History of Georgia Lions 1961-1962

Marvin G. Pound
Sparta, Ga.
International Director
1954-1956

Past International Director Pound, for services in coordinating the financial work of Lions International, was awarded two keys, one by Past President Ed Barry and the other by Past President Ed Stickney. Lion Pound sends the following message to the Lions of Georgia: "LOVE is one of the greatest attributes of man. A LION to be useful must have LOVE within his heart for his fellowman, as well as the interest and concern for the welfare of those about him. May we as individual Lions embrace and foster this great attribute."

Held at Atlantic City and, as usual, attended by a large number of Georgia Lions who were much in evidence. Georgia Hospitality Room, the best at the convention, gave away candy, fruit cake, fancy pants and Georgia pins. It was estimated between 12,000 and 15,000 Lions and Lionesses visited the Georgia Room. A float and uniformed delegation in parade. An inspiring Georgia Breakfast. International Counselor Ridley Bell of Columbus was Master of Ceremonies at the International Counselors' Banquet. International Counselor Orion Brooks of Midville was elected one of five members to the Executive Council of the Board of Governors.



Our thanks to above District governors who gave District 18 a fine year in 1961-1962. Top left to right: Don Schmidt, Cedartown, 18A; Roy Heaton, Brunswick, 18B; James T. Riddle, Moultrie, 18C. Bottom left to right: Charles Marchman, Clayton, 18D; Gordon E. Sanford, Macon, 18E; Robert H. Stanton, Mansfield, 18F.

	# clubs		# members
	District	1961	1962	1961	1962
A	43	44	1,850	1,947
B	37	37	1,301	1,312
C	46	46	1,577	1,695
D	46	47	1,732	1,763
E	40	40	1,803	1,813
F	35	34	1,168	1,173
	248	248	9,431	9,703

The above figures from Lions International show our standing at the end of April 1962.

Lions International reports that all club secretaries’ reports from District 18, through the month of April, have reached the International office on time!

This punctuality is highly important as it is necessary for the proper functioning of our district. Orchids to each of our club secretaries for a job well done.

The North Decatur club entered a raffle for a live lion and won! When the lion arrived from Capetown, Africa, it proved to be seven months old, weighed 122 pounds and had a “mean and nasty disposition.”

What to do? What to do? The problem was solved by presenting the prize to the Grant Park Zoo.

A most enjoyable and worthwhile convention at beautiful Jekyll Island sponsored by the Brunswick Lions Club.

Addresses made by Past President John L. Stickney of Lions International and Anton K. Dekom, Director of International Relations, Lions International.

The District Governors Cup was won by the Druid Hills Lions Club; the Blind Award was presented Mark Thrower of Lakeview, Ga.

President Bill Cooksey and Executive Secretary Jim Corbet turned in a grand year. 880 persons were assisted which included payment for 513 pairs of glasses, 165 hospital bills, 67 optical services, 29 artificial eyes and 1 Lieb lens. Vice-president Al Brim and others did a splendid job visiting clubs and explaining the work and needs of the Lighthouse.

The happiness and ability to lead normal lives brought to so many people, especially children, by the Lighthouse cannot be measured. Every Lion and Lions club in Georgia should give whole-hearted support to the Lighthouse and the Lighthouse Foundation.

Boy Scout Silver Beaver awards were presented to Lions Charles Bowden of Cedartown, I. Enoch Rhodes of Sandersville and Elston L. Johnson of Tifton.

Past President Jack Stickney in his talk at Jekyll Island said, “Marvin Pound is a man of wise decision and fine sense of equity.”

Dekalb County now has 14 Lions clubs: Avondale Estates, Cross Keys, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Laurel Ridge, LaVista, North Decatur, North Dekalb, Pine Lake, Redan, Southwest Dekalb, Stone Mountain and Tucker.

John H. Lander, Atlanta Lion, won the national automobile dealer award for, “outstanding qualities in citizenship, community service and contributions to the automobile industry.”

International Counselor Eugene Sanders, head of the science department at Henry Grady Height School in Atlanta, was selected a “Teacher of the Year.”

In the Lions Worldwide Attendance Contest CORDELE won first place for the largest club with 100% attendance.

In clubs meeting other than weekly Jefferson won Division 4 and Toccoa, Division 11.

IN MEMORIAM.
Melvin Jones, Chicago, Ill., Founder Lions International.
Channing Cope, Atlanta, District Governor 1930-1931.
Edward Murrah, Columbus, District Governor 1936-1937.
Hamp McGibony, Greensboro, District Governor 1945-1946.
Paul Hosch, Winder, District Governor 1946-1947.
The Lions of Georgia deeply mourn the loss of these dedi-
cated Lions who did so much for Lionism in Georgia.

International First Vice-president Curtis Lovill and Third Vice-president Claude M. DeVorss spoke at District Rallies and anniversaries in Georgia.

The following clubs celebrated anniversaries:
40 years — Savannah and Waycross.
30 years — Canton, Chatsworth, LaFayette and Soperton
20 years — Adairsville, Ellaville, McCaysville, Marietta and Stone Mountain.
15 years — Baxley, Thompson and Vidalia.

The Druid Hills club made — the headlines by having the courage to sponsor the National Blind Golf Championship.

Atlanta Lions pledged $1100 at meeting to pay expenses in Atlanta of armless man from Colombia unable to speak English. The Cali (Colombia, South America) Lions paid his travel expenses and his former employer the cost of the prosthetic devices.

Probably one of the most important and difficult projects ever undertaken by a Georgia club has been the establishment of an Eye Bank by the Atlanta Lions Club.

Transportation Chairman Ed Dyer and Lion Tamer Ted Hays have perfected plans for the trip on a 146 passenger Air France jet.

8000 Georgia pins will be distributed and 800 cigarette lighters ~ with the Georgia emblem will be presented the outgoing and incoming District Governors and the International family.

A Georgia State Flag, recently flown over the Georgia State Capitol, will be taken to France by the Georgia Lions and will fly over the Nice City Hall during the convention.