LION TALK - DECEMBER 2012

LION TALK - A NEWSLE'ITER FOR THE FREEPORT, ILLINOIS LIONS CLUB

December 2012

November 13 - Members of our Lions Board met prior to the regular meeting to discuss the recent club survey. Suggestions made in the survey were discussed.

1. One change that was suggested started at that meeting. The meal was served buffet style with self service. It appeared that the club members had no problem with the change. This will ease the serving for Denise.
2. Changing meeting times was also discussed and the club moved to change the time of our meetings as follows:
1. The first meeting of each month will start now at 6PM. The time of fellowship will then also be earlier.
2. The second meeting each month will now start at 6:30PM with the board meeting now starting at 5:30PM. Write it down so you don't forget until we get used to the new times.
3. There was also discussion as to setting up permanent committees such as membership, publicity, sight and sound, etc. More information will follow.

We were happy to have Rich Highbarger as our guest November 13th. Rich works at FHN in the Ophthalmology Department. We hope Rich will join us again and consider becoming a Lion.

Our other guest on the 13th was State Representative, Jim Sacia, who stated that he liked his job representing “the 108,000 folks in our district”, but mentioned that he doesn't plan to run for another term. Rep. Sacia started his talk by stating that our state was financially in the worst shape of all 50 states, and from now on the budget must be no more than our income. “We must suck it up.” He hopes that they will get something accomplished in that direction in the next session. He said House Speaker Madigan is so powerful he can get things done, and he wants to leave a better legacy than the current mess. Current pensions may not take a big hit but COLAs may, and state employees may be hit hard. Rep. Sacia thinks 99% of the legislators are good, likeable people who work very hard. He thanked the Freeport Lions Club for their interest, and we thanked him for joining us and sharing his thoughts.

Our Holiday Party will be held December 11th at the Eagle's Club in place of our regular meeting. The social time will start this year at 6PM. We will have dinner at 6:30PM. The program will begin at approximately 7:15. We will be entertained again by our F. H. S. Jazz Band who we enjoyed greatly last year. You won't want to miss them.

December 10th is also the date for the All Service Club Lunch at the Masonic Temple (lower level). We usually try to make it there about 11:30 or shortly thereafter. They try to be finished before 1:00PM. The High School Choir always perform and are very entertaining.

The following actions were taken on items discussed at the November 27th board meeting:

• Donate $100 to the FHN Festival of Trees.
• Pay the FHS Jazz Band $300 for playing at our Christmas gathering.
• Send $500 to the Lions relief program for the victims of super storm Hurricane Sandy.
• Grant $200 to the Public School Foundation.
• Donate $250 to Malcolm Eaton Enterprises.
• Offer one $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Freeport or Aquin High School senior who plans to go to Highland Community College.
• The Lions of Illinois dues are rising somewhat. Lion Treasurer Kevin felt the $30 he collects for dues each 6 months can still cover it.
• Lion Paul Rampenthal volunteered to chair the Lions Ice Hog Fundraiser February 16th. Thanks Lion Paul. The Ice Hogs will give Lions $5 of the ticket price of $15 off all the tickets the Lions sell.

Lion Serafini gave the final report of the Rose Sale. Club members sold 538 dozen which netted the club $4,991. Thanks so much Lion Joe for all your work to coordinate our largest fundraiser. Rose Day was another great success due to Lion Joe and all the many good Lions who gave time and effort in many ways.

The Peace Poster Contest only had three students participate. Contact was made with middle school art teacher Ms. Cook who said that next year she hopes to get a better start. The three students who participated were given a set of markers for participating.

One suggestion mentioned in our recent club survey was that name tags might be helpful. Our old name tags have been found. They were used for many years but a number of years ago fell into disuse. Lion Kevin Grande volunteered to bring them up to date. The intention is that we will use them again in the near future.

On Saturday, December 1^st eight good Freeport Lions rang the Salvation Army bell at ShopKo. People seemed to be in the Christmas spirit and gave generously. We hope we helped the Salvation Army a great deal that day.

