Lion Bob Line also has a smile on his face at the first meeting of 2023. 

Todays Meeting

Lion President Tony led our meeting today and called on lion Dee to lead us in singing God Bless America, Lion Pat for the flag salute, and lion Pete to do the invocation.

Your roar editor Lion Roy won the no-fine badge.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pat was happy that a friend of his from Connecticut had survived a ski trip to colorado, where on one run, he flipped head over heels and ended up in a pile of soft fluffy power. If he had been on the east coast, he would have ended up in the hospital because the snow conditions there would have been hard and unforgiving.

Lion Dee was happy that he had the opportunity to recently go to LA and sing with the Masters of Harmony, one of the premier barbershop groups in the country.

Lion Pat was $20 happy because his diabetic drug, which had been in short supply, was now easy to get. He was also grateful for all the rain.

Lion Miriam was happy about the new year and her good health.

Lion Bob Line was happy the Fresno State Basketball team had beaten New Mexico on Thursday 71-67; New Mexico was the last unbeaten team in the country.

Lion Elaine was happy that all her family was in good health.

Lion Allen was happy that he had eleven participants in his Loto pool. Later that evening, he was not so happy, as indicated by a one-word text he sent to all eleven of us. 

Lion Pete was happy that Lion Bob Line and his wife NormaKay had recovered from being ill.  He was also happy because, after the Christmas meeting on December 16th, he visited family in North Carolina.

Lion Roy was happy he was done with moving out of his photography studio on Main St. Now it was just getting everything settled in his home office.

Fines

Lion Bob Line was fined for not having his badge on. 

Lion Allen is happy he had won the Lotto ticket. 

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Miriam, who donated it to the eye foundation. 

Lotto ticket: Lion Allen

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

Lion Pete presents the club’s donation to the Visalia Emergence Aid Council. 

Our annual Christmas meeting was well attended today by both members and guests. Lion President Tony called on Lion Pat to lead us in singing My Country Tis of Thee, Lion Bob Line to lead us in saluting our flag, and Lion Jamil to do the invocation.

Lion Bob Line won the no-fine badge.

Lion Pete was our secret greater today, and while his father-in-law Lion Bob Line, had not shaken his hand, he was not able to fine him because Lion Bob held the no fine badge, so the only person he was able to fine was Lion Tom Link.

Announcements

Lion Pete, a former board member of Visalia Emergency Aid Counsel, presented our club’s $1000 donation check and over $800 in cash that we as a club donated today to our guests, VEAC Executive director MaryJane Jennings and Development Director, and fellow Lion Iris Feaver.

Lion President Tony gave our server, Daniel, his yearly “tip” that had been collected both last week and this week. Daniel has been our server all year.

Lion Allen announced that Visalia Post Acute (formally Redwood springs) would have their annual Christmas gift giveaway (gifts purchased with the club’s $500 donation) this coming Wednesday, the 21st, at 10 am.  Come on out and help give out the gifts to the residents; help brighten their day.

Auction Items

Lion Jamil had a bottle of wind from Paso Robles that he auctioned off and was purchased by Lion Pat for $30.

Lion Betty and Aaron had been to Palm Springs and Arizona and had some chocolate that Lion Pete purchased for $10 and a Light Jar that they bought at a craft fair, purchased by Lion Pat for $15.

Lion Brent had been to Florida but failed to bring back auction items, so he donated $20.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Roy, whose wife Javonna was a guest today, was happy that their recent solar install was turned on and working this past week and for all the guests and members today.

Lion Leigh was happy to see Lion Jamil with us today.

Lion Tom Gabie was happy that his alma mater, USC’s football team, had the Heisman Trophy winner this year and that two weeks ago, he went to a USC Notre Dame Game in SoCal and was able to get on-field passes.

Lion Pat followed up Lion Tom’s happy buck by remembering a time he had a friend get him tickets on the 50-yard line at a Berkley football game.

Lion Jamil sent a Merry Christmas message from Lion Justin and was happy that the San Francisco 49ers had been playing well of late.

Lion Tony was happy to see everyone with us today.

Lion Allen was happy to see Lion Iris and MaryJane from VEAC, and all the wives with us today.

Fines

Lion Dee fined Lion Tony because Dee’s quartet recently sang at the Three Rivers Lions club, and their president is much prettier than our president Tony.

Lion Betty attempted to fine Lion Bob Line but quickly discovered that Lion Bob had the no fine badge.  For the second week in a row, someone has tried to fine the person with the no fine badge.

