By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The ladies of the Caribou Lioness Club have been involved in the community for over 30 years, and despite membership being down in recent years, the club has had no problem drawing a crowd of ladies to their annual Ladies Night on the Town, which was held Feb. 20, at the Tiki Lounge in Caribou.
The women enjoyed a buffet dinner from the Jade Palace, and then made their way back down the hall to the Tiki Lounge for a night of games, trivia and prizes. As is customary for Ladies Night on the Town, the gathering was held with a special theme in mind. This year, the Lioness members decided on a “candy land” theme, which included fun and challenging trivia questions about candy, as well as a contest to see who could collect the most lollipops.
Aroostook Republican photo/Theron Larkins
From left, Yvonne Theriault, Karen Rockwell, Lori Guerrette and Robin Fowler compete to see who can balance the most plastic cups on a yardstick, at the Lioness Club’s annual Ladies Night on the Town, which took place at the Tiki Lounge on Feb. 20. It was one of the many contests, drawings and raffles that took place throughout the night. Lioness members and other women from the community came out to support local endeavors, such as the Fern Soucy Scholarship Fund, which received all proceeds from the raffle.
While the night was filled with contest and competitive spirit, the true goal for the Ladies Night attendees was to have a fun evening on the town, while also giving back to the community that the Lioness Club has been invested in since 1976.
“Actually the first Ladies Night on the Town was in February 1977. At that time, the Caribou Lions Club was sponsoring the ‘Sportsmen Banquet,’ so we thought it would be a great idea to have a fun night for the ladies,” said Lioness President Vicki Dube.
After the ladies finished their dinner and completed the drawing, it was time to crown “Miss Sexy Lips 2014.” This contest has become a tradition, and is conducted in a rather unique fashion. When the ladies entered the Tiki Lounge they were given the choice to apply lipstick and give the “Miss Sexy Lips” board a kiss. Each lady kissed their own individually numbered square, and later the board was looked over by a judge, who would then decide on this year’s winner. After careful consideration a repeat winner was crowned as Laura Adams, of Caribou, saw her lips selected for the second year in a row. As a back-to-back winner of the contest, she will hold the crown, or in this case tiara, until next year, when she will likely be back to defend her title.
“The tradition has changed a lot. In the 1970s we provided most of the entertainment for the community. Now, we involve the attendees with games and fun things like dressing up. In past years, Lioness members would perform the entertainment such as a “Recycling Fashion Show” or a Las Vegas theme with our own Elvis Presley,” said Dube. “I believe that as long as we can generate some good laughter, fun, and harmony for the ladies we will always achieve the project’s original theme.”
Lioness Club members have generously donated to a number of charitable causes and organizations throughout their nearly four-decade existence. The club continued the trend on Thursday by selling raffles tickets for a “Love Basket,” filled with over $600 worth of goodies. The gift basket was won by Lori Hodgen and all the proceeds were donated to the Fern Soucy Memorial Scholarship. The club also gave away a diamond necklace, as a doorprize. The lucky winner of that drawing was Nonie Crouse.
Over the years, Dube continued to describe many other charitable endeavors the club has been involved in, including the Miss Caribou Scholarship Pageant, The Hope and Justice Program and also foundations supporting cancer victims.
“I truly believe that women of the past and in today’s world have much to offer the community,” said Dube. “As individuals we can only financially support so many, but collectively we can support many.”
With another Night on the Town in the books, the Caribou Lioness Club will be getting back to club business, as they continue to do what they can to benefit the community. Despite the dwindling number of only eight remaining members, the club remains confident in their ability to make a difference, and if Thursday night’s attendance was any sign, there is certainly no lack of female support coming from outside the club.
With a year of hard work ahead, there’s no doubt these ladies will be looking ahead to next February and preparing for another Night on the Town.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Theron Larkins
For the second year in a row, Laura Adams, of Caribou, was crowned “Miss Sexy Lips,” an honor she received Thursday night at the Lioness Club’s annual Ladies Night on the Town. Adams was outfitted with a tiara and “Miss Sexy Lips” sash prior to her victory lap around the Tiki Lounge, where a large crowd of ladies turned up for the fund-raising “night on the town.”
