December
2006

District Governor: Frank Berglund
Zone Chairman E-8: David Dean
Bulletin Editor: Karen Kinsella

Please attend the December 7th meeting and participate in a discussion regarding the level of Lions involvement in Down River Days 2007. As most of you know, Lion Kathy Mondich will no longer be coordinating the vendors in Ione Park, nor will she be organizing the DRD Parade, Street Dance, Little Miss Contest, and T-shirt ordering or sales. The remaining membership is very busy with the Cowboy Breakfast, Train Rides, souvenirs, raffle ticket sales, etc.

President Karen Kinsella is suggesting that we look at various options and attempt to recruit assistance from local businesses and the Town of Ione. If you have an opinion or a suggestion, this is the time to come out and voice it.

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Railroad News  

Ridership statistics and financial information for the 2006 Train Ride Season were discussed at the November 16th meeting.  

Lion Bob Shanklin is compiling a list of work that needs to be done to bring the train cars up to standard - including reupholstering seats in Coach Car #960, replacing holding tanks in several cars and painting the open cars. The list will be very lengthy, but we currently have sufficient funds to take care of the backlog maintenance. Lion Bob will work up estimates for the work needed and will bring it back to the club at the December 7th meeting.

During the Regular Business Meeting on November 16th, the members voted to hire Lee Humphries to paint the open cars. Earlier this year, Lee had provided a bid of approximately $6,000 to paint all three cars this past season. Lion Carolyn Myers will contact Lee to obtain an updated bid and will bring it back to the club if it is greater than the approved amount.

Lion Carolyn will also head up the project to have the reupholstering work done in Coach Car #960 and #971. The seats in car #960 will need to be done by a professional, but much of the work for #971 can be done by members of the club. Coach Car #960 still needs an adoptive parent.

ALL ABOARD!

Train Reservations
It was decided that verbage be added to the Website and the reservation line recording that makes it clear that tickets not picked up at least 10 minutes prior to a ride will be released for sale to other customers. Hopefully, this will eliminate last-minute passengers and delayed train departures.  

In response to a request by Lion Kim Cress , the need for a formal policy regarding group reservations for train rides was discussed. Members decided to adopt the following as club policy:

A deposit is required for reservations for groups of 10 or more people. The deposit must be received by the club within two weeks of the date the reservation is made, and no later than two weeks prior to the ride being reserved. As a rule, deposits are not refundable.    

Depot News

Lion Curt Lynn reported that a drip rail needs to be installed above the doors on the trailer restroom (so it won't rot out again!). The Depot lighting problem that was mentioned in the previous newsletter is being handled by the PUD and Lion Curt. New heaters are also being installed to replace the broken ones in the depot.  

Hearing/Sight/Health

School Nurse Nancy Kiss contacted Lion Gayle Pollock about a 3rd grade student in our school district who is in need of glasses. Lion Gayle will forward the information to Sight Care Chair Lion Karin Cox .

A question arose about whether the community knows about the club's program to provide eyeglasses to those in need. Although many members assumed it was common knowledge, it evidently is not. The school nurse is aware of the program and works through Lion Gayle Pollock and Lion Karin Cox to acquire eyeglasses for students. To further inform the community, it was recommended that next year a note be sent home with every student prior to the health screening day, informing parents that if it is determined that their child needs additional testing and/or eyeglasses, and they are unable to provide them, the Lions are there to assist.

It was decided that an article be placed in the Selkirk Sun describing the club's programs for eyeglass and hearing aid collection and for providing testing, eyeglasses, and/or hearing aids to those in need. NPOV Lions provide this service to residents in North Pend Oreille County, essentially the area within Fire District #2. If a recipient is willing to have their picture in the paper, it would be used as part of the article. The article could be submitted for publication prior to White Cane Days in order to better publicize that event. Lion Susan Mason is the Chair for White Cane Days in 2007.

It was reported that Lion John Middleton has undergone a second surgery to correct a detached retina. It is reported that Lion John is in good spirits and doing well.

