Wayland Lions host 60th anniversary dinner

President Bill Grimm welcomed the 39 members and guests to the 60th anniversary dinner held at the Wayland Community Center on Oct. 16.

President Grimm led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Invocation by Lion Roger Roth. All enjoyed an excellent meal catered by Alice Hochstetler. After the meal, President Grimm asked for a motion to table the normal monthly meeting until Nov. 20, so the anniversary celebration could begin, which was motioned and seconded.

President Grimm formally acknowledged Past International Director Dave Stoufer, the four Past District Governors in attendance and a very special guest named Arvid Anderson. President Grimm acknowledged that one of the Lions was missing that night. Lion Ron Marsh was in Washington, D.C. as a participant in the latest Honor Flight from Cedar Rapids to honor the sacrifice that deceased servicemen and service women gave to this country to protect the American way of life.

Lion Arvid was the first to speak about the Charter of Wayland Lions Club, as he was a member of the Crawfordsville Lions Club that Sponsored the Wayland Lions Club on April 10, 1958. At that time there were 31 members from all walks of life that answered the call to serve their community; just like today's members. Lion Arvid also has the distinction of being a Lion for 65 years, which is the longest membership in Iowa. Arvid spoke of his memories of Wayland Lions Club and the members of the past from its inception.

Lion Arvid Anderson was praised for relaying how Wayland Lions Club started. The charter began with 27 new members and 4 individuals who transferred into the new club from other locations; for a total of 31. President Grimm noted the following:

Six original members were left at the 20th Anniversary: L. Henss, Ralph Stewart, V.J. Hesseltine, J.G. Widmer, Ivan Wyse and Lyle Zehr.

Dr. J.G. Widmer was the only remaining original member left at the 40th and 55th celebrations.

The club celebrated the past 60 years started by the initial roster and look forward to carrying on the mission of the Lions:

1. Mission Statement-To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Clubs.

2. Vision Statement-To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.

President Grimm concluded reviewing the numerous projects that Wayland Lions performed over the last 60 years and optimism of future service the Wayland Lions Club will bring to the community.

Past International Director Dave Stoufer was introduced and cleverly wove the events, personalities and products, since the Wayland Lions Club Charter in 1958 to today. PID Dave Stoufer related the milestones of his life since 1958 and the events that occurred in those years to the present. The familiarity of Dave's examples let all in attendance relate with the experience of their individual lives. Dave noted examples of how Lions impacted the lives of people, like the other events of significance since 1958.

PID Dave Stoufer noted the Wayland Lions Banner and pointed out how the two Lions are back to back. One is looking at the past service accomplishmentsof Lions Clubs International around the world and the other is facing the future and the many opportunities and accomplishment Lions will encounter in their next 100 years.

President Grimm thanked PID Dave and his wife Rachel Nicola for attending the 60th Anniversary Dinner and for Dave's unique personal touch that makes his talks so inspiring and personally impacting to the Lions and guests.

President Grimm awarded the following Lions a Service Chevron representing their years as a Lion:

10 years:

Jay Meyer

Gary Lueger

Brian Pattyson

Marianne Pattyson

40 years:

Larry Meyer

Robert Meyer

50 years:

Roger Roth

President Grimm thanked the committee that planned and set up the 60th anniversary dinner. The following individuals were awarded the International Presidents Certificate of Appreciation signed by International President Gudrun Yngvadottir:

Arvid Anderson

Stan Meyer

Brian Pattyson

Jim Hester

The 60th anniversary dinner concluded at 8:30 p.m.