International Director Lion Lee Vrieze has held many leadership positions as a Wisconsin Lion that have prepared him for his newest position of International Director. He has served District 27-E1 as District Governor, GLT Coordinator, Region Chair and Technology Chair, Multiple District Global Membership Approach Chair, Constitution and Bylaws Chairperson and Technology Chair. He has also served as Wisconsin Lions Foundation President and many other positions through his years as a Jim Falls Lion. He is an Advanced Lions Leadership Institute graduate and a Lions Faculty Development Institute graduate as well as holding a Master’s Degree from Lions University.
BY STACEY NESSETH
Lion Lee was elected and endorsed by the Wisconsin Lions at the 2019 State Lions Convention to be the Wisconsin Lions Candidate for International Director. During his time as an endorsed candidate, Lion Lee continued to serve in multiple leadership positions in his district, Multiple District 27 as well as a presenter at the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum and many Wisconsin Lion training events. At the 104th International Convention Montreal 2022 Lion Lee was elected to Lions International Board of Directors. After the final plenary session where election results were announced Lion Lee and Lion Mary started their journey as International Director and Spouse of International Director with three days of training and meetings. Thank you, Lion Lee and Lion Mary, for your service to our country and your service to Lions International. We look forward to following your adventures as International Director.
WHERE THERE’S A NEED, THERE’S
A LION | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 | wisconsinlions.org INSIDE STATEWIDE ARTICLES: Congratulations, International Director Lee Vrieze! .....1 Message from Council Chair Tammy Rockenbach 2 Congratulations PID Mark Hintzmann .................2 Clubs Band Together for Girl with Down Syndrome 3 “Together We Can” at the 104th Lions Clubs International Convention ..........4-5 Save the Date: Food for Kidz Event 6 Tribute Garden Planned ...............................7 Recognizing Random Acts of Kindness 32 COMMITTEE/DISTRICT UPDATES: Lions Pride Endowment Fund .........................8 Wisconsin Lions Foundation 8 Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin...........................9 District Reports ............................... 10-29 Memorials & Honorariums 30 Award Recipients 31 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WE’RE CREATING A NEW RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS COLUMN AND WE NEED YOUR STORIES! SEE BACK COVER
DirectorInternationalCongratulations,LeeVrieze
PIDCongratulations,MarkHintzmann
• Support and motivate zone and club leadership
The GLT Coordinators reflect on this quote from Harvey S. Firestone, “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of a leader.”
The Council of Governors are off to a great start. Our first meeting was July 16 at the Mead Convention Center in Wisconsin Rapids. The District Governors were prepared to nominate leaders to all the committees. They found deserving Lions to fill these positions, asked them, and these chairs provided reports for the Council in July. Usually, we do not have these filled until later in the year. We are hitting the ground running.
PID Mark Hintzmann was appointed to the prestigious LCI Board of Directors at the 104th Lions International Convention in Montreal, Québec, Canada.
The Global Leadership Team (GLT), both in the multiple and in individual districts, provides the vision, guidance and motivation necessary to positively impact our association, while enhancing the quality of Lions leaders at all levels in an effort to promote healthy clubs, increase member satisfaction, and ultimately, expand our capacity to provide relevant, needed service in our communities. Some of the GLT District Coordinator Responsibilities are:
Every District GLT Coordinator also encourages Lions to take advantage of learning opportunities on the Lions Learning Center which is available online on the Lions Clubs International website.
Our District Governors are so excited and inspired coming back from our first in-person International Convention in two years. The speakers motivated us, and the entertainment was great. Our only hiccup was COVID-19. The last day of the convention, LCI received word that someone tested positive. We had several of the Lions contingency get COVID-19, but I am happy to report, everyone is healthy now.
We’re Hitting the Ground Running!
• Encourage use of LCI leadership development programs, tools and resources
Our governors have started their duties. They are visiting their clubs and holding their cabinet meetings. They also are working on their duties for the state. The Editorial Board has met. The Policy committee is starting to draft changes. Representatives for LEBW, WLF, Pride, and Birch-Sturm have met with the boards of these entities.
Now we are getting ready for USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Calgary, Canada. We hope to see our Lions in attendance. Don’t forget to wear your Wisconsin red and show that Wisconsin is in the house and ready to learn.
BY VCC BERT FREEMAN
A member of the Watertown Lions Club since 1992, Mark has held many offices within the association, including Club President, Zone Chair, Region Chair, District Membership Chair, Vice District Governor, District Governor and Council Chair. He also served as District Convention Chairperson, MD-27 Convention Chairperson. Past International Director Hintzmann’s wife and partner in service, Jayne, is also a Lion and a Melvin Jones Fellow.
At the Council of Governors meeting, PID Bruce Beck was our guest. He was our area leader for Campaign 100. Thank you, Lions of Wisconsin, for your donations! We have exceeded the $300 million goal. We raised over $324,000,000. This money will be used for grants to continue to help those in need.
BY MD-27 GLT COORDINATOR, PCC GERI SCHLENDER
Some items for all the Lions to concentrate on…reporting. We need to document our service. This allows us to partner with other organizations and have a larger impact. Also, we will be hearing about Global Membership Approach (GMA), New Voices, and Marketing. This will help strengthen our clubs. Strong clubs have strong happy members that stay. Let’s all do our part.
• Organize zone chair & club officers training Your District GLT Coordinator meets once a month with the Multiple GLT Coordinator via Zoom to provide updates, share successes, review upcoming training opportunities, and share ideas on growing each district’s leadership pipeline. This exchange is critical to maintain up-todate knowledge of training & development priorities, tools and resources.
• Organize and promote training opportunities
• Establish training & development plan for district with guidance from District Global Action Team
2 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
The Role of Your GLT District Coordinator
BY COUNCIL CHAIR TAMMY ROCKENBACH
• Assess training and leadership needs in district & communicate needs to GLT-Multiple District
• No Formal Banquet.
2023 Lions
• Annual Meeting & Raffle DrawingNoon-Sat. 1/7/23 at Medford Curling Club. HOTEL RESERVATIONS Boarders Inn & Suites 435 So. 8th St. Medford, WI 715-748-233054451(by 12/5) Medford Inn 321 N. 8th St.. Medford, WI 715-748-442054451(by 12/5) The Woodlands 854 N. 8th St.. Medford, WI 715-748-399554451(by 11/6) FeeRegistration teamfour$320/person Extra GuestCurler/ foodbeer,banquet,(covers$40/personsoda,
Clubs in MD27A-2 Region 2 recently provided a service dog to a local family whose young daughter, Tess, has Down Syndrome. The dog will sense various behaviors and calm the girl down thus keeping her in a safe environment. The family recently shared how much the dog has enhanced the lives of the young girl and the family as a whole at a meeting with the Kewaskum, Hartford, West Bend, West Bend Lioness, Allenton, Richfield and Hartford Lions clubs.
The Medford Lions
to…
QUESTIONS, Call 715-965-4343 State January 6th-8th Medford Curling Club, 525 So. Whelan, Medford Invite you
Clubs Band Together to Provide Service Dog for Girl with Down Syndrome
Registration Form 32 Team Limit Entry deadline: December 21, 2022 Phone#FirstLeadSecondViceSkipEmailContactClubSkipDrawofExtraCurlers/GuestsTeam 1 9am 10:30am 12pm 1:30pm 9am 10:30am 12pm 1:30pm ViceSkip #FirstLeadSecondSkipDrawofExtraCurlers/GuestsTeam 2
ENTRY FEE INCLUDES: • Friday night (rib eyes) from the Fireplace at the Medford Curling Club. Served during curling.
• Free Beer and Soda at the Curling Club.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 3
• Registration and payment must be received by 12/21/22 to guarantee entry. Early paid entries get first choice of preferred draw times.
The zone explored governmental and foundations for Downs to obtain funds to help with the purchase. Through that effort the family received $250 from Downs Syndrome Association of Wisconsin (DSAW). A previously used service dog provider was contacted but the $15,000 price dog was too much of a burden for the family and on top of that there is a two-year waiting list. Other opportunities were explored and Endeavor Autism Service Dogs of Beloit was discovered. Retiree owner Marlene is a retired service dog trainer who does dog training out of the goodness of her heart and the reward she gets when she sees a needy family receive a dog that can highly benefit their life for only $3500. Marlene gave some references including the fact that the Janesville Lions have used several of her dogs already. Contact with the Janesville club confirmed that her dogs were topThenotch.family contacted Endeavor and right off the bat a deal was made where they were allowed to “try before they bought” a dog matched for Tess. It was a good match and the effects to calm Tess were astounding. Endeavor Autism Service Dogs can be contacted at marlene.morga@gmail.com 608-362-6710
Tess’s mother stated, “We are so thankful to the local Lions Clubs for coming together to bless Tess with her service dog, Timber. Timber and Tess make a great team! He helps her stay close in activities like hiking with the family. So that she will stay close, she holds onto the handle on his service dog vest and not wander. It keeps her safe and helps our family to have enjoyable times together. He helps her daily as the bond of a child and their dog is so therapeutic and as she has taken ownership of him and the responsibility of his cares. We are so thankful for the kindness and generosity of the Lions Club to make this happen, as we could not have done this on our own.”
Members of the Hartford Lions pose with Tess and Timber
• Food and snacks all weekend (Sat & Sun breakfast included).
Mail checks & registration to Medford Lions Club: Steve DeLonay, W5704 Jolly Ave., Medford, WI 54451
BY DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID STEDMAN
“Together We Can” at the 104th Lions Clubs International Convention
The International Parade on Saturday, June 25th, was its usual spectacle of color and pageantry with many countries displaying their traditional dances and customs, as well as attire that was sure to catch the eye of the many onlookers along the parade route. Even
VCC Bert Freeman showing off his dance moves. DG Brian Dulmes deep in conversation with attendees.
Well, the 104th Lions Clubs International Convention is in the books. Montreal, Québec, Canada was the host for over 8,000 Lions from around the world who got reacquainted, learned, shared, and gathered memories that will last a lifetime. The majority of the events were held between June 24th and June 28th in the Palais des congress de Montreal Convention Centre with the International Show and plenary sessions being held in the Bell Center a few blocks away. About 850 District Governors Elect arrived one day earlier to receive their final classroom instruction before taking the oath to become District Governors at the end of the convention. International President-Elect Brian Sheehan and Past International Director Bruce Beck fired up the soon-to-be governors with plenty of exciting opportunities to get ready for the lionistic year ahead. District Governor Bob Bertch (C2) reflected on the two days of training by commenting that the classroom time was fun and informative and that even the meals were handled very well compared to some previous international Conventions. The big rally party held on Thursday evening, June 23rd saw all the participants treated to a Mardi Gras style celebration complete with performers, music and games galore. Our own District Governors Alan Johnson (D1), David Stedman (A1), and John Reil (B2) walked away with the Best Rally Cheer honors and were presented trophies from International President Elect Brian Sheehan and his Partner in Service Lori.
Jay Nesseth, Mary Vrieze, International Director Lee Vrieze, and IPCC Stacey Nesseth carrying the banner.
4 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
www.beeseenpromotions.net
MD27 CENTENNIAL APPAREL
* DG David Stedman, the author of this article, representing Wisconsin and enjoying Montreal. Partners in Service removing the Blue Ribbon at the swearing in of the new District Governors.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 5
The International Show was that same evening in the Bell Centre and featured legendary artist, Smokey Robinson performing many of his greatest chart-topping hits including “The Tracks of My Tears”, “Baby Baby”, “Second That Emotion,” just to name a few. Smokey performed for about one hour and provided a great way to close out the first full day of the International Convention.Thefirstplenary session was held the morning of Sunday, June 26th. Outgoing International President Douglas X. Alexander officially opened the 104th Lions Clubs International Convention of which the Parade of Flags from the over 210 countries and geographical locations that make up our organization were on display. District Governor Bert Freeman (A2) found the display stunning and thought it was wonderful to see such beautiful flags grace the Bell Centre and add to the pageantry that is our International Convention. The nominations for all the positions of leadership within our organization were carried out next, followed by the demonstration by the India delegation for the support of A.P. Singh for International Third Vice President. Many of our Wisconsin delegation joined in showing support for A.P Singh’s election. The remainder of the day presented opportunities for participants to explore the exhibit hall, attend numerous workshops and seminars, shop the International store, and discover what the city of Montreal had for visitors to explore, including their shops, restaurants and attractions. Many receptions were also held by different countries by invitation to network with LIONS from around the world and to socialize with acquaintances and make new friends along the way. Monday, June 27th, brought the second plenary session in which many awards were presented for contributions made to our Lions Clubs International Foundation and the importance of our Campaign 100 to raise $300 million dollars for our foundation to provide grants and assistance to those in need around the world. This year’s Peace Poster Contest winner Anja Rozen of Slovenia was introduced, as well as Shreya Zoy , a 13-year-old girl from Kerala, India who was this year’s Peace Essay Contest winner. Each received awards from outgoing International President Douglas X Alexander and Lions Clubs International. The 2022 Lions Clubs International Humanitarian Award was also presented to Dr. Helena Ndume, Chief of Ophthalmology at Windhoek Central Hospital in Nimibia for her dedication to humanitarian service and medical contributions to the world. The remainder of the day provided opportunities to learn new things, reconnect with old friends and make new ones or explore exhibits and attractions that are equally important to the convention experience. The final day of the convention, Tuesday, June 28th saw the swearing in of our New International President Brian Sheehan , as well as learning about his goals for the year at the third plenary session. President Sheehan is emphasizing the importance of teamwork and that having a great attitude inspires others. His theme “Together We Can,” “Together We Will” helps us remember we are all in this together and we serve as ONE. There was an opportunity to view President Sheehan’s biographical video and have his family join him on stage to celebrate his new role in leading our organization.
though the parade route may have pushed the endurance of some to their limits, it was an impressive event and a great way to kick off the convention.
LIONS APPAREL STATE LIONS APPAREL
DG’s Alan Johnson, John Reil, and David Stedman bring home top prize in the DGE Rally Cheer Competition. Bill Anderson receiving his welldeserved thanks.
