The Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Club held its 48th Annual Charter Observance recently at the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company Hall.

Lion Lyle Augustine Jr. welcomed all in attendance and introduced honored guests Past District Gov. Gary Bender and his wife Lion Melissa.

The 2024 Scholastic Achievement Award recipients were announced as follows: Brayden Hosier, Palmerton Area High School; Ciara Berhel, Lehighton Area High School, and Michael Bowman, Carbon Career & Technical Institute (Lehighton - Computer Design) and Trevor Stroup (Palmerton - HVAC).

Each recipient received a plaque and a $600 award.

Fire police representatives from each of the three local volunteer fire police companies were announced: Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, Jay Reid; Parryville Volunteer Fire Company, Sue Homm; and East Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company, Dave Weiner.

Each recipient received a check in the amount of $400 each.

The Past District Gov. Gary Bender installed the following officers for the 2024-2025 Lion Year:

• President: Scott L. Fenstermaker Sr.

• First Vice President: Norman A. Engle Jr.

• Second Vice President: Cheryl A. Ravert

• Secretary: Ruth Mary Augustine

• Treasurer: Lyle A. Augustine Jr.

• Lion Tamer: Ronald M. Engle

• Tail Twister: Cheryl A. Ravert

• Chaplain: Kathy J. Nunemacher

• Board of directors (1-year term): Lyle A. Augustine Jr., Tyeson Sargent, Earl C. Reabold, Curtis A. Hunsicker, Kevin C. Snyder; (2-year term): Loraine K. Neal, Jean F. Smith, Joseph L. Herzog, Brenda L. Snyder, Henry F. Altemose.

• Membership/Nominating Committee (3-year term): Loraine K. Neal, chairperson, Earl C. Reabold, vice chairperson, Lyle A. Augustine Jr., member.

Bender also presented the following prestigious award:

• Melvin Jones Fellowship - Lion Cheryl A. Ravert (in recognition of her dedicated service to Lionism).

• Memorial Bible Presentation: Lion Earl Reabold (in memory of his wife, Lion Jean Reabold).

Bender thanked the club for inviting him, and Lion Melissa Bender to participate in the Club’s Charter Observance Banquet. He congratulated the Student Achievement Award Recipients and wished them continued success in their future endeavors, and acknowledged the Volunteer Fire Company and Fire Police representatives thanking them for their dedicated service to their communities. Bender thanked the outgoing officers for their service, and welcomed the incoming officers charging them to continue to uphold the Lion’s motto “We Serve,” and wished the Club well in its future endeavors.

The Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Club is always accepting new members. Anyone interested may contact Lion Loraine Neal at 610-597-1875 or write the Club at P.O. Box 300, Bowmanstown, PA 18030.