Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • September 18, 2013 Mahwah Bournoutian to present lecture at Ramapo George A. Bournoutian will discuss “Russo-Turkish Relations and the Armenian Community of the Ottoman Empire” at Ramapo College of New Jersey on Tuesday, Sept. 24. This program will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in the York Room of the Birch Mansion. Bournoutian has been on the faculty of Iona College in New Rochelle, New York since 1986. He is currently the senior professor of history. When he appears at Ramapo, Bournoutian will exam- ine the impact of Russo-Turkish conflict since the mid-19 th century on the fate of the Armenian community of the Ottoman Empire. The program is being sponsored by the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the History Club of Ramapo College. Far from being a zero sum game, for Tsarist Russia the diplomatic and political problems posed by the decay of the Ottoman Empire constituted an opportunity to gain influence and territory on Turkey’s eastern and western frontiers. As a Christian minority primarily residing in the eastern reaches of Ottoman territory, the Armenians were almost automatically involved the long decades of struggle that only ended with the Armenian genocide. As Russia extended its border southward, it became increasingly involved with Ottoman affairs, not only because Russia gained control of a swath of Armenian ter- ritory, but also due to its support of Serbian and Romanian independence Armenians increasingly viewed Russia as its champion vis-à-vis the Ottomans. Born in Ishfahan, Iran, Bournoutian is the author of more than two dozen books and numerous articles on the history of Armenia, Georgia, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Iran, and Azerbaijan. His book, “A Concise History of the Armenian People,” published by Mazda Publishers and already in its sixth edition, is the basic text for most Armenian courses offered in the United States. It has been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, and Armenian. Editions in Japanese, Persian, and Russian forthcoming. In addition to his post at Iona College, Bournoutian has held visiting appointments at Columbia University, Tufts University, New York University, Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut, California State University at Fresno, and Ramapo College. He is fluent in eight lan- guages and holds B.A. and Ph.D. degrees in history from the University of California at Los Angeles. Ramapo College is based at 505 Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) in Mahwah. Mahwah Day 2013 to feature host of family-friendly activities The 19 th Annual Mahwah Day Celebration is set for Saturday, Sept. 28 at Commodore Perry Field. The parade will step off at noon and travel down East Ramapo Avenue. After the parade, a full day of family activities will take place at Commodore Perry Field. Activities will feature kiddie rides, pony rides, live enter- tainment, and plenty of games for children. The schedule of special entertainment includes Sprinkles the Clown at 1 p.m., Outragehisss Pets at 2 p.m., and Mark Dacey, family entertainer, and everyone’s favorite Dog Show at 3 p.m. This year, there will be a special appearance by Will Shaw at 5 p.m. Shaw has performed his amazing juggling and comedy show on “Sesame Street,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stew- art,” and under the big top with the Big Apple Circus. Food will be available throughout the day and the town- ship’s Access Transportation buses will shuttle visitors to and from the Lincoln Tech parking area off Island Road. Attendees are welcome to drop off donations of non- perishable food items at the tents manned by the Center for Food Action’s and the Mahwah Marine Moms. The evening will feature a 6 p.m. concert by The Mighty Spectrum and a fireworks display at 8 p.m. Learn about Pack 258 Mahwah Cub Scout Pack 258 invites boys in grades one through four from Betsy Ross, Lenape Meadows, and Joyce Kilmer schools to stop by the Pumpkin Painting Booth on Mahwah Day, Sept. 28. The boys and their families are encouraged to visit the booth and meet members of the pack and its leaders. Visi- tors will have an opportunity to ask questions and gather information about the pack’s activities. To obtain informa- tion prior to Mahwah Day, contact Michelle Crowe-Paz at michellecrowepaz@gmail.com.