2009 Was A Good Lions Year

The Sanford Lions Club conducted an annual business session at its weekly dinner meeting Thursday, Jan. 28, at the fairgrounds. Treasurer John Burns presented a report to club members which included a PowerPoint presentation illustrating the club’s financial status over the past year.

Burns reported that 2009 was a successful year as the club was able to meet all its obligations to Lions International, the North Carolina Lions Foundation, and to many local programs aiding the blind and hearing impaired and youth. Blessed with good weather and outstanding community support, the club’s largest annual fundraiser—the Lee Regional Fair—was a success.

The annual Lions Golf Tournament was also successful as was the Branch Club’s Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, facility rentals, and several other projects, proceeds from which went to charitable causes.

The club sent over $10,000 to the Lions White Cane projects for the blind and sight impaired and over $3,500 went to help disadvantaged local citizens obtain eye exams, glasses, hearing aids for the hearing impaired and other needs for those with sight and hearing problems. Lions contributed over $4,000 to make Christmas a little happier for the needy in our community in addition to more than $2,000 for youth at the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina. And $1,500 in need-based college scholarships were awarded to students going to both four-year colleges and Central Carolina Community College. Almost $2,000 sent a half-dozen sight impaired local residents to the Lions’ Camp Dogwood on Lake Norman for a fun summer experience.

Burns outlined several maintenance projects needed at the Sanford Lions Fairgrounds in preparation for the 2010 Regional Fair. Tops on the list are some major renovations of the club’s midway kitchen and refreshment building to meet codes. Maintenance and upkeep of the club’s 52-acres and its five structures is a big job overseen by the club’s officers, board of directors, along with Lion David Thomas who is facility director and Lion Ronnie Turner who is fair director.

President Richard Hendley presided over the meeting and thanked Burns for an outstanding report. Hal Siler delivered the invocation and Bucky Phillips led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lions Fair Again Takes Top N.C.Honors

The 2009 Lee Regional Fair sponsored by the Sanford Lions Club has again won top honors from the North Carolina Association of County Fairs. The group recently held its annual convention in Raleigh and representatives from the local service club were present to accept two of the most prestigious awards give by the association.

Lions President-elect Marvin Joyner and Fair Director Ronnie Turner displayed the plaques for club members at the weekly meeting Thursday, Jan. 14. For the third year the Sanford event won the Image Award for overall excellence among county agricultural fairs in the state. It also captured the Agriculture Award presented each year by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler for outstanding service in representing the state’s farming and agri-business economy.

Turner said the repeated wins by the Lee Regional Fair demonstrate the hard work and commitment by the Sanford Lions Club to this project that provides funds to help the blind, sight and hearing impaired, and disadvantaged youth. And for another year it means that other fair sponsors across North Carolina will be shooting to knock the Lee Regional Fair off the top perch, Turner added. But planning never stops for the local fall event and the 2010 fair will be bigger and better than ever.

The club heard a fascinating program on one of the country’s largest growers and suppliers of fruits and vegetables to consumers. Program Chairman was Dale Hulsey who has spent a long career in the poultry industry while the guest speaker was his son, Nicholas Hulsey, a sales specialist with L&M Companies based in Raleigh.

L&M operates internationally growing, harvesting, processing, packaging and shipping fruits and vegetables all over North and South America. Whether its apples, eggplant, corn, peppers, melons, beans, strawberries, cherries and even some produce many have never heard of of, this company brings it to major markets and grocery stores for the consumer.

Hulsey, a graduate of Lee County High School and N.C. State University, showed a slide and video presentation illustrating several aspects of the companies work. He discussed the important objective of getting fresh produce from the field to market as quickly as possible and the latest technology used. Of course, Mother Nature always has an upper hand such as the recent frigid weather that will limit some produce from Florida thus leaving suppliers dependent on California or Central American yields where added transportation costs result in rising prices.

