Conrad “Connie” Weidman received an award for 65 years of membership in Lions Club International June 18. Pictured above, from left to right, are Lions Club president Joe Berry, Weidman and Lions Club secretary Jeff Hatfield.
(Photo submitted)
––––
Conrad “Connie” Weidman of the Marysville Evening Lions Club was recognized on June 18 for 65 years of participation in the organization.
Weidman joined Lions Club International in 1954 at the age of 24. Weidman has served as club treasurer for the past 10 years, but during his time in the organization, he has also served as Club Secretary and Zone Chairman.
Weidman said he has seen the growth of the local club and feels that it is now able to meet many more needs than it was in its early days. When he first joined the organization, he said fundraisers consisted of door-to-door broom sales and light bulb sales. He said the following projects are currently very successful: the rose sale, the calendar sale and the food trailer.
Weidman said the most notable change he has witnessed within the club has been the inclusion of women. He said the constitution of Lions Club International was modified in 1987, which made it the first service organization to allow women as members. He said this was an important step, reflected by the fact that the Marysville Evening Club has eight husband wife couples as members.
Members of the local club said Weidman will always be known for his love of music, as he opens every meeting by leading members in singing patriotic songs like “My Country Tis of Thee” and closes with “God Bless America.”