Lovell library and fire department headline chamber luncheon

The Lovell Branch Library and the Lovell Volunteer Fire Department were the presentations at the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon held Monday at the Mustang Cafe.

For the commercial, library representative Cathy Collins reported that monthly calendars are available at the library with activities and program dates and times throughout the summer.

“Last month, we had over 3,000 books checked out in the library,” Collins said. “Many people also come to the library to make copies, scan things, check out STEAM kits and get things notarized.”

She says that the library is well underway with their summer reading program, and June is the busiest month for them. Donations can be made at the library or through the Friends of the Library group.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Representing the Lovell Volunteer Fire Department, chamber board member Joseph Shumway gave an overview of things happening in the department, replacing the sick Chief Mike Jameson for the program.

Shumway has been on the department for more than 11 years and said that, although his position at Big Horn Federal pays his bills, being a fireman is the most fun thing he does.

He highlighted the department’s willingness to help with fundraisers by providing their locally famous rib dinners, going to local elementary schools and preschools during fire prevention week, the professional training that all firemen complete and providing fire detectors to local families in need with a grant the department receives.

Although the fire department no longer does it, Shumway recalled when the Mustang Days fireworks were held at Horseshoe Bend and the firemen collected donations and put on the fireworks display.

He also recalled when the fire department “volun-told” the rookies on the squad to wear the various Disney character costumes in the Mustang Days parade each year.

“I remember my first year as a fireman,” he said. “We walked around during the parade and it was so hot and we were drenched in sweat, but it was really great and fun.”

Another important service that the department proudly provides each year are the fireman’s food baskets that are done each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas for local families in need.

“We provide about 180 baskets and gather food and donations from the community and food drives at the schools,” he said. “In one day, we go through all the food and put them into boxes and all of the firemen go out and deliver them.”

One of the perks of being a fireman is that a self-sustaining fund is set aside for the children of the firemen to receive small scholarships upon graduating high school. 

“It is kind of a really good way for us to give back to each other,” Shumway said. 

Another portion of their funds are reserved for families that suffer devastating house fires.

“I’ve been on a few house fires where the home is destroyed,” he said. “When that happens, we can put them up in a hotel for a few nights or help with food or anything else they need on a temporary basis. It feels good when we can further help those families going through such a loss.”

Shumway also boasted about the response times of the firemen and how with their rapid responses, there should be changes in insurance costs to people in the area.

To wrap up the meeting, board president Cam Miller thanked everyone for their attendance and reminded business owners of the local retail meeting to be held on June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the chamber office and a Lovell-Kane bus tour to the Lockhart Ranch that is scheduled for August 30.