Northern Lights Lions sign charter!

Thirteen of the charter members of the Northern Lights Lions Club of Belle Fourche were on hand last night (3/10/11) to participate in the signing of their charter, which was originally approved on November 16, 2009.  

The Belle Fourche Lions Club sponsored the new group and welcomed members of the new club last night -- offering congratulations on their achievement.  It was a festive evening for members of both clubs. First to sign the document was Northern Lights president Bev Banks (at right), followed by 12 other charter members who were in attendance for this special occasion..

In part, the new charter document reads, "Know Ye that the International Association of Lions clubs has granted, and by these presents does grant to the Members whose names are hereunto affixed and to all regularly elected officers and their successors, this Charter fully consitituting them a Local Club, under the name and title of The Lions Club of Belle Fourche Northern Lights sponsored by Belle Fourche...."

In the photo at left, Belle Fourche Lions president Ron Ensz joins Northern Lights president Bev Banks in showing off the new charter. 

Lion Rich Drabek, who was instrumental in helping shepherd both clubs through the process of forming the new group, took a moment to acknowledge the early achievement of the fledgling club.

"The Northern Lights club has challenged themselves to take on a new project every month," noted Drabek, who led the applause for this newest club in the northern Black Hills region.

In the photograph below, members of the new club proudly gathered around their newly-signed charter.  We were delighted to be able to share this special evening with them.  Congratulations and Well Done to our "sisters" from Northern Lights!

February 24th Lions meeting is a busy one!

Belle Fourche Lions received a quick primer on the are of book publishing this week (2/24/11). Rural Belle Fourche author Mary Buchholz shared the step-by-step process by which she and Jordan Wilms of the Tri-State Museum collaborated on their 2008 book entitled Belle Fourche.

Published by Arcadia Publishing of Charleston, South Carolina, the book contains more than 200 historic photographs.

Buchholtz is working on another book that deals with the history of Harding County.

Lions are meeting at Mulligans.  That's a new name for gathering spot at the Belle Fourche Country Club.  The facility has been remodeled, offering a more spacious site for meetings.

An "old friend" has rejoined us for our meetings -- the framed document that chartered our club back on October 21, 1936.  Of course, that was a while back, before many -- if not most -- of our club members were born!  Although faded by time, it contains the signatures of our charter members.

Treasurer Rich Drabek (left) and club president Ron Ensz admire the document, which returns to a prominent position on the wall of our meeting site.  Members are encouraged to take a closer look at this document at a future meeting.

Ron Ensz distributed the attractively-printed tickets for our forthcoming pancake breakfast, which is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Sunday, March 27th at the Moose Lodge.  Members are encouraged to sell as many as possible, since this is a major fundraiser for us, allowing us to continue pursuit of many projects.  Contact Lion Ron if you don't yet have your tickets, or if you need more!

Recognition was given to the six Lions who helped with a project designed to better accommodate Belle Fourche High School senior Dylan Norris.  The 16-year-old lad was seriously injured in a dirt bike accident last summer.  High school students have built a handicapped-accessible ramp for Dylan, and Lions last week completed some painting for the project.  Three cheers for the fellow Lions who turned out to help on this project.  They are pictured below.

Let's have a Roar for these Lions!  Standing lef-to-right are Leo Orme, Brian Kline, Rich Drabek,
and Tim Cleveland.  Seated are Gerald Keil, Ron Ensz, and Robert Schnaible.

Lions return to Country Club for meetings

In an e-mail to members today (2/7/11), Lions Club president Ron Ensz announced that our meeting this week (2/10/11) will be back at the Belle Fourche Country Club.

Lion Ensz reports that the facility is under new management, and they are looking forward to hosting our twice-a-month meetings.  We noted in recent proceedings that the Belle Fourche city council approved the transfer of a liquor license from the Belle Fourche Country Club, Inc. to L.B. Moser, LLC, doing business as "The Mulligan."   

For those of us with lagging memories, the Belle Fourche Country Club is located at  10941 South Dakota Highway 34.

Join us for a big Lions "roar" as we return to our old den.  Social at 6:00 p.m., meeting at 7:00 p.m.

New dimensions for the Black Hills School of Woodworking

Meg English

When Watertown native Meg English sat down to break bread with the Belle Fourche Lions Club this week (1/27/11), she was on a mission.  Her talk to the Lions was billed as background about the Black Hills School of Woodworking, but it ended up being quite a bit more.

She shared some exquisite wood products that had been built at the school, which is located in the old Belle Fourche City Hall and is operated by her and her husband, John.  Born in Limerick, Ireland, John English was trained as a cabinetmaker here in South Dakota and has become a renowned writer for most major woodworking magazines and was editor of Woodworker’s Journal.  He’s been building furniture for some 30 years.

