Log Cabin Tour flooded (but not with visitors)

Despite the yeoman’s effort of Lion Dave Woerner to fully staff the parking lots of the Psi Ote Log Cabin Tour on June 7 & 8, not one Lion parked one car at the tour this year. Of course, that’s not our fault.

The night before the tour, the heavens dumped eleven inches of water on Brown County, flooding fields, closing roads and stranding folks away from their homes. Both days of the tour were cancelled since workers couldn’t get to the homes and visitors couldn’t get to the county. This will be a big blow to the Psi Ote’s ability to fund grant requests next year, and will mean the Lions’ administrative fund will suffer this year as well.

Lion Dave reports that he had all but one of his 45 slots filled before the weekend, but that it took a lot of arm-twisting. Please give generously of your time when called upon by your club.

Two seats filled, two new chairs needed

It was announced last month that Lion John Wood is accepting the reigns as Treasurer. Citing how much fun she had researching the history of the coupon books, Lion Margie McClain announced this month that she would take over as Club Historian. If you have information or artifacts you wish to give, loan or just tell her about, contact Lion Margie.

With news of these successes comes news that we’re looking for new chairpersons for two projects. Lion John’s accession to Treasurer leaves the position of Fair Booth Chairman open for 2009. Lion John is hoping to recruit that chair before this year’s fair so they can work it together. If you like the fair and talking up Lionism, this is the place for you.

The annual fruit sale in December is also in need of a chairman. This project raises $3,000 and is essential to making our charitable budget for the year. The chair has some busy time in November and very early December, but there is plenty of time to get your feet wet.

Please consider taking over as chair of one of these projects.

Brown County Playhouse celebrates 60^th year

The 2008 Playhouse season is up and running and so is the Lions concession. Under the able leadership of Captains Vickie Gilmore–988-4440 (1^st play), Don Stuart–988-9072 (2^nd play), Earl Eversol–988-6227 (3^rd play), and Rich Greeno–988-8087 (4^th play), we are hoping to have another successful year. Last year we netted just under $7,000 for our Lions projects, which makes the playhouse concession one of our biggest fund-raisers. But it takes all summer–and into the fall–to do it, and we need all Lions to step up and take a turn at the concession. Last year 66 Lions worked the concession, many of them for all four shows, and some several times during each show run. We need YOU!!! Don’t wait for the captains to call you; check your calendars and give them a call.

Back by popular demand this year–ice cream, this time in the form of Snickers Ice Cream Bars. They will sell for $1.50 to the audience and 75¢ to the cast, crew, and Lions who are working that night. If this summer stays as warm as it has been, they ought to be a hot–I mean, cold–item.

Vickie Gilmore is looking for a few good (even mediocre!) popcorn poppers and pop dispensers for the first Playhouse production.  The first performance is Wednesday, June 11, and is a thank-you to the Nashville merchants who support us:  all popcorn and drinks are free that dress rehearsal night.  Other performances are June 12-15, 18-22, 25-29, and July 2-6.  Don't wait for Vickie to call you--give her a call and volunteer to work one of the performances.

PDG promotes Campaign Sight First II

If you wear contacts, think about how helpless you feel when your lenses fog up. If you wear glasses, remember how feeble you feel in the morning before you put them on.  Now, imagine what life would be like if your eyesight never got better than that. That is why LCIF is pursuing Campaign Sight First II, says Lion Secretary Jan Harker.

At the last dinner meeting, Past District Governor Doug Lozier spoke to the Club about CSFII, a Lions International effort to raise $200 million for Lions eye programs in developing countries. He reported that Brown County Lions have committed $2,000 to the project and encouraged individuals to make donations to CSFII.

The Board of Directors entertained discussion about whether to make a multi-year pledge to CSFII, but didn’t pursue the idea, wanting to retain flexibility for grant decisions for future boards.

If you wish to make a tax-deductable donation to Campaign Sight First II, contact Lion Secretary Jan, who has pledge cards and who will forward checks to LCIF.

Installation of officers at next dinner meeting

Vice District Governor Richard Halladay will install our new officers at the dinner meeting June 16, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at the Parkview Church of the Nazarine. Lion Richard Dean will be installed as President, Bob Gilmore as 1^st Vice, John Wood as 2^nd Vice and Treasurer, and David Gerchak as 3^rd Vice President. Debbie Havely, Buddy Mercer and Rosemary Saurer will be installed as new directors.

VonSchriltz memorial fund to be established

Lion Kurt VonSchriltz has had some deaths recently in his family and has decided to turn these times of sadness into a lasting benefit for Brown County. At the board meeting this month, Lion Treasurer John McKune announced that Lion Kurt is establishing a memorial fund to enhance diabetes awareness projects of the Lions Club. The Finance Committee is meeting on June 23 at 7:00 at the Brown County Public Library to determine how to most efficiently endow this fund.

Thanks to Lion Kurt for his generosity and dedication to the Club’s programs.

July Fourth solicitors solicited

Lion Bill Swigert will be signing up the bucket brigade for Independence Day fireworks at the dinner meeting. If you will be at the fireworks anyway, sign up to carry a bucket to accept donations to cover the cost of fireworks next year. It is fun and earns points for your vest! Our Independence Day festivities will be held on Friday, July 4.

Fair parkers plan on participating

Lion Jerry Simo will press you to take at least one evening of directing traffic and helping folks find parking at the Brown County 4-H Fair at the next dinner meeting. We earn money for the administrative fund. It is hot and dusty, but fun, work that helps the fair board and the Lions! The fair is July 27 through August 3.

Coupon cards to be ready by fair-time

Lion Margie McClain reported that the coupon cards, which will replace the coupon books this year, will be ready to be rolled out for sale at the county fair this year. She said that the coupons have been set and a mock up will be ready in a few days. Sale price will be $10 for 28 coupons. Plan on giving these as gifts this fall!

Parade leaders begin planning for next year

The Spring Blossom Parade committee wrapped up their work this month after a successful, though breezy, parade.  They have announced that next year’s theme will be “Brown County Goes Green.”

Pride² ABC looking for more sweepers

Pride² ABC is looking for a few good men (or women) to help this year in keeping our community beautiful. Contact Lion John Davis for information.

Environmental Tip of the Month

From Sierra Club's "The Green Life"

Used coffee grounds make a great fertilizer for plants that thrive in acidic soil, like rhododendrons or azaleas. Sprinkle coffee grounds and eggshells around the base of plants to repel ants, snails, and slugs.

President’s Message…from Lion Jim

For the last year, I have been honored to serve as your Lion President.

I’ve held many other titles over the years: Prosecutor, Student Council Vice President, Mother’s Cupboard President and Coach. But none has been as rewarding as President of the Brown County Lion’s Club.

I am amazed at what our club can accomplish! Everywhere you look, you see the hand of the Lions Club. Whether it is in the clean streets of Nashville, the smell of popcorn at the Playhouse or the Spring Blossom Parade and July 4^th fireworks, two signature events of our community, men and women wearing gold vests are the driving force.

I am astonished by our leaders! Upon entering my position as President, I expected to spend hours on the phone making sure committees were at work. But I quickly learned that was not necessary. Our chairpersons are top-notch and don’t require prodding or oversight. I didn’t even have to write meeting agendas!

Finally, I feel honored to share membership with each of you. Your friendship, humor and dedication to making Brown County a better place to live always puts me in awe. There are so many demands on our time these days, but the members of the Lions always make time to improve our community. That is awesome.

Thank you for entrusting me with the job as President. It has been an honor to serve.