Lord Baltimore Lions install new officers, present awards
The Lord Baltimore Lions Club held its annual Installation of New Officers ceremony for 2025-26 June 18 at its new meeting location, Big Fish Grill in Ocean View.
The annual event provides an opportunity for club members to look back on the past year’s accomplishments, thank the individuals who led them, and look forward to opportunities and challenges the new officers will face in the coming year.
Outgoing President Scott Brannan, who has led the club for the past two years, turned over the meeting to District 22-D Past Council Chair Clyde Bragg, who conducted the installation of new officers. Bragg congratulated the new officers on their willingness to serve in leadership, and he stressed the important role each officer performs in contributing to the overall success of the club.
Chosen to lead the Lions as president for the 2025-26 term is Kathrynn “Thrynn” Kirby, a Lord Baltimore Lions member since the Lionesses merged with them in 2021. She had been a Lioness member since 2019. Thrynn will be the fourth female to hold this office and formerly served as first vice president. She was named Lion of the Year in 2023 and still chairs the Be Our Guests raffle. Asked about her goals for the coming year, Kirby said she wants to keep up the works members have been involved in and explore new ways to help while continuing efforts to expand LBLC membership.
Other newly elected or returning officers include Janet Bauer as treasurer, Mary Beckett as secretary and tail twister, Dennis Berkey as first vice president, Anne Gude as second vice president, Scott Brannan as membership chair, Sheldon Bustow as lion tamer, Terry Elliott as communications chair, Karl Gude as Lions Club International Foundation coordinator, Jack Bauer as service chair, and John Monahan, Tony Rinaldo, Kathy Brannan and Maureen Tomkiel as directors.
Following the ceremony, Zone Chair/PKL Scott Brannan and PDG Karl Gude announced award recipients for the past year. Lord Baltimore Lion of the Year honors went to Sheldon Bustow, and Brannan expressed his appreciation for all the service work Bustow contributes with the medical equipment team, weekly food distribution programs including home deliveries, and enthusiastic support for other club activities.
Other award recipients were Thrynn Kirby, Melvin Jones Award, the Lions’ highest club award; Alan King for 40 years of service; Sheldon Bustow, Lions Vision Research Foundation Award; and Ray Wockley, Altra Vision Award.
The Lord Baltimore Lions Club has served the communities of Bethany Beach, Clarksville, Dagsboro, Frankford, Millville and Ocean View since 1946.
For more information, go to e-clubhouse.org/sites/lordbaltimorede.
