February 5

King Lion Paul called the meeting to order on time, our singing was (believe this or not) great, the new cook provided a very nice meal, and attendance was good. (Taking into consideration the regulars wintering in the South) We recognized, serenaded, and fined the birthday Lions for February. They are: Bud Meservey, Joanne Frazier, Tony Miles, Bill Foster, Jerry McFeely, Richard Brown, Al Bruun, Jack Shrauger, Dave Wayman, and Paula Dean.

Joanne Frazier announced that Lion Helge was being recognized by a prestigious "Ham Radio" organization for his 75 years in amateur radio. She also said that Helge was about the same and wishes that he could come home......Joan Smiley reports Lion Bob seems to be getting a little better, however his return home in the near future is in doubt......It was reported that Lion Harold is now confined to a wheel-chair. Several Lions have volunteered to pick Harold up to attend the meetings, however he says he doesn't feel quite up to it - yet......Lion Secretary Jerry gave a report from the last Board meeting. He said that the Club has received the first payment of $10,000 from the School District and is considering investing it with the Grays Harbor Foundation. There was much discussion on the floor today, however the final decision is in the hands of our Board of Directors.

" As a recent winner of the Hoquiam Lions Rain Derby, I want to thank you and the Club for making my bank account overweight and my back out of shape! I can't tell you how excited Home Depot and Sears have been to receive payment in piles of shiny gold coins. They wanted to know if I knocked over a Post Office vending machine. I am doing my best to put the coins into circulation but it is going to take awhile because I can only carry a small amount at one time or my pants will fall down. Perhaps I should invest in a new belt and suspenders? I considered burying my "treasure" in the back yard but the moles must have gotten wind of my luck and they are busy scouring our yard and it's not safe for coin nor man out there. The wife has been complaining that the mattress is too hard and lumpy these days. Don't know what she is talking about. Look forward to seeing y'all in a year! - Bruce Kuhnau "

Our scheduled program failed to "make muster" today, so our resident historian of the old west came to the rescue. Lion Jerry Schaefer wore two hats today (both white) one as a movie critic and the other as a historian. He talked about the Larry McMurtry novels that have been made into movies - Lonesome Dove and Comanche Moon. Jerry explained that while the dialogue and events of these books were fictionalized, the geographic settings were actual historic sites.

As always Jerry regaled us with much history of the old West and, as always, does it extemporaneously.

da Pot - Lion Ed Wayman's name was drawn, but no Ed. Carryover pot - big bucks.

Next week's program - Pastor Kent Gravley will update the progress on the new Immanuel Baptist Church.

The Northside Club - being heavily medicated - allowed King Lion Paul to bring the meeting to order without too much fuss. After fining and serenading the birthday Lions who were absent last meeting, we proceeded to the business of the day.

Jerry Schaefer reminded us of our Charter Night Party - February 29 at the Aberdeen Elks Lodge. He passed the sign-up sheet around and asked that everyone make ever effort to attend. He promises a great night of good food, good friends, and good entertainment. BE THERE!

Mark VandenHazel, principal at HHS introduced our Students of the Month for January 2008. The honorees are:

Lion Paul Prichard introduced our speaker for today - Kent Gravley, Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church. Kent gave us a short history of the Church dating from 1904 and the need for a much larger house of worship. The congregation now numbers between 250-300 and the current church is a bit small.

The Church purchased 14.9 acres of land in North Hoquiam and started construction of a new church. A lot of the construction is being done with volunteer labor from around the United States and the church is now taking shape. They are planning to have their first service in the new church no later than September 2008.

As the Church doesn't need all of the land for the new church, they plan to make a park for the citizens of Hoquiam. The Park will be located along the Hoquiam River and be aptly named: Sunshine Park. The Park will have ball fields, playfields, picnic areas, and concession stands. If all goes well, they are hoping for a dock along the River as well.

da Pot - Larry Jones' name was drawn but Larry was absent. (Yet another big carry-over for next week)

Another fairly well attended meeting. Not much business however. The only announcements were a Board scheduled for Thursday 2/21/08 - Noon at the Elks round table. This meeting is very important as it will dictate how (or where) we will invest our Club money....and...Charter Night Party - February 29 at the Aberdeen Elks. Let's have a big turnout.

