HOWARD — The skies were bright and sunny. Inside the Yearick Center in Howard, faces were just as bright and cheerful as sweethearts and friends came together on Saturday, Feb. 10, to enjoy fellowship and a free dinner served by the Howard Area Lions Club. Howard Fire Company members parked a large number of vehicles tight and close to make certain no one had to walk far to get into the Yearick Center.
The Howard Area Lions, most wearing bright yellow aprons, have been providing their annual Sweetheart Dinner since 1981. This year’s attendance shows that everyone who came was ready to shake off winter and get out and about for fellowship and a good, hearty meal.
Lion President Steve Barnes welcomed the dinner guests at noon and thanked all of the Lions who were there “to serve” the dinner. The Lions motto is “We Serve,” and this meal is just one of the many things the club does throughout the year to serve their local community and the residents who live there. The Howard Scouts of Troop 353 were there, too, doing a “good turn” for their community.
Following the pledge to the American flag, Lion member Bob Patishnocksaid the prayer, blessing the food, those who prepared it and those who would be eating it, before the dishes of delicious foods were handed to those seated at the tables. Seniors over the age of 60 made up the majority of those in attendance, some with their sweetheart spouses and others simply there with friends to enjoy the event. Platters of ham and turkey, and bowls of mashed potatoes, green beans and noodles were part of the hot foods that were dined on. Dinner rolls and coleslaw were also provided. Nearly 250 individuals dined on the festive meal this year.
Pies of various flavors, most having been donated by the men and most often baked by their own sweethearts, were cut for the dinner guests to enjoy a slice as their dessert.
Howard Area Lions Club has four female members thus far, and this year those “Lady Lions” had the delightful duty of slicing the pies.
After the meal, 11 raffle ticket winners were drawn, each winner receiving a $50 cash prize before the crowd dispersed, leaving the Lions and their young Scout comrades to tackle the clean-up afterward.
Howard Area Lions Club was chartered in 1976 with 63 men signing the charter. Only a handful of those original charter members are still living today, but yet there is a current membership of about 90 involved with the club. Howard Area Lions are always looking for new recruits to join the club and continue the Lions’ tradition of serving others.
