Sorry For The Delay

It's been a year of rollercoaster rides for us! But we're growing, and we even have a Leo Club for the kids now. Never thought we'd see THAT, as we started with only six or seven ACTIVE members, then hit the MAGIC NUMBER, when we finally had enough members to really DO things. Not that we hadn't been doing what Lions always do---providing eyeglasses/hearing aides to the needy---but with more members came more ideas, and more hands!
I finally got myself a nice compact digital camera, so you can see our club members for the first time. Of course, I didn't get the photos in the proper order. Nevertheless, I'll give a brief description of each photo, beginning with the upper left-hand corner and continuing across, then down to the left again...
The first photo shows our newest member, Heidi, receiving her Lions pin from Diane, her sponsor. The next shows part of our initiation ceremony (which doesn't last more than fifteen minutes), with Donna reading from the Lions Clubs International Initiation Speech paper (the reason the candle is lit will be explained in the next two photos.
As you can see, Heidi (left) and Diane have lighted candles from the big one, but the NEXT photo is what happened before that.

You see that Heidi has a blindfold over her eyes, which symbolizes the darkness of the blind. Back in the 1920s, Helen Keller (left deaf, blind and mute from a disease in babyhood, but brought to speech by a wonderful teacher named Annie Sullivan), came to the Lions to ask that they "become her Knights Of The Blind", to help those in need of sight receive the care to enable them to function as normally as possible. They accepted and, years later with "tears in her sightless eyes", she returned to thank her "Knights Of The Blind" for their devotion. Ever since, Lions have been involved with providing glasses, treating blindness, and working to eliminate the causes of "Preventable Blindness", such as River Disease---along with a host of other community health projects.

Here is Donna swearing in the two people in the next photo, husband and wife Doug and Diane, as officers. Behind Donna, the seated gentleman in the white cap is Glenn, our Immediate Past President, who got our club rolling back in 1978! As you can probably tell, none of us is particularly "well off", which shows that membership in Lions Clubs International is available to ALL, regardless of income, status, etc. I once thought you had to be rich to be a Lion, but our dues are only $40 per year! Plus the fact that you can pay in two ( or more) installments as necessary. All you need is an endorsement by a current member, and that's it. (Naturally, you're expected to "be have yourself" and be a good citizen).

Here we have a slice of Diane, then Heidi, and finally another one of our founding members, Theresa, who's probably held every office in the club at one time or another! She and Glenn were the ONLY members not so long ago, but they kept it going despite everything. And here's Donna mugging for the camera; she's our "guardian angel", so to speak. She belongs to the Epsom/Chichester Lions Club, on TOP of helping ours! Without her, we might not have had the strength to keep going.
And, lastly, here's Glenn once again with our current president, Mark. I never thought to have someone take a picture of me, naturally.
Please think about joining a Lions Club in your area, because it feels so GOOD to help those in need. And remember, you may ALSO need help someday, too. I've only been a Lion for a year, and yet these people are so much MORE than just friends----we're FAMILY. Yes, we're there for each other, just like family. If you want to feel "needed" and "useful" in this world of alienation, there's nothing better than to join the Lions. Alone, we can't do very much, but together we can move mountains!

Meeting Minutes-Nov 7,2005

This copy was given to me by Diane Crooker.

In Attendance: Glenn, Fran, Larry, Theresa, Diane----Guests were Donna (Epsom/Chichester Tail-Twister) and Ellis (zone chairman of Saddle Back Lions)

Time Meeting Began: 7:12 pm

Correspondence: Newsletter from Saddle Back passed around for all to see. International Convention in Boston, MA. Cabinet Meeting Sun, Nov 13---4 members going---Social time from 11:30-12:00 noon---meeting from 1:00-3:00pm---cost is $15 per person---menu will be roast beef dinner---elections for Camp Pride very important, as every member of 44H has a vote, but only attending members can cast votes.---Booster Calendars still available for $10 each, see Glenn if interested.

Committees: Blog posted (report by Fran) at allpemlionsclub.blogspot.com---About 501 3c, Theresa asked if Larry could handle this matter for us, and will explain what needs to be done with what is in the application envelope after the meeting---Larry accepted envelope and will meet with Theresa so Sam's Club will be able to give matching funds to our club.

New Business: Money from the racetrack and Deerfield (reported by Glenn)---Races-$196/Deerfield-$846 for a grand total of $1046!!!---money will be given to Jim for deposit---Larry questioned the request for money made by local family, and Glenn reported that it had been decided by 2/3 vote and taken care of---Tail Twister (Diane) informed members she wants to keep things fun but will begin imposing fines for talking out of turn/interrupting member who has the floor, because only matters that are on the floor will be discussed and new matters will be discussed when we get to that part of meeting---also she would like to see more communication between members during week, even a phone call or email to say hello would be sufficient---fines from last meeting totalled $1.75, at a quarter per offending member---Next meeting dress as an Indian or a Pilgrim, no need to be ellaborate, and think of a reason why you are thankful to be a Lion to share with other members that you don't talk to much---Thanksgiving dinner next meeting, Glenn will bring stuffing, Donna will bring rolls & butter, Mark will bring soda, Fran & Larry will bring pumpkin and cherry pie with topping, Doug & Diane will bring turkey and cranberry sauce, Theresa will bring potatoes and gravy.

