Editorial

            The Turkey bingo is over once again for this year. The number of players was about equal to last years despite the many other attractions that were taking place in our vicinity.  Once the bingo was over and the clean up was in progress I was congratulated for chairing a successful event by some of our members. After reflection I have come to the following conclusions. If it were not for the foot soldiers and those people in the trenches this undertaking would have been a lot harder. I have Lion Stan (Treasurer) to thank for handling the float, deposits and  the paying of bills.

Lions Kathy and Heather for taking control of the snack bar. The bingo callers Lions Stan, Dale Taylor (Governor A-1) and Dan M. for the excellent manner in which they shared and completed  this task. In the remaining items needing attention fourteen other members took part in seeing that they were completed. To my way of thinking I’m the one that should be thankful for all of the members who participated and made it a successful evening. I would like to pass on special thanks to Governor Dale Taylor who came from London to lend a hand. A warm welcome also goes out to Lions Dan M. and James G. who were once again in our midst and taking part in a club function.

Dutton’s Visit to the St. Thomas Lions Club

On November 26th, 2001

On the night of Nov. 26, 2001 three members of the Dutton Lions Club (Lions Ken, Claire  and Ron P.) made their way to St. Thomas to visit and attend their meeting. As usual in these visits an educational, and fun night was had by all.

Educational for the following reasons:

1.      Your editor has learned that despite his many hours spent  on the proof reading of our monthly bulletin he still needs to work on his spelling due to glaring errors;

2.      That after a unanimous vote of support from the members of his club Zone 2S Chairman Dennis Sonier has thrown his hat into the ring for Region Chairman. I’m sure that all members of our club will wish him well in his pursuit to become our next Region Chairman;

3.      That Lions from our club had better be well prepared to defend their title in the upcoming  Zone Euchre Tournament to be held in Lambeth on February 7th, 2002;

4.      The next item is better explained by my simply asking you a question and that is Do you know what a S n o i l is ? When it comes down to it we have one in our club. Lion President Bill of St. Thomas has one under his protection and

            The last item was to learn the hard way to never sit in the same area or vicinity as Lion Ken Willson when you visit clubs. You will get blamed for all kinds of things. This is not to say that I cant get into enough trouble myself Lion Ken.  To members of the St. Thomas Lions and especially Lion Barb I say honestly It was not me. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank them for a fun filled and entertaining  evening.

52nd. Annual Leader Dog Day

On Wednesday, December 5, 2001 four members of our Lions Club hit the road once again. The four were Lions George driver, Terry navigator and two back seat sleepers Ron P. and Allister. Leaving at 8:30 A. M. we arrived at the ferry terminal of Walpole Island about 10:30. We had to wait for the ferry for about half an hour and then made an uneventful short trip across the St. Clair River to Algonac, Michigan. Once on land again we proceeded to Warren and arrived at 11:15 at Chateau Warren. After a few chicken wings and sharing some small Pops a la  Don Cheery we enjoyed a splendid roast beef  lunch.  We were seated at a table with four Lion members from the New Baltimore Lions Club (Elizabeth, Ralph, David and Donna Hinde).  During lunch we chatted with them and found out that the main way their Lions Club raised their funds was by sponsoring a yearly “Classic Car Raffle” and a “Winterfest”. During the Winterfest which will be held the first weekend of February they will have their 1st Annual Polar Bear Plunge. It will be held on February 3rd. 2002 at 1:00 P.M. in the New Baltimore Waterfront Park. I was given an informational  package, containing the rules, a registration form and a pledge form. Donations (funds) raised will go to the Justin Mello Scholarship Fund and to Leader Dogs for the blind. Any member of our club wishing more information should see me. During lunch cards designed to contain quarters ($5.00) were available and in this manner an additional $550 was raised for Leader Dogs. Lion Terry made the donation of our cheque and total funds raised from cheques from various clubs was $132,000 the last I heard. All four members enjoyed themselves and had a great time mixing and speaking to members of  other Lions clubs and  meeting old acquaintances. We arrived back in Dutton at 4:30 P.M. just in time to have dinner and to proceed to the Dutton monthly Lions Bingo.

On the Road Again

Monday, December 10th, 2001 Lions Allister and Ron P. were on the road again. This time they went West to Tecumseh, Ontario to visit a new Lions Club in the process of being formed. Its name will be “Lakeside Lions of Tecumseh & District”. It is quite an experience to see a new club in its formative stages. Many decisions have been made and many are still outstanding,  but with time all will be resolved I’m sure. I find it exciting to see all of those cheerful, friendly and dedicated hard working members who have their sights set on a worthy goal. When I observes their facial expressions and the excitement in their speech they remind me of  Lion Donna Hinde of the New Baltimore Lions Club whom we meet at  the 52nd. Annual Leader Dog Day at the Warren Chateau on December 5th. 2001. She is a new Lion who has volunteered to act as chairperson for the Polar Bear Plunge that is part of her clubs Winterfest Festival.