Submitted by Tom Boyle
The Lions Club of Ferndale, Lion’s Head and District celebrated their 50 years of service to the community of the Bruce Peninsula and beyond through the International Association of Lions Clubs.
The festiveness of the occasion could not be dampened by the gathering of Club members both present and past, their families and friends, faithful dignitaries and a large gathering of well wishers. Well timed breaks in the weather allowed the Lions to turn the inauspicious Ferndale Park Pavilion into a cheery party venue with the serving of all time picnic favourites from their grills in the barbecue tent along with a cash bar compliments of the local Rotary Club. Mike Brough and Barry Mac were there “respecting the Rock” as Radio 97.9 and 91.9 the Bruce evoked nostalgia while the crowd recalled some memorable club moments.
Introduced by Lion President Mike Kearny Lion Eric McLay as Charter Member recounted interesting details of the Lions fifty years of service to a full pavilion including the fact that the Lions Club members had actually constructed the very pavilion after constructing the Ferndale Ball Field. Later on Jim Martindale the present Chair of Minor Ball thanked the Lions and said that local baseball would not have happened as it has without the original support of the Lions. Lion Eric went on to recount how at the first meetings of the Club In 1974 they pledged $5,000 to the Community Centre Board for the construction of the Lion’s Head Community Centre.
Over the years, some of the Club’s efforts have extended to donations to the Bruce Peninsula Health Foundation and Grey Bruce Health Services, providing Christmas food baskets to those in need, offering assistance to families affected by house fires, and contributing to local food banks in Lion’s Head and Tobermory and helped with a refrigeration project at the Salvation Army facility in Wiarton. Additionally, the Club has played a role in hosting New Year’s Eve parties, facilitating road clean-ups and signage, welcoming Lions International Youth Exchange at the Ferndale Ball Park, and supporting various children’s sporting clubs. Notably, the Club has allocated funds towards hiring a summer student for the Biosphere Association Dark Skies Program.
Lions had on display photo albums and memorabilia from the treasure troves of members. They were quick and willing to recount vivid memories of some special times. The remembrance of the participation and accomplishments of past members was particularly noted. John Pocock from the sponsoring Wiarton Lions Club addressed the spirit of sharing between the two Clubs. Past Charter Member Kyle Lougheed brought his well decorated parade vest for display.
Lion Zone 1 Chairs Katie and Tom Gillespie from the Scenic City Lions Club presented two milestone chevron awards to Lion Eric McLay for 50 years of service and to Lion Barry Ince for 15 years. Throughout the day Lions Donna and Chuck Beecroft collect bids at a silent auction of a large variety of donations displayed in the Information Centre. Lion District Governor Bill Yelland from the Mount Forest Lions Club brought greetings from the District and recounted the past popularity of the two District conventions held in Tobermory hosted by the Ferndale, Lion’s Head and District Lions. Lion Mike Kearney was happy to receive the Lions District A-9 Certificate of Appreciation.
Mayor Milt McIver brought greetings from the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula and thanked the Club for their valuable contributions which have been so vital to the community. Milt admitted that Lion Eric had made him aware of many facts of Club service of which he was unaware. Rick Byers MPP of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound journeyed up from the south and brought greetings and congratulations from the Province. Both were well received by the assembled crowd and members of the public rose to thank the Lions personally for past assistance to their family and friends in their times of need. Kevin Walsh thanked the Lions for their generous contributions over the years to the Bruce Peninsula Hospital Foundation.
There was no shortage of delicious cake thanks to the baking talents of Lion Laura Loughlin and much appreciation from all for the fine food and refreshment offered. The Club was thankful for the leadership of its incoming President Lion Dave Riach who was the Chair of the 50th Anniversary Event Celebration and the members packed up for the day envisioning many more years of dedicated service to the community under the banner of Lions International’s Motto of “We Serve”
