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Double honors for Lafayette Lion Andrew Maidl By Ruth Klossner
When Andrew Maidl arrived at the Lafayette Community Center last week Tuesday, he knew that he would be recognized as the Lafayette Lions’ Melvin Jones Fellow awardee that evening. But he didn’t know that he would receive a second honor—that of being named the Zone 3 Lion of the Year. In the surprise announcement, District Governor Kathleen Bleckeberg presented the zone award—in addition to awarding the Melvin Jones Fellow plaque as planned. Bleckeberg had hoped to present the zone award at a meeting a month ago, but Maidl was unable to attend—so she waited for the next opportunity. With dozens of family members, co-workers, and friends present, Maidl became the 30th Lafayette recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship since 1994, the highest award that the Lions convey. Andrew is the first local threegeneration Melvin Jones winner, fol-
lowing his father, Joe Maidl, and his grandfather, the late Clarence Maidl. Interestingly, the awards were all presented 13 years apart—Joe in 2009 and Clarence in 1996. Andrew was also a third generation club president, following in the footsteps of Clarence (1987-88) and Joe (three times: 2002-03, 2008-09, and 201718). Andrew completed his term at the awards night Tuesday. Before the award presentation, fellow Lion Brad DeBoer spoke of Andrew’s leadership, both during his youth and now in the community. After noting that the phrase, “That’s My Boy,” can be spoken in various ways and with different intonations, DeBoer encouraged the audience to respond with those words each time he paused. The intonations resulted in many laughs. After describing Maidl’s youth leadership in scouting, FFA, and college groups, DeBoer went on, “The main reason we are here tonight is that he is involved with the Lafayette Area Lions Club and, as you can guess, it didn’t take long
and a position of leadership was in the cards as he has just finished a term as president.” DeBoer continued, “It was during this term that our newest Melvin Jones Fellow’s keen sense for leadership really came to light as we had some changes and transitions in our charitable gambling fundraising. That all strengthens the reasons Andrew joined the Lions Club—to give back to the community that helped raise him, to join the camaraderie of our members, watching our projects come to fruition, and becoming part of a family tradition of being a third generation Lion.” Andrew’s wife, Jazmyne, took the podium to share how excited Andrew was to learn that he would become a third generation MJF and how he works hard, both for his family and the community. After receiving the Melvin Jones plaque, Andrew responded, noting he had watched the role models that his grandpa Clarence and dad Joe were and that he’s trying to follow in their footsteps.
The 2022-2023 Lafayette Area Lions officers paused for a photo. Front, from left: Mark LeGare, director; Colin Hoffman, treasurer; Mark Haler, president; Alma Forst, secretary; and Sandy Hartley, first vice president. Back: Joe Maidl, director; Scott Portner, Lion tamer; Arden DeBoer, tail twister; Brad DeBoer, director; Mark Dick, tail twister; and Andrew Maidl, immediate past president and director. Not pictured, Tom Hayes, director.
A big group of family members, co-workers, and friends turned out to honor Lion Andrew Maidl when he received the Melvin Jones Fellowship last week Tuesday. They included his wife Jazmyne, seated to the left of him; his mother Deb, to the right; his grandparents Betty Maidl and Tom Ubl, front right; and his dad Joe, center back. “It was an honor to serve with them and something I’ll never forget,” he said. Maidl joins previous Melvin Jones recipients Dick VanDeest, Harland Walter, Clarence Maidl, Earl Wise, Arnie Berdan, Mark Dick, Doug Webster, Amos Hayes, Arden DeBoer, Bob Wise, Steve LeBrun, Steve Langhoff, Ernie Sands, Ruth Klossner, Brad DeBoer, Joe Maidl, Tom Hayes, Sally Webster, Neal Hoffmann, Stanley Youngblom, Tom Hoffmann, Harold Olson, Deb Sjostrom, Jim Langhoff, Lori Dick, Greg Bieraugel, Larry Mages, Sandy Hartley, and Pastor Heidi Hagstrom. Honorees are selected by past recipients. ••• Representing the scholarship committee, Lion Dave Trebelhorn recognized the four young people who received 2022 Lafayette Area Lions scholarships; two were present. The scholarship recipients introduced their parents and told of their college plans. The local Lions club has made a significant contribution toward
higher education, having awarded 254 scholarships, totaling $132,800, over the past 26 years. Each of this year’s recipients will receive $1,000. At the close of the program, DG Bleckeberg installed the club’s 2022-2023 officers (see photo). As the 2021-22 president, Maidl emceed the program. A slide show of the Lions past year was also shown during the program. Arden DeBoer and Mark
Dick handled tail-twisting, with the $174 collected going to DG Bleckeberg’s favorite charity, CanDo Canines.
MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 3
Left: In a surprise announcement, District Governor Kathleen Bleckeberg presented the Zone 3 Lion of the Year award to Andrew Maidl. Right: Andrew Maidl and his wife Jazmyne.
LCS school closing Cars and bikes take over Lafayette’s main street The Lafayette Public Charter School is announcing its permanent closing as a result of ongoing staffing issues. The school, located in Lafayette, Minnesota, has cancelled the opening of its 2022-23 school year, after it was unable to hire the necessary complement of teachers for the upcoming year. Parents and guardians of the school’s students and the remaining staff have been notified of the decision by the LCS Board of Directors.
LCS is in the process of aiding parents and guardians in finding new schools for its students, as well as preparing to forward student transcripts and school records to students’ new educational institutions, and lists of local schools are being forwarded. Final student report cards were sent to parents and guardians at the end of the recent school year which ended May 25, 2022.
The school, located at 351 Sixth St., Lafayette, has been in operation 20 years and was founded as By Ruth Klossner an alternative to local public and private schools. Cars and bikes of all ages— and stages of restoration—filled Questions or concerns regarding Lafayette’s downtown Wednesday, the LCS closing should be directed July 13 for the Classic Car and Bike to lcsoffice@lafayettecharter.k12. Roll-in put on by Dave’s Place of mn.us Lafayette. Lafayette’s roll-ins are held every other Wednesday through The Lafayette Public Charter September 7. The next one is July 27. School’s 2022-2023 school year begins without two long-term teachers. Robin Larson and Tally Clobes submitted letters of resignation to the school board at the July 12 meeting. Clobes and Larson turned in their letters of resignation on July 5. Both teachers completed all the
Area residents can catch a car show every week, with Nicollet holding Cruisin’ on Pine & 99 every other Wednesday from now through September 7—with one tonight! The events are a good time to grab a bite to eat and to sit down to visit. Photos by Ruth Klossner
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