of course......maybe stuffing tanbark down the drain is why they stopped maintaining it.....granted, I only let her because I know it has been broken for over 2 years. When I was a kid, any adult I was with would have yelled at me if I was putting tanbark in the drain. Now, the nannies don't even notice....
McKenzie's Bootery, I think it was called. Every year before Easter, my mom would bring me there to buy black patent leather Mary Janes. They had a little merry go round in the store, if I remember right.
That poor lion in Corte Madera Park. How come he could work for 20 years, and now all of a sudden over the past 5 years or so, he cannot be maintained? I was just at the park today with my daughter, who was happy stuffing tanbark down the lion's drain...
Yesterday, I received the following response to an email I sent to the Lions Club regarding the lion statues/water fountains in San Rafael and Corte Madera. I was so pleased to find out more information.
"Being the senior member of the San Rafael Host LIONS Club I'll try to fill you in on the Lion drinking fountain that was in front of the McKenzie children's store at Fifth and Court in San Rafael.
Ken McKenzie was Past President of the San Rafael LIONS Club 1972-1973. The Club purchased and had the Lion installed in front of the entrance to the store in 1974. It was there for about 10-15 years. After the store was sold, the new owners decided it should be removed. It was offered to the City of San Rafael for one of their parks, but they were not interested. I believe it was in storage for a few years before it was sold by the Club to another LIONS Club outside the County.
The LIONS in the Corte Madera Park, I believe, were donated by the Corte Madera LIONS Club. They stood at the entrance to the LIONS Corte Madera Recreation Center, which was built by the LIONS Club, with the stipulation that it would be turned over to the City of Corte Madera after 25 years. The LIONS ran the center as a volunteer community service for 25 years. The Recreation Center was taken over by the Corte Madera Recreation Department and staff.
The Club still meets there every Thursday for it weekly meeting and dinner. I will send this along to someone that knows more about the history of the Corte Madera Lions you asked about."
I too, was a Mckenzies shopper as a kid and remember the lion fountain, and as an adult I discovered the Lion fountain at Corte Madera Town Park and realized the similarity. Until now I thought it was a mere coincidence. Now I'm intrigued and feel compelled to get to the bottom of this.
I think the bigger mystery is why the Town of Corte Madera has let that water fountain remain broken for so long. I think my kids will be out of college before it works again.
I called and left a message for the Corte Madera Lion's club - 415-924-2200 this morning. The message says they meet every Thursday.
I mentioned this website and the hope that they might be able to provide some photos of the lions and any other photos from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's.
Anonymous wrote: Thanks for the information! I knew someone would know. Yes... McKenzie's - now I remember. And right across the street was Bell Savings.
Anyone have a picture? And what about the Lion drinking fountain from Corte Madera park? Is that still there? Does anyone have an old photo?
The "Lion Tamer" at the San Rafael Flyin Lions (meets every wed at the Embassy in TL for the pic of SR Lion.
The "Lion Tamer" at the Corte Madera club should also have the pic of their's. Dont remember when they meet though. I will try and contact SR Club for a pic, however I now live away from the area. The President is Jon Vos a SR Attorney
Gerstle Park also had a beautiful bronze water fountain of 2 fish jumping out of water. It was stolen about 20 years ago. It must have weighed 500 lbs.
Anonymous wrote: Thanks for the information! I knew someone would know. Yes... McKenzie's - now I remember. And right across the street was Bell Savings.
Anyone have a picture? And what about the Lion drinking fountain from Corte Madera park? Is that still there? Does anyone have an old photo?
It was donated by the San Rafael Fly’ in Lions club. Mr. McKenzie (sp) of the shoe store that is now the Toy Chest was president of the club back in the 60's and it's my understanding that the Lion's bought in memorial of him. Never heard what happened to it though.