The final tally to the Campaign 100 fundraising effort for Lions Clubs International was announced and we were all happy to see that the goal of raising $300 million was met! We actually raised $324,687,263 for ourElectionfoundation.results were also announced. Multiple District 27 is proud to welcome our newest International Director Lee Vrieze. Congratulations to him and his wife Mary as they embark on this new journey together. We know you will represent our Multiple well. The final part of the plenary session was of course the taking of the oath of office by the new incoming District Governors. The District Governors of MD27 have now been dully installed to lead this Multiple District in the coming year, and along with International President Sheehan, make our organization stronger than it has ever been before. The 104th Lions Club International Convention may have come to a close, but the memories gained by those in attendance will last a lifetime. Please consider attending the 105th Lions Clubs International Convention which will be held in Boston, Massachusetts July 7-11, 2023. Hope to see you there.
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STATE OFFICE: JoAnn Burk, Office Manager 3834 County Rd A Rosholt, WI md27@wisconsinlions.org715-677-476454473 BANK Stacey Troha, CEO 5003 Tradewinds Parkway Madison, WI info@lebw.org608-233-235453718
D1
B1
ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION OFFICES: Subscriptions: $10/ yr. Contact the State Office for details. OF MAIL/EMAIL ADDRESS Contact your Club Secretary AND the State Office at md27@ wisconsinlions.org with updates to your mailing and/or email address.
OUR VISION To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service. MD27COUNCILCONTACTSCHAIR: Tammy Rockenbach 212 Sterling Dr. Oregon, WI lzrock@charter.net608-438-957253575 INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR: Lee Vrieze (Mary) 18807 122ND AVE JIM FALLS,WI 54748 (715) lvrieze2@charter.net382-3404
LIONS EYE
OF WISCONSIN:
WISCONSIN LIONS FOUNDATION OFFICE: Evett J. Hartvig, Executive Director 3834 County Road A Rosholt, WI ehartvig@wlf.info877-463-695354473 LIONS PRIDE ENDOWMENT FUND OFFICE: Amber Young 3834 County Road A Rosholt, WI prideoffice@lionspride.org715-677-700054473 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 Volume 69 No. 2 Keep up with all the latest Wisconsin Lion news and share your news, too ‘MD27 Lions of Wisconsin’ on Facebook MD27 STATE MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM PHONECITY/STATE/ZIPADDRESSNAME/EMAIL NOTE: UPS will not deliver to a P.O. Box. Please provide a street address. Prices include tax. Cost Amount PINS 2017: Centennial Pin $1.50 2018: Monarch Butterfly $1.00 2019: Karner Blue Butterfly $1.00 2020: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly $1.00 SPECIAL SALE - 2020 State Convention $1.00 2021: Bog Copper Butterfly $1.00 2022: Centennial Pin $2.50 Back Patch $5.00 Shipping & Handling 1-8 pins: ........................ $6.25 9-14 pins: ....................... $7.55 15-25 pins: ..................... $10.75 25+ pins: ................. Call for cost 1-4 back patches: ............... $6.30 5-12 back patches: .............. $7.80 TOTAL:Sendyour order & payment (incl S&H) to: Wisconsin Lions State Office 3834 Cty Rd A Rosholt WI 54473 05526019 • MEDICARE • PLANNINGFINANCIAL • HEALTHAFFORDABLECAREOPTIONS • LIFE INSURANCE • RETIREMENT Make Your Insurance Work for You Call 715-544-1062Today 22 Years Experience * Locally & Veteran Owned * Trusted in Your Community secureheritageinsurance.com 6 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
STORY SUBMISSIONS
OUR MISSION To empower Lions clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding.
EDITORIAL
Wisconsin Lion (USPS No. 688-740) is published six times a year for the 17,500 Lions of Wisconsin at 3834 County Road A, Rosholt, WI 54473. Periodical postage paid at Rosholt, WI and additional mailing offices.
Articles and events (accompanied by photos of Lions in action) should explain the successful completion of a project or fundraising activity and should be submitted to that Club’s District Editor. Include a mailing address, daytime phone and e-mail of the person submitting the story. Submission guidelines wisconsinlions.org/wisconsin-lion/at:StatewidecontentcanbesubmittedtoDGBertFreemanatlionsubway206@gmail.com.RecognitionforMelvinJones,Birch-Sturm,KnightofSight&RayHempelawardsshouldbesubmittedtotheStateEditoratjen@jennifercreative.com.
CHANGE
POSTMASTER: Send form 3579 with new address to: 3834 County Road A Rosholt, WI 54473 DEADLINE: 1st of preceding month. BOARD a1@wilions.org A2 27a2editor@gmail.com terryerbstoesser@gmail.com B2 27b2pr@gmail.com C1 c1lionnews@gmail.com C2 sanderson.cherie@gmail.com pr@lions27d1.org D2 wilions27d2news@gmail.com barb.dulmes@gmail.com E2 chamaca@frontiernet.net
Bert Freeman Chair Patty Hollis Vice Chair Geri Schlender GLT Don Drew GST BJ Blahnik GMT Evett Hartvig WLF Michele Brooks LEBW DISTRICT EDITORS A1
Big Bend / Vernon Lion 13 www.awesomeshrimp.comyears+
Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin (LEBW), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, is planning to build a Tribute Garden at our headquarters at 5003 Tradewinds Parkway, Madison, WI. This garden is a celebration and tribute to our cornea donors, Lions volunteers, staff, and financial supporters. It will be called the “Journey of the Vision of Sight.” We want to incorporate the latest landscape designs, technology, and structure to create a space that acts as a place of solace, recognition, and educational learning and can be used as an outdoor event area.
LEBW is seeking a landscape architect or landscape architect firm to develop plans to achieve these goals. Interested parties should deliver a letter of interest by September 30, 2022, with their compensation requirements, at which time we can then provide a more detailed list of proposal requirements and arrange for site tours. We would like to receive plans by October 31, 2022. If interested in this project, please contact LEBW Administrative Assistant Hannah Tilley for more information at 877.233.2354 Ext. 209 or email her at htilley@lebw.org.
“Food for Kidz” is coming back again! Now more than ever, the need for food is increasing due to higher costs for food, gas and inflation and as a result our community-wide multigenerational “Food for Kidz” food repackaging event will be held on October 22, 2022 at Lakeland Union High School! Please MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! This ongoing event, now sponsored by the Lions District 27-C2, normally draws approximately 600 volunteers each October to the school to repackage bulk food into nutritious meal-size packets for families. These meals are then packed into cases for distribution to the local food pantries, the local back pack program (coordinated through Ascension Lutheran Church) and to needy starving children around the U.S. and theLastworld.year, the Lions District 27-C2, raised over $20,000 to purchase the bulk food and packaged 150,000 meals for 8 food pantries and the backpack program. Any excess food was then sent to areas of greatest need throughout the US and world by Food for Kidz. The need within our own community is increasing daily! We are definitely planning to do the in-person event. Our goal is 175,000200,000 meals this year to be packaged in 4 short hours. Our Lions Club International President Brian Sheehan’s theme is “Together We Can…” and “Together WE WILL…make this “Food for Kidz” event a HUGE SUCCESS! It can be done with your support whether financial or as a volunteer or both!
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 7
Tribute Garden Planned to Honor Cornea Donors and Supporters
Food for Kidz Event Coming to LUHS This Fall – SAVE THE DATE!
The Lions District 27-C2 Hunger Committee Chair, Laura Bertch, is again asking for monetary donations to support the purchase of the bulk food this year. “This event would not happen without the dedication and service from our entire community: churches, organizations, businesses, individuals, youth and area Lions Clubs. Our hope is that this year will be an even stronger year for donations. The inspiring in-person involvement of this event, will help us reach the goal that we established. Past committee chairs, volunteers and sponsors have dedicated themselves to this event for over 14 years.” Fundraising has also begun already and will continue until October 1st! Donations of any size are welcome and will provide meals for the local food pantries. All donations (of any amount) made to Food for Kidz are tax deductible and all donation checks to this event should be made out to “Food for Kidz” and mailed to Food for Kidz, c/o Boulder Junction Lions Club, Attn.: Laura Bertch, PO Box 61, Boulder Junction, WI 54512. (Food for Kidz is a non-profit 501(c) 3 humanitarian organization in Stewart, Minnesota confronting world hunger by providing balanced, highly nutritious food for starving children around the world.) Volunteer sign ups can be easily made at signup.com/go/gxzaVac; use the QR Code below or by calling Meghan Anderson at 715-614-3816 or Laura Bertch at 715-892-1204 if you have questions.
Are you looking for an fundraiser?awesome
Contact Lion Rebel Ron 414-640-6125
2021-22
Lions Pride Endowment Fund 715-677-7000 | prideoffice@lionspride.org | lionspride.org
There are many new Lions Club officers effective July 1st of each year. The LPEF encourages club officers to include the Lions Pride Endowment of Wisconsin in your budget. Each $1,000 donation entitles you to name a Ray Hempel Fellow. Ray Hempel is considered the founder of our Wisconsin Lions Camp. Be sure to mark “Ray Hempel Fellowship” on your donation in the check memo or with an enclosed note to make sure it is assigned properly.
In closing, I would like to share this quote: “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” – Maya Angelou
Our goal is to maintain the principal of the fund and only use its earnings to provide funding to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. Therefore, your donation or personal gift goes on into perpetuity! It’s the gift that keeps on giving, year after year. Our purpose is to provide significant financial support to our Wisconsin Lions Foundation and all of its statewide projects, but especially our Wisconsin Lions Camp. Please make a donation so that our efforts are even more successful.
Sporting Clay Shoot a Tremendous Success! The 2021 13th Lions Pride Sporting Clay Shoot was a tremendous success with 160 shooters, raising $40,000 in net profits. They say success breeds success! Lions Pride Endowment Fund (LPEF) had another successful event on June 11th at the Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek with 149 shooters, netting almost $38,000 for our Lions Pride Endowment Fund. Thanks goes to all the shooters, sponsors and volunteers and a special thanks to the shoot organizers David and Judy Carl , Scott and Tracey Czechan, Amber Young and Lion Renee Peterson. They did all the upfront planning, legwork and organized the volunteers the day of the event. A big thank you to The Milford Hills Hunt Club whose experienced staff was a pleasure to work with. Mark your calendar for the 15th Lions Pride Shoot, which will be held June 10, 2023, at the same location.
Wisconsin Lions Foundation 715-677-4969 | 877-463-6953 | wlf@wlf.info | wlf.info
8 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
Remember to Include LPEF in your Budget
• HEARING - 40 hearing aids ordered, 5,861 hearing aids sent in to be salvaged and 67 applications received
New Board of Director Member Appointed Lion Sue Shakal was appointed to our LPEF Board of Directors at our recent July 22nd quarterly Board meeting. She is with the Cadott Lions and succeeds Past District Governor Lion Jay Nesseth who completed his 3-year term. We thank him for his time, dedication and promotion of Lions Pride.
• LIONS CAMP - the actual number of campers will be available very soon. We have had our challenges with running the Camp post-COVID-19; and Andrea and her staff are doing a great job of keeping things moving ahead.
I want to thank all of you who voted at the State Convention in Lake Geneva in May to approve the resolutions we put on the ballot. Your approval means we can move forward with the three maintenance/construction projects that need to be done in order to maintain the safety and well-being of our campers and guests. The order of priority at this time is the loop around the Lake, the shade structures and then the Dining Hall dock and delivery area.
Lions Pride Success Breeds Success For the Benefit of our WLF
•statewideFoundationprojects:
Here are reports from our five Wisconsin Lions
• DIABETES AWARENESS - 13,861 pieces of literature ordered
The drawing for the Lions Camp for Kids Raffle will take place on Saturday, September 24th in the Foundation Building at 1:45 pm. Everyone is welcome.
I would like to thank you for your continued support of our WLF statewide projects.
BY WAYNE PRESIDENTHEIMAN,LIONSPRIDE
BY LION LARRY TESTA, PRESIDENT, WISCONSIN LIONS FOUNDATION
July 1st was the start of the new Lionistic Year and your Wisconsin Lions Foundation hit the ground running! The 25th Annual Birch-Sturm Memorial Golf Outing held at Glacier Wood Golf Course in Iola was a great success. We raised just over $30,000!Thenew staircase that was constructed in the Boys’ Area of Lions Camp (down the hill by the Lake) is just waiting for the handrails to be installed. What a wonderful addition to help our campers and guests make their way down to the Lake safely.
RECYCLINGEYEGLASS919,543 missionspairsordered,eyeglasses124,543shippedto32
ENDOWMENT FUND
Proved to be a Busy Year
• VISION SCREENING - 65,872 children screened with 8,111 referred for follow-up with a professional
Knight and Gift of AwardsSight We are excited to share with you the 20212022 district level LEBW Knight of Sight and Gift of Sight Award recipients. KNIGHT OF SIGHT • BJ Blahnik B1 • Gary Johnson B2 • Linda Carter ........................ C1 • Bill Clausius ........................ D1 • Dave Strudthoff ..................... D2 • Bill Anderson ....................... E1 • Tom Redbird ........................ E2 GIFT OF SIGHT • Larry Redlin ........................ A1
Lions
LEB’s have joined the Global Alliance of Eye Bank Association (GAEBA), which is a collective, global organization established by the Eye Bank Association of America, European Eye Bank Association, Association of Eye Banks of Asia, Eye Banks Association of Australia, and New Zealand, Pan American Association of Eye Banks, and Eye Bank Association of India. The GAEBA is committed to the global advancement of eye banking in support of the following five key objectives; sharing best practices and guidelines, sharing information on scientific meetings, conferences, and workshops, establishing a worldwide register of eye banks, developing and promoting global coding, tractability efforts and biovigilance Systems for ocular tissue, providing global advocacy for eye donation and eye banking. Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin CEO, Stacey Troha will serve as one of two LCI representatives at GAEBA.
