Westport Lions Club

06/17/2026

The Westport Lions welcomes new Lion, Roley Irwin.

The Westport Lions Welcomes New Lion, Roley Irwin

Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Roley Irwin

I have been in the repair business most of my life. I have various trade certificates and retired as an Industrial Mechanic/Millwright after 30 years of working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company at the Manufacturing Facility in Napanee, Ontario. When I worked as an auto mechanic in a local garage, I was known for my ability to correctly diagnose the automobiles problem from the noises that the ladies would use to describe what was wrong. It could get quite interesting sometimes, but was always fun.

I am an avid fisherman, hunter and gardener, I have travelled in a lot of Northern Ontario in that pursuit. I have travelled to most of the provinces in Canada over the years.

I was a volunteer firefighter in the Parham fire station for approximately 10 years. Also, I was a Lion with the Sharbot Lake Lions Club for approximately 10 years. I was introduced to both of these groups by, now Past District Governor, Lion Dave Hansen of Tichborne. Life and shift work got in the way, and I did not feel I could give these organizations the time they deserved at that time. As I am now retired, I feel I have the time to volunteer at various organizations. I am also a member of the Westport Outdoors Association.

I look forward to meeting new people in the Westport area.

Note: Lion Jim McGlade lost his wedding ring while installing the Lions Beach buoys. If anyone finds it, please contact Jim or the Westport Lions Club. He has had the ring for 56 years.

06/14/2026

06/09/2026

Lion Peter Minnelli with the winners of the Lions’ Canada Day drawing contest themed “Why I am proud to be a Canadian?” Photo Credit: Lion Bob Reddick

Why is Canada Such a Special Place?

Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Peter Minnelli

When did it first strike you that Canada is a very special place? It could have been watching Canada at an international sports event. It might have been being awestruck by the scenery along the Icefields Parkway while travelling from Jasper to Banff or that unique feeling when you are driving down the hill from Foley Mountain to our special Village. Now think of it from a child’s perspective. That is precisely the question the Westport Lions Club is asking this year in our fourth annual Canada Day Children’s Drawing Contest.

Children aged 6 to 12 are being asked to create a drawing that showcases why Canada is special to them. Last year, the contest received over 110 entries from local area children. Judging was very challenging given the high quality of the entries. Drawings will be evaluated on originality, artistic merit and the creative use of Canadian symbols. The top two entries in each age category will receive prizes courtesy of the fine folks at Vanilla Bean.

This year, with the help of the Canada Day Committee, the Village of Westport and the generous financial assistance of the Norman Lapointe Foundation, 20 colourful banners, with drawings from past winners, will be installed around Westport this summer. The official unveiling will be part of Canada Day on July 1. We hope to add more banners for future winners so stay tuned.

Drawings should be made on 8 1/2” X 11” paper and include the child’s name, age and contact information. The completed drawings can be given to any Lions member or scanned and sent to [email protected]. The contest closes on June 17.

06/03/2026

Lions Bob Reddick and Barry Winfield showcased Westport Lions’ four environmental initiatives at EcoFest. Photo Credit: Pat Reddick

Westport Lions Support EcoFest and the Environment

By Lion Bob Reddick

On Saturday, May 23, Lions Bob Reddick and Barry Winfield had the pleasure of engaging with attendees at the Better Together Circle’s EcoFest held at The Cove.

The Lions explained how the Reuse and Recycle Centre keeps unwanted items out of landfill sites and gives household articles a second home at low prices. The centre also generates money that the club can distribute back to the community. In the recent spring disbursements, the Westport Lions gave over $12,000 to various organizations.
Another environmental commitment that the Westport Lions have undertaken for many years is to provide and maintain the Westport Lions Beach on Westport Sand Lake. The beach facility has steadily increased in usage over the years, and the club seriously takes the responsibility to maintain it to a high standard.

There are two other initiatives that do not have such a high profile as the above two, but are still important. First, the Westport Lions Community Garden, where people can grow their own food and Lions grow vegetables for Westport’s Food Bank. The second one is the annual Pitch-In event, when Lions and volunteers gather litter from area roads. The main purpose of this initiative is to educate people on the importance of keeping our environment clean.

