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!