2000 through 2009
June 29, 2000: The Arcola Foundation purchased five new hospital beds and five new wheelchairs and donated them to the Arcola Lions Club. The Lions Club now has 25 wheelchairs, of which 19 are currently loaned out. They also have 19 electric beds and 16 of those are loaned out as well as one manual bed. . Pictured above (L-R) are Joe Hunter, Jeff Edwards, C. W. Chancellor, an Larry Shafer, all members of the Lions Club; Loretta Coatney, Don Rankin, Beth Vyverberg, Dr. Robert Smith (chairman), Larry Bushu, Jack Chaney (vice chairman) and Homer Clark, all members of the Board of Governors of the Arcola Foundation.
July 6, 2000: At the Arcola Lions Club’s Spouses Night
Tuesday, June 27, officers and board of directors for 2000-01 were installed.
Those installed are pictured above, seated (L-R): Duane Ingram,
secretary-treasurer; Ron Gardner, second vice president; Don Winch, first vice
president; and Wm (Butch) Guennewig, president. Standing: John Hove, membership
vice chairperson; Joe Hunter, tail twister; Joyce Miller, Lion tamer; Bill
Wilson, two-year board of director; Russ Madlem, two-year board of director;
Dave Pryor, one-year board of director; and Gary Sentel, one-year board of
director. Not pictured are Dale Knowles, immediate past president; Ron
Vyverberg, membership chairperson; and Dean Cole, membership committee member.
In the photo at left, Butch Guennewig recognizes Duane Ingram on being named
Lion of the Year.
November 9, 2000: The Arcola Lions Club will be meeting
at the Dutch Kitchen restaurant at 6:30 PM Tuesday, November 14. The board will
meet at 6 PM. The program for the evening will be reports from Jenny Chancellor
and Cathy Guennewig and experiences at Girls State this past summer.
November 9, 2000: Lions Candy Days for 2000. This is the
final week for the Arcola Lions Club Candy Day collection. The Candy Days
collection supports our sight and hearing program. This is a joint effort with
our local Lions Club and the Lions of Illinois Foundation. The Arcola Lions
Club provides eye exams and glasses for those that need assistance. The Lions
of Illinois Foundation Programs:
· Camp Lions for sight & hearing impaired youth. The
Arcola Lions Club sponsors a youth to this each year
Tara Holaday has
attended this camp in 1998 – 1999 – 2000)
· The mobile hearing screening
· The mobile diabetic eye clinic
December 7, 2000: The Arcola Lions members and their
families will be gathering for their annual Christmas festivities at the United
Methodist Church Tuesday, December 12, 2000, at 6:30 PM. Special guests will be
District Governor Steve Ferguson and his wife, Kathy. Singers from the Arcola
High School choir, under the direction of Connie Guennewig, will enhance the
holiday atmosphere with their music, and one other special gentleman will
undoubtedly make his presence known as well. Lion Ron Vyverberg is in charge of
the arrangements.
December 28,2000: The Arcola Lions Club delivered 88 food
baskets to needy families in the area and the Arcola Fire Department delivered
over 52 toy baskets to needy families on Saturday, December 23. Pictured from
left are Dean Cole, Doug Rardin, and Ron Gardner.
January 4, 2001: ‘Masonic Lodge Donates to Lions Club’ –
The Arcola Lodge 366 A.F. & A.M. recently made a donation to the Arcola
Lions Club to help out on the Christmas baskets for those in need at Christmas
time. Worshipful Master Wm. (Bill) Sykes (left) presents the check to Wm.
(Butch) Guennewig, president of the Lions Club.
March 22, 2001: ‘Lions to Host Eye Screening’ Diabetic
retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in adults in America today.
