SYRACUSE - It was an evening of celebration for the Syracuse Lions Club Monday as it celebrated its 75 years of serving the community.
Yet the evening held a sad note, as it was announced the club would be disbanding at the end of the month.
“I want to thank all of you for being here this evening for celebrating our 75 years of service to the Syracuse community and beyond. Unfortunately, it is with great sadness we have to announce that our club is disbanding. This is our final hoopla, as our members are aging out and our efforts to gain new members and younger members have been to no avail; we didn’t know what else to do,” announced Barb Grumme, co-treasurer.

    Rose Russell (L), trustee of the Indiana lions foundation, presented the W.P. Woods Award to A.J. Himes (R). Photo by Deb Patterson, InkFreeNews
  

Following her announcement, budgeted donations were distributed to these local organizations: Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club, Syracuse Community Helping Hands 4-H Club. Syracuse Community Center, Lakeland Youth Center and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
Funds will also be distributed to state and international Lions organizations.
Following the meeting, District 25G Governor Warren Allender, stated, “As district governor, while they are talking about closing, we’re looking at options and community support for the Lions organization in the community.”
Doris Yoder, co-president, closed the evening stating, “It is with regret in closing out this evening, but I do know, some of these people intend to visit other clubs and see where they might find a home. ... Maybe down the line, maybe in a few years, there will be another group and will come back and serve Syracuse. We hope so.”
To celebrate the 75 years, a presentation of club awards were presented to six individuals.
Cliff Wogomon and AJ Himes were presented awards in appreciation of their service. Both participated in various club activities and projects. Himes was also presented with the W.P. Woods award by Lion Rose Russell, trustee of the Indiana Lions Foundation.
Russell also announced Ann Haffner was among 12 nominees from across the state for the Indiana Distinguished Lions award for 2025, prior to announcing Haffner was the recipient of the 2025 award. Haffner noted her husband, Charlie, received the award in 2005 and was the fifth person in the state to receive such an award.
Other recognitions, extended participation awards, were given to Janie Leach, who has provided meals for the club; Dr. Rod Kaufman, for his vision assistance; and Roger Kern for delivering the Christmas trees the club sold.
Doris Yoder was also recognized for creating and organizing the evening, her love of Lions and love of the local club.
Club members shared briefly the history of the club and its programs.

    Charlie Gardner, the only surviving charter member, stands next to the Syracuse Lions Club celebration sign. Photo by Lorri Gardner
  

Karen Hartley, co-treasurer, shared the charter history. The first organizational meeting of the club was May 2, 1950, naming Millard Sink as president. The charter night was held June 2, at Oakwood Hotel. The date on the charter is May 23, 1950. By 1955-56, the club’s membership had grown to 57.
Syracuse Lions Club went on to sponsor the Milford Lions Club and clubs in New Paris and Nappanee.
A 50th anniversary celebration was held May 26, 2000, with special recognition given to Ralph Thornburg for his 50 years as a Lion. He continued to be an active member until his death Feb. 20, 2009.
Fundraisers by the club included selling books, fruit cakes, golf outing and many others. The club has been the host club of one past international director, three past district governors and one associate member, who was a past district governor. The local club is and has been well represented at the district and state levels through its various service on various committees and state projects.
Tom Thornburg, co-president, spoke about the start of the club’s annual fish fry. He shared the Scout Cabin was built with the aid of Lions members who even furnished the furnace and flags; the first fish fry was held in 1959. Ralph Thornburg cooked a big pot of baked beans in an iron kettle to serve.
“The fish fry maintained its status as the largest club fundraiser, making many changes over the years,” he stated.
The fish fry was moved to the Syracuse Community Center after it was built, with the Lions Club donating the freezer, stove, microwave and refrigerator to the facility, purchased through an Indiana Lions Foundation Grant. In the early 2000s, Lion Stan Fox suggested and directed the addition of a silent auction to the event, nearly doubling the income.
Joe Hibschman, director, continued the fish fry fundraiser story, noting Steve Beehler and a crew, many friends of the Lions, assisted in the preparation of the fish for frying. Other volunteers were Cub Scouts, 4-Hers and Girl Scouts. When COVID hit, the fish fry became a drive-thru event making nearly as much income. But the silent auction was halted. Last year, the club went back to one more year of eating-in, until last year, when the final sit-down event was held.
Reports were presented by Jerry Wright on the state speech and hearing committee; by Angela Himes and Haffner on vision services; and Grumme on community service activities and the literacy program.
Lions Club members from Milford, Leesburg, New Paris, Elkhart, Baugo and Lakeville attended the event. Leesburg’s Lion Club presented a plaque to the local club commemorating the 75 years. A large number of Lion dignitaries from the district were also present, including the only surviving charter member, Charlie Gardner, who will be 102 years old July 3.
A display was available showing all the club presidents over the past 75 years, an award received by the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce and the framed original charter. A history of the local club was also available for guests to take to see what the club has done over the years as projects and fundraisers.