Speaker: 90 years a thing to celebrate

    Not many institutions can say they’ve been around for 90 years.
    But the Imperial Lions can.
    The service organization celebrated its 90th anniversary March 17, with a “Lucky To Be a Lion” theme and St. Patrick’s Day decor.
    Forty-five people attended the banquet and program at Enders Lake Golf Course.
    Larry Seger of Wallace was guest speaker, noting 90 years is something to celebrate.
    “Some very dedicated people kept this club going,” he said.
    Seger, a Wallace Lion, now serves as state committee chairman for the Lions Clubs International Foundation, and has a long list of club, district and state Lions service.
    Seger said 90 years is commendable, “but we also know it’s fragile.”
    Club morale can drop, age and tiredness result in members leaving, others move and it’s difficult getting new people to join, he said.
    “So to survive 90 years is great,” he said.
    He noted his own Wallace club was chartered three different times. The first two clubs disbanded due to lack of members, but they are an active 32-member club now.
    “The question always comes up,” he said, “Why do we do what we do?”
    Speaking directly to the Imperial Lions present, he said, “Because these Imperial Lions want to make their community better and get satisfaction from doing it.”
    “And, that’s what it’s all about.”
    Earlier in his address, Seger said he and his wife Judy have made some “windshield observations” in their many trips to Imperial.
    In their first trip, he recalled passing Imperial Beef to the north, then a few miles further south, they spotted the elevators and Imperial water tower.
    “That’s a pretty productive area there,” he recalled thinking to himself.
    As they entered town on East 12th Street, they bypassed Chase County Schools, and saw the windmill on the grounds, which he called unique.
    He noticed the row of trees along 12th Street, then a wide Broadway Street, the courthouse and Balcony House Bed & Breakfast. He remarked how fortunate Imperial is to have a hospital and doctors.
    “There’s also a viable business community here for a town of 2,000,” he said.
    “So, where does that put a service club in a town with a lot going for it?” he asked.
    Seger then listed numerous activities of the Imperial Lions—its downtown flag project, bingo at the county fair, collection of used glasses and hearing aids, selling peaches, highway cleanups, Christmas movies and more.
    In addition, his study found a strong history of other Lions club sponsorships by Imperial, an “outstanding” donation history and awards received.
    Seger said the Imperial Lions are in step for another 90 years of service, but encouraged them not to forget their past.
    “If there’s a club in the state that can do that, it’s Imperial,” he said of the future.
    With 43 years in the club, Larry Radcliffe was recognized by Seger as Imperial’s longest serving member.
    Doug Gaswick, a city council member and Imperial Lion, gave a welcome from the city.
    He and his wife Judy moved to Imperial 28 years ago, largely because of its school, medical services and cleanliness, he said.
    “Little did we know the Lions’ important part in making Imperial a positive and attractive community,” he said.
    He said many Lions projects are of direct benefit to the  city and well-being including providing park picnic tables, building several park sidewalks, construction of a picnic shelter and restroom facility at Campbell Park and its Lions drinking faucet there, “and bingo.”
    “Bingo gives the fair an economic and fun outlet. It’s impressive year after year,” he said.
    He said the Imperial Lions gave $5,000 to the Mid-Plains Community College expansion project, noting MPCC is “a real gem in the community.”
    Now, the Gaswicks have a son and family who have moved back to Imperial.
    Prior to the meal and program, the group enjoyed vocal numbers by the 9th St. Singers from Chase County Schools.
    Wooden shamrocks and potted silk succulents were given away as door prizes to 18 attendees.
Club history
    The Imperial club was chartered Dec. 10, 1931 with Glen Brewer as the first president from 1931-32.
    Twenty-four original members are listed on the charter.
    Club member Dennis Batterman gave an interesting review of Imperial Lions history at the banquet, noting its first meetings were held in the Odd Fellows basement.
    It’s likely, he said, the Lions worked closely with the Chamber in some early projects, one which was the dropping of 50 live turkeys and ducks from a hotel roof at Christmas time. Those lucky enough to catch one took it home for dinner.
    In the 1930s, the Lions promoted the graveling of a road into town, and later, oiling the highway into Imperial.
    The Lions worked with the Boy Scouts collecting shoes for the Red Cross; bought equipment for kittenball; helped complete the swimming pool in the 1930s; promoted a local fire district; and petitioned to increase U.S. mail delivery from 4 to 6 days.
    Batterman reviewed a lot more history. In addition, club scrapbooks and news articles were placed out for review.