Todays Meeting

Our president, Lion Tom, led the meeting today and called on Lion Betty to lead us in the flag salute, Lion Pat to lead us in song, and Lion Bob Line to do the invocation.

Greeter Lion Tony introduced our guest and speaker, Luca Comi, along with his father-in-law, Carl Anderson.

The secret greeter today was Lion Tony.

Announcements

Lion Allen announced that, after a four-hour class put on by the district, he was certified to do eye screenings. After so many years, I would think Lion Allen should have taught the class. 

Lion Dee announced that the club had decided to attend a Rawhide baseball game on Wednesday, August 27th. The cost is $22 per person, and that includes access to the air-conditioned Hall of Fame Club. The opponent that day will be the San Jose Giants.

Lion Dee also announced that this church would be holding an emergency preparedness fair on the 13th of September from 9:00-2:00 at the LDS church at 4000 W. Caldwell.

Lion Tom announced that annual club dues statements will be sent out soon; they remain at $140.00. You can always give Lion Karen a check, even if you have not received the invoice.

Lion Tom also announced that the monthly board meeting will be this coming Friday at 11:00 at Left of Center.

Luca Comi, our guest speeker. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pat had a $100 happy buck because his daughter was now cancer-free. 

Lion Pete was happy that next week he would be backpacking in Yosemite.

Lion Betty was happy to be at our meeting for the second week in a row.

Lion Mark was happy for Lion Pat’s daughter and for Betty Lion being with us today.

Lion Dee was happy for our guests, Luca and Carl.

Lion Tom Link was happy that his lights came back on after an outage and that no “bad boys” came around to take advantage of the darkness.

Lion Colin was happy to have gone on several vacations recently, including a week-long trip to the island of Calalina, and he was also happy that school is starting in a few days.

Lion Elaine was happy that her son-in-law was doing well after a heart attack.

Lion Karen is happy school is starting up shortly, as summer vacation has been work for her.

Lion president Tom was happy that he had not messed up anyone’s names so far in the meeting.

Lion Roy was happy to see Lion Betty back at our meeting. He also looked forward to Lion Melinda’s help at a school photo shoot later in the month. Additionally, he had a nice motorcycle ride to Huniungton Lake the day before.

Fines

Lion Tom Link was fined for being late today. (as Gomer Pyle would say, Surprise, Surprise)
(An earlier edition of the Raor said that Lion Betty was late, that was incorrect)

Lions  Karen, Colin, Roy, and Tom Link all fined themselves $10 for going on a vacation and not bringing anything back to auction off.

Guest Carl Anderson doubled Lion Tom’s donation.

Trivia

Because it’s back-to-school time, Lion Roy did trivia about Visalia schools.

For Lion Dee: Visalia’s population is 146,241. Given that info, how many students does the Visalia Unified School District have? His guess of 15,000 was just over half of the correct answer of 28,893.

For Lion Allen: How many schools are in the VUSD? His guess was close, but no cigar. There are 41.

For Lion Bob Line: What is the first day of school in the VUSD? His guess of Wednesday the 13th was just one day off; it’s Thursday the 14th.

For Lion Tom Link: Where was the first high school in Visalia located, and what year did it open?  Tom got 50% of the answer correct; it was located at the Lincoln Oval, but he could not name the year, which was 1897.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Steve, who, after much thought, donated it to the Leo Club.

Lotto ticket: Lion Pete

The marble drawing went to Lion Bob Line, who picked a nonwhite marble, winning nothing but that nonwhite marble.

Thanks to Lion colin for taking notes for me today. 

Lion Betty won the free add today. 

Lion Melinda talks about her experiences at the Lions International convention in Florida.

Todays Meeting

Lion Pete led the meeting today, and he called on Lion Steve to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion John to lead us in singing “God Bless America,” and Lion Tom Link to deliver the invocation.

No fine badge went to Lion Roy.

Announcements

Lion Melinda was called to the front of the meeting and presented with her past president’s plaque and pin in recognition of her eighteen months of service to the club.

A thank-you card was sent around in appreciation of Lion Steve’s many years of service to the club as secretary. As it was going around, he wondered why no one gave it to him to sing. He found out soon enough.

Lion Melinda announced that the Board had made a quick decision just before today’s meeting and that the annual dues would stay at $140.

Happy Bucks 

Lion John was happy that Lion Sheri Provancha would be the new Council Chair this year, and he was also happy for Steve’s years as our club secretary and for Lion Melinda’s 18 months as our president.

Lion Pete was happy for the recent Cal Ripken Baseball tournament opening ceremonies being held at the Rawhide Ballpark, which added 650 people to the small crowd of about 100 others at the park that day. He also had a happy buck for recently leading a Bible study, which he said was way beyond his comfort zone, but he was happy with the outcome.

Lion Karen was happy for Lions Melinda and Steve’s service, and happy she was going to Mammoth next week.

