Club President Karen McVaigh opened the meeting by asking Lion Pat Dee Baughman to lead the Club in a patriotic song – America, My Country Tis of Thee. Lion Aaron Odell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Lion Bob line performed the invocation.

Lion Rick McVaigh won the “no-fine” badge for the meeting.

Greeter Melinda Blankenship introduced Josh Kanavarski from the Visalia Arts Consortium.

Announcements

Lion Allen Ventling announced that there will be a vision screening event on Sunday March 24th at the Tulare Family Health Care Network offices on West Street.

Lion Vicki Whitehouse reported that she is reviewing the records of a diverse group of 48 students for the student scholarship contest.

Lion Lauri Aguilar provided an update on the upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner.  220 tickets have been sold! Members are asked to donate three bottles of wine and twenty-five dollars for gift cards.

Lion Melinda Blankenship shared that the Lions Tribute at the City of Hope will be on March 31st.  A few bus seats are still available.

Lion Aaron Odell shared that he had attended the McDonalds pull tab party for Houston School.

Auction

Lion Dee Baughman auctioned off a bottle of honey from his recent trip to Utah.  Lion Tom Link and President Karen donated cash in lieu of auction items.

Happy Bucks

Lion Pete Sherwood shared that the parents of our Student Speaker Contest winner had agreed to decorate a table at our Murder Mystery Dinner.

Lion Roy Dressel was happy to have survived a near miss accident as he drove home from Woodlake. He was also happy baseball season is starting.

Lion Dee Baughman was able to see his Grandson get married in Utah.

Lion Ruth McKee was, once again, happy it was Friday.

Lion Steve Gerrard was very happy with the progress on the Murder Mystery Dinner 

Lion Carol Jones has a new volunteer job at the Simply Chic Boutique.

Lion Vicki Whitehouse shared that it has now been over one year since her husband had heart trouble.  She also shared that she was able to sell 12 tickets to the Murder Mystery Dinner during a recent trip to the dentist.

Fines

Lion Roy Dressel fined Lion Steve Gerard for suggesting that he sell his motorcycle.

Lion Vicki Whitehouse fined Lion Pat Harrison for allegedly flirting with Lion Ruth.

Presentation

Joshua Kanaverski described the efforts of the Visalia Arts Consortium to connect people in the arts and to make the arts more accessible to everyone.  The Consortium provides art lessons, publishes Watermark Magazine, and holds fundraisers including the Taste of the Arts.

Our meeting today was lead by acting president lion Ruth McKee, who asked Lion Pat to lead us in singing My Country Tis of Thee, while Lion Janet lead us in saluting our country’s flag, and Lion Aaron did the invocation.

Lion Melinda announced that our only guest today was Simon Helyer with the YMCAs camp Sequoia.

Unfortunately for the clubs coffers, Lion Bob Line won the no fine badge. We will need to sell more Murder Mystery Dinner tickets now.

Announcements 

Lion Lauri announced that the Murder Mystery dinner (MMD) plans were forging ahead, but that we were still in need of Table Decorators, Raffle Prises, wine, and Ticket sales. It was decided at our committee meeting that we will be giving away crates of wine throughout the evening instead of giving all the wine to one person. On Friday we had sold 168 tickets, but more are coming in just about every day.

Happy Bucks

Lion Pat was happy about a dinner party that he had hosted recently, it was so wild that the electricity went out at his house. It was quickly restored, and the party went on.
Lion Leigh was happy that the Special Olympic Basketball tournament in Fresno had gone so well and his team had taken home a second place.
Lion Roy was happy that he had photographed the Special Olympics Basketball teams in Visalia a couple of weeks before.
Lion Betty was happy that her hubby, Lion Aaron was feeling better as he had been sick for over a week.
Lion Brad was happy for all of Lauri’s hard work on the MMD. He had been handing out flyers for the event and had lots of interests in it.
Lion Melinda was happy that she was finally all moved into her new house. Unfortunately, the postal service didn’t get her change of address set up yet.
Lion Bob Bricker was happy that he had a new great-grandson, that makes 20 grandkids that he has.
Lion Pat was happy for all the work Lion Leigh does with the Special Olympics.
Lion Don Landers was happy that one of his guide dogs has graduated and will move on to the next phase of the training.
Lion Vicki was happy her husband was doing well, and for all of Lion, Lauri’s hard work.

