By Bridget Reed, Reporter
This year, in 2025, the Turner-Hogeland chapter of the Lions Clubs International celebrated 40 years of service to community. In April of 1931 the Turner Lions Club was founded, however, 54 years later in June of 1985, Turner and Hogeland collaborated to establish the Turner-Hogeland Lions Club. They commemorated this 40-year achievement in the fall with a party, meal, and cake. At this gathering Lions Club members, their spouses, families, and community were invited to reminisce, look at old photos and discuss past Lions activities, achievements, and memories.
Some of the charter members in 1985 included Bill Ammen, Porter Bengtson, Leon Cederberg, Tim Cowan, Lenneus Erickson, Glenn Hutton, Pat Kimmel, Jim Reed, and Jack Van Voast. Current members who attended the celebration are pictured. Seated (left-to-right) are Francis Van Voast, Miles Hutton, Dick Hickel, Sonny Obrecht. Standing are Steve Hickel, Keith Cowan, Kelly McCracken, Ron Fox, Gerald Keller, and Alan Van Voast.
Alan Van Voast, a member for approximately 25 years now, shared some past history. Over the past 40 years the club has installed a new roof on the Old Gym and Little Jewell Country Club, completed work on the baseball diamond, constructed the brick bathrooms and outdoor enclosure at the Turner Park, and added on the bathrooms and back staircase to the Old Gym, in addition to multiple community service projects that have helped neighbors in times of need.
More recently, the Lions have come together to renovate the Legion Hall kitchen. Today, the group looks forward to re-tinning the roof of the Legion, hosting the New Year’s Eve Party on December 31 (featuring the Whiskey River Band from Jordan), continuing their Sunday fundraiser breakfasts, and holding the annual March Madness Calcutta Auction. Van Voast noted that these fundraising efforts benefit the community and support Turner School for things like Missoula Children’s Theater and similar events. The club is also required to send dues to the Lions Clubs International and the State of Montana.
Van Voast explained that the Turner-Hogeland Lions are always looking for project ideas that strengthen the community and they invite new members to join who are willing to donate their time and effort toward the club’s main goal to “direct effort towards projects that make the town a little better.”