Todays Meeting

Our new President, Lion Colin, led his first meeting today and called on Lion Steve to lead us in saluting the flag, Lion Bob to lead us in the song, and Lion Tony to do the invocation.

Our guest today was also our speaker, Breakfast Lion member Bill Marland, who spoke about the Parade of Flags held every year on Memorial Day at the Visalia Cemetery.

The no-fine badge went to Lion Bob Line.

The secret greeter today was Lion Melinda, who was able to avoid several of us shaking her hand and thus take in the big bucks. 

Announcements

Lion Melinda, who has been working tirelessly on the 100th anniversary, announced that 75 people have signed up for this Saturday’s event. Doors open at 5:30; happy hour until 6:30; dinner served at 6:35. 

Lion Melinda also announced that as the new Lions year begins, we will continue to have our board meetings on the third Friday of every month at 11:00 AM at Left of Center.

Former President Lion Tom announced that last October’s band review made a $4000 profit.

Lion Dee announced that the second Rawhide night will take place on the evening of July 30th. The cost is just $11, and you can sit in the hall of fame club or an outdoor spot, which is also very good.

Lion Amy had an announcement from Lion Alvin: the volunteer positions for the Valley Center for the Blind’s Dots and Dots event on the 17th of this month have been filled, and no more volunteers are needed.

Next week’s speaker will be Lion Amy’s father, Carl Anderson, who will speak about his experiences working for NASA on the Apollo Program.

Happy Birthday was sung to Lion Karen, who was the only member with a July birthday.

Lion Roy should have announced (but forgot) that we received a donation of a set of hearing aids from Visalia resident Carole Sell, who contacted us by email. Roy picked them up and dropped them off at the offices of The Ear of the Lion in Clovis. If you know or have a pair of hearing aids that you no longer need, (they need to be no more than five years old) let me know and I can take them to The Ear of the Lion. 

Auction Items

Past president Lion Tom had been to a wedding in North Carolina and had a bottle of hot sauce to auction off. It went to Lion Steve for $15.

Lion Amy had been to the coast and had a jar of jam. Lion Pat won the bid at $15.

Lion Karen, birthday girl for July. 

Happy Bucks 

Our guest, Lion Bill, was happy to be with us today. He is a member of the Breakfast Lions, but our club was the first he visited when he joined in 1996. Ask why he didn’t join our club, and he said that, as he remembered, it was full of muckety mucks.

Lion Pete was $5 happy because he had gone to the Bay Area for his parents’ birthday get-together, as they turned 95.

Lion Pat was also $5 happy because his son, who had been a pharmacist, went into management, going from a white coat to a suit and tie.

Lion Roy had $5 because he had gone to Silicon Valley a couple of weeks ago to visit the computer history museum and the Googleplex and had not brought anything back to auction off. (couldn’t find a box of floppy disk crackers)

Lion Tom was happy because he had a great trip to North Carolina, was happy for all the work Melinda had put into the 100th anniversary, and was happy that his son did not get caught with several illegal fireworks on the 4th.

Lion Melinda was happy because a week ago, we had 22 people signed up for the 100th anniversary celebration, and now we have 75.

Fines

Lion Mark fined himself twice, once for being late to today’s meeting, and the other for not being able to attend the 100th anniversary, as he will be in Idaho.

Lion Tom Gaebe fined new President, Lion Colin, for mispronouncing “Parleir Lions,” which is on the back of the vest we give to each new president, and that Lion Colin was wearing.

Lion Colin fined our guest, Lion Bill, for not joining our club back in 1996.

Drawings 

The $5 drawing went to Lion Tom Gaebe, who donated it to the Leo club.

The Lotto ticket went to Lion Tony.

Lion Geoff’s wife, Jill, was selected to draw for the white marble, but she did not pick it, so she won nothing.

Helping You Plan for Tomorrow
Today

Todays Meeting

Lion President Tom, counting down the weeks before he becomes ex-President Tom, asked Lion Steve to lead us in the pledge, Lion Mark to do the invocation, and Lion Pat to lead us in singing the song.
Guests today were Kevin McCusker from Cal Water. He was also our speaker.

We did draw for the No Fine Badge, and it went to Lion Leigh.

The secret greeter today was Lion Tom Link.  Several people did not want to shake his hand, and that made the club a little more profitable.

Announcements

Lion Melinda announced that a building the Lions Club had owned for many years had been sold, and that the proceeds would go to several places, including the Leo clubs.

Lion Dee announced that Lions Night at the Rawhide would be on Thursday, June 11th, and that money was due today, the last day that you could pay.

Lion Tom Link said we had given money to the Houston Elementary School for good-attendance gifts. We have been doing that for many years.

Lion Allen announced two vision screenings, both on August 7th.

June birthdays

The only June birthday in attendance was Lion Pete, and we sang happy birthday to him.

