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A PUBLICATION BY AND FOR THE MEMBERS OF

SPANAWAY PARKLAND LIONS CLUB

Volume XX Issue 5 Editor - PDG Frank Paul November 2015

From Our President

What an exciting time to be a

Spanapark Lion. There are many

great reasons to be a member of the Lions Club.

There is so much opportunity to do good

things. So many great people to meet and get

to know.

With a successful "Open House" last week we

are adding to our Family and that means we can

do more and be more. Immediate Past District

Governor John Kirry did a wonderful job as our

guest speaker. The success of any volunteer

organization is the involvement, participation

and contribution of its members. WE all need to

help each other to find our strengths and

attributes, to help each member become a great

Lion.

I was reminded by a member recently that we

also need to have "grace and forgiveness" and

treat each other with "kindness". Let's all help

one another to reach our goals. WE are one

third of the way through this Lions year. Take a

moment to visualize what you would like our

club to accomplish in the next 8 months and

beyond. What new ideas do you have...?

As hard as it is to be President sometimes... I

am blessed to have all of you in this awesome

club. Thank you all for choosing to be a Lion.

Bob McLean

President, Spanapark Lions

Before the pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving in the

new colonies, the tradition of a Harvest Festival was

practiced in England celebrating a bountiful

gathering. History records these celebrations as

early as 1508.

The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in

Mid-November 1621, to commemorate the harvest

collected by the Plymouth Colony after a severe

winter the previous year. In that year Governor

William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving.

The colonists invited the local Wampanoag Indians

to the feast. The local Indians had been helpful with

gardening crops and in obtaining wild game.

By the mid–1800s, many states observed a

Thanksgiving holiday. During the Civil War,

President Abraham Lincoln, looking for ways to unite

the nation, discussed the subject of Thanksgiving as

a National Holiday with many civic leaders and in

1863, President Lincoln gave his Thanksgiving

Proclamation, declaring the last Thursday in

November a day of thanksgiving.

In 1939, 1940, and 1941 President Franklin

Roosevelt, seeking to lengthen the Christmas

shopping season, proclaimed Thanksgiving the third

Thursday in November. Much controversy followed,

and in 1941 congress passed a joint resolution

decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth

Thursday of November, where it has remained.

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second

Monday of October. The reason for the earlier

Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada has often been

attributed to the earlier onset of winter in the north,

thus ending the harvest season earlier.

Chartered June 1, 1995

Spanapark Lions Club meets at Country Rose Café, 15803 Pacific Ave. So. at 6:30pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month.

COME JOIN US!

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OPEN HOUSE

Spanapark Lions held our second annual Open House on October 20th. The guest speaker was Immediate Past District Governor John Kirry, who was magnificent in addressing our members and guests. The way John moved his glasses, taking them off and putting them on was captivating. I wonder if he learned this ritual while piloting an aircraft? He talked to us on membership in such a professional and stylish way that was electrifying; holding you spell bound to the end. So much that it made me feel excited and stimulated, again. And you thought that this geezer couldn’t get excited. Lion John displayed the “Just Ask!”, New Member Recruiting Guide for Clubs, ME-300.

We must also give praise to the Zone Chair Donna Bowers who was also in attendance. She gave excellent praise to our Club during our Tail Twisting and Happy Bucks time.

There was a gift for IPDG John and also for quests and perspective new members. But the moment that we did not expect was a surprise during the Happy Bucks when guests Linda and Chuck Youngquist were happy because they were there and happy to become new members. From the efforts of this Open House, we have three (3) new paid-up members, including Mark Willis, a previous club member. There were nine (9) guests. All in all, I “savored” everyone moment.

