Lionism has been an integral part of Seal Beach’s history since our beginning in 1939 when 47 men chartered the Seal Beach Lions Club. Looking back at our past members is like looking at a who’s who list of Seal Beach. Charter members included Charles Irvine, considered one of the fathers of Seal Beach, A.W. Stegan of Stegan’s garage, Frosty Felts, the mayor, and three Council members. These charter members started what continues today as one of this community’s greatest resources.
Over the years other notable Lions included 21 mayors, 22 council members, two City Treasurers, two city clerks, five police chiefs and numerous city managers. Lions sat on the City Council uninterrupted from 1939 to 1968 and have had members on the council for 59 of our 75 years.
Notables from the early years include: John McGaugh, Dave Stangland, Jack Haley, John Nescher, Ray Harbor, Al Lopez, Walt Babcock, Dr. Homer Desadelur.
Mary Wilson was president of our Lioness club in the 1950s. Some highlights from our early years include:
1939 Our Charter President was Frosty Felts. In a quote from club minutes in June, 1956 when Lion Frosty past away, “He was regarded as the father of our club and champion of all youth activities. He had 100% attendance since 1939 and “lived Lionism every hour of every day.”
1944 First annual Fish Fry was held – Fish dinner was $1. We sold War bonds to support the war effort and collected scrap metal to help build a liberty ship.
1945 We installed 12 bus benches in Seal Beach
1946 Helped build the Girl Scout house. We held out 1st annual Children’s Christmas Party with Santa Claus traveling down Main Street on a Sleigh Built by the club. We then treated hundreds of kids to a Matinee at the Bay Theatre.
1947 Held our 1st annual Easter Egg hunt, which ran for 20 years. Our first Lioness club was organized with 15 members. Seal Beach Lion Frank Shufelt was elected District Governor.
1948 Under the leadership of Lions John McGaugh and Jack Haley, we sponsored a Boys Club
1949 Membership was at 68. We held our first Student Speaker Contest, the Fish Fry served 580 dinners (still at $1), and we sponsored a Girl Scout, Boy Scout, Sea Scout and Explorer Scout troop. The Board of Directors voted for six months residency requirement for new members. Fireworks were our biggest fundraiser
1950 All Seal Beach Lions were required to get blood typed “For maximum assistance at any time in case of emergency.” We voted to raise the dinner fee at Sam’s Seafood Spa from $1.55 to $1.70 because Lions were leaving too small of tips. We held a “Letterman’s Dinner”, a “Clean up your Alley” program, and we started a building fund.
1951 The club turned down a proposal to purchase a building on Main Street for $7,500. Our Safety Committee helps the city install 12 stop signs to “slow down motorists entering our city.”
1952 The annual Bay Theatre Kids Christmas Party draws more than 1200 kids. On a single day, we provided eye examinations for every child at Zoeter School and glasses for those who needed them.
1953 Dues are $20. We hold our inaugural Pancake Breakfast. For the first time, the rough water swim moves to the same weekend as our Fish Fry which served 1100 dinners.
1954 Lions commission a painting of John McGaugh to be displayed at McGaugh School – that painting still is displayed today.
1955 The City of Seal Beach sets aside 10 lots adjacent to city hall for use of the Seal Beach Lions Club for the express purpose of developing a Lions Club house and recreation center for senior citizens.
For 75 years we have been serving the community. What started in 1939 as an all men’s club has become a well-balanced group of men and women ranging in age from 18 to 84. We are the largest Lions Club in the Western United States and the fifth largest club in the USA. Some say that size doesn’t matter, but in the words of International President Palmer, “more hands means more service.” Members have come and gone, times continue to change, but one thing stays the same: Members of the Seal Beach Lions Club are people committed to serving their community; distinctly different individuals with one common goal—to help those less fortunate than we.
Scott Newton is member of the Seal Beach Lions Club.