Lion Dee was a bit sad because he had to cancel a trip to Colorado due to illness, but he was happy for both Lion Melinda and Lion Steve’s service to the club.

Lion Roy was happy with the recent cooler temps and that he had a nice motorcycle ride to and around Wonder Valley the day before. He was also happy that the Dodgers and Red Sox were going head-to-head this weekend in Fenway, but as it turned out, he was not so happy with the result.

Lion Tom Link was happy to have spent some time in Moro Bay this past week.

Fines

Lion Steve was fined because his phone went off during the meeting. His excuse that it was Lions business didn’t matter.

Lion Steve trys to get out of a fine because his phone call was Lions Business. 

Triva 

Today’s trivia was about Visalia.

To whoever could answer: Mike Coz owned Mike’s Quality Cameras for many years in downtown Visalia, where he had worked before he started the business, who owned the former company, and what did that owner have to do with our club?    A: Lion Dee knew the answer, he worked at Main Drug Store’s camera dept, owned by Roland Mar, who was the former president of our club for the  1979-1980 year.

For Lion Melinda: When did Kaweah Delta Hospital open its doors? Her answer of 1965 was two years late; it should have been 1963.

Kaweah Delta had competition from what hospital on Court Street? She did answer that correctly, as Visalia Community Hospital.

For Lion Pat: When was Tulare County formed? His guess was just a year or two off the correct answer of 1852.

For Lion Tony: What does the Spanish word Acequia mean in English? Tony didn’t know, but Lion Pat answered correctly for him: It means Irrigation Ditch. However, he was fined because he answered without being asked.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Bob Line, who donated it to the Leo Club.

Lotto ticket: Lion John

The marble drawing went to Lion Tom Link, who appeared to be flabbergasted that he did not win the white marble.

Thanks to Lion Melinda for taking notes for me this week.

Lion Allen won the free on the weekend that the Red Sox played the Dodgers
at Fenway Park. The Sox won two out of the three games, most likely because of Lions Allen’s Ad.

Lion Mark stands in for Lion Tom at today’s meeting

Todays Meeting

Lion Mark stood in for Lion President Tom, who was on vacation in Eastern Europe. Mark called on Lion Steve, who was sitting out in the audience for the first time in many years, as Lion Melinda had taken over as club secretary, to lead us in saluting our flag. Lion Pat led us in the song, and Lion Dee did the invocation.

Guests: Valerie Felix and Steve Nelsen from Downtown Visalians.

Lion Allen won no fine badge.

Secret greeter: Lion Pete noted that he was so popular that everyone shook his hand today.

Announcements

Lion Melinda was sitting in the seat that Lion Steve occupied for what he said was a “whole bunch of years” as our club secretary. Many kudos for the time and effort he has put in over all those years.

Melinda thanked Steve for all his help in getting her started in the secretary position. Additionally, she briefly discussed her recent trip to the Lion International convention in Florida. She said that when we don’t have a speaker, she would give a more detailed account of what she learned here.

Lion Melinda auctions off a Lions tote bag she picked up at the convention.

Auction Items

Lion Tom Link had a box of chocolates that he picked up on his recent trip to Hawaii. Lion Pat bought them for $15 and gave them to Lion Karen.

Lion Melinda picked up a Lions tote bag at the international convention in Florida and auctioned it off to Lion Mark for $7.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Dee was happy that he was leaving for a few days in Colorado soon.

Lion Pat was happy that his son Christian, who was visiting from Orange County, recently went to Crawdaddys with all his cousins.

Lion Bob Line was happy his great-grandson played in a Cal Ripken tournament in Kingburg recently, and while they lost, his grandson did pitch three innings of no-hit baseball.

Lion Leigh had $5 happy bucks for being recognized for 45 years of work with the Tulare County Special Olympics.

Lion Allen was happy for Lion Leigh for 45 years with Special Olympics, and he was also happy that his Red Soxs had won ten games in a row.

Lion Tom Link had a great time in Hawaii, but he was glad to be home.

Lion Melinda was $20 happy for being able to spend time with Lion Carol at the Lions convention, and to have spent time with her 102-year-old aunt.

Lion Pat donated $10 to Tulare County Special Olympics.

Lion Mark had happy bucks for Lion Leigh’s work with S.O. and for Lion Steve’s many years as club secretary.

Lion Roy had happy bucks for Steve’s many years as secretary, for the Dodgers taking two out of three from the Giants, and for the good time he had in Santa Cruz.

Lion Karen had $5 happy bucks for all of Lion Steve’s help in getting her set up as the club secretary, for Lion Leigh’s work with SO, and that’s to Lion Pat for the candy.

Fines

Lion Tom Link was fined for his phone going off during the meeting. 

Lion Dee fined Lion Steve for not wanting to pay for his meal, now that he was no longer the club secretary. 

