Ken Cook is a self-described social butterfly.

And the Post Falls Lions Club, the regional level of the Lions, the Coeur d'Alene Bowling Association and the photography exhibits at the North Idaho Fair happen to be the areas in which he hovers.

"I love being involved, out there communicating and having fun," the Coeur d'Alene man said. "You can't take life too seriously and need to have a little fun. I definitely do that and sometimes have a little too much fun."

Since he retired as a pest control technician - he still does that on the side - Cook has decided to climb the Lions Club ranks. He joined the Post Falls group in 1998, holding multiple office positions.

He's still active in the club, but his leadership focus is now on the regional level and serves at the first vice governor for District E, which includes 53 clubs in North Idaho, Eastern Washington and British Columbia. Next year he'll be the district's governor and take his position during the international convention in Germany.

The Lions provide eye care and youth scholarships to those in need. Other projects include building wheelchair ramps and the club built the pavilion at Q'emiln Park.

Fundraisers for the Post Falls group, which celebrates its 50th year next year, include a haunted house, food booth at the fair, a sponsor sign board during Christmas season and a farmers market. It also holds an annual Mother's Day breakfast.

"I love the way the club helps the community," Cook said. "All of the money we raise goes back into the community."

Cook is also vice president of the Coeur d'Alene Bowling Association and has been involved for 20 years. He has also been a superintendent of the photo exhibits at the fair for the past 14 years.

Why do you like to volunteer so much?

While I served in the Marine Corps and from my parents, I was taught to never give up. The motto of the Lions Club is, "We serve." So that's what I've been doing. When you travel around, money can be tight at times because we get paid very little to travel and it's not all of the time. But it's all part of life. I keep trying. Since I'm retired, I have more time to do it.

What are your goals as a Lions leader?

My goal in this regional position is to have a plus-one in membership at the end of the year. Right now we're sitting at 1,396 members. Over a year, people drop out for one reason or another. There's a lot of older members in this organization and reaching young members is difficult due to busy lives and so many options. At the end of the year, I'd like to be at 1,397, and that's a hard goal to reach. When we finished this year, we were at negative 21. My theme for the year will be, "Soaring to new heights."

Many Lions Clubs have allowed for female members in recent years as they've expanded beyond construction projects, but Post Falls doesn't. What's up with that?

The members overall have wanted to keep the tradition of it being a men's club, but no women have come to test the well either.

Would you be open to including women?

I'd love to see it because it could almost double membership. That's where I could get my plus-one (in the region's membership). Sure we may lose a few men. But I feel there is nothing wrong with women in the organization. We have a lady district governor right now.

How did you become involved since serving in the Lions Club doesn't run in your family?

I asked Terry Werner, the water superintendent in Post Falls, if he and his wife would like to bowl for the Eagles. He said he would as long as I join the Lions. So I jumped in with both feet.

The Post Falls Lions Club's haunted house has been popular for more than 30 years, but it's been said that other haunted houses and fall options have hurt profits in recent years. Does the Lions Club plan to make any changes to revive the house or does it have plans to not hold it in future years?

We try to change things up every year so it's not the same. So you'll just have to come every year to see what we've done. We'll keep it running as long as we possibly can. As long as we have the house, we'll continue to run it as a haunted house.

The club has started a farmers market in recent years with the current one being held on Sundays at the arboretum along Interstate 90 next to the former Post Falls Chamber of Commerce building. How did that come about and how is the market doing?

The main reason we started it was because Post Falls didn't have one and other communities did. Also, our haunted house doesn't make the money it used to. If Mother Nature would have cooperated with us earlier, we would have been better off. But we had 12 vendors last week and everything seems to be going better all the time. We team up with the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department on it - they take care of the site - and we'll offer scholarships to kids for summer camp in return.

What else do you believe is important for people to know about the Lions?

We're always open to ideas. If they every have any questions, they can contact me at 964-0181 or kcook12@roadrunner.com.

SNAPSHOT

Ken Cook

Date of birth: Sept. 28, 1944

Family: Wife Elaine, married 20 years; her three sons Kevin, Michael and Christopher; my two sons Kenneth Jr. and Kevin; and my daughter Karyn

Number of hours on average you work in a week: I'm retired, but still work 55 hours a week volunteering and as a pest control technician on the side.

Number of hours on average you sleep in a night: 6.5

Hobbies: Gardening, photography, bowling, woodworking, socializing with people

Favorite book: I don't read much, but enjoy reading The Press.

Favorite spectator sport: I am a huge fan of baseball, but it really depends on the season. Go Zags.

Favorite type of music: Country

Quality you admire most in a person: Honesty

Best advice you ever received: My father told me that there's no such word as "can't." So I live by the motto.

Any one thing you consider your greatest accomplishment: My children. My greatest accomplish as a Post Falls Lion is the farmers market, but it's up to the public to make it a success.

Historical figure you most admire: Winston Churchill. He talked the talk and walked the walk.

Any one person who most influenced your life and why: My parents. They taught me strong ethics, importance of family and to never take anything for granted.