CLUB MEETING JANUARY 27, 2026

 

                                                                                                                                                         

Jan. 27, 2026 - Newsletter / Meeting Minutes - FREEPORT LIONS CLUB

 

Meeting called to order @ 6:00 PM @ Eagle’s Club by President Jason Carter

Attendance: Guests: 1  Members:  16   

Pledge of Allegiance: led by Lion Kathy Digiovanni     

Invocation: given by Lion Terry Anderson         

Guest(s): Rob Boyer – Freeport City Manager

                                                                                   

Program: Rob Boyer, Freeport City Manager.

Club President, Jason Carter, introduced. Mr. Boyer who said he came to Freeport in 2020, He likes the town and his job. Previously, he was a CEO in the Auto Industry. In 2021, the city started doing their own street paving which has netted more improved streets for less money. The Adams Street project was completed making entry into the city from the southeast much safer So far, twenty-five miles of streets have been completed. Some up-coming street projects are: South Street, Clark Street, South Demeter Street, Dewey Street, and Stewart Avenue.

Other future projects noted:

·   The old Holiday Inn on South Street should be demolished in 30-60 days!

·   The city received $85 Million in outside funding to remove all lead pipes, and that will be completed this year.

·   Water Well #12 on the South end of Krape Park is completed, and will provide support for that end of town, including Walmart, Menards, and other southside businesses. There will be no water tower located there.

·   Please go to www.cityoffreeport.org for other projects/planning.

·   REMEMBER, THE SAFETY of City Workers is of utmost importance – please give them space when approaching or entering any construction zone.

 Thanks, President Jason, for arranging a highly informative program and guest speaker.

Communications/Happenings: Happy February Birthday wishes to Lion Sean McDanel 2/18.

We received a thank you card from Lions of IL Foundation (LIF), for participating in Annual Candy Day Campaign.

Reports:

Secretary’s Jan. 13 notes: Note corrections for spelling of guest Barbara Vines (not Fines) and convention dates. Motion by Roland Caruso to accept with corrections, 2^nd by Shiloh Bausman, motion carried.

Treasurer: Admin. Acct: $530.71        Activity Acct: $5,586.45          Memorial Acct: $2,637.41

Motion to accept by Shiloh Bausman, 2^nd Roland Caruso, motion carried.

Membership: Lion Shiloh says they are working on a meeting for Leo’s Club. Lion Jalen Dunbar assisting. New Member Orientation and refresher for all Lions set for June 9^th meeting.

Marketing: Lion Faith Freeman has developed a calendar. Lions Faith and Shiloh have a new website: FreeportILLions.org

Lion Shiloh showed us the site and while it is under construction, it will be easy to use and help others who may have an interest in joining our club. Lion Faith also asks for head shot photos so she can place them on the new website. Nice job – more to follow.

Car Show: Chairman Shiloh held a meeting on Jan. 20 with a follow-up meeting set for 2/3 5PM at Eilert’s. If you wish to be on committee, try to be there. She did note that this year we will have a Platinum level sponsor at $150.00. Flyers are available.

Scholarship: Chairman Terry Anderson confirmed applications have been placed.

Vision 2025: Chairman Terry Anderson’s report shows we had thirty-seven requests and purchased twenty-three pair of eyeglasses/exams with a cost of $3,470.69 which includes ten vouchers provided by Shopko Optical. Nice work Terry!

Mints 2025: Chairman Terry Anderson’s report showed deposits of $3,074.42, expenses of $1,380.00 for a net profit of $1,694.42. He thanked Lions Zimmerman and Serafini for running the routes for him this year. The mints help us offset cost of our eyeglass program. Currently, we have trays in seventy locations.

 Old / New Business:

A. Sight & Sound Sweepstakes Tickets for LIF: Lion Joe Serafini asks that you turn in your money and books by Feb. 10 meeting. If we get them mailed to LIF before March 1, we will be eligible for early bird drawings, March 4, April 1, and May 6. The main drawing is May 17, 2026.  

