Middlebury Lions Club – Part II of II

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This plaque listing the names of Middlebury Lions Club presidents over the years hangs on the wall in the auditorium at Shepardson Community Center. (Robert Rafford photo)

By DR. ROBERT L. RAFFORD

The International Association of Lions Clubs, founded in 1916, is one of the most popular and effective volunteer associations ever created. It is also the largest service organization in the world, with over 48,500 chapters in over 200 countries and geographical locations. While membership initially was open to white men only, black men were allowed membership in a limited number of clubs by the early 1960s. Austin, Texas, claims to be the home of the first all-African American Lions Club, in August 1967.

As far back as 1916, women assisted the clubs in drives to help the poor. By 1923, women were inquiring about establishing co-equal groups called “Lioness” clubs, and a few were established. Women were referred to with the title “lioness” in newspaper accounts of social events from the 1920s. Ladies Auxiliaries of the Lions Clubs were formed by 1924, but all activities were governed by the all-male national leadership.

Delegates at the The International Association of Lions Clubs convention in 1986 voted down a proposal to allow women to become full members. It would not be until 1987, at the international conference in Taipai, Taiwan, that they voted to allow women memberships in clubs. A recent United States Supreme Court decision against Rotary Clubs had provided the catalyst for the change.

The Middlebury Lions Club was founded about 1952. (Coincidentally, the Middlebury, Vermont, Lions Club was founded that same year.) A plaque, now displayed in the Shepardson Community Center, lists the names of 47 past presidents, beginning with Howard Watts (1931-2011), Frank Leary (1903-1967) and Ray Grant (1899-1971).

One of the first meetings of the Middlebury Lions Club was at Carl’s Restaurant in Middlebury, with guest speaker Representative James T. Patterson, fifth district congressman, addressing the group on military spending. In January 1954, Sidney Wakelee, Lions district governor, was the speaker at Town Hall. In March, the club had a banquet in Town Hall, where the club continued to meet; in May, the club honored Fr. John Fanning of St. John of the Cross Church. In July 1954, Ray Grant was chosen president; Robert Petitjean, Raymond Melor and Adam Bezzulo were elected vice-presidents with Carlos Hill as treasurer and Thomas Foley as secretary.

Service has always been the central focus of the Middlebury Lions Club. For example, after the disastrous August 1955 flood struck western Connecticut, the Middlebury club and many other clubs donated time, effort and money to the district fund for Connecticut flood sufferers. By January 1956, with Frank Leary as president, Middlebury Lions prepared to collaborate with the Middlebury Hunt Club to sponsor a horse show at the Bull estate; this collaboration would continue into the 1980s.

Helping others to deal with eyesight has been a central focus of Lions Clubs from the beginning. By 1957, the Middlebury club had set up an Eye Research Fund Drive Committee, with Ray Grant as chairman, and that effort continues to this day.

Social events and fundraisers made service to others possible. In 1958, the club held a Ladies’ Night Dinner at the Lift-the-Latch Inn with William F. Sills, an early president, in charge. The 1960s brought about an annual “Sun n Surf” Water Ski Show at Lake Quassapaug, for a few seasons. A Chicken Barbecue and a Mobile Outdoor Living and Camping Exposition followed, and in 1966, Middlebury collaborated with the Naugatuck and Beacon Falls Lions Clubs to hold a golf tournament.

In the 70s and 80s, the Middlebury club sponsored events such as flea markets, a horse show and gymkhana, and a raffle in which Greg Phelan of Naugatuck won a 7-day cruise to the Bahamas. In May 1990, they sponsored the musical “Up With People,” featuring 136 students from 17 countries who were housed locally.

These constitute a small list of the events of the Middlebury Lions Club over 70 years. The club’s motto, “We Serve,” has been truly fulfilled.

You are urged to join the Middlebury Historical Society by visiting MiddleburyHistoricalSociety.org or visiting them on Facebook. Questions about membership can be sent to Bob at robraff@comcast.net.