The Ceres Lions Club, which returned to in-person meetings in April following the lengthy shutdown relating to coronavirus restrictions, celebrated with the wives and girlfriends during the Aug. 11 Ladies Night meeting. The gathering at the Ceres American Lion Memorial Building gave the Lions the chance to install officers for the year and hand out two awards.
“We’re glad to be back together,” said new President Darrell Long. “We’re glad to be planning some events.”
One such event is a Portuguese Festival at the end of the month. They are also in the midst of planning the club’s Harvest Festival whereby taste samples of food and beverage are offered. The event has been pushed back from the normal October date.
The club will host its annual Father-Daughter Night tonight and its Father-Son Night on Sept. 23.
The ceremonial portion of the Ladies Night meeting was conducted by Long and 2019 Past President Jarrad Sitton.
Last year the club had to skip its Installation and Ladies Night and primarily held its board meetings via Zoom. ”Senior Lion” Art McRae conducted a brief installation of the same officers from last term.
Old board reinstalled
New officers are President Darrell Long, First Vice President Mike Borges, Past President Jarrad Sitton, Second Vice President Ken Moncrief, Third Vice President Bob Gobble, Treasurer Albert Avila, Secretary Stan Sinclear, First-year directors Gabe Villa and Lee Brandt (who is also Tail Twister), Second-year Directors Doug Wallic and Matt Mann, and Lion Tamer Joe Olivera.
Kenneth Burrows, who was named “Lion of the Year” in 2020, finally received his plaque as presented by past president Jarrad Sitton who was unable to make the presentation last year due to COVID-19.
Burrows has been a member nearly 10 years.
“He’s there at every function and meeting, he’s there to help setup and tear down,” said President Long. “In fact he’s shown up for days to help to barbecue or prep for barbecue and he wasn’t even notified so somehow he’d find out about it. He’s just this handy helper, a loyal and diligent soldier. He does his job and moves on. Great, great guy and a veteran.”
Also given an award was Randy Moore who was named “Bull Slinger.” Long said the award is reserved for the member who shares a great quip, joke or story “that might be a little bit more colorful language that goes with it.”
Club tried staying busy
During the lockdowns of 2020 and early 2021, the Ceres Lions Club did manage to serve the community in what Long termed “drive-by feedings” for some folks and hosted a meals-to-go tri-tip dinner.
While the club members did not have a normal County Fair in which to operate the parking lots, members did assist the Fair in preparing the western parking lot.
On July 28 the Ceres Lions were visited by 12 members of the Hughson Lions Club. They presented Rocky Fisher with a custom stirring paddle to honor his numerous commitments to Lions events as the lead cook. In addition, the Hughson club presented a $1,000 donation with a challenge to Ceres to establish an annual Ceres Lions Rocky Fisher Scholarship.
