One of Sanford’s most outstanding citizens was honored Thursday, Feb. 27, by the Sanford Lions Club as recipient of the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship. Hal Siler, a Lion for 44 years, received a standing ovation from his fellow club members in recognition of his many years of dedicated service and immeasurable contributions to Lionism. President John Walden, Jr. presented him a beautiful plaque.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship is named for the founder and longtime leader of Lions and was established by Lions Clubs International as the highest form of recognition to acknowledge an individual’s dedication to humanitarian service.
Siler has served the club as president, secretary, zone chairman, district secretary, membership chairman, tailtwister, and member of the board of directors. He has long been the club’s “artist in residence” and its diplomat and liaison throughout the community with his many other interests and roles in Sanford and Lee County. These include his many years of service with the local chamber of commerce and industrial development groups, among many others.
He and his wife, Esther, are longtime members of First Baptist Church. They have three children Tom, David and Judy.
Guest speaker for the meeting was Donald R. Belk, a regional planner with the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Regional Task Force headquartered at Ft. Bragg. He presented an interesting overview and update of the massive expansion program now underway at the U.S. Army base. Some $2.8 billion in military construction is planned over a five year period creating thousands of jobs for workers in this region.
Belk said planners hope to help area counties and towns develop long-range goals for positive, sustainable growth throughout the region as a result of this infusion of federal funds. Every aspect of life will be impacted, Belk said, from workforce training to transportation needs to schools to emergency services to housing. He said Lee County’s positioning between Ft. Bragg and the Research Triangle Park area should be a positive factor in its development planning.
To learn more about the BRAC programs anytime go to www.bracrtf.com.
Special guests included Carl Harrell of Welaka, Fla., a past Lions district governor who now serves as a club development consultant. He is working with District Governor Dave Martin of Sanford in establishment of a new club in Fayetteville. Also present was Don Boudreau of the Western Harnett Lions Club who is district governor-elect of District 31-F. Charles Martin was program chairman and presented the invocation while Don Morton led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Roberts Are Crowned King and Queen
The Sanford Lions Club honored their spouses and significant others Thursday, Feb. 12, at the club’s annual Valentine’s Social Ladies Night. More than one hundred members and guests enjoyed a fine dinner prepared by the food committee staff.
The Lion’s Den at the fairgrounds was appropriately decorated with red hearts, candles and bunting. Fourteen beautiful arrangements of tulips adorned the tables and the names of guests were drawn for the flowers at the program’s end. Lindsay Jones and the decoration committee were praised for an outstanding job.
Special entertainment for the evening was provided by a group from the Festival Singers of Lee County led by Paul Kelly. They sang several holiday-period arrangements and concluded with a medley of love songs appropriate for the Valentine’s celebration.
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of the King and Queen of Hearts, an annual Lions tradition at this event where a deserving couple is picked for the honor. This year’s King and Queen are Walter and Tulline Roberts who were tapped from the audience and escorted to their thrones and presented crowns and red roses for the lady. A number of club members shared humorous stories about the couple, especially King Walter who is well-known for his sharp wit.
“I appreciate this dubious honor,” Roberts said, “but my wife really does deserve to be queen. She’s been a queen to me for 63 years,” he said with a nod and a smile to his wife. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary on Feb. 2. “I can always remember that because it’s Ground Hog Day,” Roberts said with a laugh.
Roberts has been a dedicated Sanford Lion for 33 years and has served as president, fair chairman, and tail twister. He retired after 32 years with the U.S. Postal Service when mail was transported by train. He rode the rails between Hamlet and Washington, D.C. in the mail car every work day. “That was more than a 700 mile commute daily,” he joked. Mrs. Roberts also worked 32 years with Carolina Farm Credit where she was assistant vice-president upon retirement. They have two daughters, Mrs. Penny Christian of Sanford and Mrs. Patricia Causey of Lenoir.
Tim and Donna Smith were welcomed as guests of his parents Lion Dowe and Frances Smith. President John Walden, Jr., presided and the invocation was given by Roy Jernigan. Reggie Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Lion’s Den at the fairgrounds was appropriately decorated with red hearts, candles and bunting. Fourteen beautiful arrangements of tulips adorned the tables and the names of guests were drawn for the flowers at the program’s end. Lindsay Jones and the decoration committee were praised for an outstanding job.
