Willie Colford (left), from Duncan’s Appliance Sales and Service, donated a refrigerator to the Westport Lions Club. Accepting the donation from Lisa and Willie Colford are Lions Wayne Bent and Dorothy Maynard. A couple of years ago, Willie and Lisa donated a chest freezer that was also greatly appreciated.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
Canada’s 156th birthday is shaping up to be a fun-filled event. Canada Day celebrations at the Lions’ Beach will commence at noon and run until 4:00 p.m. The festivities will then move to the Westport Legion with a bullhead fish fry, live music and end with spectacular fireworks. Other events will include bicycle decorating and a parade, a breakfast at the Visitor Centre, a carriage display on Rideau Street (from 2-4 p.m.) and helicopter rides.
Events at the Lions’ Beach will emphasise family-friendly fun. There will be a face painter, a Mountie photo stand in board, beach toys, temporary tattoos, hay bale roll and prizes will be awarded for the “What Canada Means to Me” contest winners. Free treats will be available, including freezies and popcorn, as well as hotdogs and drinks generously supplied by Manager Ragu Sharma and Circle K. Disc jockey Tom Gard will supply the music.
The club recommends that you use the continuous shuttle service between the arena, St Edward’s school, and Scotties Chips across from Rideau Vista school, because parking at the beach is limited.
The Lions’ last business meeting for the year was a busy one. Lion Wayne Bent gave a report on the club’s successful steak barbeque. Lions’ clubs from as far away as Maxville and Northbrook attended this major fundraiser.
Lion Rick Warriner received applause from the membership for his hard work organizing 247 fish dinners at the Club’s annual fish fry. Rick received tremendous help from his wife, Penny, and his stepdaughter and son and granddaughters.
District Governor Sue Tunnicliffe and her husband Lion Brian attended the meeting to present Lions Dave Blair and Rick Warriner with 35-year chevron for service. Lion David Lowery received his 15-year chevron. Governor Tunnicliffe recognized numerous ways the Westport Lions Club supports the community through the clubs’ events and fundraising. She also mentioned that she has approved the application for the Westport Lions Club to receive the Club Excellence Award and has forwarded it to Lion Clubs International.
The club passed a motion to award an additional $1,150.00 to local organizations. This brings our total to $13,000 for the spring disbursements.
The Westport Lions accepted Kris Klatt and Julian Bahmann as members of the club. They have already proven they will be great members and will be inducted at our June 28 meeting.
Lion Wayne Bent proposed that the $25,000 donation that the club made 18 months ago for a palliative care room at the Perth Hospital site be transferred to the new MRI facility at the Smiths Falls site. The club decided to do this because the money was sitting in a trust fund and not being used.
The club passed a motion to improve parking at the Lions’ beach. Construction will commence after the summer season.
Our final meeting of the year is on June 28 and will be a celebration of the club’s achievements, and the induction of the new members and executive.
Westport Lions Club 