A December to Remember!
December found the Tri-Village Lions coming together formally on two occasions – our annual Christmas Party on December 8, at the River Club Restaurant at Confluence Park, and a regular meeting at the MCL Cafeteria on December 15.
The Christmas Party was a huge success. The only thing missing was party planner, Lion Carol Dilley, who is still resting her broken bones. Lion Judy Tackett helped Lion John Dilley with the final arrangements and everyone in attendance was most complimentary about the food, the setting, and the festive atmosphere. Governor Dave Risen was in attendance, and was pressed into service installing our new member, Lion Graham McNeil.
The scene was repeated at the December 15 meeting, with PDG Lion John Dilley doing the honors as we welcomed Lion Kason Cheng to our Tri-Village family. A technical glitch kept Lion Ralph Kramer from sharing his photos from this summer’s trip to China (we’ll see those at the January 26 meeting), but it seemed somehow symbolic to move from installing our newest member, Kason, to honoring one of our most senior members, Lion Jim Liggett, who was recognized for 49 years perfect attendance. Lion Jim makes for a heckuva role model in his commitment to Lionism.
ICE CREAM = COLD CASH!
Once again, the Tri-Village Lions found the Grandview Ox Roast to be a great source for food, fun, fellowship – and money. This year’s sale netted just over the $2000 we had budgeted to bring in, so our administrative fund is healthy for a while longer.
The sale was held this year on September 8-10. It rained on Wednesday and Thursday and our normal location on the baseball infield was too wet for our trailer. We relocated to the east side of the park next to the bandstand so we would be on grass. This location was across from the eating area and the dessert stands. It was a location which put us more in the middle of things and keeps us out of the mud and dust. On Thursday night from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm Lions Jeff and Kay Werner, John and Carol Dilley scooped a record for a Thursday of $405.00 worth of Weldon’s ice cream. On Friday night the team of Lions Beth Travis, Bill Shelley, Jim Liggett, Hoot Evers and Chuck Rout started at 6:00 pm and were relieved at 9:00 pm by Lions Jeff Brantner, Rick Rocci, Tom Dolbow and Brian Turner, and worked until 11:30 pm with a total sale of $855.00 worth of ice cream.
On Saturday the team of Lions Jane Jarrow and Keith Schlaich, with the help of new recruit Wayne Cocchi, started around 1:00 pm. and were relieved at 4:30 by Lions Darin Spiegel, Ralph Kramer, Michiel Brongers and Jeff Davis, who came in early to help Lion Jane and Keith. They worked until 8:00, when the night shift arrived. Lions Chuck Helge, Doug Montgomery, Gary Saalman and Tom Dolbow (who did a second shift) worked until 11:00 pm. For the whole day Saturday the teams sold $1,554.75 worth of ice cream.
Of course, we couldn’t have pulled it off without “The Big Dipper” – Lion Al Sulser who, once again, made all the arrangements, organized the work crews, supervised the troops, and counted the money. THANKS, Al! (Same time, next year?)
SUNDAY OF SERVICE
Our Fall Sunday of Service, on November 13th, found the Tri-Village Lions raking leaves, spreading mulch, and preparing yards for the winter months to support Seniors from Upper Arlington who are living alone and not physically up to the challenge. Lions Jeff Davis, Chuck Helge, Jane Jarrow, Ralph Kramer, Doug Montgomery, Darin Spiegel and Al Sulser, (with help from Lion supporter Katy Orians), put in more than 20 hours of labor to bring order to the yards, and smiles to the faces of six UA residents.
GUEST SPEAKERS & PROGRAMS
At our September 22 meeting, Lt. Joe Schrader, of the Columbus Police Department provided a fascinating (and chilling!) overview of “Homeland Security in Columbus. He spoke of ongoing efforts and precautions to deter terrorist activities in our area, and of the surveillance of known or suspected terrorist in the area.
It was comforting to hear that in the decade since 9/11, only three individuals in the Central Ohio Area have been determined to pose a credible threat to our safety. All three were arrested, tried, and convicted on charges of terrorism. It was a lot less comforting to hear that at one time, the three had been meeting regularly at the Caribou Coffee shop on the corner of Northwest Boulevard and Lane Avenue!
Lt. Schrader stressed that most of his Task Force’s most valuable tips come from citizens who note something unusual or out of place. He encouraged us to trust our instincts and not hesitate to call if we have concerns about something in the neighborhood. . Lt. Schrader offered two numbers to reach the Task Force: 645-4812 or 644-3889.
On October 13, Dr. Richard Erdey spoke about new advances in cornea transplant surgery, including targeted tissue replacement. He fascinated the audience with explanation of delicate surgical tech-niques that can transplant a single layer of cells, creating marked improvement to vision and minimal discomfort or rejection. Dr. Erdey is affiliated with both the Ohio Lions Eye Research Foundation and the Ohio Lions Eye Bank. It is nice to know that our fundraising efforts can lead to such wonderful results for people with vision impairments.
On October 27, Wayne Cocchi, the Director of Disability Services at Columbus State Community College, will talk with us about how the newest technologies are being harnessed to help people who are blind and visually impaired. From eReaders, to smart phones, to screen readers and beyond, the technology commonly in use today provides tremendous potential for independence.
We were joined by three members of the Dublin Lions Club to hear Retired Brigadier General James Abraham speak at our November 17th Membership meeting. General Abraham was a corporal when he landed on Omaha Beach with his unit on June 6, 1944. He spent the rest of World War II in the European theater, and had first hand interaction with General George Patton. In 2006, General Abraham made a pilgrimage back to France with his children and grandchildren to share his memories of that critical period in history. He shared his slides from the trip, showing us the “then and now” of many famous landmarks most of us have heard of, but never seen.
When asked what it takes to be a general, Abraham replied, “Gray hair and hemorrhoids! The gray hair makes you look distinguished. The hemorrhoids make you look concerned.” General Abraham’s memories and pictures were a vivid reminder of all the veterans who have served our nation in the past, so that the Lions of today can serve, as well.
These articles were written by Lion Jane Jarrow for our monthly newsletter “Between the Lions“.
