Todays Meeting

Lion President Melinda led our meeting today, calling on Lion Karen to lead us in the flag salute, Lion Bob Line to lead us in singing My Country ’tis of Thee and Lion De to do the invocation.

No fine badge went to Lion John.

Announcements

Lion Melinda shared a text she received from Lion Betty, which gave details about Lion Aaron’s health. He has some kidney problems, but things are looking up: doctors have his kidney function up to 60-65%, but he still has to go to dialysis every Friday. Lion Betty is also doing better with her heart issues. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, and we hope that they get well and are back at the club soon.

Lion Pat had a paid announcement about his and Dee’s barbershop group’s annual show on April 26th. More information is available here. 

Lion Allen announced that two vision screenings are coming up, one on April 24th and one on the 29th. Sign-ups were passed around.

Lion Tom Link announced that he had lunch last week with former Lion Bill Munce, and he was doing well after several health issues over the previous few years. 

Final reading of the slate of officers for 2025-2026: Lion Tony did the third and final reading of the new officers for the club for the 2025-2026 year that begins on July 1st. No one objected, and no one wanted to add their name to the ring, so it’s official:

Visalia Host Lions Officers for the 2025-2026 year.

President: Lion Tom Gaebe

1st Vice President: Lion Colin

Immediate past president: Lion Melinda

Secretary: Lion Melinda

Treasure: Lion Karen

One-year directors: Lion Tom Link and Lion Leigh Musconi

Two-year directors: Lion Roy Dressel and Lion Allen Ventling

Tail twister: Lion Roy

Head greeter: Lion Tony

Head Lion Tamer: Lion Dee

Lion Tony reads the slate of next years officers.

Auction Items

Lion Tom Link had visited the coast and, as expected, brought back a bag of Salt Water Taffy, which he auctioned off to Lion Karen for $5. Additionally, he had a bag of caramel corn that went to Roar editor Lion Roy for $10.

Lion Allen had a Hawaiian shirt that was sold to Lion Pat for $20. (Once again, no free Hawaiian shirt for Lion Bob Line. When will this slight end?)

Happy Bucks 

Lion Dee was happy that his visiting brother got to see his granddaughters play, Sharet’s Web. He was also excited to be performing in his 41st barbershop show on the 26th.

Lion John had $20 in Happy Bucks because he hadn’t been to a meeting in a while. He was also happy that his wife’s cancer was gone.

Lion Leigh was happy that he had completed 3/4 of the Special Olympics Track and Field season.

Lion Allen was happy that he had a lovely trip with his sons to Hawaii. he also noted that 250 years ago, Paul Revere had made his famous ride.

Lion Mark was happy to see Lions John and Pat with us today.

Fines

Lion Pat had a $5 preventive fine. 

Lion Dee fined Lion Allen for what he said was a denial about stealing the gavel before he left for Hawaii, a claim that Lion Allen vehemently denied. 

Lion Melinda fined Lion Tom Link for being late. 

Lion Dee’s Weekly Trivia

For Lion Bob Line, who has the most hits of any player in major league baseball, Bob said Willy Mays, the answer was Pete Rose at 4,256 

Lion Tony: What year was the first World Series played?  1903 was the answer. 

Lion Pat: Who was the first MLB player to have his number retired? Answer, Lou Gehrig. 

Lion Mark: What team has the most World Series wins?  Mark answered correctly as the New York Yankees. 

Lion Leigh: What is the distance from the pitcher’s mound to home plate? Leigh got close with a guess of 60′, it’s 60’6″

Lion Roy: What year did Jackie Robinson break into the majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers? Roy’s guess of 1948 was close; it was 1947. 

The Gavel Travel: Staring Lion Allen

Lion Allen’s recent visit to Hawaii brought us back some interesting photos of what has been dubbed the Gavel Travels. 

And now, Allen on the beach with the gavel.

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Tony

The marble drawing went to Lion Mark, who picked a yellow marble, winning nothing but that yellow marble.

Lion Mark won the free add. 

Todays Meeting

Lion president Melinda opened today’s meeting by calling on Lion Steve to lead us in saluting our flag, Lion Bob Line to lead us in singing “God Bless America,” and Lion Mark to do the invocation.

We had two guests today, PDG Lion David Hamilton and our Leo’s club advisor, Patricia Lara from La Sierra Academy.

Lion Bob Line was the secret greeter today and was able to collect $2 for the club because  Lions Tony and Allen did not shake his hand.

Lion Tony did the first reading of the 2025-26 slate of officers as listed; they are

President: Lion Tom Gaebe

1st Vice President: Lion Colin

Immediate past president: Lion Melinda

Secretary: Lion Melinda

Treasure: Lion Karen

One-year directors: Lion Tom Link and Lion Leigh Musconi

Two-year directors: Lion Roy Dressel and Lion Allen Ventling

Tail twister: Lion Roy

Head greeter: Lion Tony

Head Lion Tamer: Lion Dee

Announcements

This Friday, April 11th at 11 AM:  Board Meeting at Left of Center.

