The Sanford Lions Club is now in the midst of a busy spring season of fundraisers to benefit the blind, hearing impaired, and youth. And the public’s support is greatly appreciated.
Already underway is the weekly Lions Regional Flea Market held each Saturday through July 25 at the Lions Fairgrounds and Entertainment Complex on Colon Road and Weatherspoon St. Booth spaces are available for $15 each Saturday. Applications are available online at sanfordlionsclub.com and click on flea market. Information is also available from President John Walden, Jr. at 774-8950 and Lions Branch Club Coordinator Teresa Dew at 774-6273.
The annual Lions Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, at Quail Ridge Golf Course. Chairman Jim Romine and club members are working hard to secure both hole sponsors and golfers for this popular event. Hole sponsors have their names and businesses prominently displayed on the course on attractive plaques which they keep following the event. Golfers also vie for outstanding prizes and are treated to a delicious lunch catered by Ron’s Barn. For more information contact Romine at 774-1173 or any Lion.
Sanford Lions will also participate in the annual Cancer Society’s Relay for Life set May 15-16 at the Fairgrounds. Darlene Turner is captain of the club’s team and members are participating in various activities to raise funds for cancer research and to help those battling this disease. On May 15 Lions will cook turkey legs during the main event and will serve breakfast at the fairgrounds on Saturday, May 16. For more information contact Turner at 777-6961.
Guest speaker at the club’s weekly meeting April 2 was Bill Stone, 4-H Youth Development Agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension in Lee County. He was introduced by program chairman Hans Niedworok. Stone’s topic was public speaking as he shared tips for successfully addressing audiences. He directs a very active public speaking program for youth involved in 4-H and impresses upon them the importance that successful speaking skills can have on one’s future.
Stone shared ten tips with the club and gave excellent examples of each one. Club members had many questions and praised Stone for his presentation. Stone, who grew up in Cary, graduated from UNC-Greensboro in 2000 and began work here the following year. He earned his Masters Degree in 2006 from N.C. State. Last year he married the lovely Audrey Jo Thomas who accompanied him. She is a counselor at Greenwood Elementary School.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Canine Tracker Speaks to Club
The Sanford Lions Club learned some fascinating facts about man’s (and woman’s) best friend at its regular meeting Thursday, March 26. Guest speaker was Jim Pitts of Olivia, a professional dog tracker and trainer of dogs used to locate lost animals. He is a tracking judge and vice president of the American Kennel Club.
Accompanying Pitts was his skilled partner, Sabre, an eight-year-old Doberman Pincher whose innate intelligence and powerful sense of smell are beyond anything a human can understand or describe, Pitts said. He said the training process is much more the human learning from the canine rather than vice-versa.
He described several of the duo’s 29 successful search missions, all done without charge, but with great gratitude and appreciation of animal lovers. Most of their queries have been dogs, cats and horses. Their experience shows that animals leave a distinct “leaving scent” when moving away from their home environment and this can be detected by tracking animals. Many lost animals will remain in the general area of their home.
Such was the case of a lost Golden Retriever in the Chapel Hill area several years ago. Pitts, Sabre, and the lost dog’s owners searched a wide area, finding a likely hiding place used by the dog behind a horse barn—but no sighting of the dog. But the fresh owner’s scent in the area led the lost dog home by the next morning, Pitts said. Sabre also tracked a lost horse to a remote rural road where police found trailer tracks. Stolen by horse thieves, the tire tracks helped solve the case and return of the animal.
Pitts took many questions from club members. Asked about the Doberman’s reputation as a vicious dog, he said all breeds of dogs are a product of training and care. Just as with children, dogs will turn out the way they are nurtured and trained. He and his wife specialize in Dobermans and his wife is a three-time national winner for that breed in AKA competition. You can contact Pitts at jimpitts9@aol.com.
President John Walden, Jr. presided and Cliff Pepper opened the dinner meeting with prayer and was program chairman. Bob Edens won the half-and-half raffle which he generously donated to the club. Visitor and prospective member John Poindexter was welcomed. Updates were given on the Lions Golf Tournament May 30 at Quail Ridge Golf Course and the sales of hole sponsors and recruiting golfers. The Lions Flea Market opens Saturday, April 4, at the fairgrounds, and the club will participate in the Relay for Life event supporting cancer research May 15-16 at the Lions Fairgrounds. Support of all these events contributes to many charitable causes.
