It was a fitting time to honor Jack Micco, said Jerry Lalonde, benefit chair of the April 6 Lions Club event held at the Seawanaka Corinthian Yacht Club. "Jack has given 53 years of service to the Oyster Bay Lions. Additionally, we are in existence for 60 years in June and will be celebrating that. Jack Micco is our most tenured member and has done a lot of very fine things for the community. There is not enough we can say about him," said Mr. Lalonde.

The benefit committee members included: Jerry Lalonde, chair; Michael Corssen, Doug DiRossi, Buddy Hauser, David McLaughlin, Cindy Mudford, George Mudford, Doreen Ottaiano and Ginny Williams.

Mr. Lalonde described Jack Micco as "The Lion King." He said, "For the past 53 years, Lion Jack has served his community through the Oyster Bay Lions Club in his gentlemanly manner, with humor, passion, humility and dignity. As an active member he has served in many capacities including: club president; governor of Lions New York State/Bermuda Multiple District 20K2; chairman of the Lions Finance Committee and director of the Past District Governors Association of 20K2.

"Lion Jack serves as chair of the Inter-Club Meetings Committee; chair of their International Services & Conventions Committee; and is one of the club's two historians. Lion Jack is a recipient of the prestigious Lions Melvin Jones Award as well as the Robert Uplinger Award.

"Lion Jack often reminds us of successes we have achieved as a club, and activities we have enjoyed together over the years. These reminders keep us focused on our mission as defined in our motto: We serve.

"It is therefore, with tremendous pride and sincere thanks that we celebrate the dedication, service and accomplishments of our friend and fellow Lion, Jack.

"Jack continues to be the mainstay of the Oyster Bay Lions Club. He and his wife Annette are involved in all of the club's activities. We honor him for his accomplishments; we love him for who he is. We look forward to making many more years of memories with him, and will always refer to him affectionately as 'The Lion King'," concluded Mr. Lalonde.

Mr. Micco was presented with several awards including one from Senator Carl Marcellino, the Melvin Jones award which was given to him by Lion Historian Bob Whaley and an anniversary award by Lion Michael Corssen.

The festivities began at 4 p.m. at the Seawanhaka Yacht Club with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres; simultaneously as people bid in the Chinese Auction, silent auction and bought raffle tickets for the 50/50. At about 6 p.m. the announcement was made for the 50/50 winner.

When her number was called, Dr. Susan Peterson Neuhaus, emerged from the porch, waving her winning ticket. Jerry Lalonde presented her with $300. Always a lot of fun, Dr. Peterson and her husband Dr. Bob Neuhaus had been bidding on two stained glass windows at the Lions Club silent raffle. She truly wanted them for their Victorian home. They outbid Jerry Lalonde by $10 for the prize. He, too, has a Victorian home. It made for a fun story at the event.

Jerry Lalonde thanked their sponsors: Platinum sponsor Roger Bahnik of Mill-Max Mfg.; Gold sponsors: Martin Viette, Natasi & Associates, and Dodds & Eder; and English Country Flowers for their sponsorships.