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Divers prepare to place one of six mooring buoys
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In keeping with this year's convention theme, a large
amount of Lion members, their families and friends "United in Spirit and Deeds"
last weekend to celebrate the 24th Annual Belize Lions Zone 59 Convention. From early
Friday morning conventioneers started arriving aboard Maya Island Air and Tropic
Air, who very graciously offered special discounted rates for those attending. A
great sense of friendship filled the Lions Den, the unofficial meeting place for
the convention, as last minute registrations were conducted. Opening the
official program on Friday night was the dynamic Salsa Caliente (recycled
teenagers) dance group.
Their three-dance presentation was the perfect opening to pave the way for the
excellent schedule of events that followed throughout the night. Another
highlight was the introduction of club queens and the club cultural
presentations performed by Belize City, San Estevan and San Pedro Lions Club.
Various speakers enlightened the Lions with their words of wisdom including
messages from Zone Chairman Dr. Chris Bennett and the Governor General of
Belize, Sir Colville Young. Then, to put icing on the cake, the hospitality
booths were opened up to conventioneers. The five clubs displayed and gave away
some of their homemade "goodies" including curry beef from Belmopan, cassava
bread and Marie Sharp products from Stann Creek, "sweet treats" from San Estevan
and tamales from Belize City. The San Pedro Lions Club outdid themselves in
their "Best of Temptation Island" booth. Thanks to mouthwatering treats from
Ramon's Restaurant, La Margarita, Elvi's Kitchen, Alebran's Delights, Holiday
Hotel, Jaguar's Temple, Caribe Island Resort, Victoria House, Captain Morgan's
Retreat, Journey's End and the Pier Lounge conventioneers walked away quite
satisfied. Because of these tasty sensations and the creative ideas of Lion
Shelly Huber and her committee, San Pedro was voted the BEST BOOTH; a first for
this club. On Saturday morning, many Lion members
congregated at the Lions Den to attend a series of interesting and educational
seminars and to elect a new Zone and Vice-Zone Chairman. Ruben Gonzalez of San
Pedro was elected as the incoming Vice-Zone Chairman and Dr. Chris Bennett was
unanimously voted to serve for another year as Chairman.
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Luisana Nuñez represents the Goddess of the
Sea during her cultural presentation
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The San Pedro Lions Club also took the
opportunity during this part of the convention to inaugurate their new office,
dedicated to the late Lion Alfredito Alamilla. Lion Betito Marin of San Pedro
conducted this very special and emotional ceremony. Lion Cortez Nurse of
Belmopan did the honors of blessing the office while Lion Lenny Alamilla
(Alfredito's widow) cut the ribbon. The congregation then convened at Central
Park for the convention's symbolic community project. Each club sponsored a
mooring buoy, painted in Lion colors, to be placed at specific dive sites. Mr.
Mito Paz of Green Reef then spoke about the fragile reef and the importance of
the mooring buoy project. "The mooring buoys," he explained, "are used by dive
boats to anchor to instead of anchoring on the reef which can result in damage
to the fragile corals." Mr. Paz congratulated the Lions for their past
achievements and thanked them for their interest in the environment. Four boats
loaded with conventioneers, led by Mr. Albino "Changa" Paz of Amigos del Mar,
headed outside the reef to replace six buoys. The divers for the project were
Mito Paz, Alejandro Paz (a 15 year-old youth who was recently certified),
Caroline Price, Paul DuKenny and Russell Casimiro. Although some of the people
in the boats experienced some seasickness, the trip was one of the most talked
about events of the convention. After a dip in the swimming area of the Amigos
del Mar dock, conventioneers departed to prepare for the evening's events.
Saturday night was dedicated to the five beautiful young ladies representing
each club. Each took the stage where they displayed their special talents
whether it was dancing, poetry or public speaking. All of the presentations were
unique and well done. As part of the San Pedro Lions Club Queen's performance
named "The Sea," Luisana Nuñez, with the help of other actors, demonstrated how
important the sea has been to our livelihood, yet at the same time, how it could
be our biggest threat. Luisana ended her presentation depicting the Goddess of
the Sea using a specially designed costume that captured the attention of all
attending. Also performing two special numbers were the members of the San Pedro
Dance Company, who once again displayed their professionalism and excellent
talents on stage. After some delays and last minute
changes in the program, the gathering then traveled to the Lions Den for the
coronation of the Zone 59 Queen, Miss Luisana Nuñez of San Pedro. The Lions Den
was filled to capacity to witness this event. A dance followed featuring Wil and
the Caribbean Shells who "rocked the house" until the wee hours of the morning.
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Lion Cortez Nurse blesses new Lions office
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service dedicated to the Lions of Zone 59 at the Roman Catholic Church. The
Lions parade and awards ceremony then followed at Central Park. Awards were
given out as follows: Hospitality Booth - First place - San Pedro, Second place
- San Estevan; Parade - First place - Belize City, Second place - San Estevan;
Best Float - San Estevan; Most Participation - San Estevan; Host Club Overall
Award for Good Convention - San Pedro; Hurricane Keith Relief Effort Zone 59
Award - San Pedro and San Estevan. Conventioneers
then enjoyed barbecue on the beach with entertainment by Wil and the Caribbean
Shells and Barbara's Dance Group. Sadly though, goodbyes to old friends and new
had to be exchanged as the convention came to an end. Nevertheless, once again
Lions came together to enjoy fellowship and discover ways to improve the future
of Lionism in Belize. The San Pedro Lions Club was happy to have been able to
host the Lions of Zone 59 and hopes that, through this convention and many other
events, they continue to remain "United in Spirit and
Deeds." The San Pedro Lions Club wishes to make special
mention of the following sponsors that helped make this convention a success.
The Blue Tang Inn - the official host hotel for the queens, Moncho's Golf Cart
Rentals, Riverwalk Nursery, Sweet's Decorations, Jesus Castillo, San Pedro Town
Council workers, Ramon's Dive Shop, Bottom Time Dive Shop, Amigo's del Mar,
Javier Graniel, Mrs. Martita Leslie, Mrs. Leonor Trejo, Mr. George Kumul, Cars
ėR' Us, Castillo's Hardware, Milo's Ice Factory, Sundancer and Moondancer
Boutiques, Elvi's Kitchen, San Pedro Supermarket, Island Super Market, Atlantic
Bank, Maya Island Air, Pete's Enterprises, Harmouch Hardware, San Pedro
Hardware, Belize Bank, Tropic Air and all advertisers and supporters of the
24 th Annual Belize Lions Zone
59 Convention.
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