Todays Meeting

Lion President Tom once again led our meeting today and called on Lion Tony to lead the flag salute, Lion Pat to lead us in singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, and Lion Tom Link to do the invocation. Lion Tony announced that our only guest today was Griffin from the Rawhide. He was also our speaker. 

Lion Allen won the No Fine Badge today.

Announcements

Lion Melinda announced the fundraising ideas that came up during the board meeting held before the regular meeting. 

 Lion Dee came up with this idea to get the local high school bands to perform in one of the local parks. We could charge $5 admission, have food trucks, and even have a duck race, where ducks are released into a pond or a small creek. Somebody sponsors the ducks, and they bet on who will win. 

We talked about having a food booth at the downtown car show next year. 

Lion Dee also talked about an idea involving pets and an event like the Dog Daze of summer that was put on by the SPCA several years ago. Bring in pet owners, have them dress up, and have a contest of the best-looking pet, the ugliest pet, etc. The pet that bites the most  –no, no, that’s not a good contest. 

One of the things that got set aside was Mulligan’s golf. We had talked about hosting a golf tournament at Mulligan’s on Main Street, which is a virtual golf course, but we concluded we could not make any money on it. The location wanted $2000 to rent it, and we didn’t feel that we could charge enough or have enough people to make a profit. 

Lion Dee also noted that we have decided to have a rawhide night at the baseball park, and he would set that up. The cost to go to that event would be $22. The date will be Thursday, June 11th. 

Lion Melinda did the last reading of the 26-27 officers, and it was now official.

Lion Bob with a happy buck. 

Happy Bucks 

– Bob was happy that his grandson, Andrew Riddle, played for LD.

– Lion Roy was happy that he was able to ride his motorcycle to the club meeting today, and was also happy that it was motorcycle awareness month, so signs on the freeway were noting “look twice for motorcycles”. Roy thought that was a good idea since he didn’t want to get hit.

– Lion D was happy that the San Francisco Giants pulled out a split in the series against the Dodgers. They won two games; the Dodgers won two, so no one had bragging rights.

– Lion Melinda was happy that her daughter had won the Woodlake Rodeo Queen, and Lion Melinda won $900 in a raffle at the Woodlake Rodeo, and donated $800 of it to help purchase chaps for the girls.

– Lion Allen was happy that he had spent some time in Southern California near the beach with his kids the past week. Though he said he traded the heat of the valley for the cold of the ocean.

Drawings 

Drawings:

– The $5 drawing today went to Lion Tom, who gave it to the Leo Club.

– Lion Tony won the lotto tickets today. We’ll see if he won the big bucks.

– The marble drawing went to Lion Tom Link, though he did not draw the white marble, and he went home with nothing. 

Thanks to Lion Mark for taking notes for the Roar today. 

Lion Steve said Go Dodgers,
(They sure did. Weekend series: Dodgers 31, Angels 3)

Our speaker today, Jill Caviezel, talks about the Valley Center for the Blind. 

Todays Meeting

Lion president Tom led our meeting today and called on Lion Tony to lead us in the pledge, Lion Dee to lead us in singing “God Bless America and Lion Bob Line to do the invocation. Lion Tony introduced our guests today, Joe Johnson and his wife, Jill Caviezel, who provided information about the Valley Center for the Blind. 

Announcements

Lion Pat announced that the Valley Life Charter School would present “The Music Man” this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and he encouraged all to attend.

Lion Bob Line announced that the rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated.  He is alive and well. Apparently, someone thought that Bob Line had passed away and mentioned it on social media.

Lion Melinda read, for the second time, the Slate of Officers for the 26-27 year.

Lion Melinda was also the secret greeter today and had several people who did not shake her hand and earned the club some much-needed funds.

Our speaker today was Jill, from Valley Center for the Blind.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Melinda was happy because her granddaughter was crowned the Woodlake Rodeo Queen, but she was also sad because, on the same day her granddaughter found out she was going to be Rodeo Queen, her horse had to be put down.

Pat was happy because he knew where to get some horses for about half price.

Lion Allen was happy because he was going to Redondo Beach for a week to escape the valley heat.

Lion Brad was happy that his carpal tunnel surgery had gone well, and he was already healing, but he thought playing handball was not in the cards for a few days. 

Lion Karen was happy to see today’s speaker, Jill, with us today. 

Lyon Roy was happy because the Dodgers had won the Astros 12-2 the night before.

Lyon President Tom was happy because he had figured out how to set his plug-in hybrid to run solely on battery power to save him lots of money.

