Previous Newsletter
Lions Ledger
Elizabethtown Lions Club
“We Serve
March 2007
President's Message
What was I thinking when I wrote my message for the last newsletter? I just came back inside after spending an hour outside chipping centimeter chunks of ice off a glacier that is blocking my driveway. When I get up tomorrow morning and every muscle in my body is protesting in pain, man, I’ll know I’m alive. That is if I make it ‘till then. I believe my lungs have frostbite, down to the smallest alveoli, after sucking in all that frigid air. I guess I figured my message was a safe move considering the mild winter we were having, plus that groundhog was supposed to be on my side. Forget about trying to convince others; right now I need convincing about the merits of the month of February! This was a good old fashioned lesson in respect for Mother Nature. Anyone for some humble pie?
My year as Club president is more than half over. Unlike my predecessor, I have no intention of trying to manipulate the system to extend my stay (I have proof but I’m sworn to secrecy) but, I’m not ready to have my name engraved on the Past Presidents plaque just yet.
There are two projects I would still like to work on. I would like to see the Club do a community service project. I know you’re thinking that we are constantly involved in service to the community, and that is true. I do feel there would be benefits gained from us meeting on some Saturday for a few hours to work together on some task. I would also like to have a family activity this spring or early summer. I’m leaning toward a picnic type gathering. Through our Club’s year we have one family event, the Christmas Party, and I think we could use a second one.
I intend to begin discussion about these two ideas at our next board meeting. If you have any comments or ideas, please let me or another officer know.
Finally, I would like to address two issues that I am frequently asked about: 1) I don’t know what the status is of the Dave Mueller mouse pads, and 2) yes, the Bimini Brothers Chorus will return.
Lion Joe
Programs for March
Tuesday, March 13, 6:15 p.m. at the Fire Hall – The program which was originally scheduled for Feb. 13, has been rescheduled for this meeting. Two actual clowns will be with us – Mike Myers and Dave Mueller – and they will talk about their experiences as Zembo Clowns. And, you won’t want to miss their clown costumes! Should be a lot of fun.
Tuesday, March 27, 6:15 p.m. at the Fire Hall – Glen Clark, the Scout Master of Troop 51 here in Elizabethtown, will be with us at this meeting to discuss his troop and what they are doing. He will entertain questions at the end of his presentation. You’ll find this to be very informative.
Greeters for March
For the meeting on March 13 – Chris Metzler and Dan Connolley
For the meeting on March 27 – Harry McMullen and Jerry Lorson
Looking for a Writer
How often have you thought, or heard another member say, “We need to get more publicity for the work that we do in the community”? That, of course, is true, but here’s the problem – since the death of Bill Hildebrand we haven’t had any member to write the articles. Steve Roland has been doing a good job of taking the photos, but they aren’t getting printed due to a lack of the written material to go with the pictures. So, if you have the ability to write clearly and concisely we need your help. If you are willing to help with the Club’s publicity efforts, contact President Joe to find out more of what is required. It’s not a big job, but it is a very important one. Can you help?
Lion King
Our newest Lion King, Bill Thorpe, is seemingly enjoying his reign, based on the smile on his face as he was heading for the buffet table at our last meeting. You could take over his throne if you bring in a new member. Not only will the Club benefit by gaining a new member, but you will also reap all the benefits which come to the exalted (i.e. you get to go through the buffet line first) position of Lion King. J
Changes in Yellow Book?
Our goal is to have the Club’s annual “Yellow Book” ready for distribution by July 1 this year. If you are aware of anything in the current edition of this booklet which needs to be changed or deleted, or of anything which should be added for the 2007-08 year, please contact Chris Metzler with your suggestions. You may call Chris, send him an email, or speak to him at one of our future meetings. Of course, we need your suggestions to be given to Chris in the near future so he will have time to implement the changes.
Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
At the meeting of the Past Presidents in February it was suggested that the Club explore the possibility of “resurrecting” what was formerly a terrific project for us – the Cheerleading Competition. To consider this possibility further, a meeting will be held following the close of our regular meeting on March 27 to discuss the pros and cons of such an undertaking. All members are invited to attend this discussion session but, of course, nobody is required to attend. No action will be taken at this meeting but we hope to come out of it with a recommendation for the Board’s consideration – either this is a good possibility to explore, or it is not. So, if you have thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. relative to this matter, or are simply interested in hearing what other members are thinking, we encourage you to attend this informal meeting. No prior notification is needed – just stay after the March 27 meeting.
