Londesboro and District Lions Club 40th anniversary

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017. PAGE 11.

Londesboro & District Lions Club Celebrating 40 Years Saturday, May 6th Londesborough Community Hall 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Back row, from left: John Haak, Ralph DeWeerd, Dan Gilbert, Mike Lyons, Keith Allen, John Hoggart, Sam Dougherty, Ian Hulley, Shane Taylor, Don Allen, Rob Shaddick. Front row: Lukas Bolinger, Bert Vandendool, Kevin Wright, Allan Bosman,

Ron Nesbitt, Ron Kassies, Carl Nesbitt, Kittie MacGregor. Absent: Dorothy Bogie, Kelly Boven, Mike Boven, Rick Hummel, Don MacGregor, Adrian Salverda, Allan Storey.

Schedule of Events 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm ~ Free Community BBQ: (serving hamburgers, hot dogs, juice) ~ Club history displays, door prize draws ~ A time capsule will be created from photographs taken that day

Bring Your Children to See: 2:00 pm ~ Comedy Magician Daniel Steep www.danielsteep.com 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm ~ Balloon Man Dan 2:30 pm ~ Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund “Automatic External Defibrillator� presentation to honour fallen WW1 soldier Private Charles Edward Bromley, 58th Battalion, Canadian Infantry who died on 26 Oct 1917 Age 24

2:50 pm ~ Greetings from: 1. Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb 2. Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson 3. Huron County Warden and Central Huron Mayor James Ginn 4. A-9 Lions Past District Governor Charles Liddle 3:10 pm ~ Tree Planting to Commemorate 100 Years of Lions 3:20 pm ~ Ceremonial Cake Cutting with Charter members: Lions Carl Nesbitt, Robert Shaddick, Allan Bosman, Ian Hulley and A-9 Lions Past District Governor Charles Liddle 3:20 pm - 4:00 pm ~ Door prize winners announced Socializing continues

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017.

Londesboro & District Lions Club 4

Charter night The Londesboro and District Lions Club came into existence in May, 1977 with 24 charter members. Back row, from left: District Governor Tony Ferrier, L.I.F. Ted Heimpel, Bill Dobson, Murray Adams, Mervin Durnin, Jim Radford, Robert Shaddick, Bill Shaddick, Allan Bosman and Darrell Shobbrook. Centre row, from left: Bill Sottiaux, Jim McEwing, Bill Kolkman, Ervin Johnston, Art Airdrie, Ian Hulley, Robert Reid and Robert Radford. Front row, from left: Carl Nesbitt, Howard Cartwright, Ellwood Mitchell, Brad Kennedy, Tom Duizer, Bill Bromley and P.D.D.G. Stewart MacKinnon. Absent were Frank Johnston and Lloyd Josling. (Photo submitted) In the spring of 1977, Blyth Lions Club member Brad Kennedy set out to organize a new Lions Club in the community of Londesboro. After a few informal meetings had

Belgrave Kinsmen We wish to congratulate the Londesboro Lions and wish them all the best on their 40th Anniversary

Brussels Optimist Club wishes to congratulate the Londesboro Lions on 40 years of dedication and service.

been called, a list of 24 men willing to join the club was compiled.

The Londesboro and District Lions Club was officially chartered on May 31, 1977 with both

Congratulations Londesboro Lions on your 40th Anniversary

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the Blyth and Clinton Lions Clubs serving as sponsors for the new club. That night, Brad Kennedy was named the club’s charter president.

Charter members inducted into the Londesboro and District Lions Club that night were: President Brad Kennedy, Bill Dobson, Murray Adams, Mervin Durnin, Jim Radford, Robert Shaddick, Bill Shaddick, Allan Bosman, Darrell Shobbrook, Bill Sottiaux, Jim McEwing, Bill Kolkman, Ervin Johnston, Art Airdrie, Ian Hulley, Robert Reid, Robert Radford, Carl Nesbitt, Howard Cartwright, Ellwood Mitchell, Tom Duizer, Bill Bromley, Frank Johnston and Lloyd Josling.

