story & photos by Don Church and Tony Schillaci

On Saturday, January 7, Lions Club District 23-C hosted a

gala dinner and awards ceremony in the main ballroom of

the Groton Inn and Suites.

Keynote speaker for the event was Chief of the Mohegan Tribe

Lynn Malerba, and the MC for the evening was the Resident’s

Editor/Publisher Alexis Ann. The Resident was also a co-sponsor

of the evening.

During the cocktail hour, guests were surprised to meet and greet

Rock & Roll icon Joey Dee of “Peppermint Twist” fame. Alexis

Ann took the opportunity to brush up on her “twistin” technique with

Joey Dee to the delight of photographers.

Following a welcome by Mary Krogh, Past District

Governor, Frank Rowe, District Cabinet Chair, introduced the

Flag Presentation, in which the flags of the Mohegan Tribe, the

Lions Clubs, and the State of Connecticut were featured. These

were joined by an Honor Guard from the United States Coast

Guard Academy, presenting the Flags of the United States of

America and the Coast Guard.

After an invocation by Vice District Governor Jan Miller and

a “water toast” by Lion Ted Krogh, MCAlexisAnn spoke about the

“good news” humanitarian theme of the evening, and introduced the

dignitaries and speakers at the head table.

Singer Eileen Connor of the Hartt School of Music sang the

“Star Spangled Banner” and other selections prior to a five-course

dinner prepared by the Groton Inn’s talented chefs, and served by a

friendly and professional wait staff.

Following dinner, Chief Lynn Malerba gave a warm inspira-

tional talk on the value of service and cooperation to better the lives of

those around us. She liberally quoted Mark Twain, and, because the

Mohegan language has no word for “Lion” she referred to the Lion’s

Club members in the room with the Mohegan expression “big cats!”

District Governor Ken Tucker acted the part of Lion’s founder

Melvin Jones in a birthday celebration, as the evening continued

when delightful 14-year old Jenna Berloni sang “Over The

Rainbow” and “Freedom” from the Broadway show Shenandoah.

The Humanitarian Awards, presented by PDG Mary Krogh and

PDG Eric Jacobson, were given to individuals (Lions or non-Lions)

who selflessly gave of their time and efforts in extraordinary ways.

Nominees included from Bruce Hayn, Colchester, Kate

Morris, East Hampton, Craig Mansfield, East Haddam, Joan

Youngs, East Hampton Village, Frank Winkler, Groton, Kathy

Peterson, Killingly, Mack Stewart, Haddam and Saybrook, Liz

Smith, Ledyard, Robert J. McBriar, Hebron, Carol Granato,

North Stonington, Jay Bradshaw, Middlefield, Debbie Kievets,

Norwich, Jack Malone, New London Judy Gadbois, Salem, Dr.

Peter Bachiochi, Willimantic and Julia Bettencourt, Taftville.

International Director Carolyn Messier had the daunting task

of working behind-the-scenes to choose a recipient of the Melvin

Jones Award from among the Humanitarian Awardees. In a special

ceremony, 80-years-young Joan Youngs of the East Hampton

Village Lions Club was singled out for her long service and

humanitarianism.

During birthday cake, ice cream and coffee, Alexis Ann and

Lion Joe Walters conducted a raffle drawing for many wonderful

donated prizes.All the proceeds of the raffle were to continue to good

works of the Lions Clubs.

After a brief benediction by Past District Governor Norm

Messier, the evening ended on a high and hopeful note. The District

23-C Connecticut Lions have every reason to Roar!

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