Previous Newsletter
Elizabethtown Lions Club
“We Serve”
June 2005
President’s Message
I am sure many of my closing comments will echo our Past Presidents as another Lions year is winding down. It is difficult to comprehend that the end of June will soon be upon us. It was first and foremost a privilege to serve in this capacity. It was also a great learning experience to discover the internal workings of our Club. A big revelation was that a great number of members contributed in a multitude of ways to make everything happen. This included the officers, the various chairmen, and their helpers. These selfless people deserve all the kudos in the Lions world. I surely want to thank each contributing member.
I feel our meetings had a good mix of levity and serious endeavors. The food met all expectations, the programs were varied and informative, and everyone appeared to have enjoyed themselves. The only possible drawbacks were a few meetings that tested our patience. I think relatively short and lively meetings are the way to go.
We were fortunate to add to our membership in a positive manner. I am sure they will serve us well. I still feel, however, the addition of ladies would give our Club another favorable dimension. As of this writing, I am still hopeful that a certain member's wife will join. That could get the ball rolling.
Another area I am happy about is our very strong slate of Vice-Presidents. Lion Chris is about to assume our leadership followed by Lions Joe and Dean. Lion Bob is waiting in the wings. These are quality people.
Lastly, I want to thank Lion Mike Myers for his assistance and guidance throughout this past year. I would have had a difficult time fulfilling my responsibilities without his help and support.
. Lion Bill
Programs for June
Tuesday, June 14, 6:15 p.m. at the Fire Hall – For the past few weeks public libraries have been in the news quite a bit. At this meeting we will be privilegedto have as our speaker Deb Beisel, the Executive Director of the Elizabethtown Public Library. She will explain how our library provides everything from business data that helps people learn the tests they need to pass for a new career, or get theinformation required to start a new business. It can provide language learning materials, videos that teach yoga and many other healthy living practices, and mysteries to stimulate your mind. Essentially, a library is your ticket to lifelong learning. You will want to hear about the many services and materials available at the EPL.
Tuesday, June 28, 6:15 p.m. at the Fire Hall – The installation of our Clubofficers for the 2005-2006 Lions year will take place at this meeting. Lion Andy Fantom, Region V Chairman, will have the honor of conducting this ceremony. Please plan to be there to congratulate our newest leaders and to wish them well in the coming year.
Greeters for June
Our official Greeters for the meeting on June 14 will be Lions Joe Ditzler and John Horst.
For the last meeting in June, Lions Bob Ardner and Bob Brain will have the honor of offering the official "Welcome."
Awards Presented
At a special program on May 16 in the Elizabethtown Area High School auditorium the graduating seniors were presented numerous awards. Among the awards handed out that evening were those given by our Lions Club. We have a long history of honoring outstanding graduating seniors and this tradition was continued this year. A $250.00 savings bond, and a plaque, were presented to a female student who was a good citizen, possessed positive character traits, exhibited leadership ability, and was an outstanding athlete. A duplicate award was given to a male student with the same characteristics. In addition, another $250.00 savings bond and a plaque were awarded to the outstanding business student in this year's graduating class. Twenty plaques were also given out that evening by our Club. Ten plaques went to the outstanding senior in each of the ten sports offered for girls at the local high school, and the other ten went to the outstanding senior in each of the ten sports offered for boys. Lion Chris Metzler had the honor of making each presentation on behalf of the Club.
Look at Your Placemat
If you happen to eat at the Country Meadows Restaurant (north of town along the Hershey Road) this summer, you may want to look for our Club's advertisement on their placemats. Earlier this Spring the Board voted to use this means as a way to create "visibility" for our Club, and perhaps generate interest from area residents who may not know we are here. For a cost of approximately one-half cent per placemat we can get our name, logo, and an invitation to learn more about us – perhaps, even become a member – in front of folks from our town and surrounding areas. It will be interesting to see if, as the saying goes, "it pays to advertise."
Hats and Shirts Available
Lion Joe Ditzler announced at our last meeting that he still has available for sale a few hats and shirts featuring the Elizabethtown Lions Club identification. Most members of our group already own this shirt and hat, which is worn at public events conducted by our Club (e.g. the Bingo tent at the Fair, the Easter Egg Hunt, etc.), but if you need replacements, or are a new member and don't already have these, you may contact Lion Joe for pricing, sizes, etc.
Members Honored
In May two of our members were honored by Lions International for their length of service to Lions. Lion Charlie Metzger received a certificate of recognition, signed by the Lions International President, in honor of his 48 years as a Lion. He was a long-time member of the West Chester Club and then, when he moved to the Masonic Village a few years ago, he transferred to our Club where he has continued to be a contributing active member.
Also recognized for his many years of service was Lion Wilbur "Bud" Weaver. Lion Bud is a 60 year member – all with the Elizabethtown Lions Club. Lion Bud has served in many capacities over the years, including Club President in 1955-56.
Congratulations to both these Lions, and thank you for all you have done!
Donation Given
At the Board meeting last month the Board voted to make a donation of $1000.00 to the Elizabethtown Fire Department's Equipment Replacement Fund. As the name implies, this money will be used by the Fire Company to
replace needed equipment as it becomes necessary. Like all other public serviceagencies these days, the local Fire Department finds itself facing difficult times financially and our donation will help them continue to provide the high quality service which we have come to expect from them. It is also a way of saying "Thank you" for allowing us to hold our regular meetings in the Fire Hall. This is the third consecutive year our Lions Club has made a donation like this to the local firemen.
Looking Ahead
As has been our custom, we will hold NO REGULAR MEETINGS IN JULY. With summers being so busy with vacations, travel, family activities, etc. it is felt that July is a good month to take a short break from the work of our Lions Club. Our next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, August 9. More information about that month's activities will appear in the August issue of the Lions Ledger (that's what we call this newsletter, remember?).
July Newsletter
At the time this newsletter went to press we weren't sure whether or not an edition will be published in July. When we asked the Editor if we might have a brief vacation in July he roared, "Vacation? I just gave you a day's vacation in 2003 and already you're asking for another one??!" So, I guess we'll have to wait and see how that all plays out.
Happy Ending
* A thief broke into a home intending to rob the couple. After getting their valuables, he said he would have to kill
them so there would be no witnesses. He said to the woman, "What is your name?" She said, "My name is
Elizabeth." "Oh no," said the thief, "that was my mother's name. I couldn't kill you. That would be a
dishonor to my mother." Then he looked at the man and said, "What is your name?" The man replied, "My
name is George, but everyone calls me Elizabeth."
* A man calls to complain about his listing in the telephone book. "My last name is Sweady but you listed it as
Cyirwu!" The phone company representative apologized and said it would be corrected when the next
directory was published. To make certain they got it correct, the manager asked Mr. Sweady to spell his
name again. "Like I told you the first time," he said, "it is S as in sea, W as in why, E as in eye, A as in are,
D as in double-u, and Y as in you."
* If your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep will be your downfall.
* A father and son went fishing one day. As they sat in the boat for a couple hours, they did not have much to do.
The son started thinking about the world around him. He began to get curious. So, he asked his father
some questions. "How does this boat float?"
The father thought for a moment, then replied, "Don't rightly know, Son."
The boy soon came up with another question. "How do fish breathe under water?"
Once again the father replied, "Don't rightly know, Son."
A little later the boy asked his father, "Why is the sky blue?"
Again, the father replied, "Don't rightly know, Son."
Worried he was going to annoy his father, he said, "Dad, do you mind me asking you all these questions?"
His father immediately assured him, "Of course not, Son. If you don't ask questions, you'll never
learn
anything."