Standard Lions Club celebrates 50th Anniversary

Times Contributor

 

The Standard Lions Club celebrated their 50th Anniversary in style at the community hall along with Rockyford, Hussar, Rosebud and Strathmore Lions members in attendance for their annual combination Charter night on April 13.

The Standard Community Hall was packed with local dignitaries, special guests, Lions members and their wives from all over East Wheatland, to not only come together for their annual Charter Night, but also to recognize the Standard Club’s 50 years of service. The Lions motto “We Serve” was well demonstrated over the development of the evening.

The evening was called to order, and special guests were recognized for this once in a lifetime celebration by local Standard Lions Club President David Nielsen. A prestigious group of individuals at the head table were recognized for those gathered at the event. 

The guest speaker of the evening was introduced first, District Governor Dr. Rose Geonzon and her husband Roger from Calgary, First Vice District Governor Bruce Bishop and his wife Betty, Second Vice District Governor Bill Baux and his wife Donna and local President David Nielsen and his wife Marlis were honored.

After a wonderful meal catered by Pat Murphy from Rosebud, the evening continued with some toasts. Harvey Larsen gave a wonderful tribute to the wives of all the members who stand by their husbands as they serve their communities in the world’s largest service club organization. 

“Our 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members make us the world’s largest service club organization. We’re also one of the most effective. Our members do whatever is needed to help their local communities. Everywhere we work, we make friends. With children who need eyeglasses, with seniors who don’t have enough to eat and with people we may never meet,” says the Lions Club International Organization.

The Standard Lions Club has one of the largest groups in the area with 42 active members. Four Charter members were recognized with long time service awards for attendance in the organization who included Lyle Envoldsen, Vern Hoff, Elmer Jensen and Marshall Bye who received a charter member pin. These gentlemen were four of the 20 who helped start the Standard Club on April 4, 1962 and now the Club has more than doubled in size.

Throughout the decades the Standard Club held many successful projects in and around the community. To summarize the last fifty years would not do it justice, but rather to highlight a few would give a clear picture of the hard work and dedication that comes from not only a service club, but definitely rural hard work ethic and integrity. In the beginning fundraising events were held such as a traveling minstrel show that would only net $200 with a membership of 21. Now the annual Stag Auction held every year in Standard brings in around $90,000 – $100,000 in one night. The members have participated in building projects in the community like the arena, library, community hall, community playground and many helps to our local school.

The banquet part of the evening ended after guest speaker District Governor Dr. Rose Geonzon addressed the group and some presentations to mark the occasion were made. Local President of the Rockyford Lions Club Darcy Koester presented the Standard Club with a brass bell with the 50th Anniversary inscription on it. Local President David Nielsen presented President of the Community Hall Board Brent Gregory with a cheque for $500,000 for the new Hall. Nielsen also presented a $20,000 cheque to a representative of the Standard School playground committee, Jolayne Christensen. Lion Mike Rasmussen along with District Governor Geonzon presented the prestigious Melvin Jones service award to local Lion Brett Gates.

The evening concluded with entertainment from Yuk Yuks comedian Sean Lecomber from Edmonton.

It was evident from the celebration that the truth in the motto of the Lions “We Serve” was made very clear. “Whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That’s because we help where help is needed – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy,” according to the Lions Club Organization.