Susan Koepke of Aurora has been elected Aurora Noon Lions Club president for 2022-2023.
In an installation ceremony at a July 7 meeting, at Luigi’s Pizza and Fun Center, Koepke received the presidential gavel from outgoing president Arvid Meyer of Aurora.
Koepke served as Aurora Noon club president in 2000-2001 and won the Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and 2018.
Additionally, she helped found the Carillon Lions Club of Aurora which was chartered in 2021.
Lionism is a family affair. Ken, the new president’s husband, is an Aurora Noon Lion.
Susan Koepke was installed at the Club’s final meeting at Luigi’s Pizza in Aurora.
Due to Luigi’s closing June 26, the Club will begin meetings on first and third Thursdays at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora July 21.
Founded in 1922, Aurora Noon Lions Club is celebrating its centennial year.
The Club invites the community to a banquet on Thursday, July 28, at 5:30 p.m. at Gaslite Manor Banquets, 2485 Church Road in Aurora.
The event will feature a filet mignon and chicken dinner, gift basket raffles, prize drawings, a 50-50 raffle, artifact displays, a keynote address and music by a Waubonsee Community College jazz band.
The celebration will open with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by the dinner program from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
Tickets are a $40. donation each. Reservations may be made online at auroranoonlions.org or by sending a check for tickets to Aurora Noon Lions Club, P.O. Box 457, Aurora, IL 60507.
Deadline for reservations is July 15.
Dinner keynote speaker will be Robert “Bob” Block, past international director of Lions Clubs International. He was elected at the 102nd international convention held in Milan, Italy, in 2019.
After the banquet, 100 years of Noon Lions artifacts will be displayed at the Aurora Historical Society’s Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place in Aurora.
—Al Benson