On Wednesday, November 8, the Long Valley Lions Club members gathered at the Old Rock Church in Mount Carmel to conduct their annual business meeting and election of new officers. The Club enjoyed a three-course prime rib and homemade dessert dinner catered by celebrated Kane County Fair dutch oven and garden vegetable ribbon-winners, Kaber and Ashley Esplin.
Outgoing President Wayne Cox, a member since his high-school days, absent his two-year LDS Mission in England, opened the nominations by requesting volunteers to serve. Candice Cox won by acclamation, as did Jessica Tait for vice-President and Leland Spencer as Treasurer, including Kellie Baird for Secretary.
Throughout the meeting a memorial book was passed around for writing favorite recollections of recently-deceased 62-year member Gerald Spencer, Glendale.
Foremost on the agenda was the pending sale of the Carroll Arena facility adjacent the North Events Center to Kane County for the sum of $30,000. While this transfer would allow the Lions Club to conduct its perennially popular Long Valley Junior Rodeo Series in perpetuity, it would create a continuous corridor between the Center and the County’s recently-inherited property to the south. Thus, the new entity shall have an unobstructed right-of-way to make their envisioned improvements at-will, including those previously unaffordable for the Lions.
Riley Esplin, local State Bank of Southern Utah’s Branch Lender AVP, rose to outline the possibility of establishing an interest-bearing account for a portion of available funds, while maintaining liquidity for necessary expenses, such as various scholarships.
High on the list of priorities for the newly-installed President Candice Cox is the expansion of their options and amounts for continuing academic and trade-school support. Currently, 2023 graduates Hazel Harris and Jodi Cox have each received $300, while Holdyn Cluff, $150. Yet to be determined grants await Cole Heaton, as well as Layton Spencer when he arrives home from his LDS Mission to Romania.
Membership with the Lions Club International covers activities insurance, as well as contributions toward its widespread charitable endeavors.
