Visalia’s city manager, Leslie Caviglia, talks to the club about the city’s five-year plan.

Todays Meeting

Our president, Lion Tom, was unable to attend the meeting, and the first vice president, Lion Colin, presided, calling on Lion Roy to lead us in the flag salute, Lion Dee to lead us in song, and Lion Pete to deliver the invocation.

The no fine badge went to Lion Pat today.

Auction items

Lion Roy was given a bottle of meds by Lion Bob Line, who had noted that Lion Tom Link had left them on the table at their morning coffee meeting. Roy decided they made a good auction item, and Lion Tom paid $5 to get them back.

Visalia’s City Manager Leslie Caviglia

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pete was happy that Friday was his wife, Claudia’s, birthday, and he was smart enough not to reveal her age. 

Lion Dee was happy to be back at the club after a stint in the hospital and a few days in rehab.

Lion Geoff was happy to have gone to the Chiefs’/Raiders game in Vegas recently, though the outcome did not suit him. But the suit he had on at the game left no doubt about where his loyalties lie.

Lion Roay was happy to see Lion Dee back at our meeting and that he was on the mend.

Lion Colin was also happy to see Lion Dee.

Lion Roy had given Lion Alvin a ride to the meeting and had learned that they had even more in common than having lived across the street from each other years ago. It is indeed a small world.

Lion Mark was also happy to see Lions Dee and Alvin at the meeting.

Fines

 Lion Tom Link was fined for being late. 

Lion Mark fined himself for having to leave early. 

Lion Dee, feeling like his old self, fined Lion Melinda for the terrible food he had while at Kaweah. The Oatmeal was especially bad, and he stated he would not serve it to prisoners of war. (he did say that the nurses and staff were great) 

Drawings 

Lion Leigh won the $5 drawing and donated it to the Leo club. 

The Lotto Ticket went to your Roar editor, Lion Roy, who thought, “Finally, I’ll get paid for writing this thing,”  but alas, it was not to be.

Lion Leigh also won the free ad today.

He said, “Go 49ers.”
But he’ll have to carry that over to next year. 

Our first meeting of 2026

Todays Meeting

Lion president Tom led the first meeting of 2026 and called on Lion Karen to lead us in the pledge, Lion Pat to lead us in singing My Country ’tis of Thee, and Lion Bob to do the invocation.

We had two guests today: our zone chair, Lion Ian Sellers, and our speaker, Fernie Marroquin. Fernie is the assistant superintendent for business services at the Tulare County Office of Education.

The no fine badge went to Lion Karen.

The secret greeter was none other than your Roar editor, Lion Roy, who was unpopular enough that several members did not shake his hand.

Announcements

Sad news came in after Friday’s meeting: former Visalia Host Lion Kent Wooley has passed away. We have no information yet on when the services will be held, but we will communicate them as soon as we know.

Lion Melinda announced that a bus will be available for the City of Hope Tribute Day on March 1st.

Lion Tom Link gave us an update on Lion Dee’s condition. He had been in Kaweah for three days over the Christmas holiday and is now in rehab. We all hope to see him soon.

Lion Allen circulated a Super Bowl pool sheet,  priced at $1 per square, with a maximum of 7 squares. Several of us took him up on it.

Auction items

Lion Tom Link had been to the coast and brought back a bag of Salt Water Taffy that went to Lion Karen for $10.

Lion Pat has a happy buck. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion president Tom was happy because of the nice weather and for the new tax laws, which are making him a lot of money because they are so complicated.

Lion Mark was also happy with the nice weather.

Lion Melinda was happy that a big backyard project at her house was completed.

Lion Karen was happy that the grandkids were going back to school and that she and Rick were going to Cabo for a few days.

Guest Lion Ian was happy to be with us today and delighted that his wife was pregnant with their third child.

Lion Mark was happy that the club was back to meeting for the new year, and happy for Lion Ian to have another young one on the way.

Lion Pat was happy that Coke was switching one of its plants from making soda to making a nutritional beverage.

Lion John was happy to be back at a club meeting and happy that he had lost thirty-three pounds.

Lion Tom Link was happy to have adopted a dog, a French poodle named Abby, and was hopeful that he might be moving into one of the cottages at Quail Park in Cypress within the next month.

Fines

Lions John and Mark were both fined for being late.

Both Lion Toms were fined for double-booking speakers today.

Drawings 

 $5 drawing went to Lion Pete, who donated it to the Leo club. 

Lotto ticket: Went to Lion Steve. Will he win the big bucks? We’ll see this Friday. 

Marble Drawing: Lion, Tom Link, no luck on getting that white marble. 

Free Add

Help Out at the Clubs
Super Bowl Party for the Homeless

Sunday February 8th
Visalia Navigation Center

Lion Roy won the free ad today

The wonderful voices of the Redwood Chamber singers graced our meeting today. 

