The Citizen - July 2, 2015 Special Lions Club 70th anniversary edition

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015. PAGE 11.

Blyth Lions Club th

Saturday, July 11th Blyth Lions Park

Schedule 1:00-3:00 pm Meet and Greet Displays Wading pool open for children 3:00-3:30 pm Official presentation Dedication of new benches 4:00 pm Free Community BBQ Donations accepted for upkeep and improvement to the Blyth Lions Park

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015.

Blyth Lions Club 70th Ann

Blyth Boys and Girls Band The Blyth Lions Club sponsored the Blyth Boys and Girls Band in the 1940s as one of its first projects in the village. When it began, the band had approximately 50 members.

Congratulations Blyth Lions on your 70th Anniversary

Congratulations Blyth Lions on your dedication and service to our community for the past 70 years!

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Best wishes on your 70th Anniversary!

1940s – 1950s The Blyth Lions Club received its charter from Lions Clubs International on March 27, 1945. It was sponsored by the Mitchell Lions Club. Dr. Don Hodd was elected Club President.

The first project undertaken by the newly chartered Club was a Minstrel Show, produced and performed by the Blyth Lions. This popular show played to capacity crowds in Blyth and surrounding communities. The Club’s first major purchase was to acquire the property known as the Lions Park. The longest serving Charter Members were Frank Bainton (19451992), George Radford (1945-1981) and Norman Garrett (1945-1972). The Blyth Boys and Girls Band was sponsored by the Blyth Lions and had approximately 50 members.

The Blyth Standard, February 19, 1947: “President Norman Garrett presided over the meeting. The relief for China campaign was introduced by Lion Norval Kyle who moved a Motion that the Club donate $15 towards this worthy and humane cause, seconded by Lion Bert Tasker and carried.”

The Blyth Standard, April 2, 1947: “The Lions Club held its Thursday evening meeting at the Memorial Hall. The highlight of the meeting was a solo by Jimmie Lawrie, ‘Carry Me Back to Old Virginny.’ Lion Tamer Stan Sibthorpe also sang, ‘My Old Kentucky Home,’ accompanied by the entire Club on the chorus.

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Congratulations to the Blyth Lions Club on their 70th Anniversary

Wishing the Blyth Lions all the best as they celebrate 70 Years of service. Thank you!

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Congratulations on your 70th Anniversary

JOHN RUTLEDGE ARCHITECT 406 Queen Street, Box 393, Blyth, Ontario N0M 1H0 johnrutledge@live.ca 519-523-9000

Taking care of your laundry since 2007

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Blyth Lions on their 70th Anniversary and to thank them for their years of service to the community.

The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth

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Congratulations Blyth Lions on 70 Years of Service

Congratulations Blyth Lions on your 70th Anniversary

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I am proud my father, George Radford was a Charter Member from 1945-1981 and we continue to support the Blyth Lions.

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Best wishes to the Blyth Lions Club

Your Hosts: Peter and Sarah Gusso

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Congratulations and Best Wishes on your 70th Anniversary Blyth Lions

Well Done!

Thank you for 70 Years of Service

Your Paint & Drywall Contractor Barney & Linda Stewart

Congratulations on your 70th Anniversary

First Vice Frank Bainton spoke of the coming events being sponsored by the Lions Club and gave the members a pep talk.”

1960s – 1970s In 1963, a Blyth group started to raise money for an artificial ice plant and floor for the Blyth Arena. After two years the project was halted only to be taken over by the Lions Club. The project was completed at a cost of $25,000 with the entirety of the funds being raised by the Lions Club and paid over a three-year period. In 1976, the Lions Club pledged $12,000. towards the construction of a new arena.

The floodlights on wooden stands at the ball diamond also had to be replaced. In 1972, the Lions purchased and installed new steel towers, along with a screen fence for a backstop. They dug up the infield, installed a drainage system and refinished the field.

The Blyth Lions sponsored the Blyth Leo Club in 1973 with Lions Harold Cook, Gord Jenkins and Charlie Shaw acting as Leo Advisors.

In 1974, the Blyth Lions helped start the Lions Youth Exchange Program. Lion Charlie Shaw was the first District A9 Youth Exchange Chairman.

The Blyth Standard, November 2, 1966: “The winners of the different costume events at the Lions Halloween Party were: Fancy Dress preschool – Kim Van Vliet, Marie Barrie, Eric

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Congr Cl C

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Growers A

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015. PAGE 13.

th Anniversary Celebration

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Street; Best Comic Dress pre-school – Rickey and Neil Elliott, Kent Van Vliet, Lorie Young, Joan Barrie; Best Fancy Dress public school girls – Catherine Street, Lorie Campbell, Kim Watson, Carol Mason; Best Fancy Dress public

school boys – David Street, Steve Howson, Danny Barrie, Kevin Carter; Comic Dress girls – Debbie Hicks, Barbara Bell, Wendy Hesselwood; Comic Dress boys – Kevin Tasker, Paul Warwick.”

