November 1, 2011
High noon signaled the calling to order of the Hoquiam Lions Club this day. With no trepidation whatsoever, King Lion Roger rang the bell and brought us to time. The first order of business was to honor the November birthday Lions. As Lion Secretary Jerry was not present to reveal the names, Roger asked for birthday Lions present to "advance and be recognized". Lions Gordon Lanning, Jerry Erickson, David Irwin, and Paul Prichard confessed to having yet another birthday. As reward for coming forward we sang Happy Birthday especially well (yeah...right)
We had one visitor today - Zone Chairman Norm Adams. He gave us a brief overview regarding what's happening in the Zone and to remind us that the District Governor's official visit will be November 15, 2011. He further instructed us on the proper decorum during the DG's visit. (He obviously knew his audience)
Announcements: Roger reported Stub that the sorting party is scheduled for November 18 at the Catholic Church in Hoquiam. As it stands now, it will be potluck. He further admonished us to have all of our stubs turned in by November 11. .......Lion Pete Hegg announced our annual Turkey Bingo is scheduled for November 22.
Program:
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Pete Hegg introduced our speaker for this day - Mike Folkers. Mike is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Hoquiam. Mike's presentation today addressed the general financial condition of the City. Given the financial woes that are plaguing our Cities, States and the Federal Government, Hoquiam has tightened it's belt and is in survival mode. The closing of GH Paper took a big bite from the City's budget due to lost tax collection. He stated that a new business is thinking of locating in Hoquiam. This would go a long way in offsetting the GH Paper lost tax revenue. As always, Mike's report was very thorough - and given today's terrible economic troubles - a little scary. Mike is quick to allay all fear of financial doom, as Hoquiam has reserves that will see us through. |
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Mike drew the attendance pot, thus providing financial aid to a deserving Hoquiam Lion. The Lion is (drum roll)....Jerry Erickson.
November 8, 2011
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This Veteran's Day let's acknowledge a veteran from years gone by.
U.S.S. Hoquiam (PF-5) The Hoquiam was a "bloodied" veteran of two conflicts - WW2 & Korea |
King Lion Roger was playing hooky today, so 1st VP Jerry took charge. Jerry demanded at the opening ceremony that we sing well, and sing well we did. (Yeah...right) We had two lovely visitors this day - Kathy Gwinn and Kathy Wisman. Kathy Gwinn is the mother of the female student of the month and Kathy Wisman is the grandmother of the male student of the month.
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(l) Kathy Wisman (r) Kathy Gwinn |
Following their introduction, the Students of the Month for October were introduced. The honorees are:
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Edward Erhart is the son of Carrie and David Westby. His school activities include; Chairman of Foodball, Assistant for the Blood Drive, Homecoming Prince, Honor Society for 3 years, Leadership 4 years, ASB 3 years, Grizzly Gazette, Basketball 4 years, and Cross Country 1 year. His favorite subject is English. Edward is very active in the Community volunteering for Foodball, Blood Drive, Relay for Life, and coaching youth basketball at Kamp Kiwanis during the summer months. In his free time, he enjoys riding scooters, playing basketball, and relaxing with friends and family. He plans to attend WSU to pursue a career in Teaching.
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Katelyn Gwinn is the daughter of Todd and Kathy Gwinn. Her school activities include; Volleyball (4 yrs), Basketball (4 yrs), Fastpitch (4 yrs), ASB (4yrs), Honor Society (3 yrs), Leadership (4 yrs), Yearbook, and Grizzly Gazette. She was also Homecoming Queen She lists Global Issues as her favorite subject as it helps to understand the society in which we live. Her volunteer service within the Community includes; Foodball, Cancer Relay for Life, and a camp counselor at Kamp Kiwanis in the summer months. In her free time she enjoys various sports and spending time with her family. Katelyn will pursue a career in Nursing.
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Announcements: Next meeting (November 15) marks the official visit from the District Governor. Please make every effort to be in attendance ~~~~ Friday, November 18 is scheduled for the stub sorting party to be held at Our Lady of Good Help Catholic church in Hoquiam. Starting at 5:30 PM, it will be "Potluck" ~~~~November 22 will be our annual Thanksgiving bingo. (psst, don't tell the turkeys) ~~~~ Now that all of the bills are in (and paid) the net profit from Loggers' Playday concessions is $2506.32 (?)
Program:
Our speaker today was Linda Borth manager of the Hoquiam Clothing and Food Banks. The preface of her message today was fairly succinct - demand for food is high and food supplies are not.
