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 Past Events 

 
Vendors On Parade Fundraiser
Repeats Prior Year's Success!

(Click a box to view photo parade. Full story below.)

May 28, 2009 –  With more vendors participating, and this year's increased availability of retail gluten free foods, our biggest fundraiser of the year produced results that were just shy of last year's record-breaker, in terms of attendance, fund raising and new memberships. The May 28th Vendors On Parade fundraiser netted close to $1,500 in donations, garnered an attendance of nearly 130, increased our membership, and measurably raised awareness of Celiac disease and gluten intolerance, both locally and on the internet. The Herald-Leader newspaper article that ran during the week leading up to the event was captured and re-published in newspapers as far away as Modesto, California. Those articles, in turn, generated a record-breaking spike in the number of unique visitors to Gluten Free Lexington's web site. Sponsorship thanks go to Johnny Carino's Italian restaurant, P.F. Chang's Asian restaurant, Justix restaurant in Georgetown, Whole Foods Market in Lexington Green, and Good Foods Market on Southland Drive. For gluten free information on these vendors, see our Resources and Restaurants pages. Guest dietitians Linda Brooks and Fran Williams were fountains of wisdom. Extra special thanks go to Diana Doggett and the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service, for helping us to again realize this event’s potential.

 

 

"WAKE THE NEIGHBORS!" Our 2009 Fall Rally September 24th - 6:30 pm Downtown Lexington Public Library

It was our first kid-friendly function! Two pediatricians have joined GFL and spoke at the rally: Dr. Sharon Menkus and Dr. Jim Straub of Pediatric & Adolescent Associates in Lexington. The rally featured multiple emphases, including: Changes in GFL leadership and operational style VISION 2010: WAKE THE NEIGHBORS! Our plans for new mentor programs and support groups The introduction of kid-friendly programs and resources A kid-friendly, gluten free mini-meal was provided by Justix restaurant, Betty Crocker, and OneSource Nutrition. Justix grilled meat-on-a-stick was served with potato wedges, Betty Crocker GF brownies &  chocolate chip cookies, and OneSource nutritional supplement beverages in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. The cost was $6 per person.

 

 

Vision 2009 February 12 - 6:30 pm 4456 Nicholasville Rd.

Members & newcomers alike flocked to Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano on February 12th, 2009. We dined on gluten free Pasta Vincenzo, Chicken & Veal Florentine, Spaghetti & Meatballs and more, for only $20 per person, together in Giuseppe's private meeting room! GFL leaders stressed the need for volunteerism, as we renew our efforts to increase the public awareness that is so essential to the safety and lifestyle of all on the gluten free diet. The response, we are happy to report, was strong!

 

 

Carino's Outing An Unprecedented Success 

March 27, 2008 - GFL members & friends had originally planned to get together for nothing more than a delicious gluten free meal at Carino’s Italian Grill. But what started off as just another restaurant outing quickly turned into an important fundraiser, due to the generosity and heartfelt concern of Carino’s General Manager David Tritschler and his staff. We can say ‘heartfelt concern’ because David has recently seen a close family member diagnosed with celiac disease. David’s offer to have Carino’s foot the entire bill for nearly 70 gluten free diners resulted in an event that yielded a total of $675 dollars for Gluten Free Lexington, as diners were allowed to make a small donation to GFL, in lieu of paying for their meal. It was the single most successful event in GFL's two-year history, for combined attendance and fund-raising. Gluten Free Lexington would like to thank David Tritschler and his staff for a perfectly orchestrated event, and some of the best Italian food this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Their extra effort to add gluten free pasta to the buffet, along with GFL leader Jan Falwell’s first-class rolls and desserts, made the meal complete. And of course, we all tip our hats to Brian Smith, our hard-working GFL restaurant liason, who masterminded the whole affair. What should our response be to this success? Why, go eat at Carino’s again, of course…and be sure to let the manager know why you are there! Carino’s has two Lexington locations: one in Hamburg and one beside Fayette Mall. To see their gluten free menu on line, click here. Thank you,  David Tritschler and Carino's, for your encouragement!

2007 Holiday Gatherings

November 1 & December 6th - A more festive mood prevailed as GFL members and guests gathered around delicious - and gluten free - holiday spreads, proving that with just a little extra care, your gluten free holiday can be just as delicious as anyone's. Special thanks go to our own GFL Dietitian Jodi Hadaway for sponsoring the November Potluck, and to GFL leader Judy Michel and husband Dr. Fred Michel, for opening their beautiful home to us in December!

