The Lions Club of Fernie held their annual appreciation dinner at the Legion Hall on Saturday February 23, 2013. This event is as a considerate expression of Thanks to those that contributed so generously in many ways to the organization in the past year.
The Fernie Lions have been a support for this area for many years fundraising to help the hearing impaired and those with special needs. They are identified and well known for organizing the amazing Labour Day Demolition Derby event that attracts competitors and spectators from different provinces.
I was invited again this year and was pleased to be asked to give the blessing before dinner and also say a few words on behalf of the City of Fernie.
In my capacity as Mayor I thanked the Lions and all the volunteers present saying, “Congratulations for all the enthusiasm and diligence you show year after year and for all that you accomplish. Volunteers like you are the heartbeat of the community; you make our community the wonderful place it is”.
The delicious dinner of chicken cordon bleu, roast beef and fixings was prepared by the Legion Auxiliary Ladies.
President Rick Ganter thanked the Ladies and also Legion President Terry Rimmer for the use of the Hall for the evening and also for the Auction coming up in May.
Chuck Shoesmith, vice-president thanked all the volunteers getting a loud laugh when he stated, “I can’t believe all you do for a free meal.” He then touched on plans for making a permanent exhibition ground happen for Fernie.
Rick Ganter who has held every executive position since becoming involved with the Lions in the early seventies thanked the many individuals and organizations for the constant assistance to the Club. He particularly mentioned TECK Coal for their financial contribution, Randy Cameron who has been supplying free washrooms, fencing, etc, and also sets up and cleans up for the annual Demo Derby. “In the rain, at four thirty in the morning he moved the concession stand to the new venue last year”.
He went on to say that for years he and Ron Corrigan have supplied and cooked burgers for Family Day for seniors beginning at the Tom Uphill Home and continuing on at Rocky Mountain Village.
“The Mitchells have supplied us with a loader, grader, and anything else needed for over 25 years, don’t even have to call, Reiko Steel built metal seating stands for us. We also do security for the skating club and put on a volunteer dinner for all the kids who volunteer to help, over 30 this year” Rick adds.
He the points to a woman sitting across and says, “you see her, that’s Kim, she and her family come from Calgary every year to help with the Derby. Rick then points to a tall man close by. “That’s Loopy Meloff, an auctioneer from Alberta. He comes every year to volunteer as actioner for us. “Only time you can be called a big mouth and not be insulted,” he says to Loopy, who laughs and says he loves coming here to work the auction, “I do other places but the best bargains are here, usually people get something brand new for only forty cents on the dollar” he says to me.
Last year the Club held the Derby at the Hutchinson Farm property. This year they have no idea where it will be. In the past the Derby has been held in Hosmer and Coal Creek as well as in Fernie. This event has proven very popular drawing thousands of spectators including people from out of town who love the sport. It would be a sad day for many if another location isn’t identified soon for this very enjoyable family event.
