Past Projects & Successes
FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF THE 2018 THROUGH 2022 TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB PROJECTS AND SUCCESSES, feel free to review or download the stories by clicking on the appropriate buttons below. NOTE: Although small in numbers, our club is a very busy organization. The 2018 stories are 31 pages in Legal Size; the 2019 stories are 71 pages in Letter Size; the 2020 stories are 36 Letter Size pages (and this in a year where our organization -- like all other organizations -- were impacted by the CoronaVirus and the restrictions placed on meetings and gatherings during most of the year), and the 2021 stories consist of 86 pages. Please keep these factors in mind if you decide to print the stories (you might want to print two-sided?). If you want to forward the stories to others by e-mail, they are also quite large - the smallest file download is in excess of 2.3 MB even after being compressed - so it may be wise to submit links to their download locations). NOTE: If you are interested in our Club's History since it's 1954 chartering, a comprehensive history of our organization is available to review or download from our "HISTORY" page. It is VERY LARGE, in excess of 250 pages and with a file size (compressed) exceeding 20 MB and to date ONLY includes the history through June of 2020 (however you may download the 2020 and 2021 histories in their entirety so as to make the History "complete"). NOTE ALSO: From our "HISTORY" page, lots of other files are available to review or download about our organization. Check them out!.
2024 UPCOMING EVENTS/PROJECTS
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB TO HOST FALL GARDEN TRACTOR PULL
A GARDEN TRACTOR PULL will be conducted at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 19th, 2024. Weigh-in will start at 2 pm, pull to begin at 4 pm. Concessions will be provided by the Tollesboro Elementary School PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) as a fund-raiser for their continued projects.
Several classes will be offered, for kids as well as adults. For questions/inquiries, contact Tyler Stamper (606) 541-5425.
2024 ELITE SPONSORS
Great weather supported huge crowds! We could not do all that we do without our Elite Sponsors!!! The Tollesboro Lions Club would like to offer a huge THANK YOU for all the support you have provided and we urge the public at large to support the businesses that support us!
2024 DIAMOND SPONSORS
FIRST GUARANTY BANK; LEWIS COUNTY FARM BUREAU; FANNIN TRUCKING/FANNIN TRUCK REPAIR; RIP'S FARM CENTER; PEOPLES BANK OF KENTUCKY; RIBOLT FABRICATION; MEADOWS EXCAVATING; SOUTHERN OHIO MEDICAL CENTER
2024 GOLD SPONSOR
PRIMARY PLUS (ALL LOCATIONS)
2024 ELITE SPONSORS
IN MEMORY OF BUD & JEWEL SCHULTZ; IN MEMORY OF CLINTON APPLEGATE;
IN MEMORY OF DARREL DIXON, DELMAR & WADE HORD;
IN MEMORY OF JOHNNY WALLINGFORD; IN MEMORY OF LARRY TUCKER;
IN MEMORY OF MACK & LOIS WRIGHT; IN MEMORY OF PAT & JEREE RUARK;
JOHNNY OSBORNE, DISTRICT 1 MAGISTRATE; MAYSVILLE NURSING & REHABILITATION FACILITY;
BRUNER LAND COMPANY (www.brunerland.com); CRAIG A. STANFIELD REAL ESTATE & AUCTION SERVICES;
FAMILY MEDICAL ASSOCIATES OF FLEMINGSBURG, PSC; PETERSVILLE CHURCH OF GOD – MILT STANFIELD PASTOR;
NAPA OF MAYSVILLE & FLEMINGSBURG; TONY SWEENEY APPRAISALS & STORAGE PLUS;
QUALITY CARPET – STEVE & SHERRY McROBERTS; TOP NOTCH SPRAY FOAM, ZANE POPE;
VALOR OIL; TURNER TRACTOR SALES; WINCHESTER WHOLESALE; WOODMEN LIFE CHAPTER 890;
SIMS DAIRY QUEEN OF FLEMINGSBURG; TULLY TRANSPORT; TRAM CONSTRUCTION – TERRY LEMASTER; TULLY LOGGING;
TRI-COUNTY VET, DR. DARIN STANFIELD, DVM; STANDARD QUICK PRINT & OFFICE SUPPLIES;
TERESA CALLAHAN, LEWIS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT CLERK; JOHNNY BIVENS LEWIS COUNTY SHERIFF;
BANE-WELKER CASE/IH GEORGETOWN, OH; FIRST STOP (1ST STOP); COLLIER DISTRIBUTING;
606 REAL ESTATE & AUCTION; A & B FARMS (LINDA BREEZE); A. W. GRAHAM LUMBER; ADVANCED DIESEL PERFORMANCE;
BENJAMIN HARRISON, LEWIS COUNTY ATTORNEY; BEST-1 STORAGE; TIRE WORLD ; TNT LOGGING – TOM FETTERS; AG-PRO EQUIPMENT; BANE FARMS; BIG A TIRE SERVICE; BIG BLUE OUTDOOR; BLACK'S WELDING;
MIKE BRADFORD & SON; PEOPLES BANK OF KENTUCKY; PEOPLES BANK (OF OHIO): PRIMARY PLUS; R & J FARMING;
JACKIE'S DEER LURES' BOONE-NICKELL FUNERAL HOME; MARK HORSLEY, MAGISTRATE DISTRICT 4; 4-C FARMS;
DWIGHT MALONE ELECTRIC; MEADOWS USED CARS; CHARLIE THOMPSON INDEPENDENT EXCAVATING;
BUFFALO TRACE SURVEYING – TRAVIS McGLONE; CAPRONI'S ON THE RIVER; CARMEUSE LIME; STOBER DRIVES;
BROWN COUNTY RENTAL; BROWN COUNTY CONSTRUCTION; FARMERS STOCKYARDS; CENTRAL FARM SUPPLY;
MUDLICK VALLEY CATTLE COMPANY; MEADOWS EXCAVATING; MEADOWS USED CARS; TULLY'S BACKHOE & ROCK HAULING;
TUMBLEWEED TEX-MEX RESTAURANT; R & H SURVEYS, RICK HICKLE; DOUBLE AA TRUCKING;
BRYAN & HILARY FETTERS; BUCK'S GRILL; BURTON FENCING; HARRIS FARMS; FIRST GUARANTY BANK;
GINN'S SEALING & STRIPING; HARMON'S CONCESSIONS; GEORGE SPARKS LEWIS COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE;
FLEMINGSBURG MACHINING; HOWINGTON'S DIXIE CAFE; HINTON MILLS; H & S EXCAVATING & TRUCKING, INC.;
KENTON MEADOWS EXCAVATING; FLEMING-MASON ENERGY; YODER'S DINNER BELL; STOBER DRIVES;
YOUNG'S MACHINERY, INC.; SNOWY TURTLE; SKEETER & SONIA SHAW; RON'S IGA; ROSE FARM SUPPLY, LLC;
LEWIS COUNTY FARM BUREAU; MARSHALL HAULING; MARK & KIM RIPATO; TINY SEXTON; WADE'S WASHING;
McKENLEY'S MANE STYLES; ROGER & GLENDA FERGUSON; MEADOWS EXCAVATING; RIP'S FARM CENTER;
LEWIS COUNTY CATTLEMANS ASSOCIATION; WEAVER ROOFING SERVICE – STEVEN WEAVER;
JOHNNY BREEZE & SONS FARMS; COMMUNITY TRUST BANK; BANK OF MAYSVILLE; JSB INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS;
KENNY RUCKEL, LEWIS COUNTY PVA; R & J FARMING; R & S PALLET; R & W DUMPSTER SERVICE;
POLLIT TRUCKING, INC.; RELENTLESS TRANSPORT; KY BOW SHOP; RESURRECTION SERVICES;
LESLIE COLLIER LEWIS COUNTY COURT CLERK; WESTWAY FEED PRODUCTS – TODD CONWAY;
C & D ELECTRONICS – THE SHACK; C. K. APPLEGATE FARMS; CHEAP'S CHEVROLET; D & A WHOLESALE & DISTRIBUTION;
FAMILY MEDICINE ASSOCIATES OF FLEMINGSBURG, PSC.; FANNIN TRUCKING & FANNIN TRUCK REPAIR;
FARM CREDIT MID-AMERICA & RURAL 1ST; FARMERS MUTUAL INSURANCE OF MASON COUNTY;
FIRST GUARANTY BANK; HENDERSON STATION; HUNT FOR THE GOSPEL; JIM'S CAR WASH;
HAWK PREDATOR & WILDLIFE CONTROL; RGM CONSTRUCTION; RIBOLT FABRICATION, LLC;
RON & LENA STAMPER; ROSE FARM SUPPLY, LLC; RICK BUTLER & SON LOGGING; MAYSVILLE SOUTHERN STATES;
SOUTHERN STATES OF FLEMINGSBURG; TEMPERATURE SOLUTIONS; THE BARN AT 4C FARM;
TIM PUGH LAND SURVEYING; TOLLESBORO FUNERAL HOME; TOLLESBORO CHRISTIAN CHURCH; TOTAL CARE PHARMACY;
TRACE CREEK CONSTRUCTION
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB PARTNERS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO PRODUCE HISTORICAL VIDEOS
The Tollesboro Lions Club recently partnered with a number of local business to produce videos about several historic sites in Lewis and Fleming Counties, Kentucky. Three videos were produced, featuring "The Cabin Creek Covered Bridge" in Tollesboro, KY, "The Goddard Covered Bridge" in Fleming County, KY, and "Tollesboro and It's Connection To Horse-Racing's Lucille Markey".