Accompanying Pitts was his skilled partner, Sabre, an eight-year-old Doberman Pincher whose innate intelligence and powerful sense of smell are beyond anything a human can understand or describe, Pitts said. He said the training process is much more the human learning from the canine rather than vice-versa.
He described several of the duo’s 29 successful search missions, all done without charge, but with great gratitude and appreciation of animal lovers. Most of their queries have been dogs, cats and horses. Their experience shows that animals leave a distinct “leaving scent” when moving away from their home environment and this can be detected by tracking animals. Many lost animals will remain in the general area of their home.
Such was the case of a lost Golden Retriever in the Chapel Hill area several years ago. Pitts, Sabre, and the lost dog’s owners searched a wide area, finding a likely hiding place used by the dog behind a horse barn—but no sighting of the dog. But the fresh owner’s scent in the area led the lost dog home by the next morning, Pitts said. Sabre also tracked a lost horse to a remote rural road where police found trailer tracks. Stolen by horse thieves, the tire tracks helped solve the case and return of the animal.
Pitts took many questions from club members. Asked about the Doberman’s reputation as a vicious dog, he said all breeds of dogs are a product of training and care. Just as with children, dogs will turn out the way they are nurtured and trained. He and his wife specialize in Dobermans and his wife is a three-time national winner for that breed in AKA competition. You can contact Pitts at jimpitts9@aol.com.
President John Walden, Jr. presided and Cliff Pepper opened the dinner meeting with prayer and was program chairman. Bob Edens won the half-and-half raffle which he generously donated to the club. Visitor and prospective member John Poindexter was welcomed. Updates were given on the Lions Golf Tournament May 30 at Quail Ridge Golf Course and the sales of hole sponsors and recruiting golfers. The Lions Flea Market opens Saturday, April 4, at the fairgrounds, and the club will participate in the Relay for Life event supporting cancer research May 15-16 at the Lions Fairgrounds. Support of all these events contributes to many charitable causes.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tim Smith Joins Club
The Sanford Lions Club welcomed a new member at its weekly meeting Thursday, March 12, and heard District Governor David Martin speak on membership development. President John Walden, Jr. presided with the invocation given by Roy Jernigan and Cliff Pepper led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The newest Lion is Tim Smith who was sponsored by his father, Dowe Smith. District Governor Martin presided over the induction. Smith resides in Sanford with his wife, Donna. They have two daughters, Ashley and Devon, both of whom are students at UNC-Wilmington. Smith is a real estate broker with Interstate Companies of America. They are members of Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church.
Martin’s address on membership was timely as he related the experiences of helping organize a new Lions Club in Fayetteville this month. As he and a representative of Lions International visited community leaders in the west Fayetteville area they found them to be receptive and eager to join a club with a well-established mission and reputation throughout not only the community, but the nation and world as well.
Martin urged Sanford Lions to continue efforts to attract new members by stressing the club’s many accomplishments over the past 73 years and its support of providing assistance to the blind, sight impaired, hearing impaired, and programs for youth. From helping fund eye exams and glasses for the disadvantaged to fairground fields where thousands of youth play baseball and soccer, the club’s work has benefited tens of thousands of people in its long history, Martin stressed. And this is the message Sanford Lions need to share with supporters and prospective members.
Big events coming up soon to help raise funds for these charitable causes include opening of the Lions Fairgrounds Flea Market on Saturdays starting April 4; hosting the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at the fairgrounds on May 15-16 with a club team participating; and the annual Sanford Lions Golf Tournament set for May 30 at Quail Ridge Golf Course. The club’s biggest fundraiser is the annual Lee Regional Fair scheduled Sept. 15-20.
The newest Lion is Tim Smith who was sponsored by his father, Dowe Smith. District Governor Martin presided over the induction. Smith resides in Sanford with his wife, Donna. They have two daughters, Ashley and Devon, both of whom are students at UNC-Wilmington. Smith is a real estate broker with Interstate Companies of America. They are members of Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church.
Martin’s address on membership was timely as he related the experiences of helping organize a new Lions Club in Fayetteville this month. As he and a representative of Lions International visited community leaders in the west Fayetteville area they found them to be receptive and eager to join a club with a well-established mission and reputation throughout not only the community, but the nation and world as well.
Martin urged Sanford Lions to continue efforts to attract new members by stressing the club’s many accomplishments over the past 73 years and its support of providing assistance to the blind, sight impaired, hearing impaired, and programs for youth. From helping fund eye exams and glasses for the disadvantaged to fairground fields where thousands of youth play baseball and soccer, the club’s work has benefited tens of thousands of people in its long history, Martin stressed. And this is the message Sanford Lions need to share with supporters and prospective members.
