OFFICER INSTALLATIONS

I had the privilege of installing officers for the Mifflintown and Mercersburg Lions Clubs. It's always an honor to be asked to install and hopefully inspire incoming officers of our local Clubs. Responsibility, accountability, dependability, flexibilitiy, laughability are all abilities that each Lion and Lioness posesses. Stepping up to share those skills and talents as Officers can sometimes be intimidating or overwhelming. Whether the Club is large or small, in numbers, it can be difficult to find volunteers to serve as Officers. These two Clubs were blessed with a full slate of Officers. Both Clubs also encouraged Assistant Offices, which spreads the work and enables more members to get involved. I wanted to keep with my theme of "Bright Ideas..a Future for All.. so I used fruits and veggies in the installation. Buying local this time of year is so easy with the various farmers markets and roadside stands. An example...Secretary is the communicator of the Club and communicators needs to listen, so I gave them extra "ears" (corn). The Lion Tamer needs sharp eyes to keep Club stuff from disappearing, so they received carrots. You get the picture. I had fun coming up with the program and I believe the Club members enjoyed it as well. As i was leaving Mercersburg's Meeting, a member told me "this was the healthiest installation he had ever been to".
As a Club Officer, there are many resources for you to take advantage of. First, make your reservations for the District Club Officers Training on July 30. It will be held at the Penbrook Community building beginning at 9:00AM. Lions Clubs International website has a section devoted to Leadership Training, including Club Officer Responsibilities and tutorials to improve your leadership abilities. Lastly, take advantage of your Zone Chairs, Past District Governors, past Club Officers for guidance and direction.

Thanks to each Lion, Lioness, Leo who volunteered to serve as an Officer of their Club. Have a fun and successful year.

TIME FOR GREAT FOOD AND LIONISM FUN

June has arrived and so too all the great events Lions and Lionesses organize to raise funds for community service. The first weekend in June is the Mt Parnell Lions Club Ox Roast. This is a great community social with food, music, games, and time to catch up with friends. Lion James and I went Friday evening for dinner. The weather cooperated with no humidity, cool breeze, and warm, not HOT temps. In my opinion, they have the best ground ox, seasoned just right and not dry. We get a few containers to have over the summer for quick meals. The Shippensburg German Band was on stage, playing their polkas. Lions were everywhere in their purple and yellow hats, keeping after trash, trays, condiments, running the cake and fruit wheels. As we waited for our homemade ice cream, I saw two familiar folks arive, PDG Bill and Lion Joyce Tuttle. They had heard about the event on the radio and drove down to share in the fun. We swapped stories and laughs, Lion Joyce tried her hand at the fruit box wheel, but no lucky numbers came up. Then it was time head home to prepare for the next day.

The first Saturday, in June, is the Buchanan Lioness Club Strawberry Festival and Fun Dog Show. This is our 20th year. We make our own shortcake, everyone using the same recipe, add 125 quarts of strawberries and vanilla ice cream and people line up early for a taste. Dogs begin arriving around 9:30AM. Big dogs, little dogs, scruffy dogs, manicured dogs, we have them all. Various community leaders and personalities serve as judges. This is an event that businesses support well and so everyone gets a doggie bag to take home with them. The Mercersburg Lions have their famous chicken BBQ that always sells out. Crafters, yard sale booths, moonbeam bounce for kids are also set up on the grounds. This year, a 5K run, sponsored by Mercersburg Wellness took place in the morning. Again, weather was agreeable for us and all enjoyed the sights, smells and tastes of the day.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

When I volunteered to serve as District Governor, I never knew one of the perks or perhaps nightmare would be throwing out the first pitch at a minor league baseball game, perhaps I would have paid attention more to my brothers playing baseball. Tuesday, May 31, we had our Harrisburg Senators/Beacon Lodge "Fun"draiser on City Island. I am so proud to say 160 vouchers were sold, raising $640 for Beacon Lodge. 19 Clubs were represented. Of course, who would think we would have 90 degrees plus weather in May, but it happened. The evening did cool down some as the sun set. Members wore their Club shirts and hats and we filled the section behind home plate. I patiently waited for the call to throw out the first pitch. I did have my nephew, Jeff, come over and throw a few balls just to get an idea of what I was supposed to do. Unfortunately, as I walked across the field and I looked up into the stadium, all I wanted to do was throw and go, which is what I did. Sorry to say, the ball hit the ground about halfway to the catcher. We did have the opportunity to share info about our organization with a pregame interview. PDG Frank Wedig and Lion Kathy Fouse provided info about their Clubs on the radio broadcast during the third and fourth innings. We had 2 tables set up with Club brochures, info about Beacon Lodge, LCI, and programs we support. Several folks stopped by for info and to ask questions. It was a close game, 1 to 1 until the last few innings, then the Senators went into full speed and won 4-1. Cheers erupted the stadium. Overall, the event was a success and lots of fun. Thanks to all who helped and participated.

