Membership Info - Contact Joe Sarafini (815) 275-8737 or Terry Anderson (815) 566-7977

Thursday, November 14, 2013

NOVEMBER 12. 2013, LIONS DEN TOPICS

NEW MEMBER BOYER INDUCTED

Last month Liz Boyer, Information and Resources Specialist with RAMP, attended one of our meetings as a guest of past president Terry Anderson to see what Lions do and to see if she might like to join. At the November 12, 2013, meeting, Lion Liz Boyer took the oath and was inducted into the Lions International organization by District 1D Governor, Fred Peska. She was presented with her gold vest and member pin by her sponsor, Lion Terry Anderson. Congratulations and Welcome Aboard, Lion Boyer!

Newly inducted Lion Liz Boyer shows off her new vest and first membership pin as her Lions Terry Anderson and District 1D Governor, Fred Peska, cheer her on. Welcome, Liz!

GUEST SPEAKER LAMBERT, SENIOR CENTER

Guest speaker for the 11/12/13 meeting was Susan Lambert, Executive Director for the Senior Resource Center (SRC). Susan briefed the members on all that the staff of the SRC do on a daily basis. From advising seniors on healthcare issues and Medicare enrollment, to eldercare abuse cases, to transporting them door-through-door not just door-to-door, the staff of SRC go the extra mile to ensure quality of life for seniors in both Stephenson and JoDaviess Counties. The Stephenson SRC is located inside the Lincoln Mall on West Galena Avenue. The JoDaviess office is located in the middle of downtown Galena.

The SRC has two buses equipped with lifts/ramps for seniors in wheelchairs. The buses make about 9,000 pick-ups a year throughout both counties. Just last month one of the buses was out of commission for a new transmission ($4,000) and a new wheelchair lift ($1,000) at the same time. Because the SRC is funded by Illinois state grants and donations, unexpected expenses like these can place severe stress on an already tight budget.
Lions Club President Paul Rampenthal presents guest speaker Susan Lambert, Senior Resource Center, with a token Lion ink pen as thanks for her informative presentation.  Lion Rich Montgomery arranged the program. We hope Susan will join us again, perhaps as a Lion herself.

BARQ – BARQ – BARQ!!!

Lions District 1D Governor, Fred Peska, and District 1D First Lady, Sharon Peska visited our meeting to promote their 2013-1014 fundraising project, Leader Dogs for the Blind. In honor of DG Peska’s project, Freeport Lion, Troy Pettit, surprised the DG and First Lady by presenting them with two decorated Barq’s (barks) bottles made to look like furry dogs.
 

For more information on District Governor Peska’s Leader Dog promotion, visit  the District 1D website: http://www.district1dlions.org

Lions Fed and Sharon are traveling around the District with a rather LARGE jar, asking for your small change to help him achieve one of their dreams. They to see District 1D raise $25,000, just about enough money year to pay for one Leader Dog.

Approximately $60 was raised through Freeport Lions Club member donations at the 11/12/13 meeting.



A DOLLAR A DAY FEEDS A LEADER DOG -
 
Lion Darla Buskirk distributed Leader Dog for the Blind coin saver cards to each member to collect quarters for additional donations for DG Peska’s Project. This is how they should look - FULL - before they are turned in.

 
 
Next regular meeting is scheduled for November 26, 2013, at 6 p.m. at the Freeport Eagles Club on West Galena Avenue. Plan to attend, and bring a guest to dinner. The Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Come early and socialize with another Lion.


 


 

 


 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

LION TALK - NOVEMBER 2013

OCTOBER 8th GUEST SPEAKER - Lion Roland Caruso introduced our guest speaker for the evening, Tom Willison. Tom is an active member of our local Toastmasters Club. The Toastmasters formed to help its members become better public speakers which in turn helps them be more effective communicators in their workplace and community. Tom gave a great talk and we thank Lion Roland for making the arrangements.
 
GUESTS ALWAYS WELCOME - On October 22nd Lion Terry Anderson introduced his guest, Liz Boyer, Information & Resource Specialist with RAMP (Regional Access & Mobilization Project), who joined us for the October 22 dinner meeting just to see and hear what our club does in the community and around the globe. We welcomed Liz, hope she considers joining our club, and give her an application that we hope she returns.

