International Fair uses food, culture to unite partner nations

“The International Spouses’ Group holds this every year because they are trying to raise funds for scholarships which they award to (members of) the families in the international community,” said Armin Sayson, training systems program engineer, Simulators Program Office, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and a member of the Filipino community.

“We really appreciate everyone coming out and supporting this event. Please spread the word so more people come next year and they raise lots of money to award even more scholarships,” Sayson said.

Winning scholarships to attend a college or university in the United States were Bethany Lloyd of the United Kingdom and Hamidah Lawal of Nigeria.

Countries represented once again at the fair included Australia, Brazil, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Laos, the Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Cuba, Latvia, Nigeria and Slovakia were newcomers this year.

“It is wonderful when new representatives come to me and ask if they may participate,” said Inma Kusnierek, a native of Madrid who has served as chair or co-chair of the ISG event for more than a decade, with the other co-chair being Lori Enochian of the U.S. “They are very proud to show their culture and cuisine and thank their hosts.”

Performances included drummers from Japan and dancers from the Philippines. People walked from table to table, sampling the many cuisines and admiring the native costumes.

Kusnierek said she enjoys the smiles on everyone’s faces at the event, and she thanked Air Force Materiel Command, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and Col. Thomas Sherman, 88th Air Base Wing commander, for their support. She also welcomed Boy Scouts working on their Citizenship in the World Merit Badge and the Waynesville High School Foreign Language Club members who were soaking up the various cultures.

The ISG was established 40 years ago to support members as they adjust to life in the United States.

“The International Fair is for the community here,” Kusnierek said. “It binds the relationships people have at work and as neighbors with some of these countries. It is wonderful to see.”