Tehachapi News

Bantering with lions

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There was much good-natured banter and plenty of laughter as the Tehachapi Lions Club met at the Apple Shed on June 18 to install their new officers for the year 2009-2010. About 45 Lions and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by the Apple Shed kitchen. It was a special occasion because the new president who was installed is Jacques Vachon, who owns The Apple Shed along with his wife, Mary Lou.

Outgoing President Eva Hebebrand thanked the chairmen of all the committees for their outstanding work during the year and presented awards to Lions Lucy Rodriguez, Shotsy Schulgen, Margaret Thomas, Dorothy Morris, Sue Morrison, Mary Lou Vachon, Dennis and Carole Tope, Blas and Aggie Hernandez, Suzanne and Ric Williams, Don Erickson, Fred and Nancy Overman, Ernie Schaefer, Robert Hoffman, Jerry Wood, Duane and Dana Nelsen, Eddie and Doris Mann, Carla Schultz and Mary Guynn. She then thanked and presented awards to her executive board –1st VP Jacques Vachon, 2nd VP Alan Powell, 3rd VP David Spencer, Secretary Don Kueneman, and Treasurer Bill Schulgen.

Lion Nancy Overman received the Melvin Jones Award, and Lion Alan Powell was presented with the Lion of the Year Award. These are the most prestigious awards that are given by the Lions Club.

The Lions honor their members for their years of service by awarding them Service Chevrons. Many members have been loyal Lions for a long, long time: 10 years – Jean Kueneman, Pam Patteson, Henry Schaeffer, Lisa Schultz, Blas Hernandez, and Aggie Hernandez; 15 years – Don Kueneman; 20 years – Carol Coleman, Harley Kunkel, and Fred Overman; 25 years – Joe DeSilva, Carla Schultz, and Jerry Wood; 30 years – Lloyd Schultz and Gus Huntalas; 35 years – Al Aronson.

Vice District Governor Lion David Hebebrand, the Installing Officer, then took over the proceedings and before installing the new officers, he ceremoniously dismissed the outgoing officers.

With characteristic humor, notwithstanding the solemnity of the occasion, Lion David proceeded to install each officer with an appropriate token of the office. A “Big Hunk” candy bar to President Jacques Vachon, a “Pay Day” bar to Treasurer Bill Schulgen, and a “Crunch” and “Sugar Baby” to Secretary Margaret Hawkins, to 1st VP Alan Powell, 2nd VP David Spencer, and 3rd VP Walt Satalino, the “Three Muskateers.” Each of the other incoming officers received a similar appropriate token of their office: Lion Tamer Dennis Tope, Membership Chairman Mary Guynn, Tail Twister Lucy Rodriguez, and Directors Nancy Overman, Ric Williams, Don Erickson, and Duane Nelsen.

The gavel was then passed on to incoming President Jacques Vachon who pledged to do his best to make this another successful year of service, growth, and friendship.