Club Officers John Ashkar President 203.770.4134 Con2ashi@uol.com Mike Caravakis Vice President Ghassan Najm Secretary Jimmy Glynn Asst. Secretary William Asmar Treasurer Mark Chory Asst. Treasurer Dick Jowdy Past President Directors Farid Khouri Vinny DiGilio Ray Antous Tony Athayek Eddy Essa John Jovy David Glynn Betty Najm Vice President & Past President Janet Coury Secretary Debbie Sousa Treasurer Ghassan Najm Louis Najamy Ruth Ashkar Betty Najm LEBANON AMERICAN CLUB NEWS - OCTOBER 2015 Page 1 22 West Street Danbury, CT 06810 President's Corner Dear Brothers & Sisters, First we wish to extend our deepest Sympathy to the Zarrini family and remember to pray for the repose of the soul of Samir. He will truly be missed by all of us at the Club. Please also remember to pray for the mother of Miike Caravakis our Vice President, who recently passed away. Our deepest Sympathy to Mike & His Family. 1 will not bore you with more of what I've been saying all year but I do wish to Thank the committee and the Entire Club for selecting me as your Person of the Year, this year. This is one of the greatest Honors I have ever roceived. | am really looking forward to the Person of the Year dinner and all of the other great affairs that are planned for this month, Please continue to support YOUR CLUB and all its affairs and May God Bless Us All with Health, Happiness, and Prosperity. Thank you all for allowing me the privilege of being your president Gratefully Yours, John Ashkar. Note: Due to event conflicts, the Lebanese Buffet Dinner by Chef John Hanna is on Friday Oct. 16. There Will be no dinner at the Club on Friday Oct. 30" due an event honoring Tom Saadi by Amos House. See Page 4. Person(s) Of the Year” Reservations Due Monday 10/12 The Club will be honoring Pres. John N. Ashlar, Helen Georgette Ayoub, and Posthumously George J. Dimyan ‘at the event that will be held on Thursday October 22" at the Amber Room in Danbury. Life long members of the club, St. Anthony’s and St. Ann churches of Danbury respectively, they have had a lifetime of contributions to the advancement of the Lebanese and Arabie Speaking Community in Danbury and the Danbury Community at large, Members that are planning on attending and/or submitting an ad for the Commemorative Program Book should send the invitations responses and program book form by Monday October 12". For more info see page 5, send an email to LebanonClub@attnet Visits to His Excellency, Gibran Bassil, the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, visited the Club on Friday Sept. 25th at 6:30pm, He was accompanied by his Excellency Majdi Ramandan, the NY General Consul ‘The program included remarks by President John Ashkar, Father Naji Kiwan of St. Anthony, the MC for the ‘event, the General Consul Mr. Ramadan, State Rep. Selim Noujaime who also presented a proclamation by the CT Siate Lewislative Branch, and ended with Mr. Bassil remarks followed with questions from the audience, ‘They included topics such as on the Lebanese internal affairs, impact of the Syrian war and refugees on Lebanon and the world, and the current support of the US Government to Lebanon. After the meeting, Mr, Bassil accompanied by his delegation, joined Club members, guests and many of the event attendees from neighboring communities in CT and NY, for a Lebanese Buffet Dinner prepared by Chef John Hanna, For more details, se the Chub Website to access the links for The TV Coverage in Lebanon and the Al-Mohajer Online news magazine for the Lebanese Emigrants Saint Anthony Parish also hosted the Maronite Archbishop of Damascus, Syria, Samir Nassar from September 30 to October 8, 2015. He co-celebrated with his Excellency Bishop Bob Shaheen, church services ‘on Saturday and Sunday Oct, 3 and 4 and had a presentation and discussion about Syria and the Situation of Christians in Syria and the Middle East on Sat. Oct. "after the Spm liturgy. After many years of hosting refugees from many neighboring countries, millions of Syrians including many Christian communities have been displaced, and