Circus, parade headline big Lion weekend May 2
The Brown County Lions demonstrated why they are the biggest and most active club in southern Indiana again the first weekend of May, as over 60 Lions participated in our activities.
The weekend started off with the pre-circus dinner, where over 50 Lions and their guests gathered to hear stories of circus life.
The next day, lightning turned the buses of school children away from seeing the raising of the circus tent. But those kids returned that evening, as the Kelly Miller Circus entertained over 1,000 advance-sale guests, despite the mud. Lion President Jim Oliver and his sons rode the elephant for the early show, and Lion Ann Callahan topped the pachyderm for the late show. Lion Jack Rothaar reported that we will net just under $4,000 profit from the circus. But the real reward was the excitement shown on the face of a child who loved the circus and will remember that the Lions brought it to her. Congratulations to Lion Jerry Simo and his crew for the second successful Lions-sponsored circus of the 21st century.
The weekend was not over when the big top went down. The Spring Blossom Parade stepped off to bright sunshine and windy conditions the next morning. Seventy-eight entries marched around downtown Nashville, with the first float finishing the route before the last float even started. Lion John Davis reported that all Lions who carried the flag at the end of the parade and were blown away have been accounted for. Thank you to Lions Rick Dean, Gloria Berryman and Gene Neidnagel for their hard work in organizing this great small-town event.
Breakfast fundraiser starts off last weekend
Lions Tom Prichard and Bill Robinson produced another great pancake breakfast, putting 40 Lions to work to raise money for projects. No word yet on the profits, but we do know that many folks started their weekend off with a great Lion meal!
Treasurer position filled
Lion Nominating Chair Dana Robertson reported that Lin John Wood will take over club Treasurer position beginning in July. This gives us a full slate of officers for next year! Thank you to Lion Dana and her committee for putting together a great team!
Dues due
Membership dues for 2008-2009 are payable now. Please save the club 42 cents by bringing your $65 dues to the next meeting (or by mailing your check to PO Box 716) before Lion Secretary Jan Harker mails you a bill.
Log Cabin Tour parkers needed for June 7-8
Lion Dave Woerner is looking for Lions to park cars for the Psi Ote Log Cabin Tour on June 7 and 8. He needs 60 Lions to take a half-day shift over the weekend. Please check your calendars before the dinner meeting so you can sign up then. The tour features five homes in south-eastern Brown County this year. Psi Otes pays our administrative fund for our service, so we need to make sure we live up to our promise to fully staff the tour parking areas this year.
Coming up May 20
Lions Doug and Kathy Lozier with Lions Sight First Campaign will present their important project at the next dinner meeting.
Lion scholars named
Lion Education Chair Gene Neignagel announced the winners of the 2008-2009 education awards at the board meeting. The awards are based on service to school and community, character, academic ability, special circumstances, and financial need.
The Lions Education Awards are given in memory of Daily F. Hill, Samuel G. Johnson, and Louis E. Macon who made it possible for the Lions Club to have these scholarships. The five, one-year awards are in the amount of $1,400 each, and are provided for through fund raising projects each year by the Brown County Lions Club and through memorial endowments set up for this purpose at the Brown County Community Foundation.
The winners are
Stephanie Boggess has found success in high school with her own determination and discipline and through people who are great teachers and role models. She has met her goal to be the first in her family to attend college. Stephanie has worked in the community and volunteered at Columbus Regional Hospital and with homebound senior citizens. She has been a leader in school, active as Varsity Cheerleader captain, secretary of the Dance Team, and a member of Student Council, French Club, Spanish Club, Best Buddies, the prom and commencement committees, and choir crew. Stephanie plans to attend the University of Indianapolis, majoring in science on her way to a nursing career.
Benjamin Hendricks will graduate in the top five percent of his class, achieved through the discipline of hard work and dedication to education. He even volunteered to repeat a science class in order to improve his understanding, even though his grades in the first class were good. He likes the outdoors, whether it’s his yard care business, summer camps, or a part of the Varsity Soccer and Track teams. Benjamin is a member of the National Honor Society, Math and Science Academic teams, and worked with the PEERS and Fellowship of Christian Athletes programs. And he still had time for hundreds of hours of community service work. Benjamin will attend Purdue University as a part of that school’s six-year pharmacy program.
