Thursday July 7, 2011 Lions Youth Exchange
On Thursday July 7, 2011, the Fargo Lions Club hosted 25 international students for a picnic in the Gazebo at Yunker Farm in North Fargo. The weather was beautiful, and we were pleased to have them in our city. The students, between the ages of 15 and 18, are in North Dakota this week participating in the Lions District 5NE Youth Exchange Camp. While here, they have stayed in the homes of host families around North Dakota to learn more about American culture. They also spend a week at the Wesley Acres Camp.
They were in Fargo on Thursday to tour the Fargo Air Museum, shop at West Acres Shopping Center and attend a FM Redhawks baseball game. The Davenport Lions introduced the students to their signature steak fondue during a tailgate party at Newman Field.
Best wishes to all of the students who attend the camp. Thanks to all of the Lions of District 5NE who work to improve understanding among the world’s peoples.
Monday June 6, 2011 Awards & Recognition Luncheon
June 6, 2011- Lion Paula Klein is presented with the LCIF Melvin Jones Fellow 2010-2011 for humanitarian efforts and service to the Fargo Lions Club.
The Fargo Lions Club held the annual Awards & Recognition Luncheon at the Fargo Radisson Hotel on June 6, 2011 celebrating 90 years of Lions in Fargo.
The Club celebrated the induction of two new members by DG Robert Littlefield, Dr. Jed Hilmer and Todd Stugelmayer.
The District Governor also installed the new Slate of Officers for 2011-2012: Bob Ames, President; Mark Western, President Elect; Brian Shawn, Secretary; Brian Grave, Treasurer; Jason Jaeger, VP of Finance; Robert Littlefield, VP of Membership; Mike Benson, Director of Community Service; 2 Year Director, Luci Melby; 1 Year Director, Karna Nelson; Carla Lein, Lion Tamer; Pat Brown, Tail Twister; Mike Gallagher, Past President.
The following Lions were recognized with the Perfect Attendance Award 2010-2011: Bob Ames, Sue Anderson, Mike Benson, Mike Gallagher, Brian Grave, Jason Jaeger, Paula Klein, Neil Jordheim, Robert Littlefield, Karna Nelson, Larry Odegaard, Mel Olson, Jane Pettinger, Blake Strehlow, and Mark Western.
Lion of the Year 2010-2011: Mike Gallagher
LCIF Melvin Jones Fellow 2010-2011: Paula Klein
LCIF Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow: Dr. Lance Bergstrom
Spirit of the Lions Award: Lyle Swor
This was the final regular meeting of the Fargo Lions Club for 2010-2011. We will continue our weekly Monday noon lunch meetings after Labor Day. Please contact the Club President or other officer for the most current meeting times and more information about becoming a member of our Club!
90th Anniversary of the Fargo Lions Club
On Thursday June 2, 2011 the Fargo Lions Club celebrated 90 years of Lionism by giving free root beer floats away at “Cruisin’ Broadway”. While we had hoped to serve about 500 citizens, by the evening we had served more than 1,000 people on what turned out to be a beautiful summer night. We also were able to collect many used eyeglasses and funds to assist the mandan Lions Clubs in the flood fighting efforts.
Thanks to all of the Lions who made this a successful event and to Cass Clay Creamery for their donation of ice cream!
Message from Club President Mike Gallagher on the 90th Anniversary of the Fargo Lions Club
“The Fargo Lions Club would like to thank the citizens of Fargo for their support as we celebrate 90 years of service. Because of you, we have been able to help many individuals and groups in need throughout our community.
The Fargo Lions Club is a service club chartered in 1921 as the local chapter of Lions Clubs International. At the time, Lions Clubs International was a relatively young association of service clubs challenged by Helen Keller to act as “Knights for the Blind.” Vision and related causes have been our main focus ever since. Our club continues to assist people to receive eye exams, provide early vision screening for school children, supply magnifiers and large print books to the visually impaired and support the training of assistance dogs for the blind. In addition to our vision causes, the Fargo Lions Club has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local groups such as the Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA, Boys and Girls Scouts, as well as international efforts like Campaign Sight First and Haiti Earthquake Relief.
As a service organization, the Fargo Lions Club has also provided countless volunteer hours to local projects. Following the 1997 flood, the club partnered with the Fargo Park District to establish the Fargo Lions Conservancy Park in South Fargo. The park provides a riparian environment in the city where citizens can observe and learn about animal and plant life. We have also provided assistance for local civic events, collected food for food pantries, helped with litter control and coordinated speech contests for students. And many of our members have moved on to serve in leadership positions throughout the Lions Clubs International organization.
