Two milestones at the Medina Lions Club banquet Tuesday created a special evening for all.
Last year’s first vice president Donna Bushover stepped up to become club president, making her the first female to direct the club in its 72-year history. Her position will become official July 1. President Jim Hancock will step down June 30.
A member of the club for more than a decade, Bushover spoke of her great love for the organization in a brief speech. She first joined to give back to those who were there when she needed them the most, she said.
When her daughter, now Nicole Mullin, was headed for Boston University to study applied physiology, they awarded her with a scholarship to help cover the cost of books.
And when her husband, David Bushover, was in need of a costly leg prosthesis from a diabetes-related illness, they were there to host a full-out benefit.
When Bushover took the stage Tuesday, she received a standing ovation.
“I was very honored,” she said. “It just blew me away.”
The second significant event of the evening was the announcement that Medina ophthalmologist Arthur Mruczek was awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. The recognition has been given to only five Medina Lions Club members previously, Hancock said. Melvin Jones was the founding father of the national Lions Club organization.
Lions Club District Governor Jerry Bliss and the surviving Melvin Jones’ recipients surprised Mruczek with the award.
“That’s the fun part,” Hancock said. “He was totally taken aback.”
Mruczek has been involved with the Medina Lions Club for approximately 35 years. During that time, he has managed to remain active with programs geared toward the blind, the disabled and improving the community’s eye health, Hancock said.
He was also instrumental in establishing Lions Park by the Medina lift bridge where a large red apple and picnic table rest today.
“It’s probably the highest award that any Lion can get in their career,” Hancock said.
The presidential awards were bestowed upon David Hahn and John Slack.
Peter Kaiser was named Outstanding First Year Lion and Sherry Wheatley was named the Lion of the Year for her superior participation in a club project.
The Robert J. Uplinger Service Award was presented to Steve Morse.
Officers for the 2008-09 year are: Clayton Ehrenreich, first vice president; Dean Bellack, second vice president; Marsha Winters, third vice president; Peggy Crowley, treasurer; and John Slack, secretary. The Tail Twister is Earl Bell and the Lion Tamer is Bob Winters.
“The Tail Twister is kind of a fun position,” Hancock said. “They help put money into our treasury by (presenting) fines for odd things — like having a new car or being a new grandfather. (It’s) kind of like an inner-club fundraiser.”
The Lion Tamer is in charge of all the club’s property, equipment and supplies when events are held, he said.
The Medina Lions Club meets the first and second Tuesday of every month at the Medina VFW. They will be fundraising at the Medina Yard Sale this weekend. On June 21 and 22, they will sell Lions Mints at Tops Friendly Markets to help pay for glasses and eye exams for those in need.
Contact reporter Nicole Colemanat 798-1400, ext. 8227.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Contributed photo
Discussion
MEDINA LIONS: First female president elected; doctor receives “Melvin Jones” award
- Local News
-
-
Giving new life to the Diana
An effort that started four years ago is now nearing completion to get the marquee and the lights turned back on and the curtain raised for a new multi-purpose community entertainment center usage for the historic Diana theater building.
-
Nothing to wine about
The third time was the charm for Wine About Winter, which brought hundreds of residents and visitors to downtown businesses and organizations and showcased a variety of local wines Saturday.
-
Stop and Shop opens
The East Center Street Stop ‘N Shop is one of 27 Medina businesses hosting wine tastings Saturday during Wine About Winter, and the new store will offer much more when customers come back to shop.
-
Showcase event
Wine About Winter, which is being held from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, brings hundreds of residents and visitors into downtown Medina, but local stores aren’t they only area businesses being showcased this weekend.
-
Uniform Processing uses technology to help lenders, borrowers reach alternatives.
An Albion company uses computer technology to help clear up confusing mortgage transactions.
-
Parties nominate in Albion contests
The Albion Democratic and Republican party caucuses held meetings to nominate candidates for two positions on the village board Tuesday, but the evening ended with only two candidates and some disappointment in the lack of interest in local government.
-
Local leaders have power lunch
Business owners and elected officials gathered Friday at the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative luncheon to discuss the current business climate and look ahead to the legislation that could help or hinder the local economy.
-
Prepared patriots
At mobilization ceremonies across the state this weekend, hundreds of servicemen from the Army National Guard were cheered on their way to training for a possible overseas deployment.
-
A church’s rebirth
The members of the Medina United Methodist Church plan to celebrate the rebirth of their community at this year’s Easter Mass, which church leaders said could be held at the partially constructed facility that will soon be the church’s home.
-
Legislature OKs terms for property sale
The Orleans County Legislature approved a set of terms Wednesday on the proposed sale of a vacant Medina property that was once a Jubilee grocery store to Zor Inc., a holding company affiliated with Evans Ace Hardware.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
