Johnson City Lions Club

2nd Vice District Governor Lion Ed Gibbons handles our Sight Conservation Committee.  He recently had an unusual request for help:

Dear Mr. Gibbons:

Thank you for considering this request for exam services and glasses for our son, who needs them for reading, which is part of his LD (learning disability). A local social service’s provides eye exams only for diabetic patients, but they can provide us with glasses if we have a current Rx for them. We need the exam for our son. My husband graduated cum laude from the local university in May. He is actively seeking employment, while he studies for his licensing exam in his profession. We are surviving on the last of the student loan and monies liquidated on his 401K. I’m in an endless loop with government assistance. Tenn Care says (last year) we had too much (due to the loans for exorbitant tuition fees and owning our modest home and old cars outright), and referred us to Cover Kids. Cover Kids said we didn’t make enough! So here we are: in a holding pattern, dwindling resources while we wait my husband’s employment. While our situation is temporary, thanks be to God, we are none the less still in need. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading and reviewing our application.

Sincerely,

Name withheld by request

Ed was able to approve the application and a few days later received a thank-you:

Dear Mr. Gibbons:

Thank you so much for approving our son’s eye exam AND glasses in just 2 days. We are overjoyed! Words fail to adequately convey what a relief it is to have your organization’s assistance during this financially difficult transitional time for our family. Having never been in these kinds of situations prior to Pharmacy School, it has been very humbling and personally eye opening as to the realities of the hardships faced daily by the poor, the working poor, and the less common, temporarily poor student families, like ourselves. As I’m sure the Lord knew it would, it has heightened our compassion for the economically marginalized in our great nation and our desire to serve them upon eventual employment.

Once again, thank you for serving our family in this capacity. The Johnson City Lions Club has lifted one of many burdens off of our shoulders. We are grateful and thankful that because of you, our son will have the needed glasses to help him overcome his reading challenges and ease his learning disabilities. 

May the Lord continue to bless you and this much needed service organization,

Gratefully, Joyfully and Thankfully,

 Name withheld

We do not always serve the obvious candidates.  We serve those in need.

____________________________________________________________

Today we were visited by 2nd-year medical student Cale Hildebrand, seeking assistance from our membership.  His statement:

Cale Hildebrand, Quillen College of Medicine

The ETSU Department of Psychiatry for Quillen College of Medicine is looking for healthy volunteers to participate as control subjects in a study on memory, attention, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving.  We need volunteers who would be willing to complete two 3-hour sessions of testing.  As a volunteer, you will complete a series of short computerized tests and watch a flashing light while having an EEG. You will also be asked to complete questionnaires at each session.    

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of diabetes on brain function and determine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective treatment in improving brain function in diabetics.  In order to conduct this study, we need you, if you are healthy, to represent a control group.  As a control, you will not undergo hyperbaric oxygen treatment at any point during the study.  The process is completely painless and has minimal risk.  There is no cost to you except for your transportation to our study center.  For more information and to see if you qualify for inclusion in this study, please contact:

Susan Wallace at 423-439-7393 wallacs@etsu.edu
Cale Hildebrand at 423-439-7393 hildebrand@goldmail.etsu.edu  Or
Missy Mooney at 423-439-7393 missy.ratliff@hotmail.com

________________________________________________________

L -R, President John Merriss, Hall of Fame Member Dennis Powell, 2nd VDG Ed Gibbons

July 24, 2012 – Past District Governor Dennis Powell, a member of the Johnson City Lions Club for over 50 years, has been recognized for his outstanding service to Tennessee Lionism by election to the Tennessee Lions Hall of Fame.

Our own Ed Gibbons, current District 12N 2^nd Vice District Governor, made the following statement at the presentation:

TODAY MARKS A PLACE IN HISTORY FOR OUR JOHNSON CITY LIONS CLUB. NEVER BEFORE HAS A MEMBER OF OUR CLUB BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK HE HAS DONE FOR OUR CLUB AND COMMUNITY. THIS HONOR PUTS OUR JOHNSON CITY LIONS CLUB AT THE FOREFRONT OF ALL THE CLUBS IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW PROUD I AM TO STAND BEFORE YOU TO HONOR SOMEONE WHO IS DEAR TO ME AND TO THE JOHNSON CITY LIONS CLUB. IN MY TRAVELS ACROSS THE DISTRICT 12N, I HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED THE RESPECT HE GARNERS FROM OTHER LIONS IN THE DISTRICT. I WAS SO HONORED MYSELF THAT HE TOOK THE TIME TO GO WITH ME TO THE DISTRICT 12N CONVENTION THIS PAST YEAR AND PRESENT ME TO THE DISTRICT 12N AS THE NEXT INCOMING 2ND VICE DISTRICT GOVERNOR. AS YOU KNOW BY NOW THAT PERSON IS OUR OWN PAST DISTRICT GOVERNOR LION DENNIS POWELL. LION DENNIS HAS BEEN ELECTED TO THE TENNESSE LIONS HALL OF FAME.