From the District Newsletter, District Governor Lyle reports that since her term started we have gained 43 new members but we hive lost 51. Several clubs are under fifteen members but they continue to get the job done in their community due to the hard work of those loyal Lions. All clubs must continue to seek good new members. Ask someone to be a Lion!

NOTABLE QUOTES:

• Never play poker with a man named Ace, Never eat at a place called Mom's and never invest in anything that eats or needs painting." Anon.
• 'The Golden Rule: Whoever has the gold makes the rules." Anon.
• It’s harder to conceal ignorance than it is to acquire knowledge." Arnold Glassow
• If you are thinking a year ahead, sow seeds.
• If you are thinking 10 years ahead plant a tree.
• If you are thinking 100 years ahead, educate the people." Kuan Tsu 3^rd Century B.C.

A CHRISTMAS GATHERING

DECEMBER 11, 2012, Freeport IL – The Freeport Lions Club Christmas Gathering dinner was held at the Freeport Eagles Club to the smooth sounds of the Freeport High School Jazz Band. About 56 members and guests attended. The 50/50 raffle was won by Terry and Cheryl Anderson. Holiday poinsettia plants used for table center pieces were taken home by guests.

Freeport High School Jazz Band Director, Bill Peterson, noted that the students in this particular band do so for the love of music as an extracurricular activity, not for credit. Several of the student musicians have received State awards and recognitions for their musical talents and achievements, and some were even recognized for helping the Freeport Lions Club collect donations on Candy Day. Many musical arrangements and choreography performed were designed by members of the band themselves. If you closed your eyes, you could not tell if you were listening to students  - or professional musicians! HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

LION TALK - November 2012

LION TALK - A Newsletter for the Freeport, Illinois Lions Club.

November 2O12

District Governor Ruth Lyle met with us at our October 9, 2012, meeting. District Governor Lyle gave us a good pep talk with many humorous remarks such as, “The Lion is King of the Jungle mainly because he believes he is and lets everyone know it.”  D.G. Lyle feels members should also be like that. D.G. Lyle also presented Lion Duane Smith with a letter from Lions International President congratulating him on his 40 years as a Lion. Thank you Governor Lyle for your visit and your encouragement to our club.

SENIOR DANCE - Thanks to the good Lions who helped with the Senior Center Dance October 7th. Read more online at: http://freeportlionsclub.blogspot.com/2012/10/senior-resource-center-event.html.

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS  - Vice President, Paul Rampenthal, announced that we are again signed up to help the on December 1^st at SHOPKO from 8-4PM. He also mentioned that this year’s All Service Clubs Luncheon will be held Monday, December 10^th, at the Masonic Temple with the Freeport High School Choir performing, and our Christmas gathering will be held December 11^th to the smooth sounds of the Freeport High School Jazz Band.

CANDY DAY - Collections were good this year. The club gave the Lions of Illinois Foundation $850 and voted to give our high school helpers $200. The remaining $356 will go to our treasurer. The club also expresses its appreciation to Lion Troy Pettis for collecting all day at K-Mart where members at other locations took turns in shifts. Thanks so much Lion Troy. Read more about Candy Day online: http://freeportlionsclub.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-candy-days-cool-and-sweet.html

ROSE DAY - Fifteen good Freeport Lions met at Lion Paul Tormohlen's Good People Automotive to sort and pick up roses for delivery. The weather was crisp with no rain. Rose chairman Joe Serafini thinks that sales were from 535-540 this year. He will give an exact account later this month with correct numbers, expenses, profit, etc. Extra roses not sold were distributed to nursing homes in town, Judy Hayner and Eleanor Chance. The roses were especially beautiful and many compliments have been received. Lion Joe did mention our super salesman Lion Terry sold 155 dozen. Way to go Lion Terry and way to go Lion Joe. For a great picture and article about Rose Day, visit Lion Richard Montgomery's Lion Blog:  http://freeportlionsclub.blogspot.com/2012/10/rose-day-2012.html

A SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Lion Joe Serafini was born in Chicago but grew up in Carmi, Illinois, a town in the Southeast part of our state. Lion Joe graduated from Carmi high school (home of the Carmi Bulldogs) and worked a year for an oil field salvage company before joining the Air Force. Lion Joe served as a Radar Operator for four years in places like the Philippines and Vietnam.

