President Ruth Mckee opened the meeting with a patriotic song led by Lion Bob Line. Dee Baughman performed the invocation and Lion Steve Gerrard led the flag salute.

Lion Amy Shuklian of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors was a guest at the meeting.

Dee Baughman won the no-fine badge.

Announcements

Lauri Aguilar provided an update on the activities of the Murder Mystery Dinner Committee. Lion Vicki Whitehouse obtained a sponsorship from Central Valley Repair and Collision, and we now have $3,250 in sponsorships. The event will feature an original Wild West script. Club Members are asked to donate two $25 gift cards (contact Melinda Blankenship) and three bottles of wine (contact Aaron or Betty Odell) and gift baskets for raffle prizes at the Dinner.

Lion Allen Ventling shared that the fundraiser dinner for Young Life will be February 28th.

President Ruth announced that there will be a visitation to the Charter Oak Lions Club at 6PM on February 5th at the Lamp Lighter Inn.

Happy Bucks

Lion George Fry is looking forward to a Super Bowl win for the 49ers on Sunday.

Lion Dee Baughman enjoyed the Donuts and Dudes Party at his granddaughter’s charter school. Lion Dee also shared that a survey of veterans showed that they favored the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl.

Lion Jeff Meader was happy to see Lion Amy at the meeting.

Lion Pete Sherwood was laughing at a politically inappropriate joke that was told at the back table by the winner of the no-fine badge, and shared that he was happy his wife was recovering well from emergency surgery last week.

Lion Brad Board donated ten happy bucks to thank well-wishers, and said his wife is doing well.

Lion Melinda shared that she first met Lion Amy at Rehab, where they both worked.

Lions Allen Ventling and Vicki Whitehouse thanked Lion Lauri for her efforts on the Murder Mystery Dinner.

Lion Tom Link shared that he and his brother Bob had worked with Lion Amy on several committees and councils over the years.

Lion Vicki also shared that her husband continues to do well and is playing golf (almost) every day.

Lion Lauri thanked Lion Vicki for recruiting a sponsor for the Murder Mystery Dinner. 

Prizes

Karen McVaigh won the five-dollar raffle and donated the proceeds to the Lions Eye Foundation.  Lion Janet McClintock won the free ad.  Steve Gerrard won the Lotto tickets and a shot at the marble drawing, but failed to find the elusive white marble.

 Presentation

County Supervisor Amy Shuklian described the services the County provides and gave a detailed update on public works and road projects.

President Ruth Mckee opened the meeting with a patriotic song led by Lion Pat Harrison. Ed Jones performed the invocation and Lion Leigh Mosconi led the flag salute.

Guests included Field Biologists Crystal Griffin and Jessie Eriando of the Delta Vector Control District.

Melinda Blankenship won the no-fine badge.

Announcements

Lion Roy Dressel provided another update on the the Murder Mystery Dinner Committee. The Committee will be meeting every Tuesday at 5:30 at Park Visalia.  Club Members are asked to donate two $25 gift cards (contact Melinda Blankenship) and three bottles of wine (contact Aaron or Betty Odell) for raffle prizes at the Dinner.

Lion Allen Ventling reminded Members that the Super Bowl Party for the Homeless will be on February 2nd at the Visalia Rescue Mission.  Dinner will be at “intermission”.

Happy Bucks

Lions Carol and Ed Jones shared that they will miss everyone when they move to Prescott, Arizona. Lions Pete Sherwood, Roy Dressel, Vicki Whitehouse, and Ruth McKee donated happy bucks to wish Lions Ed and Carol well.

Lion Melinda Blankenship was happy to be back at Club after recovering from the Kneesles.

Lion Pat Harrison donated five happy bucks, one for each afghan made by Lion Melinda.

Lion Ed Jones opined that recent cheating scandals showed that the Dodgers really were the better team.

Fines

Lion Ed Jones fined himself twenty dollars because Lions Tom Link, Dee Baughman, and Bob Line were at a funeral and were unavailable to fine.

Lion Melinda Blankenship fined Lion Allen Ventling for an unspecified comment.

Prizes

Allen Ventling won the five-dollar raffle and donated the proceeds to the Lions Eye Foundation.  Lion Bob Bricker won the free ad.  Janet McClintock won the Lotto tickets.  Tony Loliva won a shot at the marble drawing but failed to find the missing white marble.

 Presentation

Field biologists Crystal Griffin and Jessie Eriando of the Delta Vector Control District described their agencies efforts to control mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.  The agency monitors mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases; controls mosquitoes by eliminated breeding sources and using biological, and chemical controls; and teaches the public to control mosquito populations and to protect themselves.

President Ruth Mckee opened the meeting with a patriotic song led by Lion Bob Line. Dee Baughman performed the invocation and Lion Karen McVaigh led the flag salute.

Guests included Bobbie Westfall and Madison Worley of the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center.

Pat Harrison won the no-fine badge.

Announcements

Lion Roy Dressel provided an update on the efforts and progress of the Murder Mystery Dinner Committee.  The web page for the event is now up and running, so ticket purchases and sponsor donations may be made online  The Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, January 28th at 5:30 at Park Visalia. (not this coming Tuesday as Roy had announced at club)  Club Members are asked to donate two $25 gift cards (contact Melinda Blankenship) and bottles of wine (contact Aaron of Betty Odell) for raffle prizes at the Dinner. Lions are also are encouraged to ask local businesses to be sponsors.  Each $250 sponsorship comes with two tickets to the event. 

Lion Vicki Whitehouse has graciously donated a Fitbit and a Coach purse for raffle prizes at the Murder Mystery Dinner.

President Ruth shared that the Super Bowl Party for the homeless has been scheduled for February 2nd at the Visalia Rescue Mission.

Singing Lion Dee Baughman shared that his group will once again be offering singing Valentines, complete with a rose and chocolates. Those interested should contact Lion Dee or Lion Pat Harrison.

Happy Bucks

Lion Dee was thankful for the rain and mountain snow.

Lion Don Landers made it back from Fullerton before the storm.

Murder Mystery Dinner Committee member Roy Dressel was happy that the event is coming together.

President Ruth’s hardworking nephew, a high school sophomore, achieved a 4.5 GPA last semester.

Lion Pat Harrison shared that his 6 year-old granddaughter is excited to be a flower girl in Pat’s son’s wedding.

Lion Vicki Whitehouse was happy her husband continues to do well.

Fines

Lions Bob Line and Tom Link were fined for assailing our guests with embellished stories prior to the meeting.

Lion Vicki Whitehouse fined Lion Karen McVaigh for snatching up the preferred parking in front of the building before every meeting.

Prizes

President Ruth won the five-dollar raffle and donated the proceeds to the La Sierra Leo Club.  Lion Bob Line won the free ad.  Tom Link won the Lotto tickets.  Karen McVaigh won a shot at the marble drawing but failed to find the missing white marble.

 Presentation

Bobbie Westfall and Madison Worley of the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center described this year’s “Step Up” school service project, which is focused on advocating and providing resources for mental health.  The student project team will be providing care packages for the needy, which will contain hygiene essentials, and will also contain information on available mental health resources.