All 10 Districts in Multi-District 27 each has their own District Leo Chair. Why does this matter? Because it helps the MultiDistricts to work fluidly in building and bringing together Leo Clubs in our State. Together We Can!! Together WeLeoWill!!Clubs are an important part of Lions. Lions International recognizes three different youth clubs - Cubs for ages under 12, Alpha Leos for ages 12-18 and Omega Leos for ages 18-30.Every…Single…Lions Club…can have a Cub or Leo Club. There are so many different ways to strengthen your Lions Club, including children and young adults. It all depends on your Club’s location and strength. If your Lions Club already sponsors a Leo Club, how can you take that a step further? Think outside the box and consider an online Leo to Lions Club for your District Leos who have graduated. Keep them connected so when they are done with school and ready to transfer into a Lions Club, they will do so as a strong member who may already have 6-10 years of service. Maybe you have some young new Lions or want to attract new young Lions and you can build a branch club for young parents and their (under age 12) children. The possibilities are endless.Consider learning more about using youth to increase membership in your Lions Club and get the benefits of revitalizing your Club by doing things together. Contact your District’s Leo Chair for more information.7400+Clubs Countries-40,000Worldwide-160,000+Leos-150-ServiceProjectsin2021/2022LEOSGETTHINGSDONE!
Each year, all ten districts in Wisconsin establish goals for financial contributions given to LEBW. District Governors are responsible for encouraging clubs within their district to make contributions throughout the year. If the district meets its goal, the District Governor is awarded either a Knight or Gift of Sight Fellowship award at the LEBW annual meeting. LEBW is grateful for the continued support from all Wisconsin Lions Clubs who help give the gift of sight.
Global Alliance of Eye Banks
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eightbanksnon-profitrepresentingbankingcollaborativethe(LCILionsInternationalClubsEyeBanksLEB)islargesteyegroup47eyeacrossnations.LCI
Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin 877-233-2354 | info@lebw.org lebw.org
Effective Monday, Aug. 1, LEBW Transporters must call the Donor Support Center (DSC) once you have arrived at the drop-off location to confirm that you made the drop-off. The phone number for the DSC is 877.233.2354, ext.This1. is an essential process that LEBW Transporters used to do, but it seems to have gone away. After some errors that occurred in June, this is a step in the transport process that we feel will ensure Transporters are delivering to the correct locations and eliminate any potential issues. Also, please remind your Transporters that if they are delayed by traffic or construction while transporting corneal tissue, they should call the DSC or call you, the Dispatcher, and then you can report the delay. We hope to continue to improve communication between LEBW Transporters and the DSC so that we can strengthen the awesome system we already have in Adamplace.Crowson, Community Outreach Coordinator will be scheduling hub meetings this fall and throughout the Lions year. If you would like Adam to visit your club or zone meeting, please contact him at acrowson@lebw.org or 877.233.2354, ext. 212.
Full House with District Leo Chairs
Leos 608-733-1920 | liondeb@yahoo.com
BY MD27 LEO CHAIR DEB FREEMAN
ChangesUpdatesTransporterLEBW&
The Mukwonago Lions donated and dedicated the Jackson Sparks Memorial Bench on Thursday, June 16th, on the opening day of their Mukwonago Lions 2022 Summerfeste at Field Park. Tucker Sparks, Jackson’s brother, threw out the first pitch for the youth baseball game later that Jacksonday.Sparks was an 8-year-old boy who was marching in the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade with his baseball team, the Waukesha Blazers Baseball. Jackson and his 12-year-old brother, Tucker, were struck by a car that Sunday afternoon. The brothers were hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Children’s Wisconsin. Sadly, Jackson died of his Wheninjuries.theMukwonago
The club has partnered with Stan’s Shoes and their Share-A-Pair Shoe Drive where they are distributed to various local area shelters. Shoes that are not used in the Milwaukee area are given to Soles4Souls, a global not-for-profit organization that distributes shoes for people in need. Since 2017 they have collected over 5,000 pairs of shoes. Contact newberlinlionsinfo@gmail.com to donate any gently used shoes or new socks.
District Governor •
East Troy Lions 22nd Annual Charity Golf Outing
Lions Kim Papp, Mary Tatera, Kathy Olenik, Pati Greenless, Betty Johnson, Chris Meyer and Patt Goerke with the boxed up shoes.
LIONS CLUB – Goodwill and Festival Foods in Fort Atkinson have been valuable partners this last year in their mission to address vision issues around the world and within Wisconsin. The Fort Atkinson area donated 3,383 pair of used eyeglasses from July 2021 through June 2022. Goodwill collected 807 pair and Festival Foods 684 pair. The 16 donation boxes used in Fort Atkinson were first built in 2009. Lions Club members designed and constructed the donation boxes, each with its own personality. The box maintenance and used eyeglasses collection responsibilities are handled by Fort Atkinson Lions Club members who collect the donated used eyeglasses from the boxes monthly. 1st Vice 2nd Vice District submit your paperwork by November 15th Lion Cindy Lotzer at Remembercindy.lotzer@yahoo.com.toincludethemeetingminutesstatingthatyourclubissupportingyou.
Club President Mason Becker presents a certificate to Goodwill staff members. Festival Foods management pose with Fort Atkinson Lions Club President Mason Becker.
FORT ATKINSON
Saturday, Oct. 1, Noon-9pm, Veteran’s Park, Muskego.
10 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-A1 NEWS wilions.org
NEW BERLIN LIONS CLUB – The Shoe Project collects as many shoes as possible to donate to people in need. It was started as a Lioness project in 2017 when Lion Patt Goerke was the Lioness 27-A1 Affiliate District President.
Candidates Wanted! We are seeking candidates for the following offices: • District Governor •
Big Bend Vernon Lions 7th Annual Lions Club Pig Roast Oct. 15, Big Bend/Vernon Lions Community Center, Big Bend Franklin Lioness Lions Fall Craft Fair Oct. 22, 9am-3pm, MATC South Campus, Oak Creek 60 vendors & bake sale. 100% of proceeds from craft fair go towards scholarship funds.
to
Lions reached out to the Sparks Family, they discovered Jackson’s passion and love for baseball. Thus, the idea of a Jackson Sparks Memorial Bench was born to honor his love of baseball and his team. When you view the bench, please note the special emblem displayed. It will be on all Jerseys worn by his team this season.
District Convention Friday, January 6, Ingelside Hotel, Pewaukee
Dedication of Jackson Sparks Memorial Bench
With the theme, “Put Your Best Foot Forward,” over 2,000 pairs of shoes were collected by June 2018. Beginning in 2021, collection bins were placed in the four New Berlin public elementary schools for a week at a time. Last year they collected almost 900 pairs of shoes. This year, they are aiming for 1,000 pairs.
Oak Creek Lions Annual LionsFest Sept. 2-5, American Legion Post 434, Oak Creek Bands, carnival rides, helicopter rides, raffles, food and drinks, new craft beer garden, as well as a car show.
Governor • District Bowling • District Golf Please
Saturday, Sept. 10, Delbrook, Golf Course, Delavan East Troy Lions Car Show
Saturday, Oct. 1, Rossmiller Park, East Troy Muskego Lions 2nd Annual Oktoberfest
Youth volunteer Ayden Mitchell serving alongside his grandmother, PDG Lion Sharon Eberhardt
Jefferson President Lion Michelle and her mom, Lori, greeted patrons on the way into the store. They graciously accepted supply donations into carts. Patti Hurtgen
| a1@wilions.org | 612-616-5383
920-650-2113tubabuzz@charter.netWe’veallheardtheexpression,
Service Programs (with links to Service Project Ideas): lionsclubs.org/en/service-programs Service Project Planners lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/service-journey/service-project-planners: S.W.O.T Analysis: lionsclubs.org/en/v2/resource/download/117904862%20
FROM THE 27-A1 DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVID STEDMAN
Global Service Team Toolbox
lionsclubs.org/en/resources-for-members/resource-center/gst-toolbox:
Service Launchpad: lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/service-launchpad
“Service with a Smile,” and for LIONS it couldn’t be more appropriate when you put it in the context of service to our communities. Generally, the expression is geared toward employees and how they treat their customers in a service-driven job. Our motto is “We Serve”, but hopefully when we are serving, our smile is sincere and a fulfilled sentiment is the result. How are you doing in your service to your club? How is your club doing in its service to the community? Are you open to new members’ ideas? Have you thought “outside the box” to tweak an existing service project from becoming stale? Has your club created new service projects that have generated excitement and enthusiasm and possibly helped bring in new members? If the answers are not a resounding yes, now might be a good time to take pause and discover ways to get that spark back and find that purpose which stimulates growth in yourself and your Recentlyclubs.aclub in District 34 A in Gunterville, Ala., used the Global Membership Approach (GMA) to increase the number of annual reported service projects in their club in a year from two to 192 projects. They discovered that communication was the key. To have effective service projects, everyone needs to understand their role, and instructions must be communicated effectively so everyone understands the objective. Try this exercise…write your name in script as you normally would. Now write it again to be sure anyone who might see it can read every letter. Did you find yourself taking more time on the second attempt to be sure everyone could read it? This example illustrates how our clubs need to communicate with each other to be sure everyone is on the same page with a project. Write your name in script one more time but this time use your non-dominate hand. Not so easy is it? Sometimes we need to let others take charge of a project, while the traditional leaders step back and not micromanage the project. As uncomfortable as that might be to not inject our own advice, it gives others the opportunity to grow and lead, and ultimately that makes our club stronger. Our clubs successfully perform services to our communities when we just work together with a common goal in mind. This includes everyone offering their talents to the projects successful and satisfying to everyone involved. That’s sure to put a smile on your face and the faces of everyone around you. Lions Clubs International has a list of resources available to help you plan your service projects to ensure they are a success. Check out these resources and have an exciting year of service with your club.
Jefferson Lions volunteers delivered the school supplies to Ready Kids 4 School committee members in advance of the supply distribution event.
JEFFERSON LIONS CLUB – The club participated in their 9th “Stuff The Bus” school supply collection efforts on July 30th. In just four short hours, the group collected supplies that retail valued over $2,700. With the pandemic creating such a financial strain on many families, it was even more important that this event be held. Once collected, sorted, and counted, the supplies made their way to a storage facility. The supplies are then distributed through a secondary organization, Ready Kids 4 School. RK4S has appreciated the Jefferson Lions support every year.
GDISTRICTOVERNOR
LIONESSFRANKLINLIONS The FuntheirgoingwithMilkmenathosefundraiserheldClubLionessFranklinLionsrecentlyasuccessfulforthatattendedMilwaukeegameallproceedsbackintocommunity.washadbyall! SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 11 EDITOR:
Grafton Lions Present Awards
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a
27-A2 NEWS lionsdistrict27a2.org
John Krueger, Birch-Sturm Award Recipient
BJ
BEAVER DAM LIONS CLUB – Lions Mike Baxter and Desi Jimenez present a $1,000 check to Logan Thomas for 10-year sponsorship of 18 hole disc golf course.
LIONS
the
John has been an active member of the Grafton Lions for many years and a past president. He is currently the club treasurer, in charge of the Grafton Flower Bed, and on the Golf Committee. The Birch-Sturm is the highest award given by the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. The recipient is selected by the club’s Birch-Sturm committee. The club makes a contribution of $1,000 in this person’s honor to the Wisconsin Lions Birch-Sturm fund.
GRAFTON LIONS CLUB – First Responders Lions Picnic on July 19th.
LCIF mission is to support the efforts of Lions clubs and partners in serving communities locally and globally, giving hope and impacting lives through humanitarian service projects and grants.
HARTFORD CLUB Thank you, IPDG Blahnik and Lion Victoria for coming to talk about Leader Dog.
12 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
HARTFORD LIONS CLUB – Great Crowd Enjoys Lions Fisheree: Over 250 people including 125 applicants were on hand on Saturday for the annual Hartford Lions Fisheree at the Millpond. This event is a great event, which introduces kids to fishing while simply bringing families together. The Lions would like to thank all of the sponsors, which make this Fisheree such a big hit for so many.
Mike Hennig, Melvin Jones Fellowship Recipient
Mike is currently the Grafton Lions Club Secretary and in charge of Food Donations. The Melvin Jones Award is the highest award given by the charitable arm of Lions Club International. It is recognition of a Lions commitment to humanitarian work. The recipient is selected by the club’s Melvin Jones Committee. The club makes a contribution of $1,000 in this person’s honor or memory to the Lions Club International Foundation.
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” Hello District 27A2 Lions. My column for the September issue could be filled with my trip to the 104th International Convention in Montreal and speak of all of the great Lions I observed/met and what I learned from this once in a lifetime experience. Maybe I could write about my first Council of Governors Meeting in Wisconsin Rapids and the events that unfolded. Or, I could talk about my first 27A2 District Cabinet Meeting in Iron Ridge where we had 35 District leaders gathered, including 9 first time District Cabinet members. But, I choose my topic for the Wisconsin Lions Newspaper this month as Mentorship. New Blood, New Idea’s, and New Direction. In order to support our new leaders and club members, we need to listen to their idea’s, support them, and mentor them, not leave them on an island waiting for support from District or Club leadership that promised to help them succeed and did little. “To do nothing, is unacceptable”. Our District’s Clubs need new ideas, a new voice to spark enthusiasm and gain motivated members/leaders. We, need to reach out to new members and listen to them, respect their thoughts and put those thoughts into action. A true membership killer is “we tried that 10 years ago and it did not work” and disrespect a new excited member who was unsure if they should raise their hand and offer a suggestion. Don’t look now but that rejected member is looking for the exit sign. Don’t believe me? I look quite often to see who the District dropped members are and their length of service. A majority of the Lions leaving have less than 2 years of membership. A Mentor is a leader, a teacher, and friend. Reach out to that new Lion that looks lost or confused. Get them involved with a service project and better yet, listen to them. MENTORSHIP MATTERS. “I said what I meant, and I meant what I said”….Dr Seuss
and
GDISTRICTOVERNOR
FROM THE 27-A2 DISTRICT GOVERNOR BERT FREEMAN 608-733-1801lionsubway206@gmail.com
THERESA CLUB –IPDG Bob Gosewehr and Past District Governor Jack Schark congratulate and present a Melvin Jones Fellowship to Lion Chuck Bernhard for his dedication and support of many of the Club’s humanitarian projects over the years. Sara Zimdars is a 4th Grade Teacher at Northern Ozaukee Elementary School. For the past 7 years, Sara’s students have prepared and decorated 130 Lion Christmas cards given with a gift card to single senior citizens. Diana Schmit was recognized for her many years of assistance given to Club, State Lions with her husband PDG Lion Ron Schmit. Diana also volunteered for many Fredonia Lion projects, assisted with the Lions eye glass collection and the club’s Single Senior Holiday Cards Bingo projects.
