Lebanon American Club News – November 2019 Page 1

22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810

Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att.net
www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com
1 President’s Corner
Dear Members,
What a wonderful evening on October 30th for The Persons of the Year Event.
We had a great turnout to honors Ruth Ashkar and Bill Asmar.
Club Officers
Both are deserving of this award and the speeches were memorable.
Mike Caravakis Again, thanks to the committee and Ghassan and Betty for all their hard work in the planning.
President Our biggest fundraiser of the year, the 50/50 Raffle has started. The 50/50 is moving along and we need everyone to
participate. Please reach out to Bill Asmar for tickets. The drawing and a reception will be held on Saturday,
Ghassan Najm
December 28 at the club.
Vice President
The Club will be open on Thanksgiving Eve for a Traditional Lebanese Dinner and I welcome everyone to come and
Jimmy Glynn enjoy a few hours before Thanksgiving Day.
Secretary
Monday Night Football has continued to be successful with the final Monday being November 18th.
Lou Najamy
Asst. Secretary The Children’s Christmas Party is planned for Sunday, December 15th. If you have a young child, please see details
below to sign up.
William Asmar
I would also like to again let you know that the club and the hall are available for any holiday function.
Treasurer
Please let Ghassan know by sending an email to Lebanonclub@att.net if you are interested in renting our facility.
Mark Chory Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Asst. Treasurer
If you have any questions, please reach out to any of the committee chairs, or please try to attend our next meeting,
Directors or I can be reached at 203-512-7251 or email me at mcaravakis@newstimes.com
Ray Antous Sincerely. Happy Veterans Day Happy National Lebanon Day
Mike Caravakis
Vinny DiGilio
Eddie Essa
David Glynn
Persons of the Year Congratulations to the 2019 Person of the year Honorees –
Nidal El Khoury Ruth Anne Ashkar and William A. Asmar. The event was held at the Amber
Room on October 30th with about 200 attendees including several local and state
Joseph Raya
officials, clergy and members of local organizations. After several, humorous and
John Ashkar emotional speeches by the families and friends of the Honorees, ea. Honoree
Former President received a Plaque Award by the Club Pres. Mike Caravakis and the Ladies Auxiliary
Pres. Betty Najm. In addition, they received citations and declarations by the City of
Danbury Mayor Boughton, State Legislators by Rep. David Arconti and Sen. Julie
Ladies Auxiliary Kushner, US Congress and US Senate sent in by Congresswoman Johanna Hayes
Qawa
Officers and by Sen. Richard Blumenthal respectively. We greatly appreciate the support of
many for the commemorative program book, Louis David for capturing a memorable
Betty Najm
night, and for the Amber Room staff for a delicious meal and outstanding service,
President
and last but not least for the Person of the Year committee, without whom this event
would not be possible.
Victoria Beylouni
Vice President Annual Thanksgiving Eve Open House – Wednesday Nov. 27
Mark your calendar for a Thanksgiving Eve Lebanese buffet dinner for club
Stacey Glynn members on Wednesday Nov. 27. The Dinner is catered by Vivianne’s.
Secretary Guests are welcome at $20/person.

Randa Antous Children Christmas Party - Sunday Dec. 15

Treasurer A good time for our children and their families. The Jolly Fella will be there with a
gift for each child! By December 10th, please contact Mark Chory at 203-778-4268
Newsletter or email at mark.chory@snet.net and leave name, age up to12, and gender of child
Editor who will be attending. Please also indicate number of adults that will be attending.
Ghassan Najm
Club 300 50/50 Raffle - Saturday Dec. 28
Contributors RAFFLE tickets now available! $100.00 per ticket with sales limited to only 300
Louis Najamy tickets. The drawing will be held on Saturday, December 28 at the Club. The grand
Mike Caravakis Prize is $10K, with five $1K additional prizes. For tickets, please contact Billy
Betty Najm Asmar at (203) 313-4863
 Lebanon American Club News – November 2019 Page 2
22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att.net
www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com

Newsletter Staff Corner:

