Rayne Lions Club installs officers, award honorees

RAYNE - As the Rayne Lions Club concluded it’s 81st year serving the Rayne community, Michael Guidry completed his year as president during Thursday’s banquet held June 20 at the Civic Center Mural Room.
Guidry will be succeeded by Linda Credeur, the first female to hold the office, who was presented the president’s gavel by Guidry during evening ceremonies.
Guidry was also presented the president’s plaque by Donnie Miller, Lions 1st vice president.
Emcee for the evening was Acadia Parish Assessor James “Jimbo” Petitjean.
Highlighting the presentations of awards for the evening was the announcement of the “Lion of the Year” to Simon Richard for his dedication towards Lions Club events.
Lion Danny Theall, Past District Governor, installed the slate of officers for the upcoming 2019-20 year, including Linda Credeur, president, Donny Miller, first vice president; Jackie Prejean, second vice president; Phyllis Crawford, secretary; Roy Credeur, treasurer; Reinhart Kondert, Lion tamer; Gerard Credeur, tail twister; Tiffney Miller, one-year director; Gerard Credeur, membership director; and Michael Guidry, immediate past president.
In addition to the prestigious “Lion of the Year” award, a number of awards were presented during the course of the night.
Guidry recognized the chairmen of the various projects undertaken by the Lions during the past year, calling each to the front of the Mural Room to receive a certificate of appreciation.
Perfect Attendance Award winners were: Jackie Prejean, Tiffney Miller, Donny Miller - 2 years; Linda Credeur, Tim Prevost - 5 years; Gerard Credeur - 6 years; Reinhart Kondert - 8 years; Michael Guidry - 11 years; Roy Credeur - 21 years; and Rodney Soileaux - 24 years.
Special recognition was paid to Lion Horace Thibodeaux and Lion Carol Menard, each of whom have accumulated 52 years of perfect attendance.
Guest speakers were Chris Carlone of the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation and Walter Peat of the CubSight Program of the Louisiana Eye Foundation.
Also remembered were the distinguished Rayne Lions Club members who have served as Past District Governors, including William Sonnier 1950, Harold Larcade 1962, Eugene Henry 1966, Hilary Olinger 1976, Raymond Thevis 1987, Tony Olinger 1995, Frank Touchet 1994 and Roy Credeur - 2018.