Following his military service, Joe started working for Economy Fire and Casualty in Freeport in 1970.

The company moved him to Cincinnati and back to Freeport in 1974. In 1976 he was assigned to Centralia, Illinois where he attended and graduated from Kaskaskia Jr. College. .He also met and married a young lady named Nancy in Centralia. In 1995 they moved back to Freeport. Economy was taken over by St. Paul Causualty, and in 2000 St. Paul was purchased by Met Life. Joe has spent 42 years in the insurance business. He has three sons and just recently welcomed a fourth grandchild. For fun he likes to play golf, sell roses, go to Lions club meetings and hunt deer (which he does regularly near his boyhood home in Carmi IL). We do hope Lion Joe will have a good vacation and safe hunting.

IMPORTANT NEWS ITEMS

. Lion Paul Rampenthal just recently was married. The club wishes Lion Paul and his bride every happiness. We are very pleased for you.

. Lion Paul Tormohlen has arranged to have our State Representative Jim Sacia be with us at our November 13^th meeting. You won't want to miss it.

. Be sure to read Lion Joe's excellent minutes for more details and check Lion Richard's Blog.

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Freeport-IL-Lions-Club/181458685261615

Senior Resource Center Event

October 7, 2012, VFW Post 998, Freeport IL – Freeport Lions Club volunteers helped cook hamburgers and brats, served food and drinks, and cleared tables at a fundraising event for the Stephenson County Senior Resource Center. A live Polka band presented entertainment for dancing during the dinner event. And many local businesses provided products and services for a silent "raffle-type" fundraiser.

Shown sweating over a hot, smoky grill are (L-R) Lions Darla VanBuskirk, Bert Kirsten, Joe Serafini and Rich Montgomery.

Lion volunteers (and spouses) included Rebecca Shriver, David (and Angela) Snyders, Troy Pettis, Terry Anderson, Bert (and Linda) Kersten and Joe (and Nancy) Serafini, Darla VanBuskirk, and Rich Montgomery. Area co-sponsors included Union Savings Bank, Freeport Shopping News, Freeport Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, The Journal –Standard, Big Radio, VFW Post 998, and Logan’s Bar & Grill.

Special thanks to Senior Resource Center Director, Kelly Ziemer Hillan, for providing the Freeport IL Lions Club another opportunity to be of service to an important part of the community.

Rose Day 2012

October 27, 2012 - Fifteen Freeport Lions Club volunteers delivered over 550 dozen roses to residents in Freeport and surrounding communities in Stephenson, JoDaviess and Winnebago counties. The Lions met early Saturday morning at Paul Tormohlen’s Good People Automotive to pick up boxes for their routes that had been sorted and filled by Lions Rose Day chairman, Joe Serafini.

Although some people thought only residents of Freeport are recipients of roses, people may be surprised to learn of the many communities in which recipients live. Rose delivery routes took Freeport Lions to Baileyville, Forreston, Shannon, Lanark, Lake Carroll, Ridott, German Valley, Pecatonica, Winnebago, Davis, Rock City, Lake Summerset, Willow Lake, Sunset Hills, Cedarville, Orangeville, Pearl City, Lena, Winslow, Warren and Stockton.

Freeport Lions Club Rose Day first delivery route drivers arriving for early morning route pickup were (top row) Lions Club President, Terry Anderson, Dennis Zimmerman, Troy Pettis, and Roland Caruso; (bottom row) Rich Montgomery, Joe Serafini and Steve Kryder.

