Lions Club marks 55 years

Columbia Falls Lions Club, 55 years old, is oldest service club in our area. It was started in December, 1952, and chartered Jan. 21, 1953.

There were Lions Clubs in West Glacier and Martin City during Hungry Horse Dam construction and get-togethers between the three clubs were frequent social events. Kalispell had only one Lions Club.

Times change and today sees only Columbia Falls Lions active today. Meanwhile there are Kalispell, Sunrisers and Evergreen Lions clubs and a Sunshine Lioness Club in Kalispell as well as a Bigfork Lions Club.

Our annual successful Pancake Day fundraiser took place with Dave Brotnov and Will Loveall as co-chairmen. We always appreciate the Teakettle Quilters sponsoring their quilt show at the North Valley Hospital Community Center the same day. Split the pot prize for Pancake Day was won by J. Wills, Kalispell.

Boy Scout Troop 41 members assist us at the breakfast as a service project. Lions have sponsored the troop for more than 40 years.

Our Lions law stipulates that all monies earned at community fundraising events must be returned to the community. Projects include eyeglasses, hearing aids, financial assistance for eye surgeries and assisting with medical, surgical, travel and expenses for children, sponsoring a baseball team, community Easter egg hunt, giving a scholarship for a Columbia Falls High School graduating senior, donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters and Literacy Volunteers, and providing flags for Districts 6 and District 8 second graders.

The 10th year for Thursday night summer concerts in Marantette Park is observed this year. Don Lawrence announced the first of the eight in the series is June 19.

Laura Dickerson, zone chairman, conducted a zone meeting in Columbia Falls on Saturday. All clubs in the Flathead are zone members.

Plans to observe the 60th anniversary of Lions Camp at Bitterroot Lake over Memorial Day weekend were formulated at the session.

Darryl Young, Columbia Falls Club president, was elected as zone chairman for 2008-09. I believe Darryl is the first local member named to that office. The late George Hanson served as a district governor.

New officers for Columbia Falls Lions have been elected. They are Ed Smollack, president; Mark L. Johnson, first vice president; Troy Ypma, second vice president; Joe Decker, third vice president; Carol Hoerner, secretary; Gary Thuesen, treasurer; Jim Swab, Lion tamer; Dave Brotnov, tail twister; Will Loveall, membership; Peter Bergen, programs; and Darryl Young, past president. Directors are Barbara Proctor, one year; Gary Brandow, two years; and Gladys Shay, three years.

Installation takes place during a June 21 family barbecue at Marantette Park.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.