The Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Club held its 47th Annual Charter Observance Banquet recently at the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company Hall.

After a dinner prepared by the “kitchen crew” of the fire company, President Lyle Augustine Jr. welcomed all in attendance and introduced the honored guests.

2023 Scholastic Achievement Award recipients were announced as follows: Anna Laible, Lehighton Area High School; Ava Gostonyi, Palmerton Area High School; and Carter Recker, Carbon Career & Technical Institute (Palmerton – Graphic Design) and Kylie Kuntzman, Carbon Career & Technical Institute (Lehighton – Graphic Design).

Each recipient received a plaque and a $500 award.

The Immediate Past District Gov. David Leon installed the following Officers for the 2023-2024 Lion Year:

• President: Jean F. Smith

• First Vice President: Scott L. Fenstermaker

• Second Vice President: Norman Engle Jr.

• Secretary: Ruth Mary Augustine

• Treasurer: William H. Ravert

• Assistant Treasurer: Lyle A. Augustine, Jr.

• Lion Tamer: Ronald M. Engle

• Tail Twister: Cheryl A. Ravert

• Chaplain: Kathy J. Nunemacher

• Board of directors (2-year term): Lyle A. Augustine Jr., Tyeson Sargent, Jean Reabold, Curtis A. Hunsicker, Kevin C. Snyder.

• Board of directors (1-year term): Loraine K. Neal, Raymond A. Nunemacher, Joseph L. Herzog, Brenda L. Snyder, Cheryl A. Ravert.

• Membership/Nominating Committee (3-year term): Loraine K. Neal, chairperson, Earl C. Reabold, vice chairperson, Kathy J. Nunemacher, member

Leon also presented the following prestigious awards:

• Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation Fellowship - Lion Cheryl A. Ravert and Bowmanstown resident Terrell K. Engle Sr. (in recognition of his dedicated service to the maintenance and beautification of the Bowmanstown Borough Monument).

• Memorial Bible Presentations: Lions Loraine Neal and Jean Smith presented a Memorial Bible to Lion Kathy Nunemacher - who accepted on behalf of her family - in memory of Lion Viola E. Steigerwalt. Lions Kathy Nunemacher and Jean Smith presented a Memorial Bible to Lion Joseph Herzog in memory of his wife Lion Nancy M. Herzog.

Leon thanked the club for inviting him to participate in the Club’s Charter Observance Banquet. He noted for those present the past year’s accomplishments as reported to Lions Clubs International; congratulated the Student Achievement Award Recipients, and spoke of Lions being “super heroes” when volunteering in the community to help others in need and to provide needed services and financial support to local community and service organizations.

He thanked the outgoing officers for their service, and welcomed the incoming officers charging them to continue to uphold the Lion’s motto “We Serve,” and wished the club well in its future endeavors.

Augustine, the outgoing president, thanked all of the members for their support during his term as president. He noted the many accomplishments during this time and asked the members to support the incoming president.

Augustine then passed the gavel to Lion Jean Smith and presented her with a Lion’s “President Pin.”

Smith thanked the members for electing her to serve as president, and asked for the continued support of the membership during the upcoming year’s planned activities. She then presented the President’s Award Plaque and Lion’s “Past President Pin” to Augustine in recognition of and appreciation for his service as president for the 2022-2023 Lion Year.

The Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Club is always accepting new members. Anyone interested may contact Loraine Neal at 610-597-1875 or write the club at P.O. Box 300, Bowmanstown, PA 18030.