On Thursday, June 21, the Vass Lions Club held its installation and awards banquet in the Lakeview Dining Room at Woodlake Country Club.

Outgoing President Bill McClelland welcomed the Vass Lions and their guests to the 65th annual event for the club, which was founded in 1943.

The following special awards were presented:

n The Phil DeLozier Humanitarian Award was presented to Adam Valenti for his numerous generous contributions to the needy of the Vass Area.

n The Michael DeVito Service Award was presented to the founders of the Knights for the Blind Charitable Trust - Dan Boudreau, Brad Logsdon, Dave Martin and Vince Schimmoller. (Lynette Martin accepted the award posthumously for her husband.)

n The Lion Of The Year Award presented to Liz Horner for her efforts in chairing the Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser.

n Pam Giambelluca was named a Melvin Jones Fellow, Lions Clubs International highest honor, for her years of dedication to Lionism.

n Also honored were the Aubrey Leon Keith Memorial Scholarship Recipients for 2012: Taylor Ariana Keith, who will attend ECU, and Collin Avery Marks, who will attend Sandhills Community College.

Past District Governor Terry Kerr inducted new member Linda Tant into the club.

Leon Keith, son of the Vass Lions Club founder Aubrey Keith, installed the following officers for the 2012-2013 year:

Alan Ingraham, president; Jim Wagner, vice president; John German, secretary; Terry Kerr, treasurer; Al Bickoff, Lion tamer; Ed Thomas, tail twister; Wiz Horner, membership chairman; Pam Giambelluca, program chair; Bill McClelland, immediate past president; Phyllis Frederiksen, Tom Meyers, Sue Wagner, Carl Giambelluca, Sid Scruggs and Terry Kerr, board of directors.