VISION CENTRAL - Lion Joe Serafini reported that he, along with Char Goode, Vision Impaired/Mobility & Orientation Teacher, took a Lincoln-Douglas School 3rd grader to Rockford for an eye exam on 11/8 to a low-vision screening from the Center for Sight & Hearing in Rockford IL. The program is supported by the Lions of Illinois Foundation (LIF). It was thrilling to see our good work come to fruition as this young girl received a free screening, immediate equipment such as a monocular and a lighted magnifier, and get new eyeglasses all within 30 days. It was Lionism in action, and we should all be proud! The student will now receive glasses and also received vision assisting devices. Many thanks Lion Joe for your concern and effort. If you know someone whose quality of life could benefit from vision or hearing devices, but whose financial situation severely restricts obtaining one, please contact one of our members as shown in the margin of this blog.

EYEGLASSES DONATEDThe Club received a “thank you” letter from Lions Illinois Foundation Executive Director, Van C. Stone, thanking us for our recent donation of 520 pair of eyeglasses. These glasses are donated by people throughout our community. Donation drop boxes are located in strategic public gathering places such as clinics, banks, nursing homes, etc. Used hearing aids are also accepted.

HEARING AID REQUEST FULFILLED - Lion Terry Anderson says our Club paid around 50% of the total cost, and the Quota Club also paid ½ of the total cost of a hearing aid for an anonymous recipient. If you know someone whose quality of life could benefit from vision or hearing devices, but whose financial situation severely restricts obtaining one, please contact one of our members as shown in the margin of this blog.

ROSE DAY Chairman, Lion Joe Serafini, reports that at this writing Rose Day sales were slightly better than last year. He will offer a detailed report in the near future. Thanks to all good salesmen and saleswomen and also to our drivers who rose early on October 26"' and devoted hours to drive the miles and make the delivery of all our roses. The roses were beautiful as usual.

CANDY DAY Chairman, Terry Anderson reported a record collection for our October 4th and 5th Candy Days. The club, with the help of the thirteen Freeport High School Student Council student volunteers, collected over $2000. Sixty per cent of the total will be sent to the Lions of Illinois Foundation with the remainder staying with our club for our local projects. Thanks to all who worked, especially our student helpers, and, of course, to Lion Terry for all his effort. He gets a gold star on his report card.

CAR SHOW - Lion Rick Eastman reported that the “Cruizin’ For a Cause” event committee has worked out many details for a car show. They received an event application and completed the necessary paperwork. Union Dairy sponsors paid for the application. Plans are for a Saturday, May 10th date with a $10 registration fee. Tickets for the event’s 50/50 drawing should go on sale around January 1, 2014. District Governor, Fred Peska, said he would like to have Leader Dog Program puppies as an event display. The show should not require a very large work force. Rick will keep us all informed.
 
_______________________________________________________
“I think I'm going to Katmandu, that's really, really where I'm going to. If I ever get out of here, that's what I'm gonna do.”
 -- Bob Seger, Katmandu
_______________________________________________________

Kathmandu Lions stand under framework where a new temple roof is ready to be installed.
IF I EVER GET OUT OF HERE… - Lion Richard Montgomery forwarded an e-mail message with many photos that he received on the internet from Sunit Shrestha, and members of our twin Lions Club in Kathmandu, Nepal. The message told of the many good things the Kathmandu-Gliese Lions Club has done recently. They built a roof for a temple, continued construction on the floor and painted the wall.

Picture of completed new roof

They also contributed to the local school to make extra classrooms and distributed food, clothing and school supplies for underprivileged students. They obviously are a very active club and doing many good things.
It was nice to see the many happy faces of the children in the photos receiving their sweets treats.

 

 
 
 
 
 
CLUB AWARDS - At our October 22d meeting President Rampenthal had the honor of presenting a District 1-D 100% President Award to immediate Past President, Terry Anderson.  Paul also presented a 100% Secretary’s Award to our club secretary Joe Serafini. Our club also received a 100% club award for last year. Congratulations to good Lions Anderson and Serafini. The recognition was well-deserved.

 
HOCKEY OUTING SCHEDULED - The sign-up sheet for the February 22nd ICE HOGS game was again passed. Tickets are fifteen dollars of which five dollars will go to District 1-D. President Paul Rampenthal says to sign up if you interested in tickets. He needs to let Past District Governor, Paul Lindstrom, know our numbers by November 1st. It'll be fun, just like last year.

BELL RINGERS - We will again ring the bell for the Salvation Army red kettle. This year it will be December 7th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sullivan's Market. The Shopko was bell-ringing opportunity was already taken by another group. A sign-up sheet will be passed around at the 11/26 meeting.