Special entertainment for the evening was provided by a group from the Festival Singers of Lee County led by Paul Kelly. They sang several holiday-period arrangements and concluded with a medley of love songs appropriate for the Valentine’s celebration.
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of the King and Queen of Hearts, an annual Lions tradition at this event where a deserving couple is picked for the honor. This year’s King and Queen are Walter and Tulline Roberts who were tapped from the audience and escorted to their thrones and presented crowns and red roses for the lady. A number of club members shared humorous stories about the couple, especially King Walter who is well-known for his sharp wit.
“I appreciate this dubious honor,” Roberts said, “but my wife really does deserve to be queen. She’s been a queen to me for 63 years,” he said with a nod and a smile to his wife. They celebrated their 63rd anniversary on Feb. 2. “I can always remember that because it’s Ground Hog Day,” Roberts said with a laugh.
Roberts has been a dedicated Sanford Lion for 33 years and has served as president, fair chairman, and tail twister. He retired after 32 years with the U.S. Postal Service when mail was transported by train. He rode the rails between Hamlet and Washington, D.C. in the mail car every work day. “That was more than a 700 mile commute daily,” he joked. Mrs. Roberts also worked 32 years with Carolina Farm Credit where she was assistant vice-president upon retirement. They have two daughters, Mrs. Penny Christian of Sanford and Mrs. Patricia Causey of Lenoir.
Tim and Donna Smith were welcomed as guests of his parents Lion Dowe and Frances Smith. President John Walden, Jr., presided and the invocation was given by Roy Jernigan. Reggie Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Lions Bleed for the Blind
Members of the Sanford Lions Club rolled up their sleeves and literally bled to support programs for the blind, sight and hearing impaired and disadvantaged youth. This blood-letting occurred at the service club’s weekly dinner meeting Thursday, Feb. 5.
But it was all for a good cause. Blood samples from Lions will be entered in a DNA bank and—the good part for the club—each donor received a $20 check that was immediately contributed to Lions’ charity funds. On this night 51 club members participated meaning $1,020 was raised. More donations for the club will be taken at the next meeting which is the annual Valentine’s Ladies Night.
This DNA project is sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the UNC Medical Center. Called the Environmental Polymorphisms Registry, or EPR, scientists will use the DNA samples to look for differences, or polymorphisms, in people’s genetic material. Genetic differences can predispose some people to certain diseases or some may actually provide protection from disease.
The DNA registry will be studied by scientists for up to 25 years covering a broad range of health fields. Confidentially is assured through the National Institutes of Health, even under threat of court subpoena. Project workers said 20,000 participants are needed and they are over half-way to the goal.
Clinical staff present to secure the Lions donations included Alexis N. Bolton, Robyn D. Stephens, and Avery Harris. Bolton briefly described the research project and then paperwork was completed and blood drawn. The blood sample consisted of only a little more than one tablespoon.
President John Walden, Jr. presided and the invocation was given by Teresa Dew. Jim Romine led the Pledge of Allegiance. Program chairman was Secretary Dan Hruby.
But it was all for a good cause. Blood samples from Lions will be entered in a DNA bank and—the good part for the club—each donor received a $20 check that was immediately contributed to Lions’ charity funds. On this night 51 club members participated meaning $1,020 was raised. More donations for the club will be taken at the next meeting which is the annual Valentine’s Ladies Night.
This DNA project is sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the UNC Medical Center. Called the Environmental Polymorphisms Registry, or EPR, scientists will use the DNA samples to look for differences, or polymorphisms, in people’s genetic material. Genetic differences can predispose some people to certain diseases or some may actually provide protection from disease.
The DNA registry will be studied by scientists for up to 25 years covering a broad range of health fields. Confidentially is assured through the National Institutes of Health, even under threat of court subpoena. Project workers said 20,000 participants are needed and they are over half-way to the goal.
Clinical staff present to secure the Lions donations included Alexis N. Bolton, Robyn D. Stephens, and Avery Harris. Bolton briefly described the research project and then paperwork was completed and blood drawn. The blood sample consisted of only a little more than one tablespoon.
President John Walden, Jr. presided and the invocation was given by Teresa Dew. Jim Romine led the Pledge of Allegiance. Program chairman was Secretary Dan Hruby.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
