Speaker Norris Jernigan discusses his experiences in delivering the two atomic bombs on Japan during WWII.

Todays Meeting

Lion Pete was acting president today in Lion Melinda’s absence and decided to shoot from the hip, not selecting people ahead of time but calling on them from the lechrum. Lion Tom Link was called to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion Dee to lead us in singing God Bless America, and Lion Mark to do today’s invocation.

Announcements

Incoming president Lion Tom Gaebe announced that he has scheduled our installation dinner at the Visalia Country Club for Thursday, June 26th.

Lion Dee announced that the Breskfest Lions’ annual car show was last Saturday, the 17th, and six of our Leos helped out at the show. Also, 16 of the Leos will be going to Bearskin Meadows this week to help with the clean-up and get the place ready for the summer.

Lion Dee collects fines. 

Happy Bucks 

Our guest, Norris Jergian, was happy to be anywhere at his age (99 years old, turning 100 when he goes to Israel in early June)

Your roar editor, Lion Roy, was happy to see our guest, Norris, with us today, and he was happy that the Dodgers squeaked out a win the night before against the A’s (a 19- 2 nail-biter)

Lionel Tom Link was happy that Lion Bob Line invited him to have dinner with his family that evening, since his daughter was out of town.

Lion Mark was happy that Lion Pete was standing in for Melinda today and was also happy to have Norris with us.

Lion Pat had $5 to cover everything he could think of.

Lion Bob Line was happy that his four daughters, one of whom is Lion Pete’s wife Claudia, would have their annual concert at his home, Quail Park at Shannon Ranch.

Fines

Only one fine today, and that was Lion Pete, who fined himself for not selecting a secret greeter.

Dee’s Trivia

Lion Dee decided that today’s trivia topic would be WWII.

What was the date of the official singing of the Japanese serender:  September 2, 1045

What was the date of the first Atomic bomb test:  June 16th, 1945

Where did the test take place? The white sands test range in New Mexico is the site called Trinity.

The Plane that dropped the first Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima was named the Enola Gay, who was it named after?  Enola Gay Tibbs, the pilot’s mom.

What date was the Hiroshima bomb dropped?  August 6, 1945.

Our speaker today was Visalia resident Norris Jernigan,
Norris is said to be the last surviving member of the 509th Composite Group that dropped theThe
Atomic Bombs on Japan during WWII.

He was pretty impressive, at 99 years old, he talked fr over 30 minutes without notes.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to our guest, Norris who donated it to the Leo Club.

Lotto ticket: Lion Bob Line. 

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

Lion Colin was floored when he found out he won the free ad. 

Todays Meeting

Lion Dee was our stand-in leader today and called on Lion Leigh 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 Dee then drew for the no-fine badge, which Lion Pete won.

Secret greeter: Lion Steve.

Announcements

With great sadness, the passing of fellow Lion Carri Dilts was announced. She was a long-time Lion who, for many years, traveled with other Lions, including her husband, Lion Bill, to Mexico to build schools.

Lion Tom Link announced that next week’s speaker will be Norris Jernigan, talking about his service during WWII. He was part of the 509th bomb group that dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end the war.

Lion Tony announced that Lion Aaron has some issues and had to go into the emergency room last week. Keep him and Lion Betty in your thoughts and prayers.

Lion Pat announced that his good friend, Frank Anley, fell off a ladder recently and was recovering.

Lion Colin showing off his orange pants. 

Happy Bucks 

Lion Mark was happy that he had recently installed running boards on his new Ram truck. He said that they made the truck look tough, Ram tough.

President-elect Tom Gaebe had a happy buck because Lion Karen had kept the club’s books up to date and looking good for the tax return that he filed for the club.

Lion Allen actually won some money from last week’s Loto ticket and gave the club 10% (that was $2 fokes)

Roar editor Lion Roy was happy to be back after being away for a couple of weeks, and was also $6 happy because he had recently purchased a Honda Goldwing motorcycle. (one dollar per cylinder)

Lion Leigh was happy because the Special Olympics track and field tournaments, which had 1,300 participants, were finished for the year.  He was also happy for the newly crowned Pope Leo.

Lion Tom Link was happy he had recently visited the Ronald Reagan Library, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were displayed.

Lion Pete was happy that his North Carolina granddaughter was interested in softball. He was also happy that the SF Giants were in third place in the National League West, and doing better than people expected.

Lion Karen was happy that her sister, who has brain cancer, just celebrated her 71st birthday with a party in the country.

Lion Tony noted that he will not attend the club meeting next week as he and his wife, Nancy, will be going to the Grand Canyon. Lion Karen had a story about her and her husband, Lion Rick, riding donkeys down into the canyon when some little snot-nosed kid scared the donkey Rick was on, and it started bucking.

Fines

In the biggest surprise of the day, Lion Tom Link was fined for being late. 

Lion Allen was upset because he had to pay $20 for a can of coffee. 

Lion Bob Line won the right to draw for the white marble but came up w/o it. 

Dee’s Trivia

Lion Pete stood in for Lion Dee today and had the following questions about the Visalia Fox Theatre. (Today’s speaker had to cancel, but was going to talk about the Fox)

For Lion Tom Gaebe: When did the fox open? Tom’s answer was close, but a few years off, as the Fox opened its doors in 1930.

For Lion Mark: What did the Fox cost to build in 1930? $225,000 was the answer. (Mark was about a hundred thousand too much.)

For Lion Tom Link: What was shown on Opening night at the Fox? A Mickey Mouse cartoon, A Laurel and Hardy comedy, a newsreel, and a Talking Western.

For Lion Bob Line: What was Visalia’s population in 1930?  The answer was 7,000.

For Lion Pat: What is the design theme of the fox: Temples in India and Asia.

Drawings 

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

Lotto ticket: Lion Tom Gaebe

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

Lion Pat won the free add. (thankfully) 

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.