Next Week: January 27 - at the Edgewater. Back to our theme of food and drink. The speaker will be from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, talking about Wisconsin's best-known industry. Milk, butter and cheese are vital to our State's economy, and we'll hear about how they are promoted. There will be samples, too, so bring your discriminating palate. Cheesehead hats not required. LINDA BERGREN is the Program Host.
At our last meeting, we were minus our song leaders, so our one-woman dynamo, LINDA BERGREN, did that, too, and picked a pitch that all but the worst monotones among us could handle. There was a momentary scramble for someone to give the invocation, but "Bishop" Bohn rose to the occasion with a creditable ad-lib appropriate to the times. The Pledge of Allegiance was routine, but commas are starting to pile up again. Let's just march right through it. The head table has shrunk to a mere podium, but we're getting used to it, and so President DICK didn't need the whip and chair to get attention this week when he strode up there.
There were a couple of guests. SCOTT GROVER brought John Robinson, a Mechanician from UW. Your editor has heard that title before, but can't define it precisely. We think those are the guys who make things work. (John holds one of the land speed records at Bonneville, among other interesting facts.) LINDA BERGREN (remember that name) brought Louise Fritz again, and Louise is going to join us. DAWN JOHANKNECHT brought daughter Jenna, who handled this whole meeting business with aplomb. Your editor does not recall that our Club has ever had a second-generation member, but we obviously have some good prospects.
A couple of our regulars are on the sick list. OTTO FESTGE has a couple of compression fractures in his back, so he's resting it at home for a few weeks. His phone number is 233-9244. Get a knowledgeable take on the Iowa caucuses - give him a call. ORV SHETNEY is also taking it easy at home. 271-2708. Aside from their physical discomforts, remember that these guys are stuck with daytime television - give them something to live for, like a phone call! We also heard that MARK LARSON's father is very ill, and we send our best wishes to MARK.
February 10 will be a special day. We have a number of Lion members who have difficulty making it to our meetings (if you think we're talking about YOU, you're probably right), and that is the day we want YOU all here. Come and join your friends, and remind yourself what being a Lion can do for your community and for yourself. If you know one of our "occasionals" or one of our "rare birds," give them a call and ask them to come on Feb. 10. We'd like a big group that day.
A PHIL INGWELL sighting was reported, in Las Vegas. No explanation as to how or why. Maybe we can find out on Feb. 10 if he saved out enough money to get back.
Thursday, Jan. 29, will be another special day. Our Lion Social is scheduled for 5 PM that day at the downtown Great Dane Pub. Word is that we will gather in the Billiard Room to practice our new knowledge of their various brews and have a good time. Spice (plural of spouse) are welcome, as are prospective members. No fruit cake will be sold at this meeting, so come and have fun with your Lion friends.
MICHELLE VETTERKIND introduced our speaker, Patty Wetterling. In response to the kidnapping of her son, she organized the Jacob Wetterling Foundation, which works countrywide to educate and promote child safety and to coordinate and assist in responding to "missing child" emergencies. Parents and children need to be aware of the dangers in our society and have responses ready for threatening situations, and law enforcement needs to be more alert and better trained to respond in emergencies. Your editor marveled at Ms. Wetterling's ability to discuss these matters passionately but calmly after what she has been through. Among her points of emphasis: most abductions are unanticipated, in seemingly unlikely places and not far from home. More public awareness is needed - report anything involving a child that doesn't seem right, insist on the removal of offenders from society, support more training for law enforcement personnel. Discuss personal safety with your children, and if they are missing, don't delay in reporting to authorities. She cited an incident in Minnesota, in which an "Amber Alert" was broadcast, and six minutes later a member of the public reported sighting the car involved. The child was recovered safely. Not a pleasant subject, but one everyone should be thinking about. If not your kids, watch out for other people's. There is a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Located in Virginia, their phone number is (800)-THE-LOST. That would be (800) 843 -5678.