 Ed read letters of congratulations from Past International President Austin Jennings, a personal friend of Dennis, and from Past International President Wing-Kun Tam.

 In his letter of nomination, King Lion John Merriss cited a long list of accomplishments, including:

• 56 years of service in Lionism
• 5-time Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient
• Past District Governor of District 12N
• Founding member of the Ties for the Blind Foundation
• Led the club in raising $100,000 for the Tennessee Lions Pediatric Eye Clinic at Vanderbilt Hospital
• The all-time champion Turtle Derby salesman, hands down, no competition
• Community leadership positions too numerous to mention

 VDG Ed’s presentation was repeatedly interrupted by applause and twice by standing ovations, demonstrating the high esteem in which Dennis is held by his fellow Johnson City Lions.  We are truly honored to have such a fine man in our club.

 ______________________________________________________________

Johnson City Lions Club Regular Noon Meeting Minutes (LCI No. 5093)
Date: Thursday, 6/21/2012
Meeting Place: THE JOHNSON CITY COUNTRY CLUB

(16 members present – 2 guests)

The meeting was called to order at 12:34 PM by King Lion John Merriss who called on Lion Gayle Cox to lead the pledge and Past District Governor Dennis Powell to ask the blessing.

Lions Gayle Cox and Jerry Lonon introduced their guests.

Lion CB Willis announced Lion Ann Vandreumel had won the drawing with proceeds going to the Leader Dog Fund.

Lion CB Willis was named Lion Tamer with Lion Sterling Winn assisting.

Vice District Governor Ed Gibbons announced the BIGGEST meeting in club history will take place on Thursday July 5^th everyone is encouraged to attend.

Vice District Governor Ed Gibbons read a moving letter from an eyeglasses recipient.

Lion Ken Gough encouraged everyone to make the Roanoke trip on Nov. 3.

King Lion John Merriss presented the budget for 2012-2013 and it was approved.

Lion CB Willis announced that some of the Kids Sight screenings would be performed by non-Lions, this was approved.

 King Lion John announced that if anyone wanted to volunteer for 18U softball tournament they should contact Lion Clem Wilkes.

Lion George Winton was recognized for his great work on the You Tube Video for the Turtle Derby.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 PM.

Our next regular meeting will be Thursday July 5, 2012. 

All Lions are invited to the next Board Meeting on July 12, 2012. 

Lion Secretary Paul Easlic

_________________________________________________________________

 __________________________________________________________________

Watch the fun at YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oyZWxXpmlo&feature=youtu.be

I had the honor of installing the new incoming 2012-2013 officers of the Newport Lions Club on June 7th, 2012.  Pictured left to right are yours truly ,director Jim Lamaster, VP Nathan Ford, Director Lennie Ayers, Lion Tamer Bill Ayers and incoming President Charlie Boggan. Not shown are 2nd VP Rita Messer, Secretary Ruthie West, Treasurer Jack Suggs, Tailtwister Lowery Ratliff, Director Shelia Gentry, Director Rick Hooper and Membership Chairman PDG Roy Profitt. 

– Ed Gibbons, District 12-N 2nd Vice District Governor

___________________________________________________________________

Johnson City Lions Club Board Meeting Notes (LCI No. 5093)
Date: Thursday, 6/14/2012
Meeting Place: THE JOHNSON CITY COUNTRY CLUB

The Regular Board Meeting was called to order at 12:  PM by King Lion John Merriss.
The Board Members who have a “P” after their names were in attendance. 
President John Merriss-P
Immediate Past President Steve Campbell-P
1^st Vice-President Paul Easlic-P
2^nd Vice-President Sterling Winn-P
3^rd Vice-President George Winton-P
Secretary Paul Easlic-P
Projects Treasurer Ed Gibbons-P
Administrative Treasurer Debbie Shipley-P
Tail Twister Ken Gouge-P
Lion Tamer Jim Paveglio-
 
Directors:
2 Year Director Lynda Gochenouer-
(2^nd Year of Two Year) John Vandreumel-P
(2^nd Year of Two Year) Debbie Merritt-
Special Two Year Director CB Willis-
 
Also in attendance were Lions Jerry Lonon, Ann Vandreumel, Don Raines, and Sam Messimer.
 
