Published: June 16, 2006 05:58 pm      

Noon Lions honor 41-year member

Palestine — It was a celebration of firsts — and a first in a long time — for the Palestine Lions Club as members witnessed the presentation of a Lifetime Membership and heard about the induction of another member into the Texas Hall of Fame Thursday.

Past District Governor Bill Smith, who has been a member of the Palestine Lions Club since October 1964, received the group’s first Lifetime Membership award given since 1965.

At the time of his induction, Smith was manager of Teas Video — the first cable company in Palestine. He was sponsored by Lion G.E. Boyd and over the years sponsored 13 members into the club.

Smith served all offices of the club and was the District Governor in 1972-73. He has maintained his membership in Lionism for 40-plus years.

“I have traveled a lot of miles and seen a lot of pleasures during my time in the Palestine Lions Club,” Smith said upon acceptance of his award. “I appreciate this honor and I thank each and every one of you.”

Another past District Governor, Alvin Coleman, was honored at the recent Lions Club State Convention in Abilene — as an inductee of the Texas Lions Hall of Fame.

According to Club Secretary Carol Coleman, Hall of Fame inductees must meet several requirements including holding a minimum of 15 years in Lionism, and showing outstanding and dedicated service to Lionism to the community, among others.

“The award is given to a member of each of five or six districts once each three years,” Carol Coleman said. “The awards are displayed at the Texas Lions Office in Kerrville.”

Alvin Coleman has been a member of the Palestine Lions since March 1965, serving the club as secretary for 25 years and currently serving as the club’s treasurer.

He also has held several district-level positions for District 2-X3, including Cabinet Secretary, Zone Chairman, Region Chairman, Director of the Texas Lions Camp and several others.

Also during the meeting, Lions Steve Kerbow and Fred Spain received 10- and 25-year service pins, respectively. For the first time in several years the club also awarded the Lion of the Year award, presenting it to member Bill Curley.

Following the installation of new officers, immediate past president Linney Patton was honored by the club with a plaque and pin commemorating his term as president.

Dave Walters of Champion Dodge also was inducted as a new member of the club.