Next Meeting, Tues. January 20, 2015. AT OUR NEW LOCATION!!!!!!!!

OUR MEETING PLACE HAS CHANGED! WE ARE AT:
The COLISEUM BAR - 232 S. OLIN AVENUE

Again. Noon, as usual. This will be a program meeting, and MELISSA NOVINSKI will introduce Toya Johnson, from the United Way. She is the Director in charge of the “Self Reliance Initiative”, which is a category of the United Way's Health area of their Agenda For Change - (Education, Safety and Health.) United Way's priorities change over time, and the programs of the agencies they support do as well, so here is a chance to see how, where and why their present methods and directions are pointed.

At our last meeting, we got acquainted with our new Coliseum Bar location. We will meet on the second floor, and there are stairs on the eastern (towards John Nolen) end of the building and an elevator on the western (towards Park St.) end. As you enter, there is a menu for the day on a table, and last time there were three choices - a hot dish (beef tips & gravy); a salad; or a sandwich (ham & swiss). The menu is color coded, and there are small squares of colored paper matching the menu. You take the square of your choice to your seat at the table and a server causes your lunch to appear. There are limited numbers of some of the squares, so choice may be limited for late-arrivers (hint, hint).

Pres. JACK opened the meeting, a little on the early side, and as no one had any formalities ready, there weren't any. We have Lion birthdays scheduled for a future meeting, but, tax season being at hand, CHARLIE LIBERTY already knew he wasn't going to make that date, and so he brought his gift early, which we think is a Club record. The members present not having the nerve even to attempt “Happy Birthday” (no pitch pipe at hand) we went straight to the drawing, in which JIM SCHUTZ was the winner. CHARLIE was being recognized for 18 years of Lion service, which was duly applauded.

DEBBIE MAHAFFEY is the Lion Birthday Chairperson this year, and she has scheduled a grand celebration for those Lions whose birthdays are in August, September, October, November and December. That includes JEFF SCHNEIDER, CHARLIE LIBERTY, MARSHALL FLAX, WALT PRIDHAM, DALE ST. JOHN, GLENN SCHAEFER, DALE MUELLER, CRAIG BUTLER, MELISSA NOVINSKI, JOHN JENSON, AL GOLDSTEIN and DEBBIE MAHAFFEY. Years of service range from 2 to 54! Those who are being celebrated are, as usual, invited to bring a small gift for the drawing. With that many, odds are good to be a drawing winner, so best make it to the meeting!

Sec. JOHN JENSON reported that we had received two donations for our Service Fund, one for $250 from an un-named (but regular) donor and one for $25 from one of JOHN's friends. Every amount helps.

There are still items available from our Holiday Treat Sale, run by LINDA BERGREN (currently in Mexico). There were packs of Trail Mix, Caramels and the ever-popular Malted Milk Balls on display, and there may be a few other items. They will again be available at the meeting, so let's get them all sold.

Pres JACK noted that he will be the chairman next year for the Run For the River, which benefits the River Food Pantry here in Madison. The Run is organized by a group called the Hash House Harriers, who apparently (like Frazz in the comics) will run any time, any place and in any weather, especially when it is for the benefit of others. Talk to JACK to get the details.

JOHN JENSON reminded us that the District Convention would be at the Marriott in Middleton in the second week of March, and the State Convention will be at Fontana (in the Lake Geneva area) on May 14-16. See John if you're planning on attending either. Conventions are the best way to revive your Lion battery!