Community Service

February 11, 1960: Bill Vyverberg is general chairman of variety show.

February 18, 1960: Show declared a success. Harry Keal pointed out the club used money from the annual show for worthwhile projects at the school. The club purchased three overhead speakers for the stage.

May 26, 1960: Virgil Roberts named president.

August 25, 1960:  Lions sponsor $1600.00 modern electric football scoreboard. School board to pay one third down, and Lions to finance $1100.00 balance.

March 2, 1961:  Lions entertained members of the boys and girls bowling teams, which the club sponsored in the Junior Bowling League.

March 30, 1961:  Lions Club entertained basketball squad. Dick Weller received best free throw shooter award.

April 27, 1961:  William Vyverberg elected president of Lions Club.

May 25, 1961: Ron Vyverberg and Corky Clark, Rider track men who participated in the Illinois State High School Track Meet at the University of Illinois, were guests of honor at the Lions Club meeting.

February 8, 1962:  President William Vyverberg declares “Lions Medicine Show” is remedy for your ales.

May 24, 1962:  Robert C. Coombe elected president of Arcola Lions Club. Other officers and directors included Second Vice-President John Clark and Director John Lutz.

September 13, 1962:  Arcola Lions Club feted Billie Jean Arthur and Jim Strange at their meeting and heard a report from the two students concerning Girls’ and Boys’ State, where they attended this summer on a scholarship provided by the local Lions.

February 28, 1963:  Lions “Hillbilly ‘our” promises to be a “scream” as William Vyverberg, Bob Carson and John Clark team up to “dream up” some half dozen acts.

September 26, 1963:  Perfect attendance pins awarded to Jeff Bailey, Bob Carson, Earl Clark, John Lutz, Harry Keal, Bob Coombe and E.C. Wood.

February 27, 1964:  Arcola Lions invite the public to attend their “County Fair Variety Show,” which includes a side show of freaks and a girlie show. Featured vocally will be Dale Hull and Harry Keal in “Hello Mudder, Hello Fadder.”

April 30, 1964: Bob Carson named Lions president. Byron Bradford presented Lions free throw trophy to Doug Dunagan and Randy Rothrock, who tied at the charity line with .729 percent.

June 18, 1964: Lions to install new officers. John Clark is outgoing president.

October 15, 1964: Lions Club sets White Cane Day. Sixty percent of the funds collected will remain in Arcola community to aid those who have visual handicaps.

April 1, 1965: Lions show may lack finesse, but cast, audience share fun. Virgil Roberts is in his tenth year as chorus director.

March 3, 1966: “Bikini Beach” show set by Lions Club.

March 17, 1966: A successful show reported by President John Lutz.

February 9, 1967: The Arcola Lions Club will observe the 20 year anniversary of the local club at the anniversary charter night and Valentine party at the Kaskaskia Country Club. President Warren Arthur said 100-125 Lions, wives and friends plan to attend.

February 9, 1967: “Wild Wild West” variety show to be presented.

February 23, 1967: Arcola Lions Club observed their 20 year anniversary at Kaskaskia Country Club. Johnny Balbo, former light heavyweight wrestling champion of the world and a Lions International Director, praised the Lions for their 20 years of service to the Arcola community, and especially for their sponsorship of Boy Scout Troop 88. “Your Scout Cabin and your work with Boy Scouts is the finest project that I have witnessed any where”.

March 16, 1967: John Clark, Harold Cummins and John Lutz received pins for being top money raisers during Candy Day drive.

March 23, 1967: The Lions Club sponsored a brush clean up and cleared 35 or 40 truck loads of brush from the boulevards.

February 29, 1968: Lions show chorus, directed by Earl Clark, includes voices of Dale Hull, Allan Gray, Clifford Gray, Bob Holaday, Virginia Vyverberg, Hester Coombe, Helen Lutz and Martha Lutz.

June 27, 1968: Paul Brown was seated as president of the Lions, succeeding George Dilliner.

August 1, 1968: Lions annual Fun Fair to be bigger than ever. Proceeds from the fair will be used to better the Arcola community. An example of this work can be seen now at the Arcola High School ball diamond, where a restroom has been constructed under the sponsorship of the Lions and the Arcola School Board.

March 6, 1969: Jim Bromley will serve as master of ceremonies for “Las Vegas” variety show.

May 15, 1969: Harold Cummins elected president of Arcola Lions Club.

October 2, 1969: Lions to sell candy to raise money for visually handicapped. Members scraped and burned old paint off concession stand on school grounds to prepare to paint the building. The club will man a food stand at Rockome Gardens for Horse Farming Days.

October 16, 1969: Lions to serve pancakes and sausage in conjunction with Chamber of Commerce Halloween parade.