“Brrr, baby it’s cold outside…”, this lyric from a popular seasonal song has clear meaning these past few days. As the
temperatures start to drop, we find ourselves inside more than outside, with this in mind, keep an eye on the schedule of events
happening in our toasty warm Lebanon American Club as well as in our local churches. The calendar as well as the Club Events
and Community sections list most of the functions within our community.
Advertising subscribers are reminded that you will be receiving a letter soon for any changes in your ads as well as a bill for the
12 editions of the LAC Newsletter for the 2020 year. Please return the tear off as soon as possible with any changes as well as
payment for the upcoming year.
Finally, the Annual General Membership Meeting is approaching quickly and if any regular member in good standing (up to
date with dues) is interested in running for an elected office or appointment to the Board of Directors please see any current
club officer as soon as possible.
We are still hoping for some input from our readers in regards to family reunions, weddings, births, trips, vacations,
anniversaries, comments both good and bad on how we are doing with your monthly newsletter. You can do this by sending an
email to lebanonclub@att.net or by snail mail (postage letter) to 22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810 attention LAC Newsletter.
To one and all have a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving.
Thoughts to Live By:
“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” John Wooden, Basketball Hall of Famer
(1920-2010).
“Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.”
Lawrence D. Bell, American aircraft manufacturer (1894-1956).
A Little Humor:
“Good taste is the worst vice ever invented.” Dame Edith Sitwell, English poet (1887-1964)
“A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company.” Giovanni Vincenzo Gravina, Italian
scholar (1664-1718).
Member News:
Now is a good time to have family and or friends join our club. We are always looking for new members to get involved in our
club. This past year we have gained several new regular members as well as several new social members. Be sure to introduce
yourself to anyone you do not recognize for they may be a new member and it is our job to make them welcomed.
A message from Member and VA Commissioner Thomas Saadi
“I hope all is well. As you may recall, I volunteered for an active duty military mobilization for six months. My initial report
date of Oct 16th was changed, and I now have a report date of November 18th to my duty station in upstate New York.
As I am not being deployed overseas I am able to take a "quasi"-leave of absence from the State Department of Veterans
Affairs which will permit me to maintain administrative oversight of the Department via email, phone an occasional visits when
I am on leave, with day to day operations being managed by key senior Veterans Affairs staff.
While I will be able to return home periodically on leave, I will not be able to attend most LAC events, except on holidays, until
the end of my tour in mid-May 2020.
During my mobilization if any member has a Veterans related issue or question, I ask that they email me, and I will respond
when I am off duty in the evening. I will not able to answer or make personal or state related calls or emails during duty day.”
Health and Welfare:
Please keep in your prayers our ill members and/or their family members and wishing them speedy recovery. Please notify Pres.
Mike Caravakis, whenever a member falls seriously ill by sending an email to caravakis@aol.com.
 Lebanon American Club News – November 2019 Page 3
22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att.net
www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com

Ladies Auxiliary News by President Betty Najm

Hello Ladies, as we prepare ourselves for Thanksgiving and Christmas, let us remember all our deceased family members and
friends! The holiday season is a time to share fun memories with our families near and far! I love the New England excitement
around Christmas! We used to bundle up and go carol-singing on the New Milford Green. Skitch Henderson would lead the
High School Glee club through our favorite Christmas carols as the townspeople sang along while sipping hot cocoa and
holding candles around the Gazebo! The entire Board wishes everyone a Joyous and Wonderful Holiday Season!
Connecticut is such a great place to live!
The Person of the Year was a successful event. We honored two deserving members of our community: Billy Asmar and Ruth
Ashkar. They are hardworking members that love their community. The Club is a warm and inviting place thanks to Billy’s
financial guidance and kindness. Ruth’s infectious laugh and friendship has made the Wednesdays’ Pasta nights and the Friday
night dinners an enjoyable time with lots of laughter and enjoyable memories! Thank you to everyone that attended and
supported this great event!
The Middle Eastern Buffet benefiting the Scholarship fund was a great event. We had more than eighty friends and family
attend. The food was delicious! Thank you to Randa Antous and Lisa & Najlah Antous for co-chairing another successful
fundraiser! A heartfelt thanks to the entire group of ladies that support this wonderful event. Thank you to Ruth and her
committee for all the great raffle prizes. I would like to thank all the vendors, members and friends that donated to make it a
successful event!
The Ladies Auxiliary will meet on November 19 at 7 PM weather permitting. If Danbury schools are closed, then the meeting is
cancelled.
There will be no meeting in the month of December. Save the following date for our Annual General Membership meeting
which is January 26 at 3 PM, dinner to follow upstairs with the Men’s club. Hanna Restaurant will be preparing a traditional
Lebanese chicken and rice with all the mezza we love!
I look forward to seeing all of you on Tues. Nov. 19th at 7 pm.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
1. Special prayers and a speedy recovery to our ill members.
2. Please remember to support our advertising sponsors.
3. Special Friday night and the monthly Pasta dinners are posted in the newsletter and FB. All are welcome to attend.
4. If you have a special church or community event coming up, please let us know in time to publish it for you.

