Next Meeting - 7 AM, Tuesday, April 2, at the Sheraton. (No Foolin'! 7:00 hours.) But at least it probably won't be snowing this time. Breakfast meetings are about projects, and the Big One for April is Rose Day. Bring in as many orders as you can nest Tuesday, because we have to order from our supplier at the end of this week. JIM SCHUTZ is in charge, and MELISSA NOVINSKI is handling the paperwork and the money as usual. All the rest of us have to do is sell now, and help deliver on Monday, April 22. The depot will be at the Sheraton this year.

We will probably hear about more of our projects - there's a Adult Vision Screening coming up in May, we had a Diabetes Awareness event at the Goodman Center, and we will have just finished our month for Eye Tissue Transport.

Pres. LINDA rang the bell to open the last meeting, led the Pledge and then the song, with no arguments about the pitch. The editor sang the monotone part, as usual. ROSS ROYSTER gave the invocation. Maybe we should try having him set the pitch - your editor seems to recall a time, many moons ago, when he kicked off the Rose Day campaign at a meeting at Howard Johnson's (now Doubletree) with a recognizable version of “I Never Promised You A Rose Garden.” Them were the days.

GAIL STIRR gave us a preliminary report on Cycle For Sight, which raised about $11,000 for eye research. Thanks to the Lions and family members who participated, and those who sponsored them with contributions.

All of the Rose Day material - order blanks, info and advertising flyers - is on the web site, and will also be available in hard copy at the next two meetings. We only have two before sale day, so don't wait. We will also need Lions to make the deliveries on April 22. Let JIM or MELISSA know you're coming, because that's a crucial function of the whole project, and obviously it all has to get done in one day.

There are three choices of bouquets - Dozen Red Roses $25.00, Dozen Mixed Color Roses $25.00, and Mixed Flower Spring Bouquet - $20.00. Vases are $5.00 each. Every year we make the same request - FILL OUT THE DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY. If the destination is hard to find, or is a big building, be helpfully specific, in the “Delivery Instructions” area. The “Special Message” section is for the buyer's use if the flowers are a gift to someone. One new thing - the delivery date is purposely left blank for multi-ear use, so be sure to fill in “22” in the space at the top. Put your own name on it as the selling Lion, as well.

Our speaker was Cindy Herbst, Exec. from the new Restoring HopeTransplant House, located in Middleton, and designed to serve patients and families who are receiving Bone Marrow, Organ or other tissue transplants (Corneas, for example) at UW Hospitals. It provides a place for patients and families/caregivers to stay when they are not actually in the hospital but must be nearby for continuing care. In addition to sleeping rooms and baths, there are common areas where they can interact with other families in the same situation, an important help to those going thru the process. Staff and volunteers are ready with information and encouragement, and the House is modeled after similar ones in Milwaukee and Rochester, MN. It is designed to provide low- or no-cost assistance to patients who are limited by the expense of treatment, and also to provide information and assistance on the changes (sometimes revolutionary) in daily life that transplant patients may experience as a result even after successful treatments. Wisconsin Lions are providing support as part of our commitment to eye tissue transplants. The House is open, but much remains to be done in order to be able to support more patients, who are coming from all areas in the State.

Special Message from your Treasurer:

Those of you who are paying attention will note that we are starting a new fiscal quarter, and that means - dues invoices! We will be trying a new dues structure this quarter. Regular members will notice a big change in their dues assessment. Previously, regular members paid dues and meals. We are trying a new structure where all members pay the same dues, and members who attend meetings will be assessed the cost of the meal. If you have concerns about this, please contact your Treasurer or any Board member.

Mark your calendars - Adult Vision Screening - May 10 - 8:30am-12:00pm - NESCO - Warner Park - we need volunteers to assist.