NEXT MEETING - September 14, 2004. We resume our regular meeting schedule at the Edgewater. MARK LARSON is Program Host for that day, and the speaker will be John Stanley, Dane County Coroner. One of his predecessors belonged to our Club once, but since then most of us have been unfamiliar with what the Coroner actually does, though we know it isn't under good circumstances. Here's where we find out.

Our last meeting was held on the Edgewater pier, in perfect weather for the purpose. Warm sun, light breeze, boats on the lake, and a picnic lunch. The administration wisely did not try to bring in an outside speaker under those circumstances, so we had a mostly informal good time. We did open the meeting with the singing of "America," led by OTTO FESTGE, and it was noted that one of the non-members who had boated in and was also enjoying the pier in his Sturgis Motorcycle Rally shirt stood and joined in the song and the Pledge of Allegiance. DALE MUELLER gave the invocation. The Editor's Awards for appropriate dress for the pier picnic are hereby given to MELISSA ABBOTT for her Cayman Islands shirt, and DAN STOUDT for his colorful shorts-shirt combination. One guest, Ralph Hanson, with MARK LARSON.

In his capacity as Interim TailTwister, GEORGE ALBRIGHT auctioned off a Gift Certificate from the Pendleton Store at Hilldale, donated by PADDHE HEINEN. WARREN RANDY was the high bidder - Gerry will be getting something nice. GEORGE is just regaining his touch (word used on purpose) for the job - we hope he stays on.

The main business of the meeting was the launch of our Sports Spree Raffle. GEORGE ALBRIGHT gave a list of the impressive prizes being given this year. Grand Prize is a $500 shopping spree at Woldenbergs' Apparel at Hilldale, donated by our newest member PADDHE HEINEN. Next prize is a pair of tickets to the Packer-Jaguar game (donated by JIM SCHUTZ) plus $250 cash. Then, a pair of Badger-Gopher Football tickets and $150 cash, followed by tickets to Badger Basketball and Badger Hockey. Only 1250 tickets printed, so the odds are a lot better than the lottery. Tickets are $5 each, three for $10 as before. Our service funds need the money, so get out and sell!

MICHELLE VETTERKIND read a letter from Immediate Past International President TAE-SUP LEE, regarding the results achieved by the Womens' Initiative, a product of the international Women in Lions Workshop, in which MICHELLE participated along with others from around the world. Since then, Lions International has inducted 29,400 new women Lions, bringing the total women membership worldwide to 229,469. We are beginning to reap the benefits of this huge talent pool, and Madison Central has been one of the leaders. The part of the letter that MICHELLE didn't read said that Past President LEE was presenting her with the United In Service Award, given from the International level to Lions who have contributed outstanding service. We knew that, but it's great that MICHELLE's commitment has been recognized at the highest level!

Another Madison Central Lion got some well-deserved recognition this past weekend when RANDY "JABO" JABLONIC was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, for his outstanding contribution to the sport of rowing. JABO's teams were always in contention for national rankings, even though it is the last amateur (not even a scholarship) sport, and most of his recruiting was done in the registrations lines, looking for the tall, lanky and strong who stood out in a crowd. The Badgers competed with teams who had open water all year round, while his crews rowed in a tank in winter and had ice on the shells in spring and fall. His athletes were also prominent when the lists of "A" students in various sports were published. He was introduced on the field at halftime of the Badger football game, along with other greats Steve Lacy, Dennis Lick, Kathy Butler and Michael Finlay. Your editor just wants to know where he got that hat!

STEVE BRIGGS has issued the annual call for bowlers to compete on our team in the Civic League at Badger Bowl on Wednesday nights at 6:40. He needs 3 or 4 more to fill the team so that participation can be rotated among different members and not every one has to bowl every week. Call him at 575-6649.

Not to be outdone, CHUCK BASFORD also said he was looking for more participants on our curling team. If you want to slide something, rather than roll it, this is for you. And if you don't know how, CHUCK will see that you get taught.