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.