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"3 Tr Trea EBA ES EE ¥y Ed ht nr FOS ee 2 *. ie CR Se SS aE I Sis CEE eon SC y 4 v, NL RE A ES a) oN 3 ! ; 0) @ Co BY P. HVIDSTEN This attempt to write a history on the 35 year life spand of the Port Perry Lions Club, was at times interesting and at times a bit frustrating. Much more could have been told, in detail, but unfortunately space in thé Star. will not permit this. The informations here are collected from the columns of the Port Perry Star starting with the November 18, 1937 issue and up to the present day. The readers will find content some years is quite sparingly, but again other years more interesting reading will appear. This is primarily due to the fact, contact between the Star and the Club depended a great deal on whether the Star had a member in the club or not. The late Mr. Samuel Farmer, Port Perry publisher and editor, and a charter member gave faithful and thorough coverage from most of the meetings and events. Then there were periods when very little was reported which naturally made it less interesting for the writer of this article. From the research of the Star columns, however, there is no doubt that the Port Perry Lions Club during the spand of 35 years has been of tremendous importance and influence to the village and immediate area. The Club has raised thousands and thousands of dollars for charitable and other worthwhile project. There is no actual amount to tell how much money was raised because records of the club was destroyed quite a few years ago. THE cLUB IS ORGANIZED The first meeting of the Port Perry Lions Club was held in the Sebert House (corner of Queen and Water Streets) on November 18, 1937. 21 persons joined the club at this meeting and received the distinction of becoming charter members of the club. At the same meeting, election of officers took place and to receive the honour of becoming the first president was Mr. Ernest Hayes. Other members of the executive were; Roy H. Cornish, first vice president; James W. Kerr, second vice president; George Manning, third vice president; H.G. Hutcheson, secretary; Lloyd H. Corner, treasurer; Howard L. Durkin, lion tamer; Dr. G. M. Rennie, tail twister; Aylmer B. Cawker, Samuel Farmer, P.G. Morrison, Robert J. Weir, directors; Wm. J. Carnegie, Rev. Father Coffee; Wm. G. Chapman, Ralph G. Gemmell; Dr. Ross Hamilton, Cyrel C. Jeffrey, Dr. Clinton Peterson, Howard H. Stone, Rev. W.J.H. Smyth, members. The Port Perry Lions Club became the fourth in the district, joining with Peter- borough, Bowmanville and Whitby. Charter Night -- January 13, 1938 The Charter night was a gala affair and given an extensive coverage in the Star. The Newmarket Club was sponsor and a large group of members of the club and other dignitaries from other clubs attended the EN PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, Feb. 28, 1973 ngratulations Lions function catered to by LODE. an orgainzalion not in existence anymore. A gavel was presented to the Port Perry Club by the sponsoring club and president Ernest Hayes received on behalf of the members. Meetings were held regularly during the year at Sebert House and among the first undertakings of the club was financial aid in removing three sets of tonsils. Playground equipment for Lakeshore Park was also purchased and installed by the members during the Spring of 1938. The club was very much alive and active from the beginning and on June 22 the first "Street Fair and Dance" was held. The event started with a Grand Parade with bands from Port Perry, Bowmanville, Whitby and Oshawa. Prizes were presented for best decorated floats, trucks, bicycles, ele. The function was a tremendous success and added a considerable amount of cash to the club's coffers. Normally, a new executive takes over in September of the year, but since the first executive only had been in charge for the first six months of 1938 and a couple of months in 1937, the original executive with president Ernest Hayes in charge stayed in office for the whole year of 1938 and the first six months of 1939 as well. SEPTEMBER 1939 - JUNE 1940 Mr. James Kerr, took over the president's chair in September 1939, but in the meantime another successful Street Fair and Dance was held in July. A larger parade with seven bands, more floats and bicycles participated. The proceeds from this venture went in part to buy additional playground equipment. During the fall "Talent Nights" were held for five consecutive weeks. Young people from Port Perry and district competed for honours and many a promising talent was discovered. SEPTEMBER 1940 - JUNE 1941 The charter night was held in January, 1941 in the basement of the United Church, catered to by the W.A. The Port Perry Lions Club sponsored hockey teams every season and during the 1941 season a Juvenile team 'won Eastern Ontario Championship. Again the popular Street Parade and Dance was held and during the season the club joined with the newly formed Businessmen's Association and the I.O.D.E. in a power boat regatta with proceeds to war refugees. This was the first of many projects to help fight the menace of the