH ALI AHMAD, U.S. MICHIGAN  ZOUBBA@AOL.COM   26 Mar 2002

يوم الاحد 24 اذار كنا في مشغرة نعيد الشعانين .ولهذا العيد في مشغرة نكهته حيث تمر في مخيلتك وانت ترقب جموع الصغار تزيّح في دار الكنيسة حول تلك الشجرة المميزة : صور وذكريات واوجه ربما هي اليوم في عالم اخر او في بلاد اخرى تراها وانت ماخوذ بالوان العيد وشموعه وبصوت الجوقة الصادحة : هوشعنا مبارك الاتي باسم الرب ,تراها امامك في الباحة او على الطريق العلوية تراقب وتنظر, او امام مغارة السيدة تاخذ الصور التذكاريه, فيعيدك المشهد الى مشغرة التي تعرف. واللافت في العيد هذه السنة امران :الاول هو ترؤس سيادة المطران سليم غزال قداس العيد وهو الذي يحب مشغره حتى العبادة, وتشديده في عظته على اهمية العيد في تمتين الرباط العائلي حيث اشرك الغائبين مع الحاضرين, المهاجرين مع المقيمين , الاموات من سمائهم العلوية مع الاحياء, معتبرا ان العيد هو لكل الناس حيث ان مشغرة كانت ولا تزال تشكل عائلة واحدة افرادها موزعون بين كل المذاهب وكل البلدان, مستحضرا على مقاعد الكنيسة اجيالا مرت منذ عشرات السنين كانت تشكل العائلة المشغرية .اما الامر الثاني فهو تزامن الشعانين مع ذكرى عاشوراء حيث شارك المصلون بعد القداس في التطلع الى معاني المسيرة الحسينية التي كانت تجوب الشارع الرئيسي والتي ترمز الى ضرورة الاستعداد الدائم لمؤازرة الحق ومقاومة الظالمين. أو ليست المظاهر الدينية على تنوعها واحدة في الجوهر؟ اولم تكن مشغرة واحدة مع هذا التنوع الجميل؟ نزيه حجار    
 28 Mar 2002                                                                              

تحية الى مشغرة........اسمي ميشال فؤاد الطويل, عمري 13 سنة , والدي العقيد فؤاد الطويل في الجيش اللبناني. والدي من مواليد مشغرة, وجدّي ميشال الطويل خدم مشغرة مديرا للبريد مدة عشرون سنة. والدتي,امها من مشغرة من عائلة بطرس. انا لست من مشغرة , ولكني تعلّمت ان احب هذه الضيعة من اهلي. نزور مشغرة, ولنا صداقات كثيرة مع اهلها الطّيّبين. ابي يخبّرني دائما عن طفولته وشبابه في مشغرة,حتى اصبحت مع اخوتي نحبّها ونعتبرها ضيعتنا الثانية كالحمصية. لك منّا يا مشغرة كل الوفاء وكل الحنين وكل الحب

And finally, within our hearts, we say to all of those who left Machghara behind and went to the new world we tell you that come back to your village, come back to your origins which "MACHGHARIANS, LEBANESE" and let Machghara and all it's fellow people rejoice their happiness of your coming back. 
Michel Fouad Tawil    cherokee_alpha1@hotmail.com   31 Mar 2002
                                    Happy Easter to you all

تحياتي الى أهالي هذه البلدة المميزين. استمروا بهذا العمل الجميل.
01 Apr 2002