Big events coming up soon to help raise funds for these charitable causes include opening of the Lions Fairgrounds Flea Market on Saturdays starting April 4; hosting the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at the fairgrounds on May 15-16 with a club team participating; and the annual Sanford Lions Golf Tournament set for May 30 at Quail Ridge Golf Course. The club’s biggest fundraiser is the annual Lee Regional Fair scheduled Sept. 15-20.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lions Plan Busy Spring
The Sanford Lions Club is gearing up for an active spring season with several exciting community events planned. And, of course, planning is already underway for the club’s biggest attraction—the Lee Regional Fair set for Sept. 15-20. Lions will be working hard to solicit the support of all area citizens for these projects that help fund the many charitable projects of the club.
The second annual Lee Regional Flea Market will open each Saturday morning at the Lions Fairgrounds starting on April 4 through July 25. Market hours are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and anyone interested in booth space can contact any Lion. The application form is also available on-line at sanfordlionsclub.com.
The Third Annual Lions Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course is set for Saturday, May 30, according to chairman Jim Romine. This has proven to be a fun day highlighted by outstanding prizes and gifts along with a delicious lunch for all those golfers looking for some friendly competition and fellowship. Tournament leaders are now recruiting golfers, hole sponsors, and support from the business community for prize donations.
Guest speaker for the March 5 meeting was Pete Wilberg who is an authority on a subject dear to many men—antique cars. He is known nationally for his lifelong passion of collecting and restoring classic automobiles. The New York native moved to Lee County in 2000 where he has been active in the Antique Automobile Club of America and taught a car restoration course at Central Carolina Community College. He spent over 30 years teaching math both on the high school and college levels in New York.
He has restored thousands of cars including many rare and expensive collector’s models. And there’s hardly a make or model that he doesn’t know intimately. He told many interesting stories relating to his acquisition of antique models all over the U.S. and Canada and how he turned them into collector items. His interests now are in American Motor Co. cars such as the Rambler. He drove a Rambler convertible to the meeting for display. He is the founder of the Rambler Club of America with over 12,000 members.
Lion Jay Moore was program chairman. President John Walden, Jr., presided while Roy Jernigan gave the invocation and Theron Womble led the Pledge of Allegiance. The club welcomed guest Larry Palmer who was introduced by Reginald Miller. Walden also made a special presentation to veteran Lion Tommy Mann, Sr. honoring him for completion of his 66th year in the Sanford Lions Club. The club gave him a rousing standing ovation.
The second annual Lee Regional Flea Market will open each Saturday morning at the Lions Fairgrounds starting on April 4 through July 25. Market hours are 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and anyone interested in booth space can contact any Lion. The application form is also available on-line at sanfordlionsclub.com.
The Third Annual Lions Golf Tournament at Quail Ridge Golf Course is set for Saturday, May 30, according to chairman Jim Romine. This has proven to be a fun day highlighted by outstanding prizes and gifts along with a delicious lunch for all those golfers looking for some friendly competition and fellowship. Tournament leaders are now recruiting golfers, hole sponsors, and support from the business community for prize donations.
Guest speaker for the March 5 meeting was Pete Wilberg who is an authority on a subject dear to many men—antique cars. He is known nationally for his lifelong passion of collecting and restoring classic automobiles. The New York native moved to Lee County in 2000 where he has been active in the Antique Automobile Club of America and taught a car restoration course at Central Carolina Community College. He spent over 30 years teaching math both on the high school and college levels in New York.
He has restored thousands of cars including many rare and expensive collector’s models. And there’s hardly a make or model that he doesn’t know intimately. He told many interesting stories relating to his acquisition of antique models all over the U.S. and Canada and how he turned them into collector items. His interests now are in American Motor Co. cars such as the Rambler. He drove a Rambler convertible to the meeting for display. He is the founder of the Rambler Club of America with over 12,000 members.
Lion Jay Moore was program chairman. President John Walden, Jr., presided while Roy Jernigan gave the invocation and Theron Womble led the Pledge of Allegiance. The club welcomed guest Larry Palmer who was introduced by Reginald Miller. Walden also made a special presentation to veteran Lion Tommy Mann, Sr. honoring him for completion of his 66th year in the Sanford Lions Club. The club gave him a rousing standing ovation.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Hal Siler Honored by Lions
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.
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.
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.
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