Thanks to all of this year’s delivery route drivers who volunteered: Brian Burke, Roland Caruso, Duane Smith, Richard Montgomery, Bert Kersten, Jack Grigsby, Pat Davis, Steve Kryder, Joe Serafini, Terry Anderson, Dennis Zimmerman, Leo Bonin, Paul Rampanthal, and Troy Pettis. Lions made efforts to deliver in person when possible, or called the recipient and left a message if no one was home. Several dozen roses were donated to the Stephenson County Nursing Center, as well as to Provena St. Joseph Center, Liberty Village, and Parkview Home, all in Freeport.

2012 Candy Days Cool and Sweet

Lions Candy Days, October 12-13, 2012, Freeport IL - Volunteers helped collect funds from people in front of several stores including Sullivan Foods, Cub Foods and Shopko on Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13. Funds collected help people of all ages with vision and hearing challenges as well as find solutions for deaf and blind people. Freeport High School organizations such as the Student Council and the Pom-Pom Squad joined forces with Lions volunteers throughout both days.

 Lion Richard Montgomery stands ready to greet the first shoppers of the day in front of Cub Foods. Lions Terry Anderson and Paul Rampanthal trade shifts at Shopko.  

Freeport High School Pom-Pom members Andrea Hartman and Aline Kopp offer shoppers a candy roll in exchange for a donation at Cub Foods, while Freeport High School Student Council members Meg Gantzer and Alex Cornacchia take up the cause in front of Sullivan’s Foods. 

Our thanks to the businesses that helped participate in our 2012 annual fundraising campaign. Also a special thanks to Cedarville and Lena Lions Clubs whose members made it a point to stop, donate, and say “hello” to our volunteers while they shopped even though they had their own Candy Day events in their own towns.

Lions Club Benches Spruce Up the Town

August 18, 2012, Freeport IL - Several wooden benches donated for use by Freeport IL residents were in various states of disrepair. Freeport Lions Club volunteers repaired and painted benches at the JC Penny store and Park Hills Golf Course. Other benches located at the Lincoln Mall and the Stephenson County Court House were repaired by employees from those locations.

Pictured with paintbrush in hand at Park Hills Public Golf Course is Freeport Lions President, Terry “Picasso” Anderson. Not pictured were volunteer Lions, Jack “Van Gogh” Grigsby, and Roland “Monet” Caruso.

LION TALK - OCTOBER 2012

September 11^th meeting Communications/Announcements - Lion Paul (Betty) Tormohlen celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on 9/8! Congratulations to you both! Happy Birthday to Bert Kersten! Lion Richard Montgomery reminded us that today eleven years ago many friends and comrades died in the 9/11 attacks. Since then we have been involved in two major battles and have lost many more of our military as they fight to allow us to celebrate our freedom. We held a moment of silence to honor those who have passed but also to honor those who continue to serve our country and maintain our freedoms that we should never take for granted.

Rather than having a regular program, members broke into small groups and brainstormed how to improve our club. Each small group then gave a brief report, and the members all filled out a questionnaire. The completed questionnaires were given to Lions Rebecca Shriver and Darla Van Buskirk who will compile the results to give for a later meeting. The results should prove interesting and provide some good ideas for improvement and membership growth.

September Activities:

• September 13^th - Leonard Ferguson Center open house 5-7PM. Attendees saw the new construction helped by our $3,000 donation from earlier this year.
• September 20^th - German Valley Lions Club Buffet Fundraiser at Freeport VFW. The club bought 10 tickets for member use. Attendees enjoyed a terrific meal and camaraderie.

September 25^th meeting Announcements - Lion Pat (Carlotta) Davis celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on.9/29. Lion Bert (Linda) Kersten celebrated their 13th on 9/25. Congratulations to all! Lion Rick Eastman said his 3 yr. old grandson came home and was quite excited to recite the Pledge of Allegiance! What an exciting time when you hear our youth recite such an important part of our heritage.

