Our next meeting is our annual visit to Temple Beth El, on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Speaker that day will be noted Madison historian and author David Mollenhoff, whose title is “Was That Really Us?” An interesting subject and a good speaker, plus the usual tasty lunch. Don’t miss this one! JIM BRADLEY is the Program Host. Call JODI BURMESTER if you’re not signed up - we need a head count.

Allow a little extra time to park at Temple Beth El. Arbor Drive is usually full, and you can't park in the stores' parking lots. There is sometimes room at the boat landing lot at the end of Knickerbocker, otherwise try Monroe St. in front of the apartments, or one of the cross streets on the other side of Monroe St. But it's worth it.

TaleTwister's Jackpot
$770

Our last meeting was the Social and Awards Night, ably chaired by PP LINDA BERGREN. An ample buffet was surrounded by a pride of Lions and friends, and conversation and other things flowed. Vice President DON NEVIASER presided over the small increment of formality that was necessary, and LINDA presented a couple of awards - the Archbishop’s Plate, or something of the sort, to our indefatigable Invocation Chairman BOB BOHN, and another one of uncertain ancestry to our hardworking Tail Twister ROSS ROYSTER. That one had something to do with the questionable presence of a joker in, rather than carrying, the card deck, and a frequent critic of the drawing process who apparently was thought to have been obstructing it in some way. We’re sure he’d never do that!

There were a couple of formal moments. MICHELLE VETTERKIND led a Lion Birthday celebration, and those present were MELISSA ABBOTT, DAVE WEINBACH, CHARLIE LIBERTY, CHUCK BASFORD, WALT PRIDHAM, HAL OTTERBACK, ART TAGGART, DALE MUELLER, DALE ST. JOHN, and by proxy, ED NEESE. The absence of attendance cards prevented the usual drawing, but the gifts got distributed somehow.

The absence of attendance cards also prevented us from listing the many spice (editor’s plural of spouse) and other guests who were there, but there were a lot of them. Next year we’d like even more!

In his capacity as Zone Chairman (Zone 4, Region 3) JOHN JENSON presented a special pin and a patch for our Club banner to Past President CHUCK BASFORD, acknowledging our Club’s contributions to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation during the past year.

Two major recognitions were presented: The Birch-Sturm Fellowship is named for the two Wisconsin Lions who have served as International President, and is granted by the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. The letter received by each recipient says in part “recognizing unselfish dedication to humanitarian projects.” The Melvin Jones Fellowship is named for the Founder of Lions Clubs International, and the letter says in part “this is the highest form of recognition conferred by LCIF. It represents your dedication to making the world a better place through humanitarian service. ”

MELISSA NOVINSKI was given a Birch-Sturm Fellowship, presented on nomination by our Club and on behalf of the WLF by Region Chairperson JODI BURMESTER. MELISSA has been project treasurer for our major fundraisers, and a steady worker in many of our projects. “She exemplifies the often-unsung worker who simply makes things go.”

After making the presentation, Lion JODI BURMESTER was about to sit down when she was recalled to the podium. On behalf of Lions Clubs International Foundation, PID PHIL INGWELL presented her Melvin Jones Fellowship, recognizing her service in most, if not all, of our Club projects, Club officer, and at the Zone and Region levels. She’s chaired major committees, transported for the Eye Bank, and given 72 years of committee service since she joined in 1993. In the process, Lion PHIL noted some of the many Lions International service projects that are funded by the contributions we make to LCIF.

In the presentation, it was said that “we are a worldwide organization, but the efforts of every District, every Lion, are vitally important. It’s not just the money - every Lion, from the International President to the Club Greeter in an outpost of civilization like Grand Forks, ND, is a part of the total effort. Some serve in positions of leadership, some carry out the projects of the Club, some raise substantial amounts of money, some do the large and small things that keep the Club going and make it a good group to be a part of. All of these things are necessary, and all are deserving of recognition.” We are all a part of the world’s largest service organization — over 1.3 million members in about 200 countries and geographical areas, and we can all take pride in the humanitarian work that we do.

There's still some opportunities to volunteer to serve at the Men's Basketball Games at the Lions Concession Stand in the Kohl Center. Check the volunteer schedule to find the open date of your choice, and then use the handy volunteer form to add your name to the list. This is an excellent way to be able to work with Lions from other clubs, all serving a common goal.