Sunday, June 22, 2008
AUSTINTOWN — Lucianno’s was the setting June 9 as the Austintown Lions and Lioness clubs met for an annual dinner, anniversary observance and installation ceremony.
Serving as master of ceremonies was Bill Sywy, a retiree from General Motors in Lordstown, who was installed for a fifth consecutive one-year term as Lions’ president.
Also inducted as officers of the Lions Club were Jack Kochansky, first vice president; Harold Wilson, second vice president; Don Hoel-zel, secretary; Larry Jensen, treasurer and Lioness liaison; Joe Valasek, tail twister; Harry Foraker, Lion tamer; Jim Donnan, one-year director; Bob Melcher and Jack Aey, two-year directors; and Glenn Ringer, eyeglass committee chairman.
Seated as president of the Lioness Club for her eighth consecutive one-year term was Lori Stone, a retiree from the Youngstown Air Reserve Base. Her associate officers are Lou Skerkavich, vice president; Teresa McCallen, secretary; and Jane Grace, treasurer.
The presentation of awards was a highlight of the evening. A Melvin Jones Fellowship, symbolic of dedicated humanitarian service, was awarded to Ringer by Bob Booher of Canal Fulton Lions Club, chairman and past district governor of District Lions Clubs International Foundation, and leadership awards were presented to Sywy by Jensen and to Stone by the Lioness Club.
The 31st anniversary of the Lions Club and 25th anniversary of the Lioness Club were observed.
The installing officer was Jeff Snyder of Magnolia Lions Club, deputy district governor-elect. Also attending as guests were his wife, Carol; Bob Whited of Youngstown South Side Lions Club, district public relations chairman and past district governor, and his wife, Joyce; Barb Sullivan; and Ron and Lorraine Borngesser.
Entertainment was by The Youngstown Connection directed by Carol Baird.