Frankenmuth Lions Club

10/28/2026

Congratulations to Lions member Bob Farris!

LIEUTENANT COLONEL (RETIRED) ROBERT FARRIS… of Frankenmuth was inducted into the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Jayhawk Battalion Wall of Fame in recognition of his exemplary military career and service on Saturday, October 24. Robert Farris attended the University of Kansas where he ran on the cross-country team, served as president of the Theta Chi fraternity and participated in Army ROTC. He was commissioned in 1959 after earning a degree in mechanical engineering. Then he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and was assigned to the 1st Battle Group, 87th Infantry Division of the United States Army Reserve. By the end of 1960, he had graduated from Airborne School and Ranger School. Soon after that, he completed the Special Forces Qualification Course. Farris earned his law degree while serving in the Special Forces. He completed Winter Warfare School at Fort Greely, Alaska; Jungle Warfare School in Panama; Portuguese language training; and earned a private pilot's license through Army-sponsored training. One of the highlights from this time was running an insurgency training program at Fort Guernsey, Wyoming-a predecessor to modern "red cell" programs. Through the early 1980s, he served in the 12th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan and Arlington Heights, Illinois where he commanded C Company, 1st Battalion for a decade. Lieutenant Colonel Farris completed 108 jumps as a Jumpmaster not counting his jumps before becoming qualified. These included water landings, submarine rendezvous, and foreign jumps. Lieutenant Colonel Farris served in a series of assignments with various jump schools and the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. He served with the U.S. Special Operations Command and the XVIII Airborne Corps. His last jump was a nighttime water one. Lieutenant Colonel Farris retired from the Army Reserve in 1989 after 30 years of military service. He is a board member and past-commander of Frankenmuth American Legion Post 150.

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10/25/2026

Lion Sheri Stoner has recently became the District 11-D1 Vision Services Chair . At the October 21,2026 meeting she was presented with the LCI "Rooted in Service" pin, District Chairperson tab and the 11 Di District Governor pin for 2026-2027. PIctured l to r: Lion President Debbie Baker, Sheri Stoner and Carol Graham-Banes, Region 3 Chair (RC) for District 11-D1.

10/25/2026

Adam Beller, B.S. Paramedic. Operations Manager for Bay, Arenac and Tuscola Counties. Mobile Medical Response was the guest presenter at the October 21, 2026 meeting.

10/25/2026

The Frankenmuth Lions recently received this notification from the Leader Dogs for the Blind.

What a year it has been so far! Thanks to your unwavering dedication, Leader Dogs for the Blind has achieved incredible milestones. Today, I'm thrilled to celebrate your club's ascent to the prestigious Top Dog status. As we recognize your club's extraordinary efforts, please know that every contribution brings us closer to a world where people who are blind or visually impaired can thrive. With your help, we can ensure that Leader Dogs can continue to guide their companions towards a future filled with independence and confidence.

Here is the link to Kayla’s thank you video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFSNVOT78BU

Thank you for your remarkable contribution and for becoming a Top Dog club for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

10/22/2026

Please join the Frankenmuth Lions at Kernel Benny’s in Frankenmuth on Saturday, October 24th from 1:00-4:00 pm.
We will be giving away 150 Halloween buckets with a Kernel Bennys treat inside each one!
We will have a drawing for a grand prize at 4:00 pm at KB’s (must be present to win).
We hope you can make it to our Halloween giveaway for kids ages 1-14.

10/08/2026

At the October 7, 2026 meeting, Vice District Governor for 11D-1 Bart Blegen, and President Debbie Baker, presented member Craig Banes with the Membership Key for sponsoring 2 members .and Carol Graham- Banes with the Advancement/Builder Key for sponsoring 5 members. To be eligible for this recognition, members they sponsor must remain active members for over a year.
Pictured l to r: Bart Blegen, Cfraig Banes, Carol Graham-Banes and President Debbie Baker.

10/08/2026

Jamie Furbush and Cindy Keinath, members of the Frankenmuth Growth and Development Foundation Board, were guest speakers at the October 7, 2026 meeting. They shared a presentation about the new Frankenmuth Credit Union Sports Complex which is now under construction on Keystone Drive. Pictured l to r: Jamie Furbush, Lion President Debbie Baker and Cindy Keinath.

10/08/2026

A small group of dedicated Lions have been working on staining the newest addition to the Lion Haus Biergarten....stay tuned to see how it all comes together!

10/03/2026

President Debbie Baker, Lion Pat Murtha and Lions Carol and Craig Banes represented the Lions Club at the groundbreaking for the new Frankenuth Credit Union Sport Complex on October 1, 2026. Also in attendance, representing Leader Dogs, was President of the Flushing Lions Rob Cronk with his future Leader Dog Rico and Flushing Lion Kristin Shively with her future Leader Dog Patrick. Photo One: l to r: Rob Cronk, Craig Banes, Carol Banes, Debbie Baker and Kristin Shively.
Photo Two: Kristin Shively, Jamie Furbush, CEO Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce; President Debbie Baker: Rob Cronk and Lion Pat Murtha.

09/28/2026

Frankenmuth Lions Rick and Sheri Stoner represented the club at the Harvest Days event in Harvey Kern Pavillon on September 27, 2026. Lions had a table with memberhip information along with balloons, stickers and candy. Clubs and organizations from Frankenmuth participated.