Hurricane Katrina Delays NPOV Lions Bulletin!

Not bad for an eye-catching headline, is it? But to be honest, unexpected out-of-town work schedules and a busy train ride season have been the major contributors to the delay of your Lions Bulletin. Following is a synopsis of the September/October/ November meetings. The regular Bulletin format will resume next month. Thanks for your understanding. --- Ed.

Railroad and Depot News

Lion Dick Norton reported that the estimated net income for Down River Days was in excess of $9,000 (including train and all venues). Additional security was requested for next year to prevent traffic from going into the park during DRD festivities. There was a discussion regarding security personnel and cost of services.

The Autumn Colors rides were very successful! The last three weekends had full train cars for every ride, and the riders really seemed to enjoy the Great Pumpkin Rides on October 22-23. The train cars were decorated, the Lions members were decked out in great costumes and everyone had a lovely time. It looks like this will be an annual event on the trains! Thanks to all of the hosts, food preparers, parking attendants, souvenir ladies, ticket salespersons, and other volunteers that so generously gave of their time and energy to make this a great Train Ride Season!
The Railroad Committee proposed an "Adopt a Car" program for maintenance of the train cars. Members can sign up for a car and would be responsible for seeing that it was clean and ready before train ride weekends. Additional maintenance, such as painting, could also be done by the Adopting Lion(s). Contact Lion Bob Shanklin to sign up. (Ed. Note: as of this writing, there are two coach cars that still need adoptive parents for the 2006 train ride season. If you aren't interested in going through the complete adoption process, perhaps you might consider being a Foster Parent for one or more rides?)

Lion Curt Lynn reported that the little depot building needs to be leveled and the inside finished in order to make it functional for selling refreshments. That project will be tabled until next year. Lion Curt also reported that the restrooms have been winterized.

Lion Bob Shanklin reported that the Railroad Historical Society would pay for materials to paint the other rail coaches. The recently painted coach car looks great and the other cars are looking a bit shabby in comparison. There have been various discussions regarding the updating and renovating of the cars prior to the 2006 train ride season. Many of the seats need to be repaired and reupholstered. If you have any interest in assisting with painting (inside cars), window repair, general maintenance, or reupholstering, please contact Lion Bob Shanklin or another member of the Railroad Committee.

It was decided that the 2006 train schedule will be similar to the 2005 schedule, with tentative dates for Autumn Colors of Sept 30-Oct 1st, Oct 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22. Trains for DRD will run on Friday night for the Lions party, 1:00 and 3:00pm on Saturday, and 11:00am and 1:00pm on Sunday. For Affair on Main Street weekend, the trains will run the normal 11:00-1:00-3:00 schedule from the Metaline Falls Depot for both days.

The 2005 rides were very well attended and many members attributed this to the increase in publicity and advertising. It was decided to continue the current aggressive (and very successful) publicity campaign spearheaded by Lion Mike Caldwell. If you have photos or ideas to contribute, please contact Lion Mike.

Hearing/Sight/Health
Lion Gayle Pollock organized the Lions Mobile Screening Unit. The mobile unit was at the Depot on Lions Depot on Saturday, September 24th for screening members of the public and Monday, September 26th to screen students of the Ione Elementary School. Fire District #2 was on hand to assist the Lions, and The Selkirk Community Clinic provided handouts and information about its services. On Saturday (9/24), 36 members of the community were screened and on Monday (9/26) 178 students in grades K through 6 were screened. Due to the cost of busing students it was decided not to screen the High School students. Next year we will consider just having the unit for one day to screen students, and use the funds that would have paid for the unit the second day to pay for transporting students to the screening location. The unit would also be open to the public with specific hours recommended to avoid periods of heaviest student screening. Thanks to all of the volunteers that participated in this screening!

Lion Karen Kinsella reported that 114 pairs of used eyeglasses were taken to LensCrafters in Spokane for repair/refurbishment and subsequent donation to the Lions Recycle for Sight Program.

Other News
Lion Ken Oliver reported that the kiosks for the International Selkirk Loop are almost completed. Kiosks are located at Tiger Museum, Ione Park, Box Canyon, Eagles Nest, Sweet Creek, Metaline Waterfront Park, Metaline Falls Observation Point, Hooknose, and Crescent Lake. The Newport Bridge kiosk will have advertising space for sale.

Lion Marvel Smith and Lion Patricia Woelfel are collecting donations for the Christmas Boards. Standard donation is $12 for an 'ornament' spot on the Christmas Tree board but, as usual, additional donations are always welcome. A few openings are also available to sponsor the Christmas Banners in downtown Ione. Please contact Lion Marvel or Lion Patricia for further details and to make your donation. Donations for the Christmas Tree Boards go towards the Lions Scholarships.

In order to address a variety of youth-related budget items, a tentative Youth Committee has been established, consisting of Lion Gloria Coppock, Lion Karen Kinsella, and newly inducted Lion Don Hawpe. Please contact one of these Lions if you wish to be included in this committee.