How Are You Doing? These are challenging times. And sometimes we struggle to adapt to changes. One of the things that we have changed, interestingly enough, was asking those who participated in our recent virtual meeting how they were doing. Everyone took a few minutes and relayed how they were faring. It was quite nice.

There are, unfortunately, a lot of you who aren't attending meetings, and we would like to know how you are doing as well. For those who haven't yet replied, please take the time to write a paragraph or three about your current welfare and send them back to Scott. He'll compile them all into a message for everyone. It'll be nice.

Betty Ingwell - April 17
Adding to Phil's message: We are keeping busy. Phil has been driving for metro and doing the shopping. He goes for 2 miles walks. He does the books at the Legion when no one's around. I've been making a masks For Unity Hospital, Second Harvest and for King VA. Just started making surgical hats For Unity hospital. Making baby hats. Making baby blankets and Prayer Shawls for church. Sewing cloth bags for RSVP and the Children Hospital, and Christmas stockings for VA. Working on a 1000 piece puzzle too. Makes 24 hours go fast. I enjoys baking too. Hope and pray that everyone stays safe and we can start to see our friends again.

God Bless you all.

Mike and Joyce Knowlton - April 16
Hello all, from Mike and Joyce Knowlton. We hope you're all doing as well as can be expected during this unprecedented time in all our lives. Mike is still doing tax preparation but back at about the beginning of March, his doctors told him to limit contact with others. So a letter was sent to clients asking them to place their tax paperwork in our mailbox (locked, so the deposited mail is not accessible without a key) that is attached to the front of the house. Mike will do the prep and mail the return back to them when finished. "Contact-less" Tax Prep to cash in on a relatively new phrase. Joyce is still working as her job has been deemed essential but tonight (4/16) will be her first night working from home. Although that will not be every day. Half of those who volunteered to work from home will be at home one week then back in the office the next week. There are duties that cannot be performed at home - such as taking calls from law enforcement or entering / canceling or confirming a warrant is active. But getting people to work from home allows the folks in the office to be able to sit at workstations spread out further so wearing a face mask for the whole 10-hour shift isn't required. That being said, given her regular time off and time that had been allotted in May to attend the now non-existent college graduation of her niece, she will only be working from home for six shifts of the two month calendar that has been set up. Hang in there everyone - we will get through this!

Ross Royster - April 16
My life is not too much different from normal. I am still seeing patients at the clinic, but at reduced hours since our patient volume has declined. I spend a lot of time at home with my cats: those party animals! They always are up for a good petting. I have been doing a little woodworking, reading, puzzle solving, guitar lessons, and yard work as the weather permits. I just got my Harley out of storage, and if the weather is as good as projected, I'll go for a ride in the country on Saturday. Hope everyone is keeping virus free and sane. See you at the next virtual meeting!

Terry Schar - April 16
Mary and I are doing OK, holed up in the house like most everybody else. I have said that us seniors do nothing most of the time, so we get pretty good at it. Walk a little, talk a little, rake the flower bed 2-3 square ft. at a time, try not to listen to TV. As I said to Mary a while back while surfing the TV, “If there isn't a ball in the picture, it's not acceptable,” so, nothing to see there. Somebody sent me a cartoon today that sums it up - two polar bears lying around on the ice, “what'cha gonna do today?” “Nothing.” “You did that yesterday!” “Didn't finish.” If I need something to actually do, 60 years of old stored paperwork await the shredder.

Our son and daughter-in-law in Sun Prairie keep us supplied, so about the only place we go is the Post Office. Keep up with Friends, and LCI, on Facebook, do the necessary chores, and wait for “this too shall pass.”

T

Scott Grover - April 16
Yes, I know you hear from me all the time, but in the spirit of “everyone” responding… Lately, my calendar isn't as full as it was two months ago. And, I've noticed that I'm not putting as many miles on the car. But I seem to be busier than ever, just with computer work. I think I'm healthy, or at least I'm symptom-free, and so is the rest of my local family. Both Ann and Jesse work in “essential businesses”, so at least they're still getting paid, but poor Sammie, the retail shops are just not open.

Phil Ingwell - April 13
Betty and I are doing well, taking each day as it comes. It is difficult for all of us, but we must be patient and look for that brighter day whenever that day is. Because of the age group and existing health issues, Betty and I are probably on the edge of this pandemic. We have not lost faith and we pray that we will preserver in the long run. Stay safe and be healthy.

