OUR HISTORY
LET'S START A CLUB
1982 -- Ronald Reagan began his second year as President; there was a short war in the Falkland Islands between England and Argentina; and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts released "I Love Rock and Roll."
Would it be a Chamber of Commerce, and Elks Club, or a Rotary Club? There were a few types of clubs from which to choose. It was decided to form a Lions Club to represent the two communities of Scandia and Marine on St. Croix. Representatives from the River Valley Lions Club of Stillwater, Minnesota, helped the Scandia-Marine Lions Club get organized and educated on Lionism. The rest is history.
IT BEGAN AT CRABTREE'S KITCHEN, BETWEEN SCANDIA AND MARINE
The first Scandia-Marine Lions meeting was presided over by Lion Maurice Faehnrich, a Lions Extension Representative. The meeting was held at Crabtree's Kitchen and it was at this meeting where Lion Maurice officially announced that the club was formed. Twelve charter members were present and three Lions from other clubs attended.
Election of officers was held. The founding officers included:
Lion Jon T. Ording -- President
Lion Jim Lindberg -- First Vice President
Lion Jack Reese -- Second Vice President
Lion Robert Elmstrom -- Third Vice President
Lion Wendell Johnson -- Secretary
Lion Daniel Sandager -- Treasurer
Lion Robert Burch -- Tail Twister
Lion Richard Heller -- Lion Tamer
Lion Wayne Erickson -- Two Year Director
Lion Edsel Johnson -- Two Year Director
Lion Eulis Pierce -- One Year Director
Lion Jack L. Turner -- One Year Director
Charter night was held on July 19, 1982, at the Scandia Ranch and 32 charter members were listed. Spouses were invited for this event. Songs were sung by the group and included "I've Got That Lion Spirit" and "Don't You Hear Those Lions."
Lion Jon Ording was elected the first President. He finished the first year and started his second year as President, but made a change in employment and moved to the East Coast. First Vice President Jim Lindberg stepped up to finish that year and then was re-elected to be President for the 1983-1984 year so he served 22 months as President. Since that time all presidents have served one-year terms.
Women have become a vital part of the Scandia-Marine Lions Club. In 2006, we elected our first woman President, Lion Marilyn Opp.
In the club's 30th year, membership grew to over 120 Lions. We should be very thankful for those Lions back in 1982 to have the foresight to develop a Lions Club for our communities.
FIRST FUNDRAISER
On June 9, 1982, the members voted to sell roses as a fundraiser. The July 14, 1982, minutes stated that there were 139 reservations for Charter night. The July 28th minutes reported that 148 people attended -- the start of a great club. That day they also set goals to help visually- and hearing-impaired persons; and provide support for local needs whenever possible.
BRATS, BMX, DANCES, PIG ROASTS, WILD GAME DINNERS, TACO DAZE, AND CHEESE CURDS
By the middle of August 1982, there was talk of selling brats at the Marine Art Fair. A report on Art Fair sales was gross sales of $1,862.36 and a net of $750.00 -- a wonderful start.
Suggestions were made for a larger booth, better control of funds, and an improved method of serving. Money was designated -- $500 for family emergencies and the remaining $250 donated to the Marine Fire and rescue Squad.
Soon there was a BMX race held at the old gravel put at the intersection of Highway 97 and County Road 15. Dances at Withrow Ballroom, a pig roast, and Wild Game Dinners were other fundraisers early on in our club history.
Bingo was held at the Community Center and then at the Washington County Fair. As time went on, we starting selling Super Saver Books with discounts by local merchants. Recently, we began selling raffle tickets with monetary winnings published monthly in The Country Messenger.
The Lions have become the chief sponsor of the Taco Daze celebration in Scandia. Out of this endeavor, Lion Kenneth Frieburg, Capt'n Ken, donated his old fire truck to the Lions Club to use in local parades. Our club participates annually in the 4th of July Parade in Marine and the Taco Daze parade in Scandia.
A Chicken Dinner and Triathalon have also become two of our larger annual events held in May and July respectively.
WE SERVE
Over the years, the Scandia-Marine Lions, also sometimes known as the Marine-Scandia Lions, have lived the Lions motto "We Serve" as there have been many projects undertaken in the area.
The Scandia-Marine Club supports the Red Cross Blood Drive twice a year and also serves a lunch for all donors. Pancake breakfasts are held with donations to supply local food shelves and as a social event for all ages.
The Christmas season brings Santa from the North Pole to greet all the children and to listen to their wishes and watch them enjoy candy and an early gift from the Lions at our annual Community Breakfast on a Saturday in December.
Some of the projects are held to raise money for local, statewide, national, and even international charities. There also have been many service projects for our communities and our Lions network. Donations have grown from $550 that first year to over $80,000 in 2013-14.
When you attend one of our Pancake or Community Breakfasts at the Scandia Community Center, take a look at the placemat that shows the many individuals and groups that we have been able to help over the past few years. Scandia-Marine Lions have always been generous to local families who had fires or traumatic medical issues.
SERVING FUTURE GENERATIONS
Our Lions Club is proud to help our local schools -- Scandia, Marine, and Withrow Elementaries -- and participates in the annual Wild Walk, sponsors a Peace Poster Contest, donates dictionaries to 3rd graders, and distributes copies of the U.S. Constitution to 5th grade students.
A very important annual tradition has become the awarding of scholarships to graduating High School seniors and deserving post graduates.
FUN AND FELLOWSHIP
If you think you want to be a Lion, please join us! We hold two general membership meetings per month at the Scandia Community Center. There is a short business meeting, a speaker, and a meal (a great meal every time).
Club members also can attend: Zone Meetings, the Midwinter Convention, and the Multiple Convention held yearly to obtain the latest projects and information from Lions International.
Compiled by Club Historian, Lion Larry Petersen (2014)
