The Little River Lions Club formed in 1938. Just like the national organization, aiding the visually impaired was the club’s focus. Local efforts started humbly with broom sales at Don Miller’s business, and for years he served as chairman of the event. Gone are the broom sales, but today the club collects gently used eyewear to help those in need. As the community changed, so did the Lions club.
The club expanded its fundraising efforts and partnered with community events such as the old round-up celebration, a fall timber festival and truck and tractor pulls. Sponsorships included various baseball teams and Boy Scout troops. Recent undertakings include ticket collection at home football games, selecting and honoring the Citizen of the Year and installing the playground equipment in city park.
Members of the Lions club firmly believe in giving back to the community. Meetings are held the first and third Thursday mornings of the month at Oliver’s at 6:30 a.m. To join the Lions club or for more information, please contact Nathan Olander at 620.897.6637 or Karen McLean at 620.897.6546.
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2024 Citizens of the Year: Ted Weis
Ted Weis grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was a history teacher and his mother had an art degree. After high school, he attended and graduated from the Ohio University with a degree in communication. He later worked in and managed a record store. He loves music. He also worked as a DJ at a local radio station doing a Christian music show on Sunday mornings.
Somewhere along the line, Ted got the calling to attend the Dallas Theological Seminary. It was there that he met a young lady named Melissa. Several years after their marriage and after completing the seminary degree, they were looking for a place to spread the word of God. The Congregational Church in Little River was looking for a pastor at that time, so Ted and Melissa came up for a visit. Kendall Hodgson remembers telling him that if he was willing to come here, they would probably hire him as their pastor. And that’s exactly what happened 28 years ago.
In addition to the weekly service at church, Ted regularly brings the gospel to residents of Sandstone Heights. He works really hard to get the message to the youth through the Good News Club, Vacation Bible School and the Junior High group. Ted is also a Professor of Theology at Sterling College, teaching either the Old or New Testament depending on the semester. He also teaches an orientation class, so he gets to be a part of many people’s lives in their formative years. Ted has taught a series of Lifelong Learning classes on some aspect of the Bible at Hutchinson Community College.
Along with the Methodist Minister here in town, he manages what is called the Friendship Fund. Money that comes from the Thrift Shop in Lyons is given to people that just need a little help paying a bill or buying gas or food.
Ted loves the theatre enough to have been part of many plays performed at the Family Children’s Theatre in Hutchinson. He has organized innumerable Christian music groups to perform at his church.
Ted is probably the most capable Secretary/Treasurer the Lions Club has ever had. He absolutely loves the people of Little River.
Past Citizen of the Year Winners
1972: Gene Deeds
1973: Donald E. Miller
1974: Edward Hodgson
1975: Mildred Strohm
1976: Paul C. Perry
1977: Arthur Johnson, Jr.
1978: Merlin L. Peterson
1979: Don Young
1980: Marjorie Stowe
1981: Fred Barta
1982: Dan L. Brayton
1983: Jack Wempe
1985: Francis & Helen Reed
1986: Bernard Smith
1987: Howard Hodgson
1988: Mildred Hicks
1990: Kenneth Nelson
1991: Bill Oswalt
1992: John Wempe
1993: Phyllis Whiteman
1994: Bill Best
1995: Vernon Kruse
1996: Grant Davis
1997: Robyn Galyon & Shane Cordell
1999: Bruce & Jackie Ramage
2000: Art Hodgson
2001: Frank Carlton
2002: Steve Kruse
2003: Vernon Janssen
2004: Howard Hodgson (Lifetime Achievement)
2005: John Fuller
2010: Russell Stephenson
2011: Tom Heindorn
2012: David & Debra Nelson
2013: Jean Oswalt
2014: Beth Myers
2015: Jon Paden
2016: Carolyn Wright
2019: Randall Olander
2020: John Tietjens
2021: Ed Case
2022: Jessica Godfrey
2023: The Ladies of the Young Historical Library