80 Years Strong
The Lions Club of Greentown is celebrating 80 years of operation and tremendous service to Greentown. They are part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, with 1.4 million members in approximately 26,000 clubs across the country, said Greentown Lions Club Membership Chairman Mike Imbler. With a membership of about 150, the amount of hours and service provided to the Greentown community is very impressive.
The second Monday of every month, they have a dinner meeting, said Imbler.
Their largest annual undertaking is the Howard County Fair, but they have other community projects as well.
“The first fair was held in 1946 in Eastern Howard Memorial Park. There was one food tent and a pet parade. The Lions Club also had a raffle for a phonograph. In 1947, the fair began to really resemble a fair. More tents, more exhibits, but the carnival was still two years away,” said Imbler.
“The whole purpose of the fair at that time was to promote farming and agriculture, so 4-H was already a big part of the developing fair. It started with four days; now we go five to six days. The first year, in 1946, there was also a pet parade, and the Lions Club held a raffle for a phonograph,” he added.
In 1949, entertainment began having an influence. Imbler remembers one of the first groups to perform was Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers.
“The first tractor pull was held in 1949. In 1950, the number of exhibitors grew to 37,” he added.
“The whole purpose of the fair was to promote farming and agriculture, 4-H,” he says. “The fair started for four days; now we go five to six days.”
An important part of the fair is Pioneer Village.
“It’s basically a town established in about 1860-70. It was developed to reflect that generation. Right now, we have four log cabins, a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, a land title office, a church and a grocery store,” said Imbler.
“People love the fair. Why? People come to see the livestock, singers and events. The 4-H is the primary reason,” he said.
Longtime member Jay Freeman says, “The fair is probably our biggest asset. We usually gain members during the fair because people want to be a part of it and want to help the community. I have been a member since October 1972.”
Freeman also remembers some challenging events.
“We have had tornado warnings and really bad storms that have blown tents down and flooded the grounds. We had runaway horses pulling a cart that threw the fair queen off the cart and bruised her legs. She went to the state fair contest with bruises and quite a story for the judges,” he said.
Another popular project the Lions Club participates in is raising money for food baskets for low-income families. Lions Club members, members’ children and friends alike raise money by ringing bells for donations.
“One year we raised, through bell ringing and donations, probably $2,200,” Freeman said.
Sometimes the whole family gets involved.
“People take their kids and grandchildren with them to ring. You join a service group to give back to your community. You see people giving their time. You meet so many nice people. You meet people from all over the world,” he said.
Other projects under the Lions Club include an Easter egg hunt, music at the fairgrounds, dog shows and pig shows. Members also plant trees.
“We want to work with the school system to give a tree to every fourth grader,” Imbler said.
“We have a membership committee that is working hard to get members,” said longtime member Jay Freeman. “Every month we bring in new members, but we lose some as well. If we can get younger members to help and volunteer with the fair and the Christmas baskets, I think you will see the club and the fair continue to grow,” Freeman added.