Birthdays this month: Lion President Melinda is the only club member who will celebrate a birthday in April, so we all sang Happy Birthday to her.

On a personal note, Lion’s Pat and Dee announced their annual barbershop show, this year titled Grandpa’s Attic, with the Mighty Oak Chorus on the 26th.

PDG Lion David Hamilton announced the Lions 4A2 District Convention May 16- 18th at the Visalia Wyndham. 

Lion Allen announced two vision screenings: On April 24th at the Family Health Care health fair at Goshen Elementary School and on April 29th at the Early Learning Resource Fair at 1040 N. Woodland. A signup sheet will be passed around at each meeting.

Lion Dee has his weekly triva questions. 

Happy Bucks 

 Lion Dee gave two bucks because he had won $20 with last week’s Lotto ticket win. 

Lion Pat was happy he could help out his daughter and son-in-law with renovations to their home that had gone way beyond what they had expected needed to be done. 

Lion David Hamilton was happy he recently went to the Dead and Company at the Spire in Las Vegas. 

Lion Roy was happy the Dodgers were doing well. 

Lion Karen had a sad buck that the water heater broke in their rental home, costing them over $6,000 to clean up the mess.

Lion Bob Line was happy that he was not in the stock market.

Lion Allen was happy for Saturdays Visaion Screening, also for Lion Tom Gaebe taking on the job as president next year and that he was headed to Hawaii next week. 

Fines

Lion Roy asked the group to fine Lion Dee for his insistent horn honking during Lion Roy’s happy buck for the Dodgers, but he could not get enough votes to pass that.

Dee’s Trivia

To Lion Bob Line: How many Leo Clubs are there worldwide? Bob was not able to give the correct answer of 7,700. The added question was how many Leos there are: 200,000 is the correct answer.

To the group, how many countries are the Leos in? Patricia answered the question correctly: 150.

Mark was asked when and where the Leo Clubs were founded. He could answer the place, Pensavanya, but in the first one, he got close to the correct year, 1957.

Lions Roy, Leigh, Rick, and Allen at the April 5th TCOE resource Fair in Visalia. 

Patricia Laura, advisor of our Leo club from La Sierra Academy, talks about club activities. 

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Bob Line, who donated it to the Leo Club after some cojoiling from Lion Dee.

Lotto ticket: Lion Pat

Patricia Laura, the Leo’s advisor won the free add today. 

Lion President elect Tom Gaebe draws for the covited white marble.

Todays Meeting

Lion President Melinda led our meeting today and called on Lion Pat to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion Dee to lead us in singing God Bless America, and Lion Dee also did the invocation.

Our speaker, Savannah Boiano, with the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, was our only guest today.

The no fine badge went to Lion Pat, which bummed out Lion Dee as he had several fines to levie against Lion Pat.

Our secret greeter today was Lion Dee, who avoided a couple of members’ handshakes, with your Roar editor being one of them. 

Announcements

Lion Tony noted that Smart and Final had been towing cars recently. The AAUW book sale was happening, and more cars were parking in their lot than usual. So, a note to the wise, park on the street.

Lion Tom Link noted that twenty-five Leos attended the recent Special Olympics track and field meet, where he was invited to give the opening remarks.

Lion Dee wanted all to know that a group from our Leo Club at La Sierra Acadamy will be here this coming Friday.

Lion Tony 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Dee was happy to see Lion Pat at our meetings, as he had been out for several weeks.

Lion Tom Link made an appointment with Lion Tom Gaebe this past week and convinced him that being next year’s president of the club would be in his best interest.

Lion Karen was happy that Lion Pat was back with us and that the SF Giants had won a game.

Lion Melinda was happy that Lion Pat was back.

Lion Roy was also happy to see Lion Pat back at the club, plus Roy was glad that he was teaching his new pup that anyone coming to the door in a Giant’s hat was to be barked at incessantly. He was just trying to raise the kids the Dodger Blue way.

Lion Pat noted that he had attended a prep school whose alumni included several well-known baseball figures, including former Yankee Owner George Steinbrenner.

Lion Dees Trivia Challenge

Lion Roy was asked where the first Starbucks was opened outside of North America, but he could not give the correct answer of Japan.

Lion Tony correctly answered the question about where the US Government kept essential documents such as the Declaration of Independence during WWII: Fort Knox.

Even with all the years as a haberdasher, Lion Tom Link was unable to answer the next question: What is the small plastic piece at the end of a shoelace called? Answer: Aglet.

