Next Meeting May 5 - Dr. Dan Albert, UW Health ophthalmologist, will tell us about the latest developments in vision research and treatment. This is something we all should know about, because vision is what Lions are all about. As one who was mildly nearsighted when he joined Lions, and probably can see now only because of four operations along the way, your editor can appreciate how far we’ve come, and there are at least a couple more of our members who owe their vision to research and treatment. As Lions, we can be proud of our part in this progress - our Club has given strong support to the UW eye clinics and the Wisconsin Lions Eye Bank, and it will be exciting to hear what’s going forward in this specialty now.

We won! - Thanks to JERRY HODDINOTT, the Flower Sale Committee, and all the MCLC Lions who participated, we sold over 500 units and generated a significant sum for our service work. A complete report will of course follow, but as usual, a few stellar performers led us to a good result. Now, if we could just figure out how to manage vase sales.….but thanks to all who participated!

What’s Ahead - The State (Multiple District 27) Convention, at Chula Vista at Wisconsin Dells, May 14-16. We could use a couple more delegates - see JOHN JENSON if you’d like to go.

The International Convention, in Minneapolis-St. Paul, on July 6-10. A real opportunity to see Lionism in action all over the world. It isn’t often this close to home, and several of us remember the good time we had when it was there before about 16 years ago. Again, see JOHN JENSON if you’re interested.

Our Golf Outing - we’re sponsoring the former Lions Eye Bank Golf Outing, Monday, Aug. 24, at the Oaks. DON FENNO is our chairman - save the date, and see him for details.

A new fund-raising idea -"Dancing With The Madison Stars." A planning meeting for this new activity will be held the first week in May (see see calendar. DON NEVIASER is the point man for this one, and it could bring us both money and visibility. He will need help - see/call him to take part.

Next Club Business Meeting - Tuesday, May 19. Lion Birthdays will be celebrated - if it’s your turn, you will hear from Chairperson MICHELLE VETTERKIND. We will have a total of 252 years of Lion service to celebrate.

JODI says there is a list of activities for all clubs in our District on Page 11 of the Wisconsin Lion newsletter each month. You can find out where the golf outings, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti suppers and car shows are going to be, and have some fun and support other Lions Clubs at the same time. She says it’s on Page 11 every time, and she oughta know, she puts it there!

Last Time - JODI BURMESTER presided, JIM SCHUTZ led the song to a strong finish, and ROSS ROYSTER gave the invocation. JODI’s first move was to make JERRY HODDINOTT the Lion of the Week for his successful leadership of our Flower Sale. Loud applause followed.

Comings - We had two guests, John Heim from UW and his guide dog Walker. We understand they’ll be joining us soon. More applause. And Goings - SAL AL-ASHKAR confirmed what we feared - he and KAREN, now both retired, are skipping town for Tucson, AZ some time around July 1. He is leaving his posts on Diabetes Awareness committees at the Club and District levels, and we will sorely miss the energy and enthusiasm he and KAREN brought to our Lions activities. A lot of our talent seems to be going to Arizona - DICK POMO was heard from a few days ago, and not content with sitting under a cactus, he is on track to be President of his new Lions Club in the Phoenix area. Applause and smiles for that announcement, too.

Effort Pays Off - SCOTT GROVER reported a check had come in from the W Club for the Lions concession stand at the Kohl Center. The check was for $4,886.12, of which our Club got $1,417.14. This is money badly needed for our service funds, and we have now raised a total of $31,816, ($10,911 for our Club) since we started working the concession stands. Those who do it do good and have fun at the same time, and in the process learn a lot about retail sales.

A "Thank You" from the Editor to those helpful Lions who give him notes and lists from their announcements. The editorial ears aren’'t what they used to be, and it helps to get the right info in print.

NOTE TO THOSE WHO GET THE ELECTRONIC (E-MAIL) VERSION OF THE "LIONS TALE"- If you would like others in your household to get the Tale by e-mail, just give the e-mail address to Editor Terry or Web Publisher SCOTT GROVER. It won't cost us anything to send a separate copy for your spouse to read, since the mail copy isn't on the hall table for all to see anymore.