Lions of PA Fellow Award Recipients

At our District Rally, I was honored to provide several awards and honors to deserving Lions, Lioness, and Leos in our District. Two Lions were unable to attend because of prior commitments. I finally caught up with them this week. I attended East Hanover Lions Club Meeting Tuesday evening where I presented Lion Eileen Longreen with a Lions of PA Fellow Award. Thursday evening, I attended Shermans Dale Lions Club 35th Anniversary amongst the tornado happenings. I was honored to present Lion Sherry Clouser with a Lions of PA Fellow Award. Both Lions are deserving of this recognition for their commitment to their Club, District, and most importantly, the community they serve.

PA State Convention

District 14-N hosted our 88th State Convention in Cranberry Twp, just outside of Pittsburgh. The Marriott Hotel was a great venue for the event and staff were accomodating to our needs, well except the Security Guard who asked us to take our party somewhere else, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Lion James and I arrived Wednesday afternoon with the State Merchanchise. Luckily, the rain was only drizzling as we unloaded the many carts of boxes. On Thursday was our preliminary State Council Session, followed by the General State Council Session. This is where the business of PA Lions occurs. It was, as sitting District Governors, our last actions, for the year. Thursday evening, our Council went to Smokey Bones, a BBQ place for dinner. This is one of the great reasons to attend Conventions, an opportunity to try new restaurants. The Governors were all placed on the seventh floor. This was a plus, since we had to use our room key to get there (no riffraff wandering around on the floor without invitation) and we had access to the Concierge Room, which meant free breakfast, appetizers in the afternoon, and desserts in the evening. So after returning to the hotel, we sat out on our front porch, which was the hallway. (think your home, go out door and sit on the porch) We pulled desk chairs and small tables out and spent the rest of the evening catching up. Friday was filled with informative sessions for Club Officers, Leadership, Retention, Membership. It began with the Lioness/Ladies breakfast. Congrats again to Lioness Frannie Mummert, Lower Paxton Lioness Club, who received Lioness of the Year for our District. Friday's Lunch was a model Luncheon. This means that the lunch was set up like a Club Meeting to show how they can be organized and how to prepare an agenda. Susan Graham Gray, from Greencastle, was the keynote speaker. She received a Leader Dog, Rascal, two years ago. Susan shared with us how Rascal has changed her and her family's lives. In the afternoon, Dr Amy Nau, from UPMC Eye and Ear Institute, provided us with a powerpoint on the Brainport Research and the progress made in helping sightless individuals see. Friday evening was the PA Counsellors Banquet. I was officially sworn in as a new member. The Necrology followed. It was a moving and uplifting service, remembering Lions and Lionesses who died last year. We returned to the hotel, changed clothes and enjoyed Hospitality Night with Johnny and the Halo Angels Band, wonderful oldies music. I then went to bed, while others sat out on their front porch. I was very tired and would need to get up at 6:00AM for the Key Member Breakfast. I was privileged to stand in for PDG Sarah Clark, Penbrook Lions Club, who won the PDG Category of the State Membership Contest. She brought in 3 new members this year. A new contest will begin July 1. Stay tuned for details. Then off to the general business session, to hear reports. I stopped afterwards to be certified and to purchase tickets for the basket raffle. Unfortunately, my luck stayed true and I did not win any. Saturday lunch, we tried a new place to eat. It's called Quaker Steak and Lube. It's a restaurant fashioned like a garage, complete with block building, garage doors. cars on lifts with tables below. There was a corvette attached to one of the walls. Pretty amazing and the food was good too. Back to the room for a nap. Saturday evening was the International Banquet. Prior to that, we were invited to a private social with IP Sid and Lion Judy Scruggs. Photos were taken and he shared words of inspiration with us. The Banquet was a dressy affair, but yet fun with clowns everywhere in the decorations. The defining moment was PID Dr Harold Ott walking into the room with Lion Barbara. He had made himself a goal to be at the Convention and to be able to walk in on his own two feet to the banquet. He did just that and received a standing ovation. PID DR Harold still has many months of rehabilitation and still has some memory problems. Keep him and Lion Barb in your prayers. IP Sid gave out many awards that evening. Congrats to IPDG PDG Dalton Paul for receiving the Presidential Award. IP Sid and Lion Judy both thanked us for our service and dedication to others. They have been able to travel around the world and see for themselves the countless individuals helped by our efforts. A special gift was given to IP Sid from the State Council. We did Council pins this year with lighthouses as the theme. Lion James designed and built a shadowbox with a lighthouse shape for the pins. After the banquet, off to the front porch. this is where the security guard comes in. We were sitting in the foyer by the elevators, tons of food on tables, many adult beverages and lots of people. We had invited others to join us for the evening. A guest, who wasn't a Lion and wanted to get some sleep called the front desk. So security arrived, asking us to take the party down to the front lobby atrium. That seemed like too much work. So several of our guests left and we moved the party to the end of the hall where only Lions were staying. Sunday morning was voting, final business session and the convention was over with one more event in the evening: District Governors Honors dinner. This is where the current Governors are recognized and the incoming Governors are pinned, unofficially signalling the beginning of their year. Congrats to DGE Dave and his partner in service Kitty. I know you will have a great year and will have many adventures as well. The theme for the Convention was Bringing Back The Fun. Fun it was, lots to learn, catch up with old friends, make new ones, all great reasons to attend the State Convention. Next year it will be held May 17-20 in Gettysburg. I would like to see many 14-T Lions, Lionesses, and Leos there.

