Owendale Lions Club History

The Owendale Lions Club was chartered on March 11, 1959.  The Original club roll consisted of 26 members.  William Kretschmer was the first club president, with Joe Lorencz as secretary.  The sponsoring club was the Bad Axe Lions Club.

We held our meeting at various locations in Owendale then finally locating at George's Bar, which is now called the Blue Moon Saloon.  We have been meeting for the last 5 years at Sherwood on the Hill in Gagetown.  Our regualr meetings are on the first and third Mondays starting with dinner at 6 P.M.

in 1969 Edmund Good Sr. suggested we have a corn roast.  This year we will have hosted our 44th consecutive Corn Roast.  Each year our Corn Roast is attended by approximatley 200 people form around our District and the State.  The menu consists of sweet corn and bratwurst served, "all-you-can-eat" style.  We do not have a set charge but we do solicit donations from everyone.  The Corn Roast is usually the place for the banner exchange with the incoming District Governor.  Due to the popularity of this event we are known around the District as, "The Corn Roast Club".

The majority of our funds are now raised with pankake breakfasts and the White Cane Tag Sale.  Over the years we have supported District 11-D-2 and State of Michigan Lion Projects annually as well as local Scouting, School Bands, local Huron County Lions AllstateBand members and other local projects as they arise.  In 2013 we issued our first Owendale Lions Scholorship to an Owendale-Gagetown High School Senior.

Owendale Lions members have been active in our District and State organizations.  Members Joe Lorencz, George Wilson and Fredd Sullivan have served as Zone Chairmen, Fred Sullivan has served as Region Chairman and as District Treasurer.  Ed Good Jr. has served as District District Governor in 1986-87.  Thomas Laurie also served as District Secretary-Treasurer in 1986-87.

Five of our members have received the coveted Melvin Jones Award and Tom Laurie and Tim Good have recieved the Ken Latunhausen Award.  Tom was the first recipient in our District.  We still have two active Charter Members, Merlin Kain and Ed Good Jr.