By SHERRY DIGMON
The gathering was a Who’s Who of Lions Saturday, February 22, as the Alabama Lions District 34C held their convention at Encore at the Strand in Atmore.
Alabama Lions District 34C encompasses all the Lions Clubs in the southern part of Alabama – Baldwin, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Washington, and Wilcox counties.
Among those attending and participating in the program were International Director Marie Cunning (who was also the keynote speaker), District Governor Todd Denison, Past District Governor and Past Council Chairman Bub Gideons, Past District Governor Gus Gary, Council Chairman Jerry Stephens, Past Council Chairman Pete Crews, Past Council Chairman Gus Gary, and Atmore Lions Club President Joyce Petty.
Numerous presentations were made Saturday morning including several related to the Lions sight program. Following the business meeting and lunch, everyone attended a screening of “Forgotten Creeks” at the Strand. Former Poarch Creek Indian Tribal Council Chairman Eddie Tullis was on hand to answer questions following the presentation. Tullis was instrumental in the Tribe’s gaining federal recognition.
Local Lions attending and/or helping with the conference were Andrea Beasley, Patty Davis, Bub Gideons, Renee Hardy, Nancy Karrick, Kerra Mascaro, Tristin McAnally, Joyce Petty, and Mike von Keyserling.
Two other local Lions groups were also in attendance.
Members of the Yellow Hats Lions Club at the conference were Vonda Bynum, Tonyaneka Gaskins, Bub Gideons, Lillie Johnson, Shelia Johnson-Williams, Vasaroy Johnson, Janice Reynolds, and Brian Stallworth.
Several members of the Leo Club from Escambia County High School served as greeters and served refreshments before the conference began. They were Ashley Parra Cerritos, Alvera Neasman, Itzel Lopez Parra, and Belaya Scott.