Next Meeting - Tuesday, October 15 - 12:00 Noon - at the Sheraton. Not sure what the opening format will look like, but we do know what the program will be. Former MCLC member Guy Eichsteadt, who left us when his profession moved him to another city, will tell us about life in Japan as he lived it. Most of us, we suspect, visualize teahouses, geishas and Mount Fuji, but there's a lot more to it than that. Should be very interesting - come and find out! JODI BURMESTER and CRAIG BUTLER set this up for us.

You have probably seen SCOTT GROVER's report on the Trivia Run. [No? It's included with this Tale, see below.] We had enough Lion volunteers but not enough participants. You have to try new things, though, and they are not all instant successes. The Lions had a good time.

Our last meeting was the Social Hour at Vintage Brewing. A good time was had by all, and all was probably about a dozen and a half Lions and guests. There was a trivia contest there, too, and those present had the answer for most, if not all, of the questions. The only one the Editor remembers (because he knew the answer) “Who is the only person to be in both the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Figure Skating Hall of Fame.?” Of course you know. No? Hint: he's an inventor.

Part of the evening was given over to the presentation of awards, conducted by President LINDA. She once again presented one of her favorites, the PITA Award. TailTwisters usually qualify, and this one was no exception - it went to TT JACK HEIM.

On a serious note, Lions International Foundation's highest recognition, the Melvin Jones Fellowship, went to our Lion Treasurer, SCOTT GROVER. SCOTT is more than just a Treasurer, he is one of those necessary people who sees what needs to be done, and does it, without fanfare. Any good Club has to have Lions like SCOTT to help out here, there and everywhere. The Fellowship conveys the thanks of people all over the world for the service that Lions like SCOTT give.

Your Editor was surprised, and very appreciative, when he was named as the recipient of a Birch-Sturm Fellowship. The award comes from the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, and as a counterpart of the MJF from International, is a recognition of service. I am humbled and pleased to join the list of distinguished Lions from our Club who have received this award, and it is all the more significant to me because, as the Club President at the time, I had the honor and pleasure to present the first one ever given by Madison Central Lions, to Ed Neese, whose long and valuable service as Secretary, and in many other ways, is still remembered. It is something I will cherish - thank you all.

A reading of recent Board of Directors meeting minutes discloses that an old problem has resurfaced. It is the same problem we have at our noon meetings - attendance. As members, we cannot just consign the solutions to our problems to the Board of Directors, because they have their own, too. Lion meetings can do a lot of things - they can plan, and sometimes carry out, Lion service. They are a forum for conversation with friends about anything you want - Lionism, the weather, business, monkey business, sports, financial affairs, the state of the world in general, whatever you want, except maybe politics. Actually, there is enough civility left in Lions that you maybe could even talk politics, but no rants allowed. Meetings can inform - programs tell us about a lot of things, although unfortunately a lot of them turn out to be either problems in search of solutions or solutions in search of a problem. They can be entertaining as well as informative - the one upcoming should be one of those.

But all this turns on Lions being present at the meetings. We need you to be there. If nothing else, your presence makes you a part of the service that Lions do, in Madison and all over the world, and if you listen to reports you should be proud of that. Perhaps you should also be motivated to put in a little more effort - that's how that service gets done.

One thing that needs some effort is to help the Program Committee (Lion MICHELLE, Prop.) find people with something interesting to say who are willing to say it to a small group. Interesting hobbies, trips to rare and mysterious places, sports teams, unusual occupations, usual occupations as they evolve in today's complex world special life experiences, history, whatever. You must know somebody - think hard!

Just a quick report on the success of the the Trivia Run.

How do you measure success?

In terms of dollars gained?

In terms of number of runners?

In terms of number of Lions participating?

In terms of fun had by all concerned?

Our gross income for the run is (so far) $40 $75. That's $40 $75 more than we had yesterday. Now, Jack hasn't told me about any of the expenses yet, but still ....

There were only two runners. Still, not bad, considering the fog and pending rain.

There were a bunch of Lions - JACK, SCOTT, MIKE, GAIL, CRAIG, and Hank. Pretty darned good turnout.

And the fun? I can't speak for everyone, but I had lots of fun. And given the laughter and good conversation from everyone, I'd have to say that all had fun, too.

I'm going to consider the first edition of the MCLC Trivia Run a rousing success. And we even left room for improvement for next year. I believe there was some talk of making this a spring event...?