ESTEVAN — The Estevan Lions Club saluted a long-time member during its Charity Golf Classic.
Bob Abernethy, who was part of the club for nearly 33 years, was presented with a life membership during the post-tournament supper. In an interview with Â鶹´«Ã½AV, Abernethy said it is a very good feeling to receive the honour, but he had no idea it was coming.
The timing was appropriate, too, as for many years, Abernethy took an active role in the tournament, which celebrated its 30th edition this year.
"I don't think I did anything that others wouldn't do," said Abernethy.
Even though Abernethy had retired from the club, he was still helping out with this year's competition by putting up signs on the golf course, and he volunteered at the post-tournament barbecue.
Ron Senchuk, another long-term member of the club, was Abernethy's sponsor, and Abernethy was also encouraged to join by the late Nick Morsky, who was a big part of the club and community for decades.
"I was quite young, and we had just moved to Estevan at that point," said Abernethy. "We'd lived in Regina. I moved here to work on Shand [the Shand Power Station] when Shand was being built, and I decided to stay afterwards."
He also wanted to be a Lion because his son is legally blind, and Lions do a lot of work for people with vision issues.
Being part of the club has been quite a ride, Abernethy said. He was pleased to know he was doing things to help out, assist others and make the community a little better.
"Doing things to make the community better is the main reason I got into the Lions," he said, adding he would recommend joining the club to others.
The club keeps busy by meeting on Tuesday nights twice a month from September to May, and they've been involved with events and other efforts in the community.
In a bio, the Lions said they wanted to recognize Abernethy for his outstanding contribution to the club and the community as a whole.
He joined the Lions on Nov. 1, 1992, and has been actively involved in every aspect of the club. He was described as a shining example for the other members on being a volunteer.
"His knowledge of everything Lions has been our guiding light and he is our voice of reason for how our funds are distributed. Lion Bob is a soft-spoken, true gentleman, and is respected by everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him," the bio stated.
He has served multiple terms as president and club secretary, and has also been part of the District 5SKS board as the sight and service treasurer.
"Lion Bob has always gone the extra mile, literally, as he has often been spotted cleaning up our five-kilometre stretch of highway that we adopted, all by himself. He has spent countless hours with Lion Ed Sinclair clearing snow and flooding our outdoor rink at Rusty Duce Park," the bio stated.
In addition to the golf tournament, he also took the lead with the Lions Lottery.
"At every other function we have, Lion Bob is there, setting up tables and chairs, always ensuring everything is in order," the bio said.
Abernethy has also volunteered for the Salvation Army kettle campaign and TeleMiracle.
"I am very proud to be able to say I was Lion Bob’s sponsor and I often look at Bob and follow his ways to make me a better Lion," said Senchuk.
