The History of the St. George Lions Club
The first meeting of the Lions took place on March 28, 1945 in the Masonic Hall in St. George, with 26 charter members: H. Cornell, G. Dawson, H.C. Nixon MPP, T. Farrow, W.G. Bowden, L. Sager, K. Robb, J. Malcolm, R. Howell, C. Howell, O. Loveless, W. Mayberry, A. Leppard, J. Howell, O. Cornell, M.L. Small, W.F. Hewitt, H. Armstrong, E. Tansley, G. Boughner, H. Lockman and W.D. Taylor, President. The majority of these members were from the farm community and beyond the age for service in WW II. The charter night was May 21st in the Community Hall and the sponsor club was from Brantford, led by Ken Robertson. Other clubs in attendance were from Galt, Toronto, Guelph and Hamilton, who presented buttons. The gong and gavel were presented by Brantford Lions and a box was given by Paris. The membership increased to 39 by the end of the year, led by such notables as E. Dufton, S.Tobbs, Glaves, C. Rosebrugh and John Charlton MP. This gave the club two elected politicians. One from the national level and one from the provincial level.
From the beginning a pattern was set to include interesting speakers such as Syl Apps and Bob Davidson from the Toronto Maple Leafs, fund-raising dances and picnics, softball sponsorship including coaching etc., ladies nights, fowl bingos and much interaction with other Lions' clubs. There was a great deal of turnover with the membership in the early years.
In 1950, a lighted ball field was constructed by the Lions on the school property and more land was purchased. In 1952, a rink was located near the present Russell Heights Apts. and a tennis club used it in the summer. Generally, the club operated on a small deficit. The sum of $1500 was the most mentioned as surplus. From the start the Women's Institute supplied the meals for a small charge (this still continues today). The rink was located on the site of an old creamery which Bill Taylor and Dr. Dinniwell bought and donated. 2008-2009 Lion Chief Harvey Wood can recall playing on that rink and also being given rides into Brantford to play hockey by G. Luellen, a local pharmacist and Lion.
In these early years, there averaged 10-12 speakers a year which would include several war veterans. Jack Shewchuk who played in the NHL, and Australian sculler and Elliott Moses on the First Nations were some notable speakers. In 1952, the tradition of the farmers' night was started where farmers were invited out to a special night with an agricultural speaker. A tractor club was created. The farm emphasis begins.
1954-1974: Meetings returned to the Community Hall, from the Welcome Inn at Two Mile Corner where the Tim Horton's is today. This had been a temporary location and the return marked a "switching of sides" in the hall and the Lions agreed to contribute to the building maintenance and administration of the upper hall usage. Kids' trips to Paris for skating in the winter and swimming lessons in the summer were organized and partially subsidized by the Lions up to 1977. The Lions maintained the local rink and ball park in the summer. Many improvements such as a concession booth, fencing, gates, and screen were undertaken with a yearly work clean-up for each. Members built and loaned out wood bleachers, gaming tables and later barbecues. Public school hockey teams, men's and women's ball teams and Scouts and Girl Guides were organized and supported, even coached in some cases by Lions. Committees were added from time to time for each of these ventures from the original eight in 1945.
The yearly pattern of events included: charities and special cases donations, Ladies' Night, Farmers' Night, a summer picnic, kids' Christmas and Hallowe'en parties, raffles, and a feather party for fundraising, 4H awards night, hockey or ball banquets, visits and tours, films, the park clean-ups and generally sing songs or musical entertainment with the meetings. The Lions' Den was created.
A typical year of speakers from 1967 included a Brantford policeman, a magician, probation officer, Bob Clark a teacher-historian, a judge, a life insurance salesman, Mayor Dick Beckett from Brantford speaking on his arena experience, the local "dairy Queen", a lawyer, the CNIB rep., plus films and slides on vacations by various members. H.Doug Brown contributed much of this from his world travels as well as many of the pennants located in the Den.
