By Jan Schultz
The Imperial Republican
July 1 marked the start of another Lions year for the Imperial club, and at last week’s meeting, the new 2012-13 officers were installed.
In addition, the meeting was highlighted by the induction of two new Imperial club members, Eric and Lindsay Moreland.
Serving as installer for the new officers and members was Ron Patrick of Grant, a member of the Grant Lions Club who will serve as Lions District Governor for the western part of the state in 2013-14.
Serving as officers in the coming year will be Kelly Hammerlun, president; Charles Milner, first vice president; Jordan Hammerlun, second vice president; Troy Worth, third vice president; Jayne Henry, secretary; and Miles Colson, treasurer.
Other officers include Richard Munson, Lion tamer; Jan Schultz, tail twister; and club directors Nick Schultz, Merril Humphreys and Jan Schultz, the latter group representing the past three club presidents.
Patrick used a unique installation program, giving each incoming officer a special “hat” depicting their duties in that office.
Outgoing president Nick Schultz announced his selection as Lions of the Year was Larry Radcliffe. He was presented an engraved Lions statuette.
Eric and Lindsey Moreland are the club’s newest members, and were also installed by Patrick, who reviewed some of the international and local Lions club history.
Coincidentally, Patrick noted that Lions Club International was founded by Melvin Jones, a Chicago insurance agent, in 1917. Eric Moreland is owner of Moreland Insurance in Imperial.
Initially, the organization was an “association” in the United States, but three years later, expanded internationally.
Today, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs worldwide. Clubs are located in 207 countries and geographic areas.
Other special guests at last week’s meeting were Patrick’s wife Gloria, Lions Zone Chairman Mike Long and his wife Rita, all of Grant.
Park sidewalks to be laid
At the club’s June 26 meeting, members voted to purchase the material and provide the labor to pour sidewalks at both Campbell and Max Addition parks.
New playground equipment was recently installed at the Max Addition park. Sidewalk will be laid from the parking lot to the equipment.
At Campbell, plans are to connect the picnic shelter to the playground equipment with sidewalk, as well as to the new restroom the Lions constructed nearby with financial help from several other local organizations and the city.
Members voted to contribute $100 to the city fireworks fund in other action last week.
The Imperial Lions are also getting ready for some busy weeks ahead. Peach sales will start this month as orders must be in by Aug. 1.
The club is also getting its bingo work schedule started. The club relies heavily on the community as well as its members to fill the work assignments. Bingo will be held Aug. 15-18 at the Chase County Fair.    
The club will meet next month, Tuesday, July 24, at the bingo stand.