The videos were produced by "History In Your Own Backyard", produced by Satolli Glassmyer with Susie Celek conducting the interviews. Craig Stanfield, President of the Tollesboro Lions Club led the organization of the production and contacted local businesses to arrange for the financial requirements to create the videos, and is a co-sponsor as well as narrator of two of the videos. Businesses that sponsored the project include PrimaryPlus (all locations); Hinton Mills (all locations); A. W. Graham Lumber, LLC of Fleming County; Craig A. Stanfield Real Estate & Auction Services; Rip's Farm Center, Inc.; L & L Auto Center; Bruner Land Company; Jackie's Deer Lures; and JSB Industrial Solutions.
The videos are posted on YouTube and available for the public at large to view (they will also be available to view from the Tollesboro Lions Club website, www.tollesborolions.com). To view the videos, type in the following URLs into your web-browser:
Local Historic Videos
Cabin Creek Covered Bridge, Tollesboro, KY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTEEh2ShgLk
Tollesboro, KY and It's Connection to Horse-Racing Royalty - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IbtwrfHe_w
Goddard Covered Bridge, Fleming Co., KY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QolHPiwzAZ4
SERVING THE TOLLESBORO COMMUNITY SINCE 1954
EASTERN KENTUCKY WALKING AND RACKING HORSE ASSOCIATION TO HOLD HORSE SHOW AT TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB FAIRGROUNDS
The Eastern Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Association will host their annual Celebration Horse Show at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds Saturday, June 8th. This event, hosted by the Tollesboro Lions Club, will be the first time that the group's Horse Show will be held in Tollesboro.
The event will begin at 6 pm., and will include 32 Classes. DOUBLE POINTS AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE EKWRHA. Classes will include: 1). Lead Line; 2). Open JuvenileTrail Pleasure Walking (English or Western Attire, 3/8 or 3/4 inch shoe, tungsten prohibited); 3). Open Ladies and Men's Pleasure (English attire/tack or Western attire/tack, 1/2 or 2 shoe maximum); 4). Juvenile 17 & Under Specialty Walking Horse (no Stallions); 5). Trail Pleasure Racking (English or Western attire); 6). Juvenile Racking Horse 17 & Under (Action Device); 7). Plantation Pleasure Open Specialty Walking Horse (1/2 or 1 1/2 maximum shoe size); 8). Show Pleasure Open Specialty Walking Horse; 9). Amateur Racking (Action Device); 10). Open Juvenile Pleasure Horse/Pony (English attire/tack or Western attire/tack, 1/2 or 1" shoe max.); 11). Open Amateur Specialty Walking Horse; 12). Pleasure Racking (English Attire); 13). Amateur Country Pleasure Walking Horse (3/8 or 1" shoe maximum, tungsten prohibited); 14). Three Year Old Walking Horse; 15). Juvenile Trail Pleasure Racking (no shoe size requirements, English or Western attire); 16). All Day Pleasure (shoe size 3/8 & 3/4, no tungsten); 17). Juvenile Country Pleasure Racking. INTERMISSION: Stick Horse Class, Please Register! 18). Ladies Auxiliary Walking Horse; 19). Spotted Saddle Horse Trail Pleasure; 20). Juvenile Walking Pony; 21). Country Pleasure Racking; 22). Amateur Owned & Trained Specialty Walking Horse (no professional training in past 30 days); 23). Lite Shod Plantation; 24). Amateur 15.2 & Under Walking Horse; 25). Keg Shod Country Pleasure Walking Horse (stamped Keg shoe, tungsten prohibited); 26). Novice Rider Walking Horse (cannot have won at blue ribbon at a KY-HIO Show in last 3 years); 27). Open Spotted Saddle Horse; 28). Park Performance Walking Horse; 29). Trail Pleasure Walking (English or Western attire, tungsten prohibited); 30). Four Year Old Walking Horse; 31). Pleasure Horse Championship (shoe size 3/8 or 3/4, no tungsten); 32). Denzil Allen Memorial Walking Horse Championship (Specialty).
Entry fees: Class 1 - $0; Premium Trophy & Ribbon to all; Classes 2 - 31 Entry Fee $25, Premiums $55, $40, $30, $15, R; Class 32-34 Entry Fee $60, Premiums $200, $150, $100, $50.
Show Manager: Dalton Howard; Affiliations: KY-HIO, Eastern Kentucky Walking & Racking Horse Association; Appalachian Walking and Racking Horse Association; Kentucky Walking Horse Association; Central Kentucky Racking Horse Association.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB MUD SLING JUNE 15TH
ORANGEBURG VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CAR SHOW AT TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB JUNE 15TH
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB TO HOST DAVID IERY FOUNDATION LOG JAM BLUEGRASS CONCERT
The Tollesboro Lions Club will host the David Iery Log Jam Bluegrass Concert at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds on June 29th. This will be the 5th Annual Log Jam Event and the second event held at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds as the event was held at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds last year, a two day event, August 18th and 19th, with prior years held on top of the hill on private property off Quick's Run Road. This year's event will consist of only the one day, Saturday, June 29th, and will begin at NOON. There are five very talented, well known Bluegrass Musical Groups scheduled to appear INCLUDING: HILLBILLY TRADITION; AUTHENTIC TRADITION; ELIJAH BOGGS AND THE MOUNTAIN ECHOES; THE WILLIS TWINS; and HAMMERTOWN. The event will feature live Bluegrass Music, homecooked food, and children's activities! Tickets are $30 at the gate! COME ON OUT AND KICK YOUR HEELS UP! For additional information, contact Myron Iery at 606-202-3753.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB MEETING JUNE 24TH
The Tollesboro Lions Club met Monday, June 24th at 7 pm at their Clubhouse on the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds with ____ members present and 4 guests. President Craig Stanfield opened the meeting thanking the guests who consisted of two scholarship recipients each accompanied by a member of their family, the asked Secretary Phil Cropper to offer Prayer, and Lion Charles Kendall to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. The group then broke for dinner with the guests leading the way.
Following dinner, President Stanfield made scholarship presentations to Amira Quassis and Hannah Miller, each of whom received a Certificate and a check for $500 to go towards their higher education plans. After the Scholarship presentations, the guests were permitted to leave before the start of the business meeting.
Secretary Phil Cropper then presented the minutes from the last meeting which were approved as read. No financial report was provided as Treasurer/District Governor Steve Pedersen was absent, representing Kentucky Lions at the International Convention in Australia.
