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Fostoria Lions Celebrate 42 Years
February 20, 1936,
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The Fostoria Daily Review, predecessor to The Review Times, published a souvenir edition with a 2 ˝ inch high front page headline “Local Lions Formed.”
At that time 21 Fostorians joined with Lions International to form another service club for the betterment of the city. Fostoria already had Rotary, Kiwanis and Exchange...but a group of roaring Lions was something new.
And roar they could, when they met weekly and sang:
“Can you hear those Lions roar,
Can you hear those Lions roar,
You can hear them roaring every week,
As they feed and growl for more.
Can you hear those Lions roar,
Their snarling, rumbling roar,
So roar Lions, bite ‘em, bite ‘em, bite ‘em,
Hear those Lions, hear those Lions,
Hear those Lions roar.”
The Review had this to say about Carl Smith, the first
president:
“Carl Smith, president of the Fostoria Lions Club, has been running
around town like a chicken with his head off, or should we say a lion
with his tail off, getting things lined up for today’s Northwestern
Ohio Zone meeting and for tonight’s Charter banquet. Carl is a real
worker and a good leader. He will take plenty of time off from selling
typewriters and other office supplies to see to it that the Fostoria
Lions Club gets off on the right foot.”
The other 20 charter members were:
H.D. “Doc” Hunter...first vice president. Local optometrist who used
slogan “Hunt for Hunter,” active in the club’s sight conservation program,
and the club’s song leader. Later elected state song leader.
William Grobman...second vice president. Owner of Bill’s Economy Store.
Grobman was instrumental later on, in bringing Rubinoff and his violin
to Fostoria to raise funds for the club’s service activities.
Jerry Morria...pharmacist at Edison’s Drug Store.
Robert Harrison...called the X-70 kid because he ran the Standard Oil
station where Kentucky Fried Chicken is now.
Harry Walters...local insurance man, and enthusiastic bowler.
Harold Peters...Club’s tail twister...partner in Stump & Peter’s Poolroom.
FHS & Kenyon College football star.
Dr. Karmasin...local dentist, rated as having one of the best “pulls”
in town.
Walter J. Fruth...part of the Fruth Hardware family.
Abe Cohen...associated with Cohen Shoe Store. One time star football
player at FHS.
H.V. Rasey...manager of Pittsburgh Plate Glass store.
Carman “Spike” Alspach...local insurance man.
E.R. “Eddie” Clark...owner of Clark’s Grocery & Meat Market. Football
player for FHS and Ohio Northern University.
Sam Betterman...associated with Western Union Telegraph.
Carl Hahn...manager of the New Civic and Roxy theaters in the city.
Bernard Preis...club’s secretary. Associated with Preis Store.
W.E. Maxwell...technologist at Fostoria City Hospital.
Clarence Coppus...owner of Coppus Clover Farm Store.
H.C. Whitta...local grain inspector.
Arthur C...Nichel Plate Railroad employee.
C.W. Latshaw...local engineer and politician.
Paul H. Krupp...associated with The Fostoria Daily Review.
At one point in their history it was questionable if the local Lions Club would survive. In fact, a district Lions official recommended that the club turn in it’s charter, but the members saw it differently, and worked harder than ever to succeed. Their efforts paid off and in time the membership grew to approximately fifty.
Sight conservation has always been the prime project for Lions International and all affiliated clubs. Helen Keller, blind from birth, challenged the Lions at a meeting in Sandusky, Ohio, many years, ago, to do something to conserve sight. The challenge was accepted and thus became Lions prime project.
The Fostoria Lions Club participates in many other activities that benefit the city and individuals..and the cost is approximately $4000 annually.
The local club was responsible for identifying all streets with name plates, and later the maintenance of them was turned over to the city. They also provided the public tennis courts on Buckley Street, which were later turned over to the city.
The Fostoria club has had the honor of supplying two district governors; Vinton Swihart and Jack Lambright; both of whom also served as president of the local club.
Only two of the original charter members of the club are still affiliated..they are Walter Fruth and Clarence Coppus..the latter now residing in Arizona, and attending whenever he gets back for a visit.
Wayne McAlevy, a member, had perfect attendance for 35 years. Charter member Walter Fruth had perfect attendance for many years.
The present officers are Tom Kidd, president and Earl Guernsey, secretary.
Recently, your editor visited at one of the club’s weekly meetings and broke bread with them. I wanted to see if Lionism and Lions are the same today as they were 42 years ago, when the charger was presented.
I saw lots of new faces, but the early spirit was still there..they are still a bunch of “roaring Lions”..enthusiastic as ever to serve their community. I believe they will be around for a long time.
HEED GOD’S WORD
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
As eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31