​Kincardine Lions Club celebrates 50 years of service to the community

More than 100 people gathered at Ainsdale Golf Course, Saturday night, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kincardine and District Lions Club.

President Ian Allingham welcomed everyone and said he is honoured to be the president of such a great organization. He outlined a number of successful projects in the past year, including the raffle that saw $30,000 donated to the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation for the Kincardine Hospital, as well as the giant yard sale that raised $15,000.

“We couldn’t do all that we do without the support of our club members and their spouses and families,” he said. “Thank you all.”

Lion Dennis Flavell was the MC and introduced the head table which included Allingham and his wife, Kelly; Zone chairman Paul Kozma and his wife, Kathy; District Governor Bill Yelland; guest speakers Mike and Carol Rencheck; and Flavell and his wife, Helen Gitter-Flavell.

Special guests included Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig and his wife, Nancy; Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb; Tiverton Lions Ron Simmons, Ward Cox, Bill Stewart and Hank Van Moorsel and his wife, Barb; Ripley Lion Larry Irwin (past District Governor and member of the District Cabinet Committee) and his wife, Marianne; Ripley Lion Charles Liddle; and Kincardine Record reporter Liz Dadson and her husband, David.

Also on hand, were members of the Lions Clubs in Mount Forest, Wingham, Formosa, Lucknow and Neustadt; and former members of the Kincardine Lions Club.

Following a delicious meal, Flavell told the crowd that when you add up the years of service by the Kincardine Lions over the past five decades, it totals 1,100 years.

Looking back 50 years ago, he recalled what the Town of Kincardine was like in 1974 when the Kincardine club was formed, sponsored by the Tiverton Lions.

Highway 21 went through Kincardine, right down Queen Street, and all traffic stopped Saturday nights in the summer when the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band marched through downtown Kincardine. There were no traffic lights in the downtown, just a blinking light at the corner of Queen and Durham Streets. And the town still had the Kincardine Police Service.

Flavell then asked for greetings from the dignitaries.

Lobb said he has attended many celebrations at Lions Clubs throughout the riding. “You know, there’s only so much that the federal government, provincial government and municipal government can do. It takes organizations like yours to put the cherry on top for the community.

“I see kids playing at the Splash Pad and at Lions Park – that’s what you folks did. The quality of life is incredible here – and you contributed to that. All the best to you for many more years. Thank you for the kindness you’ve given to the community.”

“The motto of Lions Clubs International is ‘Caring for All,” said Craig. “As the Municipality of Kincardine, and the town proper, continues to grow and expand, the need for care is also growing. The value of your organization is in making life better for the community.

“From all of us in the municipality, thank you for the work you do. We are proud of who are and what you’ve achieved.”

Flavell introduced guest speaker Carol Rencheck who spoke about Huron Shores Hospice which is a community-funded, two-suite residential hospice located at Tiverton Park Manor.

She thanked the Lions Club for its support of the facility, including the donation of a blanket-warmer which is used daily, as well as providing the barbecue every year at the Hike for Hospice.

Huron Shores Hospice opened its one-bed residential suite in May, 2018, followed by the second suite in 2021. Since then, it has provided end-of-life care to 148 families, including 740 individuals, in the community, all at no cost to the families.

The hospice’s motto is “Make every moment matter.” It has 36 comfort-care volunteers who assist with the residents and their families and friends. There are also many other volunteers who help with special events.

Huron Shores Hospice is expanding its services and programs, hoping to open another suite for respite and hospice care, as well as an in-house hospice program, and a free-standing facility, but those are long-term goals, said Carol Rencheck.

The Hike for Hospice raised almost $80,000, and the next fund-raiser is the very popular Handbags for Hospice which runs Sept. 19.

Mike Rencheck, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power for another two weeks until he retires, spoke about the company and its goal of powering the community into the future. Not only is it doing this through the Major Component Replacement (MCR) project, but also through the development of medical isotopes for sterilizing single-use medical equipment and in the treatment of cancer.

Bruce Power supports many groups and organizations in the region, to the tune of $4.14-million in 2023, for hospitals, affordable housing, and local Lions Clubs.

“Congratulations to the Kincardine Lions Club on your 50th anniversary,” said Mike Rencheck. “Carol and I are glad to be here. We like the way we were welcomed into the community, and we’ll see you around at the many charity events.”

In reference to the proposed Bruce “C” new build at the Bruce Power site, he said the process is well under way and moving quickly.

The Kincardine Lions then presented a total of $1,100 to Huron Shores Hospice, including $600 for a day’s hospice keep, and another $500 in appreciation of Carol’s commitment to the cause.

Yelland said the Kincardine club has accomplished many things in 50 years, including the completion of many projects in the community. “This club is energetic, honest and straight-shooting. Congratulations to you all.”

Past District Governor Jim Prenger joined Yelland in presenting a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honours, to Larry Bannerman for his 50 years of service as a charter member of the club.

On behalf of the Tiverton Lions and its last remaining charter member, Brent Crawford, Van Moorsel said his club is very proud of the Kincardine club it sponsored back in 1974.

“We were just one year old and we took a risk on this group, and it turned out to be very successful,” he said. “Congratulations on 50 years. We are proud to be the sponsor and friend of a very active and successful club.” He then presented $1,000 from the Tiverton club for the All-Wheel Park in Kincardine.