B. 12th Annual Lions Car Show May 2 1-5PM: Contract with 3D Sound was signed by Chair Lion Shiloh Bausman and she has printed three hundred flyers (black and white) for 3D to hand out at their early shows. Plan is to have a second committee meeting Feb. 3 – 5:00PM at Eilert’s. If you want to be on the committee, be there and if you do but cannot make it, let Lion Shiloh know of your wishes.

C. NW Central Zone Meeting 2/23 6PM: The next Zone Meeting will be in Cedarville, hosted by Orangeville Lions. We will need a final head count by 2/10 meeting. A preliminary head count revealed eight who may attend: Shiloh Bausman, Brian Burke, Dave Marcum, Terry Anderson, Dennis Zimmerman, Joe Serafini, Jason Carter, and Kathy Digiovanni.

D. Rockford Ice Hogs Game for 3/14: Dist. 1 D just announced this fundraiser. If interested, contact Lion Shiloh Bausman for more information.

E. Lions Service Carnival 3/21 Lincoln Mall: More to follow on this event.

F. Guest Speaker Schedule: 

·         February 10: Lion Oscar Morsbach-Untersee has Jacob Wagner, Stephenson County VAC

·         March 10: Lion Shiloh Bausman has Freeport Middle School Dance Team

·         April 14: Lion Richard Montgomery has Amanda Faivre, Stephenson County Senior Resource Center.

·         May 12 – open

·         June 9 – New Member Orientation/refresher for all Lions

·         Monetary Requests: All motions passed were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

·         $550.00 Camp Lions-Adopt a Camper, motion by Roland Caruso, 2^nd by Shiloh Bausman

·         $290.00 LIF Children Low Vision, motion by Joe Serafini, 2^nd by Dennis Zimmerman

·         $200.00 LIF Adult Low Vision, motion by Shiloh Bausman, 2^nd by Roland Caruso

·         $100.00 Lifeline Coalition (Pregnancy Center), motion by Dave Snyders, 2^nd by Aaron Davis

·         $200.00 Stephenson County 4-H Extension, motion by Dave Snyders, 2^nd by Brian Burke

·         $200.00 RAMP, motion by Shiloh Bausman, 2^nd Roland Caruso

·         $200.00 Malcolm Eaton Enterprises, motion by Brian Burke, 2^nd by Dave Snyders

·         $250.00 Stephenson County Animal Control, motion by Dave Snyders, 2^nd by Shiloh Bausman

·         $100.00 New Club Website, motion by Joe Serafini, 2^nd by Aaron Davis

·         $100.00 Club to purchase ten Sight and Sound books, motion by Joe Serafini, 2^nd by Dennis Zimmerman

 Tail Twister:

Due to length of meeting, we waived the Tail Twister.

 50/50 Drawing:

Due to length of meeting, we waived the drawing but passed the bucket and collected $37.00 for our Admin. Account. Thank you for your generosity!  

"LIONS" - Liberty, Intelligence, and Our Nation's Safety***

                                                Adjourned – 7:35 Secretary Joe Serafini

 NOTEABLE VALENTINE DAY QUOTES:

• "A kiss makes the heart young again and wipes out the years."~ Rupert Brooke
• "We are most alive when we’re in love."~ John Updike
• "When you love someone all your saved up wishes start coming out."~ Elizabeth Bowen
• "If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love." ~ Maya Angelou
• "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt." ~ Charles M. Schultz
• "Everything’s coming up roses – for me." ~ Ethel Merman

                                      Up-Coming Date (mark your calendar):                             

Feb. 10 - 6:00PM Regular Meeting - Eagle's Club

Feb. 23 – NW Central Zone Meeting – 6:00PM - Cedarville

Feb. 24 - 6:00PM Board/Regular Meeting – Eagle’s Club

Mar. 10 - 6:00PM Regular Meeting - Eagle's Club

Mar. 14 – Rockford Ice Hogs Hockey Game

Mar. 21 – Service Carnival @ Lincoln Mall, Freeport

Mar. 24- 6:00PM Board/Regular Meeting – Eagle’s Club

April 24-25 – Dist. 1 D Convention @ Farm Bureau, Freeport

May 2 -  12th Annual Freeport Lions Car Show

 

Think Membership – ASK 1 - to visit our club and consider becoming a Lion!

