ISSUE 137
April 2018
Mike Berneck demonstrates the reading machine available through the Park Rapids Lions Club. He and wife Anita purchased the first one for the club five years ago. "I've got stories of people just crying because they can read again," he said. (Photos by Shannon Geisen/Enterprise)
A man of service
Park Rapids veteran epitomizes Lions’ motto of ‘We Serve’ By Shannon Geisen
sgeisen@parkrapidsenterprise.com
and was sent to Guam. “What our duties were when we went to Vietnam, we had a crew of carpenters. We had heavy equipment operators. We’d go into an area and build a road, or airbase or sleeping quarters for the troops that came. I was a mechanic,” he explained. Today, as a Park Rapids Lion, Berneck is heavily involved with the development of the Lions Eye Institute, a $40 million building project that will be constructed adjacent to the Lions Research Building on the University of Minnesota campus. It’s slated for completion by 2022. “Vision is the number one focus of Lions, always has been,” Berneck
Mike Berneck has a vision: aiding others. The reward is knowing you did the right thing, says the longtime Long Lake resident. In 2011, he retired after 32 years as an insurance agent and district manager. When asked about his plans, “I said, ‘I’m going to help people for the rest of my life.’ So that was my philosophy. That’s what my mission is, and that’s still my goal today – to help other people.” A life of service began early. Ber- Mike Berneck neck was 16 when he and his seven siblings lost their dad. Berneck said. dropped out of school to earn a living and care for The new institute is the “biggest Lions project ever them. in the state,” he added. It will be 80,000 square feet At 19, he entered the military service and served 2.5 years as a Seabee, a construction division of the Navy. He spent one year in Vietnam, then volunteered again SERVICE: Page 3
Inside this issue... 2 New shingles vaccine provieds better protection for seniors 4 Cooking with vegetables 5 As emerald ash borer beetle approaches, an update on invasive insects 6 Wine bottle shapes communicate quality and content
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