January 1, 1970: Twenty-nine Arcola area families had a fine Christmas dinner thanks to the Arcola Lions Club. Paul Cunningham was in charge of the project and said it was the 19^th year such distribution has been made.

January 15, 1970: Lions get report from battlefront as Capt. Kenneth G. Bowen of the US Army reported on his year in the field in Vietnam.

June 25, 1970: Melvin Mackey installed as president of Arcola Lions Club.

October 1, 1970: Russ Farnsworth, charter member, recalled the founding of the Arcola Lions Club and told members of the club how he developed and conducts his business of teaching Morse code to people across the nation.

January 7, 1971: Members of the Lions Club sanded and varnished the “new” floor of the high school stage.

February 18, 1971: “Americana” variety show to again be directed by Bill Vyverberg with Yvonne Walters as music director.

March 11, 1971: Lions President Melvin Mackey urges all the over 35 to take advantage of the glaucoma screening tests to be given in Arcola.

April 1, 1971: Two hundred five persons went through testing bus for glaucoma.

January 27, 1972: Bill Herrington was presented with a special pin for his efforts in sponsoring new members.

March 9, 1972: Lions to present annual variety show. The show is the Twenty-Third annual production by the Lions and this year features the best acts of all the past shows to help commemorate the Twenty-Fifth anniversary of the founding of the local club.

April 27, 1972: Allan Gray elected President for coming year.

June 22, 1972: Arcola Lions Club celebrated the Twenty-Fifth anniversary of the founding of the local club with a dinner at the Kaskaskia Country Club. Guest speaker was Warren Myers of Decatur Lions Club. Past-President Melvin Mackey served as toastmaster for the evening. District Governor Ted Siddens presented chevron awards to members of the club for they’re past service. Receiving 25 year awards were John Connor, Robert Coombe, Paul Cunningham and Dale Hull. Ten-year awards were presented to George Dilliner and Warren Arthur.

July 6, 1972: Retiring President John G. Clark handed over the gavel of the Arcola Lions Club to Allan Gray during installation.

February 22, 1973: Lions presented Arcola Development Corporation with a check for $1000.00. The check is for part of the Lions $4000.00 pledge for the swimming pool.

March 8, 1973: The annual Lions Club variety show recalled the good ole school days, a shoot out at the short branch saloon, a championship boxing match, a court session and old time religion. The Cub Scout Webelos Den, Pack 96 and Boy Scout Troop 88 will handle the opening and closing of each performance.

March 29, 1973: Glaucoma screening unit screened 129 for eye disease.

October 4, 1973: Mayor Harry R. Smith recently proclaimed the week of October 8-12 as Lions Week for the visually Handicapped in Arcola.

December 6, 1973: Larry Conlin and George Woolridge head light bulb sales. Lions will sack candy at scout cabin.

March 14, 1974: Producer Bill Vyverberg announces variety show will be built around a “Gee Haw” theme and will feature a medicine show and weight watchers meeting.

March 21, 1974: Lions Club variety show will begin with selections by Russ Farnsworth and a welcome by President John L. King.

March 28, 1974: Producer Bill Vyverberg was honored for his many years of service to the Lions Club variety show and community in a special surprise “This is Your Life” feature during the Saturday performance.

September 19, 1974: Arcola Lions President Torn Blagg presented a check for $300.00 to Grade School Principal D.A. Wood for over one half the cost of new sight testing machine.

March 6, 1975: The Dingling Bros. Circus is this year’s theme for the annual show.

March 20, 1975: Lions glaucoma unit tested 132 persons.

March 18, 1976: Directors George Woolridge and Dee Lindenmeyer state this year’s production of variety show will be based on bicentennial theme.

April 1, 1976: Lions Club show proclaimed a financial success by President Don Woods, who said the funds would be used to further the many community projects sponsored by the club.

August 5, 1976: Arcola Lions to man the Southern telephone center for the Midwest-Heart-Lions Telethon. Funds collected will go to Illinois Heart Association.

March 3, 1977: Arcola Lions Club commemorates its 30year anniversary at the Kaskaskia Country Club on

February 22, 1977: Dee Lindenmeyer was master-of-ceremonies. President George Woolridge delivered the welcoming address. Six of the original charter members were present and were given special recognition. They included H. L. Hayes, Robert Coombe, John Connor, William Herrington, Dale Hull, and Harry Keal. District

Governor Howard Morrow presented 30-year chevrons to Connor, Coombe, Hull and Keal, who have been members since the club was founded. International Director Milton H. Tuttle praised the 66-member club and noted the membership roster had doubled in the past five years.

March 31, 1977: Postponed last weekend because of the girls’ sectional basketball tournament, the Arcola Lions Club will definitely present its annual variety show this weekend. This year’s production is based on a television theme.

November 23, 1978: Recent1y the Arcola Lions Club arranged for Paul Perkins to travel to Leader Dog School in Rochester, Michigan to train for four weeks and receive a Leader Dog.

March 8, 1979: Craig Virgin, champion long distance runner, spoke to Arcola Lions Club.

March 29, 1979: Annual variety show theme will be nursery rhymes.

April 26, 1979: Lions Mobi1e Glaucoma Screening Unit comes to Arcola. Staffing the unit will be local Lions volunteers headed by Jerry Stout and licensed medical personnel to do the actual screening.

July 5, 1979: Chuck Towle elected to 1979-80 Council of Governors of the Lions 0f Illinois.

September 27, 1979: Lions Allan Gray, Louis Turner, Paul Perkins and his guide dog, Russ Ingrum, Cabinet Secretary Don Woods and District Governor Chuck Towle attend jamboree in Mattoon to make plans for upcoming Lions Clubs of Illinois Candy Day.

December 27, 1979: Arcola Lions Club sacked candy and delivered to needy children in Arcola.