Les Cheneaux Lions Name New Board Members
By Amy Polk

The Les Cheneaux Lions Club welcomed member Judy Izzard to the president's post Monday night, July 10. She succeeds Ken Drenth.

First vice president is John Torsky, second vice president is Herb Melcher, and third vice president is Jim Poppink. Gene Collins was re-elected treasurer of the club and LeRoy Pieri was named secretary. Also serving on the board are Phil Milan, Bob Fisher, and R.B. Smith.

Summer Lion Tamer is Gerry Guebert and winter Lion Tamer is Joe Forrester. Summer Tail Twister is Bill Kish and winter Tail Twister is John Sullivan. Jessica Maze is the membership director, John Sullivan will be in charge of sending newsletters and cards, and Judy Izzard will continue handling public relations.

Officers were installed by Past District Governor Bob St. Peter, who outlined strategies to attract new members to the organization. To counter a dwindling and aging membership, he said, entire families will now be encouraged to join the Lions Club, rather than just single members. This, he said, will encourage younger membership and a legacy of membership that would be expected to continue with the children in a family. Reduced family rates may be offered.

Mr. St. Peter's club in Dafter has an average age of 42, and he said the younger membership hosts events that are more appealing to younger people, such as mud runs and truck pulls, to raise money for the organization's charitable activities.

The Les Cheneaux Lions Club is selling Les Cheneaux throw blankets for $50 to raise club funds. The blankets feature images of the Clark Township Hall, the former Cedar Inn hotel, and two local boats and can be purchased from any Lions Club member. Don Birkmeier is selling tickets for the new Lions Lucky Number Drawing. The club took over the drawing from the Cedarville Trojan Sports Boosters last year. Weekly drawings start October 3. Forty-three winners will receive $100 and nine will receive $500.

To buy a ticket, call Mr. Birkmeier at (906) 484-2832, email to yooperdjb@sault.com, or send $52 to the Les Cheneaux

Lions Club, P.O. Box 172, Cedarville Michigan 49719. The drawing is limited to the first 300 people who buy tickets.

Lions Clubs in the Eastern Upper Peninsula are raising $2,500 for a camera that can be used to diagnose eye problems in children. Photographs for children as young as preschool are taken by trained members and analyzed by professionals for nearsightededness and other conditions.