President Stanfield then informed the group of the significant site improvements being made on the Fairgrounds which include: 1). Widening of the middle entrance on Fairgrounds Road. This is a significant undertaking, involving the removal of part of the fence, removing a significant amount of dirt and top soil, and leveling (and potentially paving). 2). Some leveling of a small ditch-line which involved laying culvert pipes, and leveling the grounds impacted (also a significant project including bringing in significant fill dirt). 3). A new shelter was constructed upon the grounds for use during archery tournament events. This structure is 24' x 40' and has a ceiling. 4). Electrification and water installation to the Peoples Bank of Ohio building that had been placed on the Fairgrounds last year, this building placed on the Fairgrounds to serve as a First Aid/Lost and Found structure. It was announced that this building will be manned by the Lewis County Ambulance Service and the Lewis County Health Department during the Fair, which requires electrification and plumbing services to permit lighting and placement of a window air conditioning structure, with the water installation permitting a sink for hand-washing, wound cleaning, etc. It was also announced that an AED unit will be placed in this building, provided by the Tollesboro Volunteer Fire Department. 5). A small building that the Club had recently placed on the grounds to be utilized by members during the fair to collect gate monies is also being electrified, again to permit lighting and a window air conditioning unit. President Stanfield also announced that 4-C Farms had graciously offered to pay for the costs of this structure and became a new Elite Sponsor. 6). A door opening had been created in the Floral Hall. The new door will be installed next week.
President Stanfield then discussed recent as well as upcoming events. Under recent events, it was discussed that the Summer Trade Days --- which had a HUGE number of vendors --- was impacted by the 90+ degree weather conditions this past weekend. The Mud Sling last weekend was successful, however the Orangeburg VFD Car Show and Cornhole Tournament was not very successful, impacted by competition (there were two car shows elsewhere the same day). The Eastern Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Association Celebration Horse Show 2 weekends ago was a success. Under Upcoming Events: 1). The Log Jam Bluegrass Concert would be this weekend. 2). A Poker Run/Food Truck Event to support the Tolllesboro Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) was planned for July 6th; however this event had been cancelled. 3). The Tollesboro Lions Club Fair schedule was available and had been submitted to local newspapers for publication.
Under New Business, the Club approved an Archery Tournament for August 24th. Fair Schedule cards were being printed and would be available to members next week. Cow Bingo tickets have been printed; while they were available at the meeting and could have been passed out to members, it was announced that it would be attempted to find a sponsor and if a sponsor was located, stickers would be obtained and placed on the back of each ticket before ticket sales would begin.
Being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
KENTUCKY LIONS CONTINUE TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD VICTIMS
Chuck Carlson (Past President of the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation and current member of the Board of Trustees of the LKEF) of the Florence Lions Club, Karen Nitschke (Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation Board of Trustees and District 43-Y Region 2 Trustee) of the Independence Lions Club, and Tollesboro Lions Club's Treasurer as well as District Governor Steven Pedersen traveled once again to Eastern Kentucky to offer assistance to flood victims as the areas continue to recover from catastrophic flooding. Armed with $10,000 from a Lions Club International Foundation Grant, they proceeded to improve life by offering to purchase appliances and furniture for six families in Eastern Kentucky as they prepare and plan to relocate into permanent housing. With these grant monies, they purchased items for families in the Hindman, Hazard, Jackson and Neon Community Lions Club communities. It was such a rewarding service project knowing these six families are one step closer to moving in their new or remodeled homes. A great big shout out for all these dedicated Lions serving their communities.
ORANGEBURG LIONS CLUB HOSTS ZONE MEETING
The Orangeburg Lions Club hosted a Zone Meeting for Zone Chairman Craig Stanfield, Monday, June 17th, at their Clubhouse on the Day Pike in Maysville at 6:30 pm with 31 members representing 5 of the 6 Lions Clubs within the Zone (the only Club not represented was Mays Lick).
Prior to the beginning of the meeting, Florence Lions Club member and Past President of the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation Chuck Carlson was on hand to offer Lions Club logo shirts, hats, and other items available for purchase to Lions Club members.
At 6:30 pm, President Shelby Trimble opened the meeting and asked Lion Dennis Truesdell to provide prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The group then broke for dinner, which was a wonderful meal that included pulled pork and lots of side items, plus an assortment of desserts. Zone Chairman Stanfield had to cut his attendance short due to a previously unscheduled and rather sudden appointment. Therefore he gave a (very brief) statement about the Tollesboro Lions Club's past weekend Mud Sling, this coming weekend's Summer Trade Days Event; next weekend's Log Jam Bluegrass Concert, and of course, the upcoming Tollesboro Lions Club Fair, July 12th through 20th and July 26th and 27th.
He then introduced Chuck Carlson and Steve Pedersen (state officers), and announced that his term would end June 30th and that Angela Jett (of the Maysville Lions Club, present at the meeting) would take his position as Zone Chairman. The then thanked the Orangeburg Lions Club for hosting the meeting and providing the dinner and left District Governor Steve Pedersen to chair the meeting. A thank you to District Governor Steve Pedersen and to future Zone Chairman Angela Jett for taking notes for the completion of this press release.
Steve had a couple of presentations and a report to make. He awarded Orangeburg Lions Club President Shelby Trimble with the International President's Certificate of Appreciation for sponsoring 10 new members. The second presentation to be an additional International President's Certificate of Appreciation, to have been presented to Vanceburg Lions Club member Bill Tom Stone also for sponsoring a number of new members, howeever Bill Tom was not present for the presentation. Steve also announced that he, Chuck Carlson, and Karen Nitchke had traveled to Eastern Kentucky armed with a $10,000 Lions Club International grant which was used to purchase appliances and furnishings for victims of the catastrophic flooding who had lost everything, purchasing these items to aid 6 families who were about to relocate into permanent housing (either new or renovated homes).
Lion Chuck Carlson of the Florence Lions Club and a Past President of the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation (KLEF) talked about he relief program, the upcoming Cabinet Meeting August 10th at the Florence Lins Club, the upcoming Forum September in Louisville, and Golf For Sight in Frankfort October 10th with a Live Auction benefiting KLEF.
Each Club was then invited to discuss recent successes and upcoming events. The Lewisburg-Mill Creek Lions Club hosts two Horse Shows as fund-raisers each year. Their May Show was a success and their Fall Show will be September 14th.
The Orangeburg Lions Club's main fund-raiser is their annual Fall Festival in October. They are applying for grants to build a park on property that was donated to the Club several years ago.
The Vanceburg Lions Club is hosting a raffle for a firearm to be given away July 6th. They have attracted a gain of 9 new members in the last year. They are also working in conjunction with the Lewis County Public Library to purchase more large print books to help vision-impaired (a Lions Club International project). They sponsored 4 scholarships. Upcoming fund-raisers include softball and basketball tournaments, and a golf scramble.
The Maysville Lions Club had a very successful Lions Club Radio Auction recently, their largest annual fund-raiser. They provided a scholarship to a student furthering their education. They will be conducting a fund-raiser in September and a Chili cook-off in October.
Being no further business or reports to discuss, the meeting adjourned.
COW BINGO RETURNS TO TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB FAIR
The always popular COW BINGO returns once again to the Tollesboro Lions Club Fair. This is a game of chance where a $10 ticket buys a spot within a fenced-in area where a cow is turned loose within an enclosure, and when she "turns loose" - which she ultimately will do, although a time frame is strictly up the cow - she will "choose" a winner who will receive $500! A fun but inexpensive game of chance where you can help support the Tollesboro Lions Club and perhaps win some money too! The cow will be "turned loose" the last day of the Fair, July 27th, so you have from now until then to purchase tickets. Rules and a rendition (a photo is worth a 1,000 words) on the sample ticket (attached to this article) further explain the process. You'd be surprised at some of the crowds that have gathered around to watch/wait for the cow to "do her thing". This event was held last year after a long absence and the cow chose the winner rather quickly. But about 20 years ago, the cow "took her own sweet time", taking several hours to "go", with a big crowd - around 50 persons coming and going - gathered around to watch the cow (luckily we had bleachers set up to accommodate the crowd). To make it fair (and so that the crowd doesn't attempt to influence the cow to move to a particular area), the "field" is digitally arranged, with no one knowing where their space on the "field" is located (we learned that aspect the first year), and spaces/tickets are totally random, mixed up and arranged to match the number of rows/spaces to accommodate the number of tickets sold.
