Fifty years means a golden anniversary, but I am not sure what type of mineral or gem a 60-year event warrants.

Anyhow, 60 years is what the Mingo Lions Club, chartered on Jan. 25, 1956, observed with a fine dinner, catered  by Tracy DiCarlo of the Mingo Diner, and top-notch dignitaries in attendance.

The celebration was held at the Harmony United Methodist Church parish hall, and the emcee was James T. Coffey, a 50-year perfect attendance member of the Toronto Lions Club, who served as club president, zone chairman, district governor, two-year term as a member of the association’s board of directors and a past international president. Coffey traveled to 62 countries as an ambassador of the association, having met with President Bill Clinton at the White House and having a private audience with Pope John Paul II at Vatican City as part of his travels.

He introduced Steven D. Sherer, third vice president/past international director, who said that the club was a year older than he is.

The Tallmadge Lions member said his first visit to the Mingo club was either in 1988 or 1989. He said he found a friend in Jack Barrett, who also was a great Lion member.

He reminded the club of all the projects they had accomplished through the years and how many lives they had touched.

“To some small child who needed glasses to see the chalkboard and his parents could not afford to buy them, you were their hero. You helped him to get along better with his studies,” he said. And he reminded them of the saying,  “It is not the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away in life that count the most.”

David Bisbee, second vice district governor, from Tallmadge Lions, who was helpful in forming the new Ohio District 3, spoke about the district convention in Akron on April 28-30, 2017. “Our goal is to spread the word and help the organization grow,” he said.

Other guests were John Patton, a past district governor and member of the New Cumberland Lions; Jim Everson, president of Brilliant Lions Club; Ralph Nickoson, Brilliant Lions past president and vice president; and Steve Pahides of the Steubenville Lions Club.

Were you ever called upon to speak in public when you had no idea it was coming? Michele Fabbro had that situation when Bill Snyder, president, asked her to give the benediction as Dr. William Johns was working on the slide presentation at the time. She gave a little gulp, asked the room to bow their heads and gave a wonderful blessing of departure.

She also won the door prize of a big basket of snack food products but asked that another name be drawn, and Bisbee was the winner. Lucky man — he was the winner of the 50/50 as well. He deserved it for his fine speech and driving in from near the Akron area.

I remembered Mr. Coffey from being seated next to him at an Adena Lions Club anniversary dinner and reminded him. He did recall the event and said it was a long time go. I have been at this work for 36 years, so it has been a long time.

Jim Freiling made a good choice in the anniversary cake. It had the Lions insignia in blue and gold on top of the creamy frosting, and there was a choice of vanilla or chocolate cake.

Terry Snyder was a busy person getting the guest book signed as it was not at the door where the guests were coming into the hall. She presented lucite Christmas decorations with the Lions insignia to all in attendance.

Clara Sue Milewsky is always extra busy at the dinners, making sure that the serving table is just right with serving utensils in all the dishes, cold drinks for all and that the program is flowing right.

Doc Johns had a running story of the club through the years  on the screen. It is quite interesting to see how people’s looks slowly change over the years. He volunteered to take pictures of members standing by the Lions  banner for a small fee that would go to the Mingo Lions treasury, too.

Good luck to the Mingo Lions. We wish you great success in carrying out your plans throughout the years.

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Do you recall the name of Karolyn Grimes? Does the name “Zuzu” bring back any memories? A special screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and its tiny character, who was trying to protect a red rose, is coming to Carrollton on Oct. 8 and 9 in celebration of its 70th anniversary of one of the best loved films of all time.

Grimes will be sharing personal stories and introducing a special screening of the classic  film at the Church of Christ, Christian Disciples, 353 Moody Ave. S.W. Carrollton at 7 p.m. that Saturday and sharing an inspirational story of her life at the church’s regular Sunday morning worship service beginning at 10 a.m.

This will be her only appearance in the Tri-State Area this year. Pastors Mark Statler and Louis Booher are extending an invitation to come and share a once-in-a-lifetime experience with one of the world’s most inspirational films and its tiny star and ambassador, Karolyn “Zuzu” Grimes.

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It is sad to note that a dear and gentle man from Smithfield passed away last week. Russell Zifzal, who was probably the second biggest Browns fan I know, with his son, Tim, as the first, never had a mean word to say about anyone. He had a great smile that never seemed to fade.

He was a member of the Smithfield Presbyterian Church, along with his wife, Lila, when she was alive; and his son, Tim and daughter-in-law, Kim. He was quite loved by the parishioners. I have never seen the church bulletin board in front proclaiming the memory of a church member before. The Presbyterian Church had “In Memory of Russ Zifzal. Go Browns” in bold letters. And wouldn’t you know that there was an orange Browns helmet pin on the lapel of his suit.

I was really cheering for the Browns to win last Sunday. That could have been a win for Russ.

Our sympathy goes out to Tim, Kim, the entire Zifzal family and all who loved him.

(McCoy, a resident of Smithfield, is food editor and a staff columnist for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. She can be contacted at emccoy@herald-staronline.com.)