NEXT MEETING - Tuesday, September 15, at NOON, 12:00 AM. On Zoom, which is the “New Normal” for our meetings, for now. You can use the old link if you have it, because apparently the number doesn't change, but if you don't have it contact SCOTT GROVER or DALE BURMESTER for the info.

This is our Program Meeting for September, and Lion TERRY SCHAR will present a Zoom “Show And Tell” program on glass paperweights, which he collects. Glass has been around for 3000 years, and was first made mostly for containers. As it became available in flat sheets, it began to be used in windows. (Early American architecture features a lot of muntin bars and small panes of glass, because larger panes were prohibitively expensive and hard to get.) As society began to decorate its living spaces, glass objects began to appear, and in the mid 1880s fine glass paperweights were produced as art objects in glassworks in France and eastern Europe. Popularity was high for 5 or 10 years and then receded, but the art has persisted at lower production levels. Two French factories from the 1880s are still making paperweights, along with others in England, Italy, China, and a number of individuals in the US and elsewhere.

There has been a lot of discussion about our Club's present circumstances lately, and a number of our members have remarked that they enjoyed programs. We have been getting only a small number of members to attend virtual Zoom meetings, and it is not practical to invite speakers who are used to much larger audiences. In addition, not too many programs are at their best in Zoom presentations. There is one small bright spot-as this situation drags on more people will of necessity get more familiar with the Zoom concept and how it works, even including the Editor, who has just learned how to get his picture not to appear as a “mirror image.”

At our last meeting, attendance was up, buoyed by the participation of a couple Lions we hadn't “seen” in a while. There was a lot of conversation about the situation, and the shift/return to a noon official starting time seemed to work well. One really good thing about Zoom meetings is that no travel time is involved.

It was noted that our Club has responded to a request for assistance that we received a few weeks back. An elderly SW side couple needed help in getting their lawn mowed, and our original discussion produced some names of affordable contractors. Lion SCOTT GROVER came up with an even simpler solution - he went out to visit the homeowners, and having determined that they could no longer do it themselves, in the best tradition of Lion service, he “wired” up the lawnmower and cut the grass himself! And he has continued to do it as growing conditions required. He hasn't requested any help, but if you'd like to take a turn at a personal service project, let him know. (Please, no cutting remarks.) This is Lion grass-roots service at its best! Thank You, SCOTT!

We received about $1,800.00 USD in monetary donations at our Stuff The Bus locations, along with Madison West, Fitchburg, and Madison Monona clubs, plus some in-kind donations. HyVee also took cash donations at their registers, and are sending us a check for whatever amount was received through that process. If you wonder why donated school supplies are needed, note that about half of the kids in Madison Public Schools get free, or reduced cost, lunch because they come from low-income households. Thanks go out to Julie Baglama, who has acted as the driving force this summer.

The new “Lions Global Forum” page on Facebook is the handiwork of two MCLC members, JODI and DALE, plus a few others. There is open discussion of Lions subjects from Lions located literally all over the world. The names alone are enough to create interest, and the subject is a mix of “how do we?” and “this is our Lion project” to “membership, membership, membership, how and who?” This past Saturday the page featured the Burmester Virtual Bar. That alone should be intriguing enough to get you to participate.

Lion BECKY has contacted the Terri Lynn Candy Co. about the possibility of a fund-raising candy sale. Apparently the company can process and deliver orders, and Club members would contact potential customers to suggest sales and encourage online orders. This might help with fundraising, since we weren't able to do our usual Rose Day Sale this past spring. The Club is still pursuing this opportunity.

September is our month to transport eye tissue for the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin, and the first mission has already been carried out by Bernie Stoudt. Lion Service was, and still is, a family tradition in the DAN STOUDT household.

Calendar:
• September 15 - Program Meeting
• September 24 - McFarland Lions Golf Outing
• October 4 - New Glarus Charity Golf Outing
• October 6 - Business/Board Meeting
• October 19 - Triangle Dinner