Trivia

Today’s trivia had to do with the weather

For Lion Steve: What’s the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth? Steve’s guess of 120 was off by 14 degrees, as it’s 134.1 recorded in Death Valley on July 10, 1913

For Lion Allen: Highest temp ever in Visalia: His guess of 114 was very close; it was 115 recorded on three occasions, 7/18/25, 7/26/31, and 8/12/33

For Lion Pete: What is the highest wind speed ever recorded on Earth? His guess was 170 mph, but the actual record is 252 MPH, recorded on April 10, 1996, at an unmanned station on Barrow Island, Australia. The highest recorded wind speed at a manned station was 231 MPH, recorded on April 12, 1934, at Mt. Washington, NH.

For Lion Tom Link: Most rain in a 24-hour period in California:  His guess was 24 inches, which was very close to the record of 25.83 inches at Hoegee’s campground in the San Gabriel on January 22-23, 1943 

Lion Dee notified Lion Roy that he had to collect $1 for each wrong answer to a trivia question.  

Drawings 

The $5 drawing was won by Lion Bob Line, who donated it to the eye foundation.

Lotto ticket: Lion Tom Link

The marble drawing went to Lion Leigh, who also took notes for the roar today (thank you, Lion Leigh), hepicked a nonwhite marble, winning nothing but that nonwhite marble.

Lion Roy says Go Dodgers, 
(and don’t play the Brewers again) 

Lion Pete talks about estates and trusts at today’s meeting. 

Todays Meeting

A very convenient meeting day (7/11) 

New club president Lion Tom Gaebe led our first meeting of the 2025/26 year by calling on Lion Roy (actually Lion Roy jumped in to fill the void) to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion Pat to lead us in singing My Country, ’tis of Thee, and Lion Pete to do the invocation.

No fine badge went to Lion Pete, who drew his own ticket.

The new head greeter, Lion Tony, introduced our two guests, Lion Pat’s son, Christian, and Lion Colin’s daughter, Chariee.

The secret greeter today was Lion Dee, who collected so much cash from those who did not shake his hand that we may not need a new fundraiser for a while.

Announcements

Lion Elaine gave us an update on the Odells. They are both doing well. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers, and we hope to see them back at our meetings soon.

Auction Items

Lion Dee had recently returned from a trip to downtown Visalia, where he had purchased some sweets from a local shopkeeper, which he then auctioned off to Lion Pat for $10. Pat immediately gave them to Lion Karen.

Lion Pete talks about trusts and estates. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pat was $10 happy to have his son, Christian, visiting from Orange County.

Lion Dee was happy that the Giants were on a winning streak while the Dodgers were on a downward trend. He was also pleased that the installation dinner went so well.

Lion Colin was happy that his daughter Charlee, a guest today, was working in the business, helping out with Franies’ Email list.

Lion president Tom was happy that he would be going to Europe soon, visiting Prague and Budapest.

Lion Mark was happy that the installation dinner for the club on June 26th went so well, and it was nice to be at the Country Club.

Lion Pete was happy to have spent some time in Cambrea recently.

Lion Roy was happy that he was going to Santa Cruz for a few days, that he was able to ride his motorcycle to the meeting today, and that the installation dinner went so well. Great meal.

Lion Allen was happy that, for the 25th year, he had gone to a Red Sox/Angels game with his sons. Along for the ride was the club’s gavel. 

Lion Karen had been to the Coast and Vegas w/o bringing anything back to auction off, so she put $20 in the pot.

Lionel Elaine was happy to have seen her brother in Tennessee recently, she put in $10 because she had no auction item.

Fines

Lions Dee, Karen, and our new president, Lion Tom, were fined for failing to wear their badges. 

Lion Allen fined Lion Elaine for having her badge upside down. 

Lions Mark and Elaine were fined for being late. 

Dee’s trivia

This is still Dee’s trivia, even though Lion Roy is now the tail twister, Lion Dee provided the list of questions, and after all, he started the trivia questions.

With the Dodgers facing the Giants this weekend, it’s time for some baseball trivia.

For Lion Pat: What pitcher has the record for most complete games? Pat’s guest was wrong, and so was everyone else. It was Cy Young with an amazing 749. Looking up in the modern era, Clayton Kershaw, who is in his 17th major league season, is a whopping 25.

For Lion Pat’s son Christian: Who hit the “shot heard round the world”? He did not know, but Giants fans all knew it was Bobby Thompson on October 3, 1951.

For Lion Allen: Carlton Fisk hit his famous World Series Game 6 walk-off HR in what year? 1975, extra credit: Who voiced the call for that home run on TV? He did not know; it was Dick Stockson.

For Lion Colin:  Who holds the record for most strikeouts in a single World Series, it is Sandy Koufax in 1965 with 31.