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our
District and
Watertown Lions Club Fun Night September 12, 5:30pm Social, 7pm Dinner Elk’s Lodge, 117 North First St. Watertown • Rib Eye Steak Dinner $20 • Contact: dollydon5520@gmail.com or 920-386-2954 by Sept 4th GRAFTON LIONS CLUB – The Grafton Lions Park kayak launch is now open! 27-A2 DISTRICT CABINET MEETING – Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer Darrel Blank, District Governor Bert Freeman, First Vice District Governor Brenda Rumppe, and Second Vice District Governor Deb Freeman. 27-A2DISTRICTCABINETMEETING Governor.2022serviceplaqueGosewehrRobertPastImmediatepresentsBertGovernorDistrictFreemanGovernoraforhisas2021-District
LIONS
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 13 EDITOR: Diane Lechner | 27a2editor@gmail.com | 920-210-8691
2022 Fredonia Lions Club RecipientsServiceCommunityAward
LIONS STATE BOWLING
DISTRICT B1 - INTERESTED IN HOSTING THE 2025 LIONS STATE BOWLING TOURNAMENT?
District Governor Dave will officially open the convention with a presentation of the flag. Local veterans will carry the various flags. There will also be a salute to all branches of the service to thank them for their service. The Service of Remembrance will take place to honor all those Lions who have passed since our last convention. If your club has lost a member, please send a picture to PDG Tom Clausen at lionsof27b1@gmail.com so these Lions can be respectfully remembered. This will be followed by district business reports and nominations. A POWER HOUR will present various Lions project updates. Lunch will follow with ID Dianne Pitts giving her Keynote Address. Awards presentations along with the annual District Bank Auction and something new this year; PDG Len Quinn’s special cowboy hat will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to Leader Dog. A special thank you to Lion Kay Quinn for this donation.
DIANNE J. PITTS INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR – Dr. Dianne J. Pitts, from Chappells, South Carolina, was elected to serve a two-year term as international director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 103rd International Convention, June 25-29, 2021. Director Pitts was an educator for 28 years and has twice received recognition as District Teacher of the Year. She is a contributing author to two textbooks and the published author of a three-volume Bible study for middle schoolers. She now uses her knowledge and experience to help Lions as well as other non-profit and charitable organizations with grant writing and presentations. She first joined as a member of the Gaffney Lions Club in 1994. And since 2010, she has served with the Greenwood Lions Club. She has held a number of offices with the association, including district governor, district Lions Quest chairperson, multiple district council chairperson and multiple district LCIF Campaign 100 chairperson. She has also served as faculty for multiple Lions Leadership Institutes and learning programs as well as webinars. In recognition of her service, she has received numerous awards, including several International President’s Awards and International President’s Certificates of Appreciation. Director Pitts is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. She has also been recognized as a Progressive Dr. Franklin G. Mason Fellow. In addition to her Lions activities, Director Pitts is active in numerous civic and professional organizations including the South Carolina Education Association and the Nation Educational Association. She is also co-director of her local soup kitchen. Director Pitts is married to Dr. Joe Pitts, a 50-year Lion and Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.
14 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-B1 NEWS wilionsb1.org
Three seminars will be provided after lunch. The first will be a speaker on the “Old Glory” Honor Flight. Second seminar will be on Scams and Fraud. And the third seminar will be LCIF Grants presented by ID Pitts. Voting will take place 15 minutes after the lastTheseminar.Saturday night banquet will include guest speaker Dr. Joe Pitts. Voting and raffle results will also be announced. Governor Dave will officially close the convention. Registration form tentative agenda and display table registrations can be found on the district website; lionsof27b1@gmail.com. So, mark your calendars because you don’t want to miss out on a fun weekend of Lions Spirit!Any new Lions who are “1st Timers” to a convention, make sure to pick up a contest sheet to fill out. Prizes will be awarded.
The District 27 B1 convention planning team has an AWESOME convention planned for November 11th and 12th at the Radisson Hotel in Fond du lac. District Governor Dave Brinkman’s Friday night hospitality has a military theme in honor of Veteran’s Day, “WE SERVED OUR COUNTRY, NOW WE SERVE OUR COMMUNITY”. Our special guest will be International Director Dianne Pitts and her husband, Dr. Joe Pitts from Chappells, South Carolina.Forthose coming on Friday, the hotel has their special Friday Fish Fry available in the dining room. The hotel is also offering a 10% discount on all meals for registered hotel guests. After that great meal, come to the Friday night hospitality, which will include music and games. Costume theme is military; come dressed in your favorite military branch of the service.
Now is your chance to host the Lions State Bowling Tournament. If your club or group of clubs would like to host the 2025 tournament, please submit your application before December 15, 2022. Applications and more information are available on the Wisconsin Lions websitewisconsinlions.org/bowling or contact, Lion Bruce Voight, WLSBC Secretary at bfvoight@charter.net / 608-572-9173.
District 27-B1 Convention BY 2ND VDG DAVE HOLSCHBACH
CLUB – The Club received a huge thank you for their continued support and donation to the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. The K-9s wouldn't exist without the support of groups like yours!
OAKFIELD LIONS CLUB – Seven Oakfield High School Seniors were presented with scholarships. The club sponsors 4 Blood Drives during the year and because of the great turn out, the Red Cross was able to provide $2,500 for scholarships and the club provided the balance. There were three $750 and four $600 scholarships. Most students helped with blood drives or donated blood. Pictured are Lion Ed Smith, Mallory Schaefer, Jack Fox, Isabella Backhaus, Emily Patterson, Ethan Batchelder, Nora Waltz, Courtney Kaufman, Lion Al Messner.
PICKETT LIONS CLUB – Two scholarships were presented at the Ripon High School award night. Pictured are Amanda Beck, Lion Chad Lisowe, and Jade MorenoValdez.
VAN DYNE LIONS CLUB – The Walleye Tournament, one of their biggest fundraisers of the year, was held June 4th with up to 150 teams participating. After the tournament, everyone was invited to the Van Dyne Lions Park to enjoy food, beverages and music. Cash prizes were presented to the top 30 teams and for the first and second largest fish. Pictured are Lions Tom Briski, Tom Wendt, and Roxanne Wendt with first place winners Scott Skupas and Joshua Roloff who had a total weight of 12.4 lbs and received a check for $1,000.
Next, look for an email coming out soon about the Club Challenge Awards in Membership and Service. The good news is that we have all eleven Zone Chairperson positions filled without any zones being combined, so kudos to those who stepped up to fill those very important positions. Zone Chairpersons are the link between clubs and the district. Please continue to report your club activities in My Lion! If you need help with this, please feel free to ask. My contact information is above.
WAYMOR LIONS CLUB – New officers were inducted in June with Vice District Governor Greg Kabichka from the Chilton Lions Club assisting. Congratulations to all members. Pictured are club Directors Lion Bill Kempen, Lion Dan Vercauteren (President), Lion Bob Fritsch, Lion Pat McGuire (Past President), and Lion John Wagner
PICKETT LIONS CLUB –Members built a ramp for a rural resident of Pickett. She had been unable to leave her house for several months since she started using a walker and reached out to a neighbor who is a member of the Pickett Lions. Pictured are Lions Todd Messerschmidt, Eric Schultz, and Steve Pfaffenroth
920-344-2585brinkdav@yahoo.comWeareintoourthirdmonth
HILBERTGDISTRICTOVERNORLIONS
FROM THE 27-B1 DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAVE BRINKMAN
of the Lions year and I would like to share a few things with you. The first thing is regarding member retention. At the Zone meetings last year, I discussed setting club membership goals. Setting goals for member retention and for attaining new members gives your clubs a focus and something to strive for. We must look at ways of improving member retention. The number one cause of why Lions leave a club is because of some form of conflict.
| terryerbstoesser@gmail.com | 920-376-3505
Lastly, the District Convention is November 11-12, 2022, at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Fond du Lac. Friday night’s theme is “We served our Country, now we serve our communities” a tribute to veterans since November 11 is Veterans Day. Thank you to all 1800+ Lions for all you do to make our communities better. If you need any help, please call. The District Cabinet is here to support you in any way we can.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 15 EDITOR:
WAYMORR LIONS CLUB – The first Music in the Park Night was held June 14th with the ACME Picker band performing for 200 people. Guests enjoyed free ice cream sundaes and food to purchase on behalf of the WayMorr Youth Sports organization. Terry Erbstoesser
STOCKBRIDGE LIONS CLUB –Local fishermen donated their time and fishing boats to treat area veterans to a day of fishing on Lake Winnebago June 12th. Tom Welch and Gary Zahringer set up the 18 boats and assigned veterans to each boat. Fish were cleaned and bagged for each veteran. The Club donated $500 towards the food and prizes and also took part in the event. Pictured are fisherman Lion Dick Schumacher, veterans Lion Fred Gebhart and Lion Ron Mullenbach
HOWARD-SUAMICO LIONS CLUB – On June 1st, a check was presented to the village of Howard for the Lions Park. Pictured are Art Becker , Lions Park Committee Chair John Myers , Mark Minzlaff , Lions President-Elect Bert McIntyre , Village President Paul Evert , Howard Village Administrator Geoff Farr , Director of Public Works.
GRAND CHUTE LIONS CLUB –
On Wednesday, June 8th, five members of the club and one member of the Invaders Snowmobile Club met at the Greenville shop. They bagged shrink wrap plastic, weighed it, and unloaded it at Festival Foods. Festival will haul the plastics to Trex Lumber. 1580 pounds of plastic will not be added to the landfill. For our efforts the two clubs will receive high quality park benches manufactured by Trex. Lions Dave Sievert, Brad Gehring, John Kafura, Al Robinson and Chuck Bender worked on the project. Bill Mitchell with the Invaders Snowmobile Club provided the enclosed trailer and helped bag.
OCONTO FALLS LIONESS LIONS CLUB – Decorations filled the Oconto County Handicapped Citizens Association’s “Welcome Back” party held at Red Maple Country Club in Suring. Pictured are Ashley Bahrke, Penny Holman, Erica Beaumier, Stephanie Holman, and Tammy Thomson, along with helper, Peyton Beaumier.
District 27-B2 Conference
16 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-B2 NEWS
The District 27-B2 Conference Planning Team is pleased to announce a NEW Family Friendly Conference experience! The conference will be held on November 4th and 5th at the Tundra Lodge Conference Center in Green Bay. We have secured one of the area’s premier waterparks and we have developed plans to share our passion for service with our children and grandchildren through some exciting group service activities! Our Lions conference budget allows us to include family members at no additional cost to you. Never fear, we have a separate area for the youth attendees away from the hustle and bustle of our own Lions conference activities. Conference Planning is still in the works so we can’t share all the details at this time but we can promise this will be a unique opportunity for all attendees. Please watch our webpage for updated details along the way at e-district.org/sites/district%2027%20b2/.
BONDUEL LIONS CLUB –The Veteran’s Memorial was dedicated at a ceremony attended by local residents and members of the American Legion and VFW after a two-year delay due to the pandemic. The memorial is located in Lions Park, at the corner of State Highway 117 and Green Bay Street in Bonduel. Senator Ron Johnson was the guest speaker at the dedication.
GRAND CHUTE LIONS CLUB –Members Kevin Eckes, Jim Margetta, Jo Margetta, Mike Demerath, Edith Haas, and Sharon Holt delivered school supplies to Badger School, Columbus School and Highlands School in Appleton. The majority of the supplies were purchased at Jake’s Network of Hope in Neenah (jakesnoh.org). Purchasing supplies at Jakes’s Network of Hope enabled Grand Chute Lions to maximize their funds and purchase substantially more supplies than what would be purchased in a store.
All forms and information for this exciting event will be available on the 2022 Convention Page.
MARION LIONS CLUB
Pictured are Sturgeon Bay Lions Club President Theresa Fett, scholarship recipient Emily Ulberg, and Sturgeon Bay Lions Club Scholarship Chairperson Steve Heinz
“There’s Power In Our Service”
– Lion Ron Krueger, presents a check for $250 to Cindy Carrick who is the director for Keller Lake Day Camp. Keller Lake Day Camp is a weeklong camp for individuals with disabilities of all ages.
FROM THE 27-B2 DISTRICT GOVERNOR JOHN REIL 920-759-1388lionjohnr27b2@gmail.com
STURGEON BAY LIONS CLUB –A $1000 scholarship was awarded to Sturgeon Bay High School senior, Emily Ulberg
PESHTIGO LIONS CLUB – A Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry, sponsored by the Salvation Army, was held on July 21st with food distribution beginning at 10 a.m. This mobile food pantry contained 15,000 pounds of food and was sent from Western Michigan Feeding America via a refrigerated truck to provide food for over 300 households in need. People arrive as early as 6:00 AM to ensure their place in line. The mobile pantry was located in Menominee, Michigan, at the YMCA and continued with a drive-through process. Members of the Peshtigo Lions Club assist the Salvation Army every other month with this activity. The members participated in set-up, registration, and distribution of the food for a total of 40 volunteer hours. Pictured are Lions Tom Gryzwa, Terry Gardon, Paul McClain, Rhonda McClain, Riki Ryswyck, Dennis Ryswyck, and Mark Neumann. Assisting but not pictured are Lions Joshua Stansbury (Major Salvation Army), Jim Doemel and his wife Connie, and their granddaughter Lucy Lemire.
