On a beautiful late summer evening, the Perry Lions Club held their annual picnic at the Wiese Park gazebo.
A pre-dinner gathering was held at Lion Rich Jones’ house. Lion Jones and Diane Jones served refreshments and snacks on their deck, which is near the park. The members of the club were very appreciative of their hospitality.
The Hotel Pattee catered the evening meal of roasted pork loin, baked squash and salad. The dessert was a choice of lemon cake or chocolate brownie. Both desserts were prepared by Maureen Becker.
Eleven members of the Lions Club were in attendance, along with seven spouses and three guests.
Lions Ardie and Ken Klemish, members of the Anita Lions Club, represented the Lions International Foundation, and they spoke after dinner about the charitable work of the foundation. They emphasized the donations made to the Cedar Rapids area to help the community after the 2020 derecho windstorm.
The Anita Lions originally planned to present the Melvin Jones Award to an outstanding member of the Perry Lions Club, but the award was delayed in production due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be presented at a later date.
Local historian Rod Stanley was also a guest of the club. He retold the fascinating story of Bonnie and Clyde Barrow and their activities in Dallas County. Club members were very interested as the gang stole Perry resident Ed Stoner’s new Ford V-8 automobile, and the gang had a shootout with a local posse at the Dexter amusement park.
