Under cloudy skies we traveled to Santa Cruz to visit the Santa Cruz Host Lions club. But rain or shine, Santa Cruz is always a good place to be, and this day was no different.
Lion President George opened the meeting after a very good lunch and proceeded into a very full agenda. I wondered if the club members were on their best behavior due to the Caifornia Highway Patrol Officer at the front table (he was there to provide the program for the day)……but it became clear that was not the case as soon as Lion Michael stepped up to the poduim and began his role as “Tailtwister”…….no one was safe, and it seems no confidences are kept with this group when it comes to tailtwisting! It was hilarious…and we enjoyed every minute of it!
It is always fun to visit these Lions, and I appreciate all their kind words about my campaign!
Lion Lila and I arrive for an abbreviated visit with the San Jose North Valley Lions on our way to the MD4 convention in Fresno.
We arrived early, and were able to enjoy dinner and a chance to visit with club members before the meeting started. Lions Esther had graciously scheduled me at the top of the agenda, and following my campaign speech and q&a session, we all participated in the club raffle. Fortunately for me, Lion Lila won a big box of chocolate that we enjoyed for the next several days in Fresno. While we did not stay for the entire meeting, it was great spending time with the San Jose North Valley Lions, and thanks for your support !
It was also nice to see a guest visit the meeting, could SJNV be adding another member soon?
Lion Jan and I drove north to San Jose and the noon time meeting for my Associate Club, Scales of Justice. Both Jan & I were playing “hookey” from our club meeting, but knew we left Salinas Host in good hands in our absence.
Lion President Lydia opened the meeting, and for the next hour or so we covered topic after topic as this very busy Lions club reported on its activities. Lion Karen was asked to share about the very successful Women in Lions Tea that she had co-hostessed with Lions Jan McClure and Leticia Acosta. It was a most memorable afternoon with a decorated hat contest, visit from Mrs Melvin Jones, wonderful light lunch with finger sandwiches, salad and desert and presentations by ladies, both Lions and non.
Lion Goody brought his delightful mother-in-law, and Lions Mike and Dave brought their better halves as well..it was a real family affair!
The meeting closed with a raffle of some very interesting items….I won the spaghetti sauce! It was a great meeting and I especially appreciate the support of the Scales of Justice Lions !
No GPS needed as we traveled to Marie Calendars in Morgan Hill for a visit to the Morgan Hill Lions Club. Due to it’s great proximity as a mid point in our district, it is a favorite spot for meetings between Lions from the north and south.
Lions Denny, Jan & Andy accompanied me, and Jan did a great job with an abbreviated introduction before my campaign speech. The Morgan Hill Lions, although small in number this evening, were supportive both in words and actions of my campaign, thank-you ! It was a relaxing evening and we spent as much time solving the worlds problems as we did discussing Lion matters. A very nice opportunty to get to know the Lions of Morgan Hill!
I wasn’t quite sure the resturant was open as I pulled in to the Holders Country Inn parking lot….not many lights were on, very few cars in the parking lot, and it was only 6:25 am! But within moments more cars arrived, and Lions began to gather.
The early morning Cupertino DeAnza Lions run a very organized and on-time meeting….but it may have something to do with tee-times, along with Lions business! Lots of good-natured kidding, followed by a visit from the Tailtwister keep the meeting entertaining, and at the same time, lots of work gets done….the main topic was the Crab Feed (did I volunteer to help crack crab next year??) which sounds as if it was an amazingly successful event! I was very impressed with the fact that this club partners with other service organizations for many of their events.
I also learned of their “evening” meeting, where several members who can not make the morning meeting come together in the name of Lions, and work together with the morning group at all club events. What a great way to grow membership !!!
I had a great time visiting with the Cupertino DeAnza Lions, and especially appreciate all their kind words and support of my campaign……and I guess I better start working on my crab-cracking skills!!
At the invitation of Region Chair Lion Mary Kelly, Lions Denny, Jan, Virgil and I traveled to the Leonard Clover Hall and joined Zone Chair Eugenio and Zone Chair Jan and many other Lions from Region 2. First on the agenda was Lion Cliff Cooper, previously of 4-C6, currently of the State of Nevada. Lion Cliff told of all the “doings” of his club, and it sounds as if they have taken some “great practices” from our district and put them in place in their new club. It was great seeing Lion Cliff again, and perhaps he will make another appearance (with Lions Dawn and Marvin?) at our convention???
Next on the agenda, I spoke of my campaign for 2nd VDG, and set the raffle ticket sellers loose…..then the activity level definitely picked up as a representative from each club shared club activity information…quickly….as the “time limit” was being followed closely ! Still, each club had much to report, and with just a few months left in our Lion year – it seems as if every weekend has an event!