PESHTIGO LIONS CLUB – A food booth at Lofaro’s Fresh Market was held in Peshtigo on July 8th and 9th during the citywide rummage sale. The Lions Club would like to thank the community for their continued support of our fundraising efforts and to thank Lee Mylener and Tony Lofaro for the opportunity to host this event at the grocery store. All the proceeds from this sale will be used to support donations and programs in our community. Pictured are (top) Tom Gryzwa, Brian Thielen, Jim Tress, Dale Lange, Dale Edlbeck (middle) Carl Gillicksen, Dan Peterson, Larry Van Hoof, Lynn Van Hoof. (bottom) Riki Rysewyk, Rhonda McClain, Dennis Rysewyk. Participating but not pictured were Paul McClain and Lee Mylener
GDISTRICTOVERNOR
STURGEON BAY LIONS CLUB –
Hello once again MD27B2, Here we are one month into my Governorship and we are in for a great time together. I recently visited a couple of Clubs and a Zone meeting and I was very impressed with the work and the accomplishments that these Clubs have achieved. International President Brian Sheehan’s theme is “We Serve” and his message to Lions world wide is “Together We Can”. So, as your Club starts to meet and/or continues to meet, let’s hit the ground running and “Roaring” to go. (I know, that is a little corny.) President Brian’s theme and message are spot on. “Together We Can” accomplish great things for our communities and our clubs. What do we do best? “We Serve.” If we come together as one and work together as one, we can and we will accomplish great things and we can and we will provide great service for our communities and those that need a little help along the way. Please continue to report your service projects and activities, recruit new members, and most of all HAVE FUN. I would also like to remind you that our District Conference is on November 4th and 5th at the Tundra Lodge in Green Bay. I would love to see all of you there. Look for the registration information in this edition of The Wisconsin Lion or go to our District’s website to learn more. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. We are in need of Zone Chairs for the following areas. Region 1: Zone 1, Region 2: Zone 1, and Region 3: Zone 3. If you are in one of these zones and would like to be Zone Chair, please let me know. I have several club visits, conventions, and meetings coming up, but I still have plenty of room on my calendar to visit your club or zone meetings. Please get in touch with me and let’s plan a visit.
Vision screenings were conducted at all the schools in Door County throughout the spring. 2,007 students were screened and 129 were referred for more extensive eye exams. Pictured are Lions Jim Karwowski, Theresa Fett, Stewart Fett, Jim Paterson, Don Ziegelbauer and Steve Heinz
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 17 EDITOR: Stephanie Schlag | 27b2pr@gmail.com | 920-217-8554
INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER WINNERS: Congratulations to Reyna Romo and Madai Lopez, winners of the Peace Prize Contest. Reyna’s poster won first place locally, first at district and 3rd at state. Pictured are Lion Pauline Schiferl, Reyna Romo, Mother Penny Gumz, and DG Linda Carter. Not pictured: Winner Madai Lopez.
18 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-C1 NEWS e-district.org/sites/27c1
The annual district convention will be held October 7-8, at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. This year it’s all about “Come Together…We Serve”. The convention committee has been working hard on all the details. Experience the whole event by signing up for the convention experience which will save you money. Friday afternoon, from 3-5pm, come and get certified to use the eyesight cameras. We will also be holding a forum for those who want to become a club officer at the same time. Registration starts at 4:30pm on Friday. Dinner is at 5:30pm. Friday night is our all-time famous auction. Come on down and help the Lions Camp. Saturday seminars include our very own Lions Camp Director, Andrea Yenter, Marshfield Hospital about childhood cancer, and the Wisconsin Eye Bank. Raffles and raffle baskets will be sold in the afternoon. Saturday night features John Maxwell as the keynote speaker. The convention is a perfect time to see old friends and make new ones. Hope to see you there! The registration form is below. You can also get it online at our district website.
MARSHFIELD LIONS CLUB –
ROCHE A CRI LIONS CLUB Lion Curt Page, CarlsonNancy , Lion AnsersonLenny and(top)Lion Lonny Lecy (bottom) at the Car Show.
The annual children’s fishing contest at the upper pond in Wildwood Park took place June 4th in conjunction with Marshfield’s Dairyfest. Over 300 children attended throughout the day, with donations of prizes and money received from many area merchants allowing for each child to receive a prize. This is not a fundraiser, but a community service project.
DISTRICT 27-C1 CONVENTION Holiday Inn Stevens Point - Convention Center 1001 Amber Ave Stevens Point, WI 54482 Friday-Saturday, October 7 & 8, 2022 REGISTRATION FORM Return by Friday September 30, 2022 to: Paula Ruesch, 231198 Pickard Ave, Abbotsford, WI 54405 Registration fees and meal fees must accompany this form. NO MEAL Tickets will be sold after Friday September 30, 2022 (Registration on-site will be available for Auction, Meetings and Seminars only!) Club Name: We Serve Contact Person Contact Phone CLUBS, REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR CLUB BANNER TO BE DISPLAYED DURING THE CONVENTION! * SAVE MONEY AND SIGN UP FOR THE CONVENTION EXPERIENCE Make check payable to: Lions District 27-C1 King or Double Rooms: $115.99 for one night plus tax. Suites: $145.99 for one night plus tax. Hospitality Suite: $165.99 for one night plus tax. Block of rooms reserved until September 6, 2022 Contact Holiday Inn Stevens Point - Convention Center 715-344-0200 * * * * > > > > > > > > > > > > Convention*Experience3allIncludes$7SaveMeals.Baked FreshCaesarHaddock,Salad,Vegetables,RoastedPotatoesChicken Cordon Bleu, RoastedSalad,CaesarFreshVegetables,Potatoes Soup CheeseSandwichandBuffet:Soup,VegTray,Turkey&Ham,andmore Little Italy Buffet: Lasagna, Penne & Bowtie Pasta Alfredo, Marinara & Sauces,Bolognesebreadsticksandcasalingasalad
GDISTRICTOVERNOR
WISCONSIN RAPIDS LIONESS/LIONS – The club conducted 50/50 raffle drawings at three Rafter’s Baseball Games June 25th, July 1st, and August 5th. Six Lionesses present and 4 hours of hard work selling and tearing tickets at each game. The last game was shared with Assumption High School Soccer girls. They were a big help by doing the stairs at the ballpark. A total of $2,027 was raised to give back to the community!
WISCONSIN RAPIDS LIONESS/ LIONS – So many firetrucks, dump trucks, graders, Army trucks, and even the Spirit helicopter plus many more at Touch a Truck, the Family Center Fundraiser on Saturday, July 30th. Raffle baskets for kids, games, lots of good food plus 102 kids vision screened and 6 referrals. Miss Wisconsin Rapids even learned about our camera and the benefits to catching eye disorders in young children early! Patty Hollis
715-460-4831lionphilhollis@gmail.comMyfirstmonthasDistrictGovernor
STEVENS POINT NOON LIONS
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EDGAR LIONS CLUB – A huge tent was set up for carnival concessions at the Fireman’s Festival and parade. Pictured are (back) Mark Bart Lehman Heindl (Front) by Mark LIONS CLUB –
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has gone by so fast. I can tell you that I have had so much fun going to club’s fundraisers. I started the month with the Stevens Point Noon Lions at the Iola car show. I got my first taste of Lion’s Toes, made by the Lake DuBay Lions Club. I also got to serve nachos, brats, and hot dogs at their Summerfest. After enjoying my time with them, it was time to head on to Roche-A-Cri, where I helped them serve some good old pancakes, then I helped with their walking tacos at their annual car show. My last stop in July was Almond Tator Toot, where I served a lot of chicken dinners and then voted on the best float in the parade. What fun this all was. My next stop will be to help Plover Whiting with their August Concert in the Park. There will also be Hustle S’mores at the Camp. I hope to meet more Lions at your service projects and fundraisers. Please contact me with dates. As the year goes on, I would like to help all clubs start on the path to get the club excellence award. This award is something most clubs will have no problem getting. The award requires clubs to maintain or add members, have officers or members go to training either virtually or in person, donate to LCIF, and to record three service projects, one must be a new one. The district cabinet is going to help each club with achieving this. I will be getting this information out to your club’s officers.Onearea that our district is doing excellent at is membership. The month of July brought in 9 new members!! Welcome to those new members. We also are doing good at reporting. 67% up from 17% last year this time. Way to go, Lions!!! I am hoping to see all of you at the convention this year. It will be the 7th and the 8th of October at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. We have some exciting things going on, as you can see from the article that was written. I personally want to invite all of you as this is a good time to meet other Lions. Clubs are already scheduling me to visit them. I am so excited to go and meet fellow Lions and get some ideas that they have about running the district. Please call me to set up a date to come meet your club. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns or ideas.
ROSHOLT LIONS CLUB – Taking a break from their Highway Cleanup service project to pose for a picture along Highway 66 in Rosholt on May 21st. Pictured are Lions Bob Stoltz, Andrea Yenter, Phil Stewart, Evett Hartvig, Chris Martin and Craig Anderson
WISCONSIN RAPIDS LIONESS/ LIONS CLUB – Six cash prizes equaling $1,000 were awarded at The Berry Fest Raffle for Cranberry Blossom Festival. $3,516 in profit and $25 was donated back to club to give back to the community.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 19 EDITOR:
Jim Steinke, Kay Lehman, Mike Boehm, Greg Kornack, Tammy Kornack, Dan Rosien, Brian Bargender, Deb Steinke. Photo
Lacke MAINE
Participants in their Food Drive: Dan Krueger Mike Beth Bartelt Julie Bergs, and Mark Bergs.
FROM THE 27-C1 DISTRICT GOVERNOR PHILLIP HOLLIS
, Rich Nowak, Bill
| c1lionnews@gmail.com | 715-460-4832
McLaughlin,
Skrzypcak,
Pictured at the Iola Car Show are Lion Taylor McCarthy, DG Phil Hollis, and Lion Brian Kozlowski
IRON RIVER LIONS CLUB – Community members enjoyed the rides, concessions, vendors, contests, fireworks, and bands at Blueberry Festival July 23-24 at Moon Lake Park in Iron River. Pictured are Lions Peggy Hipsher, Jessica Kottor, Rick Nelson, Shelly Olson, and Jaydee Beede.
BOULDER JUNCTION LIONS CLUB –presented a $1,000 donation to Camp Manitowish YMCA to help support camperships for future campers. Like scholarships provide assistance for college, camperships provide financial assistance for a Manito-wish experience. The Lions Club donation ensures that as many young people as possible benefit from the camp experience. Camp Manitowish’s Mission is to enrich the character and leadership development of each person who has a Manito-wish experience, by challenging them to grow in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, and in favor with one another. The Manito-wish experience develops confident, responsible and enlightened leaders who will improve the world in which they live. Camp Manito-wish YMCA strives to create an inclusive environment by upholding human dignity, valuing diversity, and acknowledging unique experiences. Camp Manito-wish YMCA has been helping youth build character, embrace traditional values and cultivate leadership skills since 1919. Pictured are Pat Soldan, Camp Manito-wish Chief Executive Officer; Wendi Neupert, Lions Club President; and Theresa Smith, Camp Manito-wish Director of Marketing & Recruitment.
BOULDER JUNCTION LIONS CLUB – A $500 donation was presented to the Camp Jorn YMCA Child Care and Summer Day Camp Programs and a $500 donation to Camp Jorn YMCA Resident Camp for camperships. The Camp offers a full-day, year-round quality child care program using a play-based curriculum which allows each child to grow at their own pace in the areas of social, emotional, physical and academic development – from sports to crafts, swimming to nature. Pictured (top) are students Elizabeth Nelsen and Archie Davis; childcare teacher Kristen Kumpula; and Boulder Junction Lions Club President, Wendi Neupert. Bottom photo are campers and Lions Club President; Wendi Neupert
THREE LAKES LIONS CLUB – Lion and PDG Collette Sorgel was the marshal for this year’s 4th of July parade. Lion Sorgel rode in a 1965 white Ford Mustang Convertible alongside her husband and partner in service, Dave. Lion Dave Hintz was driving the convertible.
WASHBURN LIONS CLUB – The Club sponsored a refreshment station during the Washburn Chamber of Commerce Superior View Bike Race in late June. They served participants riding the 50, 75 and 100 mile races at the station near Ino. Riders were happy to take a break for water, sandwiches, cookies and bananas as they toured the countryside on bikes. Pictured are Washburn Lions Theresa Seppa and Tuttie Wiatr.
THREE LAKES LIONS CLUB – Four members recently went on a tour of the Wisconsin Lions Camp. They saw the new high and low ropes installed and the renovated totem pole. First Vice District Governor, Don Meeder and his partner in service, Joan donated hundreds of collected eyeglasses, hearing aids and printer cartridges.
