The Espanola Lions Club hosted a turkey dinner to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Paul and Hester Zahorec Memorial Dinner this past weekend.
Lions’ spokesperson Dario Laurenti says the dinner was held to honour over 200 of Espanola’s seniors and their contributions to the community.
He says the dinner was donated by Louise Eccleston with members of the Espanola Skating Club handing out flowers to all the ladies and filling the role of servers during the gathering this Saturday evening at the Espanola Elks.
The dinner was co-founded by Laurenti and the late Paul Zahorec 21 years ago to say thank you to the senior community.
Paul’s late wife, Hester, also played a vital role in keeping up the tradition before her passing.
Dario extended words of thanks for all that seniors do and was joined on stage with congratulatory messages from both Espanola Mayor Doug Gervais and AMK MP Carol Hughes … and a special thank you to the JK, SK, and Grade 1 to Grade 3 students of AB Ellis PS for the handmade placemats brought home as mementos of the evening.
Paul Zahorec and Hester Zahorec
Lionism was Paul’s focus for most of his adult life. He received the Melville Jones award from his fellow Lions, the highest in Lionism. He worked hard to raise funds for the building of the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex and 32 additional long-term beds at the Espanola Regional Hospital, before the addition of the health team clinic.
He was also very involved in the United Church, on the Board and in the choir.
When it came to the kids, Paul was involved with minor hockey in Espanola with his sons, always raising funds for the buses as well as being a long-time cub scout leader in Espanola for many years.
Hester was always there working alongside Paul, often supporting special fund raising events for children and families in need.
A member of the Espanola United Church UCW group, spending countless hours supporting the church; Espanola Lions Club fund raisers and Espanola Minor Hockey for her sons.