CARLYLE — Back in November of 1963, the Carlyle & District Lions Club was formed and the club recently held its annual charter night at the Carlyle Happy Gang building.
District governor Doug Ross and his wife Debbie were in attendance. A number of individual awards were presented and three new members were inducted.
Sheran Fontaine, and Brad and Michelle Cooper were welcomed and all three were sponsored by Jean Ebbes. The Carlyle club now has 36 active members.
Recent newcomers to the club include Danielle Benjamin, Candy Bye, Bertha Isleifson, Shiela Menard, Ishpinder Ranu and Delores Young. All were presented with life memberships to the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs.
Lion Pat Anderson was presented with a “Pawsivity” Pin, thanking her for organizing both the Carlyle Fun Dayz pancake breakfast in August and the recent baked potato booth at the Carlyle Dickens Festival. On both nights of Dickens, the Lions Club ran out of product by 6 p.m.
Two very prestigious awards were also awarded. The Melvin Jones Fellowship recognizes Lions for dedicated humanitarian services through the Lions Club International Foundation. Lions Ron and Lois Paul proudly presented the award to longtime Lions member Ebbes for her work as both secretary and treasurer of the club and operating the Lions Park campground.
Ebbes tirelessly collected all camping fees and kept the facilities in immaculate condition.
The Carlyle Lions Park had a record number of campers this year.
Duncan Brown was also honoured and presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship by Gord Paulley. Brown, who only joined the club in 2017, has taken a leading role and is now Lions Park chairman.
While recent medical restrictions have limited the club’s activities, a number of projects are planned for 2022. Three hundred club tickets are now on sale and are available from any Lions member. Ball Diamond Number 6 will be completed this spring tinning the dugouts and adding yellow capping to the newly installed fence. A sound booth is also being erected behind the main Cardinal ball diamond No. 1 and will be constructed and operational in time for the 2022 season.
The Carlyle and District Lions Club is very active and an important part of the community. The 2021-22 executive is comprised of Vermeersch as president, vice-president Paulley, second vice-president Wayne Wilson, and secretary-treasurer Ebbes. If you are interested in joining, please contact a Lions club member for further information.