20 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-C2 NEWS e-district.org/sites/27c2
PARK FALLS LIONS CLUB – After three-plus years of planning, fundraising, and preparation, the Club celebrated the grand opening of the Park Falls Lions Bark Park located at the Tuscobia Trailhead Park in Park Falls on June 26th. The park was full of happy dogs and their owners. Events of the day included music from local artists, a pig roast, a pie auction, a basket raffle, and a meet and greet with dogs from Catkins Animal Rescue. Funds were raised for both the local club and for purchasing a bench for the dog park.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
715-892-2366bobbertch22@gmail.comHelloLionsfromDistrict27-C2,
My focus this year will be the same as Past District Governor, Judy Hatz - membership growth, leadership training and reporting. Together we will develop a plan for this year to make our district even better. I am always open to new ideas to help us grow. Contact me anytime. DG 715-892-2366bobbertch22@gmail.comBob
MELLEN LIONS CLUB – July was a busy month with the 4th of July activities which included a food stand at the park and their first parade float in several years. Pictured are Ava JokeninMaijah Mattonen, and Mellen Lion Kerrie Molter
it is my honor to start another year with you as your District Governor. We have a healthy and vibrant district and together will make it even better this year. Along with the other Governors of our state, I was invited to the International Convention in Montreal which was an unbelievable event. My wife Laura and I enjoyed the convention and came away with a new outlook on the great things Lions can do in our world. The presentations on LCIF and the great things our foundation is doing are outstanding - from Tornado Grants in Kentucky to relief funds for Ukraine. We were able to reach our goal on Campaign 100 and do it with style. As you remember, our goal was $300 million. Our total as of June 30 was $324,687,263. Great job by all who contributed to LCIF. More good news, Lion Brian Sheehan from Bird Island, Minnesota was elected to be our new International President who will lead our organization with energy and fun. His motto is TOGETHER WE CAN. And more good news, Lion Lee Vrieze was elected to be our new International Director from Wisconsin. It was a great day for the state and for Lion Lee. The 2024 increase in dues did pass at the convention so our International Dues will go up by $3 in 2024, $2 in 2025, and $2 in 2026 for a total of $7.00 over the three years. This will keep us below most other non-profit organizations and allow LCI to operate.
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| 715-892-0761
. South Shore 71st Annual Fall Festival Sunday, September 4 Manitowish Waters Fall Raffle Sunday, September 4 Jump River Truck and Tractor Pull Sunday, September 4 Eagle River Sausage Fest Sunday, September 4 Merrill Labor Day Car Show Monday, September 5 Iron River Annual Marie Larson 9-Hole Golf Fundraiser Saturday, September 10 Gleason Area Tractor/Truck Pull Saturday, September 10 Three Lakes 70th Anniversary Celebration Monday, September 12 Cable & Area Consumer Fraud & Identity Theft Presentation Tuesday, September 13 Boulder Junction Colorama Dinner Saturday, September 17 Cable & Area Shred Fest Mobile Document Shredding Event Saturday, September 24 South Shore Lions Chicken Feed Drive Through Saturday, October 1
In August, Club President, Chuck McCrory and Past President, Ron Behm, presented Molly Dallman with a scholarship fund. Pictured are Past President, Ron Behm; scholarship recipient, Molly Dallman; and Club President, Chuck McCrory. 2022 WisconsinLion
FROM THE 27-C2 DISTRICT GOVERNOR BOB BERTCH
MERCER LIONS CLUB – Past President, June Brunell presented a commemorative plaque and lapel pin for the Melvin Jones Award acknowledging Lion Bob Downing for his dedication to the foundation’s humanitarian goals. The Mercer Lions Club honored Bob with a $1,000 donation to the Lions Club International. Bob has been a Lions member for 37 years and chairs the club’s largest fundraiser - the Duck Race held annually at Rugger’s Landing on the Saturday following Loon Day. Pictured are Mike Burgess, President; Bob Downing, Melvin Jones Recipient; and June Brunell, Past President.
EDITOR: Cherie Sanderson | sanderson.cherie@gmail.com
GLEASON AREA LIONS CLUB –
SOUTH SHORES LIONS CLUB Over $3,000 was raised at their annual fishing contest held on June 18-19 at the Port Wing Marina. The first place winner of the fishing contest was Gary Peterson with a 8 lb. 12 oz. Lake Trout. The mystery weight winner was Jenz Gregerson with a 6 lb. 8 oz. Lake Trout. Pictured are Mystery Weight Winner, Jenz Gregerson, and Monty Pierce.
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New Glarus Lions Club Charity Golf Outing Monday, September 12th The Edelweiss Country Club • Shotgun start at 11am. • Cost is $100 per golfer. Sun Prairie Lions Club Clutch’s Raffle Fundraiser Saturday, September 17th
EDGERTON LIONS CLUB –Members worked at Tobacco Heritage Days in July. Pictured is Lion Katie Romack who participated in the parade.
LIONS CLUB – It was Christmas in July this year as part of a fundraiser for the Salvation Army. Member Darlene Noggle rang the bell.
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DODGEVILLE LIONS CLUB –
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AVOCA-BLUE RIVER-MUSCODA LIONS CLUB – Donations were passed out to many community projects and individuals, including local EMT units.
LIONSBOSCOBELCLUB Lion Andy Nahas helped to vision screen children at a Special Olympics Lions Waukesha.wasThisOpeningprogramInternationalClubcalledEyes.eventheldin
The Lions Clubhouse event starts at 2:30pm. $50 per ticket, which allows two people to attend the event with free food and drink. Many cash prizes plus raffles. Lions Club 75th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, September 17th St. Matthews Gym Social hour starts at 6pm. Dinner starts at 6:30pm.
LIONS CLUB – School supplies were collected as part of their Stuff the Bus campaign. Pictured are Lions Lee and Ruth Rupnow
The club celebrated their 50th anniversary in May. Three Charter members are still active in the club: Lions Mike Reilly, Bob McNeill, and Jerry Whitford LANCASTER
MADISON MONONA LIONESS
22 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-D1 NEWS lions27d1.org
Year has started and we are planning this year for service to our communities. This service will test and excite us as Lions. Please use your skills and ability to think outside the box. Develop new projects and services for the communities you serve. Please remember that we are all volunteers. Please use acts of kindness at all Thetimes.firstCabinet meeting was held and had a great turnout. The meeting missed some committee reports. If you need help with your committees, please contact me. Officer training and zone chairman training has been completed. If you need information please contact any one of the Exec team leaders. The leaders have access to all members in the District. Zone chairmen will be starting their meetings on August 1. I hope the leaders or some representative of your club will attend. The zone meeting is a place to learn what is happening in their area and share their clubs service to their communities. District Leaders will be there to answer questions and share information. The Global Membership Approach (GMA) will be presented at these meetings. I encourage all clubs to get in involved with this program. There are a number of clubs who need the help this provides to you. Recycling leaders will not grow your clubs. There will be changes in the dues we pay next year, 2023-2024. This will be presented at the zone meetings. Please make this an adjustment in your budget during the year. One challenge next year will be to replace leaders in our District at some key positions. Those being GLT, GMT, and a number of zone chairs and committee members. Please think about how to get involved in the District as a leader. Life is a gift and the three C’s are: Choice, Chance and Change. We are all making choices. Those Choices give us the Chances that come to us and with that comes Changes in our Lives!
EDITOR: Bill Clausius | 608-698-1683
FROM THE 27-D1 DISTRICT GOVERNOR ALAN JOHNSON
WisconsinLion
MOUNT HOREB LIONS CLUB – The Summer Frolic event was held at Mt. Horeb park in June. Lions ran the bingo tent.
pr@lions27d1.org |
GDISTRICTOVERNOR
PORTAGE LIONS CLUB – Portage students were sponsored by the club with an entry fee per student to attend welding classes at the Portage Madison Technical College. Pictured is one of the student groups.
608-513-4984aj542012@gmail.comHello27D1Lions!TheNew
SUN PRAIRIE LIONS CLUB – The annual golf outing was held at the Sun Prairie Golf Course. The event saw a large number of golfers, 127, to make a successful outing.
DE FOREST WINDSOR LIONS CLUB – A new Board of Directors was recently sworn in at a recent meeting. / OCTOBER 2022 23
SEPTEMBER
SENECA LIONS CLUB – Club members were recognized June 8th for their dedication and service to the Seneca Lions Club. Pictured are Bob Chambers, Michael Boland, Don Hoelker, and Mark Kramer. Not pictured is James Greene.
The Saint Joseph Ridge Lions Club congratulates Ava and Lauren on their accomplishments and achievements, and wish them much success in their future. We hope Ava and Lauren will continue to be community service oriented and live up to the Lions Club Motto “WE SERVE”.
Ava is a senior at Central High School and will be attending UW Eau Claire to pursue a degree in nursing. Saint Joseph Ridge Lion, Joe Shikonya, presented Ava with a certificate for a $500 scholarship during the Central High School Senior Scholarship Night program. Ava has volunteered for the Salvation Army as a bell ringer, and helped in the Salvation Army Thrift Store. In addition, she has given her time to work with the Outdoor Recreation Alliance to set up and maintain trails in the La Crosse area. She has also volunteered at Steppin’ Out in Pink, a local cancer event.
Pictured are Baraboo Lion Treasurer Norm Brickl and President Clint Brickl displaying the amazing quilt for raffle within the Baraboo Lions group. Please see our website for ticket inquires.
Each year the Saint Joseph Ridge Lions Club selects outstanding students from the Coulee Region and awards them a $500 scholarship. In addition to career and personal goals, applicants submit a written essay listing school, community, and volunteer activities. The winners are chosen by the Lions Club Scholarship Committee from submitted applications. This year the Saint Joseph Ridge Lions Club presented two scholarships to area students. Both of the recipients logged hundreds of volunteer hours, even during the pandemic. One of the awards went to La Crosse Central High School student, Ava Blegen.
BARABOO LIONS CLUB –
Ava Blegen Central High School Lauren Kadrmas Bangor High School
Saint ScholarshipRidgeJosephLionsClubWinners
THE BARABOO LIONS CLUB –The 2nd annual Rummage Sale at the Sauk County Fairgrounds was held in May. Pictured are Lions Duane Hegna and Paul Negast helping customers during the successful event.
Lauren Kadrmas , a student at Bangor High School, was also selected as a scholarship recipient. Lauren is a senior at Bangor High School and will be attending the University of Minnesota at the Rochester campus which is connected to Mayo. Lauren is pursuing a degree in nursing. Saint Joseph Ridge Lion, Rod Kadrmas, had the honor of presenting his granddaughter a certificate for a $500 scholarship during the Bangor High School Senior Scholarship Night program. Lauren’s community service activities include placing US flags on local cemeteries to commemorate Veteran’s Day, and spending time at local nursing homes helping with fall raking and visiting residents. She has also been a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. In addition, Lauren volunteers to sing the National Anthem at her school football, basketball and volleyball games.
DE SOTO LIONS CLUB – A check for $600 was presented to the De Soto Library to help pay for some upgrades.
STODDARD LIONS CLUB – The Club, along with the Vernon Area Rehabilitation Center (VARC), purchased and installed six new signs at the local Old Settlers Overlook. The park (located on HWY 35) is 500 feet above the Mississippi and allows viewers the ability to see three states (Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) as well as the Mississippi River. The Stoddard Lions have been instrumental in reviving the largely abandoned overlook and is now featured as a primary stop on the "Great River Road Wisconsin" travel guide.
24 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-D2 NEWS md27d2.org
in Rosholt. 7th Annual Fore Alarm Scramble Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at Fox Hollow Golf Course • Barre Co-ed Lions Club / St. Joseph Ridge Lions Club Shelby Fire Department / West Salem Fire Department • Registration Begins at 8:00am with a Shotgun Start at 9:00am • $100 per Person ($400 Team) Includes: 18 Holes, Cart, Bucket Raffle, Par 3 50/50’s, Hole Events, Prizes/Payouts, Hot Dogs During Golf & Meal Following Golf! • Sponsorship Opportunities: $100 Birdie / $250 Eagle / $600 Golf Also Looking For Prizes (Big or Small) • Sign Up Today by emailing BarreCoedLions@gmail.com or calling Jason Kneifl at 608-792-6817 • Mail Payments and/or Forms to: Nick’s Bar: W4000 County Road M, West Salem, WI 54669 / 608-786-1696 (Make checks payable to Barre Co-ed Lions Club. Forms also Available at Bar) SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 25 EDITOR: Loretta Ewelt | WILions27D2News@gmail.com | 608-269-3062
Visiting WisconsintheLions Camp in Rosholt
Seven members of the Sauk Prairie Lions Club toured the Wisconsin Lions Camp outside of Rosholt on July 27. The camp sits on 440 acres and includes a 45-acre lake. It is funded by all the Lions Clubs in Wisconsin in addition to private and corporate donations. The Wisconsin Lions Camp is dedicated to providing quality camp experiences for Wisconsin youth and adults with disabilities. It serves nearly 1,300 special campers a year with vision, hearing, mild cognitive disabilities and Type 1 & 2 diabetes at no cost to the campers. Each week is dedicated to a special need and serves both children and adults. The goals of Lions Camp are to assist each person in the development of self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness. Most importantly, the goal is for the campers to have a fun, safe, and memorable experience. The camp is professionally staffed and includes a health center, dining hall, cabins and numerous outdoor activities. For more information visit wisconsinlionscamp.com
Do you have a club brochure?
Hello Lions of 27-D2, What I want to talk about is the club brochure.
As I was searching for the template for it, my first thought was how will the clubs know where to look to find this? So I took the time to write down the steps on how you can download and use this. Log into MyLion, scroll down to “Contact us” and click on it. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page again and click on “Logos”. After that click on the magnifying glass to your right and a search bar will come up. Type in “Club Brochure Template” and different options will pop out at you. The one you want is a tri-fold template. Now that we have found our template; what information goes into it? Your front page should contain your Lions Club name, our Lions Logo, and a catchy phrase or sentence to get your readers attention. Moving on, you will want to talk about your club history. As well as making a statement about all the community work/projects that would have helped neighbors, friends, and family. Other information you need is a list of all your Service Projects to proudly show off to your community. You will want a list of where your money goes whether it is local, state, or to Lions International, but when you write it, put your local donations first, so all your potential new members see this right away and it inspires them to help an organization that gives back to their community first.
FROM THE 27-D2 DISTRICT GOVERNOR TOM KNUDTSON 608-792-5700tknudt12@gmail.com
You can make a section about our eyeglass recycling, where they can donate their glasses and what it goes for, maybe throw something in there about Lions Camp and the kids that attend totally free of charge because of the Lions. If the club has ideas on future projects, add them as well, you never know when future members may jump right on board with your new ideas. If you have a big town doings, use a page or two to list all of the activities going on. Do you have a website? This should also be included, as well as contact information from a few of your club members.Nowthat we have set up your pamphlet, print off a bunch of copies, keep some at your local bank, Post Office, Town Hall, gas station, anywhere you feel will jump out to your community.
