LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL CENTENNIAL GRANT REPORT
“Reenactment of the 1925 LCI Convention at Cedar Point”
Submitted June 15, 2017
By the MD-13 Ohio Lions Centennial Committee
INTRODUCTION
On a beautiful spring afternoon, 326 Lions, Leos, and guests boarded a fleet of charter buses at Kalahari Resort on the second day of the 2017 Ohio Lions State Convention to travel through Sandusky to gather at the Grand Pavilion built in 1888 at Cedar Point, site of the legendary 1925 LCI Convention.
The 1925 LCI Convention is significant to the Lions Centennial Celebration for many reasons: Helen Keller’s famous speech; Canadian Harry A. Newman presided over the convention as the first president from outside of the United States; Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan were conveyed honorary membership in an all-male organization; and Ohio Lions held their state convention in conjunction with the LCI Convention with 33 clubs in attendance as part of MD-9 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio & Wisconsin).
(Antique postcard of the first floor dining hall of the Grand Pavilion)
Through a long personal relationship with the management of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, owners of the 365-acre Cedar Point, the second oldest amusement park in the United States, PCC Horst Herzog was successful in securing this American landmark as Ohio’s “official” Lions Centennial Celebration venue held in conjunction with the 2017 Ohio Lions State Convention on May 13, 2017. Lions International President Bob Corlew joined three professional living history presenters to portray American author, political activist and lecturer Helen Keller, her instructor and lifelong companion Anne Sullivan and the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones to reenact the moment at the legendary 1925 LCI Convention where Lions became “Knights of the Blind.”
SUMMARY
Attendees were transported by charter buses from Kalahari Resort, host venue for the 2017 Ohio Lions State Convention, to an unloading area next to the Hotel Breakers (built in 1905) on the shores of Lake Erie. This national landmark was the host hotel for the 9th LCI Convention, June 29 – July 2, 1925.
Upon arrival at Cedar Point, attendees were serenaded with popular tunes played by the award winning Fostoria High School Band, which was the official “Lions Band” for the 1925 LCI Convention. The band is under the direction of Steve Kauffman and had 70 members and chaperones present. Attendees sat in an open-air pavilion enjoying the band music while watching hotel guests enjoy the beach in front of the Hotel Breakers and boaters on Lake Erie. Volunteer tour guides of District OH2 Lions escorted groups of 25 attendees at a time around the Grand Pavilion. The Grand Pavilion is the oldest building on the 365 property.
While listening to soothing band music, attendees strolled past large photos of bygone eras of Cedar Point’s glorious history. The photos are mounted on the outside of the Grand Pavilion.
To preserve the Grand Pavilion, an all wooden structure, the outside facade has been modernized while the inside has been preserved as close as possible to the original design while meeting current fire, building and ADA regulations.
Attendees got to see and listen to the voice activated historical marker that proudly sits at the entrance to the Grand Pavilion. Thousands of thrill seekers to Cedar Point walk past it daily.
This tribute to the legacy of Helen Keller and the significance of her famous speech within the hallowed walls of the Grand Pavilion on June 30, 1925 was donated and is maintained by the District OH2 Lions (formerly District 13-B)
This location proved to be the ideal spot for commemorative photos of the MD-13 Lions Centennial Celebration of the 1925 LCI Convention at Cedar Point.
Attendees were encouraged to wear period outfits to Cedar Point. The variety of fashion for both men and women was exquisite and it created a lively atmosphere for everyone, including the Cedar Point staff assigned to the event.
Upon entering the Grand Pavilion attendees were greeted by Anne Sullivan, Melvin Jones, Helen Keller and Lions International President, Chancellor Bob Corlew and Lion Dianne Corlew. They were more than gracious in allowing Lions and invited guests to have a commemorative photo taken with the group or individual reenactors.
The MD-13 Lions, Lioness and Leos were honored to have Chancellor Bob and Lion Dianne Corlew participate in Ohio’s official Lions Centennial Celebration.
