ACOM's annual Gaghant(/Valentines)

party was held at Cedrholm Community room in Roseville on February 10, 2024.

Attendence this year was over 75 people. We again had our meal catered by Mim's Restaurant with a plentiful amount and selection of Middle-Eastern food. Steve Usitalo, Past President presented the New ACOM board which will serve for the next two years. We also welcomed an honored guest, Hayr Simeon from New York, who gave the blessing for the event and for the meal.

Gaghant/Valentine’s Day Party – 2023

After a great start to ACOM’s 40th year, our midwinter party took a 2 year “Pandemic” break and a year with a cancelled in-person party. This year the party was on again in-person but with a later start date that was closer to Valentine’s day.

ACOM Gaghant 2022

Virtual, again

Plans were well underway for a return to a traditional in-person Gaghant for 2022. However, the best laid plans got laid low by that insidious virus that is still around and interfering with our everyday lives and with our celebrations. We had found a new event space at a community center in Roseville (MidPointe fell victim to the times and to some destructive violence during early 2020 and had ceased to exist). We had the caterer (Mim's again) ready to go, band (Music Mundial) signed up and early preparations in hand when we found out that we didn't have the numbers of people confirming their attendance to make it economically feasible for ACOM to hold the in-person event.

The annual ACOM Gaghant was held this year on Sunday, January 3, 2021 via Zoom. Hosted and emceed by John Parker-Der Boghossian (ACOM President), the celebration began with some introductory remarks by John. The current board of ACOM was then introduced, followed by the presentation of the elected new vice-president, Steven Usitalo, and a new board member-at-large, Alarica Hassett. 

Kicking off our 40th year, the annual ACOM Gaghant party was held on January 10th, 2020 at MidPointe Event Center in St. Paul.

As usual, our guests were welcomed to the event and for this special year, everyone attending was presented with a red 40th Year Anniversary tote bag displaying ACOM’s new logo. Also, during check-in, "Hye Bingo" cards were given out. The aim of the bingo player was to find people who had the characteristics detailed in the bingo boxes and get those people to sign off on the box. This was a great ice-breaker that encouraged guests to mingle and socialize.

ACOM's annual Gaghant Party was again held at Midpointe Event Center - on Friday January 11, 2019. Over 100 people were registered and provided with dinner catered by Mim's Restaurant, a Silent Auction, a Kids Game room, and dancing to Music Mundial. 

ACOM's annual Gaghant Party was held at a new venue - Midpointe Event Center - on Friday January 12, 2018. Over 100 people were registered and provided with dinner catered by Mim's Restaurant, a Silent Auction, a Kids Game room (new this year), and dancing to Music Mundial. The new event space was spectacluar with lots of room, separate areas for auction and games, wonderful decorations and special lighting effects on the windows with the Armenian Flag Colors.

A brief program was given by Francis Bulbulian, ACOM current President, that introduced the newly elected board, congratulated board members that are leaving, and gave a presentation recap on ACOM's acheivements over the last year (2017). (You can dowload a copy of the 2017 Recap in the attachment)

Dancing then followed with Armenian Music by Music Mundial. We did get a lot of people up to dance, especially the younger generation. All-in-all a magical evening with very special people in a fabulous setting. A wonderful way to end 2017 and start the new year of 2018 - our 38th year. Hooray!!!

ACOM's annual Gaghant was held on Saturday January 14th at Como Dockside Event Center.

The 2016 ACOM Gaghant party has come and gone already! After six good years at the Marriott in Minnetonka, we changed venues to the intimate setting of the Saint Paul Como Dockside Pavilion located on the shores of Lake Como in St. Paul. The room was lit to a level of coziness and comfort for 83 Armenians and friends. A very tasty Louisiana style buffet dinner was provided and the four-piece band "Music Mundial" played wonderful Armenian and Middle Eastern music for our listening and dancing pleasure.

January 3rd, 2015 - The annual ACOM Gaghant party was held at the Marriott Hotel in Minnetonka on a brisk Saturday evening. Guests were greeted during a social hour from 6 to 7 followed by a buffet dinner starting at 7. The food was excellent and dinner was followed by a dessert table provided by ACOM. A new feature this year was a silent auction with many donated items. There was live music by Music Mundial playing a delightful mix of Eastern and Western music that got people up dancing. A very successful start to a new year.