Steve Briggs - April 13
Thanks for a fine idea that provides this opportunity to catch up with MCLC.

I had been spending a lot of time at home, even before the virus pandemic took over. About a year ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer). It was discovered after I executed one of my notoriously ugly golf shots, resulting in fracturing my left arm. At least I had an excuse for that bad shot! Anyway, after the diagnosis was confirmed, I went through radiation treatments and graduated to chemotherapy. My hematologist, Dr. Aric Hall prescribed a drug that is working well for me at managing the disease. I can't say enough good things about him, the nurses and staff at the Carbone Cancer Center! I will have a stem cell transplant after the hospital gets back to more normal conditions and with luck attain remission.

I would like to say that I am getting a lot done during the quarantine. If binge watching tv, reading books and driving my wife crazy count - then I am. We have been working in our yard, cleaning up the mess that resulted from the Halloween snowfall and subsequent winter weather during early November. We take walks every week, exploring neighborhoods around Madison while adhering to “social distancing” rules. So, like all of you, we manage to fill our days while praying for a return to normalcy.

I hope all of you are doing well. I miss all of you longtime Lions and look forward to a time when I can get acquainted with you new members who have joined during my long absence.

Best wishes,
Steve

Melissa Novinski - April 13
Sorry I missed last week's online call. I had conflicting work meetings.

Things are going ok for me and my family.

From a home perspective, we are all healthy. Oleg is a Senior in High School and now doing online learning and his Track & Field season has been on hold. There has not been a decision yet on a graduation ceremony.

From a work perspective, my husband and I are still working. Both our businesses, Atmosphere Commercial Interiors and Cabela's, have done pay cuts and furloughs. I have been very busy with forecasting and analysis to help us navigate to sustain our business as well as take on additional work due to people furloughed. I am working from home and have an good home office set up and the technology/connectivity has been mostly stable.

I hope all you Lions are staying healthy & safe.

Take care, Melissa

Dale and Jodi Burmester - April 12
Dale and Jodi Burmester are doing well. Jodi was already working from home and the biggest challenge is that everyone else seems to have more free time on their hands during the day and it adds new distractions. Dale transformed his home workshop/computer/ham radio/office to a comfortable place to work (see photo).

He communicates frequently via video conferencing with his team and enjoys the new commute & flexible dress code. The Burmester Bar has become a hotspot for virtual meetings and they host several video calls weekly with various groups of friends and family. Daughter Leah is living in Minneapolis; she is working from home and tending to their flock of 4 egg-laying chickens. Daughter Erin started working from home in Minneapolis. One of her roommates is a drummer, so she is now working from home in Madison with mom and dad.

Jodi - What did I miss?

Jodi Burmester
That pretty much covers it.

Michelle Vetterkind - April 12
What a wonderful idea! I look forward to seeing how everyone else is doing, as well.

I've been working pretty much non-stop as our members need us now more than ever. Kirk is furloughed from one job (Untuckit) and laid off from another (valet at the Park Hotel). Nikki (25) is in Raleigh. She and her dog came back for a couple of weeks - it was nice to see her. She and her fiancé have a Dueling Piano Bar in Raleigh (closed, as well, of course). Taylor (30) and Andrea are in Minneapolis with our grandson, Jackson, who just turned 7 this past week. Ironically, we were supposed to be on a cruise with them to celebrate his golden birthday.

However, we are all safe and healthy (so far) and that's what matters most.

Please give my very best to the Club.

Stay safe,
M

Dennis Ureche - April 11
Thanks for checking in. For anyone looking for me, tell them I am doing fine here in Kansas. Doing church is a challenge as well, folks are adapting to YouTube and Facebook worship. Even communion.

If it's possible, I would like to sit in on your next virtual meeting. I might see someone I know that even knows me.

Most of my time is spent doing church stuff. Our world is made up of our small grocery store here in town, post office, my office, santcuary, and home.

Thanks again for reaching out. Hopefully you are doing well.

Rich Matzelle - April 11
All is fine here in the Mid-Pacific detachment of Madison Central Lions Club. Economy will be an ongoing disaster as tourism has screeched to a halt and will be very slow to come back to life.