Newspapers / The Charlotte post. / Feb. 7, 1985, edition 1 / Page 11
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Newly-elected president of West Charlotte Lions Chib, L.C. Coleman (cent* poses with secretary Ennis Graves, left, and treasurer Thomas S. Chiles. IMewiy Organized West Charlotte Lions Qub 3Hects L. C Coleman President by Jalyne Strong Poot Staff Writer. Who are the Lions? “They are volunteer members of ciube grouped under an international organization, where they enjoy fellowship, deve lop their leadership capacities, and dedicate part of their free time to help those in need all over the World, ‘while m*Mng their individual com munities a better {dace to live In,” describee this organization’s intro duction pamphlet. However, what is notmentiooed in the pamphlet is that since ts initia tion in 1917, the Lions Club has been completely, then, predominately white. That is, until recently. Charlotte activist, LC Coleman, was requested by a representative of the Lions to recruit more blacks into this highly prestigious club. “We now have the required num ber of signed and paid-up mem bers," informs Coleman. Their progress up until now has included the designation Of 20 charter mem bers, election of officers and the naming of this specific charter. Called the Wert Charlotte Lions Chib, the charter members are as * follows: j*C. Coleman, Clarence [Donald,' Charles Williams, Larry tjJMackey, James Ptkhffi Robert Graves, Thomas Springs, Charles Simmons, Oscar Bidgood, James - Grier, Adam Turner, Charles Ram seur, Orai McCullough, Rev. S.L. Fulwood, Rev. George Goodman and Larry Daniels Coleman was elected President. Nolly elected vice President with Chiles as Secre tory and Ennis Graves as Trea surer “We are going to do our best to organize blacks into the Lions Club,” predicts Coleman. “This Club is international add therefore it offers many advantages that can benefit the bla^k. community.” What Coleman refers to is the major activities that the Lions are involved fat. The numerous service programs Lions undertake have been daasified into ten primary categories, each offering a range of able to the'needs of any They are: Sight and work with the ; Citizenship Services; Hearing ahd Speech Action and work with the; Clarence Nolly . .Vice president deaf; Educational Services; Envi ronmental service; International services; Recreational services; Health services; Public services; and Social services. These services all can be utilized by the black community, suggest Coleman. "For example, the Lions Club has an eye bank and homes for tha. hjfrd-nrt Nsnka .weed Ipp 4m* these areas. The Lions have experts and ^killed people with connections all over the world. With blacks being a part of this organization we can get this assistance at no cost. For instance, free glaucoma tests for the Mack community," explains Coleman. *' . v Coleman has much experience in forming organizational chapters in the Charlotte area. He recently .organized the Charlotte chapter of the National Council of Senior Citi zens. He says though the Lions club has strict membership rules he sees no problem for the newly formed charter group to adhere to them. "We’ll follow the rules and guide lines,’’ claims Coleman, "and set some of our Own. If they can do it we certainly can.’’ The first issue on the agenda for the West Charlotte Lioqp Club, in forms Colaman, la to set a project. “There are certain things are espe cially needed in our community,” he begins. "Such as lobbying commit tee to represent oUr community in Washington, D.C.. There is no one Segregated Schools , 'treat. In ®*pre**i n on the HkirtnitoLrt£^ fi** of view that under ther fatherhood of SJhcS* TTS «e*^nt( t^^'Schrtett!!1" Method!*! Church on Tryon Street In j| uli■!__i_l.I niaatnMA omlm Id , . S*" m» upmiuii. nc rrpiiwj, n "'nrlRiltiri and the brotherhood and sisterhood of mankind.” The Rev. Barry Shearer is one of the ministers at Northside Baptist Church and the administrator of Northside Christian Academy, which is located on Jeremiah Boulevard. Rev. Shearer reported that the school presently his a minority enrollment of five or six percent of its 900-plus students. Explaining that the school has always had an open admissions policy, he stated, “It was never our intent to have an all-white or a segregated school.” Factors such as the school's tuition, lack of scholar ship money, admission standards, and some Mack parents' wish to have their children attend school where they would not be such a numbers of Rev, Shearer is standing up for us. As full citizens we need to' do this for ouselves. There is a lot done in foreign missions, but there has not been enough done in home missions. That is what we are going to concentrate on,” Coleman points out. So far, the West Charlotte Lions