 

MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 13, 2026

 

                                                                                                                                                         

Jan. 13, 2026 - Newsletter / Meeting Minutes - FREEPORT LIONS CLUB 

Meeting called to order @ 6:00 PM @ Eagle’s Club by Pres. Jason Carter

Attendance:   Guests: 2       Members:   17       Pledge of Allegiance: led by Lion Richard Montgomery  Invocation: given by Lion Joe Serafini               

Guests: (1) Nicole Haas, Greater Freeport Partnership (2) Barbara Fines           

Communications/Happenings: Happy January Birthday wishes to Lion Steve Kryder on 1/31.

Welcome to NEW MEMBER JALEN DUNBAR as of Jan. 1, 2026. His sponsor is Lion Shiloh Bausman.👍👍

Guest Barbara Fines, invited by Pres. Jason Carter, joined our meeting to see what we are all about. We hope she enjoyed the meeting and considers joining our club and Lions International.

Awards from Lions International presented by Pres. Jason Carter to:

• Lion Norm Truessel received a 10 Year pin and letter.
• Lion Brian Burke received a 15 Year pin and letter.
• Lion Terry Anderson received a 40 Year pin and letter.
• Lion Jeff Cowman received a 10 Year pin and letter.
• Congratulations to these Lions for their dedication to Freeport Lions and Lions International.

Thank you notes were received from:

• FACC for our $500.00 donation.
• Freeport Community School Fund for our $100.00 donation.
• Salvation Army for our $500.00 donation.
• Freeport Fire Dept. for our $225.00 donation.
• Sue Hutmacher for the Roses we sent on Rose Day to honor Lion Gary who died recently..

Secretary’s Reports 

• November and December reports motioned by Lion Shiloh Bausman to accept, seconded by Lion Oscar Morsbach-Untersee. MC

 Old / New Business:

A. Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Lion Shiloh Bausman thanked everyone for their time. See Dec. notes for list of Lions.

B. All Service Club Luncheon: Was enjoyable lunch and a terrific way to end the year for all clubs.

C. Club Christmas Party: We all felt it was a success and special thanks to Lion Kathy Digiovanni for entertaining us with songs and making extra effort to decorate. Thanks to Lion Shiloh Bausman for lighted bottles for ladies to take home.

D. Sight & Sound Sweepstakes Tickets for LIF: The books are $10.00 for three tickets or if sold individually, they are $4.00 each/$12.00 a ticket/book. The drawing will be at the state convention in May. 1^st prize $5,000.00; 2^nd-6^th is $1,000.00; 7^th-16^th is $500.00; 17^th-26^th is $250.00. Sellers prizes up to $4,800.00. See Lion Joe Serafini to get yours. There are early bird drawings in March, April, May, so we need to sell our 40 books and return to LIF to be eligible for the early bird drawings.

E. Leos Lion Club Update:  Lions Shiloh Bausman and Faith Freeman say it is still a work in progress – more to follow.

F. 12th Annual Lions Car Show May 2 1-5PM: Contract with 3D Sound has been signed by Chair Lion Shiloh Bausman and she has printed 300 flyers (black and white) for 3D to hand out at their early shows. Plan is to have an early committee meeting Jan. 20 – 5:00PM at Eilert’s. If you want to be on the committee, be there and if you do but cannot make it, let Lion Shiloh know of your wishes.

G. Freeport Lions 2026-2027 $1,000.00 Scholarship Applications: If you know of a graduating high school senior who plans to attend HCC this fall, let them know of this opportunity as the deadline for submission is March 20. Lion Shiloh Bausman will get the application on our Facebook and other websites including the media from each school. Lion Terry Anderson is chair and will be looking for volunteers to review applications and make a final selection. Lions Dunbar and Serafini will deliver hard copies to FHS, HCC, and Lion Shiloh will deliver to FHS primary office and Alternative School office.

H. Rockford Ice Hogs Game for 3/14: Dist. 1 D just announced this fundraiser, Lion Shiloh Bausman will provide more information soon.

I.  Adopt-A-Street Clean-up 2026: We will schedule pick-ups for April, July & September. We cover Galena Street from Rte. 26/West Street (Walgreen’s) to Crestwood St. (McDonald's). Look for our Club Street Sign!!! More to follow.

