In 1963 there were some notable occurrences that still resonate with society to this very day. U.S. President John F. Kennedy was brutally assassinated, the Beetles released their first album, the Toronto Maple Leafs trampled the Detroit Red Wings 4 games to 1 winning the Stanley cup and the Compact Cassette was introduced to the world. These were memories that would ring in the geneses of the world's next half century and hallmark the growth of a new generation. But in the town of Carlyle another memory was being created. A memory that would become a movement, a movement that would not only change the lives of many but would also continually grow and remain a force of goodwill in the town for years to come.
That movement was the Carlyle District Lions Club and on Friday, Nov. 8 the club celebrated 50 years of service with a ceremony at the Carlyle Memorial Hall. The evening had more than 100 people in attendance to celebrate the club's achievements, most notably their donation of over $1,000,000 that has been made to various organizations, groups and charities in the last 50 years. The event began with the national anthem, an invocation, several toasts and then a roast beef dinner which was catered by Shelly and David Slykhus. This was held at the lower levels of the hall but presentations and a 50th anniversary production by the Cornerstone Theatre was done upstairs. The evening's guest speaker was past director of Lions Clubs International Marvin Chambers of Fillmore, SK, who is currently an advisor on the USA, Canada Leadership Forum committee. Chambers was also a member of the Carlyle District Lions Club from 1989 to 1990 said he "thoroughly enjoyed" his time at the club then. He spoke of what it means to be a Lion's Club member and also highlighted the support clubs give to local, neighbouring and international communities.
"The power we have I believe can move mountains, the power we have to develop leadership, the power we have to develop leadership in our countries and organizations outside our country and community," he said.
"This power to develop leadership will lead us into the future but will also protect what we've experienced in the past."
The former director said the Lions Club International Foundation is lucky to have donations from the Carlyle club. He explained that due to the club's donation, the foundation is able to supply grant money and supply other funds to assist with things like natural disasters.
An example of the club's charity was explained by Conner Standingready a beneficiary of the Guide Dogs program. Standingready who is visually impaired went onstage with his dog Dolly, that was sponsored by the club and attested to their help.
"It's an honour to come and speak here and I just want to say how thankful I am to the Lions Club because Dolly has really helped me in many aspects of my life, my social life, my education and I'm just really grateful," he said.
"Dolly has improved my life in so many ways and it's just really great that you guys support dog guidesMy world has gotten so much more better, more clearer and definitely more hairier, so that's good."
Mayor of Carlyle, Don Shirley also spoke at the ceremony and said celebrating 50 years is a wonderful milestone for the Lion's Club history and for the town of Carlyle. In the mayor's address he thanked the club for their contribution to the town and the surrounding area and presented a certificate of thanks which was accepted by club president Don Corrigan.
"For the past 50 years you have helped to develop and shape our community and your organization continues to stand as a great example of how volunteers have helped to make Carlyle one of the most livable communities in Canada," he said.
"It is great to see that lions are still going strong and doing good work in our local area So congratulations for all you do, for all you have done and for all you will do in the future."
One of the highlights of the evening was the club issuing over $50,000 to 20 clubs and organizations in Carlyle and the surrounding area. This was an objective of the club according to club member Wayne Wilson who made the presentations that night.
"When we started planning this in January one of the first questions that was brought up was, 'what do we want to do? And the first thing I said was 'I'd like to handout $50,000 on our 50th year. And we're going to do that," he said.
Several members of the Lampman Lion's Club were also in attendance and were honoured during the ceremony as the club was also celebrating their 50th anniversary. At the end of the presentation and after a 10 minute intermission the Cornerstone Theatre preformed their 50th anniversary production which incorporated various elements and themes having to do with the lion's club. There was ample amount of pride amongst club members for the evening who all celebrated 50 years of charity, community and goodwill.