GDISTRICTOVERNOR
Good luck on picking up new Lions Members.
The Sauk Prairie Lions are committed to helping others and live their motto “WE SERVE”. This year is the Lions International Organization’s 105th year anniversary. For 105 years, Lions have served their communities with dedication and contributed to the development and well-being of millions of people locally, state wide and around the world. You can check out the Sauk Prairie Lions Club meeting every third Wednesday of the month. All are welcome! For time and place, or if you want more information or have questions, please call Nancy Passehl at 608- 643-3008. Wisconsin Lions Camp
Lew Dillon, Sue Hager, Linda Linte, Marcia Thompson, Nancy Passehl, Butch Passehl and Jerry Fiene visit the
CHETEK LIONS CLUB – During the spring and summer, the club installed a new life jacket station at Brown’s landing north of Chetek and new benches around town. They also worked on updating pavilions at the beach and airport parks. The pavilions on Second Street, at the beach and at the airport have all had remodeling and painting done. Spending many hours painting the pavilions were Ken LaFaive, Mike Kelly, Del Wacker, Roger Peterson, Mark Carpentier, Larry Grey, and Steve MacRae. Park benches have been added to the Center and airport park. The benches were acquired by collecting plastic from schools, KJ Market Kids.andjudging,partyFest,planned,projectswiththistheircontinueTheofinThebuiltsecondusedlanding.theJacketandLionsyearsindividuals.andTwoagotheChetekconstructedfilledaLifeStationatChetekboatIthasbeenextensivelysoastationwasthisspring.DNRassistedtheplacementthestation.LionswilltoservecommunityschoolyearthefollowingbeingHarvestHalloweenandcostumeRifleRaffleChristmasfor
SPOONER-TREGO LIONS CLUB – At the three day Spooner Rodeo, the club provided and prepared bison burgers for community members. Pictured left are Lions Mike Murley and Bob Rand cooking the bison burgers. The club also worked on the summer roadside cleanup project. Pictured right are John Buchman, Sue Richter, John Richter, Bob Rand, Marie Schuettpelz, Jennifer Corbin and Scott Corbin.
Mike Kelly, Steve MacRae, Mark Carpentier, and Ken LaFaive install the life jacket station at Brown’s Landing
JIM FALLS LIONS CLUB – What a great night at the first ever Catfishing Tournament! They had 59 total fishermen and women. Thanks to all that came and participated! The first place channel cat weighed 11.38 pounds, the first place flat head weighed 8.13 pounds. The catfish contest helped the club raise $1,353 to be used for Lions projects in the Jim Falls area. Thanks to Mallard Resort, Captain Ron’s, Coors Light, Outta Time Sport Fishing, Randy’s Jim Town Inn, & all volunteers! Pictured are some of the participants in the contest.
Lion Mike Kelly prepares paint for the Chetek airport pavilion remodel project.
Lion Ken LaFaive puts finishing touches on the Chetek pavilion remodelLionsproject.
BRULE RIVER LIONS CLUB –DG Brian Dulmes recently visited the club and installed their officers for the year. Brian and Barb learned about the club Military Tribute to veterans in addition to the many other activities the club has been involved with including the 61st BBQ chicken dinner held on August 14th. Pictured are DG Brian Dulmes and Paul Helbach in front of the Military tribute. DG Brian welcomes the Brule River officers for 2022-23, (l to r) Gary Aho, Ron Gaare, Paul Helbach, Alice Sand, Gary Peterson, and Dr. John Schrock
LAKE WISSOTA LIONS CLUB –Kerrie Smithberg and Patricia Prescher welcome blood donors to the blood drive that was recently held at the Layfette Town Hall. The next blood bank to be held by the club will be September 29th. Make sure you sign up to donate blood by visiting the Red Cross Blood site.
LAKE HOLCOMBE LIONS CLUB – Pancakes, sausages, eggs, juice and more were served at the Lake Holcombe Lions annual Father’s Day Breakfast. Serving the blueberry pancakes and the pecan pancakes were Rhonda Mataczynski and Aron Cote
26 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-E1 NEWS district27e1.org
GDISTRICTOVERNOR
EDITOR: Barb Dulmes | barb.dulmes@gmail.com
| 715-289-5280 or 715-829-4090
715-829-1454bldulmes@gmail.comWiththestartofSeptember,
CADOTT LIONS CLUB – Amazing work by our friends who are part of a program that collects plastic bags for recycling. For every 500 pounds of plastic bags they collect, they receive a bench like this one that they donated to Restoring Hope Transplant House. This will be a wonderful addition to the house! Pictured are Dennis Kaiser, Lion Kris Geissler, Kim Kaiser, and Lion Brian Geissler assembling the bench.
FROM THE 27-E1 DISTRICT GOVERNOR BRIAN DULMES
LIONS CLUB – There is probably nothing more devastating for parents than hearing that “your child has cancer”. Fortunately, research and treatment protocols have boosted cure rates for children to nearly 80%. However, for any child with a cancer diagnosis, being able to receive the best treatment and support close to home can be as important as the treatment protocol itself. Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin are truly fortunate to have a comprehensive children’s cancer center right in our area, and recently the club voted to donate to that organization. Lions Sandy Heifner and Barb Oswskey volunteered to get out and shop for the kids and purchased $500 worth of books, puzzles, toys, games, stuffed animals, and more. They then delivered all the items to Essentia Health’s Erick Peter Person Children’s Cancer Center where everything was gratefully received.
we are nearing the end of summer and the beginning of the school year and fall. It is a good time to look back on what we accomplished during the summer with its service projects, fundraisers, and fun activities. Hopefully you and your club had some of all of these aspects. One of the opportunities I had this summer was to go and visit the Lions Youth Exchange Camp and meet 9 youth from 6 countries. These youth told us about their experiences here in the US, but also told us about their native countries. All 9 of them were having a great experience. This program is one that every district should have several youth participating in. As adults we can host exchange students for several weeks throughout the summer and get to learn about other countries and cultures. To find out more about this opportunity, you can contact me, PDG Chuck Aubart or Lion Doreen Mrotek. Another thing that Barb and I have been able to do is start visiting clubs. This is a great experience for us as we learn about your club and what an asset you are to your community. If you haven’t contacted me to set up your club visit, please do so soon so you get the date you want. We look forward to meeting all of you. As the school year starts it is a good time to set up vision screening at your local schools. The statistics show that when we screen students we usually have about a 10% referral rate. To be able to see clearly is so important in the learning process and the sooner it is caught the better it is for the student. The vision screening does not have to be limited to schools. We can screen at day care centers and catch some problems that can be corrected at that earlier age. Sometimes, if the screening waits until the child is 5 or 6 years old, it is too late to correct the problem. If your local school does not utilize the Lions screening process, check with the school nurse and let her know what a great job we do. As Helen Keller challenged us to be her Knight of Sight, let us do our best to help everyone see clearly. As the war in Ukraine continues, we are very thankful for the collaborative work that Lions Clubs in that area of the world are doing everything they can to help those in need. They are getting humanitarian help to as many in Ukraine as they can. Also clubs in neighboring countries are taking in refugees and helping them in this very disturbing time in their life. The humanitarian effort of LCIF has been beneficial to many people there. We can each help a little by contributing to LCIF. Whether it is helping with some of the things mentioned here or in other things that your club partakes in, remember that whenever we get people involved or we help them, we are “Sowing Seeds of Volunteerism.”PicturedisDG Brian Dulmes learning some Polish from one of the exchange students.
Lions Sandy Heifner and Barb Oswskey, JoHannah Orman, child life specialist.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 27
PATTISON PARK AREA
Welcome to Cinder City Days Dance floor going strong.
PDG Ronda Bierbrauer and Lion KlinkhammerLaurievisit.
28 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 27-E2 NEWS md27e2.org
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Randy Romanski, DATCP secretary, said the grants are set up to improve long-term viability in the livestock industry. “Wisconsin’s agriculture industry isn’t just core to who we are as a state but to our statewide economy, with meat processors playing a critical role,” Evers said.
And the Winner is…
ALTOONA LIONS CLUB –Beautiful weather, starry night, food, rides, great music, and dancing for Cinder City Days. PID Connie LeCleir-Meyer getting her groove on.
This year’s District Peace Poster winner comes to us from the Elk Mound Area Lions Club. 13-year-old Sabine Lucas did a wonderful job illustrating her interpretation of, “Peace through Service.” Join us next year as Lions across the world spread the message of peace through the eyes of our children. Order your Peace Poster kits NOW! The motto for 2022-2023 is, “Lead with Compassion.”
COLLECTOR’S CORNER Every Pin has a Story … Pin Series do too!
The time has come for one of the Plum City Lions members to feel that same huge impact of giving from a source most never think about, The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). They announced five meat processors who would receive grants in 2022 and Plum City’s JM Watkin’s owned by Lion Member Brandon Clare was one. Receiving one of the highest grants for $50,000 to construct a new building and purchase a new smoker.
Brandon Clare, Governor Evers, Jordan Clare, and Erin Clare.
In 1993, the District 27-E2 license plate pin made its first appearance and has remained as our District pin design for over thirty years! With few exceptions, every license plate pin is based on a real license plate from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. As you look through the pin series, you should recognize many of the license plate designs from your own driving experience and “time on the road” (where we naturally notice license plates in traffic and/or as we travel on the highways). America’s Dairyland, Collector, Veteran, Sesquicentennial, Firefighter, Endangered Resources, University plates, State Patrol, Green Bay Packers, Donate Life, Lions Foundation and Childhood Cancer – all familiar license plates. And most would agree, license plates are fun! We have used variations of our organization’s moto “We Serve” along with other clever language to emphasize the spirit of particular pins. Examples include CELEBR8!, TEAMWORK, LIVE2SERV and TEAM (all District Governor slogans), WESALUTU! (our Veterans) and HOORAY! (celebrating kids at Lions Camp). We have also celebrated LCI milestones by including related graphics on various pins (i.e., Women in Lions, LCIF’s 50th, Campaign 100 and Wisconsin Lions’ 100th). This year’s E2 pin is Nurses Change Lives, as DG Marica Hagen was a nurse practitioner. Much of E2’s pin series story is known, but there is one pin that remains a mystery. The arrowhead pin pictured at the start of the series is thought to be a prototype. If anyone has any additional insight or background regarding this pin, please contact me at reidmeyer69@gmail.com. Happy Collecting!
Plum City Lions may be a small town, but the impact the Lions Club has on its community is huge. This club offers financial help to community members who are ill or having hardship with a card with words of sympathy or concern. And they do this every month if needed.
The funding available for this year was a total of $200,000 with a maximum of $50,000 allowed for each project. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process and are required to provide a match of 100% of the grant amount. DATCP received 100 applications with more than $4.4 million in grant requests.
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Governor Tony Evers Visits Plum City
a “Dist. 27-E2” dangle, and the second came in 1984-85, depicting Holstein cows and is the only E2 pin to include the Lioness emblem along with the Lion emblem (which appears on every E2 pin). The first two pins of the 1990’s continue with the shape of the State of Wisconsin and emphasize our District boundary with visual callouts, and the third pin is a patriotic pin of the US Flag with Lions overlay. Up until this point, some nice, visually appealing pins but no distinct pattern – that was about to change!
BY LION REID MEYER, ELLSWORTH LIONS CLUB
Roberts Lions Club is truly ‘A Good ModelNeighbor.”TFordcelebrates
FROM THE 27-E2 DISTRICT GOVERNOR MARCIA HAGEN
Our district pin says “We Serve” and “Nurses Change Lives” It has been an honor to spend my career in nursing. I retired as a Nurse Practitioner earlier this year. I believe serving is what changes lives, and I am also honored to serve with you as a Lion and your District Governor.
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The Dam Days Celebration will begin on September 16th and end on the 18th with a Grand Parade. This year marks the 80th year since the big flood in 1942 when the whole town was flooded. Because of this natural event the Corp of Engineers built a large earthen dam at the end of the valley to control the water that flows down the Eau Galle River. Spring Valley then became the location of Midwest’s Largest Earthen Dam. Spring Valley Lions members have been involved in a variety of community projects consisting of the renovation of a playground in Handy Andy Park located in Spring Valley, a handicap ramp to a dock for Lake George, located behind the dam, and supporting a variety of projects at the Spring Valley Stagehands Theatre. In addition Spring Valley Lions give a scholarship to a graduate each year and many other causes throughout the year.
EDITOR: PDG Ronda Bierbrauer | chamaca@frontiernet.net 612-636-5044
As District Governor I had a fun visit with the Eau Claire Seymour Lions club which included inducting their new officers. My plans is to visit all of the clubs in E2. I look forward to being inspired as I meet all of you and witness your ideas and projects to serve your communities as you serve and have fun.
MONDOVI LIONS CLUB –
ROBERTS LIONS CLUB –
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GDISTRICTOVERNOR
The
Lions Convention provided so many opportunities to learn and be inspired by our Lion friends from all over the world. I attended some leadership classes with some new Lion friends from Korea and the District Governor group. I have been working with friends from Australia, Philippines, USA, India, and Canada. It is so interesting and motivating to see other points of view and understand the strengths and challenges, as well as the common desire to serve.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 29
Sunday brings a wonderful Church service, a big parade, Bingo, the close of the softball tournament, and family fun with a chicken dinner, some music and more rides before going home.
Let’s consider together how we might serve in new ways. Perhaps we could have some fun at a fun run/walk, a polka party, or another active event to help your neighbors understand, prevent and manage diabetes. Check out “Lions in Motion” on MyLCI. Maybe your Lions mascot could do a little Zumba.
715-896-0421hagen.rjmk@gmail.comHelloLionfriends!TheInternational
You may consider partnering with a garden club to plant trees or pick up trash to improve our environment and communities.
