Our History
February 5, 1943 – Organized as Nashville Lions Club
Founded as Nashville Lions Club by County Ag Agency Melvin Flock as part of the Purdue University Agricultural Extension Service plan to extend the role of the service into areas of community development.
March 12, 1943 – Held Charter Banquet at Nashville Methodist Church
106 people attended, 31 of whom were charter members. Meeting were kept to the Lions International Manual by opening with the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag, followed by singing of the National Anthem. However, by the 6th meeting, the group was singing America instead – it was a lot easier to sing.
1943 – 1944
President – Paul Snyder | Secretary – Fred King | Treasurer – Howard Zody
Formed a basketball team and played games at Nashville and Helmsburg to benefit the American Red Cross.
Erected a county Military Honor Roll in the courthouse yard and dedicated it July 4 with 600 people in attendance.
Supervised War Bond drive.
Paid dues of all members called into service.
Had 250 people attend a Fun Carnival Night and square dance. It could be said that this set a pattern for public attractions and led the Lions Club three years later to put on the first Brown County Free Fair to benefit the 4-H Club.
Netted $165 cleaning out and salvaging material from the Nashville House, which was destroyed by fire.
Established a tradition of holding a Christmas part for the children in the community.
1944 – 1945
President – William Robertson | Secretary – James Davis | Treasurer – James Davis
Aided the war effort by sponsoring a scrap metal drive and paying prizes to schools turning in the largest amount.
Again played basketball at Nashville and Helmsburg to benefit the Red Cross.
Assisted with the town’s Christmas decorations, constructing a Nativity Scene at the main corner of town.
Assisted Brown County Community Club in putting on a talent carnival to benefit the Red Cross.
Corresponded with and presented gifts to members serving in the war and hosted wives of those member at a Ladies Night.
Conducted clothing drive to send to European war theater for use by displaced persons.
Accepted sponsorship of a Boy Scout Troop.
Purchased and distributed 1,000 book covers to all county high schools (VanBuren, Helmsburg, and Nashville).
Established a tradition of operating concessions by operating the stand at the swimming pool in State Park.
Organized a Volunteer Fire Department; Lion president, William Robertson, was its first chief.
Obtained 200 fire extinguishers for community use.
Began work on getting a water system from Nashville.
Started buying caps in Lions Club colors and requiring members to wear the caps at all meetings and other club activities.
1945 – 1946
President – Glen Loop | Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
1946 – 1947
President – Fred King | Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Organized a Rodeo and Horse Show, attracting 124 horses to events in Brown County State Park and beginning a tradition the continued for many years.
Finished Military Service Board by covering with glass and hanging in corridor of courthouse.
Sponsor3ed first Brown County Free Fair to benefit the 4-H Club. Before the fair, enrollment in 4-H clubs was 155; by the time of the second fair in 1947, enrollment had jumped to 300.
Leased land for city dump ($25 a year). Built road to dump.
Sponsored emergency food collection for Brown County.
1947 – 1948
President – James Davis | Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Added a queen contest as part of 4-H Fair.
Bought rain coats for the school safety patrol.
Bought 3 highway signs that read “Nashville Welcomes You”
1948 – 1949
President – Howard Zody | Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Began sponsorship of a Girl Scout Troop.
Added horse-pulling contest to 4-H Fair.
Doubled livestock tent a 4-H Fair.
Took on the project of getting a doctor for Nashville to replace the one who had retired.
1949 – 1950
President – E.K. Congram | Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Completed work on water system for Nashville.
Supported Garden Clun in beautifying town.
1950 – 1951
President – T.S. Buck | Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Repaired and painted 1922 town fire truck; began drive to raise $9,000 for a new one.
Donated $1,000 toward material to build school addition.
Artist and Lion C. Carey Cloud and other Lions created a publicity pamphlet showing points of interest in Brown County.
Equipped school patrol with badges and belts.
Held auction to benefit American Red Cross.
Supported with $1,000 and “the donation of one day’s work from each Lion” the building of the new elementary school.
1951 – 1952
President – Keith Taggart| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Began sponsorship of Explorer Post and Cub Pack.
Presented awards in recognition of services performed by the school patrols.
At least one Lion served in Korean War.
1952 – 1953
President – Carey Cloud| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
10th anniversary of Lions Club: 60 members listed.
Purchased town dump.
Began replenishing oxygen supply for resuscitator.
1953 – 1954
President – Sam Gabriel| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Sponsored vaccination of dogs for rabies.
1954 – 1955
President – Robert Justice| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Raised over $11,000 to build fire house and buy fire wagons.
1955 – 1956
President – Charles Rahning| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Began popcorn concession at Brown County Playhouse.
Held a car raffle in connection with the fair.
1956 – 1957
President – Tom King| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
Paid half the cost of new Nashville street signs.
Paid for glass backboards in the new gym.
