Middleton the District Lions Club History (as provided by Lion Larry Lohnes April 2013)
The following is a brief history of the Middleton Lions Club for the period November 8, 1945 to November 4, 1995, as compiled by Lyons Ralph Veinot and Ronald Brown, with the assistance of Lion Carl Bruce, ex-charter member Ronald Mailman, ex-member Paul Roop, and some input by others.
All through the years, we have claimed to be the second club in district 41 – C [now known as 41 – N2], second to the original Halifax club, which disbanded in the 1970's. The real fact is that we are third. Second, is the Dartmouth club, which held its organization meeting on October 25, 1945, while Middleton held its organization meeting on November 8, 1945. This meeting was held at the town hall as well as their second meeting on November 23, 1945, at which time they set the dues at one dollar per month, payable in advance.
The twenty–one Charter Members were Spurgeon Grimm – charter president, Robert Henderson – secretary-treasurer, G. L. Andrews, George Beals, Charles Black, Fred, Diadick, L. Murray Dodge, Emerson Eaton, Cyril Joudrey, Owen Lyons, John D. MacKenzie, Max Naphtal, Harry Parker, Warren T. Roop, Fred Smith, Melburne Armstrong, Dr. H. E. Kelley, Dr. Carl F. Messenger, Ronald E. Mailman, Gerald Mosher, and Clyde Whitman.
CLUB PRESIDENTS AND SECRETARIES 1987 – 2013
1987- 88 Basil Stewart – Ron Brown, 1988 - 89 Ken Clark – Ron Brown, 1989 – 90 Brian Brown – Basil Stewart, 1990 – 91 Walter Crocker – Brian Rafuse, 1991 – 92 Robert Bent – Brian Rafuse, 1992 – 93 Brian Schofield – Robert McGill, 1993 – 94 Donald Kivell – Ronald Brown, 1994 – 95 Brian Cadden – Ronald Brown, 1995 – 96 Frank Hogg – Robert McGill, 1996 – 97 Ron White – Dave Diggins, 1997 – 98 Howard Nickerson – Dave Diggens, 1998 – 99 Laura Willett – David Diggins, 1999 – 00 Neil Little – David Diggins, 2000 – 01 Phillip Gates – David Diggins, 2001 – 02 Ralph Pellerine – David Diggins, 2002 – 03 Fitz Fitzharris – David Diggins, 2003 – 04 Wayne McKay – Stuart Crawford, 2004 – 05 Phillip Gates – Stuart Crawford, 2005 – 06 James Franko – David Diggins, 2006 – 07 Stuart Crawford – Howard Selig, 2007 – 08 David Diggins – Howard Selig, 2008 – 09 Wayne McKay – Howard Selig, 2009 – 10 Wayne Sears – Clyde Longmire, 2010 – 11 Howard Selig – Jonathan Archibauld, 2011 – 12 Brian Schofield – David Diggins, 2012 – 13 Wayne Sears – David Diggins
We wish to remember, thankfully, all the deceased; and honor in a special way all the surviving Charter Members for having the initiative to accept the challenge of the late Helen Keller to prevent it – and someday reverse – blindness, which we have now accomplished, thanks to the founder of Lions Clubs International – the late Melvin Jones. We thank all those who followed in the footsteps of the Charter Members and contributed their share to the 50 year' s service to our community.
Early meetings were held until December 1950, at the "Lions' Den" at Dick's Place, a dining and dancing establishment in Wilmot, now known as Pine Glen Cabins and Apartments. Additional meeting places were, January 1951 to June 30, 1959 – at the American House, September 1959 to June 1962 – Middleton Fire Hall, September 1962 to June 1965 – Driftwood Motel, September 1965 to June 1966 – Shaker Restaurant [now known as the host of Cheng], September 1966 to June 1970 – back to Middleton Fire HallSeptember 1972, June 1972 – Mid Valley Motel.
After the acquisition and renovations of our own "Lions' Den" in Nictaux Falls in May 1972 until the present date is where all functions are being held. At that time, we became incorporated under the Society Act of Nova Scotia, and thus our name change from Middleton Lions Club to Middleton and District Lions Club.