Tickets can be purchased at Rip's Farm Center, Craig Stanfield Real Estate & Auction Service, or from any Lions Club member and will be available (until they are sold out) and during the Fair offered at some of the gates (Shane Wallingford will have tickets available on nights when he is working the gate or assisting with parking! He outsold ALL members last year!!). Chances are limited to 500 ticket sales. Buy your tickets today (get one for each member of the family, children, grandchildren, everyone who is important to you!). This event was conducted at last year's fair after a long absence. While the odds are maxed out at 1:500, last year only around 230 tickets were sold, meaning that odds were enhanced to 1:230). You don't even have to be present to win! As someone said a few years ago “It's the only game I know where it pays to get *^*^*^ on!”.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB FEBRUARY MEETING BUSY WITH NEW MEMBERS,
NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS
The Tollesboro Lions Club met Monday, February 12th at 7 pm at their Clubhouse on the grounds of the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds with 15 members present.
President Craig Stanfield opened the meeting with Prayer, followed by member Charles Kendall leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. The group then broke for dinner provided by Skeeter and Sonia Shaw.
Following dinner, Secretary Phil Cropper provided the minutes from the January meeting, followed by Treasurer Steve Pedersen going over the Club's finances.
District Governor Steve Pedersen then presented two new members with pins and membership packets. The Club welcomed new members Alan Henderson and Brendan Bussell. Member Denny Hornback sponsored Alan Henderson and Brendan Bussell was sponsored by Steve Pedersen. Denny and Steve were provided with Sponsor pins.
Under Old Business, Craig presented the Club with the specs of the building being ordered from Kountry Korner Barns & Cabins for use as a shelter for those working the gates during the Tollesboro Lions Club Fair and other events held at the Fairgrounds (this to replace a structure that had been irreparably damaged at the closing of last year's Fair). The structure is to be an 8' x 12' overall structure, metal sided, 8' x 8' enclosed, with a 4' wide covered porch, red metal siding, white roof, with a door and two windows.
Under New Business, several items were discussed. Steve Pedersen, Club Treasurer and also the District Governor, mentioned the 2024 District 43-Y Convention to be in Lexington, March 9th, encouraging membership to attend (President Craig Stanfield and Second Vice President Jim Meadows will be in attendance, and will be voting members representing the Tollesboro Lions Club).
Craig, also serving as Zone Chairman, then invited members to attend a Zone Meeting at the T.ollesboro Lions Club Monday, March 4th at 6 pm. There are 6 Clubs within the Zone, including Tollesboro, and Craig had already been in contact with members from the Mays Lick, Vanceburg, Orangeburg, and Maysville Lions Clubs and will contact members of the Lewisburg Club, and all Clubs within the Zone are encouraged to attend and encouraged to turn-in the numbers of members planning to attend as a meal will be provided so as to ensure that adequate food is prepared.
Next, Steve mentioned District 43-Y's program "A JOURNEY TO RECOVERY" intended to offer Eastern Kentucky Flood Victims additional funds for those who lost everything, who have now been provided with housing, but who are still in need of basics (pots, pans, dinnerware, flatware, towels, sheets, blankets, glassware, coffee pots, blankets, toasters, etc.). The District is applying for a grant from Lions International and is encouraging Clubs throughout the District to donate additional funds for this project. Funds raised will be used to purchase basics for presentation to those in need through Lions Clubs located at Hazard, Neeon, Hindman, and Jackson. A motion was then made and properly seconded for the Tollesboro Lions Club to donate $2,500 towards this project, a motion that was approved unanimously.
Craig then brought up that Skeeter had provided him with a flyer for the upcoming 6th Annual Tollesboro Spring Trade Days to be held at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds May 2nd through May 5th. This Flea Market Event has been growing steadily - especially over the last 2 years - with vendors offering new and used items, antiques, tools, guns, baked and home-made goods, arts and crafts, and more! For additional information and to reserve vendor space, vendors are encouraged to contact Richard "Skeeter" Shaw by phone (606) 798-6134 or (606) 356-8043.
Secretary Phil Cropper provided a letter from Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation requesting support of the Kentucky Mr. & Ms. Basketball Program. The Club opted to support this program by means of a $250 donation.
The Club also opted to contribute $250 to the ION Center (formerly the Womens Crisis Center) or Maysville as well as $250 to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Maysville.
The Club discussed this year's Annual Tollesboro Lions Club Fair. This year the Fair will be July 12th through July 20th. Normally, the Horse Show is held at the first weekend of the Fair, meaning July 12th and 13th. However, Lion Paul Hampton informed the Club that this timing would place the Tollesboro Lions Club Horse Show in direct competition with the Owensboro Horse Show. Therefore, Paul made a motion, which was properly seconded and approved, to hold the Tollesboro Lions Club Fair Horse Show July 26th and 27th, the weekend following the Fair so as not to conflict with other Fair events. The Club is looking at new events to add to the first weekend of the Fair (in addition to the Tug Tractor Pull).
Being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
QUARTER AUCTION FUND-RAISERS HELD AT THE TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB
Two quarter auctions have been conducted at the Tollesboro Lions Club Clubhouse to benefit local organizations. One was conducted to benefit the Center Academy Dance Team and was successful in raising nearly $740. A second was held that benefited the Vanceburg United Methodist Church Food Pantry and raised approximately $500 with a small crowd (due to weather conditions).
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB PRESENTS CHECKS TO LOCAL GROUPS
At the February meeting of the Tollesboro Lions Club, the Club voted to provide donations in the amount of $250 to the ION Center (formerly the Womens Crisis Center) in Maysville, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), also in Maysville. President Craig Stanfield opted to make the presentations as he was conducting a benefit auction on behalf of CASA February 17th and could drop off the check at the ION Center the same day.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB DONATES TO KENTUCKY LIONS PROJECT BENEFITING EASTERN KENTUCKY
At the February meeting of the Tollesboro Lions Club, the Club opted to support District 43-Y's program "A JOURNEY TO RECOVERY" intended to offer Eastern Kentucky Flood Victims additional funds for those who lost everything, who have now been provided with housing, but who are still in need of basics (pots, pans, dinnerware, flatware, towels, sheets, blankets, glassware, coffee pots, blankets, toasters, etc.). The District is applying for a grant from Lions International and is encouraging Clubs throughout the District to donate additional funds for this project. Funds raised will be used to purchase basics for presentation to those in need through Lions Clubs located at Hazard, Neon, Hindman, and Jackson. A motion was then made and properly seconded for the Tollesboro Lions Club to donate $2,500 towards this project, a motion that was approved unanimously.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB DONATES TO KLEF
At the February meeting of the Tollesboro Lions Club, the Club opted to support the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation (KLEF) with a donation of $250. From the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation website: Founded in 1954, The Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation (KLEF) is a charitable non-profit organization with a philanthropic goal whose mission is to provide vision services through education, detection, prevention, treatment and empowerment. Through collaborative partnerships, we enable greater independence and increased quality of life for all Kentuckians while focusing on children and adults in financial need. The Foundation’s activities are supported through funds contributed by Lions & Lioness Clubs, individual members, businesses, benefactors, fundraising events, memorials and bequests.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB TO HOST ZONE MEETING MARCH 4TH
Tollesboro Lions Club President Craig Stanfield is the Region 2, Zone 3 Zone Chairman representing the Lions Clubs within the area. Six clubs make up Region 2, Zone 3. The Clubs represented by Zone Chairman Stanfield are: Vanceburg, Lewisburg-Mill Creek, Mays Lick, Maysville, Orangeburg and Tollesboro. The Tollesboro Lions Club will host a Zone Meeting, Monday, March 4th, at the Tollesboro Lions Club at 6:00 PM; a meal will be provided. Chuck Carlson, of the Florence Lions Club, Past President of the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation, plans to attend the meeting. Craig contacted members of all of the Clubs in the Zone and invited them to attend, indicating that a meal would be provided and asking for an indication of the number of members that each Club may send in order to insure adequate food would be prepared. All of the Club's have responded indicating that they will send representatives! This is a welcome change as typically only a few members tend to attend and typically only a few Clubs are represented. As of February 29th, 34 Lions Club members from Clubs within the Zone (and this does not include members of the host club, the Tollesboro Lions Club) have confirmed attendance. Therefore, Tollesboro Lions Club President Craig Stanfield opted to change the date of the Club's regular meeting to coincide with the Zone Meeting (this is as the Tollesboro Lions Club, which normally meets at 7 pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from March through November --- only meeting the second Monday of the month from December through February --- would have 3 meetings in March. Therefore, due to the expected turnout of the Zone meeting, it was decided to rearrange the schedule so that members of the Tollesboro Lions Club could attend Monday, March 4th and not have a business meeting March 11th, as the Club will be having a meeting March 25th). Therefore the Tollesboro Lions Club will meet March 4th and March 25th this month and NOT meet March 11th.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB HOSTS ZONE & REGULAR MEETING MARCH 4TH
The Tollesboro Lions Club hosted a Zone Meeting Monday, March 4th, at their Lions Club Clubhouse in Tollesboro. The meeting began at 6 pm., with 45 persons in attendance. Tollesboro Lions Club President/Kentucky Multiple District 43-Y/Region 2/ Zone 3 Chairman Craig Stanfield opened the meeting with Prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by District Governor/Tollesboro Lions Club Treasurer Steve Pedersen. The group then broke for dinner, a wonderful meal of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked macaroni and cheese, green beans, rolls, with a dessert of chocolate brownie with ice cream with hot fudge (the meal was provided by Skeeter and Sonya Shaw).