To Tom Gaebe, the question was: Who was the first US president to appear on television? FDR.

Lion Melinda correctly answered what type of flower bulbs were once used as currency: Tulip bulbs. (to plant it, or spend it, that is the question) 

Lion Karen correctly answered what the little pocket in jeans was designed for: A pocket watch

Savannah Boiano from the Sequoia Parks conservency was our speaker today. As a non profit they raise money for projects in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national Parks.

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Dee

The marble drawing went to Lion president elect Tom Gaebe who came up with some other color other then the winning white marble.

Lion Pat, being the fine gentlemen that he is, says Go Dodgers. 

Lion president Melinda led our meeting today and called on Lion Mark to lead us in saluting our flag, Lion Dee to lead us in singing “God Bless America,” and Lion Pete to do the invocation.

The no fine badge went to Lion Tony after Lion Roy heard the wrong number and thought he got the No Fine Badge again this week.

Secret greeter: No one was selected thus the club did make some money as Lion Melinda put in her usual $5.

Announcements

Lion Melinda read a tank you letter from You Life thanking them for our donation and for the Lions who attended the fundraising dinner on Friday February 21st. She also announhced that we had received a letter from Tulare County that the new grand jury was being formed and asking for any members who would like to sit on the jury this year.

On a sad note, Lion Melinda also announced the passing of Lion Mary Andrade. A member of the Three Rivers club since April 1, 1997, she was very involved in the district and will be missed.

Past presidents meeting. This coming Tuesday at 5:30, Mountain Mikes Pizza on Moondy Blvd.

Auction Items

Lion Tom had been to the coast abnd brought back stuffed Minion that went to Lion Melinda for $12.

Sherrie Bakke with Visit Visalia, our program today. 

Happy Bucks

Lion Tony had $15 happy dollars because he had been to Cambrea to celebrate his anniversary and did not bring anything back to auction off.

Lion Roy had a happy buck for his 14th wedding anniversary on Wednesday. He and his wife Javonna celebrated with lunch at the Vintage Press.

Lion Bob Line was happy that a new rule concerning his state pension and his Social Security check gave him 40% more in SS benefits. Lion Pete noted that Biden had passed that law, which helped Lion Bob get more money. Lion Leigh pointed out that he did not get the same notice as Lion Bob about his SS benefits.

Lion Pete was happy that on Monday, he and his wife Claudia were off to their home in South Carolina for the next month.

Lion Allen was happy that his alma mater, the University of Montana, was in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019.

Lioin Dee was also happy his alma mater, BYU, was in the tournament also.

Lion Leigh had a happy buck because Lion Tom Link delivered a welcome address to the Special Olympics.

Fines

Lion Pete fined Lion Steve because Lion Steves grandsons baseball team beat up on Lions Pete’s grandsons team.

Lion Brad fined himself for not having a name badge on.

Lion dee fined Lion Bob Line for talking over him earler in the meeting.

Dees Trivia

To Lion Pete: when was the decloration of independence signed?  Petes guess of July 4, 1776 was wroing, it was August 2, 1776.

Lion Bob Line: Who was the 4th president of the united states? His guess of James Madision was correct.

Lion Roy: Who did the United States purchase Alaska from?  Roy answered correctly, Russia.

Lion Tom Link: What era did America move from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy?  he did not know the correct answer, it was the Industrial Revolution.

Drawings

$5 drawing: went to Lion Tony who donatedd it to the eye foundation. 

Lotto Ticket: Lion Roy won the ticket, but once again came up empty. (suprise suprise) 

Marble: Lion Mark, who also came up empty. 

Our speaker today, Sherrie Bakke, won the free ad. 

Lion BOb Line with a happy buck.

Todays Meeting

Lion President Melinda led our meeting and called on herself to salute our flag. She then asked Lion Dee to lead us in singing “My Country Tis of Thee” and asked Lion Mark to do the invocation.

Your Roar editor, Lion Roy, won the no fine badge today, a big disappointment to Lion Dee who had plans.

Announcements

Vision screenings:

Today’s secret greeter was Lion Mark, who turned out to be Mr. Big Popular, everyone shook his hand.

This morning’s board meeting:  

Lion Karen’s motion that we give the $250 donated by club friend Judy Fussel was approved. We will provide it to an El Demonte student in Lion Janet McClintock’s name.

The buying of a new Vision Screening machine was also discussed. (we are borrowing one from the Pride Lions now) They are pretty expensive, $7,500, but grants are available, which would pay for at least half of the cost. No decision was made at the meeting.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Karen had ten happy bucks for the week she and her husband Lion Rick spent in Arizona attending spring training baseball games. She noted that the Giants won the two games they went to.