President-elect Marvin Joyner presided at the meeting. Dale Hulsey gave the invocation and Bucky Phillips led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sanford Lions Welcome 2010

The Sanford Lions Club returned to its regular weekly meeting schedule Thursday, Jan. 7, with President Richard Hendley presiding. Program Chairman Art Coleman delivered the invocation while Jimmy Bridges led members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Hendley remembered all those on the sick list, asking members to keep them in their prayers, and he welcomed back three Lions, Don Dollar, Dale Hulsey and Preston Spence, out recently due to sickness.

Announcements included an important board of directors meeting planned for Jan. 25 and Hendley urged all members to attend. Dues for the first half of 2010 are now being collected and should be paid as soon as possible. Lions are urged to complete the annual sale of raffle tickets that benefits Camp Dogwood for the blind and sight impaired. The one dollar ticket gives the holder a chance to win a new Chrysler vehicle to be given away at the N.C. Lions State Convention on May 30.

Each Lion has thirty tickets to sell, so the public is urged to support this statewide fundraiser. Proceeds support the upkeep of this recreational facility for the blind located on Lake Norman at Sherrills Ford, N.C. Each summer hundreds of North Carolina blind and sight impaired citizens are sponsored by local Lions Clubs to spend a week at Camp Dogwood where they enjoy many outdoor activities.

The evening’s program was given by Bill Kempffer, owner of Deep River Sporting Clays, located north of Sanford on Cletus Hall Road. This 21-year-old sporting facility attracts shooting and gun enthusiasts from a wide area ranging from the Triangle to Pinehurst. The sport itself consists of a one-mile course containing 10 to 15 shooting stations. Teams of two to six people traverse the course keeping score of the accuracy of shots at moving clay targets. The targets are of various sizes and shapes to simulate various hunted game from birds to rabbits.

“It’s often referred to as golf with a shotgun,” Kempffer said with a laugh. Sporting clay courses came to America in the 1980’s from England and now are very popular here. “It provides the hunter with the skills and competitive challenges of hunting, but without the blood and guts of actually killing animals,” said Kempffer who is a senior shooting instructor at the business. Every spring the local firm hosts an internationally-known competition that attracts shooters and exhibitors from across the nation and around the world. The 2009 event hosted over 1,800 persons.

Anyone interested can call 919-774-7080 or go to www.deepriver.net. There are programs for both experienced shooters and beginners.

Christmas Banquet Well Attended

The Sanford Lions Club celebrated the Christmas season Thursday, Dec. 17, with its annual holiday banquet and ladies’ night attended by almost 200 Lions, spouses and guests. President Richard Hendley presided and Mike Womble delivered the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tony Williams.

The Pledge, said routinely at all club meetings, was anything but routine this night as 55 fourth and fifth graders from J. Glenn Edwards Elementary School joined their strong voices to lift the national affirmation to another level. One adult was overheard saying, “It sure did my heart good to hear those children recite the Pledge of Allegiance.” They do it daily at school.

The students represented the J. Glenn Edwards School Chorus under the direction of Dr. Danny Hester. They presented a program of musical selections which was a highlight of the evening drawing a standing ovation from the audience. Dr. Hester said some 90 youngsters make up the school’s chorus and 55 were able to participate in the Lions program. They were also accompanied by teacher Rhonda Fancher and Principal Patricia Cauldron. Program Chairman Mike Womble, along with Hendley, thanked the school chorus and its leaders for an outstanding program and praised the students for representing their school so admirably.

Two new members were inducted into the club with past district governor David Martin officiating. Judy Douglas was sponsored by Betty Womble and Barry Edy was sponsored by Tim Smith. Martin gave a brief history of Lionism and its work locally and worldwide helping the blind and sight impaired.

Club song leader John Byrd led the crowd in singing several Christmas favorites. A dozen members were recognized for wedding anniversaries falling between Dec. 21 and Jan. 2. Amazingly, those married in just this two-week span represent more than five centuries of wedded bliss. Those present married at least 50 years included Hal and Esther Siler with 61 years, Clyde and Betty Womble also at 61, Jimmy and Ernestine Bridges, 59 years, Ed and Betty Paschal, 56 years, and Bill and Shirley Holt, 53 years.