Following dinner, Chairman Stanfield opened the meeting, thanking those in attendance. He then asked the members of each Club to rise as their Club was announced so that a count could be conducted. There are six Clubs in the Zone and all six were represented. The Maysville Lions Club was represented by one member; the Mays Lick Lions Club and the Mill Creek/Lewisburg Lions Club were each represented by 3 members; the Orangeburg Lions Clubs and the Vanceburg Lions Club were each represented by 10 members (Orangeburg did add an underage child guest); and the host Club had 15 members in attendance. Also attending, from the Independence Lions Club was Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation 43-Y Region 2 Trustee Karen Nitschke and from the Florence Lions Club Past President Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation Past President Chuck Carlson.
Craig then invited a member of each Club to identify what projects that their Club had participated in.
The Maysville Club indicated that they had just begun sending out letters requesting donations for their main fund-raiser, the Maysville Lions Club Radio Auction, which will run from April 8 through April 13th. They also have blessed with the addition of 4 new members. Member Angela Jett was seeking the position of 2024-2025 Zone Chairman.
Next, the Mays Lick Lions Club stated that they planned a Pancake Breakfast for April 6th; are planning to clean highways this summer; plan to provide concessions for the Tractor Show at the Mays Lick Mill; had benefited by 2 new members joining the Club; and meet regularly to play Euchre.
The Mill Creek-Lewisburg Lions Club indicated that they were planning two Horse Shows this year, the first scheduled for May 25th, the second scheduled for September 14th. They were blessed with the addition of a new member.
Vanceburg had several new members in attendance and was to go next. However, Zone Chairman Stanfield decided to have all members present who had been Lions Club members for less than one year to stand and be recognized. Ten members stood up representing a number of Clubs within the Zone representing 4 of the 6 Clubs in the Zone (Mays Lick, Orangeburg, Vanceburg and Tollesboro)! This is a great statement to the future of Lions Club International as many Clubs and organizations are having a hard time showing growth and there were present in the Zone Meeting 10 persons who had joined their respective Lions Club within the past year in attendance at a Zone Meeting, a meeting that was represented by every Club within the Zone, an impressive statement in itself, with 45 members in attendance, another impressive statement!
Vanceburg then indicated that it had been BLESSED with 8 or 9 new members (many of who were present) within the last year! They just completed their sponsorship of the Annual Elementary School Basketball Tournament, a tournament that they have sponsored for in excess of 60 years. They had recently donated to "Night to Shine", the Raylen Project, Shop With A Cop, Scholarships for Lewis County High School graduates, and Warrior Ridge. They had also participated in eyeglasses and eye exams. They are planning a 10 & Under and an 8 & Under Softball Tournament (Saturday, July 20th) as well as a Golf Tournament.
Orangeburg then stepped to the plate. They had moved their regular meeting to attend the Zone Meeting. They had 15 new members since July! They too have a Pancake Breakfast scheduled for April 6th. They had received the 2023 Lions Club Excellence Award. They had recently provided tenure pins for their members, with one member receiving the 35 year pin (Shelby Trimble). They are planning their annual Soup/Live Auction Fall Festival Event and Shelby asked Lion Stanfield how many years it had been ongoing, to which Craig responded since 1989. This is the Orangeburg Lions Club's largest fund-raiser, an instance of "Lions Helping Lions" as Craig has been conducting this auction for all those many years! This year's Fall Festival Soup and Live Auction Fall Festival Event is scheduled for October 19th.
The host Club was next. The Tollesboro Club is planning their Annual Lions Club Fair which will be July 12th through 20th. This year, the Horse Show will be July 25th and July 26th. The Club has recently donated $2500 to Kentucky Lions "Journey to Recovery" Project, an ongoing project still benefiting Flood Victims from Eastern Kentucky to improve living conditions. The Club had also donated $250 each to Maysville CASA, the ION Center, and to the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation.
Following the Zone Meeting, Lions Chuck Carlson and Karen Nitschke made brief presentations. Karen presented a commercial featuring Louisville, Kentucky, the site for this year's the upcoming USA-Canada Forum, which will be Sept. 5th through 7th. Lion Carlson discussed the State Convention April 27th in Elizabethtown, KY; and the District Convention this weekend (March 9th) in Lexington, KY.
Following this presentation, in order to give the members an opportunity to visit a table setup by Lions Carlson and Nitschke, to examine and purchase Lions Club International clothing, pins, medallions, and to purchase chances for a Kentucky Rifle to be given away by KLEF. The Clubs in attendance were then permitted to leave (Tollesboro Lions Club members were requested to stay to participate in their own Club meeting following the Zone meeting).
The Tollesboro Lions Club meeting began at approximately 7:45 PM with 15 members in attendance. In the absence of Secretary Phil Cropper, Lion Stanfield read the press release from the last meeting in lieu of the minutes; they were accepted as read. Lion Pedersen informed the members that the State Aid Request had been submitted and approved for the 2024 Lions Club Fair. With no new business brought before the group, a motion was made and subsequently seconded to adjourn.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB REPRESENTED AT DISTRICT 43-Y CONVENTION
The Tollesboro Lions Club present and represented at the District 43-Y Lions Club Convention, Saturday, March 9th, in Lexington, KY. Tollesboro Lions Club Treasurer Steve Pedersen is the District Governor. Twenty-one Clubs were represented, with 65 persons in attendance. District Governor Pedersen presided over the meeting which began at 9:30 am. The meeting opened with Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Third District Cabinet meeting was held. Officer nominations for the coming year were made prior to lunch, with the election to be conducted following lunch.
The Tollesboro Lions Club provided the lunch --- cooked by Jim Meadows of Rip's Farm Center, delivered by Tollesboro Lions Club President Craig Stanfield --- which consisted of pork tenderloin sandwiches, baked beans, cheesy potatoes, cole slaw, and desserts of peach cobbler and apple crisp. Following lunch, the elections were held for upcoming year offices. The election was conducted electronically, with delegates/registered voters provided a link by mobile phone to place their votes.
Following lunch, International Director Edwin "Guy" Hollander, of the Lawrenceburg KY Lions Club was introduced as the Guest Speaker. Among other subjects discussed, Guy presented the group with a Powerpoint presentation that included video of the Kentucky National Guard rescuing flood victims of Eastern Kentucky; video showing the flooded homes, schools, and communities affected by the flooding in Eastern Kentucky; and roadways and damaged infrastructure in Eastern Kentucky caused by the flooding. He also highlighted recovery efforts led by Lions Clubs delivering food, fans, tarps, generators, Lp gas heaters, clothing (coats, socks, gloves, etc.), gift certificates, drive-thru feeding lines, and other provisions to serve those impacted by the significant flooding. It was also mentioned that recovery efforts are continuing through present day, with the District 43Y's program "A Journey To Recovery" intended to provide needed basics to those to who lost everything. The "Journey To Recovery"'s goal is to raise $12,000 to support flood victims with toasters, towels, flatware, dishes, glasses, pots and pans, blankets, sheets, coffee pots, and microwaves to assist flood victims as they move from temporary structures to permanent housing (NOTE: The goal of $12,000 was met during the Convention. The Tollesboro Lions Club contributed $2500 towards this project!).