Minutes of Business Meeting:
 
1. The minutes from the Last board Meeting held on May 10, 2012 were read and approved.
 
Treasures’ Reports:
2. Projects Treasurer:
Income $2,193.80 Expenses $2,594.90 Loss $401.10 Total Liabilities and Equity $21,480.01
 
3. Administrative Treasurer:
Income $2,762.54 Expenses: $564.61 Profit $2,197.93 Total Liabilities and Equity $4,994.06
 
4.  As required in Article VI in the Club’s constitution the secretary reported that the following active Lions have missed the past four consecutive meetings or more without makeup: Janice McClanahan, Gayle Cox, and James Lonon.
 
5.  As required in Article VI in the Club’s constitution Membership Director Lion Steve Campbell reported that no members are in arrears.
 
6. Committee Reports:
 
Public Relations: No Report.
 
Eyeglasses Recycling: Lion Gough reported the Roanoke trip is set for November 10^th.
 
Membership and Retention: No Report.
 
Programs:  We have chairs through December.  January-May will be filled later.
 
Sight Conservation: The next Kids Sight screening is set for Wednesday June 27^th at First United Melodist Church, 900 Spring Street, at 9 am.
 
Budget and Finance: Lion Campbell an Gibbons presented the budget for 2012-2013.  Tail Twister fund will be reduced to $150.00, Billing, Postage; Supplies will be reduced to $1,450.00, making Total Expenses $12,950.00.  PASSED
 
Turtle Derby: No Report
 
Zone Meeting: No Report.
 
Lions Signs: No Report.
 
Membership: No Report.
 
New Member Training: No Report.
 
Health and Welfare: No Report.
 
Nuts and Bolts: No Report.
 
Conventions and Training: No Report.
 
Kid’s Sight Vision Screenings: The next Kids Sight screening is set for Wednesday June 27^th at First United Melodist Church, 900 Spring Street, at 9 am.
Little League: No Report.
 
Pecans: No Report.

LCIF: No Report.
 
7. Old Business: None
 
8. New Business:
 
Jim Paveglio’s resignation was accepted.

Lion Gough thanked the club for its $150 donation to the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure, and also thanked the members who made private donations.

King Lion on behalf of Lion Clem Wilkes requested volunteers for USA/ASA Softball 18U tournament at Wing Dear Park, members need to volunteer on the their own not as a club.

Lion Winton any interest in sponsoring a camper.  Next meeting individual contributions will be accepted.

King Lion Merriss recommends a membership luncheon. He will form a committee and organize it for sometime this fall.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:00.
 
Respectfully submitted June 14, 2012.
 
Paul Easlic, Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________

Because diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults, Lions have long supported the American Diabetes Association.  So on Saturday, June 9, I got up way too early, loaded my bike on the car and drove to Knoxville to ride in the ADA’s Tour de Cure.

In 2011, more than 55,000 cyclists in 80 events raised more than $18 million to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.  In this year’s Knoxville edition, approximately 300 cyclists took part in rides ranging from 10 miles to 100 miles long.  A number of these were “Red Riders”, cyclists with diabetes who have found that bicyling is a great way to control their condition.  I took part in the 43-mile ride, which took us east out of Knoxville through beautiful countryside into Sevier County and back.  It was a hilly course, with about 1300 feet of climbing, but none of the climbs were “rated”.  Nonetheless, the legs were aching the last 5 or 6 miles, and I was glad to reach the finish at World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville.

The ADA did a great job organizing the event.  The roads were quiet and well marked; the rest stops were strategically located, serviced by wonderful voluteers and generously stocked with food and drink; motorcycles and SAG wagons patrolled the routes; and police in Knoxville controlled traffic.  After the ride we had a great lunch (really!) catered by Carrabba’s.  AND the weather cooperated – not too hot, with just a bit of overcast to keep the sun from broiling us.  It was about as fine a day as I’ve ever spent on the bike.   Click here to see pictures of the event.

At the start of the ride, over $88,000 had been collected, with more to be counted.  (Update – as of late June, over $136,000 has been collected!)  The Johnson City Lions Club very generously supported my ride with a $150 donation, and to date I have raised $485.  My sincere thanks to friends, family and fellow Lions who contributed to the effort.  Nonetheless, ridership and donations are down this year, so there is still an opportunity for you to contribute.   Click here to visit my personal Tour de Cure page if you would like to make a donation.

WE SERVE!

Lion Ken Gough

_____________________________________________