J.  Guest Speaker Schedule: 

• February 10: Lion Oscar Morsbach-Untersee has Jacob Wagner, Stephenson County VAC
• March 10: Lion Shiloh Bausman has Freeport Middle School Dance Team
• April 14: Lion Richard Montgomery has Amanda Faivre, Stephenson County Senior Resource Center.
• May 12 – open
• June 9 – open

Tail Twister Fundraiser: Lion Roland Caruso gave us the state and asked if we could identify their football team. Example: CO – Broncos, NY – Jets,   OH - Bengals and Browns, AZ - Cardinals.  Thank you Lion Roland and you raised $16.00 for our Admin. Account.

 

50/50 Fundraiser Drawing: Lion Joe Serafini conducted & $14.00 winner was Lion Oscar Morsbach-Untersee who donated his winnings back to the club. Thank you to Lion’s Oscar and Joe as you added $28.00, to our Admin. Account.

 Program: Pres. Jason Carter introduced Nicole Haas, Marketing and Tourism Director for Greater Freeport Partnership. The GFP was founded in 2018 and replaced the Stephenson County Visitors Center and Freeport Chamber of Commerce. They are not part of the City of Freeport and half of their budget comes from members dues, one-fourth from Stephenson County, and ¼ from City of Freeport Hotel/Motel tax. They host Rise and Shine events which are hosted by different members to learn more about them and what they have to offer and are open to all members to attend. They help organize several events: Music on Chicago June, July, and Aug.; Art Walk; Pretzel Fest; Wine Fest; Cruise Night; and will have their annual dinner Feb. 5 at Masonic Temple to recognize those who have gone above and beyond. Freeport Lions Club just joined, and feel it will help advertise our club and events. Thanks Pres. Jason for a highly informative program

"LIONS" - Liberty, Intelligence, and Our Nation's Safety***

Meeting Adjourned – 7:15 Secretary Joe Serafini

NOTEABLE NEW YEAR QUOTES:

"And we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been."~ Rainer Maria Rilke

             "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."~ Albert Einstein

"I close my eyes to old ends. And open my heart to new beginnings."~ Nick Frederickson

            "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream." ~ C.S. Lewis

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it." ~ Greg Anderson

            "The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot." ~ Michael Altshuler

                                       Up-Coming Date (mark your calendar):                             
Jan. 27 -  6:00PM Board/Regular Meeting – Eagle’s Club
Feb. 10 -  6:00PM Regular Meeting - Eagle's Club
Feb. 24 -  6:00PM  Board/Regular Meeting – Eagle’s Club
Mar. 10 - 6:00PM Regular Meeting - Eagle's Club
Mar. 14 – Rockford Ice Hogs Hockey Game
Mar. 24- 6:00PM Board/Regular Meeting – Eagle’s Club
April 4-5 – Dist. 1 D Convention, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Rockford  

May 2 -    11^th Annual Freeport Lions Car Show

Think Membership – "ASK 1" - to visit our club and consider becoming a Lion!

 

2026 CAR SHOW BEING PLANNED

 

German Valley Lions Drive-thru Fundraiser

 

German Valley Lions is hosting a Drive-thru Fundraiser on Saturday, October 8, 2022. Proceeds will be donated to AL & Bonnie Bawinkle. 

 

Tickets are available to purchase now through October 1. (See attached flier). Questions and ticket orders can be directed to Beth Watter (815) 362-3291.

 

 

8th Annual Cruisin' For A Cause Car Show

We hosted our 8th Annual Cruisin' For A Cause Car Show on May 7, 2022.  The sun was shining bright all day long. There was hardly a cloud in sight.  The weather was absolutely beautiful, which helped to make this year's event a huge success. Leo the Lion even made a new friend this year named Uni the Cow!

Hello 2022!!

Just a friendly reminder that we will be hosting our regular monthly meeting tomorrow evening at Freeport Eagle's Club. Taco dinner/social hour will be from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 pm. Our guest speakers are Captains Lisa & Tim Thorson from Freeport Salvation Army. We will see you then! (Don't forget your mask!)