Election results were then confirmed: Lion Todd Rosenbloom of Louisville Lions Club was elected as District Governor. Lion April Ferguson of Mt. Sterling Lions Club was elected First Vice Governor; with Lion Lee Morrison, Jr. of Lexington Lions Club elected Second Vice Governor, and Lion Bobby Thorpe, Jr. of the Jackson Lions Club elected Third Vice Governor. Lion Cindy Francis of Hazard Lions Club was elected as Council Associate. Lion Pam Powers of Shelby County Lions Club was elected Region 1, Zone 2 Chairperson with Lion Robert Heironymous of Georgetown Lions Club elected Region 1, Zone 3 Chairman; for Region 2, Zone 1 Chairperson David Nitschke of Independence Lions Club was elected to fill the position; Lion Angela Jett of the Maysville Lions Club was elected Region 2, Zone 3 Chairperson; Lion Cecil Rucker of Greenup Lions Club elected Region 4, Zone 1 Chairperson; Lion Bobby Thorpe, Jr. of the Jackson Lions Club was elected as Region 4, Zone 3 Chairperson; PCC Sue Collins of the Fairdale Lions Club was elected KLEF Region 1 Trustee for a 2 year term; PCC George Lonneman of the Erlanger Lions Club was elected as the Region 2 KLEF Trustee for a 2 year term; Lion Cynthia Ferguson of the Lexington Lions Club was elected as the KLEF Region 3 Trustee for a 1 year term; and Lion Robert Shelton of the Jacksson Lions Club was elected to fill a 2 year KLEF Trustee position.
Past District Governor David Moose and Past International Director Tom Matney then spoke to the group about Lions Club International Foundation news and the Multiple District 43 Convention to be April 27th in Elizabethtown, KY.
Clubs were then invited to announce their upcoming projects. Lion Stanfield represented the Tollesboro Club, mentioning several upcoming events including: Arbor Day Tree Giveaway (trees available beginning March 27th, including 312 free trees including Red Southern Oaks, Black Walnuts, Dogwoods, and Paw-Paws); an appearance by Auntie Annie's Pretzels as a fund-raiser for the Tollesboro Elementary School March 28th; the May 3 through May 5th Spring Trade Days; the 67th Annual Tollesboro Lions Club Fair July 12th through 20th; the Tollesboro Lions Club Fair Horse Show July 26th and 27th. He also announced that April 30th is the 70th Anniversary of the signing of the Club's Charter (1954).
Following the presentation of upcoming projects by individuals of those Clubs present, Lion District Governor Steve Pedersen recognized and presented awards. Two members of the Tollesboro Lions Club were among those recognized: Lion Jim Meadows (Lion Meadows could not be present at the Convention) and Lion Craig Stanfield. Numerous other persons who had supported the District Governor during his term of service were also recognized. Door prizes were then presented. The meeting closed with a benediction by District Governor Steve Pedersen.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS
The Tollesboro Lions Club will once again present scholarships to local high school graduates intending to further their education. Tollesboro Lions Club Scholarship applications need to be completed and turned in by April 19th, 2024 (NOTE: This is not a postmarked date, this is a received by date).
Applications may be mailed to the Tollesboro Lions Club Secretary Phil Cropper as the chairman of the Scholarship Committee) at 1758 Burtonville Road, Tollesboro, KY 41189 (alternatively, the completed scholarship application may be delivered to other members of the Scholarship Committee, John Redmond or Denny Hornback prior to the April 19th, 5:00 PM deadline).
The Scholarship Committee will review the scholarship applications and make recommendations to the Club for approval on their April 22nd meeting. The Club will give 3 recipients $500 (although number of recipients and the amount is subject to the Scholarship Committee purview/Tollesboro Lions Club review/approval). Last year, the Tollesboro Lions Club was blessed with an anonymous donation and an additional scholarship (in memory of 55 year member Larry Tucker) that permitted the Club to offer 7 graduates $500 each to further their educational pursuits, two from Mason County High School, 5 from Lewis County High School.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB APPROACHES 70 YEAR MILESTONE
The Tollesboro Lions Club announces that they will soon be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the signing of their Charter. Founded in 1954, chartered April 30, 1954. Our first president was Charles M. Hughes. The first organizational meeting was held Dec. 12, 1953.When we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Tollesboro Lions Club on April 30, 2004, two charter members of the club not only maintained their membership from Charter Member to remain a member and survived to serve 50 years (Samuel M. “Mack” Wright lived until Feb., 20, 2015, surviving to extend the term of his membership to 61 years; Julian E. “Elmo” Gillespie actually passed away Feb. 23, 2004 just prior to the celebration of the April 30, 2004 Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Charter signing of the Tollesboro Lions Club. However he was a 50 year member of the organization as was involved in the organization of the club in the months prior to the chartering ceremony).
The TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB CHARTER CEREMONY was held April 30, 1954, with 20 members signing the Charter. The CHARTER MEMBERS of the club are listed following (in the order in which their names appeared on the Official Charter): Charles M. Hughes (the First President of the Tollesboro Lions Club), Chelsea A. Merritt, Owen Cooper, Howard Frye, Ermen L. Boyd, Scott S. Corns, Newell E. Rudder, W. B. "Buddy" Grant, Henry Calvert, Martin L. Voiers, Eugene Fox, Samuel M. "Mack" Wright, Charles A. Bane, Julian E. "Elmo" Gillespie, Harry L. Applegate, Harvey Brayfield, Lavae Secrest, Tommy Barbour, Boyd Harrison, and Orville "O. S." Highfield. NOTE: In the program for the first OFFICIAL Meeting, conducted May 18, 1954 recognized as "CHARTER NIGHT" (although 18 days following the signing of the Official Charter), 24 members are named rather than the 20 members who signed the official charter. The members who apparently joined the club after the Charter was signed but prior to the CHARTER NIGHT meeting include: Russell Barbour, Charles Secrest, Bruce Barkley, and Omer Hamlin.
Our first fair conducted in 1957, a one-day event held at the Tollesboro High School (prior to the acquisition of the fairgrounds), only 3 years after our club's organization. We have come a long way since then! We acquired the first portion of our grounds in 1960, only 6 years after our Club's organization. We have expanded the Fairgrounds over the years to include approximately 30 acres. We eventually expanded our fair to a week-long event. In the late 1990s, we expanded our fair to a 9 day event, in order to provide us with two weekends and to expand the number of events that we could host. This year our Fair will be held over 3 weekends, 11 days total, from July 12th through 20th, with the Horse Show to be held July 25th and 26th.
We are still a small Club, with 37 members; however we are an active and vital part of our community and conduct many projects to benefit the community and the members of our local community and expanding our reach to those in need (providing aid to Eastern Kentucky Flood Victims have been a priority since July of 2022 and continuing through present day). Our Club currently provides for a Zone Chairman (Craig Stanfield) and the District Governor (Steve Pedersen), and have a philosophy of “Lions Helping Lions”, offering assistance to other Lions Clubs, for decades.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB TO HOST EASTERN KENTUCKY WALKING AND RACKING HORSE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL SHOW
The Tollesboro Lions Club will host the Eastern Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Association Horse Show. The Eastern Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Association will put on the event June 8th at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds. This will be the first time that the group has held their annual show at the Tollesboro facility. Last year's show was the Association's 34th Annual Show and it was conducted at the Stonecrest Equestrian Center in Prestonsburg, KY and offered 34 classes. The 2022 and 2021 shows were conducted in West Liberty, Kentucky and offered 33 and 31 classes respectively. The classes for this year's event have not been scheduled to date, but based upon the past performances, will likely include 30+ classes. For additional information, contact David Hampton (local Tollesboro Lions Club Event representative/coordinator between the Tollesboro Lions Club and the Eastern Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Association)) at 606-202-3802, or contact the Eastern Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Association or their membership directly (they have a Facebook page).
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB TO CELEBRATE CLUB'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY
The Tollesboro Lions Club will celebrate it's 70th Anniversary at their next meeting, April 22, 2024. The Club was chartered April 30, 1954 and had a Charter Night dinner May 18th, 1954 at the Tollesboro High School (this was a mere 3 years before the Club held it's first Fair, which was a one-day event in 1957, and several years before the Club's first real estate purchase in 1960!). The original charter was signed by 20 members; however by Charter Night, 25 Tollesboro residents claimed membership in the Tollesboro Lions Club.
