Gravette Lions Club wins awards at convention
GRAVETTE — Two members of the Gravette Lions Club attended the Lions Club state convention in Hope on April 28 and 29. Jeff Davis, president of the Gravette club, and Bill Mattler, secretary of the local club and zone chairperson, were in attendance and brought home awards. They reported on the convention, and awards were displayed at the club’s May 2 meeting at the In Zone restaurant.
Lions Clubs around the world are celebrating their centennial year and, since 2017 is the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs, special awards were given clubs for Centennial Legacy Projects. Each district in Arkansas gave two awards, one for a large and one for a small legacy project. The Gravette Lions Club won the award for a large legacy project in District 7-I. Their legacy project was the large mural on the Mid-Continent concrete plant. Several members of the local club were involved in planning, construction and installation of the mural.
Jeff Davis was awarded the Dr. Jim Fowler Humanitarian Award. Dr. Fowler was a past International President from Arkansas. This memorial award, presented annually, is based on the recipient’s involvement in Lions Club (offices held and activities) as well as their civic involvement and hobbies. Davis is president of the local club and editor of the club newsletter. He is secretary of the Gravette planning commission, a member of the Old Town String Band which plays at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center, the Ozarks Community Hospital and the Gravette farmers’ market, and a member of the Northwest Arkansas Garden Railway Society.
Other awards displayed at the meeting were certificates awarded Lions Club members from the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center, which held its Volunteer Appreciation Day that morning. Jeff Davis, Bill Mattler and Maricela Gaytan received certificates for their work taking the library bookmobile to the Center each Monday. Davis and Mattler are also members of the Old Town String Band. Maricela and her husband, Jeremy, were recognized for their donation of materials and labor to repair water damage to a storage shed at the Center. The Gaytans were also presented certificates from the Lions Club for identifying a need and taking the initiative to repair the shed.
Maricela gave the members a tail twister activity, and Ashley Harris and Susan Holland were winners with the most correct answers.
Members discussed doing cleanup of a section of Hillcrest Cemetery they maintain. Maricela displayed some photographs she had taken of the area, and a work day at the cemetery will be planned before Memorial Day.
Final plans were made for the club’s Lions Live and Learn Day on Saturday, May 6. Members signed up to volunteer at various work stations during the day.
President Davis reminded the members of the 100th anniversary Lions Club convention in Chicago June 30 through July 4 and the 100th anniversary breakfast July 1 at the Golden Corral in Rogers for area Lions who will not be going to Chicago.
The next regular meeting of the club was at 12 noon, Tuesday, May 16, at the In Zone restaurant. Fundraising activities were discussed. Prospective members and guests are always welcome.