Lion Melinda stood in as acting president today. 

Lion Brad with his Daughter, Hannah along with Redwood Chamber singers’ director, Melchor P. Carrillo

A note for Lion Dee, along with Lions Aaron and Betty: get well soon. The meetings are not the same without you. 

Lion Tony won the free ad this week. 

Lion Tom Link, taking credit for the better attendance figures at Visalia Unified. 

Todays Meeting

Our president, Lion Tom, led the meeting today and called on Lion Leigh to lead us in the pledge, Lion Pat to lead us in song, and Lion Pete to do the invocation.

Head Greeter Lion Tony introduced our guest, Dave Prewitt, who was 50% of our program today (along with Lion Pete), who gave an excellent presentation on their backpacking trip last summer in Yosemite.

The secret greeter today was Lion Colin. Lion Bob Line was the only one of the group who did not shake his hand today. Bob said it was the best dollar he had ever spent.

Lion Melinda won the No-Fine Badge today.

Announcements

A basket was passed around to collect holiday gratuity for our server, Daniel. It will be circulated again this coming Friday and then presented to him before the end of the meeting.

Lion Melinda had a reminder that on February 20th, Young Life is having its annual dinner, and our club has a table of eight. If anyone would like to attend, respond to the email or let Melinda know.

Lion Melinda also wanted us to know that February 13th will be our club’s annual Student Speaker contest. We hope for a strong turnout that day so the kids have a good audience.

Lion Melinda (she was busy with these announcements) also wanted to thank all of you who donated children’s books to the students in Tulare, who will give them to elementary schools in the area. Plus, thank you for the food donations for the COS students. Note: You can still donate food; if you want, bring it this Friday.

Note to all: next Friday, December 19th, will be our annual Christmas program. Please RSVP using the email sent earlier.

Lion Alvin had Lion Roy distribute a flyer announcing the Valley Center for the Blind Open House on December 17th from 3-6 PM. The center is located at 220 S. Mooney Blvd. Suite E. Get some treats and a photo with Santa. 

Auction Items

Lion Karen had been to the coast and had a brick of chocolate that went to Lion Melinda. There was no competition from the group; it just went to Melinda for $20.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pete was happy that we have a Fantasy Football King in our club, Lion Colin, who was doing very well this season.

Lion Dee was happy that BYU was going to be playing Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl: Yep, you can’t make these things up. It’s the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Lion Melinda had recently returned from seeing Jeannie Berchum and Carol Jones, and they both said hi to our club. Plus, to Lion Dee’s chagrin, Melinda had a happy buck for Texas Tech beating BYU last weekend.

Lion Tom Link was happy that school attendance at Visalia Unified is up from last year, some of which he attributed to his being on the school board.

Lion president Tom was happy that Notre Dame was not in the playoffs.

Lion Roy was happy that he had booked the Visalia Parks and Recreation basketball league photos for the end of January, and that he and his wife had once again visited the American Ave Landfill on Wednesday. Their fourth trip (date) in the last month to get rid of old fence boards. It’s getting pretty bad when they recognize you at the dump?

Fines

Lion Tom Link was fined for being late. (first time for everything)

Lion Leigh fined Lion President Tom for not giving our newest member, Lion Alvin, time to talk about himself last week when he was inducted. Lion Melinda paid his fine because she gave Tom the ceremony notes. Many of us said that Lion Tom should have known, since he has been in the club for a few years.

Lion President Tom fined Lion Dee for BYU’s loss last week. (But there’s still the Pop-Tarts Bowl)

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Dee (for a guy who doesn’t gamble, he sure wins the Lotto a lot)

The marble drawing went to Lion Tony, who picked a mostly clear marble and won nothing. 

Lion Leigh Won the Free Add This Week. 

Todays Meeting

Lion President Tom led the meeting today and called on Lion Colin to lead us in the flag salute, Lion Dee to lead us in singing Jungle Bells, and Lion Bob Line to do the invocation.

Greeter Lion Tony introduced our guests today: Amy Comi (our newest member, voted in at the end of today’s meeting), Eric Quek, our speaker today, and Bruce (sorry, I didn’t get his last name), who was visiting along with Eric as one of his students.

The secret greeter today was Lion Allen, who tapped your roar Editor for a dollar for not shaking his hand, along with Lions Tom Link, Bob Line, Leigh, and Tony.

Lion Karen won the no fine badge.

Announcements

New Member Lion Alvin Martin was sworn in, making his membership official.

Lions Colin, Pat, and John Parker celebrated birthdays, and we sang Happy Birthday to Colin, who was the only one of the three who were in attendance today.

Lion Allen announced that the Young Life dinner was scheduled for February 20th. Our club gets a table of 8 because of our yearly donation, so let Lion Allen know if you would like to attend.

Lion Dee announced that things were going gangbusters for the La Sierra Leo Club, with thirty active members, and they are doing lots of projects.

