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The Eugene Downtown Lions Club annual Installation and awards banquet was held Saturday June 19th at the Shadow Hills Country Club. The evening had an inauspicious beginning when one of the members, Lion Marian McDow, collapsed before the banquet even began. All of the members anxiously awaited the arrival of the ambulance and Lion Marian was taken to the hospital. After a few days stay she was discharged and is doing quite well now, to the great relief of all of us who know her.
Lion Tim Chuey had the honor and challenge of wearing two hats for the event, master of ceremonies and PR chairman in charge of taking pictures. After the song and “Pledge of Allegiance” the members and guests ate dinner and enjoyed the celebratory “Lion” cake.
Emcee Lion Tim introduce Lion President Joy Troutman who thanked everyone, including her officers, for their support and hard work during her administration. Lion Joy gave Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation Honor Roll certificates and pins to 10 Lion members: Len Calvert, Judith Grosenick, Tim Chuey, Mary Fechtel, Gloria Hodges and Vic Bender (see below) Also receiving Honor Roll Certificates and pins were Walt Curtis, Don Combs, Jim Mueller, and Bob Hixson (not present).
Lion Past International Director Ed Gear and District 36R Governor Cy Kauffman presented Melvin Jones Fellowships to 14 Lions (that’s the most ever awarded at one time for our Club) : Craig Ford, Ann Musgrove, Larry Thompson, Joy Troutman, Alice Bender, Twila Butler, Joe Sneddon, Chuck Blanchard, Diane Landon, Jim Newton, and Ione Jorgenson (pictured) and Roger Smith, Tim Arbow, and Marian McDow (not pictured). Spirit of Service awards were presented to Lions Rick Bailey and Jane Olbekson, (not present) and Ed Gear and Wes Reynolds.
 
Lion Joy then announced that “Lion of the Year” award went to Lion Jane Olbekson (not present) and the “Lion Cub of the Year” award was presented to Lion Wes Reynolds (pictured).
District Governor Lion Cy performed the induction of the new officers and new board members. Those present were Lions Gail Wilkening, Ann Musgrove Alice Bender and Wes Reynolds (New Board members), Twila Butler (Tail Twister), Jim Newton (2nd VP), Judith Grosenick (1st VP), Len Calvert (Treasurer), Vic Bender (Secretary), and Chuck Blanchard (President-elect). Lions Don Combs (3rd VP) and Walt Curtis (Lion Tamer) were not present. Lion DG Cy swore in each of them and had nice words to say about the Downtown Club and its members and what is expected of them.
Enjoying a light hearted moment before being installed are Lions Jim Newton, Judith Grosenick, Len Calvert, Vic Bender and Chuck Blanchard
Lion President Joy thanked Lion Chuck Blanchard for all of his support while she was president and congratulated him as he became President-elect. Lion Judith Grosenick presented a gift basket from the 3 Vice-Presidents to Lion Joy and Lion Chuck presented a bouquet of roses to Lion Judy Kauffman, Lion DG Cy’s wife, as a thank you for all of her work with Cy and the Oregon Lions.
 
Congratulations to all the new
Board Members and Honorees and
best wishes for the new Lion year.
Reported by: Lion Tim Chuey
Publicity Chairman
Eugene Downtown Lions Club
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The event was Lion Twila Butler’s baby from start to finish. Lion Twila came up with the idea, put together the ad that ran in the Register-Guard newspaper, booked the Vet’s Club as the venue (they donated the room for the evening), got volunteers to help man the ticket table (even Lion-to-be Corky Hughes, who was eager to dig in despite her not officially being inducted into the club yet), and provided the cookies and coffee that were available as refreshments. Our thanks to Lion Twila, her helpers, and all of the patriotic people who came to hear these famous historical individuals. To top off a perfect evening Lion Twila reports that over $500 was left over after all expenses were paid.