In keeping with recent club tradition, incoming Crozet Lions Club president Bob Stramara’s first official act on his election June 22 was to snip the tie of the outgoing president, Larry Claytor. Claytor said he made sure to wear a tie that he hasn’t cared about for at least 15 years.

Phil Eaton presided over the installation of officers. Carl Pomeroy is the new first vice president; Denise Girvin is the second vice president (the order of succession to the top post); Jordan Patkin is the tail-twister (a duty to provoke merriment) and Don McIllwee is the lion tamer (the member responsible for set ups).

“I promise to do my best,” said Stramara. His main emphasis is going to be on attracting new members, he said. His wife Sherrill gave him a kiss after he took the oath.

Stramara had been in line to become president in 2007. He had a heart attack a few days before his election was slated and, thinking that his condition was not too serious, his installation was carried out while he was in the hospital. But Stramara’s health was in fact at a precarious point and he survived on an artificial heart pump. Claytor, next in line, stepped in.

Stramara had a heart transplant in May of 2008 and has since made an astonishing recovery.

He joined the club in 2003 and served as secretary in 2005. “I think being a member has given me a responsibility for a family-type organization. It’s made me appreciate people more and I like to tell people I’m a Lion.”

The club passed its annual philanthropy budget at its June 8 meeting. The total disbursement for this year was $7,875. Last year it was $7,075. Donations were made to the following causes:

American Diabetes Association

Bland Contest

Glasses and hearing aids for community members

Leader Dog

Lions Sight Foundation of VA

Lions of Virginia Hearing Foundation

24C [a Lions Club district] Sight and Hearing Mobile Screening Unit

National Society for Prevention of Blindness

Prevent Blindness Virginia

Recording for the Blind

24C Diabetes Awareness

Adaptive Handicap Ski Program

Claudius Crozet Park

Crime Prevention Through Education

Crozet Fire Department

First United Methodist Church

Hospice of the Piedmont

Meals on Wheels

Peachtree Baseball

Ronald McDonald House

Scholarship to Camp Holiday Trails

Scholarships for Western Albemarle High School and Miller School graduates attending community college

Tabor Church

Western Albemarle Rescue Squad

Virginia Association of Workers for the Blind, Inc.

Lions Project for Canine Companions

Salvation Army

Crozet Library

The club meets for dinner on the second and fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Meadows Community Center.