Fines

Lion Pat fined Lion Janet for being late to the student speaker contest the week before.
Lion Brad fined Lion Justin for being on his phone during the meeting. A fine Justin gladly paid.
Lion Pat fined Lion Lauri for playing way too much Penny Poker that he got her hooked on.
Acting president Lion Ruth fined herself for not selecting a secret great for the meeting.

Raffles

$5 Raffle: Lion Bob, he wanted to donate it to the Bob Bricker fund, but pere pressure caused him to give it to the Lio club.
Lotto tickets: Lion Lauri
Marble drawing:

Program

Our program for today was by the YMCAs Simon Helyer, who the head counselor at Camp Sequoia, located just west of the Big Stump entrance to Kings Canyon national park. It gave a moving talk about kids from all over the country who had been transformed by a week at the camp.

Club President Karen McVaigh opened the meeting by asking Lion Dee Baughman to lead the Club in a patriotic song – God Bless America. Lion Brent Robinson led the Pledge of Allegiance and Lion Pete Sherwood led his fellow Lions in prayer.

Lion Carol Jones won the “no-fine” badge for the meeting.

Lions also sang the “Happy Birthday Song” in honor of Steve Gerrard and Damon Yount who were born in March.

Announcements

Lion Laurie Aguilar provided an update on the upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner.  Members are asked to donate three bottles of wine and twenty-five dollars for gift cards.

Lion Pete Sherwood shared that the winner of our Club’s Student Speaker Contest will be competing at the Zone Contest on Wednesday March 6^th at the Lamp Lighter Inn.

Happy Bucks

Once again, Lion Ruth Mckee was happy it was Friday.  Lion Brent Robinson agreed.

Lion Dee Baughman will be going to Utah for his Grandson’s wedding.

Lion Roy Dressel was happy to have his old friend Michael Alverez at the meeting and that the weather has been good for motorcycle riding. Lion Roy also had the opportunity to photograph Special Olympics athletes.

Special Olympics coordinator Leigh Moscone thanked Lions for supporting his Polar Plunge fundraiser.

Lion Brad Board shared that Visalia residents may finally be glad to have flood insurance.

Lion Craig Wheaton was happy to have a weekend free.

Lion Bob Line shared that his daughter’s surgery is on national TV.

Lion Pete Sherwood received happy bucks to share from former Lion Chris Baldwin, who hopes to return soon.

Lion Vicki Whitehouse donated five happy bucks. Her husband is doing well and she wanted to recognize Lion Laurie Aguilar for her efforts with the mystery dinner.

Lion Tom Link will be at the COS basketball playoffs tonight, courtesy of Lion Bob Line.

Fines

Lion Vicki Whitehouse fined Lion Pat Harrison, who shared that he once bought a camera flash unit off our guest speaker, for talking about flashing.

Lion Dee Baughman fined Lion Tom Link for taking up a significant portion of the Tulare County Historical Society newsletter.

Lion Ruth McKee fined Cowboy Bob Line for wearing his Stetson during the meeting.

Lion Craig Wheaton fined Lion Dee Baughman for selling Girl Scout cookies, noting that Lion Dee must be the world’s oldest Girl Scout.

Secret Greeter Pat Harrison fined Lion Ruth McKee for not shaking his hand prior to the meeting as required.

Prizes

Lion Laurie Aguilar won the five-dollar raffle and donated the proceeds to the Visalia Rescue Mission.  She also won the free ad.  Lion Allen Ventling won the lottery tickets.  Lion Tom Link won a shot at the marble drawing but failed to find the coveted white marble.

Presentation

Michael Alverez of the Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation described their efforts to create charity events to support Visalia Parks. This year’s events include the Fromage Frolick, a grilled sandwich contest; the Senior Center Mural Project; and Love Your Parks Day.

Club President Karen McVaigh opened the meeting by asking Lion Damon Yunt to lead the Club in a patriotic song – America, My Country ‘Tis of Thee. Lion Dee Baughman led the Pledge of Allegiance and Lion Aaron Odell performed the invocation.

Lion Dee Baughman won the “no-fine” badge for the meeting.

Greeter Melinda Blankenship introduced our guests from Visalia Police Department: Chief Jason Salazar and Ariceli Delatorre.

Announcements

Student Speaker Contest Chair Pete Sherwood shared that he had recruited three contestants for the February 22nd Contest  Lions are reminded not to be late since the doors will be locked when the contest begins.

Lion Jeff Meader provided an update on needs for the upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner.  Members are asked to donate three bottles of wine and twenty-five dollars for gift cards.