Girls Seminar
The Girls Seminar, conducted by District 14-D, will be held March 23-25 at Beacon Lodge. If you know of a girl who is currently a Junior in high school and may be interested in attending this weekend please contact Secretary Dale Horst ASAP. There is no cost to the girl toattend these educational/social/recreational sessions.
Unusual April
Next month will be an unusual month for our schedule of meetings and activities. Please make note of these changes on your calendar now, so you don’t miss any of them.
Tuesday, April 3, the first Tuesday of the month, we will have our annual Egg Coloring event. This will serve as our first meeting of the month. We will gather at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 6:15 p.m. to do the painting. As in the past, this is a family affair so bring your children, grandchildren, neighbor children and anyone else who might enjoy decorating a few eggs for our Egg Hunt. Light refreshments will be available following the egg coloring.
Saturday, April 7, we will conduct the annual Community Egg Hunt in the town park along South Mount Joy Street (across from the softball field). We need Lions to hide the eggs in each of the various age group areas of the park. Lions should report to the park at 8:30 a.m. that day to allow time for eating donuts (if anyone brings them) and drinking coffee (if anyone brings that) and chatting, and then we will hide the eggs for the children of our community. The young folks will begin arriving around 9:30 or so and the hunt will begin with a horn blast at 10:00 a.m. sharp. In just a few minutes, it will all be over, and the children will be walking away with colored Easter eggs and some candy and, for the two lucky children in each age group who find the plastic eggs, a gift certificate for something special. We need a lot of help, for a short time, on this day. Please try to reserve a couple hours on this morning for this very important tradition of our Lions Club serving the community.
A new feature will be a part of this year’s hunt. Under the direction of an Elizabethtown College student and her professor, a group of autistic children from this area will be participating in this event. We are looking forward to this extension of our service to these children.
Tuesday, April 17, the third Tuesday of April, our Club will host the annual Tri-Club meeting with the Lions Clubs from Hershey and Palmyra. Because of the large group expected, we will need to hold this meeting at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where we held our meetings during the construction work at the Fire Hall. This meeting will replace our usual second meeting of the month (normally held on the fourth Tuesday of the month).
Elections Ahead
The current officers of the Club are now formulating a list of candidates to fill the various Club Offices for the 2007-08 year. At the time this newsletter went to press, they were still in need of members to fill each of the following positions: 3rd Vice President, Lion Tamer, and Director (one year term). If you are interested
in serving in any of these positions, please contact President Joe or First Vice-President Dean as soon as possible. At our regular meeting on May 8 the nominations will be presented to the membership and nominations from the floor will be accepted. The election will be conducted at our meeting on May 22, and the installation of the officers for next year will take place at our meeting on June 26.
Upcoming District Events
Mark your calendar for the following events which will be led by our District officers, but to which all our members are invited:
· Friday, April 20 – Presidents Honor Night
· Saturday, April 21 – District Convention at Cedar Crest Middle School
· Wednesday, May 9 – School of Instruction (for new officers)
· June 24-29 – Youth Camp; for boys or girls ages 14-16
More information about each of these activities will be provided in future newsletters.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament
We held the first matches of our Tournament at our last meeting in February and will continue the contest this month. The first player to score five points (that is, win five “throws”) is declared the winner and will advance on the bracket. The loser of the match is eliminated.
Remember, if you are absent when you are scheduled to compete you will lose via forfeit.
THE FOLLOWING MATCHES WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MARCH 13:
Gary Epler vs. Don Berry
Chris Metzler vs. Derrick McDonald
Dan Connolley vs. Ray Powell
John Horst vs. Bill Earhart
Jay Greider vs. Mike Rochkind
George Kishbaugh vs. Brian Leatherman
THE FOLLOWING MATCHES WILL BE CONDUCTED ON MARCH 27:
Marv Boyer vs. Steve Roland
Dale Horst vs. Dave Longenecker
Sam Zeager vs. Eric Metzler
Mike Myers vs. John Lerch
Barney Myer vs. Bob Fackler
Joe Ditzler vs. Keith Perry
Tom Trayer vs. Bob Ulmer
Jay Walmer vs. Marty Risser
A Little Humor for You
* A husband said to his wife: “Get your coat on love, it’s time to go to the pub.”
She replied: “But you NEVER take me out.”
“I’m not,” said the husband, “but I’m turning the heat off before I go.”
* I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn’t find any.
* When insults had class ...
-- “He has all the virtures I dislike and none of the vices I admire.”
Winston Churchil
-- “I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.”
Clarence Darrow
-- “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.”
Mark Twain
-- “He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.”
Oscar Wilde
-- “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.”
Groucho Marx
-- “He has the attention span of a lightning bolt.”
Robert Redford