Strathmore Lions celebrate 80 years

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

The Strathmore Lions Club is celebrating its 80th charter night next month and is inviting Strathmore and area residents to help them commemorate the event.
The 80th anniversary party will go Feb. 16 at the Strathmore Civic Centre, and will feature a dinner, entertainment and an address by a past president of Lions Club International.
According to Lions Club member Robert Breitwieser, anyone is welcome to the event.
“The event is a recognition in the community of the history of the Lions Club in this community,” he said, adding the event is a great way for people interested in becoming a Lions member to see how the club works.
The Strathmore Lions Club was organized on Sept. 12, 1938, and its first charter night was held on Dec. 20 of that year, with 15 charter members who paid $5 to join.
“The early activities in those days included a sports day in July 1939, with a softball tournament, auction sale and dance,” said Breitwieser. “The proceeds went to improving the swimming ‘pool,’ which was really a mud hole.”
Today, the Strathmore Lions Club meets twice a month to plan various activities and organize programs to assist the community. Some of those projects include the Lions Splash Park, development of the Lions Legacy Park, Strathmore Celebration of Lights, Lions food concessions at the Strathmore Heritage Days and Stampede, an international student exchange, Wheatland Lodge Stampede pancake breakfast, and support and monetary grants to additional activities and projects.
Tickets for the charter night are $40, and can be purchased from Bruce Bishop 403-888-9914, Brian Grier 403-686-7470 or Keith Temple 403-325-0348.