Second World War. October meeting had 19 guests from Bowmanville, Peterborough and Port Hope. The new executive was headed by Rev. W.J.H. Smyth as president. For the first few years the club attempted [to hold charter nights as close as possible to the original date, January 13. In 1941 it was held in that month again and in the United Church Sunday School Rooms. Speaker for -- Fa x ; The only charter member of 30 years ago and still a member when the club's 30th anniversary was celebrated Roy Cornish was given the honour of cutting the cake. Looking on are Robert Kenny, president, left and Joe Franssen who baked the beautiful creation. WM. G. SHARPE president of the club during anniversary year. the occasion was District Governor Clifford Cotter, Ottawa. Admission charge for the dinner and a concert was $1.25. SEPTEMBER 1911 - JUNE 1942 The election of officers in June picked Wm. Chapman president for 1941-42. The Lions annual Street Carnival was held on July 11 and despite a severe rainstorm the event was a success. The Second World War was now in a very serious state for the British and the club donated $300, to war victims. 100 percent attendance, a rare occurance, was celebrated by installing four new members by District Governor G.M. Bossnell, Toronto. The 1942 Charter Night was held January 16, again in the United Church Sunday School Rooms. Past president, Rev. W.J.H. Smyth was presented with a brief case prior to leaving for Blenheim, Ontario. SEPTEMBER 1942 - JUNE 1943 Roy Cornish took over duties of president in September, 1942. The annual Carnival was another success and netted the club $400. Additional funds were sent to Britain and total contributions reached over $500. On October 21, the Port Perry Lions Club was host to a meeting of Zone No. 10. SEPTEMBER 1943 - JUNE 1944 When Sam Griffen became president in September 1943 it was decided to dispense with the dinner meetings normally held at Sebert House. It was a war time measure and the members now met in various homes of the members. The May 12th meeting in 1944 was a rare occasion when the club could proudly announce membership of 35. June 22nd meeting was election night and to head the club for 1944 - 1945 was Cecil Ptolemy. $800 was the net proceeds from the annual Carnival held in July. SEPTEMBER 1944 - JUNE 1945 In November members of the Port Perry Lions Club gave aide to the Salvation Army by canvassing and collecting $422.52. The club gained another two members for a total of 37. The first meeting in January, 1945 was dedicated to discussion and planning of a Community Recreation Centre. A com- mittee was formed to look into the matter. Three new members was initiated "in January. On Feb. 9 the Club held a benefit night in the High School "Cigarettes for Overseas" with 300 persons attending. SEPTEMBER 1945 - JUNE 1946 District Governor Charles Carter was present at the September 14 meeting and installed President Reg. Boundy and the other officers. The ninth Charter Night was moved ahead to May 23, 1946 and held in Blackstock. W. J. H. Smyth, 1940 - 41 president of the club was guest speaker. SEPTEMBER 1916 - JUNE 1947 At the first meeting in September, 1946 with the new president Donald Crozier in the chair, the club made generous donations to the hospital $500., the Band $100. and the Salvation Army $25. Past president Cecil Ptolemy made his first official visit in the capacity of District Deputy Governor. The club sponsored an X-Ray Clinic in the High School in December. 3,280 persons from the Village and area received examinations. Prominent speakers at the Ladies Night were Toronto Mayor Robert Saunders and Controller McCallum. It was held on May 9 and catered to by Seagrave ladies. SEPTEMBER 1947 - 1948 Cecil King was elected president on June 12, 1947 and installed with his fellow officers. The Carnival in June was again a success and netted the club $450. Mr. King due to serious illness was only able to conduct the duties of president part of his terms. Other top officers of the club substituted in his absence. SEPTEMBER 1948 - JUNE 1949 Club activities during the year of James Crane as president and the years that followed were scarcely reported in the Star. The 12th annual charter night was held at Delicateria Banquet Hall and a picnic was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Don Crozier, Scugog Island. SEPTEMBER 1949 - JUNE 1950 Ronald Peel was at the helm as president during September 1949 - June 1950. A successful Monster Bingo with the proceeds in aid of The Recreation Fund building fund was held in September. Members of the Lions Club Junior Farmers' Grain Club were guests at a dinner meeting in October. Past Didtrict Governor Storey Beare proudly displays a certificate from Lions International, recognizing his genuine support for Lionism. He is flanked by outgoing president Don Carnegie (right) and incoming presi- dent Arnold Roach (left). In June, 1968, Roy Cornish, right received a Charter Monarch Certifi- cate, and Sam Griffen an Old Monarch Certificate for 30 year membership in the club. Robert Kenny, president made the presentations. { | ® | -- a RL 2 ore st sama eestnt