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. 

Lion Brad has a happy buck. 

Todays Meeting

Lion President Melinda led our meeting today and called on Roar editor Lion roy to lead us in saluting our flag, Lion Bob Line to lead us in singing god Bless America, and Lion Pete to do the invocation.

Lion Mark introduced our guest today, and our speaker, from the Visalia Fox Theater, Patty Blackmon.

The drawing for the no-fine badge turned out to be Lion Pat.

Announcements]

Thursday, June 26th, 6:00 Installation dinner, Visalia Country club.

Lion Melinda provided information on Lions Betty and Aaron’s health issues. Lion Aaron was still undergoing dialysis, and Lion Betty was 17 days out of surgery at Stanford. But, even with all that, they are doing better and hope to attend the installation dinner.

Secret Greeter: Lion Tony, who avoided shaking both Lion Tom Link and Lion Tom Gaebe’s hands, along with Lion Brad’s.

Tammy Blackmon of the Visalia Fox was our speeker today. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pat was happy to have a load of concrete removed from his property after four years. It was a hard job, but he had a solid group of guys who got the job done. 

Tammy Blackmon, our speaker, was happy to be with us today.

Lion Karen was $10 happy for all the dads in the room as Father’s Day was coming up on Sunday.

Lion Tom Link was happy that he had taken Lion Dee to Lunch for his birthday and didn’t have to pay for some reason.

Lion Mark’s daughter, Ribacca Lynn, turned 26 last week. We all thought she had just turned 12—time flies. 

Lion Roy was happy he had photographed the Chamber Awards night at the Fox the evening before. He was also happy that his portrait job had been canceled, so he could ride his motorcycle to the meeting today. 

Lion Brad was happy his daughter recently bought a condo from a 90-year-old lady who liked her so much she said she wanted her to buy it. He was also happy that he had passed the Ice Cream stand in Oregon, next door to the world-famous Adult bookstore along I-5.

Lion Karen was happy that she and Rick were going to Laughlin, while there, traveling to Vegas to see Kenny Chesney at the Sphere.

Lion Pete was happy he could visit his 94-year-old parents in Oakland this past weekend.

Lion Allen was happy he was back after being gone for a few weeks. He was also happy for all the Dads in the room.

Lion Melinda was also happy for all the dads on Father’s Day.

Lion Dee was happy. Lion Tom Link received a free lunch.

Lion Brad fined himself for having to leave early and told a little story about being in northern Washington and hearing someone complain about the next day being so hot, at 78 degrees. Brad had to explain a few things to that guy.

Fines

Lion Melinda fined Lion Tony for having his own meeting at his table. 

Lion Dee fined both Lions, Brad and Roy, for having their own little meeting about Adult Book Stores in Oregon.

Lion dee gets a buck out of Lion Tony for talking during the meeting. 

The Lion Dee Weekly Trivia Quiz

To Lion Roy: How many hearts does an Octopus have?  Roy’s guess of six was twice the reality of just three.

For Lion Tom Link: What is the least common blood type? AB- (Lion Allen has this type)

For Lion Mark: What planet is the hottest? Mark didn’t know it was Venus.

For Lion Pete, what river is the world’s longest? His guess of the Amazon was incorrect; it is the Nile.

For Lion Allen: What inventor recorded over one thousand patents?  A light bulb apparently went on in Allen’s mind, and he had the correct answer: Thomas Edison.

For Lion Tom Link: What is the largest animal on earth? He didn’t know, but Lion Mark did; the Blue Whale. (Rumors that the makers of Wegovy are trying to market their drug to the whales are unfounded.)

Also, for Tom Link: What is the world’s largest desert? The answer surprised everyone: Antarctica.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Brad, who donated it to the Eye Foundation.

Lotto ticket: Lion Tony

The marble drawing went to Lion Steve, who was excited to draw a yellow marble, but got no money for that one.

Lion Allen says go Red Sox. 

Visalia Historian Terry Ommen talks to the club about the outlaw Black Bar, who was last sighted at the Visalia House Hotel on February 28, 1888. The Visalia House was at the site of the present-day Bank of America.  

Todays Meeting

Lion President Melinda led our meeting today and called on Lions Tony to lead us in saluting our flag, Lion Bob Line to lead us in singing God Bless America, and Lion Dee to do the invocation.

Today’s only guest, our speaker and honorary member, was Visalia’s Historian, Terry Omman.

The no-fine badge went to Lion Leigh.

Secret greeter: Lion Dee. The only member not to shake his hand was Lion Bob Line.

Announcements

Today’s meeting was the first meeting of June, so we celebrated the birthdays of Lion Dee and Lion Pete.

Board meeting: This Friday, the 13th, 11:00 at Left of Center.

Melinda had $10 because she had won $100 from last week’s Lotto ticket.

June 26th, Installation dinner at the Visalia Country Club.

June 27th and July 4th. We will be dark, and there will be no regular meeting.

Lion Pat has a happy buck. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Pat was happy that he had arranged to get his insulin needles from another source since the Rite Aid in Woodlake, like all Rite Aid stores, was closing soon.

Lion Roy was happy that his Grandson had graduated with honors from Farmersville Jr. High School, that he had ridden his Goldwing today, and that the Dodgers were still in first place.

Lion Pete was happy that even though he had a birthday this month, his age still starts with a six; he was also happy his grandson had graduated from the 6th grade, and the Giants were still above 500.

