Lions celebrate 70 years

TROY - This year has been a special one for the Troy Lions Club.

After all, it's not every year that an organization can look back upon seven decades of service. But that's just what the club has done in 2009.

In May, the Troy Lions Club celebrated its 70 years of service, both to the Troy area and Lions International.

At a 70th anniversary dinner at the Troy Vets Club, the memories were flowing. It was a time to remember - to reflect on the club's beginnings. They date back to May 24, 1939, when the club was chartered, sponsored by the Sayre-Athens Lions Club, with Raymond Bradley as its first president.

The Lions honored tradition, even down to the menu, which was the same as the Charter Dinner: baked ham and mashed potatoes. All past presidents attending shared their memories. Past District Governor (PDG) Chuck May started by recalling some humorous events while PDG George Yearick had many historical pictures and records, especially of the Pennsylvania Lions All-State Band, which has been a hit at several international conventions, on display. Past presidents Tom Calkins III, Alan Schoonover, Doug Ulkins, Rod Spalding, Dick Besley, Ron Krise, Ken Krise, Mike Bridgham, and Doug Phillips followed while Past President Bob Cowl traced the history of the 67 Lions Minstrel Shows and recalled the leadership and piano-playing of Lion Johnny Blackwell.

Past President Jerry Vollmer, chairman of the annual "All Sports Night," had something else to share: he talked about the growth of that event from the 1940s with four major athletic awards to today's 24 sport prizes and more than 80 athletic volunteers. Lion Tom Calkins and Lion Lonnie Thomas were instrumental in setting up the sports teams sponsored by the Lions and the All-Sports Banquets that followed, it was noted.

It's a club that's steeped in tradition. Every December - as was the case this year - the Lions Christmas Basket project prepares more than 100 donated food and toy boxes and delivers them to needy families. It's done with help from the school district and students.

And there's also what's described as the centerpiece of the club: its annual Troy Lions Minstrel Show. In 2010, on April 23-24, the club will entertain at the new Memorial Auditorium.

These Lions Club members have reflected on the club's rich history:

Past President Dick Besley:

"The Troy Lions Club has a rich history in its 70 years' service to the community. Personally, I think we are at our best when preparing for the Lions minstrel show. Then we are joined by friends of the club and entertain the public for a low-priced ticket. In 1948, for example, several of us high school students took part in the musical program of the show. Still today we have help from students, especially from our Leo Club at the high school.

"One of our biggest projects took place in 1954 when, under the leadership of Harry Crumbling's committee, the club purchased the fairgrounds real estate, and thereby stopped Alparon Park from being sold to private interests. The club also spearheaded the fund drive that resulted in construction of the swimming pool in 1958, plus the tennis courts and horseshoe pits. We still maintain the walkway which leads to the park.

"In the 1950s, the Troy Lions 'planted' five other clubs; the Canton Lions, plus Sylvania, Big Pond, Wells-Jackson, and South Creek. When a club has an established reputation, plus effective members, great things can happen. Consider the eye surgery for Ralph Kenyon in 1985 at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia: the total bill for the operation was $27,000. The Troy Lions club raised donations of over $4,000, Lion Ray Seeley represented us to the hospital, and the result was that they forgave the rest of the bill. A lot of the work the Wills hospital does is supported by Pennsylvania Lions Clubs."

Doug Ulkins, Past President:

"Over the last 70 years, the Troy Lions have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, most of which returned to the local community to serve those less fortunate than ourselves. As a past president, the kind of memories that I hold dear are those in which I witnessed fellow members working at an eye clinic in State College. I witnessed the faces of smiling children as Christmas baskets full of food and toys were delivered to hundreds of people's homes.

"I had the pleasure of joining fellow Lions Club members as we entertained hundreds of people at our annual Minstrel Shows. These shows not only raised funds for Lions' causes, but they brought the talents and warm spirits of people together to celebrate Lionism at its best. From donating eye glasses, to supplying free glasses to needy children, to helping families in crisis, to supporting the local schools through scholarships, recognizing sports and music programs, the Troy Lions have much to be proud of and there is much yet to be done!"

George Yearick:

"I was hired by Supt. (Past Dist. Gov.) Harry Crumbling - they were called International Counselors back then - who made it known that he expected me to become a Lion, but there was a waiting list - the only one in the state, and there were 14 prospective Lions ahead of me. My name came up 46 years ago. I was president in 1974, our 35th anniversary year. I directed the minstrel for several years, the chorus for many years.

"I recall in my early years being called late at night by Lion Jerry Vickery or his father to deliver a pair of eyes removed by Jerry to a waiting state policeman at the edge of the county who would take them to the airport for a flight to one of the eye banks. Jerry had performed this little operation for more than 100 times, meaning that 100 people had their sight back.

"I became Dist. Gov. in 1980, and during my year started the Pennsylvania Lions All State Band. I said at the time I wanted to do something besides standing up front at a meeting and reading a report. I didn't realize that I would still be doing the same duty 16 years later, after taking the band all over the world to International Conventions. I was awarded the Melvin Jones by Dist. 14 G, and more importantly The International Presidents Medal, the highest award in Lionism.

"The Troy Lions Club of the past was different, not only in size but in enthusiasm. We always had a full compliment at all District and State events. For years, we were the largest club in 14 G. Now a club that I started (Howard) is the largest with 124 members, but we are still in the top five."

Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: reviewtroy@thedailyreview.com.