DISTRICT CONVENTION WEEKEND

Where do I begin? April 8-10 was our Annual District Convention. Friday morning, Lion James, PCC Dr Terry Musselman, 1stVDG Dave McCluskey and myself trekked to the Harrisburg Airport to pick up International Director Bob and Lion Vickie Smith. Thanks to Lion John Petrina, we had a beautiful banner to welcome them. Even the Security Guards agreed as they clapped for the couple. We stopped for breakfast at the Silver Springs Diner in Mechanicsburg. ID Bob and Lion Vickie shared with us some of their experiences traveling around the countryside. Since they left Sacramento Thursday evening to get here, we went back to the hotel so they could get some well deserved rest before the evening's festivities. I took the opportunity to sort out all the stuff I brought along...this for the Rally...that for the Cabinet Meeting...this for the Lioness Seminar...that for emergencies. We regrouped at 5:30PM to attend the PDGS Dinner at Sunnyside Restaurant. IPDG Dalton Paul welcome everyone. A great meal, wonderful conversation, and laughter was enjoyed by all. Last stop for the evening was the Leo Appreciation Event. ID Bob joined the Leos in the electric slide. Each Leo Club was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for the service they provide their community. Music, pizza, cookies, photo slide show, recommittment to service was organized by Lions Kathy Fouse and Carolyn Cassell. Off to bed. Saturday morning, after breakfast, I escorted Lion Vickie to the Lioness Seminar. She shared with us her year thus far and the many places and people she has met. PDG Jan Adams gave pointers on Meeting Management. Lioness Margie Stouffer shared info on Lionesses at the state level. ID Bob, escorted by 1stVDG Dave stopped by the various other Sessions going on. Thanks to our guest presenters PCC Dan Swinsinski, PDG George Reisinger, and Lion Mark Kusmo who gave of their time to share with us pointers and new ideas to consider. Lunch was hosted by 1stVDG Dave, his partner in service Kitty and 2ndVDG Krista Griffith. Thanks for the 2011-12 Calendar to get us started for the new year. After lunch, we learned how computers can be useful to Clubs via Club websites, Facebook, Twitter. We also had a brief look at the many, many pages of information on the Lions Clubs International website. Basket Raffle was held at 3:00PM. Thanks to all who donated a basket. Funds raised are used to offset costs for the convention. Sorry to say I did not win any of the great baskets supplied. We held a Meet and Greet Session for individual Lions and Lionesses to meet ID Bob and Lion Vickie and ask questions. Then time to regroup, change into our Club shirts and "Catch The Wave Of Lionism" at the Rally. Thanks to PDG Jim and Lioness Linda zEger and their Committee for providing a wonderful fun filled evening for all. If you were not there, you missed the best evening of Lionism. The food was great, ID Bob shared with us why he became a Lion and why he continues to serve as a Lion. He recognized several members for their leadership. I provided a Year in Review, sharing the highlights serving as your District Governor. I had the honor of presenting several awards to indivuals who exemplify our motto WE SERVE. We also started a new fundraiser, selling a calendar. You need to check out the photos on our website for further explanation. All I can say is THANK YOU LION JOHN FOR A GREAT LAUGH. Sunday morning, we held our elections for the coming year. We joined together to recognize those Lions and Lionesses who died last year year at the Necrology Service. PDG Joan Sleesman provided a moving and enlightening ceremony. Our fourth Cabinet meeting ended the weekend. Congratulations to our elected Officers for the coming year: DG Elect Dave McCluskey, New Bloomfield Lions Club; 1stVDG Krista Griffith, Hershey Lions Club; 2nd VDG Lee Eisenhard Waynesboro Lions Club; Region II Representative for District Convention Committee Lion Jim Neidigh, South Hanover Lions Club. The weekend was filled with sharing of new ideas, information, making new friends, catching up with old friends, laughter, and the continuation of service to our District by electing new officers. Thanks to all who had a part in making this District Convention an event I'll never forget. Thanks to all who attended, you added to the event as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRISBURG NOON LIONS CLUB

Last night was the great 90th charter night celebration of the Harrisburg Noon Lions Club. What a wonderful evening of fun, fellowship, and service. King Lion Marion welcomed the 100+ individuals who came to celebrate and congratulate the members for their dedication to service. PDG Frank Wedig served as the Master of Ceremonies and chaired the committee who organized the event. He pulled out all the stops and remember his saying "If it's not fun, I'm not there". PID Ted and Lion/Lioness Rita Fusco were special guests. PID Ted shared a few stories and words of wisdom with the audience. He also inducted a new member into the Club. Donna Wedig is now LION DONNA WEDIG. The Club honored their 6th Annual Volunteer of the Year. She is a woman who opens her home in Harrisburg to anyone who needs a place to stay. I had the opportunity to present a Melvin Jones Fellow to Lion George Mullen, Ickesburg Lions Club. He is not able to attend the District Rally, due to another committment with his church. Thanlks to the Harrisburg Noon Lions Club members for your continued service and thanks for sharing this special evening with us.