The Durant Lions Club recently met at the Choctaw Cultural Center to celebrate their annual accomplishments and elect new officers. The evening started with a guided tour of the Cultural Center, which the members found to be very interesting and informative. Having returned a few months ago from Washington D.C., I can tell you it rivals some of the Smithsonian museums and is a “must see.”
The members were then welcomed by Lion President Layne Heitz, followed by prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Several songs were selected from the Lions songbook and all agreed the club singing was in fine form and perhaps worthy of an episode of America’s Got Talent.
An outstanding dinner of fried chicken and roast beef was then served, followed by apple pie for dessert. A nap was suggested but voted down much to the dismay of some of the older members, several of whom chose to ignore the vote and drifted off anyway.
President Heitz then called on Secretary Charles Weiner to present various volunteer awards, all of whom were presented framed certificates of appreciation for the work they completed in the Lions Club over the past year. Recipients were River Current, Eve Carver, and Amanda Bowden. Project Chairmen Brian Bond, Lynn Smith, Daylin Hash, and Holly Means were also recognized and presented with offi cial Lions Club stainless steel mugs.
The top award of the evening was for “Lion of the Year.” It was presented to Shelley Dunnam for her outstanding work on the Draggin’ Main Car and Bike Show as well as her efforts to begin the newest Lions Club Project, The Lions Legacy Park which will feature playground equipment that can be used by handicapped children.
“Shelley has gotten off to a very quick start in her first year as a Lions Club member,” Heitz said. “She provided much-needed energy and helped us recruit the younger members essential for any club’s success. Several long time Lions commented that it might have been the first time a first-year member was named Lion of the Year, and she joins an elite group of leaders from the Durant community who have received the award in years past.”
President Hietz was then presented with a ginormous plaque of appreciation for having served as club president for two consecutive years. I then made a motion that all past presidents who had served multiple terms should be given similar plaques, and was dismayed but not surprised when my motion was quickly shot down. Such is life. I do take some comfort in knowing that President Heitz will have to take down a trophy deer head or two to fit it into his office.
Lion Tail Twister Daylin Hash was in charge of swearing in new officers which are as follows: President—Lynn Smith, Vice-President—Shelley Dunnam, Secretary—Charles Weiner, Treasurer—Kara Kuykendall, Directors—Brian Bond, Amanda Bowden, Loni Lemley, Heidi Hicks, Lion Tamer—Cindy Caldwell, Tail Twister—Daylin Hash, Marketing Chairman— Mark Swearengin (which is the only reason I’m doing this article). A brief discussion followed debating whether Lion Daylin had the authority to swear himself in as Tail Twister, but despite my protests I was overruled and then fined by Daylin.
Outgoing president Heitz thanked the club and commented that some of our new members were having a big impact on the club in a very positive way.
“In order for us to continue to grow it will be important for the newer members to continue to push us forward, and recruit new members into the club,” Heitz said. “I’m probably as optimistic as I’ve ever been since becoming a Lion. I believe our future is bright.”
The meeting was then opened up for anyone who wanted to comment.
New member Chadd Forgy said, “This is the first time since I’ve moved from Texas back to Oklahoma that I’ve felt this level of pride in an organization, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it in any way I can.”
I then stood and stated that this year’s car show reminded me of my involvement in the Durant Jaycees years ago. “Everywhere I looked I could see gold Lions Club vests, and the energy level was through the roof. With an estimated 4-5000 people in attendance, I think it’s the best downtown event Durant has had in quite some time, and I look for it to continue to grow.”
Incoming president Lynn Smith will be serving a second term (I think he’s angling to get one of those giant plaques) and commented that he just wants to keep the club moving forward in the same direction.
I’m really excited about the Lion Legacy Park, as I’ve felt like the Lions name needed to be permanently attached to a project of this magnitude for everyone to see,” Smith said. “This club has done wonderful things over its 104 years, and we are certainly well known for hosting Toys for Tots, but I want to see our name on something that’s here forever. There’s no one like the Lions Club, Durant’s first and oldest civic club.”