Club consists of a diverse group of young and older men. “The point is to have many ideas working toge ther to have a better organization,” Coleman emphasizes. “We will be seeking to increase our membership also.” The Lions Club is a all-male adult organization. However they also sponsor Lioness Clubs, for women, and Leo Clubs, for the young. The Lions’ slogan is, “Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety.” Their motto is, “We Ser^e.” The Lions’ colors are purple and gold. And their emblem consists of a gold letter “L” on a circular field bor dered by two lion profiles at either side facing away from the center. Symbolically, the lions face both past and future-proud of the past and confident of the future. Ir 1 Retired Principal Insists CMS Teachers Do “An Outstanding Job” ny Aoarey v. uxuto Pest Staff Writer Pinewood Elementary School principal, Vernon Dreibelbis, re tired the end of January after 35 years as a teacher, coach, and principal. His entire career was spent with the Charlotte-Mecklen burg Schools. The last 12 years Dreibelbis served as principal at Pinewood. He was principal of Quail Hollow Junior High from 1987 to 1973. “I fed very fortunate to have been principal at Quail Hollow and Pinewood,” he began, “to be assoc iated with outstanding teachers. People complain about teachers, but I think they’re dedicated and do an outstanding job.” In the course of 35 years, there have been many changes in the schools: the segregated system became integrated, city and county schools merged, the number of schools increased dramatically as the area population soared, and the education process itself has changed. “I thought for a while that we’d gotten out of the basics,” the retired principal remarked, “but we’re getting back to the basics now.” He commented that, at times, schools may perhaps try something new before it has been adequately tested. “It’s trial and error,” he reflected. Too, it is hard to get teachers trained in new areas, such as computers, when they’ve been teaching all day. Dreibelbis commented that, when integration of the schools took place in the late sixties, it was a difficult transition for both students and teachers alike. It was tough on some of the students, he recalled, because they were leaving a familiar environment and school to move to a school where “they didn’t know if they’d be liked.” He continued, “If one school had a disruption, you Danny’s Carpet Sales a Installation and Cleaning Sarvica Carpet, Upholstry & Drapes A» oarpata hava a 6 yr. waar warranty 3 year installation warranty Carpet* Low aa <9.50 yd: R—Idantal 37.76 yd: Industrial Installed with W padding 10 years experience Don’t oome to us, we come to you for appointment Charlotte Cell 598-8143 Vernon Drelbelbis . .Seen many changes knew the next day there would be one at your school." Sometimes, Dreibelbis stated, students would starj a rumor of a fight in order to get out of school. He credited local leadership with helping things to eventually settle down. Pinewood’s former principal has found his career In education to be very rewarding, although not financially. “Money isn’t everything,’’ he noted “It’s rewarding when parents or students call. If you turn one or two students around, then it’s worth it. You know you’ve touched their lives.” Besides serving as principal at Pinewood and Quail Hollow, Dreibelbis was teacher and coach at ujc uni njcAjuiuer uraiuun junior High School and assistant principal at the new Alexander Graham Junior High. His wife, Charlotte, and sons Dean and Mark are aim! involved in education. One of the things DreibdUs lacks forward to in Us retirement is freedom from timetables. “When you're in education," he laughed, "you can’t say ‘I’ll do it tomorrow.’ It’s nice to know that now I won’t have any deadlines." The educator is planning to concentrate Us energies on one of his favorite hobbies, reflnishing furniture. He has not closed the door, however, to remaining in the field of education in some capacity A WORD TO 1W WISE HAVE A FEW WORDS WITH US We’re a storehouse of valuable information oa buying and selling item*, jobs available, and community service*. Read us! Talk to us! THE CHARLOTTE POST CLASSIFIED ADS 376-0496 I 1,A*ttJr7¥25*S~ ^-~7 I . S^*KS^ f ,| CAU TODA^^f ■ f ( TVk^ *"* Quotes 11 1 34 oz. SOLID BRASS itizens. His non-violent eared Him to millions. M. ■»« MI44 CtariMta, N.C. HIM Please send me_Plaques @ $39 95 plus $3 40 each Postage & Handling , Amount Enclosed $_ * J J Name --- J / , Address ----- C,ty- \ ; State-- Zip Code- . ; Visa#_*- Mastercard*_ tip. Date_ \ ; ; v eeesesosseeesesesesesoesosssessededsdesooeeesosssseesseseeeedsaasoeeeeed ^J d&rm itfft &'/,kV. JLfri v.‘»A. J&r*■ • '
Feb. 7, 1985, edition 1
11
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