Seasons Greetings

Next Meeting -- Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. A New Year, the middle of winter, and the Hot Stove League is appropriate. CRAIG BUTLER is the Program Host, and he will introduce Brad Woodall, a former major league pitcher with the Atlanta Braves, Brewers and Cubs. He now operates Woodall Baseball Instruction, teaching, consulting and operating camps for baseball in general and pitching in particular. Most of us only see baseball from the stands or on the tube, and this is a chance to hear what it's really like on the inside. (See About Brad Woodall.) This should be a very interesting program.

Our last meeting, the smallest in your editor's memory, was begun as usual by Pres. JIM SCHUTZ. Also as usual, LINDA BERGREN led us in singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and PHIL INGWELL delivered an invocation highly appropriate to the time and place. If he keeps that up, we'll have to create a new office of State Chaplain to make proper use of these talents.

The Holiday Treat sale has some stock left to sell - more variety this time than depth, maybe. Cashews, Granola, Chocolate Almonds, Pralines and Trail Mix. Didn't hear of any Malted Milk Balls, but we always seem to have those. Let's clean this stock out. See, call or e-mail LINDA. She'll get them to you if necessary.

SCOTT GROVER says there are still openings to staff the concession stand for Kohl Center basketball, and thereby add to our Club's service funds. Those who have done it have had a good time - family members who look to be age 16 and over are welcome to help out. Sign up on the web, or see SCOTT.

We completed our Vision Screening session with Head Start. We screened about 100 kids, with the help of Madison-Monona Lionesses, and although no figures were given, probably found a couple that needed further review by a professional. Even one "catch" makes the whole project worth the effort. (Your editor firmly believes, statewide publications and apparent general usage notwithstanding, that the plural of "Lioness" is "Lionesses."The first use of the word was in the 14th century.)

Our Club had a presence at Christmas, as Lions JOHN JENSON and PHIL INGWELL worked at the Empty Stocking Club's distribution center, helping to get gifts to children who might have gone without. No word on whether they wore elf caps or lion vests.

Our East Side Branch Club is running a Vision Screening session on Feb. 19th, at the Hy Vee store on E. Washington Avenue. JIM SCHUTZ or SCOTT GROVER could probably give more info, and let you know how you can help.

Our speaker for the program was our own JACK HEIM, and he told us about the International Association of Visually Impaired Technicians. He was well versed in what the organization does, because he started it. Among the goals are working with vendors to make their products easier to access, member meetings to exchange information and ideas, employer outreach to help them understand the capabilities of visually handicapped people (JACK is living proof that you don't have to see the screen to use a computer), and encourage Information Technology as a career for the visually impaired. He hopes that in future they will be able to provide some scholarship assistance in that area. Those who know JACK know that he is not easily deterred or intimidated, and he is using those characteristics to provide opportunity for others to build careers in an ever-expanding and complex field. Those of us who have trouble producing an article in Microsoft Word are in awe of what you can do with computers, if only you know what you are doing. JACK's aim is to show that the visually impaired can work with computers because they do know what they are doing.

Editor's Note -- One of the strengths of Lions Clubs is that membership is from all walks of life, and provides an opportunity to work and socialize with people with all kinds of expertise. Aside from the satisfaction that comes from helping someone in need, Lionism can provide a circle of friends, all kinds of contacts with people whose knowledge and experience can be helpful, and the opportunity for personal growth in learning how to work in, organize and lead groups of volunteers. Ask a couple of your acquaintances if they'd like that kind of experience, and invite them to join our Club.

Seasons Greetings