Winners and Losers

$5 went to Lion Jamil, who donated it to the “one thousand lawyers at the bottom of the sea foundation”- well, no, actually, the Lions eye foundation.

Lotto tickets and the marble drawing both went to Lion Tom Gaebe. Lion Tom came up short on the marble and had no word on the lotto.

MaryJane Jennings, executive director of the VEAC. 

Our server Daniel thanks all of us for the tips we gave him for doing such a great job all year. 

This year, Lion Dee’s quartet, Some Assembly Required, was our entailment. Here are some photos and a short video of them. Thanks to them all for the fun program they provided.  You can click on the photos for a larger view and click on the video. 

Lion Jamil won the Free Add this week. 

Lion Pat gives one of
several happy bucks today.

Lion President Tony led the meeting today and called on Lion Steve to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion Pat to lead us in singing America the Beautiful, and Lion Bob Line to do the invocation.

No fine badge: Went to Lion Dee once again this week (same guy every week)

Lion Dee was the secret greater and was able to avoid several people and earn the club some much-needed cash, including Lion Bob Line, who was sitting right beside him.

Guests

Today we had one of the youngest guests we have ever had, Lion Karen’s granddaughter Emmie Lue, two months old.

Announcements

Our Christmas Party is next Friday, the 16th, at our regular meeting location, Left of Center. Please bring an unwrapped toy for a boy and a girl with a value of at least $400 (just kidding, that should be $10). Reps from Visalia Emergency Aid counsel will be there to receive the toys and our donation check. Also, Lions Dee’s group, Some Assembly Required, will be our entertainment this year.

Lion Allen announced that Visalia Post Acute (formally Redwood Springs) had changed the date of their Christmas party to Wednesday, December 21st, at 10 AM; we donated $500 for gifts for all the residents. If you can make it, please join us that day. We will help pass out the gifts. Their address is 1925 E Houston Ave.

Lion Tom Link read a thank you note from Huston School thanking us for the help we have to give them to meet their attendance goals. Last year they had an 85% attendance rate, ranking them just about at the bottom of schools in Visalia; this year, it went to 93% and a ranking of 8th. A great achievement.

Young Life has set a date for their annual banquet for February 24th; our club has purchased a table, so anyone who wants to attend, let president Tony know.

Auction Items

Lion Pete recently returned from Hawaii and had not brought anything back to auction off, so he gave $20.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pat was happy because last week he went to Dan Demis for a concert by a group called Masters of Harmony, and while he was there, he got to see his three-month-old granddaughter for the first time.

Lion Pete was happy to have been in Hawaii for the past week and was happy that he did not see any sharks on a beach where he had been swimming a couple of days before a reported shark attack. Pete chalked it up to the shark’s professional courtesy that it did not attack him.

Lion Roy was happy that his move out of his Photography studio was progressing smoothly.

Lion Pat was happy about the rain because his irrigation system had been on the frits, but the rain took care of that problem.

Lion Leigh was happy that after six weeks of tests, doctors told him he had a heart, and it’s in tip-top shape.

Lion Tom Link was happy that he was leaving for Moro Bay after our meeting.

Fines

Lion Pat fined himself because he had signed up for the Parade and almost made it.

Lion Allen fined Lion Miriam for not singing during the song, but she denied it.

Lion Bob Line tried to fine Lion Dee, sitting right next to him, but Lion Dee reminded him that he had the no fine badge.

Winners and Losers

$5 winner: Bob Bricker, who, after some prodding, donated it to the Lions eye foundation.

Lotto tickets: Lion Dee

Marble drawing: Lion Tom Link did not win the $25 in the pot today because Lion Dee won it last week.

We had no program today, so we got up and left the building. 

Lion Allen presents our check for $500 to Visalia Post Acute to buy Christmas gifts for all the residents. Their Christmas party will be on Wednesday, December 21st, at 10 AM; the address is 1925 E Houston Ave. Hope to see you there. 

Lion Steve won the Free Add this and wanted to remind us all to give to the charity of our choice. 

BreAnna Trejo from Family Services talks to the club today. 

Our meeting today was led by President Tony, who called on Lion Allen to lead us in the pledge, Lion Bob Line to lead us in singing God Bless America, and Lion Dee to do the invocation.

Lion Dee won the no-fine badge, and the club began looking for other sources of income today.

