Here’s Your 2016 Hunter Mill Lord and Lady Fairfax

Jim Lewis and Michele Hymer “Cookie” Blitz have been selected as Hunter Mill’s Lord and Lady Fairfax as part of 2016 Celebrate Fairfax.

Each year, Fairfax County Supervisors select members of their districts who have demonstrated superior community service.

The Lords and Ladies will be honored at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on June 7, as well as at a special dinner reception that evening. Celebrate Fairfax is June 10-12 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

From Celebrate Fairfax:

James G Lewis, Jr. is the ultimate storyteller. He shares his expertise, talents, extensive knowledge, and enthusiasm for local history with all. In fact, in most conversations with Mr. Lewis, you can count on hearing, “I have a story about that.”

As an avid historian with an interest in the Hunter Mill Road corridor, Mr. Lewis not only reports the history, he discovers it. His explorations have uncovered sites of skirmishes, encampments, graves and structures from the Civil War era and before. He shares this history with the community through his popular lectures; bus, walking, and cemetery tours; and numerous books and publications.

He helped produce the documentary, “Danger Between the Lines”, shown on public television and winner of the County’s historical award.

He was instrumental with the research, applications and installation of several roadside markers that denote important historical events. Recently, Mr. Lewis expanded his repertoire of lectures to include talks on WWII milestones and events, which he shares around the county at no charge. With his enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge, he connects residents across generations to our rich local history.

Michele Hymer Blitz, or Cookie as she is affectionately known, serves as the Hunter Mill District appointee to the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board and past Board Chair, a position she has held since 2006.  Over her tenure, Hymer Blitz has proved to be a champion for County residents with disabilities, especially in employment and housing issues and is a member of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

Along with her advocacy for individuals with disabilities, Cookie is completing a two year term as President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, and is also a long time member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

Additionally, she is a Trustee of the Jewish Federations of North America and serves as National co-chair of the Aging and Family Caregiving Committee. Hymer Blitz also enjoys volunteering at the Closet in Herndon and is a supporter of Cornerstones in Reston. In 2014, she was named one of 30 Social Justice Makers in VA by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.