Lion Corey surprised Lion Joe B (native Italian) with a gift of holiday chestnuts. 

Once a principal food source, Italians grew chestnuts to make flour for bread and polenta.  Italy’s love of chestnuts started in Roman times, when chestnuts were a form of currency, especially when crops failed due to poor weather.  Chestnuts were once a staple for the poor man’s diet.  They evolved from an everyday food to a delicacy.  Chestnuts paired with wine are a traditional food combination associated with harvest.  Available from Sept-Feb, most chestnuts found in America are imported from Italy.

Lion Tom changed a few words in “Day-O” to represent the effort by Fairfax Lions Club for its Citrus Fruit Sale…

Fairfax Lions were invited to say what they were thankful for, and then use crayon skill to draw a Thanksgiving turkey. Impromptu judging resulted in top 3 turkeys.

From 1984-2006, FX Lions held dinner meetings in Mama’s Italian Restaurant, near Fairfax Circle. This photo was taken at Mama’s in July 1996. Several of the Club members in this photo remain Lions today, still serving!

 On Nov 6, three Fairfax Lions joined with 3 parent volunteers to screen vision & hearing of 3rd & 7th graders at St Timothy’s Catholic School (in Chantilly).  We identified several youngsters for referral to a professional. It is always rewarding to help youngsters identify limitations so appropriate remedies can be applied.

Results for students screened on Nov 6: Number tested for hearing, 118; Number tested for Vision, 104; Number Referred: Hearing, 15; Vision, 9

The school nurse sent this note: “A huge thank-you for helping us to accomplish our annual vision and hearing screening today! We could not have done it without your help and expertise.  We hope you will be able to help us next year too!”

FX Lion Bonnie Short told Lions, at the Nov 4 dinner meeting, of her family’s involvement with “Matthew 25 Ministries.”  Lion Bonnie  emphasized her personal interest in collecting used prescription (or over-the-counter) plastic pill bottles, all sizes.   The re-used bottles go world wide to distribute medicine to those who need it. She asked that we remove labels (leave no  residue), wash them in hot soapy water and dry, and replace lids.