But Meg English unveiled a bit of information that may have surprised a few old timers and newcomers alike – there’s a new school in town.

The Arts and Learning Center of the Black Hills goes beyond the many facets of the woodworking school, which already offers a bevy of topics in furniture design and building, including two lathe classes that will be offered in February.  The expanded offerings include writing workshops, photography, ACT preparation, tutoring, and more.

But beyond the creativity and educational activities they’re nurturing in the old City Hall building,  English touted the uniqueness of Belle Fourche.

“Most people don’t seem to realize what a treasure this is,” she said of Belle Fourche, seeming to encourage Lions to roar forward and participate in something of a renaissance for downtown Belle, perhaps building a bit on the historic roots of the old west town.

Lions Rik Bartels (left) and Ron Ensz (right)
help Meg English display items crafted at the Black Hills
School of Woodworking in Belle Fourche

There’s certainly an appreciation for history at the new Arts & Learning Center of the Black Hills.  Not only is it located in a Depression-era sandstone building, but it’s chosen the name Gallery 97 for the gallery where products from art furniture and stained glass to bronzes and fine art are exhibited.  Definitely rooted in history!

You'll find more information about both of these enterprises by visiting their new web site at www.artsandlearningcenter.com.  

This January meeting of the Belle Fourche Lions also finalized key elements for the Lions Annual Pancake Breakfast, which has been set for Sunday, March 27^th at the Moose Lodge.  Lion Bob Schnaible reported that the “all you can eat” event will get underway at 8:00 a.m. and continue until 1:00 p.m., offering hungry customers delicious hotcakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee.  All members are encouraged to mark their calendars and spread the word.

See a few additional photos from this latest meeting in our Lions Gallery.

Belle Fourche Lions gather for first 2011 meeting

Lion Vicky Glatt

Visitors from the Spearfish Queen City Lions Club dropped in for the January 13th meeting of the Belle Fourche Lions Club at the Branding Iron -- the first official meeting for the  Belle Fourche group for 2011.  Members were pleased to welcome Lion Vicky Glatt, vice-president of the Spearfish group, and Lion Cynda Wessel.   

They shared information about plans for their wine tasting fundraiser scheduled  for next month in Spearfish.  The event will take place on February 12th at the Snapper's building in Spearfish City Park.  Of course, Lions Glatt and Wessel also sold a few tickets while in Belle Fourche.  They said awards will be presented for the best vintners and home brew entries for the tasting.  We suspect that more information about the event may be found very soon on their Queen City Lions web site. 

Lion Gerald Keil calls upon guest Lion Cynda Wessel from
the Queen City  Lions Club to assist with the 50-50 drawing.

Belle Fourche Lions president Ron Ensz gave kudos to Lions Gerald Keil and Bob Morris for their fine work through the holiday for Lions events -- especially the great job they did for the December Christmas party.

Apart from routine business of approving the minutes and the financial report, the group also gave approval to  supporting the upcoming Belle Fourche Middle School Science Fair with a financial donation. The club has supported the fair in past years.

President Ensz reminded club members that the South Dakota Lions State Convention is just around the corner,  and this year it's being held at The Lodge at Deadwood Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22.  Check out the South Dakota Lions Foundation web sight for further information.

An early heads up was given regarding the fact that the Belle Fourche Lions Club will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next November.  Obviously we'll be hearing more about that in the weeks and months ahead! 

A Lions holiday gathering

It was a festive time for members of the Northern Lights Lions Club and the Belle Fourche Lions Club as they gathered at the Branding Iron Friday night (12/10/10) for their annual Christmas Party.  Despite some nasty weather, there was a good turnout of Lions and spouses. Lions Bob Morris and Gerald Keil coordinated the event, which included a gift swapping session that provided plenty of good fun.  Thanks to Belle Butte Title, Day Morris Law Firm and Gerald Keil for providing the appetizers and champagne!  We've posted a few photos of this event in the Lions Gallery.

Lions lend a hand

Several Lions Club members recently (November 2010) helped side one of the main buildings in the facility for homeless women veterans which is being built north of Belle Fourche on Water Tower Road.           

Belle Fourche Lions Club members first heard about the project some weeks ago, when new member Tom Hood talked about it with several members.

Lion Joyce Drabek at work

Shown here is Northern Lights Lions Club member Joyce Drabek, helping with the project.  To see a few more photos about this topic – and other Lions activities – visit our Lions Gallery.

 Earlier newspaper stories reported that the veterans’ housing and training complex is being organized by a group called “Community Volunteers in Service of our Neighborhood (C-VISN)."  Ross Surdez is spearheading the project, which seeks to  have the city annex property where the facility is located in order to obtain city services.

The project is expected to provide shelter and training for as many as 28 rural females who return from military service without marketable job skills.