LION TALK OCTOBER 2015

 

September 2015 - Meeting Minutes (09/08/15 & 09/22/15)

FREEPORT LIONS CLUB

 

Guests/Program:  Lion Richard Montgomery introduced Larry Williams, CEO of Freeport Housing Authority.  He has served on their board of directors for 5 years and 2 years as chairperson.  Philosophy: Provide a Hand Up, Not a Hand Out."  He was appointed by former Mayor George Gaulrapp in 2009.  Prior to him accepting this position, there had been a lot of turnover and poor public perception. He developed and started the Workforce Development Institute and he was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree. There are 446 units in the Housing Authority and Larry has 17 employees.  Applicants goes through a background check and pays rent based on 30% of their income.  They have a zero Drugs and Violence policy.  Great program, thanks Lion Rich!

 

For booking future Guest Speakers, Club President Bert Kersten passed around a signup sheet for the entire year. Members who volunteered to bring guest speakers were: October - Terry Anderson; November - Sandy Janicke; January - Joe Serafini.

 

Communications: Lion Duane (Ruth) Smith just celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary, congratulations on reaching this milestone! Lion Bert (Linda) Kersten will celebrate their anniversary the end of September - how many years?  Lion Pat (Carlotta) Davis will celebrate their 37th Wedding Anniversary 9/27.  Congratulations to both of you.  Lion Brian Burke says he is celebrating as it has been one year since his kidney transplant and for the most part he has been doing fine!  We certainly want to celebrate that milestone too!  Happy belated Birthday to Kent Cairy who says he was 65 on 9/7. Lion Rich Montgomery said we've had 542 views our Facebook page, and are reaching many more with this element of communication.  Thanks to Lion's Richard, Liz Moshure and Stacie Dixon for helping with publicity.

 

Old / New Business:         

• Eye Care Report: Vision Chairman Terry Anderson says we received a new Visual Reader which was donated to us by the Sr. Resource Center and we had received a request so it has already been loaned out. Be sure to thank the Sr. Center when you see them as this had a value of approximately $2,100.00.
   
• Used Eyeglasses Report:  We received letter from Lions of IL Foundation thanking us for our collection and donation of 605 pair of eyeglasses and 2 hearing aids.  Thanks to all Lions who have collected and turned your glasses in to Lion Joe Serafini.  He collects, discards cases, counts and turns them in at Zone or District Meetings.
   
  Used eyeglass collection boxes can be found at the following locations: Eastrich Printing on W. Galena Av; YMCA on W. Pearl City Rd; FHN Burchard Hills Clinic on Fairway Dr; FHN Doctors’ Offices on W. Stephenson St; Northwest Eye Care on Kiwanis Dr; Shopko on W. South St; Midwest Community Bank on S. West Av; Dr. Isawi's Office on W. Stephenson St; St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Kiwanis Dr; Lutheran Social Services on Hance Dr.; Senior Resource Center on E. Stephenson St; Tormohlen's Good People Automotive on Ihm Blvd; Presence St. Joseph Center on E. Jefferson St. An Eyeglass Recycling Party was scheduled for 9/26 at Lions of IL Foundation in Sycamore IL.
   
• Cheese Sales Report: Lion Dennis Zimmerman says preliminary final report shows us netting $1,222.40.  There could still be an adjustment once we get some additional information from “Say Cheese" Chairperson, Darla Van Buskirk.
   
• District Candy Day Jamboree:  Was held on 8/29 in Leaf River with Lions Terry Anderson, Andi Skinner, Sandy Janicke, Bert Kersten, Dennis Zimmerman and Joe Serafini attending.  Thanks to Lion Sandy for securing a nice Wine/Cheese basket for a door prize, and Lion Joe for wearing the Lions costume for people who sought a photo. 

• Club Candy Day Scheduled for 10/09 and 10/10 - Lion Terry Anderson gave a brief presentation about Candy Day and passed around two sign-up sheets. They also passed around signup sheet at the 9/22/15 meeting. 

• Cub Food Brat Stand Fundraiser 10/23-24: Lion Paul Rampenthal passed around the sign-up sheet.  Members were advised to wear a hat/baseball cap otherwise a hair net should be worn as required by law. Members looked forward to mild weather and a lot of good customers with big appetites! 

