Reid Thompson, a charter member of the Olds Lions Club, shared several memories of the organization during a banquet at the legion April 28, celebrating the club's first 50 years of existence.
"It brings back many fond memories, not only of the wonderful years that have passed, but also of those dedicated members who are no longer with us, but who have contributed so very much to the reputation of this club today," he said.
"I think of Lion Les Short, who, unable to find a helper, loaded his cow into a horse trailer and took her with him to a camp-out where he milked her twice a day," he said sparking laughter. "You can imagine everyone standing there yelling, 'pull harder.'"
He recalled a former club member who was also a member of the RCMP.
"(He) stopped a car on the highway south of Olds and had it drive away from him two to three times, whereupon he fired his revolver into the back of it, thus convincing the driver to surrender," Thompson said.
He said that officer was later transferred to Ottawa where he became a plainclothes guard to the Trudeau family.
Thompson poked a little fun at himself too.
"I also remember one night in the wintertime on a meeting night when I was president," he said. "All the roads were blocked. Because I had to be there, I threw my briefcase into the tractor cab and plowed my way to town.
"I then plugged my tractor into (a nearby house) and plowed my way home after the meeting."
"It really is an enjoyable club to be part of and gives a lot back to the community," Thompson said. "May the Olds Lions Club have many more years of continued success."