have sought refuge in other part of Syria, and in other countries in the region and in the ‘world. Entire cities and fowns have been devastated and/or emptied. Two Bishops and 4 priests are currently missing, and others have been martyred. Only a small percentage of these communities remain. The clergy continues to serve as best as they can despite the difficulties. This is a war that started in 2011 after peaceful demonstrations for 6 months. The Syrian war has over 80 nations participating in it during the past 5 years, The Archbishop asked for support and suggested prayers for a de-escalation of the war by the world community to achieve peace. Earlier in the month Bishop Nassar had participated in Pope Francis’ visit in Philadelphia, and \was hosted by Bishops Zydan and Shaheen in St. Louis. Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att. net, www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.comLEBANON AMERICAN CLUB NEWS - OCTOBER 2015 Page 2 22 West Street Danbury, CT 06810 Here we are late again, but loaded with news eoneerning past and future events at our club and at associated clubs, churches, and whatever! I'll uy to limit tis section to business as ether columns will be covering the events of the past month as well as future events. Coming soon, as soon as my home computer gets fixed, bills fr the 2016 LAC Newsletter wil be set cut Please try to respond quickly so that we can allow new advertisers to submit their requests. The cost for the fll year, Jn. to Dec., remains the same at $125. This includes having your ad on the club's website inthe electronic version of the newsletter. Ifyou have any questions or changes concerning yout ad contact Lou Najamy (home phone - 203-792-3559) or Ghassan Najm (mobile - 860-488-0074). We are still waiting for some of our readers to send in some stories, accounts oftheir visitsvacations, or anything that might interest our readers. We hear plenty at meetings and at Friday night dinners as well as events, so how about sharing some of these wit other members who eanit or couldat attend ‘Thoughts to Live By: ‘Nobody Knows enough, but many know too much." Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, Austrian author (1830 -1916) People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges." Joseph Fort Newton, American clergyman (1876 -1950) ALLittle Humor: "There's one way to find out ifa man is honest ~ ask him. If he says" (1890 -197) acts and truth really don’t ave much to do wit each other.” William Faulkner, American novelist and poet (1897-1962) Member News: st of alla well deserved congratulations to our Persons ofthe Year, Pres. John Ashkar, Helen Georgette Ayoub, and posthumous George Dimyan. A well deserved honor for our three Persons ofthe Year. Last month we had a new member sworn in, Joseph Blanco, a resident of Danbury and of Lebanese descent. He isa principal of & parochial school in New York State. We welcome Joe and his wife and children into our club. It ooks like nwo new applicants will be sworn in atthe October members meetings. Let's keep this trend of new members going by inviting relatives and friends to join our club, bath the men's lub as well asthe Ladies Auxiliary. Congratulations to Lou and Pat Najamy. they are going to be grandparents for a second time sometime toward the end of February. As you read this Pat is already down in Florida visiting the expectant parents with Lou and Marko follow shortly Club 300 50/50 Raff RAFFLE tickets now available! $100.00 per ticket with sales limited to only 300 tickets. The drawing is on December 5, 2015 atthe Club. Please contact Bill Asmar for your tickets. We kindly ask each member to buy or sell at least 2 tickets in order to make our biggest yearly fundraiser a success, Thank You for your support! Health and Welfa Please Keep our ill members in your prayers and notify V.P. Mike Caravakis, whenever a member falls seriously ill by sending an email to caravakis(@aol.com "you know he's a crook.” Groucho Marx Visit by the Lebanese Foreign Minister and Emigrants Gibran Bassil