Lions around the world are 82 years in service with Lions Clubs International being founded by Melvin Jones in 1917.

Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become "knights of the blind," and that they did, the many sight projects still leading the way as one of the Lions clubs' most notable projects.

The Forest Lake Lions were organized on April 13, 1960 by A.T. Holcomb and chartered by the White Bear Lake Lions Club. John Paine was the first club president. Floyd Cohoes, a club Melvin Jones Fellow posthumously, was the club's first secretary and treasurer.

Current club president is Richard (Dick) Reinhardt, secretary is Howard Lestrud and treasurer is Rich Larson.

When the club was organized, it had 27 members. The club now has 49 members. Lion George Sedlacek is the only charter member remaining in the club.

During its first year or existence, the club sponsored a magic show with the proceeds going toward purchase of equipment for visually handicapped children in the area. The club also sponsored a Dale Carnegie speaking course which was well received by the public. The club entered a float in the Lions Clubs International convention parade and earned second place.

Forest Lake actually had a club going back to 1929. An organizational meeting was March 28, 1929 with 20 members coming into the fold. Organizer was Walter H. Vilet. First president was R.G. Leusenger. Secretary was George Regan. Some names recognizable from the 1929 club include: Bill Engquist, C.H. Hoekstra, Ray Houle, A.R. Lake, Chester Larson, Charles A. Mattson, Hector A. Pepin and J.A. Poirier.

Names recognizable from the 1960 charter club include: Russell Benoy, Merle Berggren, Vern Carlson, R.C. Donovan, H.R. (Red) Dupont, Jere Noreen, John Trudeau, Dr. VanWirt, Ed Wegleitner, Don Worth and Tom Daninger.

Our club has always supported its community with a variety of projects and has also been involved in the district, multiple district and international levels. Charitable gambling is a large fund-raising project for the club at the present time. In the past, we have sold light bulbs, sold community birthday calendars, pedaled raffle tickets, sponsored a Lions tractor pull and commandeered concessions at the Hay Days snowmobile drags in Columbus Township. The Lions are still active with the community birthday calendar and Hay Days projects.

We have had some great Lions who have served the community well. We also have had Lions involved in Lions politics, Lion Dick Tyler carrying the torch furthest of any club member. He was club president, zone chairman, deputy district governor, district governor (1984-85) and international director (1991-1993). Lion George Sedlacek was also a candidate for district governor and was a past zone chairman. Other club Lions who have held district positions are: Lion Howard Lestrud, zone chairman and cabinet secretary-treasurer; Lion Bob Shogren, zone chairman; Lion Jim Plain, zone chairman; Lion Dick LaMere, zone chairman; Lion Rich Larson, SightFirst chairman.

The club has been proud of its citizen of the year award, giving it to various community activists. Our club offers community scholarships to young scholars each year and it also recognizes its service of its members each year with an awards night.

Lion of the Year - Lion Dick Anderberg

Lions Rookies of the Year - Lion Roy Backus and Lion Bob Lindell

Melvin Jones Fellow - Lion Amy Anderson

Helen Keller Award - Lion Dick LaMere

Lions Club International prides itself as being the first service organization to welcome women into its organization. Lion Nancy Immel became the first woman member of the Forest Lake Lions Club. The club now has five women members.