Archives for November 2009

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.

Three services will be held in Donley County next week to honor the services of local veterans.
The first service will be a Veterans Day Candlelight Vigil at Clarendon College on Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m. in the Bairfield Activity Center.

Dr. John Howard, M.D., OIF Veteran will be the guest speaker.

This program will honor veterans of all wars, and everyone in the community is invited to attend.
The program is sponsored by the Clarendon College One Book One College Committee.

The second program will be held on Tuesday, November 10, at noon in the Bronco Gym and hosted by Clarendon Elementary.

Veterans will be recognized with a special message and presentation and will then be treated to a meal prepared by the Clarendon High School family and consumer sciences class.

The Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion in Hedley will hold the third service of the week at the Rowe Cemetery in Hedley on Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, at 10 a.m.

The post members will place flags on the graves of 217 veterans buried in that cemetery. The flags will be left there through November 10 and 11 in honor of those departed comrades that have served this country.
The program will be conducted by the members of the American Legion. The Veteran’s Day address will be by Legion Commander Barry D. Schoenhal of Darrouzett. Barry is Past Commander of District 18 American Legion, and Past Adjutant of District 18, and now serves as Commander of Division 4 of the Texas American Legion.

The program will include the ceremony honoring those missing in action or still a prisoner of war. The program will conclude with the playing of Taps.

Hedley ISD will honor the veterans following the services with a meal and Veteran’s Day program.