to Danbury on Sept. 25, 2015 Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub’ www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbuLEBANON AMERICAN CLUB NEWS - OCTOBER 2015 Page 3 22 West Street Danbury, CT 06810 LADIES AUXILIARY NEWS by PRESIDENT RUTH ASHKAR DEEPEST SYMPATHY: ‘We recently were deeply saddened by the passing of Samir Zarrini, loving husband of Nada, father of Soly and Samantha, who passed away unexpectedly while in Lebanon, We wish to extend our sincere sympathy and offer our heartfelt prayers to ‘Nada, Soly, Samantha and their extended family and friends in this tragic loss of a wonderful man. COMMENTS 1. We would like to announce our newest member ofthe Auxiliary, Ms. Loreta L. Chory, wife ofthe men’s club member, Anthony Chory. We look forward to her participation inthe Lebanon American Club's Ladies Auxiliary. Welcome, Loretal 2, Congratulations to John N. Ashkar, Helen Georgette Ayoub and posthumously George J. Dimyan on their nomination for the Persons of the Year 2015 Award 3. Men's club $0/50 ral tickets are now available @$100 each. A chance to win $10,000! Drawing December 5". Only 300 issued. Sce Billy Asmar for tickets. 4, Due to the numerous activites in October, the LAX has chosen a tentative date for our semi-annual LAX Scholarship Fund Raising Dinnet-Buffet, Itis Thursday, November 12 @ 6:30 PM atthe club. Further details to follow. DATES TO REMEMBER: ‘T. October 10%, Saturday, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Dr. Michael Taweh’s fundraiser for Kevin's Community Center, wil be held @Edmond Town Hall on Main Street in Newtown... Donation $45 per person. 2. October 10%, Saturday, from 7:00 PM to midnight, St. Ann’s Annual Hafli will be held @ the church hall. Cost $50 for adults and $20 for children under 12 3. October 134, Tuesday, @ 7:00 PM, the Ladies Auxiliary will hold its monthly meeting. All members, as well as prospective members, are welcome to attend. 4, October 22”, Thursday, @ 6:00 PM, the Persons of the Vear Dinner will be held @ the Amber Room. Cost $50 per person if paid by October 12" Invitations have been mailed. 5. October 24", Saturday, @ 6:00 PM, the 50/50 Club members’ appreciation dinner will be held @ St. Anthony’s church hall, Contact Sandy Taylor Urban for further details. IMPORTANT REMINDERS: Special prayers & a speedy recovery to our members who are ill Remember to support our advertizing sponsors Friday night dinners are posted on the club calendar. Cost $25. ‘Once a month, spaghetti dinners will be served @ the club. Cost $12. Ifyou have any future events, news, information or particular stories that you would like to share with the membership, please feel free to contact me. ‘Current Month - Club Events ‘Oct. 3, 23- Fri. Night Italian Buffet Dinner. $25/person BOYB ‘Oct. 6, 20 Tues.7pm/8pm Board of Directors and General Meetings respectively ‘Oct. 5, 12,19, 26~ Mon. 7pm, Monday Night Football, By Jimmy Glynn & Vinny DiGilio (Oct. 9 Fri, Night American Buffet Dinner Oct. 13 — 7pm, Ladies Auxiliary Meeting ‘Oct. 14- Wed. 6:30pm Spaghetti Dinner, By Chef Lou Scalzo, and assisted by Frankie Schlemer, Cost $12 per person ‘Oct. 15 Thurs. 7:30pm Texas Hold’em Tournament, By Bill Orr. Oct. 16 - Fri. Night Lebanese Buffet Dinner, Catered by Chef Hanna, $25/person (Moved from Last Friday of the Month). ‘Oct. 22 Thurs. épm 2015 Person(s) of the Year, at the Amber Room, By Ghassan and Betty Najm ‘Oct. 30 — No Friday Dinner, due to special event honoring Tom Saadi By Amos House. See Page 4. Looking Ahead Nov. 12 — 6:30pm Mid-Eastern Scholarship Fundraiser Buffet Dinner, by the Ladies Auxiliary. Dee. 5 Sat. 6:30pm Club 300 50/50 Raffle, By Billy Asmar ‘Dec. 12 Sat, 7pm — Christmas Party, By Lou Najamy Dee. 13 ~ Sun. 2pm ~ Children Christmas Party, By Lou Najamy. Community Events ‘Oct. 10— Sai. Tpm-12pm Hafli at St. Ann Church, with George Maalouf. Oct, 10 ~ Sat. 4pm-7pm , Mozart, Merlot & Mums "Building for The Future", Kevin's Community Center ~ see Page 4. Oct, 24 - Sat. 6pm, Kibbee Dinner, St. George Church. Nov. 6&7 — Fri (5-9) & Sat. (11-7), Middle Easter Fall & Holiday Bazaar, St, Ann Church, Danbury. jebanon-amerieanclubofdanbury.comLEBANON AMERICAN CLUB NEWS - OCTOBER 2015 Page 4 G00D TIMES ANNUAL HAFLI Str, Ober 10,2015 son Benen Dancing to the music of George Maloof Arabic Dinner BYOB Complimentary sod and setups ‘St Ann's Chore Hal 181 Clapboard Ridge Rod, Danbury, CT Left off exits oF mtersiste #4, 2 miles on right Price: Adults Prepaid $50.00 Children unde 12: $20.00 eva Bay 300d Kevin Community Center Presents: Mozart, Merlot & Mums “Building for The Future” October 10, 2015 410 7 p.m, Edmond Town Hall Main Street, Newtown, Connecticut Wine, Appetizers, and Silent Auction Items in the Alexandria Room Ticket Price $46Tickets available Online pu /wwwkevinscommunitycenter ora! Your are Cordially Invited to Attend “Salute to Tom Saadi” For his military, state and civic service. Friday, October 30, 2015 6pm cocktails and horsdueveres, 7pm Dinner & Program Amber Room Collonnade | Stacey Road Danbury, CT Cost: $75.00 Per Person/Cash Bar Please Respond by October 15, 2015 and Make Checks Payable to Amos House Inc. 34 Rocky Glen Rd., Danbury, CT 06810 Contact (203) 791-99277 for info. Amos House is a transitional living facility serving the greater Danbury area, dedicated to ensuring that individuals and families have the opportunity to achieve the competency and produetivity required for permanent, self-sufficient, independent living. LAC Spaghetti and Meatball Wednesday Oct. 14 @ 6:30 pm By Chef Lou Scalzo and Frankie Schlemer $12/Person (BYOB) - All are welcome! ner LAC Texas Hold’em Tournament ‘Thursday Oct. 15 @ 7:30 pm By Billy Orr Great Food and Prizes $50/Person to Enter Members and their Guests only!LEBANON AMERICAN CLUB NEWS - OCTOBER 2015 Page 5 2015 PERSONS OF THE YEAR Please RSVP by Monday, October 12" Number of people attending at $50 per person ($75 after deadline) , Total RECEIPT OF PAYMENT IS REQUIRED TO HOLD A RESERVATION Names of People Attending and Their Dinner Choices Chicken Francaise _ Grilled Salmon __ Prime Rib “Chicken Francaise _ Grilled Salmon ~Chicken Francaise — Grilled Salmon —Chicken Francaise — Grilled Salmon Chicken Francaise _ Grilled Salmon — Prime Rib Prime Rib Prime Rib __ Prime Rib ** Vegetarian Dinner available upon request Your Name Address: Phone: email: LEBANON AMERICAN CLUB 2015 PERSONS OF THE YEAR PROGRAM BOOK Please check your choice of Ad size: Fullpg___$100 Halfpg__$50Quarterpg._$25 Name: Address: Street:_ City: Phone: State Zip code email Include either your camera-ready ad or print message below. You may also reference reuse of last year’s ad. Message: Make checks payable to: Lebanon American Club (“LAC”) Please Email or Mail Ad by October 12, 2015 LAC Person(s) of the Year Committee Attn: Ghassan & Betty Najm 22 West Street Danbury, CT 06810 You may email your ad to LebanonClub@att.net If you have any questions, please contact Ghassan and Betty and Betty Najm at 860-488-0074,LEBANON AMERICAN CLUB NEWS - OCTOBER 2015 Page 6 Yamin & Yamin, LLP Integrity Motors ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS Auto Repair you can trust Tony Elhayek, Owner 20+ Years Experience. All Makes and Models Certified Subaru Specialist Hon, Probate Judge Dianne E. Yamin Attorney Robert 3. Yamin Attorney Raymond P. Yamin Services include: Real Estate Related Transactions Family Law & Personal Injuries 217 White Street Danbury, CT 06810 Next to WSCU Midtown Campus Phone: 277 4 Moss Ave, Danbury, CT 06810 ‘Tel (203)744-7090 Fax (203)744-7044 Email: Lawvers@vaminlaw com DANDY DISTRIBUTORS INC. Total Food Service Distribution 80 Mill Plain Rd P.o.Box 4400 Danbury, CT 06811 Tel: (203) 792-7000 Fax: (203) 797-9940 ‘Toll Free (800)-49-FRUIT (37848) Catering For All Occasions HANNA’S Middle Eastern Restaurant & Market 72 Lake Aveme Danbury, CT 06810 (203/748-5713, Specializes in Americ: & Italian Food Full Liquor License Est. 1986 Catering for all Occasions On or OfF Premises 41 Grassy Plain St. Bethel, CT 06801 (203)794.0298, Mon-Fri Ham— 11pm Sat & Sun 4pm ~ 1ipm 1www.yaminlaw.com