The tune - We Three - was correctly guessed only two Lions - Roger Smith and Jack Strom. To break the tie, we asked each contestant two questions. Roger : What is the atomic weight of Selenium? (wrong) Jack : What is the name of the farthest West state, in the contiguous 48, whose name begins with W? (correct) Roger: What is the birthday of Alfred Nobel? (wrong) Jack : What is your birth date? (correct) It was very apparent that Lion Jack was the most knowledgeable and was awarded the Subway gift certificate. To silence Roger's incessant whining, we gave him a gift certificate as well. (talk about your sore losers)

Ken Johnson introduced his daughter, Linda Brown, as our guest speaker for today. Linda is the Director of Community Development and Director of the Hospital Foundation for Grays Harbor Community Hospital (GHCH).

Linda spoke to us over a year ago and at that time told us of many new policies that GHCH is planning to implement. Today Linda was proud to announce the success of these policies. She says that GHCH has markedly improved in every area of service and is now - for the first time in a while - providing much better service to patients and making a profit as a result of this service.

She gave us an update on the many new "brick and mortar" improvements at the Hospital and also the many new "state of the art" pieces of medical equipment that GHCH has purchased. After answering many questions, Linda concluded her very knowledgeable presentation.

[ Editors note : In the past two months I have had several unscheduled medical visits to GHCH. I was amazed at the change in the satisfaction of their service. In the past - due to my perceived terrible treatment - I would get released with a "never take me back there" personal attitude. I think that GHCH is developing into #1 medical facility.]

da Pot - Lion Bill Foster was the lucky one today. Alas, Bill was absent. (another biggie next week)

Our patented musical opening this day was - as always - a little lame in the delivery department. However our zeal more than compensated for the horrendous delivery. (yeah, right!) One bright spot in the singing was the lilting, angelic voice of one of our visitors - Debbie Scoones.

We had two visitors today Bob Richardson, Director of Music at Grays Harbor College, and the aforementioned, Debbie Scoones, one of the singers in an upcoming GHC musical production.... Lion Joan reported that Lion Bob is in the hospital suffering from pneumonia. We all pray for his quick recovery.

As our scheduled program for today was a "no show", King Lion Paul asked Bob Richardson if he would fill the void by giving us an overview of the upcoming GHC musical production. Bob jumped at the chance. [Setting the stage for Bob's presentation, this writer would like to share with our readers the "set up" for the musical comedy - Urinetown.]

A grand and winking love letter to the conventions of musical theater, and an untempered satire wherein no one is safe from scrutiny. Urinetown depicts a world wracked by ecological disaster caught in the throes of corporate greed and ultimately felled by the best intentions. In a Gotham-like city, a depletion of the earths water supply has led to a government ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero has risen who will lead them to freedom.

This musical comedy has run on Broadway for 3½ years and Bob mentioned that there was lots of conversations - due to the subject matter - before choosing this production. It was decided that the music, comedy, and acting skills, far out-weighed any perceived offensiveness, and, as they say, the show must go on.

At this point he introduced one of the characters in the play - Penelope Pennywise - played by Debbie Scoones. Penelope is in charge of "Public amenity #9, the filthiest toilet in town" and charges her customers a penny to pee. In a very funny and - even to the untrained ear - most difficult song in which she gives her sales pitch to prospective customers of her toilet. Her character persona and delivery of the song was outstanding.

Bob and Debbie concluded their very entertaining (the best that this Club has had in a long time) program by urging all to attend one of the shows at the Bishop Center. The dates are: March 7, 8, 14, and 15 @ 7:30 PM - March 9 and 16 @ 2:00 PM. Call 538-4066 for tickets.

da Pot - Mark Maxfield's name was drawn. As Mark was not present, the pot continues to grow.