Joseph Lawson has been employed since his freshman year to help his family and later to pay his own bills for his car and cell phone. His work hours still left him time to volunteer at his church youth group, participate in football and track, and play Frisbee on the high school team he helped create. He has also been in the French Club and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. With all that, he has maintained a solid academic performance in high school. Joseph plans on a career in Radiography with a specialty in Nuclear Medicines, which will require study programs in several schools. He will begin that path by working on an associate degree in Radiography at Indiana University Purdue University Columbus.
Lillie Layman has succeeded academically at BCHS and is a leader in school and community activities while always maintaining her goal to improve her own life through bettering the lives of others. A church mission trip to Mexico has helped shape her goals, as has leadership in Student Council, Show Choir, French and Spanish clubs, National Honor Society, and serving her Junior and Senior class as president. She also has been a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Student Advisory Board, and attended Senator Richard Lugar’s symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders – all this while holding a job all through high school. And Lillie has learned to manage well her life at home in the middle of six brothers and sisters. Lilly will attend Butler University and plans to follow her dreams on to medical school.
Casey Wright has always wanted to make the world a nicer place, and he has wanted to be in athletics. He has accomplished both at BCHS while getting ready to graduate in the top five percent of his class. At school, Casey is in the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Old Students Helping New Ones and helps others as a member of Peers Project and NCAA Ambassadors. In sports, he played basketball and is a 4-year letterman, two-time captain, and three-year All Conference Athlete in Soccer. Casey celebrates his family and is planning to attend Wabash College and go on to medical school to be a pediatrician.
Expect to meet these fine young people at the dinner meeting in May.
Coupon books to change format in ‘08
Lion Coupon Chair Margie McClain couldn’t give her report at the board meeting because of a case of laryngitis, but the message that her committee is hard at work was loud and clear. She reported that the coupon book this fall will take on a new shape. It will be a credit card-sized fold-out card with 28 two-for-one coupons, exclusively for food. The hope is to revitalize sales and make the package more user-friendly. If you have ideas, send them to Lion Margie.
The pride is back on the street
Lion Sweeper Chair John Davis announced that Pride2 ABC is back in business, putting in fifteen hours already keeping Nashville clean. He’s looking for a few new sweepers this year to continue this great service to our community.
Environmental projects active
Lion Highway Cleanup Chair Jim Rispoli reported that last week nine Lions collected 21 bags of trash along SR 46 east of Nashville and up Snyder Road by The Seasons. He plans a trip west in late May or early June. State Highway officials promised to place a sign acknowledging our efforts along SR 46 in the next few weeks.
Lion Riverwatch Co-Chair Dave Miller reported that twelve Cub Scouts assisted him on May 5 with water-quality monitoring on Salt Creek in Deer Run Park. The Scouts ended up swimming in the creek, which turned out to have a lot of bugs swimming with them, signifying good water quality. The next Riverwatch event will be Saturday, May 31 at 4:00 pm. He plans to collect bugs at the Greasy Creek site by the Fairgrounds (near the old Hwy 46 bridge). For questions call Lion Dave at 988-0313.
Lion Adopt-a-River Chair Adam Young reported that the DNR will be placing a sign along SR 46 announcing our care of Salt Creek this summer.
Environmental Tip of the Month
Every day in the United States, we throw away over 200 million pounds of trash, 15% of which comes from kitchen and yard waste, and all of which ends up in our over-taxed and limited landfill space. Ever wondered how much of your waste you could re-use and recycle in your very own backyard? You might be surprised to learn that almost all of it can be turned into fertilizer by composting! Call Joyce, 988-9127, or e-mail zzzjoycejordanpeek@yahoo.com and find out how you can start your own composting operation in a few simple steps.
Playhouse set to open in June
Lion Playhouse Chair Gloria Berryman reminds you that the Brown County Playhouse season officially opens on June 12. Expect phone calls from play captains to sign up to sling popcorn for the Lions.
BC Lions incorporation documents renewed
Lion Treasurer John McCune announced that he has ensured that our club is incorporated with the Indiana Secretary of State. Don’t look for us as Brown County Lions, though. When we originally incorporated years ago, we were registered as Nashville Lions Club.