It was a well run and very well attended meeting…kudos to the leadership of Region 2, as well as all the Lions that keep them busy!!
With PDG Denny riding shotgun, we were on our way to the Carrows on Tully Road and the San Jose East Valley Lions Club.
We arrived early and were able to visit with Lion President Val while we had dinner. Soon the table was full of Lions and the meeting under way. I was at the top of the agenda, and after sharing my campaign speech, entertained several questions from the club members about my campaign and plans as 2nd VDG. I was very impressed with the level of interest of these Lions in my campaign and the new position of 2nd VDG and it’s origins. I also am very grateful for their generosity in buying so many raffle tickets!
Now it was my turn to learn more about this club and what they are doing in their community. They are extremely busy planning a fundraiser for the Independance High School band, adding a fence to a school’s athletic field, and cleaning up another field. Several Lions are planning to attend the Women’s Tea and several more are planning to attend the Cabinet Meeting and Governor’s Roast. They have a new baby Lion and another new Lion waiting in the wings, and they are supporting a new LEO’s club at James Lick High School…..WAY TO GO SAN JOSE EAST VALLEY LIONS !!! You are another great example of excellence in our District !
It seemed like “old home week” as I drove into the parking lot at the Barnyard in Carmel, on my way to visit my first club, Carmel Host Lions.
Lions Denny, Tom and Noemi joined me at the back table, and Lion Francis moved up to a front table, and promptly paid a fine for being related to PDG Tom…I’m not quite sure how that works, but it is a tradition, as PDG Tom does the same when he comes to visit Salinas Host !
Lion President Nick opened the meeting, and with a few comical interruptions, was able to work through his agenda while only briefly loosing control of the meeting – well done President Nick, I know how hard it can be to keep ”on track”, when Lions have other ideas !
Thanks to Lion Lila for agreeing to introduce me, and thanks to the Carmel Host Lions for continuing to be the great club I remember, and being so supportive of my campaign.
Several Lions were already hard at work by the time I arrived, Lion Denny tending the b-b-q, and Lions Jan, Bob, Lois, Mary & John setting up the room. Lion Jim left to obtain “breakfast snacks” for the set up crew….Lion Lila arrived and in no time we had the tables & chairs set up, and raffle prizes displayed.
Soon everyone was gathered in the kitchen, overseeing Lions Jan & Karen and crew preparing lunch, and snacking on breakfast goodies.
PDG Tom & Joanne arrived, and Joanne presented me with a “bright-eyed Lion” pin, which she reminded me may be replaced with a “bleary-eyed Lion” in a few years! (hmmm…is that better than a feather duster????) Also at the PDG table were PDG Lucas Zaballos and Evelyn, PDG Virgil with Meddy and PDG Bob abd Lion Suzie. PDG Steve arrived a bit later, and we compared calendars for a “Healthy Club Workshop” planning session….taking some time out from the festivities to “take care of business !”
We welcomed Lions from Almaden Super, Santa Clara Host, West San Jose Campbell, Hollister, Mission Trail Lions of Carmel, Carmel Host, Salinas Host, San Martin, Santa Cruz Host, Sunnyvale Host, Scales of Justice, San Jose North Valley, Cupertino Host, Milpitas Executive, Milpitas Host, Scotts Valley Host,and Los Gatos ….whew !!! I appologize if I have forgotten anyone…and a HUGE THANK-YOU to everyone who attended…..it ment so much to me !
As quick as everything was set up, the excellent clean up crew got everything back into ship-shape!
Thanks so much to my “campaign team” – especially Lions Jan & Denny….without all of your help this could not have happened….YOU ROCK !!!
After stopping to pick up Lions Denny & Dick, we continued northbound on Highway 101 (w/out my “trusty” GPS…she had the night off since we all knew the way to San Juan Bautista!)
We arrived at the Basque Restaurant, Matxain Etxea on 4th Street, and walked in to a crowded-with-Lions dining room! Along with the Hollister Lions and guests (4 perspective members !) was the visitation crew from Almaden Super, and several Salinas Host Lions, and guests ! Lion President Carole took care of “meeting duties”, introduced Lion Denny, who introduced me, and the Lions & guests politely listened to my campaign speech,(special thanks to the Almaden Super Lions who had already heard me that very morning!)…and then, its time to eat!
Each course was delivered piping hot, and family style, we had more than enough to eat! The owner and his staff made us feel very welcome, and a great time was had by all!
Thanks to the Salinas Host Lions who accompanied me, Lions Denny, Dick, Judy, Romie and Virgil.