For Lion Tony: Who holds the record for most hits in a single season?  Lots of guesses, but all were wrong; it is Ichiro Suzuki with 262 hits.

Rhank you Dee for proving the questions.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Colin, who donated it to the Leo Club.

Lotto ticket: Lion Karen. 

The marble drawing also went to Lion Karen, but it was clear from her pick of a clear marble that she had not won the $93. 

Lion Pete won the free ad.

Thanks Pete for taking notes today.

President Lion Melinda presides over her last meeting, and our last of the 2024-25 year. 

Todays Meeting

Lion Melinda led her last meeting as president and called on Lion Tony to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion Dee to lead us in singing God Bless America, and Lion Bob Line to do the invocation.

Guest: Today, our guest was Griffin Epstein from the Visalia Rawhide, who was also our program speaker for the day.  

Announcements

News Flash: Lion Melinda buys lunch for Lion Steve, gets gavel stolen, story at 11:00.

We are dark the next two Fridays: No meetings on June 27th or July 4th, we’re back and ready to go on Friday, July 11 (very convenient, back on 7/11)

Lion Tom Link had a thank you for Lion Melinda serving as president these last year and a half, resulting in a standing ovation.

Lion Melinda noted that she will not be attending the installation dinner. She will be in Iowa with her 103-year-old aunt, hoping to send her along to her next life. After that, she will be going to the Lion International Convention in Florida.

Keeping with tradition, Lion Melinda did not select a secret greeter and put $5 into the pot.

Lion Melinda from her first meeting as president, in January 2024. 

Auction Items

Lion Tom Link had visited the coast and brought back a bag of Salt Water Taffy, (surprise-surprise) which he auctioned off to Lion Pat, who then donated it to our speaker, Griffin. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Tom Link was happy that he had been at the coast this past week. 

Lion Allen was happy that the Dodgers had turned away ICE agents at Dodger Stadium and that his son, Travis, had turned 38 recently. 

Lion Roy was happy the Dodgers had won 2 of 3 from the Giants last weekend and 3 of 4 from San Diego after that. He was also happy that it would reach only 80 degrees on Saturday, as he had an outdoor photo shoot in Woodlake. 

Lion Brad was happy his daughter had closed escrow on her condo last Thursday. He was also happy for Lion Melinda’s year and a half at the helm of our club. 

Lion Dee was also happy for Lion Melinda’s presidency and for Lion Tom’s incoming presidency. 

Lion Mark was also pleased with Lion Melinda’s time as president. 

Lion Pat had $20 for Lion Melinda. 

Fines

Lion Dee finds Lion Tom Link for being late. (surprise-surprise) Think of Gomer Pyle when you read that. 

Lion Tom auctions off some Salt Water taffy.  (otherwise known as dental crown removers)

Lion Dee’s Trivia Challenge

For Lion Bob Line: How many residents lived in the colonies when we were granted independence? His answer was $ 2.5 million, but the actual answer was $7 million.

For Lion Brad: When was the 4th of July celebrated at the White House, and who was the president? His answer of 1918 and Woodrow Wilson was just a bit off; it was 1801 with Thomas Jefferson at the helm.

For Lion Tom Link: What year was the 4th declared a holiday? His answer of 1862 was very close; it was 1870. Initially, it was an unpaid holiday for federal employees, but in 1941, it became a paid one.

For Lion Roy: How many hot dogs are eaten on the 4th of July? His guess of 156 million was very close, but the answer was 150 million. (But how many are vegi dogs?) 

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion colin who donated it to the Leo Club.

Lotto ticket: Lion Pat

The marble drawing went to Lion Brad, who picked a nonwhite marble, winning nothing but that nonwhite marble.

Lion Allen holding the clubs Gavel Hostage at Anahaim Stadium. 

News at 11:00

As previously reported, our outgoing president, Lion Melinda, stated that the gavel had been stolen when she was getting lunch for Lion Steve. She accused Lion Allen of taking the Gavel, but he denied it, and no proof was provided. However, over the past few days, this reporter received an image that appears to be taken at Anaheim Stadium (is that a Red Sox game?)  Three men are in the photo, one of whom seems to be Lion Allen holding what looks like a gavel. Visalia PD has been notified, and if Lion Allen appears in their jurisdiction again, they will pay him a visit. More news as it becomes available.

Correction: Lion Allen informed me that he has NEVER verbally denied taking the gavel as was reported above.

Installation dinner

Our annual installation dinner was held on June 26th at the Visalia Country Club, where we installed new officers for the 2025-26 year. Lion Tom Link served as MC and Tom Gaebe was installed as our new president, with Lion Pete Sherwood conducting the installation and Lion Dee providing a history of Lions and our Host club.  A fine evening was had by all. 

Lion Tony won the free ad. Despite the fact that I wanted to put the COS Giants in the ad, I went ahead and put this logo in.