Fines

 Lyon President Tom fined Lyon Tom Link for attacking the goose on the golf game a couple of weeks ago, and Lyon Dee was going to report him to PETA.

Lyon Tom Gaebe fined Lyon Tom Link for being late.

Lyon Allen fined Lyon Brad for taking six weeks to get back to his son, Travis, with a quote for his insurance.

Lyon D also fined Lyon Brad because State Farm are crooks.

Lions Steve, Melinda, and Brad were all fined for not wearing their badges.

Trivia

Which president made Mother’s Day an official holiday? It was Woodrow Wilson.

What baby was the heaviest baby ever born?  Don’t know his name, but he was 22 pounds 8 oz. Ouch.

What animal is pregnant the longest?  That would be the elephant: two years.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion D, who surprisingly gave it to the Leo Club.

Lotto tickets went to Lion Bob Line.

Marble drawing went to Karen, who was able to draw for the white marble, but did not pick that white marble, thus winning nothing.

Lion Tom won the free ad. 

Li0n Melinda announces the slate of officers for the 2026-2027 year. 

Todays Meeting

Lion President Tom led our meeting today and called on Lion Dee to sing “God Bless America.” He also called on Lion Rick to do the Pledge, and Lion Mark did the invocation. We drew for the no-fine badge, and Lucky Lion Steve won.

Today’s secret greeter was Pat Harrison: Tom Link, and Bob Line did not shake his hand 

Announcements

Lion Melinda announced that she was going over the members’ list to ensure it was accurate and passed it around for members to update their contact information. If your contact info has changed, just reply to the email where the Roar is sent from, and the changes will be made. 

Lion Melinda also announced that this past Wednesday, there was a past president’s meeting at Mountain Mike’s Pizza on Mooney, and new officers for the 26-27 year were proposed.

– President: Lion Colin Franey

– Past President: Lion Tom Gaby

– First Vice President: Lion Roy Dressel

 – Secretary: Lion Melinda Blankenship.

– Treasurer: Lion Karen McVey.

– Tail Twister will be Lion Dee Baughman.

– Lion Tamer will be Lion Amy Comi.

– Two-year directors: Lions Mark and Geoff.

– One-year directors: Lions Roy and Allen.

– Past president directors: Lions Tony and Pat.

Lyon Allen announced that a vision screening was held at Goshen Elementary School last Friday. Thirty-six kids were screened, and six were referred for having their eyes examined 

Auction items

There were no actual auction items today, but Lion Rick gave $10 because he had gone fishing at Mammoth Lakes, caught several large fish, but did not bring anything back to auction off. 

Lion Melinda announces the slate of officers for next year.

Happy Bucks 

– Lion Amy was happy that her parents had celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this past week.

– Tom Link was happy that he survived an altercation with a goose at the Exeter golf course. He fell over backward, and the goose ended up on top of them. Lion Tom was thinking of suing the goose, but he found out the goose had no assets. 

– Lion Roy was happy to be back after three weeks of photo shoots. He was also happy to have ridden his motorcycle today.

– Lion Mark was happy that he talked to his daughters, and was happy that his son-in-law had run a half-marathon.

– Both Dee and Pat were happy to have had a great barbershop show this past week.

– Lion Pat was also $20 happy that Valley Life Charter was doing The Music Man. Those kids were in their barbershop show and did an excellent job.

– Lion Roy was also happy that Lion Rick had volunteered to take notes for The Roar this week. Thanks, Rick.

– Lion Karen fined Rick $5 (but paid that fine for him) because Rick had gone fishing for a few days, and she was stuck at home babysitting.

– Lion Pete was $20 happy because he was headed to his house in North Carolina for three weeks. He was going to do some work and watch his grandkids playing baseball.

– Lion Pat was also happy that Lion Amy had brought a friend to the barbershop show.

Dee’s Trivia

-Dee called on Lion Rick and asked him what presidents had died in the White House in the actual house itself. Rick did not know that the two who had died were William Henry Harrison and Zackery Taylor. 

– Dee then called on Tom Link and asked him who the first president to meet the Pope was. Tom did not know that it was Woodrow Wilson.

– Dee asked Pete what state capitals were named after presidents. How many state capitals were named after presidents? Pete’s guess was incorrect. It was four. Jackson, Mississippi, is named for Andrew Jackson (the 7th president) Jefferson City, Missouri: Named for Thomas Jefferson (3rd president) Lincoln, Nebraska: Named for Abraham Lincoln (16th president) Madison, Wisconsin: Named for James Madison (4th president)

Drawings 

– Lion Dee won the lotto tickets today.

