HISTORY OF THE ST. PARIS LIONS CLUB
Our club was chartered on Nov. 28, 1928. We were sponsored by the Urbana Lions Club. There were 49 charter members. The organization of the St. Paris Lions Club was largely due to the efforts of Bert Richeson and Leo Urban. The first meeting place was the Masonic Banquet Room, above the Central National Bank Building. We met at other locations such as the Eastern Star Lodge, William Toomire’s room above Knull’s Bowling Alley, the upstairs of the Lash Building and Tom Hahn’s Building until 1960. At this time we moved to the Top Hat Restaurant where we stayed until September of 1998. We then moved to the Harmon Park Community Center where we are still meeting.
The St. Paris Lions Club was instrumental in making Kiser Lake a State Park in 1939. Our club was also involved with getting the bond issues passed for the water works in 1930, and the sewer system in 1954.
Approximately 48 years ago the club instigated the placement of street signs. They were replaced by the club in 1971.
We are also very much involved with the sight program. We continue to supply exams and eyeglasses to needy children in the Graham School District.
In 1979 we began an annual Scholarship to a Graham High School student. In recent years we have added two more scholarships. One is to honor Lion Member Richard Barger and the other is in memory of Frank and Judd Lawler. (sons of Past President Ken and Dottie Lawler.)
In 1984 the club purchased a trailer and installed cabinets, counter, and stove (grill) and refrigerator and created a concession trailer. The trailer services are used at fairgrounds, public auctions, parks, picnics, and the St. Paris Pony Wagon Days Festival in September.
In 1986 the club started an annual picnic at Scott’s Woods of St. Paris for the residents living in the St. Paris Lawnwood Commons.
We presently have 54 members. We continue to meet in the Harmon Park Community Center. Our largest fund raiser besides our trailer is our Annual Pancake Day held each March. We currently collect eyeglasses to be recycled.
The best way we can honor our heritage is to plan ahead tobe of even greater service in the 21st century. So it is, we must build and strengthen our club so that it may accept the added responsibilities in our community in the years ahead.
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This page was last updated 09/24/08