www. integritymotorsct.com www.dandydistributors.com EatInOrTake Out John Hanna Paria Resizurant NEJAME & SONS Family owned and operated since 1921 91 South Street Danbury, CT 06810 Tel (203)743-HOME (4663) www.mypoolscool.com GARAVEL SUBARU @ 10 Tindall Avenue. Exit 2 Route 7 Extension Norwalk GaravelSubaru.com * 203 840 1750 Owned and operated by Paul Garavel ‘Classic. Elegant . Unique Tony Haddad, Owner MARBLE AND GRANITE CREATIONS, LLC Kitchen Counters, Vanity Tops, Fireplaces Showroom 493 Danbury Road New Milford, CT 06776 Tel: 860.350.1306 Fax: 860.350.1307 Email: marblecreationsi@sbcglobal.net Fabrication Shop 458 Danbury Road, Bldg A Unit 2 New Milford, CT 06776 By Appointment Only www marbleandgranitecreationslle.com ATALA WALLPAPER & Paintinc, LLC INTERIOR - EXTERIOR Residential - Commercial Power Washing - Repairs Full Phase of Decoration Nabil Atallah 860-945-1122 Fully Insured Cell: (203) 910-4946 CT LIC.#575056 AtalaPainting@gmail.eom Lebanon American Club Hall Rental Available to members or co-sponsored by a member, for business meetings or special catered events, For availability and rates, please send an email to House Committee Chair and VP. Mike Caravakis, at caravakis@aol.com or to the Club email address. LebanonClub@att netLEBANON AMERICAN CLUB NEWS - OCTOBER 2015 Page 7 Daniel P. Jowdy Mutual Motors | Ed’s Barber Shop Treasurer Family Owned & Hair Salon City Of Danbury & Operated since 1958 | a ! Ci Used Cars, Sunoco Oil Products Makes. Hoiisel Cast ity Hall Fall 8 ey service Gas, Repairs, Tires Open 9am-6pm is eee Appointments Preferred Danbury, CT 06810 U-Haul Truck & Van Rentals ae Tel: (203) 797-4652 Fax: (203) 796-1526 e-mail: d jowdy@ci.danbury.ct.us | 17 Mill Plain Road Danbury, CT 06811 Tel: (203) 744-5388 Edward Howard, Owner 3 Keeler Street Danbury, CT 06810 Tel: (203) 794-0067 Thomas J. Saadi, Esq. Councilman City of Danbury Justice Of Peace & Notary Public 24 Tobins Court Danbury, CT 06810 Tel: (203) 797-1797 e-mail: TomSaadi@aol.com Maron Hotel & Suites Full Service Hotel 42 Lake Avenue Ext. Mill Plain Rd Danbury, CT 06811 Tel: (203) 791- 2200 Fax: (203) 791-2201 e-mail: gm@maronhotel.com www.maronhotel.com Alarm King, Inc. Edward J. Essa Security and Fire Alarm systems ‘Camera*Intereom*phone* Access Control*Fire Extinguishers*Stereo systems 16 Lake Ave Ext. Danbury, CT 06811 Tel: (203) 743-1721 Licensed in CT & NY The JOWDY-KANE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 9-11 Granville Ave Danbury, CT 06810 (203) 748-6262 Daniel P. Jowdy www.jowdykanefuneralhome.com COLONIAL FORD, LINCOLN SUBARU & MAZDA Family Owned & Operated since 1991 126 Federal Road Danbury, CT (877) 700-8201 www.colonial-ford.com \www.colonialsubaruct.com www.colonialmazda.com BUZAID APPLIANCES — FUEL - OIL SCRATCH & DENT 125 South Street Danbury (203)743-6321 and 115 Federal Road Brookfield (203)775-7066 email: BuzaldMutaldsteplbabnet Call For a Free Analysis & Quote Auto-Home-Business Work Comp — Bonds 36 Mill Plain Ra, Suite 101 Danbury, CT 06811 Tel: (203)748-5356 billhajj@williamhaij.com ‘www. williamhajjinsurance.com & Associates, PC Certified Public Accountants Software Installations Payroll Services Tax Planning & Preparations 2 Old New Milford Rd, Suite 1F Brookfield, CT 06804 ‘Tel: (203)740-1991 www.mypayrolifirm.com www.buzaidappliance.com WILLIAM HAJJ D J Rame ‘A-PLUS CONCRETE “Our Mini Trucks are perfeet for Small and Hard {o Reach Jobs” Lightweight Trucks, Less Yard Damage, Homeowners and Contractors By Gabriel Tel: 203-744-7661 Cali 205.948.7878 e-mail: nfo(@iwanteonerete.com ‘www jwantconcrete.comOCTOBER 2015 Sunday Monday | Tuesday |Wednesday| Thursday | Friday Saturday i i alan Bullet Dioner 7 g Ip io _ Newtown 12am St Ana Church Hall with Goorae 6:30pm Spaprett | 7:30pm Texas om Mon. Re "otal a7 2 ca & aes Footbal Spon Mtg Amber Room Chat Ee Danbury oF DE rs 3 Woe S, sammie | Mle Easter Fl ‘Tom Soest" By Amous [ad Holiday Bazaar Tom Mon. Night House a AmberRoom | St. Ann Church ‘ootbal (o Diner at Cb) Danbury 25 26 Lebanon American Club 22 West Street Danbury, CT 06810