Lion Leigh was happy that he had taken seven Special Olympics basketball teams to Fresno for the annual tournament and that the Visalia teams had taken home several wins. However, they lost the gold medal game by just one point. Leagh also told us that he was asked to leave the bench, but he didn’t go into detail.

Lion Dee was happy that his granddaughter, who lives in Utah, was having another child.

Lion Pete was happy that he was able to celebrate his dad’s 94th birthday last week, but he had a sad buck because his eight-year-old granddaughter broke her arm and is on her softball team’s DL.

Lion Bob Line was happy that he was the only one in the room wearing green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which is this Monday.

Lion Tom Gaebe was happy that his firm had passed the first tax filing deadline.

Lion Melinda was happy for all the rain we have been having lately.

Lion Roy tried to give a happy 10% to the club from last week’s loto ticket win but he was unable to because he won nothing, zilch, nada. 

Fines

Lion Dee had asked if Lion Bob Line had taken his hat off for the pledge, and apparently he had because no fine was levied.

Lion Dee had his trivia questions for the group:

For Lion Allen: Who was the founder of Lions Clubs?  Allen answered correctly: Melvin Jones.

For Lion Colin: How many Lions Clubs are there in the world? His guess of 15,000 was short as there are 49,000 in the world.

For Lion Bob Line: What is the percentage of Australians living on the coast? Bob’s guess of 90% was right on the mark.

For Lion Pete: What year was LCIF founded?  His guess of 1951 or 1979 was wrong. The correct answer was 1968.

For Lion Leigh: What Canadian city had the first Lion Club? His answer of Victoria was incorrect, as it was Windsor, Ontario.

For Lion Tom Gaebe, how many countries are there Lion Clubs in? His answer, more than 200, was correct.

For Lion Mark: What year was Lions founded, and in what city? Correct answer was 2017 in Dallas, Texas.

Lion Dee demanding payment from Lion Pete for an incorrect trivia question answer. 

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Steve.

The marble drawing went to Lion Roy, who picked a yellow marble and won nothing but that nonwhite marble.

Life is Better with Broccoli:  Lion Melinda Blankinship 

Todays Meeting

With Lion President Melinda presiding, Lion Roy led us in the flag salute, Lion Dee led us in singing God Bless America, and Lion Tom Link did the invocation.

No fine badge went to Lion Allen.

As this was the first meeting of March, we sang happy birthday to Lions Mark and Steve who were both in attendance.

Guest

We had a guest, Stephanie, who found us on our website. She recently moved to Vialia from Lompoc and works as a realtor.

Announcements

Board Meeting: This Friday at 11:00 AM, Left of Center.

2025-26 Slate of officers: It’s time to select the new year’s slate of officers, and the district would like us to make those selections no later than April 15th. If you would like to be one of our board members, volunteer.

District speaker contest results:  Lion Melinda announced that the student who won at our clubs speaker contest did not attend the district contest, and a girl from Exeter won that round.

Secret Greeter: Lion Melinda did not pick a secret greeter and thus put $5 into the pot, which was more than would have been gained from a secret greeter.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Roy was happy that the Dodgers look good this year, that our guest, Stephanie, was with us today, and that he had photographed the Tulare County Special Olympics basketball squad last Sunday. Plus, the big news: his new dog was getting potty trained.

Lion Allen was happy that last week’s vision screening at TCOE went well and that the machine borrowed from the Pride Club didn’t need a tent indoors like the old one.

Melinda was happy for Lions Karen and Rick who are in Arizona for their annual spring training trip, as they were w/o kids.

Lion Dee was happy to see our guest, Stephanie, with us today.

Lion Tom link was happy that he was going to Montray for the annual cemetery board retreat and as Tom said, lots of people are dying to go with them.

Fines

Lion Roy fined himself for not being able to go to last week’s eye screening.

Lion Dee had his trivia questions and began with who in the Lions International President: Neither Mark nor Roy knew had to pay a dollar.  The answer is Fabrício Oliveira from Brazil. 

Lion Tom Link was asked where the Lions International Convention would be held, but he could not give the correct answer: Orlando, Florida. 

Lion Tony came close to answering the question: How many years was President Jimmy Carter a Lions club member?  The answer is 72 years. He joined the Planes George Lions club in 1953. 

Lion Dee’s final question was: How many people were helped by Lions Worldwide in the year 23-24? No one could give the correct answer of four hundred and twenty million. 

Lion Melinda draws for the white marble, but came up empty. 

Remembering Janet

Today, we began a new tradition of remembering lions who have passed with the remembrance of Lion Janet McClintock. Lion Roy put together photos he had taken from years past, and members talked about their fond memories of Janet. She was our first female president, serving the 2008-2009 year.

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Roy, who, as he expected, came up empty. 

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

Lion Melinda won the free add.