1957 – 1958
President – Loren Moore| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
1958 – 1959
President – W.L. Jockey| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
1959 – 1960
President – Jack Bond| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
1960 – 1961
President – Albert Robertson| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – William Robertson
1961 – 1962
President – Harmon Pritchard| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1962 – 1963
President – Dr. Robert Percival| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1963 – 1964
President – Robert Joseph| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1964 – 1965
President – Jerry Kinnane| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
Sponsored all-county variety show, an event that was staged for several years. Happy Christman did a fire-eating stunt!
1965 – 1966
President – Donald Coffey| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1966 – 1967
President – F.A. Christman| Secretary – William Robertson | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1967 – 1968
President – Leslie Rudd| Secretary – Arthur Murphy | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1968 – 1969
President – Robert Himes| Secretary – Arthur Murphy | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1969 – 1970
President – Seel Wiegand| Secretary – Arthur Murphy | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1970 – 1971
President – Robert Martz| Secretary – Arthur Murphy | Treasurer – Arthur Murphy
1971 – 1972
President – Arthur Banks| Secretary – Arthur Murphy | Treasurer – Richard Wood
1972 – 1973
President – George Coldren| Secretary – James Clark | Treasurer – Michael Ryan
Donated $3,000 to cancer control equipment at Ind. Med. Ctr.
1973 – 1974
President – George Kissling| Secretary – Louis E. Macon| Treasurer – Michael Ryan
1974 – 1975
President – Robert Gregg| Secretary -Louis E. Macon| Treasurer – Richard Halladay
Name changed to Brown County Lions Club.
Began December fruit sale.
Club president made 15 benches to place around town.
1975 – 1976
President – Stewart Huffman| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – Richard Halladay
Auction fund raiser is successful for several years.
Began publishing a calendar, a project for seven years.
Lion Daily Hill serves as District Governor.
1976 – 1977
President – Dane Burns| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – George Wolf
Sponsored garden tractor pull at 4-H Fair.
Sold roses, a project that was carried on until 1986.
Helped Jaycees with expenses of July 4th fireworks celebration.
Built wheelchair ramp in town of Nashville.
1977 – 1978
President – Robert Galm| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – Wayne Levy
1978 – 1979
President – Robert Dan| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – Robert Gredy
Giant coloring books sold for several years as a Club project.
1979 – 1980
President – John Butler| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – Robert Gredy
Highway cleanup done with Scouts as part of annual Lions State Clean-up Day.
Raffled a 1/2 size Tin Lizzie as a club project.
1980 – 1981
President -Richard Pitts| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – Ralph Booker
1981 – 1982
President – Claris Keaton| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – William L. Percifield
Lions and Chamber of Commerce begin sponsorship of a Spring Blossom Parade.
Repaired and repainted benched on courthouse lawn.
1982 – 1983
President – William M. Henderson| Secretary – Louis E. Macon | Treasurer – Randall R. Austin
1983 – 1984
President – William S. Miller| Secretary – Roland A. Boughton | Treasurer – Dale Mathis
1984 – 1985
President – James A. Milnes| Secretary – David Mitchell | Treasurer – Dale Mathis
Gave $6,000 to library for repair and renovation of secondhand Bookmobile acquired by Public Library.
Donated to Arbor Day for planting of trees around town.
Gave $3,000 to 4-H building program.
Began coupon book sales.
Began sponsoring 4th of July fireworks, with support of local businesses.
Pledged insulating and heating expenses toward town’s public restrooms.
1985 – 1986
President – James T. Roberts| Secretary – David Mitchell | Treasurer – Dale Mathis
1986 – 1987
President – Howard Allen| Secretary – Robert H. Weir | Treasurer – Dale Mathis
1987 – 1988
President – Norman McCormick| Secretary – Robert H. Weir | Treasurer – Dale Mathis
Helped establish a county parks and recreation program, donating $5,000 toward building a community park.
Produced a madrigal dinner as a project, lasted 2 years.
1988 – 1989
President – Dr. Merle Pickel, Jr.| Secretary – Bruce M. Gould| Treasurer – Dale Mathis
First woman applicant – Lora Ross Berg – accepted with “little discussion and no heated debate whatsoever.”
1989 – 1990
President – Robert E. Hamilton| Secretary – Kevin Ault | Treasurer – Dale Mathis
Began sweet corn project.
1990 – 1991
President – Samuel G. Johnson| Secretary – Kevin Ault | Treasurer – David Girard
Sponsored St. Jude Bike-A-Thon.
Held Rodeo with international riders at Ski World.
Sponsored and dedicated a shelter house at Deer Run Park.
donated two benches for new county office building.
1991 – 1992
President – Melvin R. Taylor| Secretary – Kevin Ault | Treasurer – Raymond Seyfried
1992 – 1993
President – Bruce M. Gould| Secretary – Robert E. Hamilton | Treasurer – Raymond Seyfried
50th anniversary of Lions Club: 85 members listed.
Sponsored Franzen Brothers Circus at Ski World.
