Harrisburg Holiday Parade

District 14-T Lions ROARED along the streets of Harrisburg as we participated in the Holiday Parade on November 20. Thanks to PDG Sam and Lion for suppling the means of transportation and seats (trailer with straw bales). Thanks to Lion John for organizing the event. We were small in numbers, but great in enthusiasm and spirit. It provided us an opportunity to get the word out about Lions, our mission as well as the fun we have together. Check out the parade Thanksgiving Day on WHTM-27 beginning at 10:00AM. WAHOO

ROAD TRIP TO NEW JERSEY

On Wednesday, November 17, Lion Jim and Lioness Becky Neidigh, Lion James and myself took a day road trip to the New Jersey Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center located in West Trenton, New Jersey. We arrived at Jim and Becky's home around 9:00AM. Jim was ready to empty his basement out of glasses. We filled the van full of boxed glasses; typed in our destination in the GPS and we were off. The majority of the way was on the PA and NJ Turnpike. We did have one detour, due to heavy wind damage at the local airport. A few small planes had overturned and there were metals pieces and insulation from roofs everywhere at the exit we were to get off. So taking the scenic route, we found the Katzenbach School for the Deaf with no problem. The Eyeglass Center is located on the school grounds in a large warehouse building. 1stVP Lion Al welcomed us, and along with a few other volunteers quickly unloaded our treasures. They were appreciative of the glasses as they were in need of "raw material" to work with in the coming days. Lion Al gave us the grand tour through the facility. Best to describe it is "Organized Chaos". Glasses to be sorted at one end, glasses to be washed, elsewhere, glasses to be categorized, glasses categorized, and finally glasses to be shipped out. The Center utilizes students from the school to help with some steps. They also take glasses to three prisons, for inmates to work on. This provides opportunity for many to gice back through community service. The Center is a state project of MD 16 New Jersey. Glasses are shipped primarily to Central America. They are in need of sunglasses because of the amount of sun in these countries. They also accept plain lens. They are matched up and placed in donated frames that companies no longer want. This was a great experience for all of us in learning the steps after glasses are collected. Thanks to Lion Jim for making the suggestion to me. It also provides Lions to continue to stay in control of the glasses. Each box shipped out is proudly stamped with the LIONS Logo. So continue to gather those glasses and perhaps, in the spring, another road trip, will be organized.

November 14, 2010 Cabinet Meeting

Thanks to ALL who attended and participated in the 2nd Cabinet Meeting held November 14, 2010 at the Holiday Inn in Grantville. Those unable to attend, this is what you missed:
*Thank you to our Lion and Lioness veterans. PDG Dave Colestock, along with help from PCC Dr Terry Musselman, led us in singing of God Bless America, She's A Grand Old Flag, and America, The Beautiful.

*Recognition of Diabetes Awareness Day. Blue ribbons were distributed to recognize November as Diabetes Awareness Month with November 14 being World Diabetes Awareness Day.

*8 X 10 photo of the security guard and robber, from the State Council Meeting

*Judging of the Peace Poster Contest. Congrats to Eleni Parke, Linglestown Middle School, this year's District winner. She was sponsored by the Lower paxton lins and lIoness clubs. Thanks to ALL CLUBS who sponsor this youth activity.

*Certified Guiding Lion Certificates were presented to the Lions who participated in the training on October 9, 2010.

*IPDG Dalton Paul and PDG Frank Wedig were presented with Distinguished Service Awards for 2009-10 from the PA Lions Sight Conservation and REsearch Foundation.

*PDG Jim Zeger led us in a practice run of "THE WAVE" which we will be demonstrating at the District Rally April 9, 2011, at the Comfort Suites in Carlisle.

*Zone Chair Lion Lee Eisenhard, Waynesboro Lions Club, was nominated for 2nd VDG for 2011-12

*1stVDG Dave McCluskey, New Bloomfield Lions Club, was nominated for District Governor 2011-12

*Lion Jim Neidigh, South Hanover Lions Club, was nominated to serve on the District Convention Committee as Region II Representative

SO WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE NEXT DISTRICT CABINET MEETING ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2011 AT THE FOUR POINTS SHERATON IN CHAMBERSBURG.

Lurgan Township Lions Club Meeting

I visited with the Lurgan Twp Lions Club members on November 8. They have a beautiful community park and building in Roxbury. This is a Club of 75 strong, but they continue to seek new members. They understand the importance of bringing in new ideas, perspectives, helping hands to provide better and more service to their community. I was privileged to see a father and son inducted into the Club that evening. This is a Club that understands innovation and how it can improve service to the community. Several years ago, they added a fitness trail to their park. It's a great place for individuals to come, get some exercise, and enoy the beautiful surroundings. A few years ago, they came up with a "Haunted Trail" for Halloween. Members and nonmembers alike get into the spirit of Halloween by providing safe fun to kids as they walk the Haunted Trail, looking out for ghosts and goblins. What a fun, innovative idea!! I also was serenaded with a "Happy Birthday" song from the members as that is my birthday. It seems a certain Partner In Service made a phone call to the President that morning, informing him of the event. They were true gentlemen and didn't ask how many birthdays I've had.

ON GOLDEN POND

The New Bloomfield Lions Club Community Theatre is celebrating 40 years this year. "On Golden Pond" was presented over the weekend in celebration. Martha Holman and Norman Harrison, who played the two main characters have been with the theatre group since its inception. Lion James, along with two of our friends Abby and Ann, who are theater folks as well, and myself, enjoyed the show immensely. It was funny, heartwarming, made you think about life and death, friendship and what's important in life. Several members of our Lion family were also there to enjoy and support the group. Hats off to the New Bloomfield Lions who created and continue to support this great "fun"draiser and community service project in their area. The next performance, in the spring, is Philadelphia Story. Hope to se you there.

DISTRICT 14-T, HOME OF TRICK OR TREAT HOSPITALITY

THANKS to all who attended, participated, helped, planned, donated baskets, etc to the October 29-31 State Council Meeting. We were perfect hosts with plenty of treats and few tricks the Halloween Weekend. Friday Night's Hospitality was a Monster Mash with Count Dracula, Phantom of the Opera, witches, Frankenstein, Wilma and Fred, to name a few, in attendance. The band "Just Friends" were fantastic. Sonny and Cher provided entertainment during their break. Saturday was filled with Committee Meetings and informative sessions. At the State Council Meeting, Saturday afternoon, I presented to Lion Marcia, State Administrator, an 18 x 24 framed collage representing our District. It included a photo of the statue of James Buchanan, located in Mercersburg (Franklin County); state capitol building, Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Shoaff's Mill, located in Little Buffalo State Park (Perry County); and covered bridge (Juniata County). In the middle was the front cover of our KidSight Vision and Hearing Brochure, our signature project. It will be displayed at the State Office in Harrisburg. District 14-T is well represented at the State Level with many of our Past District Governors providing leadership by serving on State Committees. Lion James won a basket. He took the $50 and I got the picture frame. The Banquet Saturday evening was well attended with Leo Matt, (District E) now Lion Matt, receiving the Leo of the Year Award. ID Jim Cavallaro provided words to consider about increasing membership and service in our communities. I presented him with the Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger's book Highest Duty and , for the bewitching weekend, Haunted Places in PA. Lion Michelle, his wife, received a glass pumpkin jar filled with Hershey candies. To quote her "a bag of Hersheys kisses opened is a bag emptied". All in all, the weekend went well with few mishaps. I received many thanks from various Lions and the fun they had over the weekend. I pass their words of praise to you, who made it all happen.