Archive: Around Town

Being a cheerleader at Lansing High School was good training for Winona 'Noni' Krom.  Today she is the Lansing Lions Club's biggest cheerleader.  But last Saturday she was the one being cheered at the Lions Club District 20-E2 Testimonial and Awards Dinner at Lansing's Lakewatch Inn.

Krom is finishing her one year term as District Governor of Lions Club District 20-E2, and hosted the annual awards dinner.  "Your Presidential Leadership Recognition, Uplinger Award, and your recent Melvin Jones Fellowship are very, very well deserved," said Dr. Ed Cordes.  "It's a tribute to the dedication that you have to our organization and the leadership you have shown to our district."

Krom's father, Clarence, was a charter member of the Lansing Lions Club, and she followed in his footsteps, taking an active role in the organization.  Most recently she was one of the driving forces in the construction of the Myers Park band stand, which was built and paid for by the Lansing Lions Club.  She also designed a throw blanket with iconic drawings of Lansing landmarks that was sold to help fund the band stand.  She advises the Lansing Leos, the teenage wing of the Lions club, encouraging the next generation of Lions to serve their community.  Krom has long taken an official role in the club as well.


"Noni always says yes every time she is asked to do something," said Lansing Lion Joe Metz.  "When Noni became a Lion she gave the same kind of dedication to Lions as she did in her normal work.  She served as Secretary, then she was President.  Then she moved on to the District as Zone Chairman, and Cabinet Secretary as well.  She did such a magnificent job that she was asked to be District Governor.  She couldn't say no -- she did say yes."

Health problems prevented Krom from attending the international Lions convention in Thailand last year at which all District Governors around the world were officially designated.  But Krom decided to fulfill the responsibility anyway.  More than one speaker cited that dedication as an inspiration to all Lions in the district.  During her year as Governor she visited all 42 clubs in the District, ranging from Apalachin to Bath to Canandaigua to Corning to Penn Yan to Sodus to Union Springs to Wolcott.

Krom honored individuals that have helped her during her year as District Governor, and awards and presentations were made to outstanding Lions by past District Governors as well as the incoming Bill Williams of the Rushville Lions Club.  She presented Uplinger awards to Lynn Williams, who sold $2,000 worth of candy bars to buy a brailer for a nine year old who was going blind, and to Joe and Emily Metz, who helped her get to all those club meetings.


Krom has been recognized with the Lions Presidential Leadership Recognition, Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, Melvin Jones Fellowship.  The Robert Uplinger award was established in 1993 to honor outstanding Lions, non-Lions and organizations that perform exemplary service to the Club, District or Community.  The Lansing club donated $250 to the New York State & Bermuda Lions Foundation in Krom's name to give her this honor. 

The  Melvin Jones Fellowship is named after the international club's founder.  It recognizes donations of $1,000, which account for 70 percent of the Lions Club International Foundation's revenue. The award recognizes humanitarian work.  When the Lansing Lions held their Charter Night event at Myers Park a few weeks ago Krom was surprised when Lansing Lions President Hurf Sheldon presented her with the award.

"This was the first time I think I've ever seen you speechless," Metz told her.  "Of course you really had earned this and we were delighted to give this to you.  Your year as District Governor is almost over but we know that you'll continue to serve the Lions, to continue your friendship with all of the folks who have gathered here tonight to honor you.  We know the Lions family is an important part of your life, just as it is an important part of our lives."

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