Westport Lions Club

Anders Carson from Portland wins a 55-inch, smart television in the Westport Lions Christmas draw.

John and Mary Camelon from Lanark won $1,000 by having the first Lions cash calendar number drawn in 2025.

Westport Lions Roar

By Lion Bob Reddick

All Lions Clubs focus on five pillars of service: the environment, childhood cancer, vision, diabetes and hunger. The Westport Lions Club is pleased to partner with other organizations on two local environmental initiatives.

The first initiative was to establish a trailhead to the Rideau Trail at the top of Westport Mountain on County Road 36. The new parking lot is located approximately one kilometre from the Westport Lions Sand Lake Beach on the west side of County Road 36.  This new trailhead and parking lot were established through the cooperation of various partners. The Westport Lions Club supplied the land for the new parking lot, the Rideau Trail Association diverted the trail to the new location, the Westport Tourism Group facilitated the development of the Trailhead, and LandArk donated the material, grading and fencing for the new parking area. This project exemplifies what can be achieved when organizations and individuals work together toward a common goal. Hiking is a wonderful form of exercise, and we are fortunate to have so many local trails available.

The second environmental initiative involves collecting discarded Christmas trees to build underwater fish habitats. The trees are bundled together, tethered to weights, and then dropped overboard from a boat to spots that are believed to need extra fish cover.  The thick needle mass and small limbs attract and protect the small fish from predators. 

The Westport Lions are collecting used Christmas trees at the Lions beach located at 63 Mountain Road.  Please deposit your Christmas trees to the right of the garage doors.  Lion Larry Arsenault and volunteer Gord Moore will transport the trees to Camp Iawah where they will be sunk in the spring.  This project is a collaboration with the Westport Lions Club, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Camp Iawah, Wolfe Lake Association, and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. This initiative offers a more environmentally friendly option for disposing of used Christmas trees than taking them to a landfill or burning them. By transporting your Christmas tree to the Lions beach, you will benefit both the fish and fishing enthusiasts.

Lion Winners

Congratulations to long-time Westport Lions supporter, Anders Carson from Portland, for winning the 55-inch smart television in the Lions’ Christmas draw.  Second prize winner, Ami Carty, will enjoy her road trip and dinner for two at Scheuermann Vineyard and Winery and a night at The Bunkie Air B & B on Westport Sand Lake.  Bob O’Connell from Westport will take home the third prize of a meat package from Westport Fine Meats.  Sharon Jones from Westport will also savour a meat package from Westport Fine Meats.  Thanks to the people who bought tickets and Lion Craig Jackson who organized this draw.

John and Mary Camelon from Lanark began the year on a lucky note, as their calendar number was the first one drawn in 2025. A $1,000 cheque is in the mail for these long-time supporters of the Westport Lions Club.  John and Mary are the parents of Ellen Mulville.