Brown County Lions at 65: Decade-by-decade summary of Lion achievements
1943-1949:
Earned $165 by helping to clean up after fire destroyed the Nashville House.
Organized Nashville Volunteer Fire Department. Began work to create a town water
system. Leased land for town dump and built road to it. Sponsored Boy Scout
troop. Began selling refreshments at state park swimming pool. Sponsored the
first Free Fair to benefit 4-H Clubs. Erected Military Honor Roll in courthouse
yard with 600 at dedication services on July 4.
1950-1959: Raised $11,000 to erect fire house and buy fire wagon.
Began popcorn concession at the new Brown County Playhouse. Added queen contest
at 4-H Fair and sponsored Girl Scout troop. Took on project to replace town
doctor who retired. Donated $1,000 for school addition and pledged one days work
by each Lion to erect new elementary school. Celebrated 10th anniversary with 60
members. Local Lion Robert Joseph served as the Lion district governor.
1960-1969: Donated $3,000 to the Indiana Lions Cancer Control
project at IU Medical Center. Paid half the cost of town street signs. Sponsored
all-county variety show for several years.
1970-1979:
Established annual Citrus Sale. Constructed 15 benches around town for tourists.
Published annual birthday calendar. Began annual sale of roses. Sponsored garden
tractor pulling competition at 4-H Fair. Assisted local Jaycee Club with
expenses of Fourth of July fireworks show. Changed name to Lions Club of Brown
County. Local Lion Daily F. Hill served as Lion district governor.
1980-1989: Began sole sponsorship of Fourth of July fireworks with
aid of local businesses. Donated $6,000 to renovate second-hand Bookmobile
acquired by the Brown County Public Library. Gave $3,000 to 4-H Fair building
program. Helped establish a county parks and recreation program, donating $5,000
toward building a community park. Began annual Coupon Book project. Joined
Chamber of Commerce in sponsoring Spring Blossom Festival parade, and Boy Scouts
in annual Lions State Clean-up Day. Repaired benches on courthouse lawn.
Sponsored Madrigal dinners two years as a holiday thank you to the community.
1990-1999: Sponsored and dedicated shelterhouse at Deer Run Park.
Produced Medicine Show and Spring Blossom Parade as part of Nashville's 125th
anniversary. Began garage sale and twice-a-year Breakfast Fund-Raisers with
pancakes and sausage gravy. Established Adopt-a-Highway clean-up program.
Arranged Franzen Brothers Circus at Ski World. Began annual sweet corn project.
Sponsored St. Jude Bike-a-Thon. Donated two benches for new county office
building. Celebrated 50th anniversary with 85 members.
2000-2008: Began portraying Santa Claus for children in
cooperation with business associations. Created "Pride2: Ambassadors of Brown
County" for sidewalk clean-up. Started vision tests for kindergarten students.
Created River Watch stream monitoring. Accepted sole sponsorship of the Lions
Spring Blossom Festival Parade. Continuing Fourth of July Fireworks, Brown
County Playhouse concessions, twice-a-year Pancake Breakfast Fund-Raisers,
Coupon Books, Citrus Fruit Sale, and Adopt-a-Highway Clean-Up. Celebrating 65th
anniversary with 114 members.
Best Buddies at BCHS
Best Buddies is a program that pairs Brown County High School students with developmentally disabled students in the school. BCHS Special Education Teacher Lindsey Weaver advises the program, and BCHS Sophomore Carolyn “Cami” Moore is Chapter President.
Cami has shown her dedication to the Brown County High School chapter by planning the Matching Party, a fundraiser, parties for the Buddy Pairs, attending the Local Leadership Day held at Fishers High School in February, and most recently participating in the annual 5K Dash for Friendship in Indianapolis.
Cami wants to attend the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference at IU this summer, but needs a little financial help to attend. The Best Buddies International Leadership Conference will be held July 18th -22nd Donations will help allow Cami to learn more about improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities while joining thousands of like-minded students from across the country and world. This once in a lifetime experience is sure to be one that she will never forget and it’s made possible by the generosity of people like you!
To donate, follow these instructions:
1) visit www.bestbuddiesleadershipconference.org
2) click “Sponsor Participant”
3) Enter: Carolyn Moore
4) Follow instructions to donate