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Open 7 days mile south of Blyth

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The Peacemakers The Blyth Lions Club began supporting the Peacemaker project in 2004 at Blyth Public School, which helped senior students keep the peace in their school yard. Teacher Cheryl Cronin, left, spearheaded the program. From left: Cronin, Anthony Peters, Jennifer MacDonald, Lion President Tyler Stewart, Jennifer Williamson, Leticia Kolkman and Darcy Young.

Congratulations Blyth Lions

for Huron-Bruce

Thank you for your community support over the last 70 years.

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Best Wishes & Happy 70th Blyth Lions!

Thank You!

Lisa Thompson, MPP

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The Blyth Standard, November 2, 1966: “If this year’s Lions Club Rummage Sale wasn’t the best one on record it was certainly the best by the local organization in several years. When the selling was over the Lions found themselves a tidy four hundred dollars richer and once again proved to be the biggest single money making yearly event for the Lions.”

The Blyth Standard, November 30, 1966: “Winners of the Blyth Lions Club Pin Design have been announced: 1st prize – Mrs. Jim Warwick $25.00; 2nd prize – Miss Jean Campbell $10.00; 3rd prize – Miss Susan Street $5.00.

1980s – 1990s In 1988, Lion President Don Scrimgeour spearheaded the construction of a new wading pool at the Lions Park.

Kim Medd, sponsored by the Blyth Lions, was the 1987 District A9 Female Champion in the Lions Effective Program and represented the Club at the Multiple District ‘A’ Final in Peterborough.

The Blyth Lions Club was one of first Clubs in the District to extend membership to women.

Bev Blair was the Club’s first female member in 1998 with Lynn Logue, Eileen Jefferson and Brenda Brown becoming members shortly thereafter.

The Lions Club supported the Lions Foundation of Canada with the opening of the

CONSTITUENCY OFFICES Blyth Office: Phone: 519-523-4251

Kincardine Office: Phone: 519-396-3007

Congratulations and sincere appreciation for serving the community for 70 years!

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Congratulations Blyth Lions

Congratulations on your 70th Anniversary

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Best Wishes to the Blyth Lions on your 70th Anniversary

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Congratulations on your 70th Anniversary Blyth Lions Club

Falconer

Congratulations Blyth Lions Club on 70 Years of Service

FUNERAL HOMES

from

Michael S. Falconer Christopher M. Smith Mark R. Rushton Amanda Rich Zoellyn Onn

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Lions Dog Guide School in Oakville in 1983.

June Foran acquired a guide dog from the school on the recommendation of the Lions Club.

The Citizen, August 27, 1997: “Another year of Blyth Lions youth exchange has come to a close. This year two youth were sponsored and sent to Europe. Christina Black went to Ceylon and Jamie Black went to Finland. The Lions also received two youth – Marja Kiiskinen from Finland and Yuka Sato from Japan were hosted

by Connie and Murray Nesbitt. Wednesday night in camp was visitors’ night when host families, Lions and anyone interested could come and meet the youth. Goderich Lions fried fresh fish. The Blyth Lions provided dessert, a large decorated cake with the names of all visiting youth.”

2000s Lion President Wayne Wheeler initiated the purchase of new playground equipment for the Lions Park in 2001.

Brenda McDonald was elected the first female President of the Blyth Lions Club in 2005.

Courtney Bachert won the 2014 District A9 Immediate Effective Speaking competition and represented the Blyth Lions Club at the Multiple District ‘A’ Final in London.

It has been estimated that more than $1.2 million has been raised by the Blyth Lions Club over the past 70 years with every penny (nickel) Continued on next page

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Best Wishes Blyth Lions Club

Best Wishes Blyth Lions on 70 Years of Dedicated Service to our Community

Congrats Blyth Lions!

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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015.

Blyth Lions Club 70th Anniversary Celebration Continued from previous page being returned to the community through the activities and projects of the Blyth Lions Club. The Club regularly donates to the Boy Scouts, minor hockey, softball, soccer and figure skating programs. The Club supports Lions Quest, a program to fight drug abuse and bullying in schools. The Club has purchased books, computers and sports equipment for local schools as well as contributing towards healthy eating programs, bursaries and school trips.

The club has supported initiatives such as Sight and Hearing Conservation, Diabetes Awareness, Hospital Foundations, the Christmas Bureau, Local Food Banks and Environmental Projects.

Through an ongoing commitment to supporting the Blyth community, here are a few of the many financial contributions the Club has made in recent years.

• 2001 – $60,000 to Heart and Soul Campaign – Construction of a new Arena and Community Centre • 2001 – $10,000 to The Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association to assist with new washroom facilities • 2003 – $380 to the Blyth Public School Peacemakers Program • 2006 – $7,500 to the Emergency Safety Training Centre • 2012 – $1,000 to the Children’s Safety Village • 2010 – $1,000 to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide School • 2013 – $500 to the Drive for Dean • 2014 – $500 to Campaign 14/19 • 2015 – $1,250 to the Blyth Fire Riders – Ride to Conquer Cancer • 2015 – $200 to the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund’s annual Run Around the Square • 2015 – $100 to the Special Olympics Torch Run. The Club has also assisted with community fundraising events for Mikayla Ansley (2008) and Jim Johnston (2011), teamed up with the North Huron Firefighters Association to host Grandpa Bob’s Walk for Louie, initiated the Lions Snow Volleyball Tournament in memory of Blake Hesselwood and John Bokhout and began the Seed Sowers Social

Lions Park As a gift to honour Frank Bainton, the Bainton family donated a water fountain to the Lions Park in 1993. From left: Lion John Stewart, Franklin Snell, Lion Ken Stewart, Cenetta Bainton and Glenyce Snell.

