El Cajon Valley Host Lions
September 9, 2013 35 Lions and 6 Guests
OPENING
Lion Acting President Mercy Walters energetically opened the meeting at 12:30pm. Lion PP Jerry Hollingsworth, Songmaster, led our Lions & guests in singing “God Bless America”. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lion PP Bruce Boorman. Prayer & Invocation was recited by Lion Acting President Mercy Walters. Helen Keller Quote of the Week was inspirationally given by Lion PP Ed Waymire.
GUESTS
Lion PP Bill Sturgeon introduced 6 guests that included: 5 Lions from the La Mesa Lions and Dick Dale who was a guest of Lion PP Ed Waymire.
The La Mesa Lions announced their upcoming 14th Annual Golf Tournament on September 21st. Golfers are needed, with an 8:30am check in Shotgun start for a 9 hole course in the City of La Mesa Sun Valley Course. This Golf Tournament is the La Mesa Lions major fundraiser of the year.
LIONS BIRTHDAY’S MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
Lion PP Jerry Hollingsworth led our Lions in singing a gusty Happy Birthday for the following Lions: Lion Dr. Winegar—September 11th, Lion Kirby Morrison—September 15th, Lion Jim Sing—September 16th, Lion Jonathan Martin—September 19th, Lion PP Dr. Mark Krause—September 22nd and Lion Acting President Mercy Walters—September 25th.
MAILBAG CORRESPONDENCE, COMMUNICATIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our Lions Foundation Meeting has been re-scheduled for Wednesday September 18th 6pm at Jamacha Junction 777 Jamacha Rd El Cajon.
Our Lions Board Meeting will be held on Thursday September 19th 6pm at Lion PDG Len Blottin’s residence. All Lions are invited.
District Cabinet Meeting will be held on Saturday September 14th in Chula Vista. All of our officers are invited to attend.
Our Annual Lions Picnic will be held on Saturday October 5th 11am-3pm at Lion PP Bob Moreau’s home. A deep pit BBQ, horseshoes, games and plenty of celebrating for all our Lions, their families, kids & grandkids! Sign up list will be distributed next week.
EXEMPT BADGES
Exempt Badges for the Month of September were auctioned off with the winning bidders Lion Dave Huntamer–$50.00 and Lion 3rd VP Ray Ridlon–$50.00.
VP REPORTS
3rd VP Van Willsey reported that our Lions Visitation Team will be visiting North Park Lions on Wednesday September 11th at noon, 3927 Utah St San Diego and a Singing Hills Visitation on September 23rd 7pm at Coco’s 1025 Fletcher Pkwy. Sign up with Lion Mike Wasyliw, Visitations Chair 619.444.9240 or mjwasyliw@gmail.com. Visitations are a good opportunity to network with our other Lions Clubs in the district, promote our El Cajon Valley Host Lions, sell some Pancake Breakfast Tickets, etc. Lion Roy “Rocco” Collura, Christmas Baskets Chair, reported our Lions are gearing up and planning for our Christmas Baskets Drive in December.
2nd VP Ray Ridlon was welcomed back and reported that he had a great trip on his 69 day cross country bike ride from Oregon to Maine and a return month long driving back to San Diego. Adopt A Street Community Cleanup went well on September 7th with the following Lion participants: Lion PP Roger Stebleton, Lion Paul Walters and Lion 2nd VP Ray Ridlon. Our El Cajon Valley Lions Eyeglass Program report was given by Lion Mike Wasyliw where our Eyeglass committee visited the Cajon Valley School District last week and will visit the Alpine School district this afternoon. Hometown Day will be December 3rd with our Lenscrafters doctors performing eye exams and fitting glasses for students from our local school districts.
1st VP Mercy Walters reported that our 25th Annual Pancake Breakfast is coming up on Sunday October 27th—sell those tickets at visitations, to your business contacts and friends. Lion Mercy invited our newest Lions, Dave Huntamer and Carter Short to actively network their businesses at the upcoming Pancake Breakfast. Lion Paul Walters gave a Membership Report that included attending the 1st Friday Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with Lion PP Bruce Boorman, Lion 1st VP Mercy Walter and Lion Paul Walters. Our Lions will have a display table at the upcoming October 4th Chamber of Commerce Meeting at Steele Canyon Golf Course and are looking for a couple of additional Lions to attend this event to promote our Lions Membership & Recruitment Drive.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Lion Tail Twister PP Bob Moreau collected the following Happy Dollars & Happy Dollar Fines: Lion Felina Balistreri gave a Happy $26 for 26 years of a happy marriage to husband Isidoro! PP Gary Sims gave a Happy $5 and reminded us all that he recently celebrated his 33 years of being happily married with a trip to Santa Barbara, seeing Peter Noon from the Herman Hermit’s & shaking his hand and sending off his wife Gail on her 7 day vacation! Lion Warren McKenna gave a Happy $5 for going to a concert to see Blood, Sweat & Tears! Lion PP Roger Stebleton gave a Happy $5 for a trip to Las Vegas where he lost plenty of money! Lion PP Ray Hackworth gave a Happy $5 for sending out his “Where the hell are you….we have not seen you for a while!” letters sent to fellow Lions we have not seen for a while. Five of the seven letters sent paid off—with 5 Lions attending today’s meeting—good job Lion PP Ray for your Lions Retention efforts! Lion PP Mark Clifton gave a Happy $5 for going to a Tom Petty concert in El Cajon! Lion Roy “Rocco” Collura gave a Happy $10 saying “I’m always happy to be here”! Lion PP Phil Smith gave a Happy $10 with a glad to be back after a great camping trip in Utah!
SPEAKER
Lion PP Roger Stebleton was our featured speaker who shared his love and passion of travel of Central America and especially Costa Rica. With more than 750 miles of shoreline on its Pacific and Caribbean coasts, Costa Rica offers beachgoers an embarrassment of riches—along with plenty of adventure trips, day hikes, nature walks, fishing, etc.
CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS & THOUGHTS
Welcome Back Lion 3rd VP Ray Ridlon—thanks for sharing some of the highlights of your 69 day road bike trip from Oregon to Maine and month long drive back to San Diego…we would like to hear more about the trip! What an awesome adventure!
Welcome back Lion PP Phil Smith after your exciting camping trip to beautiful Utah—we want to hear more about it!
Congratulations Lion Felina Balistreri for 26 years of a happy marriage to husband Isidoro!
So glad to see the following Lions who we have not seen for a while…Lion PP Ron Snow, Lion PP Mike Mortallero, Lion PP Walt Simmons, Lion PP Ed Waymire and Lion PP Phil Smith!
Glad to see that Lion PP Ray Hackworth’s “We miss you…where the heck are you!” Letters to some of our Lions we have not seen for a while are being sent and having good results!
Thanks for all sign-ups for our Lions Visitations Team who will be visiting the North Park Lions on Wednesday September 11th and the Singing Hills Lions on September 23rd!
And don’t forget that Lions Pin you wear on your collar represents that you belong to the greatest service organization in the world…the El Cajon Valley Host Lion Club!