Other Lion dignitaries that attended the Cedar Point event were:
PIP James T. Coffey – Ohio PID Steve and PDG Cindy Glass & daughter Jordan – West Virginia PID Bud & Lion Jama Wahl – Illinois PID Steve & Lion Mary Ellen Sherer – Ohio PID Jerry & PDG Judy Smith – Ohio CC Ben & Lion Kathy Cosgray – Ohio CC Vic and Lion Diane Fischer – Indiana PDG Billy Chastain – Indiana PDG Bob & PDG Grace Kingsnorth – A5 Canada At 6:00 pm on May 13, PCC Stan Kopp, Master of Ceremonies welcomed the 326 invited guests to the same dining hall the Lions met in 1925 during the 1925 LCI Convention. A buffet dinner was enjoyed by the attendees.
May 13 Dinner Menu
Pasta Station Penne Becca Grilled Chicken, Spinach, Sundried Tomato, garlic, Olive oil Rigatoni Primavera Roasted Vegetables, Marinara Sauce, Parmesan cheese Caesar Salad Crisp Romaine, Traditional Dressing, Crouton, Romano Cheese Baked Potato Bar Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream, Bacon, Whipped Butter, Broccoli, Chives
Taste of the Point BBQ Beef Brisket Crispy Fried Perch Seasonal Vegetables Garden Salad Dessert Station Cookies and Dessert Bars
During the meal, proclamations were read and Cedar Point’s Historian Ken Miller spoke about the history of the amusement park and he invited attendees to see the Cedar Point Museum that has a section devoted to the 1925 LCI Convention and Helen Keller’s famous speech.
IP Bob Corlew & Lion Dianne Corlew dining with CC Ben Cosgray & Lion Kathy Cosgray. Our historical reenactors were accomplished public speakers known throughout North America for their authentic portryal of famous world leaders Helen Keller and Melvin Jones.
2VDGE Jackie Christensen is a member of the Canal Winchester Lions Club. She has been an inspirational speaker since 2007. Her passion is presenting on women in leadership—Annie Oakley, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Jacqueline Kennedy and Helen Keller just to name a few. You can find more about her presentations on her website: www.womenleaders.biz. Jackie is known throughout the U.S. and Canada and beyond for her portrayal of Helen Keller and the speech that inspired Lions International in 1925 to become “Knights of the Blind”. Her husband is PDG Bill Christensen and they both are active in numerous community organizations in Canal Winchester, Ohio.
Lion Kenneth Hammontree, Mr. Ohio History, has been a walking historical library for over forty years. His company, Living History Productions, was born out of this drive to bring the excitement of Ohio’s past to students. Ken adds a new historical character every few years, but they must meet strict criteria: integrity, moral credibility, and be someone young people can look up to and learn from. He thoroughly researches each new addition, right down to the clothing and world events surrounding the character. Although he has portrayed numerous people over the years, his favorite characters are George Washington, Generals Eisenhower and Patton, and of course, his
first character Johnny Appleseed. Lion Ken is a member of the Ashland Noon Lions Club. Lions Clubs International Founder Melvin Jones addressed the audience with an inspiring message about his vision for creating the organization in 1917 and the difference Lions have made over the past 100 years.
Lion Ken Hammontree of Ashland, Ohio portrayed Melvin Jones on the same stage that our founder spoke from in 1925 in the Grand Pavilion at Cedar Point. Representing the American Foundation for the Blind, Helen Keller, one of the 20th century’s leading humanitarians delivers her famous challenge for Lions to become “Knights of the Blind” in a campaign against darkness.
Lion Jackie Christensen portrayed Helen Keller, accompanied by her teacher, Anne Sullivan, portrayed by Lion Deb Horn, on the same stage that she spoke from on June 30, 1925 in the Grand Pavilion at Cedar Point. Lions Jackie & Deb are sisters from Canal Winchester, Ohio.
PID Jerry Smith and PID Steve Sherer gave their greetings, thanked everyone that attended and shared their enthusiasm for being a part of Ohio’s Lions Centennial Celebration and having IP Chancellor Bob & Lion Dianne Corlew as our special guests for the weekend.
Lions Clubs International President Bob Corlew addressed the audience with an uplifting message about his vision for the next 100 years of Lions worldwide service and the importance of honoring those that blazed the trail before us.