Forty years later, four charter members remain dedicated members of the club, serving with the Lions since that first May night in 1977: Carl Nesbitt, Allan Bosman, Robert Shaddick and Ian Hulley.

According to the club’s history, many ventures were undertaken in the early years – some proved to be successful, others did not.

Some of the earliest initiatives the Lions took on included a Bike-A-Thon for local children and a recycling drive collecting newspapers throughout the village. The club also hosted a beer tent at the 1978 International Plowing Match just over one year after the formation of the club. The match was held at the home farm of Jim Armstrong in the Wingham area.

The Lions then turned their attention to making improvements throughout the community, as members installed fencing and carried out extensive improvements to the village’s ball diamond including the installation of a new food booth and lighting so games could be played after dark. The club also operated a food booth at the ball diamond for a number of years.

The club then held a donkey baseball game at the village ball diamond under President Carl Nesbitt. The event called for every Lions member to ride a donkey while participating in a competitive baseball game.

The game would attract over 500 spectators and remains one of the club’s most memorable events to this day.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017. PAGE 13.

Club 40th Anniversary Celebration

d into the Club that night Bill Dobson, Jim Radford, Allan Bosman, ottiaux, Jim Johnston, Art Reid, Robert d Cartwright, Bill Bromley, g. rter members e club, serving May night in sman, Robert

istory, many early years – hers did not. the Lions took local children g newspapers also hosted a onal Plowing e formation of he home farm m area. r attention to oughout the d fencing and ments to the he installation ing so games The club also diamond for a

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Nesbitt also served as the team’s pitcher that day. The Lions took on a slo-pitch team from Clinton and the Londesboro team won the game by a score of 3-1. In addition, a profit of over $500 was realized as a result of the game.

The club would go on to host pig roasts, Valentine’s Day dances, pancake breakfasts and the club’s annual Halloween party.

Vegas Nights became one of the club’s more popular fundraisers and then the Londesboro Lions began co-hosting the event with the Blyth Lions Club, including men’s euchre parties.

In subsequent years, the Londesboro Lions Club would host a successful motorcycle rally, car rallies, baseball tournaments, golf tournaments and pork chop suppers.

The club has been handling parking at the annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association in Blyth for over 30 years. Members even hosted a food booth once at the reunion, although that event would not continue on.

The Lions have historically hosted a food booth at many auction sales throughout the community. At one time, the club also sponsored a Leo Club for the community, which helped encourage Lionism and volunteering among the young people of Londesboro and worked as a feeder system for the Lions Club when members were old enough.

In 1986, the club put together what would be one of its biggest and most successful campaigns with the “Back the Biter” project.

In October, 1986, long-time Lions Club member Ron Nesbitt (known as the Biter) was due to be released from hospital after a diving accident the previous summer left him a quadriplegic. The Lions hoped to raise between $25,000 and $30,000 to buy an accessible van that would put Nesbitt back on the road when he returned to the community from London.

Saturday, Nov. 29 was identified as the day to “Back the Biter” in a massive one-day Continued on next page

Best Wishes & Happy 40th Londesboro & District Lions!

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Wishes boro Lions years of ed service

10 years in On April 16, 1987, the Londesboro and District Lions Club marked its 10th anniversary. The club was founded on a night in May, 1977 with 24 charter members. At the time, the club would have just completed its most ambitious fundraiser yet: 1986’s Back The Biter campaign which put club member Ron Nesbitt back on the road after a life-altering accident. Back row, from left: Allan Bosman, Bill Shaddick, Bill Kolkman, Robert Shaddick, Gerrit Wilts, Mark Kuiper, Dave Overboe, Murray Adams and John Hoggart. Centre row, from left: Carl Nesbitt, District A-9 Governor Gord Rimmer, Keith Allen, Joe Hunking, Don MacGregor and P.D.D.G. Stewart MacKinnon. Front row, from left: Bill Bromley, Howard Cartwright, Ron Nesbitt, Art Airdrie and Lloyd Josling. Absent were: Jim Radford, Jim Carter and Ian Hulley. (Photo submitted) Congratulations Londesboro Lions on your 40th Anniversary!