Announcements

Lion Dee announced that the Mighty Oak Chorus, with whom he and Lion Pat are members, would be at the Fountain Church at 1023 N Chinowth St, in Visalia on the evening of Saturday, December 10th at 6:30, $10 per person includes free refreshments. 

Lion Allen announced that our club will again give $500 to what is now Visalia Acute Care (formally Redwood Springs) for gifts for their residents. We have done this for several years and have it in our budget. Their party will be on Christmas Day this year. 

Lion President Tony announced that our club’s Christmas party would be in two weeks, on Friday the 16th, at our regular meeting place, Left of Center. If you plan to attend, please sign up at next week’s meeting or reply to the email you received the Roar from to confirm that you and any guests you may have will be in attendance.

Toy Drive for Visalia Emergency Aid. Please bring toys to the Christmas party on the 16th, one for a boy and one for a girl. MaryJane from VEAC will be with us that day to receive our annual check and to pick up the toys.

Lion Tom Link announced a concert at the Visalia Cemetery Chapel (Tom is on the board of the cemetery) on Friday the 9th at 4:30; tickets are $15.00.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Dee was happy about all the rain we have been getting lately.

Lion Miriam was happy that the Candy Cane Lane parade went so well on Monday. It was the first year she helped out. 

Lion Steve was also happy about the outcome of the parade. Steve has been the organizer of the organizers of the event for many years.

Lion Dee was also happy that his granddaughter had been in or tried out for several plays lately. We should watch for her in Hollywood, he said.

Lion Karen was happy that our program today, BreeAnna from Family Services, could step in at the last minute, as Karen had texted her only yesterday.

Lion Bob Line was happy his wife cleaned out her closet recently and donated it all to Family Services.

Lion Allen was happy that all his kids had been with him for Thanksgiving, the first time in several years.

Lion Roy was happy to be able to photograph the Race Against Hunger for the VEAC on Thanksgiving Morning and had a great thanksgiving where he got to play his grandaughter in chess, and he was happy for the club’s participation at the parade.

Lion Tony was also happy about the parade.

Fines

Lion Tom Link was fined for being late. 

Lion Roy fined Lion Allen because he had forgotten all about the donation to Visalia Acute Care home, something he had been the one to spearhead over the years. 

Lion tony fined himself $10 because he did not select anyone as a secret greeter.

Drawings 

$5: Lion Allen won the five-dollor drawing and donated it to the eye foundation. 

 Lion Dee won the drawing and got the white marble, winning $97. 

Lion Bob Bricker won the Lotto Ticket. 

Todays Program

BreAnna Trejo from Family Services was our program today, giving us a little inside into what they do and the many fundraisers they have, including the purple party, where our club bought a table. 

We miss you at club meetings

Lion Roy won the free ad and would like to remind all club members to make time for the club’s weekly meetings. This week we had just ten members in attendance. It’s the holidays, and I know many of you have other commitments, but if you can, please attend the Friday lunch.  We must pay Left of Center a minimum of 20 people weekly so we are going in the hole most every week. Plus, meetings are just more fun when you’re there. 

Lion Leigh Monconi is also excited to have won the no-fine badge.

Lion President Tony was at his son’s Wedding rehearsal, Hence, Lion Brent, our first vice president, was our stand-in leader today, and he called on Lion Pat to lead us in singing My Country Tis of Thee, Lion Craig to lead us in doing the pledge, and Lion Bob Line to do the invocation.

Standing in for Lion President Tony today, Lion Brent picked himself as the secret greater. (convenient) 

Announcements

Lion Steve made a last announcement about the Candy Cane Lane Parade on Monday, November 28th, the Monday after Thanksgiving. Our club is doing what we have done for many years, organizing the entrants so that they go down the parade route in the proper order. We will gather at the corner of Main and Liberty in front of Uhl Robber company at about 5:00, where Lion Steve will give instructions and paperwork. If you have not signed up, that’s no problem; show up, and if you have not done this before, there will be plenty of people to help.

Auction Items

Lion Craig, who had recently returned from a trip to Nepal, had a package deal consisting of Himalayan Honey, Keema Masal spices, and Prayer Flags purchased by Lion Roy for $18. The Honey is quite good, by the way. 

Lion Tom Link had been to the coast and brought back a bag of what has become a club favorite, Salt Water Taffy, that went to Lion Pat for $10, who then gifted it to Lion Karen.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pat was happy his granddaughter was given the good citizen award at her school, and his grandson led a prayer at mass at his church.

Lion Steve was happy his grandaughter was voted the most valuable player on her volleyball team.

