Next Meeting - Sept. 4, First Tuesday - at the Edgewater, but not for long. There are only two meetings left at the friendly confines on the shore of Lake Mendota, so make sure you get there to cement your memories, because very shortly that's all that will be left of the place where we held most of our meetings. It would be nice if we could get a decent attendance for the last two meetings, holiday or no.

Perhaps they may keep that cave in the basement under the old part of the hotel, where your editor presided for the first time as an officer of MCLC. In those days, we had a head table that would seat three, normally the President, Program Host (called Program Chairman in those days) and the speaker. The program for that meeting was obtained by JIM BRADLEY, who brought a pair of speakers. No place for the presiding officer to sit.

Because we are (sadly) anticipating low attendance due to the proximity of the holiday and because some Lions are parents who just took their kids to college and haven't gotten over it yet, there will not be a formal program. Pres. LINDA will update us on the plans the Board has made for our new meeting schedule and location at the Sheraton Hotel, starting in October. The new location is just down the block from MELISSA NOVINSKI's office and right across from where the editor used to have his, and we can testify that it is easy and quick to get there from anywhere in the area. There is also plenty of parking. Should be a winner. Still remaining are questions of budget and meal payments.

It should be noted that the Board also investigated other options, including the Elks Club, Cherokee CC, Inn on the Park, Concourse Hotel, Hyatt Hotel and Essen House. Some had obvious difficulties of location and parking, some were not receptive to having us.

At the last meeting we had 11 Lions. Pres. LINDA did it all - opened the meeting, led the Pledge, led the song, and gave the invocation. Talk about versatile!

JODI BURMESTER reported that there were 50 exchange students from 27 countries at the Youth Exchange picnic. Several Lions from our club, and several from other clubs, assisted, and apparently a good time was had by all. Our Youth Exchange program is a golden opportunity, either to host a foreign visitor or to send your own child for a visit abroad. Find out more from JODI.

LINDA said the plans to have the first Tuesday meeting, starting in October, from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM are set. These meetings will be used to plan, inform and in some cases carry out a Project of the Month.

SCOTT GROVER reported that the Northport Neighborhood gathering was a success, with a good Lion presence.

September is our month for transport service for the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. JIM SCHUTZ is going to be the dispatcher, as JIM KEMMETER is temporarily unavailable. If you would like to be on the list for transport missions, talk to JIM SCHUTZ.

JODI BURMESTER reported that discussions are taking place about having a Blind Softball Tournament in Madison. Stay tuned. Like blind bowling, we presume, except that the target is smaller. And for the bowlers, somebody else chases the ball. We hear that among other things, the softball has a beeper in it.

Our own SPARKY WATTS got some public notice for his repeat participation in the recent AIDS ride, which raised both money and public awareness.

JODI also said she was looking for Lion volunteers to go to “networking” groups to sell the benefits of Lion membership. As was true years ago when your editor joined, one of the best things about Lions is the people you get to know and work with. The group benefits, and so does the individual. Today, there are a lot more ways to “network.”