Our next meeting is Tuesday, Aug. 7. Pres. DON NEVIASER is the Program Host, but has not sent a press release announcing the speaker. We can reasonably expect something interesting, and the Edgewater is air-conditioned, so be sure to be there!.

At our last meeting we were confronted with a “badge rental” toll booth at the entrance. Clearly our new TailTwister is a resourceful sort, and it is our resources he has in mind. We can hardly wait to see what he comes up with next!

Lion President DON NEVIASER opened the meeting, JIM SCHUTZ led the song, and “Vicar” BOB BOHN gave the invocation. A little investigative reporting has turned up the fact that BOB started his new career as a Vicar, rather than at the bottom of the ladder as a Curate. Must be because of all the time in grade he had in his prior progression. We were treated to new blue tablecloths by the Edgewater, dressing up the place and making it easier for the editor to keep track of his notes. The only guest introduced was Lynn Manthe, wife of our District Governor.

It was announced that THAYER BURNHAM, who won the TailTwister drawing for the big pot last month, had donated his share of the prize to the Lions Pride campaign. This is the endowment fund for Lions Camp, to ensure its continued service to special needs campers far into the future, and THAYER’S generous gift will help to keep the Camp going. (Note — if you want to join in perpetuating this Lion service, and have an IRA, this year you can donate directly from your fund and the amount so donated will not be taxable to you, but will still be deductible. Consult your tax advisor.)

JODI BURMESTER has the statewide Raffle For The Kids tickets. A big list of prizes, particularly for golfers, and tickets are $5 for one or $20 for five. Proceeds are split evenly between our Club and the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, so this is a dual fundraiser. The income is essential for our Lion service, so get out there and sell some tickets!

WENDY WRIGHT told us about Lions Night at the Races, at Beaver Dam on Aug. 18. Tickets to the car races are $8.00 with proceeds benefitting the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. There will be a collection point at the track for used eyeglasses, also. If you’re a race car fan, call WENDY for more information.

PID PHIL INGWELL reported briefly on the Lions International Convention in Chicago. Over 17,000 Lions from all over the world attended, and for PHIL it was a chance for reunion with Lions he’d met from many foreign countries. There was a scary moment — our current Wisconsin International Director, Wayne Heiman, collapsed with a heart attack at the parade. The paramedics were right there, and he’s recovering nicely. This International Director job must be a stress-inducer.

MELISSA NOVINSKI reported that the Combat Blindness Foundation (founded by our speaker from a couple weeks ago) is holding its First Annual ”Sight Walk” over a 5K course on Saturday, Sept. 8. It starts and ends at the Library Mall on the UW Campus, and you can go for a stroll, enjoy the scenery, and benefit the Foundation’s efforts to provide cataract surgery and Vitamin A treatment for people in developing countries. MELISSA is going to participate, and would like some company. Contact her at work, 257-0521 x 161, or home, 849-9186, or at melissa.novinski@Target.com.

JODI BURMESTER donned her Region Chairperson hat to introduce our new District Governor, ROLLIE MANTHE, who was honoring our Club with his first official visit for the year. His remarks centered mostly around Lion membership trends — worldwide, the US now provides only one third of Lions International members, and the International Board seats are being adjusted to this reality. A majority of new members are women under 40 — in Turkey, 55% of the members are women, which is surprising for a Muslim country. Maintaining/increasing membership is a challenge for many clubs, ours included, and it is a must if we are to continue our programs of service. In his response to his introduction, he called our VP, JODI, the “workingest Lion in the District”, and presented her with a special Region Chairpersons pin. Nice to know that our Club is again well represented in the state Lions structure — thanks, JODI!