Good Neighbor Days name may say it all for the little town of Roberts. However the club does nothing little.With a fourday event starting with a free Community Dinner served on Thursday evening for all to enjoy accompanied by The “Good Neighbor Day,” and “Business of The Year,” awards being given out, a pie and Ice Cream Social, and a wrist band for unlimited rides for the kids. Onto Friday with rides, tractor pull, Bingo, a scavenger hunt, chicken dinners, softball tournament, and bands. Saturday offers a Kiddie Parade, rides, softball tournament, a car show, a Demo Derby, and bands.
100 years
SPRING VALLEY LIONS CLUB –
Ryker Grupp double dips enjoying BINGO and the Ice Cream Social. Paul and Mary Quarberg, Sara Frenette, Deb and Mike Bruning, Ed Gunderson, Randy Crank, Rob Ganschow, Cindy Giese, Georgann Hageness, Barb Wright and Jeff Frenette
My District Governor pin design says “Seeing only Friends” and at our International Convention, this sentiment was apparent.
How about partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children?Thistime of year we can all think of creative ways to “Stuff the Bus” to help our kids get ready for school. You know your friends and communities best. Let me know how I can help you serve and have fun with your Lion friends. Remember when you are serving and having fun there are others who will want to join in, so have some Lions membership applications ready. The more Lions we have the more good we can do!
Recently, members of the club, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Highways, engaged in a highway beautification project along STH 10 in Buffalo County. Multiple teams of Lion members were assigned to the roadside cleanup along 4 lane-miles of STH 10 stretching east from the Pepin County line. Numerous large bags of collected trash - which included the usual cans, fast-food containers, bottles, automotive parts and the occasional indescribable discard - were staged for final pick up by the Buffalo County Highway Department’s Road Patrol.
Lion Donald Molyneux’s family received the Medal of Honor on his behalf at this year’s State Convention on May 7th. Lion Don passed away on November 3, 2021, at the age of 102. He joined the Thiensville-Mequon Lions Club (A2) in December of 1957 and would have received his 65 year membership chevron this fall. He has a lifetime of service to his community, to Lions and to our nation. This award is only given out posthumously.
LIONS FUNDENDOWMENTPRIDEDONATIONS MEMORIALS JANELL BARDON PDG Seven and Jean Groener PDG LION GLEN SPRING Jon and Laurie Thill JOYEE GILBERTSON Lion Bob & Arvilla Blunck JAMIE HUTCHINSON Stoddard Lions Club GARY BROSINSKI Stoddard Lions Club PDG MERLE STRELOW the 2011-12 Council of Governors ELAINE WROBEL Stoddard Lions Club WISCONSIN DONATIONSFOUNDATIONLIONS *Donation to Birch-Sturm Fund MEMORIALS PDG DON ASHBY PDG Walt & Eileen Althaus Marty & Mary Sosnovske CAROL AULTMAN Bucky Boland BERNIE BEIMEL Ellen GeraldCheney&Della Clabots ROBERT “BOB” BERNDT Joan Berndt & Family RUSSELL BLANK Ed & Dolores Prohaska DALE BONESS Mount Horeb Lions Club GEORGE E. BORCHARDT, SR. Jane Borchardt LEROY BUELOW Lannon-Falls Lions Club PATRICIA CHECK Butch & Berwyn Mischo HANK DEDERICK Spring Green Lions Club ARMENE DELFOSSE Stewart & Theresa Fett LINDA DOBBE American Family STEW ELLIOTT David & Tracy De Angelis Muskego Lions Club KEN ENGER Pleasantville Lions Club ROBERT “BOB” GEIGER William & Shari Buske Leslie LomiraHemauerLionsClub JOE GILLESPIE De Soto Area Lions Club PDG HAL HELWIG Stone Lake Lions Club DORI HOLZINGER The Holzinger Family MARY ANNE KLEMP Marge Jasinski MARJORIE LARSON Lake Dubay Lions Club RODNEY LINDELL Darlington Lions Club JOANN LISZEWSKI Frederick & Patrice Boehm Family Fund with the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin MICHAEL LUECK PDG Neil & Janice Winchell MARY MELBERG Grand Chute Lions Club JOEL OLSON Kathy Olson LUANNE PEARCE PDG Greg & Kate Pryor JAMES “JP” PENN George Becker Patty Penn MARK D. PLISKA Lake Dubay Lions Club LYDIA SAHIN Juli LaleBenedumSahin MARSHALL SCHAEFER Chippewa Falls Lions Club JOHN F. SCHMIDT West Salem Lions Club PDG GLEN SPRING PDG Walt & Eileen Althaus Peter & Joann Cerniglia David & Tracy De Angelis MERLE A. STRELOW Robert Newton-Bob’s Wooden PDGBowlsGreg & Kate Pryor Susan Schmuhl MARY SULLIVAN Margaret Evans “TV TOM” THOEN Margaret McGinnity Steven Parsons Barb Thoen JON TORKELSON Cashton Lions Club STAN TORSTENSON PDG Greg & Kate Pryor FRED & CHERYL WEYRAUCH Burlington Lions Club LINDA WINTER Maritheresa Falk Cynthia Klemme Peter Winter HONORARIUMS DG BILL ANDERSON Webster Lions Club APPLETON NOON LIONS CLUB’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY Brad Behrens DG TOM KNUDTSON Onalaska Lions Club MICHAEL KULBA South Milwaukee Lions Club MADISON CENTRAL LIONS CLUB’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY Stoughton Lions Club ROSE MUELLER 27-B1 District Lions Club PID DON & BETTY NOLAND Dave & Sue Lee MIKE QUIGLEY James Quigley LIONS EYE DONATIONSBANK HONORARIUM DR. NEAL BARNEY Jerry Wille.
Due to PDG Bernie Stuttgen (C1) not being able to attend the 2022 State Lions Convention, he was presented the Lion Recognition Medal during Thorp Lions Club’s 90th Anniversary on May 14th. PDG Bernie was instrumental in starting the statewide Deer Hide Collection Program in 1988 and spent countless years as Chair. PDG Bernie is only the second person to receive this prestigious award in the State of Wisconsin!
TOMAH LIONS CLUB – Don Nelson, and Vincent Rowan were each recently recognized for 50 years of service. Both men at 74 and 90 respectively, said they’re still giving back to the community and the entire state and are doing a lot more than they used to. Photo and story featured in the Monroe County Herald. Photo by Rhonda Hess.
30 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
Memory
Pictured are PID Art Marson, PDG Linda Carter, ID Lee Vrieze, PDG Bernie Stuttgen, Lion Colene Stuttgen and PID Ron Duffe.
STRATFORD LIONS CLUB – DG Linda Carter attended the June meeting and presented awards to Don Spindler (35 years), Lyle Pospyhalla (30 years), and Jerry Zelenka (20 years).
In / In Honor of…
Congratulations! MELVIN RAYKNIGHTBIRCH-STURMJONESOFSIGHTHEMPELFELLOWS FRANK KOOISTRA Melvin Jones Cross Plains (D1) PAUL TITTL Melvin ManitowocJones(B1) BOB BRANDEMUEHL Ray Hempel Big Bend/Vernon (A1) BRUCE GONITZKE Knight of Sight Hudson (E2) PHYLLIS BACON Melvin SheboyganJones(B1) ANITA LAFAIVE Melvin HudsonJones(E2) BILL CLAUSIUS Knight of Sight Sun Prairie (D1) PAUL CORSON SheboyganBirch-Sturm(B1) JIM PATERSON Ray SturgeonHempelBay(B2) GERALD MARTIN Knight of Sight Big Bend/Vernon (A1) DARLENE HEMPEL Birch Sturm Big Bend/Vernon (A1) JOHN DICKSON Knight of Sight Cross Plains (D1) DAVE HEMPEL Progressive Knight of Sight Big Bend/Vernon (A1) TODD SPRECHER Melvin Jones Big Bend/Vernon (A1) WALLY ECKART Melvin Jones Eagle (A1) SALLY GAEU Knight of Sight Hudson (E2) JOAN HIELKE Birch-SturmPickett(B1) BRAD WICKLUND Melvin PlymouthJones(B1) JASON COVALESKI Knight of PlymouthSight(B1) SCOTT SCOVRONSKI VanBirch-SturmDyne(B1) MIKE DIMIG Knight of PlymouthSight(B1) DAVE HARTMAN Melvin Jones Van Dyne (B1) BONNIE HUGHES Knight of Sight Van Dyne (B1) STEVE PFAFFENROTH Melvin Jones Pickett (B1) NORM AND NANCY REICHENBERGER Lions of the Year Pickett (B1) SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 WisconsinLion 31
Random Acts of Kindness Can Be Found in Every Day Activities and Interactions
We hope that sharing your Random Acts of Kindness with all Wisconsin Lions brings appreciation, inspiration, and joy as well as carrying the Wisconsin Lions Centennial Legacy into the next Century.
I reported on Random Acts of Kindness from five Districts that had been shared with me verbally in the July-August edition of The Wisconsin Lion . I proposed to report five to ten Acts of Kindness via individual Lions and Clubs from throughout MD27 in future editions and requested that Wisconsin Lions forward descriptions of recent Random Acts of Kindness to me for future editions. I have received several positive verbal feedbacks on this project and several promised intentions to report Acts of Kindness. However, I have not received any emails by the publication deadline. Therefore, I decided to report Acts of Kindness that I have personally observed in E-1 in this edition while waiting for contributions from the other 9 Districts for future publication. Reporting these Acts of Kindness has had a very personal impact on me. My health continues to be challenged by several Immune System problems including concurrent COVID-19 and long-term Mononucleosis. While on required bedrest, I have been unable to access the internet at my recovery domicile. I have been captive to the media’s coverage, which continually shows man’s un-kindnesses… from the War in Ukraine to nearby escalating crime and violence as well as a growing disrespectful and selfish treatment of individuals and groups. When I was tasked with compiling Random Acts of Kindness for this edition of The Wisconsin Lion, I was limited to current kind acts reported locally to me. When I actively looked for kindness, I found numerous Acts of Kindness every day by and to E1 Lions, former E1 Lions, and (hopefully) future E1 Lions. Kindness is all around us and is contagious!
Going Above and Beyond
The grocery stores in a nearby small town do not have delivery or pick-up services. An elderly woman whose deceased husband was a Lion reported that her neighbor asked for a list of needed grocery items. The neighbor purchased the grocery items and delivered them to her.
A local Lion had volunteered to provide one of the desserts for a Lions celebration. She baked two pans of bars and had an extra halfpan of bars remaining after she assembled her treats for the Lions. En route to the Lions activity, she drove by the High School and saw that the Football team was practicing. When she returned home she put the remaining bars on a paper plate and delivered them to a neighboring family whose two teenage sons are on the football team and whose parents both work intense jobs. The neighbors sent her a text thanking her for her thoughtful kindness.
Neighbors Watching Out for Each Other
The kind pharmacist met the Lion in the parking lot, delivered the medication through the passenger window, and continued on to eat his bag lunch at the nearby employee picnic table. The pharmacist had given up part of his lunch time to assist a stranger. The pharmacist’s parents are members of the local Lions Club.
Animals Appreciate Kindness Too
This Lion personally observed our “Neighborhood Trashcan Fairy” in action! Our local trash service has automated trucks, which sometimes leave the emptied trashcans upended or in altered places in the driveways.
Sometimes kindness extends beyond humans.
Our neighborhood is a mixture of families with young children at home, houses where all residents are absent during workdays, and retired people. The kind neighbor, who calls herself the Neighborhood Trashcan Fairy, observed that the empty trashcans signaled empty houses and could interfere with traffic when pushed into the street. Therefore, when she returns her empty trashcan to her garage, she continues down the street and wheels any empty trashcans next to the garages for those neighbors who are not present or for whom it is difficult to do so.
Anonymous Roadside Assistance
A small town local newspaper ironically contained a “Letter to the Editor” entitled “Random Act of Kindness.” The elderly writer reported that his vehicle had a sudden flat tire on a rural Wisconsin road while he was driving his wife to a medical appointment at a twin cities clinic. A pick-up truck containing a father and his young adult son stopped shortly afterwards. They asked if they could assist, changed the tire, and loaded the flat into the trunk. When the elderly man offered payment, the father and son asked him to ”just pass it on and good luck to you and your wife.” Since the writer didn’t know their names, he wanted to thank them publicly in the newspaper.
If you wish to continue recognition of Acts of Kindness in Wisconsin by sharing them in future editions of the Wisconsin Lion, please email a brief description of your Random Acts of Kindness to: dianefansler@yahoo.com. Be sure to include your District and please include Lions Kindness in the subject line.
The Neighborhood Trashcan Fairy
32 WisconsinLion SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022
A Lion who was visiting in E1 required an emergency refill of a prescription medicine.
The only pharmacy with the medicine available didn’t have delivery or drive-up service and was closed the following day (Sunday). The visiting Lion was in medically required isolation. When he explained his need and situation, the Pharmacist asked if he could drive to the pharmacy’s parking lot at precisely 12:30pm.
BY PDG DIANE FANSLER
The wife of an elderly man who is a former Lion passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. He wants to remain in their house despite some mobility problems. A neighbor noticed that the elderly former Lion wasn’t able to maintain his gardens as well as previous years. The gardens were looking very dry during our hot summer so the neighbor hooked up his own hose and sprayed the man’s gardens several days a week.
It Doesn’t Take Much to Make a Big Impact
A Volunteer Baker Encourages Others to Pay it Forward
The next day the neighbors asked if they could “pass on the kindness” by mowing her lawn that evening when they mowed their own lawn.
The recent widower was so touched that he shared the season’s first tomato with his kind neighbor.
The recipient paid for the groceries but the kind neighbor wouldn’t accept any extra fees for her services.
A Lion observed a large turtle trying to cross the street to the river. A speeding vehicle aimed directly at the turtle and the two teenagers yelled celebrations when they ran it over. The turtle was alive but unable to walk. The Lion was unable to physically assist the turtle. Several vehicles avoided the turtle when they drove down the street. Then, a young couple pulled into the Lions driveway, took out a blanket, and carried the turtle across the street and next to the river, to “die a dignified death where it belongs.”
