Chattanooga Valley Lions Club was very proud as the Ringgold Lions Club was chartered on Saturday, March 6, at Ringgold City Hall.

The tables and City Hall were beautifully decorated in Lions colors and the food was provided by Outback of Dalton.

PDG Lion Kenneth Moore of Chatsworth called the meeting to order. The pledge to the American flag was lead by PDG Lion Grover Newman of Chickamauga; God Bless America was sang by Gravid Soul musical group and the invocation was given by Rev. John Purrington of Ringgold United Methodist Church and a new Ringgold Lions member.

Tail twister Leon Ellis of Chattanooga Valley Lions Club introduced Ringgold Lions Club to the art of tail twisting and raised $61.00 for their general fund.

Past District Governor Lion Kenneth Moore introduced past council chair Lion Mark Miller of Jasper. Lion Mark talked about the Georgia Lions Lighthouse, which provides glasses, eye exams, surgery, hearing aid exams and hearing aids to people in Georgia. The Lighthouse also recycles and collects eyeglasses and ships them all over the world.

Members of the new Ringgold Lions Club was introduced and installed by district governor Lion Berry Broach of Blue Ridge Lions.

The Chattanooga Valley Lions Club was called to the floor to back up Ringgold Lions as the charter was presented by PDG Lion Kenneth Moore.

Presentation of the banner, gong and gavel by Retha Nelson, president of Chattanooga Valley Club to the Ringgold Club.

Ringgold President Rodney Guffey presented PCC Lion Mark Miller with a check in his honor to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse, accepted the charter and gifts.

This is the second Lions Club chartered by Chattanooga Valley and we wish Ringgold the very best. If our Club can help in any way, just let us know. We trust the new Ringgold Lions Club will make lasting friends and have as much fun as we do as we help our neighbors.

Coach Mark Mariakis, Ridgeland High School football coach, was the guest speaker on Tuesday, March 16 at our regular meeting. He gave a slide presentation about the football fields at Ridgeland. Alumni will be hearing more about how we can help with this project. Chattanooga Valley Lions will charter the Ridgeland H.S. Leos on Tuesday, March 23, at the Lions Clubhouse. Parents and Leos will be in attendance. Lion Steve Helwig, Lions District 18-A Leo Director, will install each member of the Leo Club. This is the second Leo Club that Chattanooga Valley has sponsored.

On Saturday, April 10, the Chattanooga Valley Lions Club will celebrate their 40th anniversary. All charter members have been invited to celebrate with the club. The dinner will be held at Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church at 5 p.m. Special speaker will be PDG Lion Paul Johnson of Dalton Lions.