Don’t forget the Westport Lions’ annual fish fry held at the Lions Sand Lake Beach House on Saturday, June 6. Diners can enjoy takeout from 4 – 5:00 p.m., or dine in or out from 5 - 7:00 p.m. The cost is $20 for fish, a bun, french fries, coleslaw and baked beans. Tickets are available from any Lion member or at the door.

05/29/2026

Thanks to all the volunteers and Lion's members
at the R&R Centre today
Dave L., Don, Donna, Barb, George and Isaac. And to all who came out and shopped or stopped in for a visit nice to see you Bonnie and Lucy. Enjoy the rest of your day everyone.
We are open again Saturday at 9-1:00

05/27/2026

From the left, Mayor Robin Jones, MP Michael Barrett, MPP Steve Clark, President David Lowery, District Governor Jim Devenny, Mayor Arie Hoogenboom and Past District Governor Renee Devenny. Photo credit: Lion Peter Minnelli

Westport Lions Celebrate 80 Years of Service

Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick

On Saturday, May 16, the Westport Lions held a birthday party to celebrate 80 years of continuous service to our community. Director of Ceremonies, President David Lowery, began the evening by asking everyone to join him in singing a of O’Canada, followed by Lion Dale Lyons leading the Lions’ grace.

Mayor Robin Jones of Westport spoke from her heart when she tipped her hat to the Westport Lions Club. She said, “Volunteers are the backbone of the community. They are the health of the village. People that move to the area want to know what services are available, such as the rink, library, and churches. She is always thankful when she can direct people to the Lions’ beach.” Mayor Jones went on to say that, “The Lions Santa Claus parade is such an inclusive parade, if people want to be in the parade they can, and there is always a great turn out to see the parade.” She cited that the Medical Mobility Service allows us to not only to say we are a caring community, but enables us to back it up.

Rideau Lakes mayor, Arie Hoogenboom, started off by jokingly saying he had prepared a 30 minutes speech. Everyone knew he was joking, and he got a good laugh, but many people are leery when you give four politicians a microphone. However, all the speeches were detailed, thoughtful, inspiring and well-delivered. I was impressed. Mayor Hoogenboom continued to say, “He enjoys these events and appreciates the opportunity to celebrate with volunteers.”

District Governor, Lion Jim Deeveny congratulated Jim McGlade on his 55 years as a Lion. He pointed out that not only have the Westport Lions contributed to local causes, but in the past five years, the club has donated $15,000 to global causes through Lions Clubs International Foundations.

Michael Barrett, Member of Parliament for Leeds – Grenville – Thousand Islands – Rideau Lakes noted the Westport Lions charter was issued on March 26, 1946. He went on to say, “Many things have changed, but lots of things stay the same. Eighty years ago, the Lions maintained an outdoor rink; now the club is engaged in fundraisers to maintain the arena. If there is a need in the community, the Lions are there to help. Lions do the heavy lifting.”

President David Lowery masterfully conducted the evening. He only made one small slip when his eyes wandered while reading the program, introducing MP Michael Barrett before MPP Steven Clark, but he quickly recovered by joking, “It's easy to get them mixed up because they look so much alike.”

Steven Clark, Member of the Provincial Parliament for Leeds – Grenville - Thousand Islands – Rideau Lakes said, “Lions offer dignity to people.

Dignity by taking people to medical appointments. Dignity by providing vegetables to the food bank by way of Lions’ community garden and donations. Dignity to parents by the club’s efforts to distribute Christmas presents through the club’s annual toy drive. Dignity to people that don’t have a cottage, they can go to the Lions’ beach. Lions provide normalcy and dignity; the club deserves a party for 80 years of service.”

Lion Gerry McDougal representing the Elgin Lions Club noted that their charter was given March 2, 1949 with the Westport Lions Club as their sponsor. Lion Gerry gave a cheque for $1,000 to Medical Mobility Service. MP Michael Barrett pointed out that Gerry was an example of an excellent speaker, short speech, big cheque.

Before leaving the formal part of the evening, and dancing to the music provided by Whiplash, President David thanked our guests for helping the club celebrate this milestone. He also thanked all Westport Lions past and present for 80 years of sweat, tears, laughs and support to our community.

To celebrate in true birthday style, everyone sang Happy Birthday to the Westport Lions Club. Here’s to 80 more years of service!