the Women’s Institutes have many fond memories of the time they spent together and the work they did to improve their communities.

THE LIONS CLUB

Where Lions meet, be present Lord, Weld all our Hearts in one accord, To do thy will Lord, make us strong, To help the weak and right the wrong. (25)

A young man from Chicago, Melvin Jones, made a proposal to amalgamate several existing independent clubs in the Chicago area in June of 1917. In October of that same year, at a convention meeting in Dallas, Texas, this amalgamation resulted in the formation of the “International Association of Lions Clubs." In was not, however, until 1920 that the Lions Club truly became an International Association, at which time branches opened up in Canada. By the late 1940s, the Lions Club had truly become an “lntemational Association," with branches established throughout China, Mexico, Cuba, Central America, South America, and Europe.

Dr. Wolf Merill, a veterinarian from Rollo Bay, came to St. Peters to promote the Lions Club. The St. Peters Charter, sponsored by the Souris Charter, was initiated in 1962 and was officially opened on May 6th,

1963.

St. Peters Lions Club Officers for 1963: (26)

King Lion: R.B. Pratt Vice Presidents: R.L. Sanderson Joseph Leslie Secretary—Treasurer: C.N. Jackson Directors: D.G. Anderson Joseph Lewis B.J. O'Hanley Elmer Curran Lion Tamer: Arthur MacDonald Tail Twister: James MacAulay

The Lions Club members were very dedicated to their club. Regular attendance was mandatory, and was enforced by the “T ail Twister” officer. The Lions did a variety of work, according to Earl Dwan, such as preparing Christmas Baskets for the needy, having a Christmas dinner for the seniors within the community, and collecting old eye glasses. (27) The Eastern Graphic of 1966, reported that the Lions Club had “purchased eye glasses for two needy children." (28)

The Lions Club, chartered to assist the needy, was dedicated to th€ improvement of vision. Glaucoma clinics were sponsored and held within the community. Many people, who otherwise would not have been

182