Ladies night chairman Lindsay Jones and those who decorated the Lion’s Den for the evening received a round of applause for an outstanding job while Jones, with the help of Santa (Bill Schubert) and a team of elves, distributed 60 poinsettias to the ladies. Also shared were 150 homemade Christmas tree ornaments provided by new Lion Judy Douglas.

Lions Honor Veterans

The Sanford Lions Club members honored their veterans and all veterans of U.S. Armed Forces at its regular weekly meeting Thursday, Nov. 12, one day following the national Veterans Day observance. Tail twister Bob Nelson, himself a U.S. Navy veteran, called out the different branches of service and asked veterans of each to stand for a round of applause.

Nelson then went around the Lion’s Den sharing his microphone with many fellow Lions who briefly described their military experiences ranging from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts. Russel Mann then read to the group “A Soldier’s Prayer” and Cliff Pepper led in the singing of “God Bless America.”

Roy Jernigan urged members to continue working on the Camp Dogwood ticket sales project. Every year Lions sell chances to win a new car or truck given away at the spring state convention. Proceeds support the upkeep of Camp Dogwood on Lake Norman north of Charlotte where every year hundreds of blind and sight impaired citizens enjoy camp experiences free of charge. Tickets are only one dollar and the public is asked to support this worthwhile cause when called upon by a Lion.

Guest speaker for the evening was Lee County Director of Emergency Services Shane Seagroves. He was introduced by program chairman Tom Douglas.

Seagroves heads a six-member staff in charge of all emergency preparedness programs in Lee County as well as coordinating all emergency services which covers some 700 emergency responders throughout Sanford and Lee County. He stressed that changing times have created many more threats to public safety than existed years ago.

Threats of terrorism, from both foreign and domestic sources, now are a very real part of daily life in local communities. Seagroves said, for example, that his office responded to live bomb threats four times in the past three months. Many such acts are not publicized, but they occur. Local emergency services whether it be Sheriff’s Department, police, firemen, rescue, hazardous material personnel or bomb experts stand ready around the clock to respond to any emergency. This also includes natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes.

President Richard Hendley presided and Wendell McGee delivered the invocation. Bill Schubert led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sanford Lion Hal Siler thoroughly entertained his fellow club members at their weekly meeting Nov. 5 with a presentation of his art work spanning 46 years in the service organization.

The well-known community leader and land surveyor served many years as the club’s weekly newsletter editor and he used that canvas to showcase his talents as an artist with cartoons and caricatures of Lions and club events. It’s literally a club history in art form. Siler organized a collection of his best works and, with the help of son David Siler, developed a PowerPoint display.

The artist accompanied the presentation with humorous descriptions of each piece, the stories behind them, and tales on those depicted in the drawings. He made a fun game out of the presentation by giving away prizes to those correctly identifying people depicted in the artwork. Many subjects were old-time members from 30 to 40 years ago—some now deceased and some still active members. Some of those with the highest scores were veterans Billy Miller, Jimmy Bridges, Harry Thomas, Avron Upchurch, Bill Schubert, Bob Nelson, Clyde Rhyne, Roy Perry and others who enjoyed the memories and adding comments about those in the drawings.

Some of the late Lions remembered were Vick Keith, Sam Womble, Guy Boger, Elbert Price, Cummings McManus, J. Glenn Edwards, I.J. Morris, King More Willis, Bill Brinn, Jim Huff, Stacy Budd, Ernest Badgett, Olen Sluss, Everett Brooks, and Ed Davis, among others. Siler said one reason for developing the presentation was to inform newer members of those who came before and honor their great contributions in making the Sanford Lions Club what it is today.

Siler also presented the club a framed original of a full-page newspaper feature he created in 1963 for the Sanford Herald promoting that year’s Lee County Fair. It now hangs in the club’s exhibit hall at the fairgrounds where weekly meetings are held. Siler joined the club in 1965 and has tirelessly served in many capacities including president and secretary.