Notes From Ellis: he will visit 1-2x per year---15 Nov is Zone Meeting at Louden Country Club (Rt. 106),$13 per person and all club members should attend if possible, meeting starts at 6:30pm and at least king lion and secretary should attend---Treasury info, he had contact with a company in North Carolina that recycles inkjet cartridges and cellphones, which can gain money for club---Saddle Back's last check from them was $90.20, and the company provides mailing folders---10% goes to Lion's Youth Development (workshops are available-see Ellis if interested)---USA/Canada Forum has computer program for secretaries that costs $94, and Ellis will try to find the email for it to give to Donna

Final Note From Tail-Twister: Tonight collected $2.75 in fines, giving a total of $4.50 after only 2 meetings! We can have fun and also raise money for the club.

Meeting Ended: 7:55pm

Details From 9/12/05 Meeting

I'm terribly sorry for the delay, but health issues forced me to rest a bit. Nothing serious, thankfully. Just an annoyance more than anything else. At any rate, here is the news.
Members present were Glen Booth, Theresa Stone, Jim Rodger, Donna Filion, Mark Hannemann, Doug Crooker, Diane Crooker, Fran Stein, Larry Stein, and Patty Gardner.

• Treasurer's Report- Theresa reported that the General Fund has $1005.93, Administration Fund has $33.52, Recreation Fund has $571.11 (with $43.11 deposited from Old Home Day), and International Dues had to be paid at $273.00 from the Admin Fund.
• Secretary's Report- Patty reported that there will be a visit from the District Governor on Nov. 7, '05, and this will be a pot-luck meeting.
• Committee Reports:
• Theresa was contacted by Sam's Club regarding our 501c3 status. It was explained to her that in order to receive matching funds from them we would need to have 501c3, as we currently have a 401c3. Theresa then called Dick Gibson from Epsom/Chichester, who said that this info was mistaken, that we should be just fine with the 401c3. However, the club voted to spend $75 to apply for a 501c3, because we will need it in future for gambling and grant applications.
• Fran reported she has started a blog for our Lion's Club and asked for any info that would be helpful to post. The website is -http://www.allpemlionsclub.blogspot.com.
• Glen opened a discussion about the INDIVIDUALITY of the Lion's Club vis-a-vis the Recreation Dept, as Fran's blog had mentioned the proposed playground and he feared people might think it was a Lion's Club project when, in reality, it was a Recreation Dept. project in which we were merely helping. It was clarified that the Lion's Club and the Recreation Dept. are separate agencies that might work together for mutual benefit when requested or as necessary. Discussion also took place about fund raisers and distribution of said funds. The club decided to discuss openly what fund raising efforts will be used for (to prevent misunderstandings in future), but funds raised may benefit either Lion's Club purposes or others (such as mutual projects like the playground), Lion's Club Admin Fund and Recreation Dept. Fund, etc. Objectives will have to be agreed upon before any such coordinating efforts are begun.
• Larry initiated a discussion about Public Relations. He would like to assist the club in this regard. Patty agreed that she could use some fresh eyes and ears, especially from someone with experience. Issues were discussed about advertising for the Flea Market. Diane mentioned that the club might not be ready to hold a flea market on Oct. 8. The club agreed and made a motion to postpone. A date of May 6 and 7 was chosen for the flea market instead. Advertising and soliciting of vendors will begin as soon as possible to ensure the best possible turnout. Jim suggested we have a car wash, as that wouldn't take as much work to produce on the spur of the moment. The club voted to hold a Car Wash on Oct. 8, and Patty is in charge of contacting Aubuchon's with the change in plans. Hours for the event will be between 10am and 3pm.
• Theresa reported that 3 people have gotten eyeglasses in the last month, and we are working on 1 hearing aide application.
• Office Appointments:
• Donna Filion swore in the following new officers-
• Diane Crooker as Tail Twister
• Jim Rodgers as Treasurer and Old Home Day Committee Chairman
  
• Patty Gardner as Secretary
• Mark Hannemann and Doug Crooker as Vice-president
• Glen Booth as President
• Theresa Stone as Sight And Hearing Chairman/Membership Chairman
• Doug and Diane Crooker as Peace Poster Chairmen
• $100 was then approved for a hearing aide application.
• Meeting was adjourned at 9pm.
  

THE PLAYGROUND

This is just a working concept of the
playground we'd like to have. Because the original photos were around 6MB each, I have had to resize them down in order to fit the page. I hope the details haven't been smudged in the process. If they have, I'm sorry, but I WILL try to post bigger photos later on. You can click on the photos to see a larger image, which I hope will give you a better view of what we'd like. We may not end up with a playground that looks exactly like this, as these photos show a much larger area than our park could accomodate. It will take approximately ten thousand dollars, if not more, to make this dream a reality. Sadly, there are many children in our two towns who can't use regular equipment due to wheelchairs, etc., and the thrill of seeing a child who has never been able to ride a swing actually doing so---wheelchair and all---is something we dearly want to accomplish. So far, this is all we have---just concept photos and a dream. Having few members, we are limited in funds, but we've been doing fundraisers, flea markets, what-have-you, in order to make this dream come true. We hope to have this built in the next three to five years, which means a LOT of work, besides our usual mission of helping those in need obtain eyeglasses and hearing aides at little or no charge.
We just finished the annual Old Home Day, and we're planning a big flea market on Oct 8th and 9th at Aubuchon's parking lot (rts 3 and 28) from 8am to 2pm. Spaces will be 10x20 feet---it's a huge lot, with plenty of room---and costs for vendors/crafters will be $20 for one day, $30 for both days. Those of you who are interested in reserving a space can contact me, Fran Stein, at 603-753-8527 day or night. We'd love to have you! Help us give our handicapped children what others take for granted every day. I thank you all. Blessings and great thanks to those who have helped us in the past! Without you, we don't know what we would have done. Take care.