Van Voast Receives Lion of the Year Award

The Turner/Hogeland Lions Club held their annual New Year's Eve celebration at the Old Gym in Turner on December 31. The community gathered to usher in 2026, and the Lions announced awards. The Lion of the Year Award was presented to Alan Van Voast.

New Year's Eve began with a meal for which the Lions provided meat and buns, while community members contributed side dishes. For both dancing and listening pleasure, the Whiskey River Band, a Western and Outlaw Country band from Jordan, Montana, played a variety of songs throughout the night. During one intermission, Francis Van Voast presented Alan Van Voast with the Lion of the Year Award.

When asked about the criteria used for selection, Van Voast's cousin Francis, who serves on the Turner/Hogeland Lions Club Nominating Committee, quipped: "Well, that's all secret stuff."

Nonetheless, the Lion of the Year designation is a common recognition within local Lions Clubs International (LCI) chapters that is bestowed annually to a member who exemplifies extraordinary service, dedication, and community involvement. Honoring a member's commitment to helping others and supporting club initiatives, the distinction celebrates a member who goes "above and beyond."

To earn the accolade, Alan Van Voast has been a Lions Club member for twenty years, serving as Club Treasurer for approximately ten of those years. When asked what he considers the most rewarding aspect of membership, Van Voast stated that he found satisfaction in "being part of projects that serve the community and offering ideas to make Turner a better place." According to the LCI website, "At the heart of everything we do are the values that inspire our service. These six core values represent the spirit that drives us-and our mission-forward: Commitment to Service, Dedication to Excellence, Appreciation for Diversity, Dynamic Collaboration, Personal and Professional Integrity, and Spirit of Innovation."

As the Turner community celebration began to wind down close to midnight, Lions Club members handed out noisemakers, hats, and related celebration paraphernalia. "The kids especially went for that stuff," reports community member Diana Maloney. "I don't know who had more fun: the kids or the adults. It's just nice to have an event where all ages can stay put while everyone has a good time."