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.
December 6, 2001: “LIONS FAMILY CHRISTMAS GATHERING”
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.
July 15, 2004 – “Arcola Lion of the Year” Joyce Hancock was recognized recently as the Arcola Lions Club’s Lion of the Year for 2003-2004. Pictured above presenting Hancock with her award is Ron Vyverberg, outgoing club president. Hancock has attended many district and state Lions conventions for the past several years and also serves as a Lions Club trustee.
“Vyverberg Recognized for Services to Lions” The Arcola Lions Club conducted a dinner and program June 22nd at Rockome Gardens . One of the features of the program was a presentation of the Past President’s Award by club Secretary Duane Ingram to 2003-2004 President Ron Vyverberg. Vyverberg opens his last meeting as 2003-2004 President.
July 22, 2004 – “Lions Club Officers for 2004-2005”
The Arcola Lions Club inducted its 2004-05 officers at a recent meeting. They include (L-R) Russ Madem, Lion Tamer; Troye Kauffman, first vice president; Jason Butler, Tail Twister; Jim Clark, Director, Greg Taylor, President; Wm. Butch Guennewig, director; Duane Ingram, Secretary/Treasure; Rev. Harold Williamson, Second vice president; Past District 1-E Governor Rex Gobel, installing officer; Joyce Hancock, director; and Ron Vyverberg, immediate past president. Not pictured is director Jeff Edwards.
December 30, 2004 – “Lions, Firefighters Enjoy Spirit of Giving”
The distribution of Christmas baskets and toys has been a long-standing tradition in Arcola, and 2004 was no different. Sponsored by the Arcola Lions Club, the Christmas basket program provides a wide variety of foods – including eggs, milk, bread, chicken, fruit and canned goods – to area residents in need during the holiday season. In addition, the Arcola Fire department conducts its distribution of toys to local children during the same time. Members of the Lions Club and fire department came together on a frigid Christmas Eve morning to distribute the Christmas baskets and toys. Lions and volunteer firefighters pictured above include (L-R) Rick York, Joe Hunter, Mark Nacke, Bill Coombe, Josh Truex, Steve Suding, David Chupp and Dean Cole. Hunter reported that the Lions Club has distributed approximately 80 Christmas baskets during the last few years.
December 28, 2006 – The Arcola Lions Club and Arcola Fire Department have once again proven that it is better to give than receive during the Christmas season. Lion’s members and volunteer firefighters joined together on Saturday morning, December 23, to deliver Christmas toy and food baskets to area families in need. Arcola Lion member Mark Nacke, chairman of the annual event, said “approximately 85 baskets were distributed by Lions and firefighters during the morning”. The boxes contained sacks of potatoes, canned goods, macaroni and cheese, fruit, bread, eggs, milk and toys. Nacke noted a canned food drive held at Arcola High School netted about 2000 cans. “This is more food than we’ve gotten from the school in several years. We also had a lot of toys,” said Nacke. Above, from left, are Terry Foran, Mark Nacke, Rex Willison and Louis Turner with some of the boxes of goodies. Serving as the packing and distribution center was The Scout Cabin immediately to the north of the Arcola Public Library.
July 12, 2007 – Atteberry, Williamson Honored by Lions – At a recent meeting of the Arcola Lions Club, two members were recognized. Curtis Atteberry of Arcola received an award for being named “Lion of the Year in 2006-2007”. Rev. Harold Williamson, Immediate Past President received a Lion statuette for his past year as president of the Arcola club.
Arcola Lions Club Arcola, Illinois 