Clinton News-Record, 1987-06-10, Page 10Page 10—CLINTON. NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1987
BAI FIELLI LIONS STILL GOING STRONG
40 years and eounting
As local historian Ethel Poth has written
on the occasion of Bayfield Centennial in
1976, "one of the best things that has hap-
pened over the years was the formation of
the Bayfield Lions Club. Like a stone thrown
into water making ever widening circles, so
has this club born much fruit".
On May 24, 1947 the "Bayfield Lions
Charter Night" was held in the pavillion
"The Pav" at Jowetts Grove. Guests were
present from London, Goderich and Zurich -
the sponsoring club. Lion Hal Meer was
District Governor and Lion Len Palmer was
Deputy District Governor. Lion Bruce
Malcolm was district secretary, and the in-
stigator of the formation of Bayfield Lions
Club. The meal was catered by Edward
Weston and his son "White".
Over the years the dinner meetings have
been held at various locations including The
Little Inn, George Mayor's Restaurant (now
the Captain's Cove), The Wildwood
Restaurant (now the Sugar Bush), The Ritz
Hotel, The Hinds House (now the Harbour
Lights Motel property) caterer Jeanne
Lindsay, The Albion Hotel and the Com-
munity Cegtre where caterers have been
The Lioness Club, Kathleen Siertsema and
Sandra Turner. Much fun and fellowship is
enjoyed at these meetings as well as many
business projects given final decision.
One of the first Lions projects was the pro-
motion of a Bayfield Area Fire Department.
Previously there was no fire protection
closer than the nearest town. Another major
project the Lions carried out was the con-
struction of an arena for the benefit of
Bayfield and area people of all ages. The
first arena was built in 1952-53 while Lion
Elgin Porter was president.
The one remaining member of the four -
man building committee Lion Charlie Scot -
chiller, vividly relates how they built the
trusses and after two full days work they
had the frame all erected. At 6 a.m. the
following morning a violent windstorm hit
the village. The Lions arrived .to find
nothing but a tangled, twisted, splintered
press of lumber. But Mother Nature didn't
discourage those Bayfield Lions. They pro-
mptly set to work, salvaged what lumber
they could and rebuilt it all, being careful to
brace everything as they went, in case of
another windstorm.
A conununity centre addition was added
in 1967, with again, all volunteer labor. Ice
making equipment was installed to lengthen
the skating and hockey season. This arena
was the centre of activity year round, and
served the community for 25 years until it
was condemned by government authorities
and a new one erected on the same location
in 1978-79. The new arena was financed by
government grants, the Lions and Lioness
clubs, and a house to house canvass•of the
Bayfield people. The Lions raised and con-
tributed $90,000 to this major project.
In 1975 the Bayfield Lions sponsored the
Vanastra Lions Club, and in 1976 sponsored
he Bayfield Lioness Club which has been a,.
"'f•aluable asset to Lionism, and the maiy
village projects which they have
undertaken.
Other local Lions projects have been spon-
soring hockey teams, Halloween Party for
children, remembering the elderly and
shutins at ('hristmas, helping crippled,
blind, deaf, disabled and handicapped, sup-
porting ('NIB and crippled childrens fund
and more recently Diabetes and Drug
awareness programs and many more too
numerous to mention.
Support to the Recreation Committee on
fencing and cost of the ball park lighting
system have been recent projects. The
Hayfield Lions have also sponsored and
assisted the Bayfield Scouting Program,
financially and in leadership for over seven-
teen years. The Lions are now planning to
install a much needed air conditioning
system in the community centre.
The Bayfield Lions also proudly support
hundreds of world wide projects of Lions In -
The Bayfield Lions Club was formed some 40 years and five original members of that
club celebrated four decades of service at an anniversary party held recently. District
Governor Art Woods (back right) helped out in the festivites with charter members
( back row, left to right) Ernie Hovey, Jack Scotchmer, Ken Brandon. (Front row) Lloyd
Makins and Charlie Scotchmer. (Shelley McPhee Haist photo)
ternational, the worlds largest service
organization. Recent Canadian projects
have been the Canine Vision School at
Oakville_ Ontario, where the blind are sup-
plied with "Seeing Eye Dogs", and, new
homes for the deaf at Brantford and Ottawa.
Bayfield Lions also directly helped establish
and continue to support the Nyezene
Children's Orphanage in Tansania, Africa.
In this way we can help other people of the
world who are much less fortunate than
ourselves.
In order to carry out these many projects
the Lions must have money raising events.
In the early years the main money raiser •
was the 'Lions Frolic' held in July each
year. This carnival was kicked off with a
giant parade of bands, floats, bicycles,
horses, steam engines, people in fancy
costumes and much, much more proceeding
dawn main street and around to the arena,
where band concerts judging of parade en-
tries, games of chance, food booths and a
draw for prizes was held from tickets sold
previously. In early days the Lions and
Firemen sold tickets at $1.00 each on a new
automobile. When they realized they were
spending more time selling tickets than
working to support their families, the value
of the prizes had to be decreased. Lion
Charlie Scotchmer and Lion Ernie Hovey
were record ticket sellers. Before the arena
was built the bions Frolic was held in Clan
Gregor Square. When rained out it was
postponed to the following week. For a few
years the frolic was ended with fireworks.