Auction items

Lion Tony Loliva auctioned off moonshine found in our storage locker, which was from the murder mystery dinner. It went to Lion Pat for $20.

Lion Tom Link had purchased some chocolate on a trip to the coast, and Lion Karen bought it for $12.

Kevin McCusker from Cal Water.

 Happy Bucks 

Lion Bob Line was happy that Lion Mark bought his breakfast, unknowingly, for him. If he had known Mark was going to buy his breakfast, he said he would have ordered a larger one.

Lion Pete was happy that his business was up for Small Business of the Year with the Chamber of Commerce.

Lion Mark was happy for Pete and his award, and he was happy that he was able to order to pay for Bob’s breakfast.

Lion Melinda was happy to have helped Lion Roy at the swim team photo shoot in Exeter on Wednesday. She nearly killed herself from the heat, but she did survive and had a good time.

Lion Roy had a happy buck for Pete, and thanks to Melinda for her help with the swim team.

Lion Pat was also happy for Pete’s award because Pete is his lawyer.

Lion President Tom was happy for our guest today and was happy for the fish in Hume Lake because once again, he had gone fishing and caught nothing.

Fines

Lion President Tom fined Lion Bob for interrupting today’s song by singing a different song. He also fined all Lions who were not wearing any Lions clothing. 

Drawings 

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

Lotto tickets went to Lion Pete, 

The $60 marble drawing went to Lion Tony, who drew a different-colored marble and went home empty-handed.  

Lion Roy won the free ad, and here is Lucy, his good luck Dodger Dog. 

Abby Jackson from Salt and Light was our speaker today. 

Todays Meeting

Lame duck president Lion Tom, in his last month as our club’s president, called on Lion Leigh to lead us in the pledge. He also called on Lion Dee to lead us in singing “God Bless America,” and on Lion Bob Lyon to do the invocation.

We drew for the No Fine Badge, and Lion Treasurer Karen won it today. Lion Tony introduced our guests, Luch and Abby from Salt and Light. 

Announcements

Lion President Tom announced that we would be auctioning off an “End of the Trail” statue next week. Lion Melinda speculated that it could bring several hundred dollars.

Lion Melinda also announced that the 100th-anniversary planning meeting scheduled for today was canceled, and she apologized to anyone who showed up at 11:00 today. Apparently, no one did as we didn’t hear anyone bemoaning the issue. The meeting has been moved to next Friday at 11:00.

Lion President Tom suggested that he may have his name engraved on the bell. Others suggested that he would then need to buy another bell. Lion

Dee announced that our club would be having a night at the ballpark on June 11th.  For $22, we can watch the game from the Hall of Fame club.

Secret greeter today was Lion Roy, who realized he was Mr. Unpopular because several people did not shake his hand. 

Auction items

Lion Lee had been to the coast and picked up a bag of what were known as Eagle pellets. They were chocolate-covered almonds. They went to Lion Pat for $20, who gave them to Lion Melinda.

Abbly Jackson from Salt and Light

Happy Bucks 

– Lion Roy was happy to have ridden his motorcycle to the club today. He was also happy that he and his wife had gone to the Fresno Zoo on Wednesday, and added $5 to that happy buck because he had lost his hearing aids and was unable to find them for a few minutes, until they turned up in the giraffes’ cage, but he was able to retrieve them, saving himself some serious cash. 

– Lion Melinda had an excellent trip to Texas, where she stayed with our former club members, Lions Carol and Ed, and with their son, who has cancer. She announced that their son was doing better. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. 

– Lion Bob was happy that all his daughters were joining together tonight for a small concert at Shannon Ranch, where Bob lives.

– Lion Pat was happy that a water pipe that had broken in his daughter’s house was easy to fix and did not cause any damage. 

– Lion Leigh completed four Special Olympics track and field meets in the last month. 

– Lion Pete was happy that he had a safe trip to South Carolina, where he went to a couple of minor league baseball games, a soccer game, and a couple of grandkids’ baseball games.

– President Tom was happy that both his granddaughters made the varsity volleyball team.  He was also happy for the fish in Hume Lake because he had recently gone fishing there and had not caught anything. 

– Betty was happy to be back with us at the club, and that her husband, Aaron, is doing well. He is hoping to change his regular weekly appointment on Friday so that he can make it to the club more often.

Fines

– Lion Tom Link was fined for being late.

– Lion Tom Link and Lion Melinda were both fined for not noticing Lion President Tom before the meeting began.

– Lion Amy was also fined for ignoring Lion President Tom.

Trivia

The one trivia question today was: why were there no trivia questions? The correct answer: no time.

Drawings 

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

– The lotto tickets were won by Lion Leigh. 

– The marble drawing was won by Betty, though she did not pick the white marble.

Lion Bob Line won the free ad today. 

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 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.