Annual Steak Barbecue in 2011 to raise funds receptions and an occasional beer garden.

Each summer the Lions Club employs for community projects. students to supervise the wading pool and to THE BLYTH LIONS PARK The first major purchase of the newly- cut grass. While it costs approximately formed Lions Club was the property known $7,000. annually to maintain the park, the as the Lions Park. It was purchased from Club is pleased to advise that government Charter Member Harve McCallum for the funds have never been received, nor have they sum of $500. Seventy years later this piece of ever been requested.

LIONS YOUTH EXCHANGE property now boasts a playground with PROGRAM AND equipment, a children’s wading pool, THE LION CHARLIE SHAW horseshoe pits, a picnic pavilion and a DISTRICT A9 INTERNATIONAL clubhouse. The original wading pool was YOUTH CAMP replaced in 1988 with a larger pool, complete Here is an excerpt from The History of with a filter system, pump house and fence.

Lion President Doug Howson oversaw the Lions Youth Exchange by Lion Charlie Shaw.

“In 1974 a request was received from Lion construction of the lawn bowling greens and the clubhouse in 1975. When the Lawn Jim Johnston District 2T2 Governor from Bowling Club disbanded, the clubhouse was Texas requesting permission to send 15 youth returned to the Lions Club. The members to Canada. The Governor sent word that the volunteered many hours to renovate and youth would fly to Sault Ste. Marie for pick expand the facilities in order that it could be up by the Blyth Lions. He obviously did not used as the Club’s year-round meeting place. understand the size of Ontario. We got in The first Lions meeting at the new facility touch with him and the youth flew to Detroit was called to order by Lion President and were bused to Blyth. On the morning of Greg Toll in September, 2007.

The their departure the Governor phoned to say he picnic pavilion was constructed in the had one more boy who had just heard about early 1980s and has been used for the exchange program the night before. We family picnics, church services, wedding said send him along. The Texan youth arrived

Happy 70th Anniversary

Congratulations Blyth Lions Club from

John Johnston MDA Council Chair

We would like to congratulate the Blyth Lions on their 70th Anniversary

AUBURN LIONS CLUB Happy 70th Anniversary Blyth Lions Club Wishing you all the best as you continue to serve.

Londesboro & District Lions Club

and

Bob Tanner Past Chair

Lions Club of Wingham Congratulates the Blyth Lions on their 70th Anniversary!

We wish you all the best as you enjoy your celebration.

GODERICH LIONS CLUB CONGRATULATIONS to the Blyth Lions Club on their 70th Anniversary

in Blyth at our door mid-afternoon and very hungry. My wife, Pat, some Lions members and our neighbours raided our refrigerators and fed them. Soon after their arrival it started to rain. They all came into the house except for the boy that was last to apply. He said, ‘Man, I have been irrigating cotton all summer with no rain.’ He stayed out in the rain. After a five week stay a bus was supposed to pick up the youth and take them to the airport for their return flight. The bus never arrived. The Blyth Lions took the youth in cars with their luggage packed in pick-up trucks and rushed to the Detroit Airport arriving just in time.

“During the second year of the exchange a one-week stay at camp was included. Youth attended from the USA, Europe, Japan and Africa. I was very pleased and honoured to have the youth camp named, ‘The Lion Charlie Shaw District A9 International Youth Camp’.”

Since the inception of the youth exchange program more than 50 youth from the Blyth area and sponsored by the Blyth Lions Club have participated and visited such countries as Australia, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, Finland, Sweden, Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Estonia and the United States.

BLYTH LIONS CLUB – PRESENT DAY Today, there are 40 members in the Blyth Lions Club, both men and women. It is a group of community-minded individuals who donate a small portion of their free time to help those in need all over the world, while making their own community a better and safer place to live, work and play.

The Blyth Lions Club is one of more than 46,000 Clubs located in 208 countries worldwide. There are more than 1.4 million Lions throughout the world. The Lions motto is “We Serve”.

Anyone wishing additional information about the Blyth Lions Club or Lions Clubs International is encouraged to contact any Lions Club member or visit the website at www.lionsclubs.org or the Club’s Facebook page.

Blyth Lions Club history compiled by Lion John Stewart

from

Joanne Klonikowski d Hank Van Moorsel n District A9 Governor a Past District Governor

Happy 70th Anniversary Blyth Lions Club!

Brussels Lions Club Enjoy your celebrations!

Congratulations on your 70th Anniversary From

Clinton Lions Club

Dungannon Lions Club Congratulations Blyth Lions on your 70th Anniversary of serving the community and beyond.

Wishing all the best for the future.

Congratulations Blyth Lions

Lucknow Lions Club

We would like to wish the Blyth Lions Club a Happy 70th Anniversary.