The September 25th Board Meeting was very full, as is the calendar for whole month of October.

• October 7^th we volunteered to cook and wait tables to help the Stephenson County Senior Resources Center with their “Oktoberfest Cookout & Dance” at the VFW from 12:30-4:30PM.
• October 12^th and 13^th are Lions Candy Days - Collection locations are at Sullivan Foods, Cub Foods, K-Mart and Shopko.
• October 27^th is Lions Rose Day - Lions were urged us to push sales and get as many turned in at the 10/9 meeting so they can get be routed early. Sales deadline and final money turn in is at the 10/23 meeting. For questions ask Lions Joe Serafini or Brian Burke.

In other business the board moved to donate the following contributions:

• $400 to Amity Society for their child care program.
• $100 to the University of Illinois "Keepers of the Land" educational program for 3d graders.
• $1000 to the Stephenson County Historical Society to help restore the one room school, an important part of our local heritage as an educational tool.

We were sorry to learn that past president and active Freeport Lion, Harry Kline, had died. Lion Harry was the chief medial technologist at Freeport Memorial Hospital for a number of years who later served as a Lutheran minister. This later calling took him to many places before his retirement.

The board thanked Lions Terry Anderson and Jack Grigsby for refurbishing and restoring our Lion benches at the Park Hills Golf Course and at the J. C. Penney store. They now look so much better. Good job!

The District 1-D Newsletter mentioned that the Center for Sight and Hearing was having an open house on October 12^th from 1PM - 3PM. The Center’s website is www.centerforsighthearinq.org.

Lion Biography (by Lion Duane Smith): Longtime Lion, Paul Tormohlen, was born in Kansas City. Paul's father was a Methodist minister so the family moved with his work. They later returned to Rockford where Paul grew up. He graduated from Rockford East High school in 1942 and attended the University of Illinois briefly. But as most young men in those days he soon ended up in Uncle Sam’s military. Paul served in the Army Field Artillery for three years in the South Pacific. He participated in the campaigns for Saipan, Taiwan, Leyte Island in the Philippines, and Okinawa until June of 1945 when he was returned to the States and discharged in October. He found a job in the Service Department of the Rockford Hudson dealer. He soon became manager of the Beloit Hudson dealership, and later bought the business. This continued for seven years until Hudson quit making cars. At this point Paul returned to Rockford and sold cars for Chrysler; then used cars; then Fords; and later sold Chevrolets.

 In 1972 Paul came to Freeport Chevrolet as manager. He and partner Virgil Bocker bought the dealership in 1976. Virgil bought the business in 1983 when Paul started Tormohlen Chrysler. He owned that the next 20 years until he sold the business in 2003. Shortly thereafter, he began “Tormohlen's Good People Automotive” located on Ihm Boulevard where he works most days.

Paul currently starts each day at 5 a.m. with a swim at the YMCA, a routine for the last 30 years. He and Betty have two sons, Gordy and Tom. Gordy is with him in their car business. Paul and Betty also have a granddaughter who sells cars in Rockford, and a grandson who sells cars in Monroe. Paul and Betty enjoy travel and have taken eight cruises. Paul's long-time interest is collecting Hudson autos. You've probably seen him at one of the local car shows with one of his fine autos. He is very active at the National Hudson Collectors Association, and he and Betty drive their Hudson to the meetings around the country. With all his other activities Paul has always been a very loyal and active Lion since 1964 - almost 50 years serving his community.

A QUOTE FROM THE OCTOBER 1988 NEWSLETTER: “The Hearing screening Mobile Unit was stationed on September29th at the Jewel/Osco store. Sixty people were tested between 5p.m. and 8p.m. We consider our efforts a success. Thanks to Jim Argo for his good work.”

