Exeter History Tellers: Lion’s Club of Exeter

Volunteerism has been one of the defining characteristics of Exeter throughout its 136-year history. It is a major reason this community remains such a special place to live.

Today, organizations such as the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, American Legion, Pink Ladies, Mural Committee, Garden Club, Women’s Club, Helping One Woman, MomCo, Eagles, Dorksmen, Rocky Hill Triathlon Club, scouting organizations, and numerous youth groups contribute thousands of volunteer hours each year. Beyond these organizations are the many individuals who serve on non-profit boards, church boards, school boards, and city council. Together, they help make Exeter a better place to live.

Last month I shared the story of the Exeter Kiwanis Club. This month, I turned my attention to the beginnings of the second long lasting service club to form in Exeter—the Lions.

Lions International was founded in Chicago in 1917 and quickly spread across North America. Today, Lions clubs can be found in more than 200 countries and geographic areas, with 1.4 million members in 49,000 clubs worldwide. Their motto is simple: “We Serve.”

The Exeter Lions Club began in late 1938 when local men worked with the Visalia Lions Club to establish a chapter in Exeter. The club was officially chartered in January 1939 with 17 members and quickly grew. By the late 1940s, nearly 100 local men belonged to the organization.

John Fox, manager of Bank of America, served as the first president, while local farmer Clayton Scribner became the first vice president. Galen Johnson served as secretary-treasurer. Other charter members included Giroux Sellars, Emmett Gill, Joe Doctor, and Ralph Montgomery.

The photo below was taken at the charter dinner held at the Exeter Women’s Club in January 1939. More than 200 guests attended. Early meetings were held in the basement of City Hall before moving to several locations over the years, including Mixter Hall. Today, the club meets at the Miller-Dofflemyer Boy Scout Building on North E Street.

Lions newspaper clipping from January 1939.

One of the club’s earliest and most enduring projects began in 1946 when the Lions assumed responsibility for Exeter’s annual Independence Day fireworks show. This year marks the 80th consecutive year the club has provided that celebration for Exeter and the surrounding communities.

Lion John Schultz is memorialized in the mural on North E Street for his remarkable 50 years of leadership organizing the event. Since the beginning of the program they’ve always obtained the specialized certification needed to safely handle the pyrotechnics. It is now being handled by the fireworks company.

One memorable feature of the fireworks celebration during the 1960s was the annual Little League All-Star Game played immediately before the fireworks. I have fond memories of my 12-year-old-self making the All-Star team and playing before a huge crowd gathered in anticipation of the evening’s show. Even though our team lost 10–1, it was an unforgettable experience.

Another important Lions project began in 1959. Monarch baseball coach Bob Heath, future Exeter High School principal and superintendent, teamed with Lion Travis Holmes to launch the annual Valley All-Star Baseball Game. Originally featuring outstanding players from Bakersfield to Madera, the game brought many future major leaguers to Exeter. The game continues today, although participation is now limited to players from Tulare and Kings counties.

During the 1960s, the Exeter Lions Club became famous for the annual “Frolics,” a variety show performed by club members before sold-out crowds at the high school auditorium. The Frolics served as both entertainment and one of the club’s major fundraisers.

The club’s largest fundraiser emerged several decades later. My brother, optometrist and Lion’s Club member, Terry Miller, developed a passion for brewing specialty beers and visiting craft breweries around California. He became convinced that Exeter could host a successful beer festival. That idea led to the first Exeter Brewfest in 1996.

Over the years, Brewfest has grown into one of the community’s premier events, attracting visitors from throughout the Central Valley. The proceeds support scholarships for local students and help fund the club’s many service projects. In 2024, Terry passed leadership of Brewfest to Lion Neal Hickey, who continues to expand the event.

I have always enjoyed hearing stories about the Lions Club. During the 1960s and early 1970s, three of my brothers—Jamie, Larry, and Terry—worked for Mr. Mixter cleaning up Mixter Hall after weekly Kiwanis and Lions meetings. All three noticed a difference between the organizations. The Kiwanis generally left the room neat and orderly, while the Lions often left evidence of a much livelier gathering. Remnants of biscuit food fights were often found on the floor.

Chuck Guinn, a member of the Exeter High School Class of 1951, joined the Lions Club in 1965 and has accumulated a lifetime of stories. He recalls the years when members rehearsed nightly for weeks before presenting the Frolics to packed audiences. Beloved Exeter High drama teacher Virginia “Ma” Haydu directed the musical portions of the show and reportedly had little patience for misbehaving Lions during rehearsals.

The Lions’ primary mission has always been to support youth programs, scholarships, athletics, and other community activities. They’ve poured an enormous amount of money back into this community. Yet they have also become known for their sense of humor.

Chuck remembers a time when many members routinely left meetings immediately after breakfast, skipping the program. Frustrated by the trend, President Chuck Stanley announced that three attractive young women would present the day’s program. They supposedly left the room to change outfits, followed later by Stanley. Nobody left early and politely waited. Neither he nor the women ever returned. The entire episode was staged to make a point, and members reportedly stayed for programs after that.

Like many volunteer organizations, the Exeter Lions Club has spent nearly 90 years serving the community while building friendships, creating memories, and having a great deal of fun along the way. Their story is another reminder of how volunteerism continues to strengthen Exeter and embody the Lions motto: “We Serve.”