Food! Possibly the world's most favorite subject - certainly the US favorite, if we can believe what we see and hear. But next week will probably concentrate on the healthy kind, as Larry Johnson, Market Manager for the Farmers Market on the Square will be with us to tell us all about it. We should get a pretty good menu of what's there now and what's coming, and maybe find out how the vendors are chosen, and the other nuts and bolts of this popular activity. Alas, we fear there will be no samples, but you should at least get your appetite whetted. JODI BURMESTER is the Program Host.

In the famous words of ED NEESE and BILL WILCOX, "we want to give credit where credit is due!" The Program Committee (JODI, JIM & MICHELLE, and maybe others) has been working hard these past few months, and it shows. We've had, and are having, some of the most interesting and varied programs in your editor's memory. If you've missed meetings, you've missed some really good programs. Thanks, Programmers - keep ‘em coming!

ROSS ROYSTER was TTOTW, and JERRY MILLER donated four "mystery bottles" which he auctioned off. Made a nice piece of change for the TT fund, and the buyers (MELISSA NOVINSKI, DICK POMO, CHUCK BASFORD & DON NEVIASER) seemed happy. Probably happier yet once they got home. PADDHE HEINEN was back, out of hibernation, and brought us the fresh rolls that went with our lunch. President LINDA opened the meeting, not without difficulty, and served as her own song leader. Dr. TOM STEVENS gave the invocation. Guests introduced were David Kudjawu of the Golden Lions Club in Accra, Ghana, Tim and Mirelle Wuolle of Zoom Communications (video and print materials). Todd Dukes, owner of the Argus Bar and The Public House, and as of next week the operator of Pooley's dining and catering, was a guest of CHUCK BASFORD. Lest you draw incorrect conclusions about where CHUCK spends his time, Todd also participates (tho we're not sure when he has time) in curling.

MICHELLE VETTERKIND led a Lion Birthday celebration, marking the years of service for: PADDHE HEINEN (1 yr.), TOM STEVENS (2 yrs.), MARGARET KELM (6), MARK LARSON (7), DAVE MIES (9), MARILYN STAUTER (10), SPARKY WATTS (10), JERRY MILLER (16 - seems longer), PHIL STOWITTS (18), KEVIN KING (23), STEVE BRIGGS (24), RICH MATZELLE (34 - his gift came all the way from Hawai'i, and everybody was hoping to draw that one), DAN STOUDT (34), BOB BOHN (36), and TERRY SCHAR (the Grand Geezer of the Gathering - 46.) DAN belonged to two other clubs before he came to us, and his total is about 44. MARGARET and JERRY also have some prior years in.

Signup sheets were circulated for the Olbrich Park excursion on May 31 (guests welcome), the Golf Outing on June 7 (ditto) (DON took STEVE BRIGGS' whine about the Bridges too seriously, so STEVE retracted it) and the Service Club Olympics on July 25-26. We'd like a lot of Lions at all of them.

CHUCK BASFORD reported receipt of a check for $1500 from our Gum Ball project, bringing the historical total to $143,348. That has done a lot of good for our community, and we can always use more good high-traffic locations. If you know of one, see CHUCK.

JERRY MILLER'S grandson, C.J. Miller, was featured in a great story and picture in Tuesday's WSJ. He's an emerging track and football star at Verona HS. Badger coaches take notice! JERRY must be very proud. ROSS ROYSTER had a copy of the paper, and told us about the story.

JODI BURMESTER introduced Andrew Sewell, Musical Director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and Bob Sorge, its business manager, and they told us about the many programs on the group's schedule. They too will have a new home in the Overture Center, but being a chamber (smaller and fewer instruments than a symphony) orchestra, they will have a smaller venue in what will be called the Capitol Theatre. It's the old Oscar Mayer theater space, with fewer and better, more comfortable seating for 1100 and better acoustics for performers. After spending five evenings performing Concerts On The Square this summer, featuring a young violinist, singer and guest conductor, swing band, their concertmaster's violin and a harmonica soloist, plus a "Concert In The Woods" at American Players Theatre, they move inside to the Mitby Theater and the Marriot Madison West, and then to the new house for 5 performances from Nov. thru April. A great variety of music - something for everyone - and discounts for series ticket purchasers. Maestro Sewell is from New Zealand, has a degree from the University of Michigan, has conducted in Toledo and Mansfield, OH, and also conducts the Wichita Symphony. He likened a guest conductor's job to trying out a couple new cars - you know the basics to expect, but each one sounds and performs differently.