New Officers Elected for 2009-10

The Sanford Lions Club elected its 2009-10 slate of officers Thursday, April 16, at its weekly dinner meeting at the Lions Fairgrounds. President John Walden, Jr. presided over the election and presented the names of those recommended by the club’s board of directors.

New officers followed by their positions include: Richard Hendley, president; Marvin Joyner, president-elect; Don Morton, first vice-president; Nick Novosel, second vice-president; Dan Hruby, secretary; John Burns, treasurer; Bob Nelson, tail twister; and Richard Holshouser, lion tamer.

Officers of the Lions Day-Time Branch Club are Kimberly Cummings, coordinator; Nancy Kimble, vice-coordinator; and Marie Profio, tail twister. Board of Director members include Don Dollar, Bill Whiteman, Teresa Dew, and Bill Schubert. They will assume their duties July 1.

Guest speaker was Stacey Bruton, teacher for the visually impaired in the Harnett County Schools. Blind since birth, she described her responsibilities as a teacher and advocate for visually impaired students at the several schools in which she works in Harnett. She also demonstrated several pieces of equipment and new technologies used by the blind.

They included a Braille writer, similar to a typewriter, for which she is raising money to purchase more, a laptop computer with voice assisted technology, and a cell phone with similar aids. Mrs. Bruton noted that new devices for the blind, as well as for other disabilities, with the latest adaptive technologies are very expensive and help from organizations like Lions Clubs is greatly appreciated.

Mrs. Bruton explained that she and a twin sister were born prematurely in Cumberland, Md. She received too much oxygen in the incubator resulting in a detached retina. Her twin has normal vision. But her parents saw to it that she attended regular public schools and completed college with a degree in early childhood and elementary education and she is now pursuing a master’s degree in reading.

Program Chairman Preston Spence and President Walden, who visited with the teacher at school, said they were very impressed with the work they saw Mrs. Bruton doing with her students and expressed the club’s appreciation for her important work and program. She was accompanied by her husband, Wayne Bruton, who also works with persons with disabilities.

Spence opened the meeting with prayer and John Cole led the Pledge of Allegiance. Song leader John Byrd sang a solo of the Gospel song, “I know who holds tomorrow.” Several reports on upcoming events were given including a pancake breakfast scheduled Saturday, May 16, following the Relay for Life at the fairgrounds. Tickets are $5 and open to the public. The Sanford Lions Golf Tournament is Saturday, May 30, at Quail Ridge Golf Course and hole sponsors and golfers are needed.