Next Meeting - April 4, 2017 , Tuesday noon, at the Coliseum Bar & Restaurant, as usual. Our Business Meeting for April, at which we will be informed about what is going on, what is about to go on, and what might go on someday.

One thing that will definitely go on is the International Convention, which will be just down the road in Chicago, June 30 to July 4. If you have never been to an International Convention, this is your chance. It is an opportunity to experience the world wide fellowship that is Lions International, to meet people from all over the world, perhaps from your ancestral homelands, and to hear some great speakers. You will not be able to avoid the excitement that comes from being in the middle of an international experience, and you should come away uplifted by all that has been done in the service of others. Talk to JOHN JENSON or PHIL INGWELL if you need more information, and since LCI works very far in advance, the attendance formalities are well advanced already and you will need to start the process now. It is theoretically possible to “register at the door” but it is a lot better to do so ahead of time. Not to mention that if you need housing, you will be competing with literally tens of thousands of people for the available rooms.

At our last meeting, the program didn't materialize, but we had lots of good conversations anyway. DALE BURMESTER confirmed that Lion JODI BURMESTER had been elected to be the District Governor for District 27D-1 for the 2017-18 Lion year. This continues the years of tradition of Lion leadership emanating from Madison Central Lions Club, as about a dozen District Governors and one International Director have come from our Club. As part of the necessary preparation for running all over Southern Wisconsin to visit Lions Clubs, Lion JODI had a knee replaced a couple weeks ago, and happily the results are good and her recovery, at last report, was ahead of schedule. Typical JODI.

Treasurer SCOTT GROVER reported that we got a check from the Gum Ball distributor for about $1,100, bringing the grand total receipts from this project to something over $166,000.00. Hard to believe, unless you've been around for a while.

Rose Day is THIS MONTH, April 24, and the order must be placed with the supplier next week. So, get your completed orders in to SCOTT like, immediately or sooner, and take a quick look around to see where you can make more sales. Order blanks are available at the meeting and on the website.

Fitchburg Lions are having a Pancake Breakfast on April 15. JOHN JENSON would know the details. JOHN also reported that our Club received Youth Exchange and Centennial Excellence For Participation Awards at the recent District Convention, thus decisively proving we are still here.

JOHN also presented a 50-Year Old Monarch Award to PDG PHIL INGWELL. PHIL has packed a lot of Lion service into those 50 years.

Our TailTwister ADAM GRASSNICKLE obviously put some serious Lion thought into his mission for the meeting, because his challenge for the day was to come up with an idea for a new Service Activity for our Club - something to shake us out of the “same old, same” old mode. One suggestion was heard, to do something with the “Little Free Library Concept,” and more ideas would be really helpful in revitalizing our Club. Good move by the TT - there is hope for the office after all!