HEALTH FAIR FOLLOW-UP - We received a letter thanking us for our participation from the Freeport Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Thanks Lions Rich Montgomery and Troy Pettis for setting up our table that day and answering questions for the public. The Rehab Center asked for any suggestions for next year, and also if we plan to participate. The Board discussed the matter and will reply to their inquiry, but will hold off committing resources to a 2014 event until a later time.

ZONE MEETING – More to follow at later date. A Zone Meeting is scheduled for 11/11 in Forreston. Freeport Lion, Darla VanBuskirk, will be there as Zone Chairman. Freeport Lions Brian Burke, Troy Pettis, Terry Anderson, and Paul Rampenthal also plan to attend.

LION DUANE'S NOTABLE QUOTABLES:
Did you hear that they have dumb blonde "guy" jokes now?
“A blonde guy shouts frantically into the phone, "My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!"
"Is this her first child?' asks the Doctor.
“No!" he shouts, "This is her husband!"

(groan)

* "Some never learn to relax - others never learn anything else.” - Arnold H. Glasow
* “It doesn't require the Darwinian Theory - men make monkeys of themselves.” - Arnold H. Glasow
* A good nun once said, "Before you speak consider three things. Is it true, is it kind and is it necessary?"

Online sites: (click link on or copy into browser window)

CALENDAR DATES TO REMEMBER
11/11 - Zone Meeting @ Forreston 7PM
11/12 - 6:00PM Regular Meeting
11/26 - 5:30PM Board Meeting
11/26 - 6:30PM Regular Meeting
12/7 - Salvation Army Bell Ringing
12/9 - All Service Club Luncheon
12/10 - Holiday Christmas Party
12/25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS
01/01/14 - HAPPY NEW YEAR

Invite a guest to a Lion's dinner meeting. 

2013 PEACE POSTER CONTEST

 

Local Peace Poster Contest

Our local Peace Poster Contest efforts in Freeport, Illinois, continue at Tri-County Christian and Freeport Middle Schools.

DID YOU KNOW that District 323D2 Lions (India) held a mega Peace Poster Contest with more than 39,500 students participating? (Facebook October 31, 2013, LCl)


An Annual Art Contest for Kids

Each year, Lions clubs around the world proudly sponsor the Lions International Peace Poster Contest in local schools and youth groups. This art contest for kids encourages young people worldwide to express their visions of peace. For 25 years, more than eight million children from nearly 100 countries have participated in the contest.
The theme of the 2013-14 Peace Poster Contest is "Our World, Our Future." Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 on November 15, are eligible to participate.

Promoting the Arts

Each year's art contest for kids consists of an original theme incorporating peace. Participants use a variety of mediums, including charcoal, crayon, pencil and paint, to express the theme. The works created are unique and express the young artists' life experiences and culture.

Spreading Peace and International Understanding

Twenty-four international Peace Poster entries are selected each year, representing the work of approximately 400,000 young participants worldwide. Posters are shared globally via the Internet, the media and exhibits around the world.

Peace Poster Contest Judging

Each poster is judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme.

Posters advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district and international. At the international level, judges from the art, peace, youth, education and media communities select one grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners.

Peace Poster Contest Awards

International winners will be notified on or before February 1.
  • One international grand prize winner will receive US$5,000 and a trip to a special award ceremony with the sponsoring club president and two family members at Lions Day with the United Nations (subject to change).
  • Each of the 23 merit award winners will receive a cash award of US$500 and a certificate of achievement.

Peace Poster Contest Past Winners

Past Peace Poster Contest grand prize winners have come from Brazil, Guadeloupe, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Martinique, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Multiple District 300 Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United States.

Peace Poster Contest Participant Information

To learn more about the Lions International Peace Poster Contest, please view our brochure, contest rules and deadlines, call 630-203-3812 or contact the Lions Clubs Audio Visuals & Events Department.

“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me”

We can create a climate for world peace starting in our own homes and schools.



Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.