LION TALK – April 2012

LION TALK - A Newsletter for the Freeport, Illinois Lions Club – April 2012

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District Governor Presentation

District Governor Paul Lindstrom (center in red sport coat) visited our club at the March 13th meeting. He challenged us to make every member feel important to the club. He also mentioned that so far our district has planted 346 trees with more this spring. Six point nine million have been planted world wide. Governor Lindstrom discussed the problem of membership. ln 1990 our state had about 25,000 members. ln2}12we have 17,000 memberships. Our district is the only district in the state with a positive membership number this year. There maybe changes coming in the number of districts in our state, as each district is supposed to have 1250 members. Some districts, particularly in the south, no longer have that number. We thank District Governor Lindstrom for his visit, his interesting information and his encouragement.

L-R seated: Lions Roland Caruso, Duane Smith, Rebecca Shrive, Darla VanBuskirk, Brian Burke, Paul Tormohlen; standing Joe Serafini, Rich Montgomery, David Snyders, Paul Rampanthal, Gov. Lindstrom, Bert Kersten, Dennis Zimmerman, Terry Anderson)

New Member Induction 

 New member Lion Roland Caruso (center) was officially inducted into the club and recognized by Lions Joe Serafini and District 1-D Governor Lindstrom.

Income to Help Us Serve Others

During the meeting Lion Terry Anderson passed out the summary report of the 2011 mint sales. The report included the summary for the past 5 years. The 2011 income amounted to $3522.25, one of the top collection years. and a very significant amount that funds our club's charitable activities. The Lion candy displays are in nearly every place of business in town which also publicizes the work of Lions. Thanks very much Lions Terry and Dennis Zimmerman for all your good work - great service which requires a great deal of time and effort.

Spreading The Word 

Special Thanks to Lions Montgomery and Anderson for the excellent display they created and displayed at the Stephenson County Visitors Center. It will also be displayed at the District Convention and at other places in the future. Thanks, good Lions.

Cancer Center Donation
Freeport Lions 2011-2012 President Bert and a group of other Lions presented Terry Egan, FHN Foundation Executive Director, a check for $3,000 as our club's contribution to the Ferguson Cancer Center fund drive for the Center expansion. This occurred on March 21^st. It is certainly a very worthwhile way to be of service to the people of our community and Northwest Illinois.

 Standing in front of the newly-constructed wing of the Ferguson Cancer Center with a check for $3,000 are Freeport Lions Rich Montgomery, Brian Burke, Darla VanBuskirk, Terry Anders, Bert Kersten, Roland Caruso, Rebecca Shriver, Paul Tormohlen, FHN Foundation Executive Director Terry Egan, Furst-McNess President and CEO Martha Furst, and FHN CEO Dr. Michael Perry

YMCA Programs Explained

Matt Mullen of the Freeport YMCA spoke to us at our March 27^th meeting. He is their Youth and Family Services Director. The "Y' is a great facility and offers many programs for all ages. We enjoyed Matt's visit. Lion Richard Montgomery arranged this month's informative program.

YMCA's Matt Mullen fields questions from Lions as Lions Joe Serafini, Paul Tormohlen, Duane Smith and Terry Anderson listen attentively.

Miscellaneous "Board' action of March 28th 

• Lion Paul Rampenthal informed us that we didn't win a weekend for the CUB FOOD BRAT STAND - better luck next year.
• Give Lion Dave Snyders your Sight and Sound Sweepstakes by April 10.
• Diabetes Awareness Week will be May 18 and 19.
• Hearing Screening van will be at the Senior Center May 23rd.
• We approved a motion to send the Lions Clubs International Foundation $350 for its Measles vaccination program.
• We voted to give John Deere Birdies for Charity 3 cents per birdie again this year, the same as last year.

Lions Sponsor 2012 Senior Dance

Freeport Lions Co-Sponsor Senior Dance

Volunteers urge community support October 7th.

Add caption

2012 Aquin Highschool Graduate, Jennifer Nielsen, receives a $1000.00 scholarship from Freeport Lions Member, Terry Anderson, to attend Highland Community College.

