Lions Club celebrates 87th year

The Clarendon Lions Club celebrated 87 years of service during its annual Charter Banquet last Tuesday night, and one of its members was recognized for 60 years of Lionism.

Lion Bill Lowe joined the club on June 12, 1949, at a time when the club at about 60 members he said.

“That grew to 150 members at one point,” Lowe recalled.

The Lions Club met for many years in the basement of the First Christian Church, Lowe said. But by the time he joined, the club had moved to its present building, which was one of three buildings that came from the POW camp in McLean.

The Lions were a rowdy bunch back in ’49, Lowe said, recalling the reputation the club had for biscuit throwing.

“It was kind of embarrassing,” Lowe said of the rowdiness. “A lot of men didn’t join the club because of the silliness that was going on.”

Lowe served as president of the club in 1964 and was allotted $400 to go to the international convention in Atlantic City.

“If I recall correctly, the plane ticket was $380, so I had $20 to spend when I got there,” Lowe said.

Also during last Tuesday’s banquet, Lion Velda Ross of Quitaque, discussed the highlights of her travels and experiences as the wife of Lion Jimmy Ross, who served as president of Lions International in 2006-2007. Ross presented her husband’s banners to Lion Lowe, Boss Lion Chuck Robertson, the club, and Past District Governor Bill Auvenshine.

Lauren Shelton was crowned by the Boss Lion as the 2009-2010 Lions Sweetheart.

Members and spouses attending the banquet were Lion Don Smith, Lion Bill Auvenshine, Lion Jimmy and Paula Johnson, Lion Larry and Karen Capranica, Lion Jerry and Nelda Woodard, Lion Delbert and Naomi Robertson, Lion Roger and Lion Ashlee Estlack, Lion Chuck and Lindsey Robertson, Lion Bill and Lynn Lowe, Lion Jim and Cindy Shelton, and Lion Bobbie and Sandy Thornberry.