Diabetic retinopathy can have devastating visual consequences and can lead to
blindness. Without a doubt, early detection greatly enhances the visual prognoses
and outcome for all patients with diabetic retinopathy. The purpose of the
diabetic eye program is to provide communities throughout the state with a
method for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. If you notice any of the
following symptoms, you should contact your eye care professional as quickly as
possible: blurring vision, distorted vision, double vision, darkened or reduced
vision. Any one of these symptoms can be an indication of diabetic retinopathy
or one of the complications of it. The Lions of Illinois Foundation, along with
the Illinois Retina Associates in conjunction with the Arcola Lions Club, is
providing a free screening to anyone who would like to have a picture taken of
their eyes to check for this problem. This screening will be held from 1 to 4
pm March 28 at the Arcola Grade School all-purpose room. The foundation will
take the photographs and then they will be forwarded to Illinois retina
Associates, where they will be reviewed by one of their retinal specialist. The
person who has had the screening test done will be notified via writing of the
results. For more information or if there are any question, please call Lion
Joyce Hancock at 268-3373.
July 5, 2001: “Commendation For Joe Hunter” Arcola Lions
Club member Joe Hunter was honored during the Lions Club’s banquet Tuesday,
June 26, with the International President’s Certificate of Appreciation.
Pictured above congratulating Hunter (right) is District 1-E Governor Steve
Ferguson. Hunter received the award in recognition of quality service performed
with dedication to the humanitarian principles of the International Association
of Lions Clubs.
July 5, 2001: “Lions Club Officers Installed” The Arcola
Lions Club held its installation of officers during the final meeting of the season
Tuesday, June 26. New officers pictured above include (L-R) E. Duane Ingram,
secretary and treasure; John Hove, membership chairperson and director; Louis
Turner, tail twister; Dave Dilliner, membership committee member; Jerry Stout,
two-year board member; Rev. Don Winch, president; Troye Kauffman, lion tamer;
Butch Guennewig, immediate past president; Joyce Hancock, two-year board
member; Steve Ferguson, District 1-E Governor; and Russ Madlem, one year board
member. Not pictured are Ron Vyverberg, second vice president; Ron Gardner,
First vice president; and Clarence (Bill) Wilson, one year board member.
September 6, 2001: The Arcola Lions Club will hold its
first meeting of the fall at 6:30 PM Tuesday, September 11, at the Dutch
Kitchen restaurant. The program for the evening will be a presentation by Joni
and Tom Wannamaker on their background and association with Raggedy Ann and
Andy. The board of directors will meet at 6:00 PM and should include all
officers and directors, including lion tamer and tail twister.
October 4, 2001: ‘Vyverberg Honored As Member of Year”
The Arcola Lions Club recently held its annual family
picnic at he old city park. Pictured above are Lion Ron Vyverberg (center) being
presented the Arcola lions Club Member of the Year award by Past President
Butch Guennewig (left) and newly-installed President Don Winch. Vyverberg has
been a member of the club for 20 years, has chaired the membership committee,
was director of the Lions Club show and chorus for many years, and has been
active spreading the spirit of the Arcola Lions Club to the community.
Arcola Lions Club members and their families will be
gathering at the United Methodist Church Tuesday, December 11, at 6:30 PM for
the annual family Christmas party. Santa Claus will put on a special
appearance, bringing goodies for the children. Men and women are asked to bring
gender respective gifts for an exchange.
The Dutch Kitchen restaurant will be preparing the meal
and the high school choir will sing.
January 3, 2002: “District Governor Lions Club Guest”
The Arcola Lions Club will hold its first meeting of the
New Year at 6:30 PM January 8th at the Dutch Kitchen restaurant.
Lions Club District Governor Rex Goble is scheduled to be the guest speaker at
the meeting. Club members are urged to attend. The board of directors will meet
ahead of the meeting at 6 PM. The 55th anniversary meeting,
scheduled for February 12, will be discussed. Please plan to attend.
“ Food, Gift Baskets for Those In Need”
Arcola Lions Club member Mark Nacke, food basket
chairperson, was assisted by Lion Bill
Coombe in organizing the annual Christmas food basket distribution. Over 70
baskets were delivered on Monday morning, December 24th. The Arcola
Fire Department was in charge of gifts for children. Lions members, Fire
department personnel, older Boy Scouts and community volunteers helped deliver
the food and gifts for families in need. The Lions Club expressed its
appreciation to the community for its donations and to the Arcola School for
collecting canned goods and making donations.
