Next week we kick off our major fund raiser of the year, Rose Day. DAN STOUDT and MELISSA NOVINSKI will give us all the information and provide all the tools, and if previous experience is any guide, a Felly's rep will be on hand to show and describe the product. This usually leads to some questions, followed by a bidding match for the samples, so be sure to be on hand for all this information plus a chance to score points with someone with a beautiful bouquet. DAN points out that we have a dual opportunity here - we can raise some funds and showcase our service to the community, and with all that going on we can prospect for new members at the same time. New posters and sales forms are available now.
There may well be something else important going on next week. CNN is sending a crew here to do a story on MARK LARSON's Eye Bank, and because it is the Lions Eye Bank, there is a good possibility that they may come to film a part of our Lions Club meeting. We need a crowd, Lions - put it on your calendar and BE THERE!! It is a chance to show the whole country what Lions do for others.
In a rare display of amity, the TailTwister and the Secretary teamed up to circulate District Raffle tickets to the assembled Lions. Proceeds go half to the District and half to the Club that sells them. It was sort of a TT joke, even so, because careful reading of the Board minutes discloses that the Club agreed to buy any unsold tickets from the allotment given to us. Talk about taxation without representation! At least the Club effectively got them for half price, which is a better deal than the TT ever gives the suckers, er, members.
JIM SCHUTZ led the singing of "America" after the usual pitch-averaging and selection process, and ROSS ROYSTER gave a neatly rhymed invocation, which received universal admiration. There were no guests. Must have been afraid we were going to stick them with something. Get 'em here next week!
CHUCK BASFORD has created a photo gallery on the web for the pictures he takes at meetings, conventions and other Lion activities. There are links on the Club and BULLetin web pages, and many of us will now come up on Google searches. One way to get some of your 15 minutes of fame.
Pres. DICK reminded us to respect those who are speaking to the Club, and hold down the table conversations and interruptions. He also made the good suggestion that we arrive a little early when possible, so that friendly visiting and table talk could take place before the formal meeting starts. (Editor's comment: There are two things that occur that are not very polite, particularly to those who have given their time and effort to speak to the Club. One is chatter at the tables while others have the floor. The other is obvious early departure as the program is about to begin, which is really downright rude. If you have to leave early, do it inconspicuously, perhaps during the song, which would cover up just about anything.)
JOHN JENSON reminded us of the upcoming District Convention, March 12 and 13 at the Marriott. The Club will pay registration and lunch fees for members attending. If you'd like to go and haven't signed up, call JOHN quick!. 252-7162.
At our last meeting, there was a table set up near the door, staffed by two Walgreen pharmacists, Molly Miller and Tera Knoble, to conduct our trial diabetes screening. Members participating sat down with the pharmacists, who went through a checklist of questions, such as height, weight, exercise frequency, age, and close relatives with diabetes. The answers provided a point score which, if 10 or more, indicated that the subject was at risk for the disease. Those who went over the 10 point limit, and others who were close and requested it, got the "finger stick" and a reading from the glucometer. Readings of 80 to 120 were in the normal range, and two subjects were above 120, indicating an urgent need for further testing. Your editor can testify that the "finger prick" didn't really hurt, and because there is diabetes a few branches up the family tree, the meter reading of 80 was a great relief! Your editor had scored 9, but the tester noted that there wasn't much he could do about it, because all 9 points came from his age. Molly gave us a presentation of the causes, treatment and consequences of diabetes, which affects 18 million Americans, a third of whom don't know they have it. It is starting to be more common among children because of obesity. Among the most serious consequences is retinopathy, loss of sight, which is one reason Lions are interested. Symptoms include excessive hunger or thirst, unusual weight loss or fatigue, frequent urination, irritability, and blurred vision! Treatment varies, but in most people it can be controlled with diet, exercise and medication. The Walgreens at 2909 E. Washington offers screenings on Monday, Tuesday and Fridays. Very informative program.