Cowley Lions host annual Garage Sale and Pancake Breakfast

Members of the Cowley Lions Club: 50 years of community service
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Cowley Lions Club hosted their annual Garage Sale and Pancake Breakfast at the Cowley Community Hall on Saturday, April 27.  As always, the event was a huge success, the hall packed for hours with people socializing, eating, and shopping.

Good company and lots of bargains

I confess to a personal fondness for this event.  It was my introduction to the people of Cowley and Pincher Creek when I was first invited to it 8 or 10 years ago, and it's one of the most sociable occasions on Cowley's annual calendar.

Lots of pies!

A silver collection was the price of admission, with the proceeds going towards community projects.

Cowley Lion Russ Rutledge took some time out of his busy day to chat with me.  The Cowley Lions are celebrating 50 years this year.  Rutledge and Earl Johnson are the only original charter members left, but the club is thriving with over 30 members now. "Lots of them are new young couples," said Rutledge.

According to Rutledge there were no women allowed when the Cowley Lions first formed, but  "They were doing all the work and we were getting all the credit," so that rule was abolished.

Of the club's many years of service  Rutledge said "Our prize was when we built this hall (in the early 1980's)."  Since then the Cowley Community Hall has served as a focal point for the community, the site of weddings, memorial celebrations, New Year's Eve parties, and a multitude of other events.

"Jim McKay and Harold Haugen went to the people living here and said 'We need your help to build this' and they made it happen," explained Rutledge.

The Cowley Lions also look after the Castle River Rodeo Grounds, a task they took on  "more than 30 years ago".  "We had to buy it for $1.00 to make it legal," said Rutledge, explaining that it came with a 99 year lease.  "Three of our members run the campground.  Recently we put power into 41 campsites there."