Lion Tom Link won the $5 and gave it to the Leo Club.

– Lion Steve once again won the right to draw for the marble, but he picked a marble that was very close to white; very close is still not a winner.

– Today’s program: Today’s program featured Miss Tulare County, Elliana Hendrickson, and Miss Tulare County teen Jocelyn Sanderberger. Michelle French headed the group, and the girls talked about stuff.

Drawings 

– Lion Dee won the lotto tickets today.

Lion Tom Link won the $5 and gave it to the Leo Club.

– The free ad went to Lion Amy, and she wanted to advertise The Music Man at Valley Life Church.

– Lion Steve once again won the right to draw for the marble, but he picked a marble that was very close to white; very close is still not a winner.

– Today’s program: Today’s program featured Miss Tulare County, Elena Hernandez, and Miss Tulare County teen Jacqueline Schneider. Michelle French is the executive director of the group. 

Jacqueline Schneider, Miss Tulare County Teen

Lion Amy won the free ad today.

Todays Meeting

Lion President Tom presided over the meeting on Good Friday and called on Lion Pat to sing the song, Lion Roy to do the Pledge of Allegiance, and Lion Dee to do the invocation.

Lion Tony won the No Fine Badge today and gave a dollar for delivery. 

Lion President Tom also called for the secret greeter to show himself; it turned out to be Lion Bob, though he was unaware he was the secret greeter. Luckily, his memory was good enough to note that three people did not shake his hand.

Announcements

Linon Melinda was unable to attend the club meeting today, but she had Karen make an announcement about our club’s 100th anniversary party. It will be July 18th at the Hyde, beginning at 5:30. Note that we have Terry Oman, the Visalia historian, who will be speaking that evening and sharing a bit of Visalia’s history. Also, Melinda noted that if anyone was interested in helping plan the 100th anniversary, let her know. 

Lion President Tom noted that he did not have a list of April birthdays for the club, and no one in attendance had a birthday, so we did not sing “Happy Birthday.”

Lion Allen announced that we have a vision screening on Friday, April 24rd, in Goshen, and that anybody who would like to help should show up from 3:00 to 5:00 at Goshen Elementary School.

Lion Pete tells the story of Lion Bob’s April Fool’s joke. 

Happy Bucks 

Lyon Rick had a happy buck because when he went to spring training in March, he saw a great game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers started out with a 7-0 score, and it ended up with the Brewers winning 19 -7 after the Dodgers pulled their starting pitchers. 

Lion Roy had a happy buck because NASA is returning to the Moon with the Artemis II mission. He also had a short little joke: A duck went into the old Main Drug store owned by former club president Roland Marr.  The duck asked for some lip balm. Roland got it, turned around, and said, “Will this be cash or charge?” The duck replied, “No, just put it on my bill.” Ha ha.

Lion Mark was happy to be back at our club meeting today after being away for a few weeks. He noted that his kids, who lived in Clovis, were expecting a child whom they would name Clara. He noted that several of them in that family were born on the same day.

Lion Dee had a happy buck, but first, reminded by what Lion Rick had said about the spring training baseball game,  remembered a couple of baseball games the cub attended several years ago.   In the first year, the group went down to Dodger Stadium to see the Dodgers play the Giants, and the Giants beat them 20 to 3. The next year, the club went up to San Francisco to see the Giants play the Dodgers, and the Dodgers beat the Giants in the same lopsided way. 

Lion Dee was also happy to play golf in Exeter the day before, and he did very well, posting some three pars. 

Dee also noted that, if members of the club wanted to go to a Rawhide game, he would get it together. 

Lion President Tom had a happy buck because he had gone to the symphony last Saturday night and Tom Link was there. It was a memorable experience. When asked if that memorable experience was because Tom Link was there, he said no, that fortunately, Tom was sitting several rows away.

Lion Tom also said that while he didn’t want to get political, he was happy we no longer had our Attorney General, Pam Bondi.

Lion Pete had a happy buck because he told a story about Lion Bob, who has a family breakfast once a month with his daughters, their spouses, and some nieces and nephews. This month’s breakfast took place on April 1st, and Bob commented that he was going to move out of Shannon Ranch and move in with each of his daughters for a month at a time. They were pretty shocked until he said, “Just kidding, April Fools.”