The Horse Show started in 1962. It was first held at Harry Witteveen's farm and at the Community Centre on the ball fields. It was usually held on the Aug. 1st weekend and lasted until 1982. The new arena planning and push by the Lions occurred from 1967 to 1971. A 3 year committment of $50 000 was the major contribution out of the $160 000 original building estimate. This amount was raised by monthly car draws, cash draws and door to door solicitation by the members, in the community. Harry Witteveen, as chair of this project, was a main instigator for this project. Snowmobile races were held at Harry's farm from 1968 to 1973, with some at Ontario Park, in January. Soapbox derby races were yet another "community contribution". The Lions Club of ST. George supported the first Junior D Hockey Club from 1971 to 1985. Members took turns on the executive and the running of the teams.
In addition, a carnival was held on the local rink in 1954, town improvements such as garbage cans, signs, a parking lot and finishing the basement of the Post Office and Hall were undertaken. Members served on the Library Board, the Arena Board, the Hall Board and some were involved in the political hierarchy of the township. Bill Taylor, Bob Taylor, Ken Richmond, Peter McDonald, C. Rosebrugh and Everet Dufton all served at a higher capacity with Zone and Governor positions in the Lions. Annual conventions were attended by many. The club was involved with the Continuation School with hockey, swimming, property improvements and public speaking contests. The club provided coaches to minor ball and hockey and even bailed them out financially. A swimming pool was almost built in 1960 and then again in 1973 but both times there were too many roadblocks. Land was bought and deeded back to the Township when needed, usually for recreational purposes. Once the arena was built, contributions to it never stopped with the need for plexiglass, chairs and yearly grants to minor hockey and figure skating organizations. Tennis courts were constructed and opened in 1975 under Doug Brown's leadership. The Lions supplied a share of the initial capital ($10 000) which was paid back long term through the formation of a community tennis club with the proviso that public hours would always be available.
The Latter 1970's
Fund-raisers: summer dances, draws for a side of beef, a "Bricklin" draw, auctions, chicken sales, the horse show, feather party (or turkey roll) Sponsorships: Leader Guide Dogs for sight and hearing, CNIB at Lake Joseph, Branchton Camp for disable youth, Camp Dorset for dialysis patients, Participation House in Brantford (became their prime sponsor with a donation of a van), and the 4H Calf Club with awards and a banquet every September. Yearly visits and return visits to other clubs would vary fromyear to year to some extent. St. George Lions became a sponsor club for Lynden.
The 1980's
Steak BBQ's started as a major fund-raiser. A separate Ladies' BBQ started in 1988. An annual fish fry was held. Notable contributions included street signs in St. George, a senior citizens' building (subsidized housing) in conjunction with central mortgage and housing assistance, annual scholarships to Paris H.S., $40 000 to the lawn bowling clubhouse, $2 500 annually to the South Dumfries Figure Skating Club, $1 500 to minor hockey, an electric wheelchair, $5000 to Participation House and an $8 000 elevator for the seniors' building. The Lions continued to help the needy with a piano for a blind student, work bees at Branchton Camp, Special Olympian support, student exchanges, wheelchairs, leader dogs, Nova Vita Womens' Shelter, and of course the Lions International pet projects with the deaf and the blind.
Lions' Quest drug education and awareness was fostered in the school system, a van was purchased for Participation House with $30 000 assistance from the government, a $7 500 ice machine for the arena, "Summer Fun" playground camp sponsorship, Arthritis Society was given $3 500, John Noble Home, scouts, ball and hockey all received continued assistance.
The 1990's
Fundraisers and sponsorship continue. A very successful sports celebrity dinner was held. A heart defibrillator was purchased for the fire department and club signs were erected at the entrances to the village. The club made a major purchase of 5 acres of the Elliott property.
2000-2009
The club took a change in direction. A food trailer was purchased and replaced fundraising activities such as selling raffle tickets and chocolate bunnies as the main club fundraiser. The trailer was (and is) so successful that the Ontario Plowing Match becan an annual week long involvement as well as Maple Syrup Days at Westfield Village in March. Add to this several fairs and special shows and a considerable profit was realized. As a result, major donations were made to Brantford General Hospital, St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre and Stedman Hospice. Most noteably was a commitment of over $300,000 over 11 years for an addition to the arena.