• Rose Day Scheduled for 10/31: Rose Day chairperson, Lion Joe Serafini, asked members to sell tickets and be sure to turn in your tickets and money at each meeting. Our publicity ad appeared in the Journal-Standard newspaper on 9/20, 9/23 and 9/27. Lion Joe said thanks to those who turned in sales tickets/money on time allowing him to log individual sales and pre-route the tickets for delivery. He also asked for volunteer delivery route drivers. The more drivers we have, the shorter the routes. Selling is one part but delivery is always the final chapter. Joe encouraged members to write a good ending to this year’s drive.  
   
• Peace Poster Contest: Discussed the need for project chairperson and volunteers to judge the entries.  Club President, Bert Kersten, will chair. Thank you volunteer judges are Lions Pat Davis, Rick Eastman, Duane Smith, Roland Caruso and Jim Medendorp. Posters were to be turned in to Zone Chairman by 11/10 to qualify for the District contest. 

• Zone Meeting 9/2: Lion Dennis Zimmerman gave a brief overview.  Lions Terry Anderson, Sandy Janicke, Dennis Zimmerman and Joe Serafini attended.  It was a great meeting. Members were encouraged to attend the next Zone Meeting on 11/4 in Orangeville.  

• Senior Expo & Blood Drive 10/2 8:30-12:30: To be held at the Eagle’s Club, Lion Richard Montgomery says we planned to have a "Bag Toss" game, prizes, information table with rolls of Lion's mint candy, plus handouts for attendees. This is a good way to keep Lions involved with our seniors and maintain community awareness of our services. About 500 people were expected to attend the Expo.

  

  Lions Sandy Janicke and Linda Kersten volunteered at the 2015 Senior Expo "Bag Toss" Game

   
• 80th Club Celebration Report: Club Charter Anniversary date = 4/7/1936 to 4/7/2016: A committee of Brian Burke, Andy Skinner, Bert Kersten are looking for more members to help get some ideas for this celebration. Let them know if you have an interest. 

• $500.00 Donation Accepted:  We received a generous memorial gift from Betty Tormohlen in memory of former longtime Lion, Paul Tormohlen. The club sent her a special thank you letter, and will also remembered her with a dozen roses for Rose Day.  Thank you, Betty. 

• Children's Hands on Museum of NW IL:  There is a group of people working on bringing this project to Freeport.  It is something we as Lion's should consider helping through volunteer hours and also financially.  More to follow.        
   
• Winneshiek Players "Raise the Roof Fundraiser:  Lion Roland Caruso says this is the oldest amateur theatre in the United States.  They are raising money for a new roof - is this something our club should provide some $ help? Individually and as a club? Think about it?
   
• At Large Member Drop:  We received a request from Jack Grigsby asking to be dropped from the club.  Lion Joe Serafini had spoken to Jack, a longtime member, and as we respect his request, we regretfully accepted.  Note, he wishes to continue to help with projects, i.e. selling & delivering roses, Candy Day, etc.   

• Tail Twister:  A total of $40 was raised for our administrative account. On 9/8 Lion Roland Caruso quizzed us on names and nicknames.  What was John Adams wife's name?  Abigail.  Who was the golfer known as the black knight?  Gary Player. The Squire?  Gene Saracen. Most popular boys name?  Noah Girls names? Emma, Olivia and Sophia. On 9/22 Lion Caruso quizzed us on current events/candidates for President/home states, such as Where is Donald Trump from?  New York.  Nice job Lion Roland in keeping us "educated". Thanks Lion Roland for developing these quizzes to keep the Lions’ minds sharp! 

• 50/50 Raffle Drawing: A total of $40 was raised for our administrative account. Lion Brian Burke conducted the raffle on 9/8. Winner of $21.00 was Lion Liz Moshure. On 9/22 Lion Andy Skinner conducted the raffle with $19.00 going to winner Paul Rampenthal. Thanks Lions Brian and Andy. Congratulations on your good fortune, Lions Liz and Paul.
   

 

Thanks to Lion's Paul Rampenthal, Dennis Zimmerman and Joe Serafini for recording this month's meeting minutes.

                                                                                                                                               

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