.
Club Events - See all Calendar on the last page as well.. Please note that for all Dinners at club - BYOB.
Nov. 1 & 29 No Fri Night Dinners at the Club due to St. Ann Bazaar and Thanksgiving Weekend.
Nov. 4 &18 - 7pm Monday Night Football
Nov. 7 - 6:30pm Scholarship Benefit Middle Eastern Buffet by the Ladies Auxiliary. See More details on Page 5.
Nov. 8 - 7pm Fri Night American Buffet Dinner, $25/Person.
Nov. 12, 26 – Tues. 7pm & 8pm Board and Membership Meetings respectively.
Nov. 13 - 7:30pm, Wed. Texas Hold’Em Tournament ($50/person). Dinner and Prizes. Members and their guests only.
Nov. 15 - 7pm, Fri Night Buffet Dinner, Lebanese Specialty Dinner with Mezza - $25/Person
Nov. 19 - 7pm. Ladies Auxiliary Monthly Meeting
Nov. 20 – 6:30pm Pasta Dinner by Lou Scalzo and Lou Najamy. $12/Person.
Nov. 22 - 7pm, Fri Night Dinner, Lebanese Buffet by Hanna’s Restaurant, Featuring Kibbee Nay, $30/Person.
Nov. 27 – 7pm, Membership Thanksgiving Eve Open House Dinner.
Looking Ahead:
No Ladies Auxiliary meeting in Dec.
Dec. 10 – Tues. 7pm & 8pm Board and Membership Meetings respectively.
Dec. 15 - Sun. 2pm Children Christmas Party. See page 5
Dec. 24/31– No Meetings in the rest of December. Resumes on Jan. 7th.
Dec. 28 – 7pm – Club 300 50/50 Raffle drawing and reception.
Community Events – http://www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com/p/regional-events.html.
Nov. 18 – 6-8 Farewell Reception for Lebanon Consul General of NY-Majdi and Vanessa Ramadan, at 9A 76E, NYC.
Nov. 23 – St. Anthony’s Gala at Amber Room.
Dec. 1 & 8 – St. Ann Church Ordination of Deacon Thomas Davis into Priesthood & Fr. Skrocki Farewell respectively.
Dec. 8 – Kevin Community Center (KCC) Benefit at Newtown Country Club.
Dec. 27 – St. George’s Holiday Get Together and 50/50 Raffle Drawing,
NY Consulate Cultural Journal...see several events in Tri-State area are listed at the Club Web Page
 Lebanon American Club News – November 2019 Page 4
22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att.net
www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com

St. Ann Church Bazaar – Nov 1 (5-9 pm) and Nov 2 (11-5pm)
Ordination of Deacon Thomas Davis – Dec. 1
Farewell Luncheon for Fr. Mike Skrocki – Dec.8 (Tentative)

Annual Raffle Drawing will also take place during the same evening.
For tickets on both, please contact Nidal Khoury at 203-512-9179
 Lebanon American Club News – November 2019 Page 5
22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att.net
www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com

2019 Person of Year Honorees – Ruth Ann Ashkar and William A. Asmar

Former Pres. of the Ladies Auxiliary Josephine Nassif Granddaughter,

Alessandra Mia was blessed by Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome on the
day after her baptism. On Sept. 17, she was baptized by Cardinal
Leonardo Sandri, Prefect to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for the
Eastern Churches. It was co-officiated by the Maronite Bishop Elias
Zaidan of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles and by former
pastor of St. Anthony Church in Danbury, Fr. Jean Younis.
Congratulations to Ms. Nassif and the proud parents Nick and Zeina
Advani for a blessed baptism. “It was an experience of a lifetime”

Reception and Drawing on Sat. Dec. 28, at 6:30pm

 Lebanon American Club News – November 2019 Page 6
22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att.net
www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com
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Placing an Ad? LAC
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Include Business WebSite Address. co-sponsored by a member, for business
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Tel: 860.350.1306 Fax: 860.350.1307
For $125/Yr/This Size Ad
please send an email
By Appointment Only To the attention of Louis Najamy to
Email: marblecreations@sbcglobal.net Lebanon American Club the Club email address.
www.marbleandgranitecreationsllc.com 22 West Street LebanonClub@att.net
Danbury, CT 06810
 Lebanon American Club News – November 2019
Phone: 203-743-5828 / Email: lebanonclub@att.net
www.lebanon-americanclubofdanbury.com
Daniel P. Jowdy
Treasurer
City Of Danbury
City Hall
155 Deer Hill Ave
Danbury, CT 06810
Tel: (203) 797-4652
Fax: (203) 796-1526
e-mail: d.jowdy@ci.danbury.ct.us
Thomas J. Saadi, Esq.
Commissioner of Veterans Affairs
State of CT
Justice of Peace
& 42 Lake Avenue Ext. Mill Plain Rd
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24 Tobins Court
Danbury, CT 06810
Tel: (203) 797-1797
e-mail: TomSaadi@aol.com
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Page 7
22 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810
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 November 2019
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Dec. 1 & 8 1 2

St. Ann Church Priest

Ordination and Farewell No Dinner at Club due St. Ann Church Holiday
respectively to St. Ann Bazaar. Bazaar
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
LAX Scholarship
Benefit - Lebanese
Monday Night Food. All are American Dinner
Football welcome by Nico's
11 11 12 13 14 15

Lebanese Specialty
7pm Board Mtg.
Dinner.
8pm-Gen.Mtg. 7:30pm Tournament
17 18 19 20 21 22 23

6:30pm Pasta St. Anthony's Church

Monday Night Dinner By Chefs Lou Lebanese Buffet Dinner This
Gala at the Amber
Football 7pm LAX Gen.Mtg. & Lou by Hanna's Restaurant Room Colonade
Dec. 8 25 26 27 28 Fri. Dec. 27 Club Dec.Events
4-7pm Kevin
12/15 SUN. - LAC Children
Community Center - 6pm -Thanksgiving's 12/27 Sat. - St. George Christmas Party (2pm)
KCC Benefit 7pm Board Mtg. Eve. Open House Church Holiday Party 12/28 Sat,- LAC 50/50
Newtown Country Club 8pm-Gen.Mtg. and Raffle Drawing Raffle (7:30pm)

Lebanon American Club

22 West Street
Danbury, CT 06810