Submitted by Joyce Tona
March brought with it the Lions Club’s annual Pancake Day with the theme of the 50th year of the Ed Sullivan Show and many braved the cold blustery day to attend. District Gov. Terry and Lion Darby Dunn attended the supper meeting. Zone chair Kay Bystrom introduced Terry as guest speaker who spoke on the Rimbey Club’s achievements and also about the good things happening in the projects of Lionism in the world with important news on the Sight First 2 Fund.
Kandi Wyatt and trainer Mike Smith visited the club the same night and Kandi reported on her boxing achievements while displaying her winnings.
April saw the club motor to Alix to join their Lions Club for a supper meeting. The Millet Lions joined the Rimbey Club for a supper evening at The Vault in Rimbey later that month. The Lions escorted members from the seniors lodge by bus to the Winfield Lions seniors' supper and all reported a good time.
In May, eight Rimbey Lions members attended the Multiple District Lions Convention in Havre, Mont. They were there not only to attend the convention but also to place a bid to hold the first new rally of the district in 2010 in Rimbey, however the Rimbey Lions were outbid by a narrow margin. There will be another time. Members also attended the officer training seminar in Sylvan Lake.
The month of June saw the new booth open and members working at Olsen's Auction, the Rodeo Booth going and Booth 3 working at the Motor Sport Park on the last weekend. Project Pride, a program celebrating the pride of being a Canadian was taken to the Grade 1 classes at the Rimbey Elementary School, Rimbey Christian and Bluffton Schools and was presented by Lion Paddy McGeachy, while Lion Gwen Olson took the flags to Leedale School. The Lions finished the year with a barbecue and Volunteers' Appreciation Night. Lion Ray Jarl was presented with a Life Membership in Lions International. All was enjoyed with good weather as well.
Throughout the year, 25 bingo nights were worked at the Plaza Bingo Palace in Ponoka, six of which were very successful. CBS Blood Donor clinics were held, the walking trail was cleaned and a park bench was placed on the trail by the Kramer Family in honor of Diane.
Project 84 Recycle Depot has been very busy keeping the paper sorted. Lion Michelle reports that 383 pairs of glasses and 15 hearing aids as well as other types of glasses and sunglasses are on their way to Third World use.
Rimbey and District Lions paid their respects to long-time member Lion Jim Tona whose funeral was Aug. 8 of 2008. The Lions gave good wishes to Lion Cyril Hermary as he transferred to the Red Deer Lions. The club welcomed new Lion Megan Olsen to the roster in March.
The Rimbey Lions are proud to be able to commit to the following needs of Rimbey and district and outer areas in the following donations: Mel Racher Dream Cause - Kenya needs - $200; Lions International Sight First 2 in memory of Lion Jim Tona - $250; Emilie Falk -Lions Legacy Scholarship -$1,000: Habitat for Humanity - $500: Rimbey Library for Books on Tape -$1,500; Cavalcade for Diabetes - $1000; Rimbey Hospital Special Projects - Bariatric Bed - $25,000; Royal Canadian Legion Armistice Day wreath - $50; Radio Shack – large screen TV set for Rimbey Hospital Area One - $1343.98; Lions shared donation to Town for antique parade truck - $2000; Ponoka Literacy Assoc. - $500; Heart and Stroke Fund - $500; Warren Werner - fire disaster - $750; Rimbey Elementary School’s Legislature trip - $999.99; Central Alberta Women’s Shelter - $3000; West Country Outreach School six scholarship recipients - $900 and the Lions Playground No. 1 for equipment, gravel and new playground toys - $10,901.11: for a grand total of $50,395.08 in donations.
As the club began the new term in July of 2009, the Lions introduce the new executive: directors, Lorna Johnson, Alvin Goetz, Doug McNeill, Ciaran Ormand, Laverne Oberhammer and Megan Olsen, Tail Twister Nick Portiek, Lion Tamer Lion Ray Durand, membership chairperson Joy Koble, Past President Alex Waldron, First Vice-President Nels Grinde, Second Vice-President Alice Steele, Third Vice President Stephan Van Oostrom, Secretary Jackie McMullen, Recording Secretary Gwen Olsen, Treasurer Alvin Johnson, and President Lion Michelle Oberhammer.
The club looks forward to an exciting 2009-2010.