Photo by Sandra Hyne Irene Malner of the Grand Marais Lioness Club is active in the community in many ways, including being a participant in the Cook County Fair. She is pictured here with her award-winning raspberries.
Irene and Gene Malner moved back to Grand Marais and rejoined the Lioness and Lions Clubs in 2008. Although Grand Marais winters are considered by most to be long and harsh, they both know what a blessing it is to breathe fresh air, live within the pristine boreal forest, and to rekindle old friendships.
Irene and Gene were members of the Lioness and Lions Clubs during the early years. In 1979, Irene was the second president of the Lioness Club. Although the club is beginning its 32nd year, many of the original members are still very active.
Irene Hammer and Gene Malner were born, raised and married in Grand Marais. When Gene became employed by Kaiser Engineers in 1980, they left the area and spent the next 28 years in Washington State, North Dakota and Arizona.
When Gene retired in 1996, they spent summers in Grand Marais and winters in Arizona. Irene’s creative handdecorated shirts and jackets kept her busy and were a popular item wherever they lived. Sounds like an ideal situation for any retirees? Not for them.
Thedesire to return to their roots and move back to the Northwoods was overwhelming, much to the dismay of their five children who thought their parents were tucked away in the warmth of the south. Their journey to move permanently home to Grand Marais happened in 2008.
The “challenge” for the Lioness Club, as well as other long-existing clubs, is to increase its membership and explore new avenues of community service. Irene has taken on this challenge. She is networking on-line with other Lioness Clubs, seeking to support and share new ideas.
“Fundraising information is always of interest to Lioness Clubs as they serve their communities around the world. Being on Facebook with my grandchildren has helped me move into the world of technology,” explains Irene.
Lioness internet communication includes Canada, England and Australia. Irene, being a natural networker finds this instant communication from around the world “fascinating,” as do others. “It is like being accepted into an instant family!”
The Lioness and Lions Clubs are pleased the Malners have chosen to return to this community and come back to their Lioness/Lions roots.
For club information, please call (218) 387-2832.
Leave a Reply