March 7, 2002 – “ Lions Club Marks 55th
Anniversary”
The Arcola Lions Club celebrated its 55-year anniversary during
a special meeting on February 12. On
February 11, 1947, the club became a chartered Lions Club. Two of the 42
charter members, Harry Keal and Robert Coombe, remain members of the club in
2002. There were a total of 62 in attendance for the February 12 meeting. The
guest speaker for the evening was Past District Governor Gene Miller with his
wife, Joyce. Other special guests in attendance were District Governor Rex
Goble, Region 4 Chairperson Rodney Ryan and Lions of Illinois Foundation
trustee Tom Harpst, and his wife Martha. Gene Miller was presented with a
certificate of thanks for being the guest speaker. A donation was presented to
Miller in the name of the Lions Foundation to be used for costs to operate the
mobile hearing bus that the Foundation sponsors. Keal and Coombe were also
honored at the meeting by being presented with 55-year Charter Member Chevrons.
Due to family health issues, Keal and coombe were unable to attend. Keal
recently became an at-large member and still helps the club when needed. Coombe
continues to be active in the organization. It was noted at the meeting that
Keal and Coombe were “very instrumental” with the development of the Arcola
Club and have helped guide the club for the past 55 years. The 54 members of
the Arcola Club are listed below by years of service:
55 Years – Robert C. Coombe and Harry W. Keal
38 Years – Harold Cummins
36 Years – Allen Gray
35 Years – Thomas Blagg
30 Years – Dean E. Cole, Jerry Stout, and C. W.
Chancellor
28 Years – Larry Shafer, Dan Curry, Dale E. King, and
Russell R. Ingrum
27 Years – Eugene Shambarger
26 Years – Fred Bumpus, James N. Jenkins, Richard A.
Edwards, Louis Turner, and Mark T. Petty
25 Years – Joseph S. Hunter
24 Years – William Coombe, William R. Nacke, and Rex
Willison
21 Years – Bill Bumgarner
19 Years – Curtis L. Atteberry, Floyd A. Miller, and
Kenneth H. Reveal
18 Years – John W. Hove
16 Years – Mark Nacke
15 Years – Donald Rhodes and Gary E. Sentel
13 Years – John Mills
12 Years – Duwayne Miller, Robert L. Reese, and James L.
Uphoff
11 Years – Russell W. Madlem and David L. Pryor
10 Years – Malcolm N. Fox, Vic J. Stenger, Donald C.
Winch, Dale V. Knowles, and Jeff Edwards
9 Years - James A. Harrington and Duane Ingram
6 Years - Margaret Misal
5 Years - Ronald Gardner, Alden Nay, and William F.
Guennewig, Jr.
4 Years - Joyce Hancock and Clarence W. Wilson
2 Years - David B. Dillner and Gregory J. Taylor
1 Year - Jason C. Butler and Troye D. Kauffman
Rev. Donald C. Winch is the club’s president for the
2001-2002 Lion Club year. In the 55 years of Lionism, the Arcola club has never
had a repeat president. When the club was chartered February 25, 1947, the
following were listed as chartered members: Reuben Anderson, Jeff D. Bailey,
Don Baird, Ray Barricklow, Arthur Batholomew, James K. Bromley, Ben Bushu, John
Clark, Jesse Clemons, John M. Connor, Robert Coombe, Floyd Covill, Paul J.
Cunningham, Roy DeVoss, George Dillner, Russel Farnsworth, Dr. J. V. Fishel,
Leonard Gaylord, Bert Gordon, Jr., George L. Gibson, Phillip R. Green, Hozy L.
Hayes, Sam Hicks, Robert Holaday, Dale Hull, Harry W. Keal, Dale Kearns, Joe
Kelley, Max King, Robert C. King, Paul A. Lindenmeyer, A. E. Linfield, Dave
Miller, Bernard E. Nay, Vernon Pullen, Martin Reidy, Walter Reinheimer, Virgil
Roberts, Fred Shrader, Fred Wesch, Myron Whisnand, and Ellsworth Young. The
first club president was Rev. Hozy L. Hayes in 1947-48.