Lion Bob Bricker was happy that he recently got his driver’s license back after having cataract surgery. (Several of us wanted to make sure what his car looked like) and he had had a wisdom tooth pulled.

Lion Pat wondered if, without his wisdom tooth, that had dumbed Lion Bob down.

Lion Craig was happy the ski season at China Peak had started, and he would resume his job on the ski patrol the following day.

Lion Roy was happy that he had given his landlord at his studio notice that he would close the shop at the end of the year and move the business to his home. (no, I am not retiring, just changing how I do business)

Lion Allen was happy his son Travis was coming home for thanksgiving.

Lion Tom Link was happy that he could see a Light Show in Paso Robles last week.

Lion Brent was happy that he was going to Florida on his annual business trip with his wife and without his kids.

Lion Leigh was happy that the Special Olympics (which he heads in Tulare County) would be having their Bowling tournament for the first time in three years the next day.

Fines

Lion Tom Link was fined for being late. (what, Tom was late, shocking)

Lion Karen fined herself for having to leave early.

Winners and Losers

The $5 drawing went to Lion Tom Link, who donated it to the eye foundation.

Lotto tickets went to Lion Bob Bricker.

The marble drawing went to Lion Steve, who did not draw the white marble.

Today’s Program

Lion Craig gave a talk today about outdoor safety. Going over the different ways people get hurt and die in the outdoors. #1 was falls, and being unprepared was also high on the list, where people begin a hike or other outdoor activity and are not prepared for the unexpected, like getting lost and having to spend the night. 

Lion Craig giving his talk on outdoor safety. 

Our first vis president Lion Brent lead the meeting today and did a good job.

Lion Tom Link says go, 49ers. 

Lion President Toy leads our meeting
and gets the no-fine badge.

Our meeting today was led by Lion President Tony, who called on Lion Miriam to do the flag salute, Lion Bob Line to lead us in singing God Bless America, and Lion Pete to do the invocation.

Announcements

We will be dark (no meetings) on the following days:

Wednesday the 23: No Evening meeting as it is the day before Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 25: We would not normally meet, but I just thought I would make a note.
Friday, December 23
Wednesday, December 28: No evening meeting this month either.
Friday, December 30th: Again, we would not normally meet, but just a note.

Candy Cane Lane Parade: Monday, November 28th 

 Lion Steve announced that, once again, the Host Lions would be the organizers of the 76th annual Candy Cane Lane Parade. Arrive between five and five thirty at the corner of Main St and Liberty, where Lion Steve will be with the info. A note; bring a headlight and a clipboard; they sure help. 

We had one November birthday member present today, Miriam, and we sang happy birthday to her.

Guests

We had just one guest today, and he was our program, Curtis Brown from the Visalia Police Dept.

Lion President Tony won the no-fine badge today.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Miriam had $10 happy bucks because she had gone camping at the coast (her first time camping) and had brought nothing back to auction off. She had a good time,  it was cold at night, but she was kept warm by the seven dogs with her.

Lion pat was happy that his daughter had to buy legos for her kids because she had made a bet. He told her, in the future, to make sure she could cover her bets.

Lion Dee was happy for all the veterans on this Veterans Day and also happy his granddaughter had a major part in a school play.

Lion Pet was also happy for all the Veterans and his grandson, who scored four touchdowns in a recent football game.

Lion Bob Line piggybacked on Pete’s happy buck because his Greatgrandson scored those four touchdowns.

Lion Tony was $20 happy because his son is getting married on the 19th. He also noted that he would not be at the club next Friday because he would be at the rehearsal. (not sure if that part about him not being at club was a happy buck or just an announcement)

Lion Tony also had a happy buck for Lion Lauri standing in for him at last Wednesday’s board meeting.

Fines

Lion Karen fined Lion Steve because he called her Kathy at Wednesday night’s board meeting.

Lion Bob Line fined Lion President Tony because Ton’s son joined the Son’s of Italy Lodge in Hanford; when Tony replied that his son lived in Hanford, Lion Bob just mumbled and sat down but insisted the fine still stand.

Sergeant Curtis Brown of the Visalia PD was our program today, talking about the homeless situation. 

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Roy again, and he donated it to the eye foundation.

Lion Allen, who had organized a group purchase of Quick Picks for the Mega Millions jackpot last week (we did not win), won the Lotto tickets today.

Secret Greeter

Lion Dee was our secret greeter today, and the only person to not to shake his hand was Lion Bob Line, who just happened to be sitting right next to him.