As the President of the Fargo Lions Club for 2010-2011, I am honored to join a long list of community-minded leaders who have accepted the challenge to be “A Beacon of Hope” in our community. Our club is well poised to confront the ever-changing challenges of our community. I invite you to join us in our mission. You can learn more about the Fargo Lions Club at www.fargolions.org.
The Fargo Lions. We Serve.”
Monday, May 23, 2011
Welcome to the last regular business meeting of the 2010-2011 season of the Fargo Lions. We will meet June 6, 2011 for our Awards & Recognition Lunch 12:00 noon at the Radisson Hotel.
Announcements & Reports:
Lion President Mike Gallagher recognized the volunteers who operated the Fargo Lions aid/water station during the Fargo Marathon last Saturday. The Lions handed out water and Powerade to over 12,000 runners at Mile 13 on a warm and muggy morning. More than 23,000 people registered for the different races over the three day period. Interested in next year? Watch this video to learn more!
The Fargo Lions Marathon Relay Team made up of Mike Gallagher, Mark Western, Kyle Sebesta and Robert Littlefield competed once again finishing with a time of just over 4 hours. They placed 91 out of the 296 teams that finished.
The Fargo Lions will celebrate 90 years of Lionism by giving free root beer floats to Fargoans attending “Cruising Broadway” on Thursday June 2, 2011. We will set up our stand at the corner of Broadway and 2nd Ave N, on the US Bank Plaza. All Lions are invited to come on down, see some great cars and celebrate 90 years of the Fargo Lions Club.
June 6, 2011 will be the last meeting of the Fargo Lions until after Labor Day. We will hold our Awards & Recognition Lunch on that day featuring induction of new members and officers and presentation of awards. Please feel free to bring your spouse or guest that day as we celebrate a very successful Lion Year.
Lion Katherine Tweed announced that we have openings in this summer’s Lions International Youth Exchange for American students between the age of 15 and 18. If you know of any students who may be interested in a United Nations experience at summer camp this July, call Lion Katherine for more information.
The Carrington Lions Golf Scramble is June 17, 2011. Contact Lion Mark Jensen for registration information or see the ND Lions Magazine.
The Fargo Lions are considering operating an aid/ water station during the American Diabetes Tour de Cure Bike Race on June 18, 2011. As we work out a location and time more information will be available.
Lion Mike thanked those Lions who helped save the Presidents Blog after the web site host became corrupted. The blog was down for a period of several weeks but has been repaired.
Program:
Lion Jane Pettinger has been chairing the Fargo Lions Vision Mission Committee since last year and the group is close to announcing a date for the trip. A group of Fargo Lions and their guests will travel to Puerto Vallarta Mexico in Februrary 2012 to conduct vision screening for those in need in the area. Dr. Mark Tufte and his wife Deb have traveled to Mexico for several years and Lion Jane joined them last year on the trip. Current plans are: 1) Stay in all inclusive resort at Nuevo Vallarta for a period of 7 days including several travel days, three days of screening and a couple days of relaxation, 2) to hold a vision screenign event in Fargo this fall to work out the process and train Lions, 3) continue collecting and processing used eyeglasses to be donated to those who can use them, hoping to serve 1,500 locals 4) publicize the effort to raise financial support from other Lions Clubs. If you are interested in learning more about the trip, contact Lion Jane.
Next Meeting:
No meeting May 30, 2011.
Awards & Recognition Lunch 12:00 noon at the Radisson Hotel
Monday May 16, 2011
Thank you to our two guests today. We hope you enjoy your time with the Fargo Lions and consider joing the Club!
Announcements & Reports:
Lion President Mike Gallagher told the club about his visit with Anna last week. Lions Mike Benson and Neil Jordheim joined Mike last week to visit the recipient of the video magnifier machine provided to Anna by the ND Lions Video Magnifier Program. With the machine, Anna is able to read newspapers, prescription bottles and notes, as well as look at family photos. The machine has an auto focusing camera which allows the user to view an object on a 22″ screen at adjustable levels of magnification. We are pleased to help Anna out with this machine made possible by the Fargo Lions contribution to the ND Lions Video Magnifier Program.
Lions Kurt Jankowski announced that the Fargo Liosn would operate the water/ aid station at mile 13 of the Fargo Marathon this Saturday. Our theme of the Fifties music, cars and clothes will fit it with the race’s theme of “Fargo Rocks!” The race will feature nearly 30 live bands and DJ along the course! Lions should arrive at the site about 8:00 am to begin making Powerade and getting ready for the nearly 10,000 runners anticipated. The race course map is available at this link.
