June 8, 2009 -- Quail Hollow State Park, HartvilleMelvin Jones Fellowship Awards were presented to two distinguished members of the Hartville Lions Club, incoming President David Rennels (left below) and Past President Harry Wall (right below).
Melvin Jones Eye Care Foundation Knights of the Blind Awards were presented to Lions Carolyn Koch (left below) and Don Green (right below).
May 23, 2009 -- Hartville Memorial Park
Above: Outgoing Hartville Lions Club President, David Lawson, participated with other members of the Hartville community in the rededication of this plaque honoring nine Hartville-area residents killed in World War II. A former mayor of Hartville, Owen Stoll, and his wife had arranged for the refinishing of the plaque.
In his comments, Lion Dave recounted the original dedication. The Hartville Lions Club was formed in 1946, and within a few years, they had formed a community park association, purchased the park land, and developed it as Hartville Memorial Park, which was later turned over to the Village of Hartville. The following Memorial Day, the Lions Club dedicated the plaque in memory of the Hartville men and boys who died serving their country in World War II. An account in the Hartville News some 44 years later read:
“…a charter member of the Hartville Lions Club who owned an insurance business in town recalls the large parade that was held: ...the Lieutenant Governor spoke, and the Blue Angels flew overhead. We also had limousines take the mothers of the deceased boys whose names were on the memorial in the park. It was a big day...”
The sacrifice made by these men for their country and for us is a debt that we can never repay. The Hartville Lions Club salutes them, and prays for them, as well as for the other men and women, who, previously and since, have made the same sacrifice. May they rest in peace.
May 16, 2009 -- Hartville MarketPlace
On Saturday, May 16, the Hartville Lions Club provided free eye screening for the public at the Hartville MarketPlace. The screening includes tests for visual acuity, peripheral vision, and eye pressure. By providing this service, the Lions hope to help identify early cases of eye disease, especially glaucoma. If caught in its early stages, glaucoma is usually treatable and may be controllable, avoiding later complications including possible loss of vision.
In the photo above, Lions Rand Luckner and Pete Procaccio are evaluating the field of vision of a visitor to the Hartville MarketPlace.
May 2-3, 2009 -- Quail Hollow State Park, Hartville
The Hartville Lions were busy on May 2 and May 3 at the annual Quail Hollow Craft and Herb Festival, selling hanging baskets and serving food and refreshments. The Lions participate every year at this event and donate half the profits from food sales to Quail Hollow State Park. Many thanks go out to all the Lions who volunteered this year and the Boy Scouts from Troop 45 who worked hard delivering food and hanging baskets. Special thanks to Lions, Russ and Carolyn Koch- without them, this wouldn't have been such a wonderful success for the Hartville Lions and their charities!
Pictured displaying the beautiful hanging baskets for sale, from left to right above, are Lions Dave Rennels, Harry Wall and Don Green.
Pictured from left to right below, offering a tasty Johnsonville bratwurst sandwich, are Lions Laverne Strohfus, Russ Koch, Chuck Moyer, and Earl McClung.
April 13, 2009 -- Hartville Kitchen
Above: The Hartville Lions met on April 13th at the Hartville Kitchen. Members were treated to a special Karate demonstration presented by John Kuryn and his grandfather, Hartville Lions Club member Brian Kuryn. John started in Karate when he was 4 years old, and he and Brian have been taking classes and going to meets and competitions ever since. They both hold a 1st Degree Black Belt. John has earned many awards and distinctions in this art. Both their performance and John's display of talent were impressive to the Lions in attendance.
March 23, 2009 -- Hartville Kitchen
Above: Ravenna Lion Lori Dent spoke to the Hartville Lions Club on March 23rd about using her Trekker GPS Guidance System in conjunction with her Leader Dog, Leo. Lion Lori, who is legally blind, programs or selects a destination on the Trekker, and the system provides vocal directions as she and Leo travel to that destination. Although she is still mastering the system, the device helps Lori to travel independently with Leo, enabling her to perform many errands that persons with sight take for granted. Donations from Lions and Lions Clubs in Northeast Ohio's District 13-D enabled Lori to obtain her Trekker as well as the intensive training that is required to use it.
Below: Lion Lori expressed her gratitude to the members of the Hartville Lions Club for contributing to the Trekker, by presenting Club President Dave Lawson with a Leader Dog patch for the Club's banner (photos courtesy of King Lion Sam Sweet, Ravenna Lions Club).
March 9, 2009 -- Hartville Kitchen
Above: The Hartville Lions met on March 9th at the Hartville Kitchen. Ms. Kristie VanAuken, Vice-President and Director of Marketing and Communications for the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK), was the special guest and speaker for the evening. Ms. VanAuken reported that CAK had a record breaking year of passengers last year. The airport can boast of more passengers, lower fares (CAK's average fares are 20% less than Cleveland's), and strategic airline service. There are new amenities and a new concourse in place. The Akron-Canton Airport has a $300 million dollar impact on the region. A new 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, CAK 2018, is underway, and its 10 vital projects will help to keep CAK "a better way to go."
February 23, 2009 -- Hartville Kitchen
Above: The Hartville Lions met on February 23rd at the Hartville Kitchen. The guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Richard Lehrer of the Ohio Eye Alliance and District Chairman, Lions Sight Conservation. The topic of his presentation was children's eye screening and the Lions' involvement of supporting and performing eye screenings. He specifically addressed Amblyopia or "Lazy Eye Syndrome." This is a preventable blinding condition that occurs in childhood and needs to be detected and addressed prior to age 8. It can be caused by a need for glasses, crossed eyes, or blockage of the vision from the lid, cataract, or tumor. The earlier it is detected, the better is the success of the prescribed treatment. Area Lions play an integral role in screening for this condition. He reported that nearly 1/3 of the children in our area have eye problems.
February 9, 2009 -- Quail Hollow State Park, Hartville
Above: The Lake High School Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. Arleen Scott, entertained the Hartville Lions Club members and their guests at the annual Valentines Dinner at the Hollow, held in the library of the Stewart Manor House at Quail Hollow State Park. The ensemble delighted their audience with a mix of classical and contemporary orchestral selections.
January 26, 2009 -- Knowles Press, Hartville
Above: The Knowles sisters, (from left) Rosalee Haines, Linny Sourini, and Jackie Vaughn. After a dinner meeting at Hartville's Frontier Restaurant, the women gave the Hartville Lions Club a very interesting and informative tour of the Knowles Press, publisher of the Hartville News. Hartville and surrounding communities are fortunate to have a local newspaper and the services of a local printing company.
January 12, 2009 -- Hartville Kitchen
Above: Lions Clubs District 13D Governor Harold Ullman brought District News to the Hartville Lions Club, and congratulated them for their outstanding spirit of Lionism. He encouraged them to continue activities that serve not only their community, but other parts of the world as well.
December 30, 2008 -- Pegasus Farm, Hartville
In the "Thank-You" photo above, Cocoa the pony watches carefully to make sure that a horse blanket is sewn properly. A gift from the Hartville Lions Club helped in part to purchase the sewing machine for Pegasus Farm. Pegasus Farm is an equestrian center for persons with disabilities, located on Edison St. NE, at State Rte. 44.