Oct. 7 is our next meeting, and MICHELLE VETTERKIND will introduce Leonard Charles, from TV Wisconsin. He’s a television engineer, and the two of them will explain to us what’s going on with the switch to digital TV next February. Will your TV work? And, if it does, will it be better or worse? (Technically, that is — content, well... .) And should you spring for a new TV? We will find out. And, we’re going to celebrate Lion Birthdays for Sept./Oct. There are 12 of them , from 5 years to 53. You know who you are — be at the meeting, because we’re going to celebrate your years of service!

Mark your calendars for our November 4 meeting: John Wiley will talk about the new Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery being developed along University Avenue. Bring a friend.

Money — Coming: the Holiday Cake & Nut sale has started! Order blanks are out, see LINDA BERGREN. She wants them back by the 10/21 meeting so the stuff can be distributed at the 11/4 meeting, which will be at the Edgewater as usual, NOT at the Temple. Our concession stand is pretty well staffed for football (but see Scott if you can work) and basketball is coming up, where help is needed. We have more money coming in from these, so our work is paying off! Money — Going: the Board has approved donations of $200 to Youth Exchange, Leader Dog and District Hearing, and $500 to District Care (Dr. DeVenecia’s annual project in the Phillippines.) LCIF’s Sight First II reached their final goal of $200 million USD in July. $10,000 of that came from our Club, over 5 years.

Service: We are still working on Sight Night, which is an eyeglass-collection effort on Halloween involving school children out trick-or-treating. It’s a nationwide effort by Lions. SCOTT GROVER was recognized as our Lion of the Month by Pres. JODI, for his untiring work on our web site. There is all kinds of information there — just use the menu at the top of the page. SAL AL-ASHKAR is working on an area-wide Diabetes Awareness function on Nov. 8. He probably could use some help. Our Eye Bank couriers have done 16 of the 42 transport missions in Sept.

The all-city Service Club Luncheon will be at the Alliant Center on Nov. 19.. Cost, $20. See JODI or JOHN JENSON for info and/or tickets. The Sun Prairie Lions have an Anniversary party on Nov. 8 at the Crowne Plaza. See JODI about that one.

At our last meeting, LINDA BERGREN led the song (we did pretty good!) and SCOTT GROVER gave a Native American invocation, originating with Chief Gray Bear, with a lot of substance to it. Pres. JODI led off a series of reports to our first “Lionism Meeting” on what we’re doing and why. Treas. MELISSA ABBOTT passed out a financial report and budget for both our Operating Fund and Service Fund, and the member’s questions showed a heightened interest in the finances. Sec. JOHN reported our membership now stands at 55.

CRAIG BUTLER chairs the Membership Committee. If you need application/proposal forms, or info on the membership process, see him. It is necessary that we add some new and younger members to keep us going. Look for people who can take the time, and appeal to their desire to be of service. Just ask! After the last meeting you should have a better idea of what we do to serve others and how we do it.

PHIL INGWELL reported for the Community Service committee. In the past, we’ve done lakeshore cleanup, Arboretum signage, tree planting, playground equipment, Olbrich Gardens and others. We are looking for ways to help which ideally include some community recognition, and if you have ideas or know of a need, see PHIL. We have received a request for volunteer tutors at Sennett and Hawthorne Schools. If you are interested in helping a school kid learn, the schools will train you and find a spot for you. As little as one hour a week can be a big boost for a child who needs it. See PHIL.

SAL AL-ASHKAR heads the Program Committee. He’s looking for interesting programs and good speakers, to make our meetings interesting and informative. If you know of someone we’d enjoy hearing, talk to SAL.

DALE ST. JOHN is keeping our Eyeglass projects afloat, but he needs help. We have a processing operation that reads and packages used eyeglasses for distribution in needy countries, and we need to revitalize our used eyeglass collection process. If you can help work on the glasses, or place a collection box somewhere, see DALE. This is Lion hands—on service that meets real needs.

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

“You are a true gardener if you can grow rhubarb and morning glories.”
“Two great birds to keep around are Old Crow and Wild Turkey.”