Fines

Lyon Roy fined himself because he will not be at the club meetings for three weeks. While he was not going anywhere special, he had three fairly big photo jobs on the following Saturdays, and he had to pack up for those jobs on Friday.

Lion President Tom fined several members for not having their badges, including himself.

Trivia

 Because this was Easter weekend, we decided to do Easter trivia

For Lion Pete: According to the song “Peter Cottontail,” what is the bunny bringing for Tommy? Pete’s answer of a dollar was incorrect. The correct answer, which nobody could come up with, was that the Easter bunny is bringing jelly beans for Tommy.

For Lion President Tom: instead of Easter bunnies, Swedish kids dress up as what? Even after a minute, Tom could not come up with the correct answer. Pat tried to answer “turkey,” and that was incorrect. Dee said that he was a turkey and that Swiss dress up as Easter wizards.

For Lyon Mark: Dee noted that we had not gotten a buck out of Mark in a long time. Mark, how much do U.S. households spend on average for Easter? Mark was not able to answer correctly. It is $131.

For Lion Allen: In what country did the Easter Bunny originate? Allen’s answer of Switzerland was incorrect. Karen said Germany, which was correct.

For Lion Roy: When was the first Easter egg roll at the White House? Roy’s answer of 1947 was way off; it was 1878 under the world-famous president Rutherford B. Hayes. (I photographed weddings for forty years, never had a groom named Rutherford)

For Lion Pat: Who introduced the Easter bonnet into American popular culture in 1933? His answer of Gershwin was incorrect. It was Irving Berlin.

For Lion Karen, Easter always falls between which two dates? Her answers on March 15 and April 15 were close but wrong. The answer is March 22 and April 24.

Lyon Rick had a couple of trivia questions. (No speaker today, so we had some extra time.) His question went to the group: “What was the smoggiest day in the United States history?” He noted that the governor called out the National Guard to stop potential travel. The answer occurred in Los Angeles on September 13, 1955.

Rick’s next trivia question was: What year was the smoggiest day in the San Joaquin Valley? It was 1989.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Bob, who gave it to the Eye Foundation.

Lion Karen won the drawing for the lotto tickets.

Lion Steve won the drawing for the marble, but did not draw the white marble. He drew a yellow marble.

Lion Pat ended up giving his last dollar to the club because he didn’t want to put it back in his wallet. Too much work.

Because we had no speaker today, we left early. Happy Easter!

Lion Pat won the free ad today and says 

Go Rancho Bernardo Wolverines 

Todays Meeting

Lion President Tom led today’s meeting and called on Lion Pete to lead us in saluting our flag, Lion Bob Line to lead us in singing “God Bless America,” and Lion Dee to deliver the invocation.

Lion Dee won the no fine badge today.

Lion Tony announced Reggie Ellis from the Sun Gazette, who was also our speaker.

Lion Karen was our secret greeter today, and she noted that while Lion president Tom had asked her to be the secret greeter, he did not shake her hand, along with several other club members, so she did a great job on avoiding people.

Announcements

Lion President Tom announced that we have a date for our 100th-anniversary party.  July 18th at The Hyde (formerly the Lampe Liter). This was approved by the board at the end of the meeting, and we have lined up local historian Terry Oman for that evening.

Lion Dee going over trivia today. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Karen had a happy buck because she had been in Arizona to watch some spring training games and didn’t bring anything back, so she gave $20.

Lion Dee was happy to get to play golf this past Monday in Exeter for the first time in a long time. He didn’t do well on the first two holes, but he settled down a little after that, and the rest of the course went well.

Lion Pete was happy to get home earlier in the week after finding out that his truck’s right-front tire was down to 13 PSI. Turns out he had a bolt in it, and he was happy because the tire shop was able to fix it, and he didn’t have to buy a new tire.

Lion Geoff was happy that, in a crowded field, he got a promotion at work.

Lion Link was happy to have played well last week in a tournament hosted by the cemetery district, and while his team did not win, he played with a scratch golfer who made par on almost every hole. He put $10 in because he missed last week’s meeting because of that golf outing.

Lion Roy was happy that the Dodgers won their first game and that it took only one game for the Giants to lose their undefeated record.

Lion Steve needed change, but didn’t realize why he needed it.

Fines

 Lion Tony fined himself because he had to leave early. 

Lion Link was fined for playing on his phone earlier in the meeting. 

Dee’s Trivia

For Lion Allen: What happened in Visalia on January 9th, 1857? His answer- a No Kings Rally was not correct; it was an earthquake.

