Lions Club Members From Les Cheneaux, Pickford Gather To Mark Milestone
By Amy Polk

Pickford Lions Club President Marlene Kennedy and her husband, Stan, attended the May 14 Les Cheneaux Lions Club 60th anniversary dinner with approximately two-thirds of the Pickford club membership. The Pickford Lions Club sponsored the Les Cheneaux club 60 years ago.

A 1947 photograph of more than 60 people crowded into a banquet room at the former Northland Manor of Cedarville marks the birth of the Les Cheneaux Lions Club. It shows people from Pickford, Cedarville, and Hessel who gathered to talk about starting a Lions Club chapter in the Les Cheneaux area. They wear dresses and suits to mark the importance of the occasion, and a large American flag hangs prominently in the background. Outside the hotel was a community recovering from World War II. People were poor and had problems, but these first Lions Club members "had the guts to think they could fix the problems in their community," said Lion R.B. Smith of Hessel Monday, May 14.

Nobody can recall whether one of the club's traditional dinners was served inside the Northland that night.

Longtime Lions Club member JuniorWilson (from left) and his wife, Juanita, sit with St. Ignace News Les Cheneaux area correspondent Helen Shoberg (foreground), whose husband, Conrad, was also a longtime member in the Les Cheneaux Lions Club. Richard and Sadie Nye are also seated at the table, while other Lions, spouses, and guests can be spotted in the background, including (from left) Bruce and Jessica Maze talking with Don Birkmeier, Rose Miller, Margie and Chuck Denoyer, and Mike Miller. The rustic decor of Northwoods Christian Camp's dining hall recalls the log furnishings of the former Northland Manor in Cedarville, where the club met with Pickford's Lions Club 60 years ago.

"But what we do know is that something good happened there," Mr. Smith said. "Because a second meeting happened at what is now called the Old Gymnasium at Les Cheneaux Schools, and they did have a dinner of baked ham and creamed potatoes, and we know that it was probably one of the best meals those people had at the time."

Many people couldn't afford a meal that grand in 1947, he said. Speaking to a crowd of present and former Lions Club members at the Les Cheneaux Lions Club's 60th anniversary party Monday, May 14, Mr. Smith described the community's condition when some of the first members of the club returned from World War II. Times were lean and hard in the late 1940s, and it seemed everyone was struggling. Driven by a sense of duty and the fellowship the club offered, veterans of World War II and civilians alike embraced the Lions Club's mission to "brighten their corner of the world."

Les Cheneaux Lion Phil Milan leads the Pickford and Les Cheneaux Lions in singing "America the Beautiful" at his club's 60th anniversary celebration May 14. According to the club's charter program, Mr. Milan said, the same song started the meeting 60 years ago. The Lions Club traditionally begins and ends meetings with songs. Mr. Milan joined other Lions, Judy Izzard, Bill Kish, Bob Tooley, R.B. Smith, Chuck Nicklas, and Robert Miller in leading anniversary festivities.

Those who served in the war returned to a place where every house needed a new roof, Mr. Smith said.

Les Cheneaux Lions Club member Bob Fisher receives the Lion of the Year award plaque from President Judy Izzard during the club's 60th anniversary celebration at Northwoods Camp in Pickford Monday, May 14.

"No households had new cars. Everyone had a wood stove, and no one had a chainsaw," Mr. Smith said. "These people wanted to make a difference. The members of this Lions Club has tried to brighten their corner of the world, and that's what this club has done."

In the spring of 1947 when the club was started, Mr. Smith was enrolled in kindergarten at Les Cheneaux Elementary School. He spoke of the impression a simple gesture like giving candy to all of the schoolchildren made on him. He went on to become a Lion, and served for 20 years.

"You should have seen the faces on the kids when the Les Cheneaux Lions Club came through the school at Christmas time with a big bag of candy for each kid," Mr. Smith said. "When I was inducted into the Lions Club, I remembered all the good things this club has done for me, and I promised I would help the club as much as I could."

Since it was formed, the Les Cheneaux Lions Club has completed hundreds of charitable activities, from beautifying community roadsides to giving local students financial assistance for college. The club most recently adopted the Clark Township Recreation Park as a project, raising money, pledging volunteers, and donating equipment to the venture.

Beyond its community borders, Les Cheneaux Lions Club has contributed to state, national, and international programs like Baycliff Health Camp in Big Bay, "Welcome Home for the Blind," Northwoods Air Link that transports emergency patients to hospitals, and the Lions of Michigan All-State Band, which was created to bridge international communication gaps through music. The group is also part of Lions International's commitment to ridding the world of preventable blindness.

Following Mr. Smith's address, Lion Phil Milan recalled two of the members who had perfect attendance in the club, including the late Leonard Rye, who never missed a dinner meeting in 25 years. Another member with 25 years of perfect attendance was Tony Autore, who was at Monday night's celebration with his wife, Ethel, and recognized for longtime service.

As they did 60 years ago, Pickford Lions Club hosted the Les Cheneaux members May 14. The anniversary celebration was at Northwoods Christian Camp in Pickford, a halfway point between the two communities. Les Cheneaux Lions Club President Judy Izzard read the May 19, 1947, program from the first meeting, its note of gratitude to the Pickford club, and the club's creed printed inside the gilded and tasseled program. The creed states that Lions strive to leave the world better than they found it, and always see the best in others and give the best they have, Mrs. Izzard said.

Some of the long-term members recognized Monday include Junior Wilson for 52 years, Bruce Patrick for nearly 60 years, and Phil Milan for more than 30. From Pickford, Web Morrison was recognized for 62 years and Willis Galer for 53.

Lion Dale Streichert announced that thanks to the Les Cheneaux Lions Club's support of local scouting and Boy Scout Troop 140, he will induct his 25th Eagle Scout, Aaron Sherlund of Cedarville, this week.

Pickford Lion Stan Kennedy was named the Zone 1 Chairman of Region 5 in District 10, replacing Bob Miller of Drummond Island.

New member Hank Meltvedt was inducted into the Les Cheneaux club, and Bob Fisher was named Lion of the Year.

Upon presenting him the award, Mrs. Izzard called Mr. Fisher one of the members who does many things quietly, without notice.

"Anytime you need the smallest thing done, he drops everything and does it for the club," Mrs. Izzard said.