Lions clubs hold combined governor’s night ceremony

New members of the Lake Holcombe Lions Club were inducted May 19. Present for the induction, left ro right, are sponsor Carrie Ably; new member Aubrey Meddaugh; sponsor Charlie Ably; District Gov. Steve Jensen; and new members Mitch Shackleton, April Shackleton, Shaun Fleming and Sara Fleming.

The Lake Holcombe Lions Club hosted the Lake Holcombe/ Cornell Lions Governor’s Night May 19, with 45 Lions and guests attending. District Gov. Steve Jensen and his wife, Wisconsin Lions Federation director Jeanne, were the honored guests.

The gathering was welcomed by Lake Holcombe president Rick Mitchell, Lion Ron Plumer led the pledge and Lion Ray Guthman gave the invocation. A roast beef and chicken dinner, was then prepared and served by Lions Crystal and Ryan Olmstead. Following dinner, Lion Rhonda Mataczynski led the group in singing The Lion’s Hymn.

S. Jensen began his talk, by noting that his theme for the year, is “Windows of Opportunity.” He discussed some of the opportunities that are provided by Lions International, such as chances to help others and the community, and opportunities for personal growth through the many programs the Lions offer members.

Seven new members were then inducted by S. Jensen into the Lake Holcombe club – Aubrey Meddaugh, Mitch and April Shackleton, and Shaun and Sara Fleming. New candidates Evan Swanson and Anthony Strzok were unable to attend.

Next up, several awards were presented from S. Jensen – Robert Nelson, Bob Gamache, Jane Ash and Dave Barry, for Special Membership; Jackie Russell, Knight of Sight, for her distinguished service to the Cornell club; and Pat Denison, Centennial Award.

J. Jensen then presented Bob Gamache with a Birch Sturm Fellowship, on behalf of the Lake Holcombe Lions, for his many years of dedicated service to the club, from working all the fundraisers, to being one of our representatives on the Lake Holcombe Food Pantry Board.

S. Jensen then presented Sandi Lesmeister a Melvin Jones Fellowship, on behalf of the Lake Holcombe Lions, for her service to the club and most recently, for taking the chairmanship of the Food Pantry Committee and working tirelessly to see the project finished.

Providing a little lighthearted atmosphere to the installation of new officers for both clubs, S. Jensen compared each job to a candy bar and presenting each officer with the treat – as president, Mitchell received a Kit Kat for being Lake Holcombe’s “Top Cat.”

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] District Gov. Steve Jensen (left) shares a laugh with Lake Holcombe Lions Club president Rick Mitchell, as Mitchell received a KitKat, because he is “Top Cat.”[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="200"] Wisconsin Lions Foundation director Jeanne Jensen (left) presents Lake Holcombe Lion Bob Gamache with the Birch Sturm Fellowship.[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] District Gov. Steve Jensen (left) congratulates Lake Holcombe Lions Club member Sandi Lesmeister, for receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship.[/caption]