EL CAJON VALLEY HOSTS LION’S NEWSLETTER
July 27 2026, Members: _31___ Guests: __3_
Facebook: El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club
Volume 2026/27 _______________________________________Issue 4
CALL TO ORDER: ___Grant Thiem III___________________________________
Invocation: Mark Clifton ________ Pledge of Allegiance: _Bob Moreau__________________
Patriotic Song: Chris and Kat_________________ Song: __God Bless America ____________
HELEN KELLER QUOTE BY: _Don Anthony________________
“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision”
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GUESTS:
| Kevin Jones | Jolinda Grunstad_____ | Mitch Daring |
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GOOD TO SEE: _Kiley Grunstad__________________________
COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mitch Darling Report on Camp Jack events
- Camp Growth: Attendance rose with 86 of 92 campers present; 2% no-shows versus 10% last year, marking 30 years of operation.
- Lake Day Fishing: Popular trout fishing event boosted camper fun and will continue next year, fostering community spirit.
The camp experienced notable growth and operational changes this year, reflecting strong community engagement and logistical adaptations.
Camp Operations and Growth
Camp attendance increased with improved no-show rates as the camp had 92 spots and 86 campers showed up, resulting in a 2% no-show rate compared to 10% last year
This marked the camp’s 30th year with significant program changes and partnerships.
New collaboration with a high-tech machining training provider brought their families into the camp experience.
Check-in logistics shifted to Prize Industries, requiring operational adjustments led by Iran for classroom monitoring.
Financial support from the Lions Club was credited for enabling these enhancements.
Fishing experience became a key highlight on Lake Day with organized activities that boosted camper engagement
Grant Thiem Jr. and his team coordinated this popular event, providing kids opportunities to fish for trout.
The event included a communal lunch, fostering high energy and camaraderie among campers and volunteers.
This successful activity is expected to continue next year, reinforcing the camp’s unique offerings.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
Foundation meeting scheduled immediately following this meeting for focused discussion on funding and strategic support
This allows dedicated time for financial oversight and planning separate from general updates.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
MIKE CARLETON (7-19-42) PAUL TREMBLAY (7-26-52)
TOM HOBAN (7-31-52) ED WAYMIRE (7-10-52)
DOLORES GALKOWSKI (7-10-35) DAVID REED (7-04-61)
PENNIE McMAHON (7-19-47)
VICE PRESIDENT REPORTS:
1st: Kat Zeman: Pancake Breakfast Report October 4th .
All volunteers are required
Health and safety compliance emphasized for kitchen volunteers with mandatory health department certification.
Dyna was assigned to manage certifications for those Leos involved in kitchen work before the event.
Volunteers without current cards were instructed to complete online training quickly, ensuring regulatory compliance.
Additional child interaction training is available via the district portal to maintain safeguarding standards.
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2nd : Madelyne Nation________________________________________________________
3rd : Dyna Jones: _Del Mar Racing Report
Gary Sims
Day at the races event had fair attendance but uncertain future demand, with 31 people attending out of 40 tickets sold )
The event included a clubhouse pass for the season, providing additional value beyond the race day.
Tickets for unused seats were offered for sale to maximize resource use.
Despite some winnings reported, overall enthusiasm for repeating the event remains contingent on member interest.
Hat contest winner announced, but female participation was low despite a $100 prize
Lack of awareness about the contest limited entries, suggesting communication improvements for next year.
The winner was Katie Monroe, with encouragement for more ladies to participate in the future.
Previous years had separate men’s and women’s contests, with one member noting consistent wins in the past.
Del Mar Hat Contest Winner
Katie Monroe
July EXEMPT BADGE: Tom Normandie
HAPPY DOLLARS/FINES: TT __Bob Acker___________________________
| Paul Tremblay | $10 | Two of my grandsons had a basketball tournament. They played both Saturday and Sunday, so I got to see them play basketball. Yesterday was my birthday. With all my kids. Good to see them all. |
| Gary Robinson | $5 | Fishing expedition. |
| Dyna Jones | $20 | The Joneses seem to have had a big day at the beach. |
| Gary Sims | $20 | I went to the casino and won a $1400 signer, and I lost most of that back. Yeah. And the next day, I went to Harris, and I lost some more up there, so I pretty much had a losing week. |
| Bob Acker | $10 | Reaching for your phone? |
| Mark Clifton | $7 | My lucky seven for my unlucky at the races. |
| Bob Moreau | $5 | My grandson Chris, who came over here and talked about the welding program he was teaching at the high school there on 5th Avenue, just got promoted to vice principal. |
| Walt Simmons | $10 | $5 cuz I missed the Steak Fry, or I missed that because I had another engagement, and another five because I missed a couple meetings because I was ill. |
| Ron Nevels | $10 | Padre Sweep of Marlins |
| Madelyne Nation | $20 | Our daughter turned three last Saturday, and we had a party at Tom’s house—a massive bounce house water slide, which was really fun. I had no business going down the slide, but I went down anyway. We went to Palm Springs and went to Disneyland. |
| Grant Thiem III | $100 | I don’t know if you all are familiar with the term beating a dead horse. Well, I learned what that was with Chris. He walked down to every table at The Del Mar Races and asked every person along the wayWho Potsy Weber was? |
| Chris Bramwell | $20 | New Clothes |
| Dick Nasif | $5 | |
| Collen Owens | $20 | Got stranded in Italy for 3 extra days.We bought our trip through Costco, and they canceled our flight. Costco says they are going to return $9,000. |
| Kiley Grunstad | $100 | Stories include multi-city visits to London and Paris.Daughters New Internship with Disney in Orlando, FL. |
| Yvonne Paris | $5 | The “tinkle queen” anecdote highlighted practical support for Camp Jack campers’ needs during transitions to a new pickup point |
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
ATTENDANCE DRAWING: __Tom Normandie________________ $__30______
50/50 OPPORTUNITY DRAWING: _Bob Moreau _________$___45_____
TODAY’S RIB TICKLER
Anything worth doing is rooted in Service
International President Mark S. Lyon