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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Winfield Lions Club supports Crooked Creek Days
Lions is a worldwide service organization that provides support to their communities and beyond.
The Winfield Lions Club carried out one of their missions by supporting and/or sponsoring a variety of activities during Winfield Crooked Creek Days celebration held earlier this month. Lions began their day by organizing the CCD parade as they have been doing since the first CCD celebration 30 years ago. They provided two entries in the parade, advertising two of the activities that they provided and would be found on the main street following the parade.
A Hoops Wagon made from a gravity wagon used to haul corn and a Kidde train made with barrels. Both kids and adults enjoyed the challenge of getting the basketball through the hoop attached to the back of the wagon, while other kids enjoyed touring Winfield riding in barrels pulled by a garden tractor.
Both of these, the Hoops Wagon and the kids’ train, were the brainchild of Lion Larry Montross and were completed with help from other Winfield Lions’ Club members. Larry saw the idea for the basketball toss on Facebook and thought it would be a nice addition to CCD activities.
Larry said his grandson along with his friends made the wood to attach the hoop to the back of the wagon. They painted it and put basketball boards and rims on it.
“Thanks to the Lions club members, our daughter, Jennifer Hudson and her friend Abby Roberts, who painted and put the Lions emblem on the side,” said Larry, adding, “it took a few weeks to get the wagon ready to paint.”
With help from Lions, the wagon was transformed into a purple and yellow CCD attraction. It took three quarts of purple paint and six gallons of yellow paint to transform the wagon into the colors that represent Lions Clubs. Anyone driving by the Montross’s just west of Winfield on Highway 78 can see this large, colorful “lawn ornament” sitting in the yard waiting to be used again. If organizations want to use the wagon for an event, they can contact Larry.
Another project the Lions sponsored this this year was the barrel train, again headed by Larry Montross. It was made from used oil barrels which were turned into a very popular ride for the children of Winfield.
“Larry saw this idea and thought the kids would like it,” said his wife, Donna.
After obtaining the barrels, holes were cut in them so the kids could crawl in and sit in them. Pool noodles were used to put around the edges of the holes so there was no danger of someone getting cut by the sharp edges. A cushion was put in each barrel to make sitting in them more comfortable, then a frame was made to hook the train cars together.
The train only went off the rail once when a couple of the cars became unhooked, but fixing the problem went off without a hitch! Larry appreciated both the Lions and his family for their help in turning the barrels into a train.
The cake walk is an activity proposed by Lion member Pam Johnson and added some old time fun to CCDs. This was the third year for the event which was held Saturday afternoon in the Vet’s building. Each year the cake walk has gained momentum as more people become aware of what just what a cake walk is all about.
Kids and even many adults did not know what a cakewalk entailed, but after learning they might win a cake or plate of brownies of their choice for a nominal fee, the line grew as people wanted their turn to try their luck to get a sweet treat.
For those who may not be familiar with cake walks, large numbers from one to 10 are taped on the floor. One person stands on each of the numbers and the music begins, featuring Ben Johnson on his banjo, guitar or harmonica. After a few bars, the music stops, a number is drawn and the person standing on that number can choose a cake or brownies that have been donated by the Lions Club members.
Then the music begins again as a new group of hopefuls march around the numbers. This game resembles the old game of musical chairs. The Lions are looking forward to next year when they will again sponsor a cake walk.
If you are not familiar with what part Lions Clubs play in their community and beyond, any Lion will be happy to explain their purpose and what they support. It is a service club dedicated to supporting a variety of projects both within their community and worldwide. The above are just three of the events used to raise money to support their projects.
Money raised goes back into the community to support sending campers to camp, eye exams for Kindergartners where eye deficits can be detected and treated promptly, they support the seeing eye dog project and donate to the CCD fireworks. These are only a few of the many things the Lions do to help make our community, country and world a better place.
Anyone can become a member, and everyone is welcome. If you are interested in joining this elite group of men and women, contact any Lions Club member to find out more information.