Lion President Tom reminded us that the food drive for Visalia Emergency Aid is still ongoing, as is the toy drive. Bring an unwrapped toy for a boy and a girl to our meetings over the next two weeks, and we will give them to VEAC at our meeting on the 19th.

Eric Quek, our guest speaker today. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Dee  was happy that BYU was playing Texas Tech on Saturday (though the outcome was not to his liking)

Lion Pet was happy that his son-in-law, who went all out decorating his home this year, persuaded Pete to buy a big blow-up Santa to put in Lion Pete’s front yard. After a little bit, he has grown to like it.

Lion president Tom was happy USC had won their football game.

Lion Roy was happy he had photographed the Race Against Hunger for the VEAC on Thanksgiving Morning, and was Happy that the Candy Cain Lane parade went off well.

Lion Brad was also happy the parade went well, except that his entry, the Panel Van, had its battery die, and some people on the sidelines helped him push it to the side of the road.

Lion Karen was happy that Lion Alvin was now a member and that Anna was joining our club.

Lion Alvin Martin is officially sworn into our club.

Fines

Lion Tom Link was fined because his phone went off at the meeting.

Lion Dee fined Lion president Tom because USC had lost to Notre Dame after bragging about them in their last meeting.

Lion president Tom was going to fine Lion Tom Link for being late, but because Lion Link had brought food for the collection, the fine was negated.

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Leigh

The marble drawing went to Lion Pete, who managed to draw his own ticket but failed to get the white marble.

Lion Dee won the add this week.

Lion Melinda

Todays Meeting

Our president, Lion Tom, led the meeting today and called on Lion Roy to lead us in the flag salute, Lion Dee to lead us in song, and Lion Pete to do the invocation.

Greeter Lion Tony introduced our guests: Eric Quek, our speaker for the day, Anna Comi, her husband Luca Comi, and Luca’s father-in-law, Carl Anderson.

The no fine badge went to Lion Allen today.

Announcements

Lion Dee announced that his daughter had the lead in her school play.

Lion Melinda announced the latest project, collecting canned goods, which will be donated to the COS food bank for the Holidays.

Roy agreed to head the Candy Cane Lane parade organization arrangements and will be handing out maps at the corner of Main St. and Liberty starting at 4:30 on Monday, December 1st. Look for the email announcement, and a sign-up will be passed around next meeting (November 21st)

Happy Bucks 

Lion Dee was happy that Lion Pete had signed up to speak to us on December 12th about his Yosemite backpacking trip this past summer.

Our guest, Eric, had a happy buck because he did not listen to us Dodger fans. (Eric will be speaking to us on December 5th) 

Lion Alvin was happy that he was now a Lion member and that his family would be spending a week at Disneyland.

Lion Mark was happy to see all the guests today and was also happy that Fresno State was winning.

Lion Geoff was once again happy that the Dodgers had won the World Series (I try to get this in every edition of the Roar)  and that he was going to a concert at the Save Mart Center that night. (and a thank you to Lion Geoff for taking notes for the Roar this week)

Lion Tom Link was happy that our guest, Carl Anderson, had “allowed” his neighbor to decorate his home for the holidays. (Apparently, you can’t miss those decorations)

Lion Pete was happy to see all the guests at the meeting.

Lion Allen congratulated the Dodger fans on their second in a row World Series Win, (there it is again) plus he was happy for Carl Anderson’s Boston shirt.

Lion Roy was happy to see all the guests and was happy he had a nice motorcycle ride to Maraposa and Bass Lake the past Tuesday.

Lion president Tom was happy that the USC Trojans had won last week (and noted that BYU had not) and was happy to see Lion Alvin with us today.

Lion Karen, in channeling Lion Ruth from the past, was just happy it’s Friday.

Fines

Apparently it was no fine Friday. 

Our program today was presented by Anna Comi, who talked about her trip with her husband, Luca, along part of the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain this year.

Dee’s Trivia

Thanksgiving trivia was the theme today. 

For Lion Pete: What was the Thanksgiving meal served by Charlie Brown?  No one, including Lion Pete, knew the answer. It was buttered toast, popcorn, pretzels, and jellybeans. 

For Lion Bob: What was the most popular travel destination for the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday?  It was Orlando, Florida. Lion Bob owed a dollar. 

For Lion Mark: What was the hat that the Pilgrims wore called?  It was a Capotain, Lion Mark owed a dollar as well. 

For Lion Tom Link: What is the Monday after Thanksgiving called?  While Lion Tom did not answer correctly, others in the group knew it is called Cyber Monday. 

Drawings 

The $5 drawing was won by Lion Mark, who donated it to the Leo Club.

Lotto ticket: Lion Leigh.

The marble drawing also went to Lion Leigh; he picked a clear marble, winning nothing but that clear marble.

Carl Anderson won the free ad. 
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