Addressing the lack of donated food, Linda announced several programs that are aimed at increasing the amount of donating food. The project that this writer found interesting is the offer from the Safeway store in Aberdeen. It is a simple - and hopefully successful - concept: Starting November 19 thru December 24, Safeway will have pre-bagged groceries at each checkout lane that are earmarked for the Hoquiam Food Bank. The price of each is $10 and will contain far more than $10 worth of food. In this distressed economy it is refreshing to report that this local business is reaching out with assistance.
She also made us aware of a new program, aimed at a certain group of school children, named Three Squares. Northwest Harvest has 50 prepackaged Saturday and Sunday meals for these families. The school receiving the donation will chose the recipients in need. For the kids that don't have a backpack to carry the food home, the Hoquiam Food bank will donate a new backpack. She will welcome any donations to purchase a $10 backpack.
Linda announced that she will be retiring at the end of this year. After many years of selfless service to the Community, she will be missed. When next you meet Linda, give her a big hug and a "Thank You"
Once again, Dave Wayman's name was drawn for the attendance pot and once again Dave was missing?
November 15, 2011
Our meeting today was a well attended gathering. (In honor of our distinguished guest, this writer even took a shower?) Having no guests, save the program, we proceeded to announcements and committee reports.
The Rain Derby committee reports that all of the Rain Derby tickets are in and documented. At first blush, it appears that we could possibly have had a bigger year than last. Chairman Roger thanked everyone for their efforts. He also announced the Stub Sorting Party to be held at Our Lady of Good Help Catholic church Friday 18 @ 5:30 PM. The committee will provide chicken and ask that the members bring salads and/or desserts.
King Lion Roger introduced ZC Lion Norm Adams, who in turn introduced our speaker for this day - Lion Crawford Spens, District Governor of MD-19 G. In his introduction, Lion Norm noted that DG Spens joined the Longview Monticello Lions Club in 1992 and has served that Club in every officer position. He has served on various committees including, paper, fireworks, coffee stop, etc. and has attended almost all Lion conferences. He was honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1999. The MD committees on which he has served are many. Lion Spens and his wife Lyn have five sons and five grandchildren, and he is very active in his church.
Lion DG Spens adopted the motto Leadership Serving Lions Serving The World as the theme for his tenure as DG. He has set the goals to which he will aspire. They include; ~ Increased communication between cabinet members, zone chairpersons, and individual Clubs.~ Increase visibility of District Cabinet members by having them regularly attend zone and/or club meetings.~ Attempt to have more inter-club cooperative projects. Multiple clubs working together on larger community projects. ~ His most ambitious goal is to increase membership and the number of Lions Clubs.
As with all plans and goals, they can only be achieved by team-work and perseverance. Given the personal resolve of every Lion, these goals can be achieved.
November 22, 2011
Today's meeting was our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bingo and this writer missed the festivities - Drats!
November 29, 2011
Lion VP Jerry McFeely was at the podium this day. (King Lion Roger is still digesting his holiday meal) In the name of expediency, Jerry skipped the normal melodic tribute to flag and Country. However our pledge to Old Glory was strong and forceful. Having no guests, we went to Committee reports and announcements.
The sight Committee reported that we had provided an eye exam and glasses to a Hoquiam citizen. She was interviewing for a job and sorely needed the spectacles.........Lion Steve Mihovilich circulated the sign-up sheet for our annual Tom and Jerry party to be held on December 13. Of course the venue is the Hoquiam Elks starting at 11:30 AM. The price is $10 per person.
Having no further business, we proceeded to the program for this day. Lion Ed Rosi introduced our speaker - Kathy Jones. Kathy is the Information & Assistance/State-wide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Coordinator for the Olympic Area Agency on Aging.
This organization offers free services to people 60 and over. They also provide free consultation and assistance for families who are caring for older loved ones. Their staff of sensitive and knowledgeable people understand the challenges and frustrations people face every day. Their experience helps the elderly and their families navigate "the system" that can provide a wide range of resources. The agency not only arranges for the necessary services, but follows the client's progress to insure that they maintain the proper level of assistance.
The agency further assists the client by developing plans that will help them remain independent, stay in their own home, and if necessary arrange and coordinate in-home care.
Kathy's presentation today was very enlightening and comforting to those who may, at some point, require their services for themselves or a loved one. She thanked our Club for asking her to speak and then drew the name for the attendance pot.
In a rare absence, Lion David Irwin was not here to collect the pot. (thus ends the Wales tale)