Lion Pat was happy his son-in-law did well with his second hernia surgery.

Lion Tom Link was happy he would not be at the club next week. He was going to the coast and would bring back with a bag of saltwater taffy.

Lion Leigh was happy he had a grandson who had just turned three.

Lion Melinda was happy that one grandson had his first haircut and another had just graduated from Texas Tech. Well, I assume that they are two different grandsons.

Lion president elect, Tom Gaebe, was happy that two twin granddaughters graduated from the 8th grade.

Lion Steve was happy that his grandson Tanner was on the Cal Ripken team, which won the championship and received huge rings. Steve had some brusing on his face and there was speculation that he had got in a fight, but he just fell.

Dee’s Trivia

For Lion Tom Link: What is unique about Mooney’s Grove Park? It is the oldest county park in California. Tom answered the end-of-the-trail statue.

For Lion Bob Line: How many students does the Visalia Unified School District serve?  32,000. Bob answered 30,000, so he was close.

For Lion Pete: What year did Visalia get the telegraph? The year was 1869, but Pete was close with 1860.

For Lion Tom Gaebe: What was the first county seat in Tulare County? It was Woodville.

For Lion Leigh: What year was the first million-dollar home sold in Visalia? 1917.

Lion Dee collecting triva dollers. 

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Tom Link. 

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

Lion Melinda won the free add this week. 

Before we get started, on this Memorial Day, let’s take a moment:

“May we never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.” 

Todays Meeting

Lion President Melinda was at the helm of our meeting for the first time in a couple of weeks, as she had been visiting with former club members Carol and Ed Jones in Texas. She thanked  Lion Dee and Lion Pete for standing in for her while she was gone. She then called on Lion Tony to lead us in saluting our flag, Lion Dee to lead us in singing My Country ’tis of Thee, and Lion Bob Line to do the invocation.

No fine badge went to Lion Steve.

Announcements

Friday, May 30th: Our adopted Houston School will be holding its annual attendance assembly. Lion Tom Link and President Melinda will attend. Anyone else who would like to attend will be at the school at 8:00 a.m. that day.

Lion Dee announced that former Lion Vicki Whitehouse is doing well, and we hope she returns to the club soon. We miss you, Miss Vickie.

Lion Allen announced that he had visited former Lion Kent Wooley at Westgate Gardens and had a pleasant visit, but was not sure Kent knew who he was. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Our president-elect, Lion Tom Gaebe, announced and took sign-ups for the annual installation dinner, which will be held on June 26th at 6:00 PM at the country club.

June 7th, Lions leadership training will be held at the Visalia Unified school district offices, 5000 W Cypress Ave. See Melinda for more details. 

Lion Tammer Dee collects a happy buck from Lion Pat. 

Auction Items 

Lion Melinda brought back a Magic Towel with a map of Texas from her visit with Ed and Carol Jones.  When you put this small 12″ square in water, it expands and becomes a towel. Lion Pat won it with a $12 bid.

Happy Bucks 

Lion Memlinda had a happy buck and hugs from former club members Lions Carol and Ed Jones, whom she visited in Texas recently. She noted that Lion Ed has lost all his hearing and will soon have Cochlear implants that hopefully restore his hearing. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. If you would like to send a card wishing him well, their address is:  608 Sea Side Ln., McKinney, TX. 75072

Lion Pat was happy that Lion Pete took care of some paperwork for him. When he was leaving Pete’s office, he ran into an old friend and had a nice conversation.

Lion Pete was happy that his oldest grandson had played three instruments in the school orchestra. He was also happy that he and Claudia celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary last week.

Lion Bob Line was happy that he won $15 in last week’s Lotto and gave $2 to the club.

Lion Tony was happy that, after a couple of other attempts, he and his wife Nacny had finally made it to the Grand Canyon last week.

Lion Dee was $5 happy that we had several girls from San Jaqueen Valley College to speak to us today about dental hygiene.

Lion Pat gave $20 to the SJVC girls.

Lion Tony had $6 from Lion Brad Board, who had to leave early but left the money with Tony.

Lion Melinda was $20 happy to visit with former club members Lions Carol and Ed Jones in Texas.

Lion Roy was happy that the Dodgers were still in first place in the National League West, even after being swept by the Angels.

Fines

Lion Melinda fined Lion Tom Link for calling her Brenda earlier in the meeting. 

Lion Dee draws for the covited white marble but come up empty. 

Dee’s Trivia

This being Memorial Day weekend, Lion Dee came up with questions about the holiday.

To Lion Tom Link: How many federal holidays are there? Tom’s answer of 13 was incorrect; there are 10.

To Lion John: What village in New York is the birthplace of Memorial Day? John was unable to answer the correct town, which is Waterloo.

To Lion Allen: What other day is Memorial Day known as? It’s Decoration Day, but Allen didn’t come up with the answer.

To Lion Tom Link: What war was Memorial Day initially designed to honor? Tom was able to answer WWI correctly.

Lion Tony was asked when the Last Day in May became the official Memorial Day. It was 1971, but Tony did not know that.

To Lion Roy: At what location is a wreath placed in honor of all those who have given their lives for this country on Memorial Day? Roy answered correctly: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

No one could answer the last question: What flower is the official flower of Memorial Day?  It’s the Red Poppie.

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Melinda

Ah, things are good: Lion John wonne the free ad this week.