New officers elected by the Signal Mountain Lions Club are, from left, front row, Marvin Keener, who installed the officers; John Niemeyer, secretary; Bill Leonard, president; Chris Cole, treasurer; Mel Tryon, one year director; second row, Jerry Pala, two year director; David Leoanrd, tail twister; Louis Glendenning, lion tamer; John Rutledge, one year director; Brian Eades, immediate past president; John Moon, second vice president; Jay Casavant, two year director; Larry Bascom, first vice president; Pete Rittenberry, third vice president; Frank Kalinowski, two year director; Steve Hankins, one year director. Click to enlarge.
Installation of new officers and introduction of a special member were the paramount concerns when the Signal Mountain Lions Club met Tuesday at the Mountain Arts Community Center. Marvin Keener, past district governor of 12-0 division of the Tennessee Lions Club was the installing officer.
A special guest was Irby, the new mascot for the club, who was introduced and then initiated into membership in the club. He will attend meetings and represent the club at all community functions.
Installed as new officers were: Bill Leonard, president; Brian Eades, immediate past president; John Niemeyer, secretary; Chris Cole, treasurer; Larry Bascom, first vice presient; John Moon, second vice president; Pete Rittenberry, third vice president; Werner Slabber, membership chairman; Louis Glendenning, lion tamer; David Leonard, tail twister; Jerry Pala, Frank Kalinowski and Jay Casavant, two year directors; and Mel Tryon, Steve Hankins and John Rutledge, one year directors.
In his remarks, Mr. Keener praised the club as the second largest and most active of all clubs in the district. Clubs particularly in the southern end of the division are exploding with the addition of new clubs and much of this is due to the efforts of two members of the Signal Mountain club, Jerry Pala and Mel Tryon, "Who have done so much for our region. There is excitement here," he said.
"Philanthropy has been giving up for the past five years," he said. "People want to help their neighbors. They want to have an impact."
As part of his program, Mr. Keener presented a film from the Lion Club International Foundation which showed some of the work of Lions throughout the world in helping those in need, not just in eye care, the Lions' major interest for many years, as well as all kinds of other needs throughout the world. Donations are always needed and more information may be found at the web site, lcif.org/donate.