The Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Club named its Lion of the Year for 2021 during its annual Christmas dinner held Dec. 13 at the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company Hall.

The 2021 recipient, determined by a vote of the club members, was Lion Lyle Augustine Jr. for his service as the club’s assistant treasurer and the duties he performs in that capacity, as well as the many hours spent “over the grills frying sausage, peppers and onions, hamburgers and cheeseburgers” during the summer months at the club’s concession stands.

Augustine was presented with a plaque and, on behalf of the membership, President Loraine K. Neal thanked him for his commitment to Lionism and attention to detail in his financial duties.

The dinner program opened with a welcome by Toastmaster Lion Earl Reabold, the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of “America,” the invocation given by Chaplain Lion Kathy Nunemacher, a moment of silence in memory of deceased members, and the Lion’s Toast.

After a meal prepared and served by the “kitchen crew” of the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, the Toastmaster introduced the 10 invited guests who are nonmembers of the club, but have helped throughout the year at the concession stands at the Carbon County Lion/Lioness Fair, the West End Fair, the Palmerton Community Festival and during the monthly block shoots (October through April).

Club members thanked these people for volunteering their time to assist the Lions Club in its fundraising efforts, as profits of these efforts are donated to various local community groups and service organizations.

Neal gave brief remarks thanking the club members for their dedication to service in the community, and to upholding the Lion’s motto “We Serve.”

She then explained that the Lion of the Year is in recognition of a member’s dedication to his fellow Lions and outstanding commitment to the club and its goals.

Everyone present participated in a gift exchange game, lead by Lion Jean Reabold, in which the participants pass the gifts to one another on command of the words “left” or “right” contained in a special version of “T’was the Night Before Christmas.”

Chaplain Kathy Nunemacher gave the benediction and the program concluded with the singing of “Joy To The World.”