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Local Lions club celebrates diamond anniversary

100 Mile House Lions: 60-year-olds know how to party
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Eleanor and Chuck Shaw-MacLaren

The 100 Mile Community Hall was decorated beautifully for the 100 Mile House Lions Club 60th anniversary party held on April 23.

In an area of prominence was a wooden chest full of the club’s many accomplishments over its 60 years. Most of the attendees took time throughout the evening to look through the albums.

Speakers for the evening were introduced by Lions president Neil VanderHorst who was master of ceremonies for the evening.

Mayor Mitch Campsall, who is a former Lions member and past president, spoke about the importance of volunteerism that the Lions and others in the community have had in the growth of the community.

Lion's first Vice District Governor, serving British Columbia and Northern Washington Wanda Carisse spoke about the changing ways of volunteerism and the need to adapt to the needs of people who wish to volunteer.

"Volunteers don't get paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless," Carisse said, quoting Sherry Anderson.

Lions secretary Ron Graves spoke of longtime members past and present and made special mention of founding member Chuck Shaw-MacLaren and his wife, Eleanor, who were at the anniversary party.

The Shaw-MacLarens held a meeting 61 years ago with five local men in their living room to discuss forming a Lions club in 100 Mile House.

After dinner, VanderHorst, Carisse and Chuck Shaw-MacLaren had a little ceremony of cutting the beautifully decorated and delicious cake.

It was a fun evening with everyone mixing, mingling and dancing to the music provided by local entertainer Mark Allen who was accompanied by Randy Pokeda on steel guitar.