On April 22nd, 2024, the Club will celebrate it's 70th Anniversary at 7:00 PM at the Tollesboro Lions Club Clubhouse situated upon the grounds of hte Tollesboro Lions Club Fairground. This meeting will be a Ladies Night Event whereby all members are requested to invite their spouse or significant other to the meeting for a special meal.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB TO HOST COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT MARCH 30TH
The Tollesboro Lions Club will host a Community Easter Egg Hunt March 30th, 2024 at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds. The event will begin with Sensory Hour from 11 am until Noon (Sensory Hour is for Special Needs children; there is no age restriction). Following the Sensory Hour, children will register and will be divided into several different age groups and search for hidden Easter eggs in contained areas beginning at approximately 12:30 pm. Tentative children age groups will consist of the following: Birth to 3 Years of Age; 4 to 6 Years of Age; 7 to 10 Years of Age; and 11 to 13 Years of Age (some groups may change depending upon the numbers enrolled). Event hosts will be Carol Cunningham and Tabby Tully Liles and volunteers are invited to assist them with stuffing and hiding eggs. Feel free to contact them for arrangements/details, or to volunteer. Volunteers are invited to assist in filling the eggs on days prior to the event, or to assist at the event): Carol: 606-202-1883; Tabby: 912-856-4687.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB MEETS MAY 27TH/MEMORIAL DAY
The Tollesboro Lions Club met Monday, May 27th, 2024, for their regularly scheduled meeting. As the meeting fell on Memorial Day, and as attendance therefore was estimated to be limited (with many members out of town, or celebrating the holiday with family and friends), no dinner was provided.
Seven members attended the meeting. The meeting opened with Prayer by Lion Phil Cropper and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Lion Charles Kendall. There were 7 members in attendance. President Stanfield asked Secretary Phil Cropper to read the minutes from the last meeting, which were approved. As the Treasurer was not in attendance, no financial report was provided. President Stanfield informed the group that it was time to elect officers, however due to the few persons in attendance, no nominations were made, no action taken.
President Stanfield, as Zone Chairman, announced that the Vanceburg Lions Club had hosted a Zone Meeting May 16th, a meeting that was well-attended, with 5 of the 6 Clubs within the Zone represented. Next, he informed the group that the Orangeburg Lions Club would host the next Zone Meeting, said meeting to be held at the Orangeburg Lions Club on June 17th. He informed the group that David Collins, a long-time member of the now defunct Washington Lions Club, had passed away May 18th, with a moment of silence held in his memory.
Next, President Stanfield reminded those in attendance of upcoming events, the June 8th Eastern Kentucky Walking and Racking Horse Show, the next meeting June 10th at which Scholarship recipients would be presented their awards, the June 20-23 Summer Trade Days Event, and the June 29th Log Jam Bluegrass Concert (all of these events to be held on the grounds of the Tollesboro Lions Club).
Next, Lion Lee Thomas, the Fair Chairman, presented the Club with a tentative Fair Schedule and informed the group that final decisions will need to be made at the next meeting so that the Schedule could be printed. It was also announced that invoices for Elite Sponsors had been mailed out. There was some discussions about signage on fences and other visible areas during the Fair. IT was suggested that all event chairpersons contact Eric Bloomfield with regards to any trophies that needed to be acquired. There was also some discussion about trash collection and port-a-potties. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
ORANGEBURG LIONS CLUB TO HOST ZONE MEETING, MON., JUNE 17TH
The Orangeburg Lions Club will host the next Zone Meeting Monday, June 17th, 2024, at their Lions Club Clubhouse located on the Day Pike at the intersection of Orangeburg Road and visible (just not accessible) from the “AA” Hwy (KY 9) between Maysville and Tollesboro. All Lions Clubs within the Zone (which includes Orangeburg, Tollesboro, Maysville, Vanceburg, Mays Lick and Lewisburg-Mill Creek) are invited to attend (however to insure that adequate food is provided to serve all attendees, members intending to attend should contact Zone Chairman Craig Stanfield at 606-301-3350 to RSVP so that he can turn in the numbers to Orangeburg). Each Club will be asked to inform other Clubs about upcoming projects and fund-raisers and are encouraged to apply for the Lions Club Excellence Award as well as to report their incoming officers for the 2024-2025 Year (which begins July 1, 2024 and runs through June 30, 2025). Zone Chairman Stanfield appreciates the Orangeburg Club for hosting this meeting, the last meeting that he will preside over as Zone Chairman (previous meetings were hosted by the Tollesboro Lions Club and the Vanceburg Lions Club).
AUNTIE ANNE'S PRETZELS TO MAKE APPEARANCE IN TOLLESBORO
Auntie Anne's Pretzels will make an appearance at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds on Thursday, March 28th from Noon until 6:00 PM as a fund-raiser for the Tollesboro Elementary School. The popular snack is visiting with their portable food truck as it has for the past few years! Always popular in the local community, last year there was a line of 20 persons when I showed up and by the time I placed my order, there were 20 new persons behind me waiting to place their order! AMAZING!
The Auntie Anne's Pretzels may be purchased by the individual soft pretzel, a pretzel dog (a hot dog wrapped in a pretzel!), or a bucket of pretzel pieces! They offer a wide selection of toppings and flavors, and they are extremely delicious!!!
WHILE YOUR VISITING, keep in mind that the Tollesboro Lions Club is offering FREE TREES to the public at large in commemoration of Arbor Day. The trees will include 100 each of Southern Red Oak, Black Walnut, and Dogwoods (courtesy of the Kentucky Department of Forestry, delivered to the Club by Forest Ranger Michael Carter) and a dozen Paw Paw Trees (courtesy of Kentucky State University; these will be required to take in groups of two trees as Paw Paw trees require a pollinator). Trees are free to the public, available “first-come/first-served”. Persons interested in picking up trees during the Auntie Annie's Pretzel stop should reserve their trees by contacting Tollesboro Lions Club President Craig Stanfield (606-301-3350) so that the trees can be made available to pick up.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB TREE GIVEAWAY AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS!!!
The Tollesboro Lions Club project to donate trees to the public in honor of Easter and Arbor Day was a truly successful event. The trees included Dogwoods, a symbol of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection, thus soooooo appropriate as a gift as we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter! Whereas Arbor Day is a date that people are encouraged to plant trees.
President Craig Stanfield traveled to Frankfort Tuesday, March 26th to the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm of Kentucky State University (the state's foremost producer of Paw-Paw trees) to meet Sheri Crabtree, MSc (the Horticulture Research and Extension Associate Academic Affairs agent of Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Community and the Sciences; and yes, that is her real name) to pickup a dozen Paw Paw trees (potted, fully leafed out, the best trees that Craig has picked up from the University to date, and this is the third time he has visited the farm to pick up Paw Paw trees to offer as part of the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Event) to giveaway (in pairs, as Paw Paws require a pollinator for fruit production). The next day, Wednesday, May 27th, Craig traveled to the Morgan County Tree Nursery of the Kentucky Forestry Service in West Liberty, Kentucky to pick up 100 Dogwood Trees, 100 Shumard Red Oak, and 100 Black Walnut trees (Michael Carter, Forest Ranger, normally delivers these trees; he did arrange for the trees but - due to a forest fire Monday evening-Tuesday morning, he was unable to deliver the trees and - while he could arrange for delivery on Wednesday, the date that trees were supposed to be available to pickup by the public, he could not guarantee a noon delivery; therefore Craig picked up the trees). These trees are bare-root trees, thus cheaper to supply, ready to plant. All in all, 312 trees picked up to giveaway to the public at large, an event that will result in improving the environment!
Upon his return at 11:00 AM from West Liberty, people were already contacting Lions Club to arrange pickup (Craig had received approximately 20 calls prior to the event from persons wanting to reserve trees. All of the Paw-Paw trees were claimed BEFORE Craig returned from Frankfort). To permit him to have access to internet and continue to work on the computer in between visits to pick up trees, Craig gave them away from his office, located at the intersection of KY 10 and KY 57, a highly visible location, placing a sign in his parking lot to alert people of the tree giveaway event. The sign included the Tollesboro Lions Club emblem, the logos of the Kentucky Forestry Service and Kentucky State University and indicated that the trees were free for Arbor Day planting and indicated the types of trees available.
