by Jim & Phyllis Wilkins
On June 17, 1917, at the invitation of Melvin Jones, delegates met in Chicago. The only point of contention was the selection of a name for the new organization. Melvin Jones researched the idea of calling the new organization Lions. He was convinced that the lion stood for strength, courage, fidelity and vital action. On a secret ballot, the name Lions was chosen over several others. At the 1919 convention, there was a move to change the symbol, but a young attorney from Denver, Colorado rose to speak. His name was Halsted Ritter. “The name Lions stands not only for fraternity, good fellowship, strength of character and purpose, but above all, its combination of L-I-O-N-S heralds to the country the true meaning of citizenship: LIBERTY, INTELLIGENCE, OUR NATION’S SAFETY.” (www.lionsclubs.org). At the next meeting of the Fairfield Bay Lions on Thursday, March 13, we will host two guest speakers for the evening. Our District 7-O Governor Lion, Norm Moyer, will give us a short briefing regarding the MD-7 State Convention to be held in Harrison, AR on April 25 & 26 and will be followed by Van Buren County Judge and fellow Lion, Roger Hooper, with an inside look at the workings of Van Buren County. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and reservations are requested by Sunday, March 9 by contacting Lion, Mary Meadows, at 884-6388 for the $7.50 meal. Our guest speakers will follow a short meeting at 6 p.m. and, as with all our meetings, guests are encouraged and welcome. Please join us to hear our District Governor and our VBC Judge.