 

GFL Leaders Interviewed On 
Four Local Radio Stations

Beginning July 29, and continuing into the fall, a prerecorded interview with GFL leaders Judy Michel and Jan Falwell was broadcast over four local Clear Channel radio stations. The 15-minute PSA spot explained gluten-related disorders, and promoted Gluten Free Lexington. The interview was conducted by Liberty Hill. Broadcast dates were 7/29, 8/19, 9/30 & 11/18. Airtimes were as follows: 7:00 am 94.5  FM (The Mix) 7:00 am 104.5 FM (The Cat & Magic) 9:00 pm 630  AM WLAP 11:00 pm 98.1  FM (The Bull) If you would like to receive a free audio file (14 megabyte, .mp3) containing the entire prerecorded interview, click here to send your request via email.

 

Kudos to Kathleen 

September 27, 2007 - A big 'Thank You' goes out to Kathleen Wildasin - medical writer, author and fellow celiac - for a great presentation at our regular GFL meeting in September. If you missed the meeting and would like a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that Kathleen shared on the topic of bone health in celiacs, please click here to open or download the file.

 

GFL Sponsors Educational Seminar
For Medical Community

September 13, 2007 - Gluten Free Lexington sponsored a continuing medical education (CME) seminar at Lexington Clinic today, to increase awareness and understanding of celiac disease. GFL leaders provided patient testimony, and promoted GFL as a local area support group for those on the GF diet. The seminar also featured GFL's own Dr. Razvan Arsenescu and dietitian Jodi Bloom Hadaway, as educational speakers. To download a copy of the seminar brochure, click here.

 

GFL Spring Luncheon
A Bloomin' Success

May 19, 2007 - Ciara Halpin, Registered Dietitian at Georgetown Hospital, spoke to a gathering of over 30 people at the Nicholasville Road Outback Steakhouse today. Ciara was chosen because of her unique international perspective on celiac disease, having worked in Ireland, England and America. Outback Steakhouse was chosen because of its cutting edge approach to dining, in providing a gluten free menu for its patrons. A last-minute treat was provided by Lexington Herald-Leader editor Peter Mathews, a new face to GFL, who announced his plans to publish a piece on celiac disease in our local newspaper, simultaneously providing publicity for Gluten Free Lexington. Special thanks from the bottom of our hearts - and stomachs - go to Ciara Halpin for a truly interesting and informative lecture, and to Outback Manager Jack Miller, along with all his restaurant staff who worked to provide us a meal that was both delicious and safe. True to the Outback slogan, there were 'no worries!'

 

 

GFL Leaders Address Over 100
UK Dining Services Staff

 

May 15, 2007 - Four GFL leaders - Dr. Fred & Judy Michel, Jan Falwell and Brian Smith - prepared and presented an in-depth educational primer to over 100 University of Kentucky dining services staff today, to give them the knowledge they need to feed the small but growing population of UK students that adhere to the gluten free diet. The presentation was given at the special request of Rose Payton, General Manager of the UK Commons Market & Corner Store. The response was very enthusiastic, and may have even led to one or more diagnoses, as people at the meeting who complained of celiac-like symptoms were referred to GFL medical advisor Dr. Razvan Arsenescu. GFL is very grateful to Rose Payton, and all those in attendance, who have a sincere desire to make UK a 'Celiac-friendly' campus.

 

All information on this web site Copyright © 2008 by Gluten Free Lexington. All rights reserved. This web site is intended to provide basic information about gluten-related disorders, and the gluten free diet. Gluten-related disorders include gluten intolerance, Celiac Disease/Dermatitis Herpetiformis, and wheat allergies. The information contained herein is not intended to provide, nor does it constitute, medical advice. Dietary changes based on information on this web site should not be initiated without first consulting a physician. Celiac (or coeliac) disease is also commonly referred to as celiac sprue, or non-tropical sprue. It should not be confused with gluten intolerance or wheat allergy, which are separate medical conditions. Gluten Free Lexington also serves Frankfort, Georgetown, Richmond, Nicholasville, Versailles, Winchester, Paris, Harrodsburg, Lawrenceburg, Mt. Sterling, Danville, Lebanon, Berea and all surrounding areas.