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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2016.

Londesboro & District Lions 40th Anniversary Celebration Goderich, Auburn and Blyth. In addition, Peter Hardy, president of the Toronto Blue Jays, who maintained a home near the village, said he would contribute merchandise from the team to help with fundraising efforts.

Several events were planned for the special day, including a talent show, euchre parties, a box social auction and the novelty auction.

Both Hullett Central Public School and Memorial Hall would serve as stages for the event.

Just two weeks after the campaign began, $5,000 The Londesboro and District Lions Club has been had been raised.

With 10 days left to known to spread the word of its club in local parades, via floats like this one, constructed for the raise funds, the Lions had raised $12,000 and 40 club’s 10th anniversary (Photo submitted) auction items had been tallied.

Continued from previous page As Nov. 29 approached, the Lions had campaign to raise the necessary funds for the van. Dave Overboe, chair of the campaign, raised nearly $17,000, but when the day was said that while the club had lots of work to do through that number would top $45,000. people should never underestimate the spirit When it was all said and done, the 19-member club had raised $50,000 for the project, with of Londesboro.

The campaign began with the ambitious the surplus being used to set up a charitable goal of between $25,000 and $30,000 and was trust fund.

Just under 10 years later the club would buoyed early by significant financial commitments from other area Lions Clubs undertake another massive project – one that to date has injected over $100,000 back into like Mitchell, Dublin, Seaforth, Clinton, the community.

In 1995, the Lions Club negotiated a 10-year lease for the Londesboro Happy 40th Anniversary Community Hall from Hullett Township.

Londesboro Lions Club!

The club soon began raising funds to renovate the basement of the hall in the coming years.

The hall remains the club’s biggest achievement as it is now used extensively by community groups and residents for special events thanks to the extensive work completed by the Lions. To date over $100,000 has been injected into the building and the club’s lease, now with Central Huron, remains in

Getting the word out

Blyth Lions Club

Enjoy your celebrations!

We would like to congratulate the Londesboro Lions on their 40th Anniversary

AUBURN LIONS CLUB Happy 40th Anniversary Londesboro Lions Club!

Brussels Lions Club Enjoy your celebrations!

Lions Club of Wingham

Congratulates the Londesboro Lions on their 40th Anniversary!

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

GODERICH LIONS CLUB CONGRATULATIONS to the Londesboro Lions Club on their 40th Anniversary

place to this day.

In the late 1990s, the Lions took on Hospital Appreciation Day and have participated in the Lions Youth Exchange program. They also hosted a week-long food booth at the 1999 International Plowing Match held near Dashwood.

While the club has had its ups and downs with membership, experiencing an all-time low of 13 members in the early 2000s, a recent injection of members has resulted in a current membership of nearly 30.

Over the years the Londesborough Community Hall has been one of club has produced five the local Lions Club’s biggest beneficiaries with Zone chairmen, one over $100,000 in improvements, which date back District Governor, a to the 1990s, thanks to the club. (Photo submitted) Council Chairperson, a Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer, a District Bulletin Editor and an popular events including regular community International Understanding Chairperson, as breakfasts, an annual fish fry dinner, annual Christmas tree sales and the annual duck race well as a Youth Exchange incoming Chair.

Currently the club focuses on a number of in late May.

Starting up

And they’re off One of the Lions Club’s biggest current fundraisers is now its annual duck race, held in late May just east of Londesboro. (File photo)

Atwood Lions Club Congratulations to the Londesboro and District Lions Club on your 40th Anniversary Celebrations.

Congratulations Londesboro & Distict Lions on your 40th Anniversary

Clinton Lions Club

Dungannon Lions Club Congratulations Londesboro Lions on your 40th Anniversary of serving the community and beyond.

Wishing all the best for the future.

Congratulations Londesboro Lions

Lucknow Lions Club

We would like to wish the Londesboro & District Lions Club a Happy 40th Anniversary.