At our next meeting, on February 22, Past International Directors will be in good supply. PID PHIL INGWELL will introduce PID PETE CERNIGLIA, and together they will tell us about the Wisconsin Lions Foundation's commitment to help build the Pediatric Eye Clinic at UW Hospitals. Wisconsin Lions have long been active in support of eye research and treatment at UW and the Wisconsin Lions Eye Bank, and we are now extending that effort still further. As Lions, we help people we never meet and never see, but because we help, they do see. Some of these things are visible showplaces like Lions Camp, but work goes on every day with individuals and in labs, searching for the cures for loss of vision. The things we do in Madison Central Lions Club contribute to that effort, and you don't want to (you should excuse the expression) lose sight of that fact.

President LINDA BERGREN opened the last meeting, and led both the Pledge and the song. No complaints about the pitch. BOB BOHN reappeared in his role as "Bishop", with one of his usual ritual grumbles that BULLetin reports of his illness were grossly exaggerated, and to prove it he gave an invocation in which he asked that the spirit of love on Valentine's Day be extended throughout the year by our work as Lions. It showed he was listening to those who have told us that "We Serve" out of concern for others. And all this time we thought he was asleep! We think maybe he should be "Archbishop" after all.

DICK POMO said he had been playing golf two weeks ago in Arizona, to the envy of all at his table. There was also something about his having hit a particularly strong drive. He could tell he hit it well by the sound it made when it hit the house. ROSS ROYSTER once again was Interim TT, fining all those without Lion pins. Apparently there was an alternative if a non-pin-wearer had a good enough joke ready, but as far as we are concerned no joke is good enough. Especially in this group.

JOHN JENSON says our Club's spot in the Lions State Bowling Tournament will be on April 2 and 3 in Burlington. All sorts of stories come back from these tournaments - if you are a bowler he will give you the specific schedule. Maybe this year some prize money? JOHN also circulated the signup sheets for the District and State Conventions. Deadline for the District, which is Mar 11-12 at the Marriott in Middleton, is at hand. It is close and convenient, and if you've never been to a District Convention you should go. Call John quick and sign up.

President LINDA displayed a bag of Lion-related stuff that someone, knowing JIM SCHUTZ was a Lion, had dropped off anonymously at his house. There were, among other things, a Lion Mint display with mints and money. Our Club has never sold the mints, but PHIL INGWELL volunteered to get those things to the Cottage Grove Club, which does. As an aside, your Editor has seen Lion mints on display in Mt. Horeb, including Schubert's Bakery/Restaurant, where the good rosettes come from.

DAN STOUDT reminded us that the Rose Day kickoff will be March 1. Start lining up your sales now.

CHUCK BASFORD said that the Madison Curling Club was hosting the Olympic Trials for the USA Curling Team, starting this weekend for about 10 days. Tickets are about $5.00, and it is a chance to see top-level competition in the sport. The Madison Curling Club rink is located in McFarland, as you would expect, but it's only a stone's throw away. {:-)

JODI BURMESTER introduced Dane County Airport Director Brad Livingston and Bill LeGore, the airport's Director of Facilities and Maintenance, and with the aid of the ubiquitous Power Point, they told us a lot about the work going on. The terminal has been enlarged, baggage screening relocated to a more private location, passenger screening upgraded, and new gates for smaller regional jets constructed. One of the major runways is being extended and the off-run at the north end improved by the relocation of a railroad, a creek and a former construction dump. More non-flights are being sought, and there is a new one to Las Vegas, four times a week on Allegiant Air. Most popular destinations from the area are Orlando, New York, Denver, Las Vegas, Washington DC, L A and San Francisco. To get nonstop service, you have to fill airplanes, and some of these are beyond the range of the 50-seat regional jets. Obviously, it's harder to consistently sell all the seats on the MD-80s and Airbuses that seat over 150. Some cities are subsidizing the airlines directly in order to get nonstop service. Northwest Airlines carries about 50% of Dane County's traffic, United 25% and American 11%. There's no longer any place in the terminal where visitors can see the field - best spot for your grandkids now is the restaurant in the commercial facility on the other side of the airport. Incidentally, if you weren't at the meeting you missed the best lunch in a long time. Prime rib.