ARISS/MARYHILL – The Ariss and Maryhill Lions Club celebrated its 10th anniversary of being a charter club at its April 13 meeting.
Over a decade ago, a few locals in Ariss showed interest in having their own Lions Club.
As of 2009 the Ariss branch was officially up and running, being sponsored by the Guelph Royal City Lions.
After two years, on April 12, 2011, the club had grown enough, having 26 members, and was able to become an official charter club.
In a press release on the event, the Ariss and Maryhill Lions Club detailed the awards given.
There were certificates of congratulations presented, and letters of congratulations were read by Woolwich township Mayor Sandy Shantz and Gary Lloyd.
Lions Club International President’s Certificates of Appreciation were presented by Lion Art Woods, to Lions Wolfgang Boelke, Jim Davis, Brian Kurtz, Jim Kurtz, Pat Kurtz, Hilda Wainwright and Larry Wainwright.
The Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship was presented by Lion Harvey Wood. There were two fellowships given to Lion Jim Davis and club secretary Pat Kurtz.
Pat Kurtz commented on receiving the fellowship, which is a sign of recognition for those who go above and beyond in the club.
“I was shocked, and it was a real honour,” said Kurtz.
For pandemic safety the anniversary celebration had to be online via Zoom.
Ariss and Maryhill Club president Larry Wainwright commented that despite a Zoom meeting not being ideal, it did make planning the celebration easier, as a dinner doesn’t have to be prepared, and it was much less to organize.
“Still not the same, but we do what we can while we’re available to do it,” said president Larry Wainwright.
Despite not being able to gather for a dinner, Kurtz had initially planned to still bring some element of food to the event.
“I wanted to make up some cupcakes and deliver to all the members so that they could eat them while we were having the meeting, but then we got the stay at home order so that kind of fell by the wayside,” said Kurtz, who commented that because of this the anniversary doesn’t feel real.
“It’s really difficult because… it didn’t really feel like it happened, you know, only because… you’re sitting in your own kitchen.”
Kurtz shared hopes that members will be able to gather eventually to celebrate.
“I’m hoping that when we can finally all get together, we’re gonna have a cake and at least say… happy anniversary,” said Kurtz.
The anniversary celebration has not been the only club event sidelined by the pandemic. Even committee meetings can be a challenge, as a few members do not have internet and must connect by phone.
Despite this struggle, the club still tries to keep its community activities up and running.
“The last couple of years have been kind of trying because it’s really hard to do fundraisers when you’re in a pandemic,” Kurtz added.
The club is doing its best to push through pandemic challenges.
Wainwright spoke on his experience these last 10 years with the Ariss and Maryhill Lions Club,
“I’m really proud to be the president, ‘cause it’s a great group of Lions I have the privilege of working with,” he said.