Other News  

Lion Gayle Pollock mentioned that AED (automatic external defibrillator) training will take place at 6:00pm on January 12th in the Lions Depot during the first EMT Class. You will also be able to be certified for CPR during this session.     

It is time for the Christmas Tree Greeting Boards! Standard donation is $12 for an ornament on the Christmas Tree and additional donations are always welcome. Please contact Lion Patricia Woelfel or Lion Joanne Egan for further details and to make your donation. Donations for the Christmas Tree Boards go towards the Lions Scholarship Fund.   Each June, two $1,000 scholarships are awarded to Selkirk seniors who have maintained a qualifying grade point average and have done a significant amount of community service. It is a great opportunity for local students to get assistance with their continuing education costs.   

COMMUNITY PROJECTS:

Lion Secretary Kim Di Rienz reports that in November, 29 DVDs were collected and sent to our troops through Operation DVD .

Thanks to all who contributed to this worthy project.

Peace Poster - The posters have been judged and the winning poster has been forwarded to the District Governor. It was reported that we had about a dozen entries this year and three were determined to be in the top running. We have a policy of awarding a first and second prize. At the November 16 th Regular Meeting, the membership voted to award an additional prize of a $25.00 savings bond as an "Honorable Mention" for the third peace poster. When Lion Carolyn Myers went to obtain the bonds, she was informed that the lowest denomination was $50.00, so the third winner will have a $50.00 bond, also.

Projects - The large balance in our public service account was discussed. A portion of the funds will be going back into the repairs needed for the train and depot. We will be encouraging members to look for more substantial projects than we have done in the past. We will be putting an article in the Selkirk Sun and the Newport Miner about the larger projects we have done in the community in the past, and encouraging members of the public to submit projects for next year.

Lion Mike Caldwell generously suggested (and the members agreed) to give Jay Reed?, our garbage collector, a "Christmas" bonus of $100 in recognition of all the extra work he does for us to remove the garbage from the depot during the ride season. (In addition to the dumpster, we have many large garbage cans that he must empty by hand.)  

Lion Nathan Jones reported that there will be a bicycle tour in our area on July 30 and 31st. About 250 participants will be camping at the Box Canyon Campground on the evening of July 30. They are looking for a group to cook breakfast for the group on the morning of July 31st. It could be a good fundraiser for the club. We will have finished Down River Days and could move the necessary grills and equipment from the park to Box Canyon Campground. There is power available and it was determined that we would be able to borrow canopies from club members to use to cover the chefs in case of inclement weather. Lion Dick Ashton was consulted and thinks it is a good idea. He will discuss the logistics of the event to the members at the December meeting.

Two pairs of train ride tickets were donated to the Deck the Falls Committee as a donation for their raffle. Ironically, our very own Lion Secretary Kim Di Rienz was the winner of these tickets! Want to take a train ride, Kim?  

The club received banner patches in recognition of membership increase and retention.

At the November 16th meeting, the membership voted to donate $200.00 to Hospice of Spokane in memory of former Lion Hal Kinville. Lion Hal was a very active member during his time in Pend Oreille County and it is fitting that a memorial be made to such a worthy organization in his memory.

Immediate Past President Lion Carolyn Myers was presented with the Club Presidents Diamond Award for leading our club in achieving positive net growth in the 2005-2006 Lion Year. Congratulations, Carolyn!

December 7, 2006 - Board Meeting at 6:00pm. Regular Business Meeting begins at 7:00pm at the Lions Depot in Ione.   Open to all members.  

December 17, 2006 - NPOV Lions Holiday Party. To be held at the Ashton's residence with holiday celebration activities starting at 5:00pm.

December 25, 2006 - Christmas Day

December 31, 2006 - Happy New Year!

January 4, 2007 - Board Meeting at 6:00pm. Regular Business Meeting begins at 7:00pm at the Lions Depot in Ione.   Open to all members.