Fahrenholz Siblings Answer The Call Of The Lions

George’s birthday is in August. Jim’s birthday is in August. Kaia’s birthday is in August.

Every year the three Fahrenholz siblings, having been born and raised in Newtown, return from their respective homes in Fairfield, Los Angeles, and San Francisco for the annual celebration of their August birthdays with their mother, Ellen Fahrenholz Parrella, who also has an August birthday. Because of these shared birthdays, it became a tradition in the family to make a joint donation to a worthy cause during their natal month.

This year the occasion was commemorated by a family donation of $900 to the Newtown Lions Seats Project for three new chairs at the Edmond Town Hall Theatre. The Farenholz family — all Leos — felt it was an appropriate gesture to answer the Lions Club’s call for donation and give them a check.

George Fahrenholz, who now lives in Fairfield, has worked for the Bigelow Tea Company for 17 years and is now corporate equipment manager. He graduated from Newtown High School in 1977, where he ran track and field for three years and reached Life Scout status with Boy Scout Troop 70.

“The annual Rotary pancake breakfasts up in the Alexandria Room [at Edmond Town Hall] were a family tradition and remain a fond memory with me,” he said.

Jim Fahrenholz, who owns and operates his own business in Los Angeles, graduated from Newtown High School in 1980, where he served as captain of the swim and diving teams, and spent his junior year in India as an exchange student through the Rotary Club.

“I recall the western movie night fundraisers led by the Boy Scouts [at Edmond Town Hall],” said Jim, who was an Eagle Scout in Troop 70.

Kaia, who lives in San Francisco, works for the Pottery Barn headquarters. She graduated from Newtown High School in 1981, where she sung with the chorus for years under the direction of Tony Inzero.

“I remember Miss Lathrop’s dance recitals and the 99-cent movie nights,” she said. “All of us were regulars at the town hall, and when Mom told us about the chair replacement project, we wanted to give back a little something, for all the good memories we have.”

“Newtown will always be home, no matter where we live,” she said. “We hope all Newtowners, past and present, will be inspired by the Lions’ efforts and make a similar gesture to refurbish a small piece of our lovely town.”

“This excellent Fahrenholz/Parrella family donation pushes our donations to over $90,000, which is over 60 percent of our goal,” said Lion Gordon Williams.

Anyone who has questions about how to help the project can contact Mr Williams at 426-6443.

Checks should be made out to the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers with a notation “Seats Project” in the memo line and mailed to the Newtown Lions Club, Attn: Gordon Williams, PO Box 218, Newtown CT 06470.