 

Monday, November 4, 2013

LION TALK - OCTOBER 2013


BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS

Sharon Mockridge, Big Brothers and Sisters Director, receives a warm “thank you” from Club President, Paul Rampanthal.
Our guest speaker at our September 1Oth meeting was Sharon Mockridge, Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Illinois (Stephenson and Jo Daviess County). Big Brothers Big Sisters matches volunteers with boys and girls in need of a positive role model. The mentor and the child engage in work and play activities they both enjoy and develop confidence and a good attitude. Young people with a big brother or sister are much less likely to become involved in harmful activities. If you could become a Big Brother or Big Sister contact Sharon at 815-599-7il4. Twenty boys are now waiting. If you want, you could also make a donation at Big Brothers Big Sisters of N.W. Illinois c/o FHN Family Counseling Center, 421W. Exchange Street, Freeport, IL

The Candy Day volunteer sign-up-sheet was passed around. Lion Terry Anderson, Candy Day Chairman, mentioned that only three major collection points are available this year - Cub Foods, Sullivan’s Foods and Shop-Ko. Three cheers for those good volunteers! We will hope for good weather for Candy Day on October 4th and 5th. Candy Day collections are October 4th and 5th. Chairman Terry says all times to collect donations are signed for but don't forget your time now. Thanks to all who help.

COMING UP ROSES

Rose Day Chairman, Lion Joe Serafini, also informed us that the Journal Standard will donate four nice newspaper ads for Rose Sales in the paper September 22, 25, 29 and October 2. Hooray for the Journal Standard! We may have to consider a future donation to their “Newspapers in Education” program as part of the Lions International drive for worldwide literacy.

Lion Serafini announced that 100 dozen rose tickets had been turned in - a good start. Our supplier reserved 600 dozen roses for us. Lion Joe asked for delivery drivers for the morning of October 26. Please volunteer if you can. More hands mean lighter work for all, and we don't want a couple of our delivery people still working into the afternoon.

AWARD PRESENTED
 Good Lion Terry Anderson received a very important honor from Lions lnternational at the September 24th meeting. Club President, Paul Rampenthal, presented Lion Terry with a KEY AWARD for bringing in five new members to the club. A great Lions Roar for Lion Terry! It would be great for our club if some more of us could duplicate his efforts. We had good attendance at that meeting. It’s a great meeting when more of us can make it.

 

BRATS

Lions Troy Pettit, Brian Burke, Joe Serafini, Terry Anderson and Dennis Zimmerman were one of several crews that took turns selling brat, hamburger, hot dog and steak sandwiches to the public.

Our CUB FOODS BRAT STAND project on September 13 and 14 was a success. Donations were not quite as good as the last time, but that previous time was a club record. The board discussed factors that might make a difference, such as which month, weather, competing events, etc., but in the end, who knows? Thanks to all the good Lions who helped, especially Club President, Paul Rampenthal, who chaired the project from beginning to end. Great job everyone! See more photos on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FREEPORTLIONS/photos_stream.
 
DIABETIC SCREENING REPORT
Chairman Troy Pettis reported that only 10 people took advantage of the Diabetic Retinopathy program. That is disappointing, especially after all the work Chairman Troy put into the program. The board discussed whether it was worth the effort. But, our club and the Lions of Illinois did offer the people here the opportunity. Lions were "serving" which is, of course, our motto.

LEADER DOG DONATION
The board voted to donate $200 to our District Governor’s project to support the Leader Dog program. Lion Darla Van Buskirk has also put some collection containers for that project around town. Thanks Lion Darla.

POTENTIAL CAR SHOW
Lion Rick Eastman reported that the Malcolm Eaton Center gave up their car show fundraiser and wondered whether our club might take over the activity. Lions Rick, Bert Kersten and Rich Montgomery attended a kickoff committee meeting with sponsors, Union Dairy and Total Touch-up, and set a potential date of May 10, 2014. More to come... 

TWINNING UPDATE
Lion Richard Montgomery received a very nice ‘Thank You' e-mail from the Kathmandu-Gliese Lions Club in Nepal for the goodwill gift package our club sent them with Freeport items such as Mrs. Mike's Potato Chips and Freeport Pretzels. Members with email were forwarded the email with an explanation.

Goodwill gifts from Freeport IL Lions Club, USA, to Kathmandu-Gliese Lions Club, Nepal
Kathmandu-Gliese Lions visiting a local temple to offer help for structural repairs

Kathmandu-Gliese Lions visiting local school and presenting 'sweets' to children

NOTABLE QUOTES:
* How many retirees does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but it may take all day.
* "All I remember about my wedding day in 1967 is that the Cubs lost a double header." - George Will
* 'Play'in third ain't so bad if noth'in is hit to you." - Yogi Berra


* "Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth. Amen.”