Lions Scholarship News Release:  2012 Jennifer Nielsen

The Freeport Lions Club Scholarship is presented to a Freeport graduating senior who demonstrated a genuine concern for others through thoughts and actions in daily life, who participated in extracurricular activities, and who promoted growth of high school, church and community. Jennifer’s parents are Fred Nielsen and Tina Eiserman of Freeport.

Freeport Lions Club is part of an Lions International, a world-wide service club. FLC meets the second and fourth Tuesday’s at 7:00 pm each month.  For more information please contact Joe Serafini at 815-235-9710, or Terry Anderson at 815-235-0834.

Ferguson Cancer Center Donation

Funds for Ferguson Cancer Center Construction

Freeport Lions donated $3,000 to the Freeport Health Network - Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Treatment Center on March 21, 2012. Construction on the new wing is in progress. Early days of warmer weather have aided in keeping the project on track. The FHN Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center provides medical oncology, hematology and radiation oncology services all under one roof for patients and their families. Treatments provided at the Center include chemotherapy (medical oncology) and radiation oncology. The Cancer Center also is involved in research, and some clinical trials are available here.

Standing in front of the newly-constructed wing of the Ferguson Cancer Center with a check for $3,000 are Freeport Lions Rich Montgomery, Brian Burke, Darla VanBuskirk, Terry Anderson, Bert Kersten, Roland Caruso, Rebecca Shriver, and Paul Tormohlen, FHN Foundation Executive Director Terrence Egan, Furst-McNess President and CEO Martha Furst, and FHN CEO Dr. Michael Perry.

Visitor Center Display March-April 2012

Freeport Lions Club information table is on display from mid-March and the month of April at the Stephenson County Visitor Center on the east side of Freeport along U.S. Route 20.  Lions Terry Anderson and Rich Montgomery collected categorized and organized photographs for the display board. Membership information, publications and application forms, and a supply of Lions mints are on hand for the general visiting public to gain interest in our community and learn some of the ways in which we serve. The display will travel next to the District 1-D Convention in Rockford IL on April 14.

COMMUNITY SERVICE TOPICS: VISION & HEARING SCREENING, PRESCRIPTION GLASSES & HEARING AID ASSISTANCE,ASSISTANCE, CAMP LIONS SPONSOR, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGERS, LIONS PARK FOR THE DISABLED, AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS USED EYEGLASSES PROGRAM, SCHOOL DISTRICT VISION-SCREENING EQUIPMENT, DISASTER RELIEF

One of Lion Richard's favorite display board photos. What do you think?

YMCA Guest Speaker at March 27, 2012 Meeting

Matt Mullen, YMCA Marketing and Program Director, Freeport YMCA, gave Freeport IL Lions an overview of available youth fitness and health programs. From programs for overweight children, to after-school programs, to financial help for the economically disadvantage, to Saturday swimming and gym programs for youth with disabilities, Matt impressed the group with his knowledge and dedication, but mostly the YMCA’s entire staff’s sincerity to serve the community and surrounding areas. The YMCA will work with different local service organizations to help them organize and sponsor various fitness activities and fundraisers. (Matt won the 50/50 raffle and donated it all back to the Freeport Lions Club. Awesome!)

Matt Mullen answers a question about a specific youth fitness program for Lion Joe Serafini during the after0dinner presentation.

Lions Paul Tormohlen, Duane Smith and Terry Anderson listen to Matt Mullen answer questions about after-school youth fitness programs.

LION TALK - MARCH 2012

LION TALK - Newsletter for the Freeport, Illinois, Lions club March, 2012

February 28^th Board Meeting Notes

Zone Chairman Gary Meyers attended our board meeting. The Board considered a slate of officers for the next fiscal year. We were pleased to have Lion Gary with us. A slate was partially completed but a couple of key vacancies remain. The Board voted to give $100 to-the "Earth Day" program for school grades 1-4. They also voted to donate $300 for RAMP'S "Wheel-A-Thon" and $250 for the "Stroll-A-Thon” to benefit the Senior Center’s bus service. A $100 donation was also received from Lion Lillian Osran for a camper to go to Camp Lions. This was given in memory of her husband and good Lion Ed Osran. Thank you Lion Lillian.

