Since being chartered on January 15, 1957, the Boissevain Lions have put thousands upon thousands of dollars back into the community. If there was a project in Boissevain and area, chances were the Lions chipped in to it. They came up with inventive activities and fund-raisers, and from the sound of it, enjoyed every second.
“We had a great time, and did really good work for a lot of years,” said longtime Lion Wayne Pringle.
But for a few months, Wayne would have been an example of a charter member of the club. However, he waited just a little too long for that. His brother Del was, and many other members of the community were. Originally, former Lions George Love and Frank Shelton were approached by Brandon Lions to start a club in Boissevain. Wayne Pringle remembers the beginning.
“I think they had listened to what some other clubs had done, and found out how they helped towns out. Back in those days, there were no clubs like the Kinsmen or UCT here. We only had the Odd Fellows and Masons, and they were more fraternal organizations. They didn’t fund-raise as much.”
The club began with Charlie Oakden as the first president, with about 30 members. Wayne said he does not remember brother Del putting the screws to him about joining, but did think at 20 he was a little young. But by the end of the year, he was an official Lion.
“There were a lot of good ideas, and in those days we were all young, and we wanted to help the community.”
One of the first projects started that year was the ballpark, for which they raised $1,300. They began their senior’s Christmas dinners, which continue for several decades. Over the years, they built the campground that bears their name, contributed to the new arena and pool, painted the formal “hot and cold” on the water towers, and contributed to the Jaws of Life, AMR residences, watering system at the golf club and many more projects.
Speaking at the celebratory gathering earlier this year, Lion Del Pringle, who continues on in Brandon, congratulated the local Lions for their work over the years. He also shared his own memories of the times.
“Sixty years is a long time to be a Lion,” Del said. “There are lots of memories, and I have a lot to talk about, so sit back and relax.”
The diamonds were such hard work, he said, but now Boissevain has beautiful baseball facilities. However, “they still had no money.” So someone came up with the idea of a cash bingo, which eventually morphed into a car raffle for a 1957 Dodge V8 hardtop, which they bought for $2700.
Selling tickets in town for such things would be difficult, so they went on the road. That was the beginning of the cavalcades. Lions and their wives would put a lot of time into practicing singing and dancing, and travel all over. It was fun, but hard work.
“We travelled and travelled and travelled. Any given Monday we would go to Deloraine, Goodlands, Melita. Two nights later it would be Elgin, Souris, Hartney. Then two nights later Killarney, Pilot Mound. Another route would be Dunseith, Rolla, and Bottineau. We did it for one reason, tremendous dedication.”
Once the ball diamonds were done, they went to Town Council. They had $20,000 and wanted a new rink, which Del said could be built for $50,000. Eventually it came, and the Lions helped put in artificial ice. Del worked with the installer and said it was “the longest night of my life”. But they did get quality ice.
Del’s memories include the different fund-raisers and activities. He remembered the original Jug of the Month contest. Jack Cowie had won and several Lions volunteered to deliver it, bringing their own glasses.
“For months Jack would declare ‘I won half a mickey!’”
They took a special pet around to different clubs, careful to have the equipment to clean up after it. They had a funeral box with someone inside for those trips, and Bruno Neufeld being quite happy to jump out for a women’s group. Del remembered bringing Up With People to Boissevain, and later to Brandon. Another old Lion, Clair Burton reminded him of Les Brown’s baby Lion. Brown was the manager of the Co-op and they had a promotion where a baby lion made trips to different stores. It was suggested Del should go and get his picture taken with the little cat. So he got into a new suit and the inevitable happened.
“They handed me the lion,” Del said, “and it peed all over me.”
Brother Wayne remembers going all across the country to sell tickets for various fund-raisers. He also recalls all of the major projects over the years, including the more recent like the gazebos at the pool. But he is also fond of some of the smaller things. For example, since 1995, he has been in charge of the Christmas tree promotion, where the club brings in trees for the public.
“It’s not a big money maker,” Wayne explained, “but it is a service. It is just another little project, like the fishing derby or the Superbowl tickets. They add something to the town.”
Over the years, they have changed a little, not doing as much travelling and sticking closer to home. Events like the meat draw, Wayne said, do not take as much work as cavalcades, but do very well for the club.
As for members, he said the most he remembers having is around 45. At this point, they have about 35, which is not bad for modern times. It is difficult to get younger people as they are busy with their families, but compared to other clubs, the Lions are doing well.
“Few Lions Clubs have maintained their numbers, and some have folded, so we’ve been lucky that way. There have always been dedicated people.”
They continue onward, with plans to work with the Kinsmen to make special picnic tables for the Romance of the Railway Park. Del Pringle, who has been gone from town for 40 years, (saying he expected tears from that statement) congratulated the local club for its hard work. His brother has no intention of leaving, saying for him the meetings are a night out and he still enjoys his involvement. He added that the Lions and other groups are very important to the community.
“From what we gather, we have always been well thought of by the (Lions) brass,” Wayne stated. “It has been a good thing for the town and area. The Kin and UCT have been good too. You need groups like this.”
“The time has just flown by. It’s been a long time, but a lot of fun.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff
PHOTOS BY LORRAINE HOUSTON