April 11, 2002 – “Lions Club Free Hearing Screening”
Have you noticed a difference in your ability to Hear?
Are you missing more that is going on around you than you care to admit? The
Arcola lions Club, in conjunction with the Lions Foundation of Illinois, will
host a hearing screening from 9 AM to noon Wednesday, April 17. The mobile unit
will be parked on North Locust Street across from the Dutch Kitchen. No
appointment is necessary.
April 18, 2002 – “WCIA Personality Speaks at Lions Spouse
Night”
WCIA Channel 3 news anchor and executive producer
Gabriella Martin was the guest speaker at the Arcola Lions Club’s Spouses Night
meeting April 9 at the Dutch Kitchen. Martin, a native of Tuscola, has served
as the president of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and is also
active as a leader in the Prairielands Council Boy Scouts of America. She
received the Silver Beaver Award in 1998, which is the highest council award.
After her presentation Martin answered questions. Past District Governor Steve
Ferguson was a guest at the meeting.
In addition, four Arcola High School chorus members came
with Connie Guennewig and provided songs for the club. Over 60 attended the
meeting. Lion Rev. Don C. Winch , President, opened the meeting and welcomed
the guests. Lion Curtis Atteberry led the opening song “America.” The opening
prayer was given by Lion Malcolm Fox. After the meal, some club business was
conducted, including reading of officers for 2002-2003. The four high school
girls then sang their songs.
July 4, 2002 – “Lions Club Officers Installed” (Photo
above) The Arcola Lions Club held its installation of 2002-03 officers during a
dinner meeting Tuesday, June 25, at Rockome Gardens restaurant. Officers shown above include, front row
(L-R): Joyce Hancock, one-year director; Margaret Misal, tail twister; Ron
Gardner, president; Ron Vyverberg, first vice president; and Jason Butler, lion
tamer. Back row: Duane Ingram, secretary/treasure; Dave Dilliner, membership
chairman; Ken Reveal, two-year director; Troye Kauffman, two-year director;
Greg Taylor, second vice president; Dean Cole, membership committee; Jerry
Stout, one-year director; Steve Ferguson, past district governor of Mattoon;
Don Winch, past president; and Bill Coombe, membership vice chairman.
July 4, 2002 – “Lion of the Year” Butch Guennewig of
Arcola was recognized as the Arcola Lions Club’s Lion of the Year during the
dinner meeting held Tuesday, June 25, at Rockome Gardens Restaurant. Pictured
with Guennewig is Don Winch, outgoing Lion Club Presidnet.
February 27, 2003 – “Silent Auction with Soup an Salad
Supper” - on Saturday, March 1, 2003 at the Arcola High School Cafeteria from
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
“Camp Lions Registration Underway” – Camp Lions, a free
summer camp program for children and adults with hearing and vision impairments,
is gearing up for summer. Each one-week camp is designed to provide a safe
environment for campers to experience fun camp activities while expanding their
self-confidence. Camp Lions of Illinois is a program sponsored by the Lions
Foundation of Illinois and is funded through Lions and Lioness Club donations
and public contributions. Now in its 46th year, Camp Lions hosts
three sites, Reynoldswood Camp in Dixon, East Bay Camp near Bloomington and Dubois
Camp near Mount Vernon, Eligible campers must have a vision impairment of
20/200 after correction, or a hearing impairment to such a degree that use of
an assistive device (such as a hearing aid) is necessary and/or the person must
rely on alternate communication skills such as sign language and/or lip
reading. Camp Lions offers horseback riding, swimming, nature studies, canoeing,
arts and crafts and many other events guided by counselors specially trained to
work with the vision and hearing impaired. All activities are specially
designed to meet the needs of the camper’s individual abilities. For
registration forms and camp schedules, contact Camp Lions Registrar Alan Wilson
at the Lions of Illinois Foundation offices by calling 1-800-955-5466V or1-800-933-3937
V/TTY any time Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Deadline to apply to attend Camp Lions is May 30.
1947-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999