February 28^th Regular Meeting Notes

Zone Chairman Gary Meyers addressed the group outlining how he became more involved each year since his start date. Lion Meyers encouraged everyone to keep up the good work our club is doing.

Lion Rich Montgomery sponsored the evening program and introduced us to his long-time friend and coworker, Mike Mudge, from Rock River Energy Services Company in Oregon, Illinois. Mike spoke to us about his company's plan that offers villages and cities the opportunity to save their citizens 10 -15% on their ComEd bills. The first community to participate was Fulton, Illinois. The plan takes advantage of lower cost energy sources than what ComEd charges. Several members have already taken advantage of this savings. People who reside outside a village’s or city’s limits or on farms, and who wish to have the same opportunities and lower their energy supply rates can contact Lion Rich Montgomery for details on this unique savings opportunity. The plan is approved by the Illinois legislature. (Freeport citizens voted on a referendum March 20th to have Freeport offer Electrical Aggregation rates to its citizens.)

Lion Terry Anderson submitted his 2011 Eye Care Report. The number of glasses approved for purchase last year was 47 at a total cost of $1863.11. Over the last seven years a total of 314 requests for glasses have been approved at a total cost of $15,532.83. You might also want to consider that our club has been purchasing glasses for the Freeport community for most of its 75 years. That must come to a significant number. For many years our school nurses asked us to provide glasses for needy students. We were their only source for help at that time. We owe Lion Terry big thanks for all the work he does to provide this service". It’s a big job.

March ROARS In

March is generally quite a “roller coaster” month in Freeport and most of the Midwest. It comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, and is also the time of "March (basketball) Madness". Lent lasts all month long. We set our clocks ahead one hour. Spring arrived. Flowers started popping up and sweet fragrances from magnolia trees blew all over town. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day, and this year had an opportunity to go to the polls and exercise our right to vote in a Primary Election as well. We started out in long coats and sweaters, changed to shorts and sandals, gave our furnaces a rest, maybe played a few rounds of golf, then got the sweaters out once more. Some of us even mowed our yards!

March 13, 2012 Regular Meeting

Freeport Lions hosted Illinois Lions District 1-D Governor, Paul Lindstrom, and his wife from Leaf River IL, at the March 13, 2012 regular meeting. We had a good turnout to greet our good Governor in spite of all the "snowbirds" AWOL in southern states. DG Lindstrom spoke about commitment and service, and spoke of his attending the International Convention in Anchorage, Alaska. He told the story about a man blinded by a bear attack while fishing for salmon with friends, how the man struggled to get his life back on track, and how the Lions played an integral part in his life. Stories like that help put our community service into perspective.

Lions seated, (l-r) Roland Caruso, Duane Smith, Rebecca Shriver, Darla VanBuskirk, Brian Burke, Paul Tormohlen, standing (l-r) Joe Serafini, Rich Montgomery, David Snyders, Paul Rampanthal, District Governor Lindstrom, President Bert Kersten, Denis Zimmerman and Terry Anderson.

New Member Inducted

Lion Joe Serafini, new member sponsor, congratulates Lion Roland Caruso during his formal induction into membership by Lion District 1-D Governor Paul Lindstrom.

ASK SOMEONE TO JOIN LIONS _ BRING A FRIEND

Great way to start off February with Dr. Roland Tolliver, author and podiatrist, as guest speaker at our 2/14/12 dinner meeeting. Past-president Darla VanBuskirk sponsored the program.President Bert Kersten presented Dr. Tolliver with a Lion pen as token of our gratitude. It's all about service to our community. Lions get involved, make a difference, and bring real change into someone's life. Contact us if you want to be one of us.

Students - Teachers - Parents / $1000 Scholarship Form Here

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