However, rising costs ended this display.
We have always been grateful to the public
including our summer visitors for their par-
ticipation and support of our "Lions Frolic".
However, times do change and the Lions
Frolic gradually lost its appeal to the public
and had to be discontinued, the last being
held in 1983. Other fund raisers had to take
its place. Our pancake breakfasts have been
very popular and well supported by the
public over the years. For several years the
Lions tapped the village maples and
gathered sap to make the maple syrup for
the pancakes.
The Lions Rainbow Trout Fish Derby held
in October each year has been very suc-
cessful since its inception in 1979. It is grow-
ing at a considerable rate each year.
The Lions Perch Fish Fry held each Civic
Holiday Weekend had to be discontinued due
to the cost of perch.
The Lions children's rides have been a
project of the older mechanically inclined
Lions for many years. These rides used at
fairs and carnivals, much to the enjoyment
of the children, are trucked around the coun-
try each summer and fall and bring in con-
siderable remuneration.
In 1984 the Lions Jackpot Bingo was begun
and is held in the community centre each
Friday evening from May 1 to October 31
each year. In 1986 the Lioness Club joined
the Lions in operating this extensive pro-
gram which remains very popular.
Another funding project is the collection
of scrap paper held the first Saturday of
each month, the year round.
The Lions handle tens of thousands of
dollars each year in order to realize a profit
of a few thousand dollars. Of this money ap-
proximately 75 percent stays in the com-
munity with 25 percent going to other places
throughout the world.
In March of 1978 the Lions travelled as a
club to Port Sanilac Michigan for the first
twinning meeting. The Port Sanilac club has
returned each September and we have
visited each May ever since. Recently the
Bayfield Lions held their 18th Twinning
meeting and many,. valuable friendships
have developEd vi h these rnorican ionJ
over the years.
The Bayfield Lions are very pleased to
have five of the charter members still active
in the club. And talk aborit dedication; Two
of these members, the Scotchmer brothers,
have a 40 year perfect attendance record.
Can you imagine what the village of
Bayfield would be like today if the Lions
Club had not been formed 40 years ago? I'm
sure there would be a great void here. The
influence of Bayfield Lions Club has not only
been evident in this community but in many
countries throughout the world. Our motto is
"We Serve". Our 1986 - 87 International
President's Motto is "Bring Quality to
Life". We are proud to be Bayfield Lions,
and are proud of our accomplishments over
these 40 years' We encourage others to join
our fellowship and experience the great
satisfaction of service to our fellowman.
By Ross Merrill
Bulletin Editor
Best Wishes
on the Kildonan Inn's
Open House
We were .pleased to have supplied
the glass for this Heritage
Home.
From Hans and Rita Van Dyke
Clinton
23
Best Wishes
We supplied the .Kildonan Inn
with a variety of fresh produce
and fresh daily baking.
Congratulations from Morris and Ann Roberts at
CLINTON FARM MARKET
212 Victoria St. (Hwy. 4 South) Clinton
OPEN: 7 DAYS A WEEK; MON.-TUES.-WED. 8 AM -7 PM; THURS. & FRI. 8 AM -9 PM
SATURDAY:SUNDAY 9 AM -6 PM
f v<
Best Wishes
It was our pleasure to have supplied the 1,vallcoverinss,
paint and ceramic and vinyl the for the Kildonan Inn.
Color Your World'
STRATFORD
Represented in Clinton by Don and Betty Duff
166 VICTORIA STREET (HWY. 4 SOUTH)
CLINTON 482-3404
Best Wishes
on your Open House
Gravel supplied
LAVIS
CONTRACTING
CO. LIMITED
26 Isaac St., Clinton
482-3694
Best Wishes
it was our pleasure
to assist in the pro)ect
with carpentry and
restoration work.
ELLIOTT, FISHER
AND ASSOCIATES
Carla Elliott J rlc Fi�hcr
482-7660
Best Wishes
It was my pleasure to assist
in the restoration of this heritage honk.
Carpentry work by
Rick $acchinato
Specializing in Custom Cabinets, Renovations
GODERICH
524.6910 524.4249
TIIE TRADITION (;ONTINI 'I S
The Bayfield Lions Club recently celebrated their 40th anniversary
with the installation of the new officers for the ensuing years. They
include (left to right) Secretary Eric Earl, Treasurer Gord
Graham, Presidents Allan Hughes and John Siertsema, Third Vice
President Harold Coombs, Second Vice President Jerry Stirling.
Absent was First Vice President Lloyd Huffman. (Shelley McPhee
Haist)
Best Wishes
We did the wiring
installation for the Kildonan Inn.
Good Luck in the future.
Casey Van Bakel
PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL
Egmondville 527-1558