Superior Lions Club disbanding

The Superior Lions Club is disbanding after serving the community for more than 70 years. The Lions Club is a service organization with an emphasis on vision and hearing help to those in need as well as the community at large. The club was instrumental in funding research which produced a low-cost treatment for macular degeneration.

As with many other service organizations, the club fell victim to declining membership numbers. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 wiped out the traditional fund raising opportunities for the club. This left the club with no income source to fund its community involvement including scholarships.

The club was officially organized on Aug. 10, 1950 with 34 members. The first president was Orville Kline. The first vice-president was A. C. Berglund; second vice-president was Clarence France; third vice-president was Tom Beaty; secretary-treasurer was Lloyd Boersma; tail twister was Pete Anderson; lion tamer was Eugene Gray, The directors were Fred Mundt, Kenneth Richling, Robert Noren and Clayton Sack.

Five members of the Superior chapter have been district governors. They were Clarence France, 1956-57; Fred Romig, 1962-1963; Albert Mullet, 1972-1973; Ben Kemper, 1981-82 (he was a Byron Club member then) and Dennis Hull, 1985-1986.

The charter was presented to Kline by District Governor Elven Schultz of Crete. The Superior Club was sponsored by the Nelson Lions Club.

The Lions Club was active in Superior civic affairs. They sponsored the Superior Civilian Defense Organization.

The club sponsored a kite contest at the Superior Municipal Airport in May, 1951. Jimmie Butler took first place for the biggest kite bracket. Diane Winebar took the smallest kite honors. Dick Winebar won for the oddest shaped kite. Butler won for the highest flying kite while Diane Winebar had the second highest flying kite.

The club sponsored the second annual automobile show at the city auditorium in 1953.

In October, 1955, the Lions Club purchased a new popcorn stand for Bob Oglevie. Oglevie sold popcorn from Bob’s Popcorn Palace located at the northwest corner of Third Street and Central Avenue.

The club sponsored the first free glaucoma clinic in May, 1965. More than 380 people were tested.

Among the projects undertaken by the Superior Lions Club was the heliport fund for Brodstone Memorial Hospital. The club constructed three picnic shelters in the two city parks. They provided funds for the Jaws of Life for the rescue unit.

The Superior Club sponsored an annual Easter Egg Hunt for more than 50 years at Lincoln Park. The club also sponsored vision and hearing screenings for area residents. The club did highway cleanup twice per year. They sponsored a fishing derby for many years as well as a free Christmas movie at the Crest Theatre.

At one point in time, the club sponsored a Halloween event as well as an annual talent show. The club relied upon concessions and income from the Victorian Days festival as well as its annual peach sale to fund its community resources such as scholarships and no-cost prescription glasses. The club also presented two annual scholarships. Without income and only four active members, the decision was taken to disband the club according to Vicki Perrie. The club has been selling their equipment but the service they provided to the community is priceless.