Between 11 AM until 3:45 PM, OVER HALF of the trees had been claimed/given-away/distributed, with additional calls for pickup the next day. Craig had planned to have trees available at the Tollesboro Lions Club Thursday, March 28 during the Auntie Anne's Pretzel/Tollesboro Elementary School Fund-raiser, and at the Tollesboro Lions Club Saturday for the Community Easter Egg Hunt, March 30th. HOWEVER demand far exceeded expectations and all 312 trees were claimed and picked up from Craig at his office before the Auntie Anne's Pretzel Truck was setup, with the remaining trees (estimated to be 40 to 45% of the 312 trees) picked up between 10:30 and 11 AM!!! In all, 312 trees distributed to plant, free to the public, a good variety, resulting in improving the environment, with all trees claimed and given away in less than 24 hours!!! AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESS ALL THE WAY!!!
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY MEETING APRIL 22ND
The Tollesboro Lions Club met Monday, April 22nd at 7 pm at their Clubhouse on the grounds of the Tollesboro Fairgrounds
for their regularly scheduled meeting. However, this was no regular meeting. This meeting members met to CELEBRATE the
70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB'S FOUNDING!
The Club's first organizational meeting was conducted December 12, 1953. Following a few months of planning and meetings,
the TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB was chartered April 30, 1954, sponsored by the Vanceburg Lions Club. The Charter was
signed April 30, 1954, with 20 members present to sign the Charter (the CHARTER was signed by the following, listed in the
order in which their names appear on the official Charter: Charles M. Hughes (the First President of the Tollesboro Lions Club),
Chelsea A. Merritt, Owen Cooper, Howard Frye, Ermen L. Boyd, Scott S. Corns, Newell E. Rudder, W. B. "Buddy" Grant,
Henry Calvert, Martin L. “Newt” Voiers, Eugene Fox, Samuel M. "Mack" Wright, Charles A. Bane, Julian E. "Elmo" Gillespie,
Harry L. Applegate, Harvey Brayfield, Lavae Secrest, Tommy Barbour, Boyd Harrison, and Orville "O. S." Highfield. Less than
a month later, May 18th, 1954, a Charter Dinner was held at the Tollesboro High School and the Club had swelled to include 4
additional members (Russell Barbour, Charles Secrest, Bruce Barkley, and Omer Hamlin). All 24 members attended the Charter
Dinner, who were joined by Lions Club members from Maysville, Mt. Olivet, Flemingsburg, Vanceburg, and Germantown, in all
180 MEMBERS AND GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE!!! The Club's first officers were as follows: President Charles M. Hughes;
First Vice President Chelsea Merritt; Second Vice President Owen F. Cooper; Third Vice President Howard Frye; Secretary
Ermen L. Boyd; Treasurer Scott Corns; Tail Twister W. B. “Buddy” Grant; Lion Tamer Newell Rudder; Directors: Charles Bane,
Tommy Barbour, Charles Secrest, and Eugene Fox.
Thirty-five members and guests were in attendance at Monday's meeting, a “Ladie's Night” where members were encouraged
to bring their spouse, guest, or significant other. President Craig Stanfield welcomed those assembled, and asked Lion James E.
Harris to offer Prayer, followed by Lion Charles Kendall leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Stanfield then
asked Lion District Governor/Club Treasurer Steve Pedersen to welcome special guest James Archey and his grandson, Nick
Yancey, who attended from Greenup County. Mr. Archey is a past District Governor (1992). Lion Pedersen was then requested
to introduce Nickie Applegate, the surviving spouse of long-time (32 years) member Clinton Applegate who passed away in 2023
(Clinton was an important part of the Club for many years, and their two sons, Trevor and Travis Applegate are members of the
Club, both of whom joined their Mother at the meeting). The group then broke for a wonderful meal catered by Skeeter and
Sonia Shaw.
Following the dinner, Secretary Lion Phil Cropper presented the minutes from the April 8th meeting, which were approved
as read. There was no Treasurer's Report.
District Governor Steve Pedersen then made a short presentation regarding the Kentucky Lions “Journey To Recovery”
project offering continued support to Eastern Kentucky residents affected by monumental flooding; $16,000 had been raised to
support Eastern Kentuckians. Several members of the Kentucky Lions including Lion Pederson, Lions Chuck Carlson and
Karen Nitschke, assisted by Lion Bobby Thorpe, Jr., visited 4 persons deemed to be the most deserving and of the greatest need
in each community of Neon, Hindman and Jackson (12 recipients total) and presented them with $1,000 in gift cards to purchase
needed items (the recipients had lost EVERYTHING in the record flooding), $12,000 total (the Tollesboro Lions Club had
donated $2,500 to this project and the Tollesboro Christian Church donated an additional $750). Steve had a short slide show
featuring the presentation of the gift cards. An additional trip will take and additional $4,000 ($1,000 to be presented to each
recipient) to four members of the Hazard community.
Next, Past District Governor James Archey was asked to make presentations to a couple of members for years of service
(there were three presentations to make, however one member was absent). He presented Lion Paul Hampton with a 25 year
Chevron and Lion Ritchie Cunningham with a 15 year Service Chevron.
Following this presentation, President Stanfield presented the group with a brief history of the Club, starting with the 1954
Chartering of the Club, the first Lions Club Fair (1958, a one day event at the Tollesboro High School as the Club did not own
real estate at that time), to the Fair becoming a 2 day event, the first real estate purchase (1961), the annual fair becoming a
week-long event, additional real estate acquisitions, the placement of the Clubhouse on the grounds, fairground improvements,
grants the Club had received over the years, 2009 when the Club made the most significant improvements to the Fairgrounds,
and up through 2015 when the Club lost it's last surviving Charter member, Samuel “Mack Wright”, who maintained continuous membership in the organization for 61 years! Craig had also printed out a number of photos and exhibits for the group to view. The photos included two photos taken at a 1955 meeting of the Tollesboro Lions Club; an early 1970s photo of a Lions Club Fund-raiser that featured our longest serving Charter Members (Lion Mack Wright and Lion Elmo Gillespie); a 1982 Fairbook; an article from a 1999 issue of the “THE LION” Magazine in which the Club was featured; a bunch of photos from the Club's 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2004, as well as a commemorative bronze medallion that President Stanfield had presented with members at that time; the 2015 obituary of Charter Member Lion Mack Wright; and a tribute to recently departed long-time members Larry Tucker, Darrel Dixon and Clinton Applegate.
Following this presentation, the Club had a few items of business to take care of. The Scholarship Committee had met to
select and make recommendations to the Club about graduates to receive scholarship assistance to further their education. The
Club had intended to select three recipients to receive $500 each to further their studies; however they dead-locked on 4
deserving individuals (there were actually 17 applications, all deserving, however the Club could only provide what they could
afford). In the end, four individuals were selected, and a member offered to donate an amount sufficient to cover the fourth
recipient. The 2024 Tollesboro Lions Club scholarship recipients were Hannah Miller, Makenna Scott, Amirah Qassis, and Molly
Lewis. Makenna Scott will also receive the Larry Tucker Memorial Scholarship, selected individually by the Scholarship
provider.
Next, Chelsi White Forman had asked the Club to sponsor a fund-raiser for the Tollesboro Elementary School Parent Teacher
Organization, requesting to conduct a Poker Run and a Food Truck Competition Event. Unfortunately, the date she had
originally selected was already taken. However the members and Club wanted to support the event, so Chelsi was contacted by
phone in order to offer a couple of dates that might work, and she will confirm the date Tuesday.
Next, President Stanfield read an list of upcoming events going on within the committee, whether Tollesboro Lions Club, other
local Lions Club groups, organizations, churches/religious organizations, Fire Departments, or other.
Lion Pedersen then offered a blessing before the group dismissed.
TOLLESBORO LIONS CLUB
Located at the Tollesboro Lions Club Fairgrounds and Community Park, KY 10, KY 9 ("AA" Hwy), and the Lions Club Road, Tollesboro, Lewis County, Kentucky.
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