by Christina Papakirk 513.460.6647 cismene1@gmail.com

James 'Choppy' Saunders, one of Middletown's most respected citizens, will be honored by Middfest International on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in Middletown on the occasion of his retirement as President of Middfest's Board of Trustees. Saunders will assume the role of President Emeritus. Dr. Mel Cohen will be President.

Saunders' life and career have been committed to making a difference in his surrounding community. In 1970 he was the first African-American elected to Middletown City Commission (now known as City Council) and finished his 16-year tenure serving as Chairman (now Mayor) from 1982 to 1986. He began his career at Armco (now AK Steel) in 1939 as a laborer and rose through the ranks to retire in 1985 as the Corporate Supervisor of Government and Community Affairs.

Saunders has continued his commitment to Middletown after his retirement until the present. He joined the Board of Middfest International and served as General Chairman of the yearly celebrations from 1986-1989 and President of the Board of Trustees from 1990 to the present. He has made significant contributions to many local organizations including Rotary International, Tired Stone Masonic Lodge #83, Middletown United Way and the YMCA. In addition to the leadership roles he has held in Middletown groups, Saunders' involvement has also been felt in the surrounding region. Most notably, he has served as President and First Vice President of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Planning Authority and Regional Council of Governments.

The 'Tribute to James "Choppy" Saunders Dinner' will begin at 6:30 pm with a social hour on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at The Manchester Inn, 1027 Manchester Avenue, Middletown, OH 45042.  Limited seating is available. Please contact Middfest International at 513-425-7707 or Middfest@siscom.net to make a reservation. The cost is $22.50 per person.

Middfest International is a premiere cultural event with dance, music and food from many countries throughout the world.  Held annually in Middletown, Ohio, USA, Middfest has celebrated a different country each year since 1981 and will feature Mongolia in 2008 from October 3-5. For more information contact Middfest Executive Director Virginia Ritan at 513-425-7707 or email to Middfest@siscom.net. For information on past Middfest feature countries visit www.MiddfestInternational.org