Sunday, November 22, 2015

Lorain Lions, Rotary compete for kettle contributions

ERIC BONZAR -- THE MORNING JOURNAL
The Lorain Rotary Club and Lorain Lions Club will compete for the benefit of the Salvation Army this season. Pictured, from left to right, are Lt. Jimmy Susa, of the Salvation Army in Lorain, Jim Wilson, former president of Lorain Rotary Club; Carolyn Huston, president of Lorain Rotary; Dan Smith, president of Lorain Lions Club; Ken Cromer, past president of Lorain Lions, and Lt. Melissa Susa, of the Salvation Army.

Bell-ringers bring out donors for Salvation Army


Saturday, November 21, 2015

Lorain Lions honor the memory of Lion Marshall Dimacchia


Lion Marshall Dimacchia passed away Friday evening. Calling hours will be Monday afternoon and evening.  A Lorain Lions memorial service will be led by Lion Bruce Meadows on Monday evening at 7 p.m. Marshall Dimacchia, Hanging Basket Sale Co-Chairman, and former Lion Tamer and Lions board director, joined the Lorain Lions in May, 1998. His sponsor was his brother-in-law, the late Al Januzzi, a past president of the club. Lion Marshall will be missed.

Here are a few photos of Marshall with his Lions friends and others over the years:






Here is the obituary of Lion Marshall:

Marshall C. Dimacchia
Lorain - Marshall C. Dimacchia, 83, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2015 at St. John Medical Center with his loving family at his side.
He was born in Lorain, OH on February 3, 1932.
Marshall graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Class of 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954 and served in the Reserves until 1960. He married his beloved, Beverly (nee: Zakrajsek) on May 9, 1953 and they raised five loving children together. Marshall began his career in 1954 at Lorain Telephone Company and retired with 54 years of service receiving many honors including Employee of the Year. He was an active member of the Lorain Lions Club receiving the following awards: Dick Bryan Fellow, 2007-2008 an Ohio Lion’s Eye Research Foundation Recognition; Melvin Jones Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Services; and the President’s Appreciation Award in 2005. Marshall was also a member of St. Anthony of Padua in Lorain. He was involved in Lorain High School and Lorain Catholic Booster Clubs. Marshall enjoyed watching all sports, attending his family’s sporting events and activities as well as casino trips and playing the lottery. 
He is survived by his children, Bambi (Bill) Dillon, Jeff (Barbie) Dimacchia, Heidi (David) Gedling, Robby Dimacchia and Ricky (Cathy) Dimacchia; grandchildren, Nikki (Frank) Janik, Jason (Robyn) Dimacchia, Joe (Jamie) Dimacchia and Kristen Dimacchia; great grandchildren, Arianna and Isabella Dimacchia; siblings, John (Barb) Dimacchia, Carm Januzzi, Carol (Paul) Courtney, Anita (Bill) Helbig and Peggy (Paul) Rutkowski; sister-in-law, Nancy Cacchione; aunt, Rose Diso; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Beverly A. (nee: Zakrajsek); parents, Columbus and Josephine (nee: Rosso) Dimacchia; father and mother-in-law, Tony and Helen (nee: Tomaszewski) Zakrajsek; brother, Joseph Dimacchia; sister, Joan Johnson; brother-in-law, Albert Januzzi; and sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Ken Hennes.
The family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2150 Broadway, Lorain (440) 244-1961 on Monday, November 23, 2015 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM with a service by the Lorain Lions Club at 7:00 PM. Closing prayers will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 9:20 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at St. Anthony of Padua, 1305 East Erie Avenue, Lorain, Rev. Edward Smith, Pastor, officiating. Christian burial services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where military honors will be performed by the U.S. Marine Corp. Memorial donations may be made in Marshall’s memory to Lorain Lion’s Club, St. Anthony of Padua, Lorain  or St. Mary Church, Lorain in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Historical Society Carnegie Building Grand Opening Detailed

ABOVE:  Barb Piscopo, Executive Director of the Lorain Historical Society (2nd from left), discussed the successful $2.4 million renovation project for the Carnegie Library on 10th Street that will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, November 22 from 2-5 p.m.  It promises to be a "Wow" moment for the City of Lorain.  Also pictured above are Lorain Lions on the Historical Society's Board of Directors:  Doug Kayle (left), Jack Clark (2nd from right) and Ben Norton (right), president of the Lorain Historical Society Board.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Waterfront Winterfest Events Explained to Lions


ABOVE:  Steve Bansek (right) and Lolly Bansek are heading up the Lorain Waterfront Winterfest ("Light Up Lorain")  on  November 28 and 29 this year.  They talked about the many events planned for the weekend, including ice sculptures, fireworks and holiday decorations in downtown Lorain.  Watch for more details in the next couple of weeks.

Lions vs. Rotary Kettle Rivalry Revived

ABOVE:  Salvation Army Commander Jimmy Susa (center) attended both the Lorain Rotary Club meeting and the Lorain Lions Club meeting on November 5 to challenge the two clubs to renew their competition to raise the most money when they man the Salvation Army Kettles in December on separate Saturdays.  This has been a holiday tradition between the two clubs for many years. Also pictured above are Lion Tim Lombardi (left) and Rotarian Rev. Jim Smucker, who "threw down the gauntlet" at the Lions Club dinner meeting November 5.  The winning club takes possession of the trophy until next year's competition.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

News coverage of guide dog at Lions Breakfast

The Morning Journal article (Nov. 3, 2015) of guide dog and handler from Pilot Dogs, Inc. Donations made at Lorain Lions' Nov. 1 breakfast toward the $8 million project to build new kennel and training center in Columbus to supply more guide dogs to the bland and visually impaired.
Article (Nov. 2, 2015) in the Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, on the Lorain Lions breakfast and guide dog greeting people walking into the breakfast at the Italian-American Veterans Post 1.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Record Breaking Crowd for Lions Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, November 1 was a busy day at the Lorain Lions Pancake Breakfast with about 1200 community supporters stopping in for the delicious pancakes and sausage.



















Pilot Dogs of Ohio trainer Mike Tessmer and Shiloh were on hand at the Lorain Lions Pancake breakfast to meet and greet visitors.   Pilot Dogs, Inc. has been serving the blind and visually impaired community since 1950. They provide a unique form of independence and mobility through the use of dog guides. Over the years Pilot Dogs has trained over 7,500 individuals in the use of their Pilot Dogs.







ABOVE:  Elyria Catholic High School student Christopher Morgan (right) and his dad, Brian Morgan (left) provided 5 hours of invaluable volunteer service taking care of customers at the breakfast.  Thanks for your help!

ABOVE:  Lion President Dan Smith (left) and Pancake Breakfast Chair Lion Rich Foil (right) present 50/50 raffle winner Nathaniel Reynolds (center) with over $300 in winnings!

ABOVE:  Lion Gary Koepp (left) was the winner of the Money Tree raffle, attended by Lion Jean Lee (center) and Lion Dorothy McGuire (right).


Lions Tour Second Harvest Food Bank

The Lorain Lions had their noon luncheon meeting onsite at Second Harvest Food Bank on October 29 and heard a presentation from staff member Susan Bartosch about the Back Packs for Children program that provides food for young students for the long weekend.  The Lions also had a behind the scenes tour of the new and expanded state-of-the-art facility.









Many thanks to Susan Bartosch for the informative presentation and tour of the impressive new facility.