PCC Stan Kopp of Ashland, Ohio, Master of Ceremonies, is standing next to IP Bob Corlew on the same stage that the Lions first president outside of the United States, Canadian Harry A. Newman, spoke from in 1925. Lions Centennial Torch Carrier PDG Craig Gauger, OH1 District Centennial Coordinator, had the torch at every function at Kalahari Resort & Cedar Point.
The winning “Chicago Centennial Parade” shoebox floats were displayed too.
The miniature floats were made at the Ohio Lions Winter Retreat in January at Deer Creek State Park Lodge during a “Lions 100th Birthday Party” for MD-13.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Company Amount Description Staples & Stamps.com $ 300.00 Invitations & Postage Recognition Services $ 575.00 Give-away Pins Ken Hammontree $ 400.00 Re-enactment Actor Honorarium Go Daddy/Kerry Parker $ 89.93 Website Account Jennifer Forbus $ 500.00 Website Creation/Support Very Rich Media $ 3,950.00 Video Production/Housing/Meals Don Robinette $ 150.00 Video Production/Support/Housing Tope Printing, Inc. $ 674.11 Program Printing Brenda Miller $ 330.00 Program Design AloNovus $ 500.00 Brochure Printing Bliss Charters $ 3,160.00 Bus Transportation Carolyn Brook $ 64.20 Decorations John Cosgray $ 273.92 Decorations Cedar Point $ 9,955.00 Catered Meal for 326 Cedar Point $ 667.00 Meals for Band Members Cedar Point $ 225.00 Photographer Total Costs $21,814.16
CONCLUSION
MD-13’s official Lions Centennial Celebration would not have been possible without the $15,000.00 LCI Centennial Grant and the $3,000.00 match provided by Ohio Lions Inc. MD-13 appreciates the funding and support received from the LCI Board of Directors, LCI Public Relations & Communications Division, LCI Centennial Office, CC Ben Cosgray, MD-13 Council of Governors, MD-13 Finance & Long Range Planning Committee, OH2 PDG Association, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company & Cedar Point Staff.
Post-event interviews conducted with attendees to the “Lions Day at Cedar Point” have shown strong sentiment, effectiveness and motivation of this “once in a lifetime” experience toward launching our next century of Lion service. If we have inspired new members to grow personally and professionally as a Lion, reinvigorated the passion of the Lions mission in longtime members and energized emerging Lion Leaders to embrace the endless possibilities of greater service as Helen Keller’s “Knights of the Blind” in our worldwide campaign to eliminate blindness, then this Lions Centennial Celebration was successful in numerous ways.
A commemorative video has been created of the weekend’s events and will be made available.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
STATE CONVENTION & CEDAR POINT REENACTMENT:
Overall Chairs: PCC Stan Kopp and PCC Woody Conrad Jr.; Ohio Lions State Convention Chair: MDS/PDG Debbie Luttrell; Kalahari Resort Events Chair: PCC Sharon Parker; Cedar Point Events Chair: PCC Horst Herzog; Convention Advisor: Lion Brent Parker; Registration Rackets Chair: PDG Francis Hensel; Decoration Chairs: PDG Carolyn Brook and Lion Kathy Cosgray; Welcoming/Host Chairs: PCC Stan Kopp and PDG J.J. Jeavons; Tail Twisting Chairs: PDG Pete DiCesare, Lion Kenny Schuck, 1VDG Greg Hess; Entertainment Chairs: PDG Terry Spiegel and Lion Darrin Spiegel; Hospitality Chairs: MDS/PDG Debbie Luttrell and PCC Sharon Parker; Lions Memorial Service Chairs: Lion Julianne Zody, COG Chaplains; Displays/Vendors Chairs: ZC Kerry Parker and MDS/PDG Debbie Luttrell; Promotions/Internet Chair: ZC Kerry Parker;
LCI CENTENNIAL GRANT PROPOSAL & REPORT:
Guidance and Advice: MDS/PDG Debbie Luttrell, MD-13 Centennial Committee; Historical Research: MDS/PDG Debbie Luttrell and PDG Bill Keller; Video Production Services: PCC Don Robinette and Hugh Rich, Very Rich Media LTD.
The grant application and final report were written by:
PCC Ron Keller, 2718 Blacklick-Eastern Road, Millersport, OH 43046
Home# 740-467-0256; Office# 614-645-3332; E-mail: [email protected]
Additional copies available upon request