Lion Paula Klein brought the club up to date on the Fargo Lions Club 90th Anniversary Party to be held June 2, 2011. The Fargo Lions will be making free ice cream floats for the public at the US Bank Plaza during DCP’s “Cruising Broadway” event. We will set up from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. The event will run from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Wear your 50′s clothes as we thank the public for their support of the Fargo Lions!
Our last meeting of the 2010-2011 Season will be June 2, 2011 at 12:00 noon at the Radisson Hotel. The meeting will feature our Lions Awards presentations, inductions of recent members and a review of a very successful year. Please invite your spouse or significant other to join us for lunch this day (RSVP to Lion Mike Gallagher.)
Lion Mark Jensen announced that the Carrington Lions will hold their 5th Annual Golf Scramble on June 17. The cost for meals and golf is $40 per person. Contact Lion Mark to schedule your foursome.
Program:
Today’s program featured Greg Cant of Concordia College. He told the club about change sbeing made in the school’s business program and the soon to be built Concordia Business Center.
Next Meeting:
Monday, May 23, 2011 12:00 noon at the Radisson Hotel.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Lions President Mike Gallagher was out of town, President Elect Bob Ames ran today’s meeting of the Fargo Lions Club.
Announcements & Reports:
Program:
David Cummings, “The Sunshine Effect”.
Next Meeting:
Monday, May 16, 2011 12:00 noon at the Radisson Hotel
Board of Directors Meeting, Monday, May 9, 2011
Lions President Mike Gallagher was out of town, President Elect Bob Ames ran today’s meeting of the Fargo Lions Club.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thank you to Dr. Jed Hilmer for joining us as our guest today!
Announcements & Reports:
Lion Jane Pettinger reported that 17 Lions gathered last week to sort and clean used eyeglasses which have been collected by the Fargo Lions. We hope to send these eyeglasses with the Vision Mission Trip team when they go to Mexico in February 2012. The Lions processed 3,547 pairs of eyeglasses! Great work.
Lion President Mike Gallagher reported that the Fargo Lions were well represented at the Regional Spring Officer training session held in Horace last week. Along with Lion Mike, Bob Ames, Brian Shawn, Mark Western and Brian Grave attended, and Lions Katherine Tweed, John Dobbs and Robert Littlefield presented.
Lion Jane Pettinger reporte that the Fargo Lions will be providing vision screenign services at the “Homeless Connection” event May 4. The event, held at the FargoDome, will make a variety of services and information available to homeless in our community. Contact Lion Jane for more info.
The Club received an invitation to join the Gateway Lions Club May 12 to celebrate their 50th Anniversary as a Club. Congratulations to the Gateway Lions on a half century of Lionism.
Upcoming event for the Fargo Lions include: Fargo Marathon May 21, 90th Anniversary June 2, Awards Ceremony June 6 and Tour de Cure June 18. There will be no meeting May 30, Memorial Day.
Program:
MSUM Professor Mike Michlovic presented some of his archeological findings from around the Red River Valley.
Next Meeting:
Monday, May 9, 2011 12:00 noon at the Radisson Hotel.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Lion President Mike Gallagher was out of town this week, President Elect Bob Ames ran today’s meeting.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Announcements & Reports:
Lion Karna Nelson announced that the Lions would be meeting April 26, 7:00 pm at the West Fargo Highrise to sort and clean used eyeglasses to be sent on the 2012 Vision Mission trip.
Lion Mel Olson reminded the Club that the Region Spring Officer Training will be held in Horace, ND on April 27, 2011.
Lion Jane Pettinger announced that the Fargo Lions will be providing basic vision screenings at the “Homeless Connection” event to be held May 4 at the FargoDome. The all day event will provide free services and information to the homeless in our community.
Lion Mark Western is looking for runners to join him in the Fargo Lions Fargo Marathon Relay Team on May 21, 2011. You can choose to run the 5.5 mile leg or the 8 mile leg, but either way you are sure to have a good time. This year’s race will feature over 30 live bands and DJs along the course, and the Fargo Lions will be manning the Mile 13 water/aid station once again.
Lion Alan Peterson of the Horace Lions joined us today to raise awareness for the Fundraising Walk for Blindness to be held April 30, 2011.
Program:
Chuck Gulsvig of Sanford Health System joined us today to discuss Sanford’s plans for the community and region.
Next Meeting:
Monday, April 25, 2011 12:00 noon at the Radisson Hotel.