For Elaine: What took place in Visalia in 1857: she was not able to answer correctly; it was the construction of Tulare County’s first Courthouse, School, and cemetery.

Lion Bob: In 1859, what was established? Lion President Tom quickly shouted out an answer, but his name is not Bob, so he had to pay a dollar. However, his Answer was correct, the first Newspaper was printed, known just as The Delta.

For Lion Roy: What was the highest temperature ever recorded, and what year? My guess of 117 and the year of 1913 was incorrect; the answer was  115 in three different years, none of which was 1913.

For Lion Pete: What was Visalia’s coldest temp and what year? His guess was 9 degrees and 1960. It was 15 degrees in 1913.

For Lion Betty: Greatest snowfall and when:  Her guess of 2 inches was correct, but her date was off; she said 1954 was not correct. Lion Roy came up with the specific date, January 26, 1999.

Drawings 

$5 drawing went to Lion Allen, who gave it to Lions Eye.

The Lotto tickets went to the Lion Roy, who forgot to take the ticket home.

The Marble went to Lion Betty; that’s a three-pete for her. But this week she won no money.

Our program today was Reggie Ellis, from the Sun Gazette newspaper.

Lion President Tom Won The Free Ad. 

Lion President Tom presents Lion Alvin with his new member paperwork and badge. 

Todays Meeting

Lion President Tom called on Lion Leigh to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion Dee to lead us in song, and Lion Bob to do the invocation.

Lion Tony introduced our guest today, Fabian Cisneros from FHCN, who was our speaker and drew the no-fine badge ticket; the badge recipient was Lion Tony.

Lion Alvin was the secret greeter and did a great job on his first time doing it. 

Announcements

Lion President Tom presented new Lion Alvin with his badge and paperwork for his new membership.

Lion Bob thanked the club for the nice sympathy card sent for the passing of his wife, Norma Kay. Her memorial will be on Monday, March 30th (her birthday) at The Presbyterian Church at 2:00.

Lion Alvin announced that the Valley Center for the Blind, where he works, was having their annual Beeper Egg Hunt the next day, Saturday the 21st.

Lion President Tom announced that the Board meeting that took place just before our regular meeting, and topics of discussion were where and when to have our club’s 100th anniversary party this summer, and some ideas for fundraisers, including a Pizza night at the Planning Mill Mall, where 25% of the proceeds from people who ID as coming for the Lions event would go to the club, and also a unique golf tournement, a simulated golf game at Mulligans Sports Bar & Golf Club, located in the old Visalia Plasyhouse Theater on Main St. 

Fabian M. Cisneros from Family Health Care Network

Happy Bucks 

Lion Betty was happy she won the marble drawing last week and gave the club 10%.

Lion Roy was happy to celebrate his 15th wedding anniversary on Thursday.

Lion Leigh was happy that last Saturday, he took his Special Olympics Basketball team to Fresno for a tournament, and they won several games.

Lion Pete was happy that spring training was almost over and the Giants were still undefeated in the regular season.

Lion Allen was happy that Fabian was here to talk to us today and noted that on April 23, we have a vision screening at Goshen Elementary School from 3:00-5:00, which is part of a health fair hosted by Family Health Care Network, where Fabian works. Lion Allen was also happy that baseball season was about to start.

Lion Brad was happy it’s been so warm outside, getting us used to the summer heat that will be here soon.

Lion Dee called out Lion Roy for not hearing him calling him with a happy buck; he was later fined for his instance. He did have a happy buck because he recently went to his two-year-old grandson’s birthday party and was amazed by the kid’s ability to tear into packages.

Lion Tom was happy that his new muscle car (a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner) got a clean bill of health from the state. 

Fines

Lion Brad fined himself for having to leave early.

Lion Bob fined Lion Brad for insurance companies that are charging such high prices for freighters going through the Strait of Hormuz. Lion Brasd did say he wished he had the premiums for that insurance, but maybe not the payouts. 

Trivia

For Lion Roy, what is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet? Roy had no idea, saying he didn’t even like Greek food, much less letters of the alphabet (do they have Greek alphabet soup?)  Lion Steve came to the rescue with the answer:  Delta.

For Lion Allen: How many dots on a pair of dice? He answered correctly:  42.

Drawings 

$5 drawing went to Lion Betty, who gave it to the Leos.

Lotto went to Lion Tony.

Marble drawing: Went to Lion Betty again this week, but, unlike the Dodgers in 2025,  she did not go back-to-back.  She picked a green marble.

Lion Bob says,  Go, Oaks.