In addition to David Siler, the club welcomed special guest and prospective member Barry Eddy who was introduced by Tim Smith. Bill Freeman was a guest of Mr. Siler. President Richard Hendley presided and Siler delivered the invocation. Joe Johnson led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sanford Lion Hal Siler thoroughly entertained his fellow club members at their weekly meeting Nov. 5 with a presentation of his art work spanning 46 years in the service organization.

The well-known community leader and land surveyor served many years as the club’s weekly newsletter editor and he used that canvas to showcase his talents as an artist with cartoons and caricatures of Lions and club events. It’s literally a club history in art form. Siler organized a collection of his best works and, with the help of son David Siler, developed a PowerPoint display.

The artist accompanied the presentation with humorous descriptions of each piece, the stories behind them, and tales on those depicted in the drawings. He made a fun game out of the presentation by giving away prizes to those correctly identifying people depicted in the artwork. Many subjects were old-time members from 30 to 40 years ago—some now deceased and some still active members. Some of those with the highest scores were veterans Billy Miller, Jimmy Bridges, Harry Thomas, Avron Upchurch, Bill Schubert, Bob Nelson, Clyde Rhyne, Roy Perry and others who enjoyed the memories and adding comments about those in the drawings.

Some of the late Lions remembered were Vick Keith, Sam Womble, Guy Boger, Elbert Price, Cummings McManus, J. Glenn Edwards, I.J. Morris, King More Willis, Bill Brinn, Jim Huff, Stacy Budd, Ernest Badgett, Olen Sluss, Everett Brooks, and Ed Davis, among others. Siler said one reason for developing the presentation was to inform newer members of those who came before and honor their great contributions in making the Sanford Lions Club what it is today.

Siler also presented the club a framed original of a full-page newspaper feature he created in 1963 for the Sanford Herald promoting that year’s Lee County Fair. It now hangs in the club’s exhibit hall at the fairgrounds where weekly meetings are held. Siler joined the club in 1965 and has tirelessly served in many capacities including president and secretary.

In addition to David Siler, the club welcomed special guest and prospective member Barry Eddy who was introduced by Tim Smith. Bill Freeman was a guest of Mr. Siler. President Richard Hendley presided and Siler delivered the invocation. Joe Johnson led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lions Honor Volunteers

By John Byrd

Sanford Lions "Fair Appreciation Night" was held in style Oct. 29. President Richard Hendley opened the gathering, welcoming those in attendance. Taylor Batten, 2009 Miss Lee Regional Fair, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by 6-year-old Allison Podlogar. Russel Mann gave the invocation.

All volunteers, friends, spouses and business participants present enjoyed a meal served by Andy Childress and the kitchen committee.

Lion George Harvey, program chairman, recognized all attendees who were involved in fair activities. All gave positive reports of how well every event and activity went. Just to name a few, Bob Jasany reported that the Lions Kitchen did well in sales with the help of many spouses and volunteers. Treasurer John Burns reported a total attendance of 22,00 with gate proceeds exceeding previous years. Teresa Dew gave a report on beauty contests. David Thomas reported on agricultural events in the arena barn as well organized and well attended.

The events were the broiler show, meat goat show and the cattle show. John Cole reported an increase in agriculture and horticulture exhibits. Lee County Extension Director Susan Condlin expressed appreciation for the joint efforts of Lions and the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service working together to continue to recognize the many agricultural aspects in Lee County. Condilin also praised the 4-H Club activity and involvement as partners in agriculture.

The group was entertained by dancers from Hooker Dance Studio and Latino dancers from the Hispanic 4-H Club who performed a Mexican Polka.

Lion Lindsay Jones introduced special guests State Rep. Jimmy Love, Sr. and Rep. Joe Hackney, speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives. Rep. Hackney commended the Lions for a job well done and emphasized the importance of volunteers not only at the fair, but statewide working together to make good things happen. He spoke briefly of activities in the General Assembly and spoke highly of Rep. Love for his performance in the Legislature.

Fair chairman Ronnie Turner commented on how pleased he was with the 2009 fair and is already looking forward to 2010. Closing remarks were made by President Hendley and a drawing was held for mums that graced the dining tables.