1993 – 1994
President – Donald Shaw| Secretary – Robert E. Hamilton | Treasurer – Raymond Seyfried
Became part of Adopt-a-Highway cleanup; the first 2 miles on SR46 toward Bloomington, from town to entrance to State Park.
1994 – 1995
President – C. Heydon Franzen| Secretary – Robert E. Hamilton | Treasurer – Raymond Seyfried
1995 – 1996
President – David Bingham| Secretary – Robert E. Hamilton | Treasurer – Raymond Seyfried
1996 – 1997
President – Rex Watters| Secretary – Robert E. Hamilton | Treasurer – Robert E. Johnson
Spring Blossom Parade celebrated Nashville’s 125th anniversary and the Lions had a Medicine Show as part of the entertainment.
1997 – 1998
President – Robert W. Nixon| Secretary – Robert E. Hamilton | Treasurer – Robert E. Johnson
1998 – 1999
President – Robert W. Oliger| Secretary – Raymond E. Laffin | Treasurer – Robert E. Johnson
Began holding Pancake Breakfast in spring as a fund raiser. Now called Breakfast Fund Raiser and held in spring and fall.
1999 – 2000
President – John V. Davis| Secretary – Raymond E. Laffin | Treasurer – Richard A. Greeno
2000 – 2001
President – James R. Callahan| Secretary – Raymond E. Laffin | Treasurer – Richard A. Greeno
2001 – 2002
President – Perry Olds| Secretary – Robert W. Nixon | Treasurer – Dana J. Robertson
Took over Santa Claus Project from town business association (lasted for several years).
2002 – 2003
President – Raymond E. Laffin| Secretary – Robert W. Nixon | Treasurer – Dana J. Robertson
Adopt-a-Highway cleanup expanded to include SR46 toward Columbus, from town to North State Park entrance.
60th anniversary of B.C. Lions Club: 119 members listed.
Coupon book sales in 15th year.
Had Community Garage Sale booth (two years).
Began parking cars for Log Cabin Home Tour.
Provided volunteers to decorate Courthouse for Christmas.
Eye glass and hearing aid collection boxes distributed around town.
Participated in Literacy Quiz Bowl.
2003 – 2004
President – Richard A. Greeno| Secretary – Robert W. Nixon | Treasurer – Dana J. Robertson
2004 – 2005
President – Jerry Simo| Secretary – Robert E. Gilmore | Treasurer – John E. McKune
First sponsored the Kelly Miller Circus.
Ride the Elephant Auction at circus benefits Leader Dog.
PRIDE project begun: sweeping town sidewalks and giving visitors information about area.
2005 – 2006
President – Richard Halladay| Secretary – Robert E. Gilmore | Treasurer – John E. McKune
Spring Blossom Parade features first time the large American flag loaned by Bill Lloyd is carried.
Began parking cars for 4-H Fair.
2006 – 2007
President – Dana Robertson| Secretary – Robert E. Gilmore | Treasurer – John E. McKune
First woman president of Brown County Lions Club.
2007 – 2008
President – James Oliver| Secretary – Jan Harker | Treasurer – John E. McKune
2008 – 2009
President – Richard Dean| Secretary – Jan Harker | Treasurer – John Wood
Vision screening done in local and area schools.
New vision equipment purchased with grants from B.C. Community Foundation and Cummings.
2009 – 2010
President – Bob Gilmore| Secretary – Jan Harker | Treasurer – John Wood
2010 – 2011
President – Gerhard Weber| Secretary – Jan Harker | Treasurer – Tona Nelson
68th anniversary of Brown County Lions Club: 99 members listed.
Lion Richard Halladay serves as District Governor.
After 55 years, Playhouse concessions ends when Playhouse closes.
2011 – 2012
President – Larry Weir| Secretary – Linda Welty| Treasurer – Tona Nelson
2012 – 2013
President – Jim Rispoli| Secretary – Linda Welty| Treasurer – John Wood
2013 – 2014
President – Mel Hoefling| Secretary – Linda Welty| Treasurer – John Wood
2014 – 2015
President – Larry Gardner| Secretary – Linda Welty| Treasurer – John Wood
2015 – 2016
President – Brenda Fowler| Secretary – Linda Welty| Treasurer – John Wood
2016 – 2017
President – Deidre Nail| Secretary – Linda Welty| Treasurer – John Wood
2017 – 2018
President – Larry Hanson| Secretary – Deidre Nail| Treasurer – John Wood
2018 – 2019
President – Mariea Hoefling| Secretary – Gloria Berryman| Treasurer – Dana Phillips
75th anniversary of Brown County Lions Club: 67 members listed.
Five $1,000 scholarships awarded to high school seniors.
Vision screening of school children expanded.
2019 – 2020
President – Mariea Hoefling| Secretary – Gloria Berryman| Treasurer – Dana Phillips
2020 – 2021
President – Mariea Hoefling| Secretary – Gloria Berryman| Treasurer – Dana Phillips
2021 – 2022
President – Larry Hanson| Secretary – Gloria Berryman| Treasurer – Dana Phillips