Next Meeting — Sept. 16 — at the Edgewater. What Pres JODI has called “our first-ever business meeting.” What we’re really going to do is discuss Lionism as we practice it. Our service activities will be described, our budget given to all members, the committee structure will be discussed. We will talk about what we do, how we do it, why we do it, and what else we can do. It is an opportunity to learn more about what you, as a Lion, are doing to serve others, and a chance to offer comments and suggestions. It should also show you where more effort is needed, so that the Club can better satisfy its members desire to serve, socialize, and expand their personal horizons. It will take more than one meeting, but JODI is planning a series. It would help if everybody would make it a point to show up.

We got a nice note from a couple of English Lions who had visited us 12 years ago, but whose time in Madison did not coincide with our meeting schedule. Maybe next time.

Our last meeting showed Lion service in action — Eye Transport Chairman JIM KEMMETER came to the meeting with one request for a courier, got another request during the meeting, and two of our Lions stepped up on the spot and took the assignments. Thanks, SAL and LINDA, again!

CRAIG BUTLER reported on the concession stand at the first Badger game. A good group of Lions, families and friends were on hand, the stand (in the middle of the student section) was very busy, sales were over $8,000, and SAL got most of the tips. Workers: CRAIG and Paige BUTLER, KAREN and SAL AL-ASHKAR, TOM STEVENS, DON FENNO, SUE SABIN, Mike Moore, Katarina Jungbluth, Paul Payas, Jim Utrie, Nellie Valerta Ast, Jerry Buser. A good time, good job, and we need more volunteers for the coming games, particularly Penn State on Oct. 11. See CRAIG or SCOTT GROVER to help out. Or sign up online.

PHIL STOWITTS has three of this year’s Bucky Books left after one day of sales — $35 each, and the money all goes to the Club because we paid for them last year. Take them off his hands!.

SAL AL-ASHKAR announced a Diabetes Awareness Walk, which will be held at the Oregon Speedway on Sept. 20. See SAL if you can participate.

TailTwister DOC STEVENS was dressed for the part at the last meeting — he was either a pirate or a Harley Hog rider, but either way he was accepting donations. VP KAREN AL-ASHKAR presided, and LINDA BERGREN led the song and then gave the invocation. She even included the TT in her text.

KAREN introduced the speaker, District Governor JOHN JENSON, paying us his official visit. In that capacity, he brought greetings from Intl. Pres. BRANDEL, whose emphasis this year is on “Miracles Thru Service,” celebrating the efforts of individual Lions whose contributions combine to accomplish great things. He noted our District projects — CARE (Dr. DeVenicia’s work in the Phillippines), Mission to Mexico, Youth Exchange and Hearing Aids, and the Wisconsin Lions Foundation which supports Lions Camp at Rosholt and the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. He pointed out the need for Lion volunteers at the District level, and also the need to bolster our own Club’s eyeglass collection and processing with more workers. Lions International Foundation helped 27 million people through Campaign Sight First and is now poised to do more, with the successful raising of an additional $200 million USD by Sight First II. As always, membership is a major concern, requiring effort from all of us. JOHN and his wife ALICE will spend a lot of hours in the next year, visiting the 40-plus clubs in the District and facilitating the service that Lions do.

More from the late Lion THAYER BURNHAM - “THAYERISMS.”

“The best dessert is a chocolate sundae. If it’s not on the menu, order it anyway. You may have to tell them how to make it.
When you are told to ‘keep your fork’, you know there is something great coming.
Get your water intake through coffee or ice...particularly thru ice in something better than water.
America! Love this great country, and honor all those who served in the armed forces.
Fly the Flag!    Vote!    Remember, when the Packers or Badgers lose, ‘it’s only a game.
Light sensory, talking and moving mechanical animals and objects, keep you company when you live alone.
Use cardboard between layers of glasses if you need more shelf space.
Fill your calendar with things to do and you’ll always have something to look forward to.”