Only deceit and lies made it possible for Ruth Smith, a member of the Western Pocono Lioness Club, to be surprised with an award at the Pennsylvania State Lions 90th Annual convention, which was held recently in Valley Forge.

Smith thought her good friend Nancy Beck was being honored, so she agreed to get up at 3:30 a.m. to ride with other club members to the 7 a.m. state Lioness breakfast meeting.The untruths held all through breakfast and special activities involved in the meeting until her name, not Beck's, was called as Lioness of the Year for District 14U."I was stunned," says the honoree. Her sister Lioness, however, knew she deserved the award and as a group they cheered when she was recognized for District 14U.A member of the Western Pocono Lioness Club since 2003, she has five years perfect attendance and has served as vice president of the club for the past two years. Her tenure as president will begin July 1, after the installation of officers on June 26.Smith has served on the club's board of directors for seven years and has attended District meetings as well.She serves as liaison between three food pantries in the area and is active in all aspects of the club's work, including calling and visiting other Lioness who are unable to get out of their homes.For five years Smith has organized and chaired the Patriotic Coloring Contest, a function of the club that is a favorite for her. Among the reasons, she says, is that the contest pictures are given to Operation: Touch of Home, to be sent overseas to area service personnel, showing them that the children also appreciate their service to this country.Current club President Virginia Lamendola, one of the Lioness attending the breakfast with Smith said, "We were proud to share with Lioness Ruth Smith her special award for Lioness of the Year for District 14U."Lamendola added that Western Pocono Lioness is a very close knit club, whose priority is "We serve helping others as well as our own."Smith agreed, and said the club is "a wonderful group of women," a community organization which cares about the community. She invites anyone interested in more information to contact her via phone (610) 381-4274 or by email at

rsmith1@ptd.net.