Lion Allen Ventling announced that there will be a Vision Screening Event in Goshen from 1 to 3PM at the Family Services Eggstravaganza on April 13^th.

Happy Bucks

Lion Jeff Meader will be escorting both daughters to the Father-Daughter Dance and donated ten happy bucks.

Singer Dee Baughman was happy to have delivered over 14 singing Valentines.

Lion Ruth McKee was especially happy that this Friday started a three-day weekend.

Red Sox fan Allen Ventling was happy that spring training was starting. Giants fan Pete Sherwood was happy to see Visalian Stephen Vogt joining the team.

Lion Damon Yunt enjoyed having Dee Baughman’s quartet sing at the Redwood Springs Care Facility.

Skier Craig Wheaton was happy for the snow we received.

Lions Betty and Aaron Odell were happy their Grandkids were moving back this way.

New homeowner Melinda Blankenship’s house is being painted.

President Karen was on her way to a Dierks Bentley concert in Fresno.

Lion Vicki Whitehouse donated five happy bucks. Her husband is doing well and she was happy to have Chief Salazar with us.

Prizes

Lion Jeff Meader won the five-dollar raffle and donated the proceeds to the La Sierra Leo Club.  Giants fan Craig Wheatley won the free ad.  Lion Ruth won the lottery tickets.  Lion Dee Baughman won a shot at the marble drawing but failed to find the coveted white marble.

Presentation

Police Chief Jason Salazar provided an update on the activities of his department highlighting officers use of body cameras, the ongoing drop in rates of serious crime – especially those related to gang activity, and the more recent increase in problems associated with homelessness.

Club President Karen McVaigh opened the meeting by asking Lion Bob line to lead the Club in a patriotic song – God Bless America. Lion Allen Ventling led the Pledge of Allegiance and Lion Dee Baughman performed the invocation.

Lion Steve Gerrard won the “no-fine” badge for the meeting.

Lion Rick McVaigh introduced our guests for the meeting: Filmmakers Shelly Ellis and Zach Green.

Announcements

President Karen shared that the Club had received a Thank You Card for our support of the local group “Tail Waggers”, who raise guide dogs for the blind.

Karen also provided an update on needs for the upcoming Murder Mystery Dinner.  Members are asked to donate three bottles of wine and twenty-five dollars for gift cards.

Lions may attend a Young Life Dinner on February 21st free of charge.

Lion Dee Baughman shared that he and Lion Pat Harrison are members of Barber Shop Quartets that would once again be doing singing Valentines to raise money for the Mighty Oak Chorus. Dee is also selling Girl Scout cookies for his granddaughter.

Lion Roy Dressel attended the recent visitation to Sunset Lions along with President Karen and Lions Rick, Melinda and Ed.

Lion Ed thanked Lion Laurie Aguilar for her efforts with the Super Bowl Party for the Homeless.

Happy Bucks

Lion Ruth McKee passed along a happy five Dollars from Lion Brent Robinson.  Lion Brent and his wife are training to become Casa advocates. Lion Ruth was also happy it was Friday and that her nephew had become an Eagle Scout.

Lion Roy Dressel had a great time photographing the Super Bowl Party and the Coalinga City Council.

Lion Dee Baughman was happy for the snow we could see on the mountains.

Lion Pat Harrison was happy that both his Suburban and Lincoln were running again. 

Lion Allen Ventling was happy the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.   Lion Don Landers was happy the Super Bowl was over.

Lion Pete Sherwood is recovering well from a medical procedure.

Lion Carol Jones was sick but is feeling better.

Lion Tom Link’s daughter will once again be putting on a Green Acres School play, Beauty and the Beast, February 14 through 17th.  

Lion Vicki was happy her husband is doing well.  She also shared that the Cardio unit at Kaweah Delta is now affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic.

Lion Bob Line had a great time at his granddaughter’s wedding.

Fines

Lion Ruth McKee fined Lion Bob Line for wearing his hat during the meeting.

Lion Carol Jones fined President Karen for not holding the traditional Valentines Day meeting.

Lion Dee fined Lion Tom Link has been wearing a Band-aid on his face for weeks.

Lion Betty Odell fined Lion Allen Ventling for not standing for the National Anthem at the Super Bowl Party.

Presentation

Local filmmakers Zach Green and Shelly Ellis showed their documentary Preying on Innocence and answered questions about human trafficking.