Until next time a Quote by O Henry in Heart of the West: NO FRIENDSHIP IS AN ACCIDENT

Lion Wally Chyr Membership Chair

MEMBERSHIP FORUM

On September 26th, Lions Bob and Wally attended the MD19 Membership Forum, held at the Spanaway Denny’s Restaurant. There were Lions Clubs in attendance from around our District. We had an open discussion on clubs membership: recruitment and retentions efforts, situations and how to overall keep a viable club rocking and rolling, and at the same time keeping members happy. One of the key ingredients to ensure happy members is socializing. Members should not feel like strangers at a meeting, and socializing is a large part of that. Some clubs are great at this, but others, overall, do not place enough emphasis on those who are serving their Communities. Lets all take some time to talk to that Lion who does not normally enter into the conversation. Remember the song, with the words, Be Happy!

Spanapark Lions Club has taken some steps towards this goal. We are working on plans for our Club Christmas Party!

Lion Wally Chyr Membership Chair

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Spanapark Lions Club

2015-16 Officers & Board of Directors

President ———— Lion Bob McLean

Vice-President —— Lion Bill Andrews

Secretary ———— Lion Suzanne Gayda

Treasurer ———— Lion Bill Andrews

Membership ——— Lion Wally Chyr

Tail Twister ———--Lion Betty Burns

Lion Tamer ——— Lion John Thurber

Director ————— Lion Jenny Byrd

Director ————— Lion Jim Wagner

Director ————— PCC Mike Gayda

SPANAPARK SENIOR CENTER

On August 29th, Lions Bob McLean, Wally Chyr and AZC Suzanne Gayda volunteered at the LaMay Car Show that was held at the Spanapark Senior Center. We pitched in barbequing hamburgers and helping with the clean up. We weathered the sudden gust of wind that pasted through, practical taking Lion Bob off into the wild blue yonder, like Mary Poplins. Bob was just too strong to vanish. Sorry folks, guess he is here to stay. We had to stab every hamburger, with a thermometer, to ensure they all reached the magical internal temperature of 155 degrees or more. That was approximately 240 “stabs”. It was a long, but wonderful day.

Some of our members are having fun at the monthly Pancake Breakfasts. On the September 19th, Lions Diana Andrews, Jim Wagner and Bob McLean were in attendance and on October 17th, Lion Bob and I were there contributing to our efforts. This is where four (4) of our guest were invited to attend our Open House. Two (2) made it to the Open House. Three of the guest are regular volunteers at the Senior Center.

Lion Wally Chyr

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

At our regular lions club meeting on October 6th, the members approved, by a unanimous vote, to go forward with the Lions Clubs Community Needs Assessment. As your Membership Chairman, I will also chair this committee. All Spanapark members are invited to help canvas the community and to help fill out the questionnaires. Members were notified by email on the first step of this process, which is to review the forms and suggest changes or to just use the generic form. All input on this should be back to me no later than November 17th.

Sponsors of our new members; here is an opportunity to get the new Lions involved in a project. It cannot be stressed enough the importance and how critical our endeavor to pursue and complete this assessment. It will be very, very easy to do and should not take our members much effort in completing this quickly.

* * * * * * * *

As you remember, we have completed the ‘How Are Your Ratings?’ survey and the results were forwarded to Lion Erika Risley, District 19C Membership Chair. She will be visiting us on November 17th to give us a rundown on the results. Please try to attend this meeting. The discussion of how we see ourselves as a Lions Club could change the entire direction of our club. It is important to hear what Lion Erika has to say; even if you did not submit the Survey.

Lion Wally Chyr

A copy of the district Environmental Photo Contest entry form is on page 9 of this Newsletter. A separate entry form must accompany each photo submitted. All entry forms must be filled out completely. The photo(s) submitted must be original, unaltered, 8” X 10”, borderless, color or black-and-white photos (without people). Any entries that do not meet these criteria will be automatically disqualified.

Submit your entries to President Bob. The winning Spanapark entries will be selected at the November 10th Board of Directors meeting.

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Spanapark Program Schedule November 3, 2015 – District Governor Al’s visit

November 17, 2015 – Erika Risely, Membership

December 15, 2015 - Violent Crime Victims

January 19, 2016 – Open

February 16, 2016 – PDG Frank Paul, Melvin Jones Memorial

March 15, 2016 – Open

April 19, 2016 – Open

May 17, 2016 – Open

June 21, 2016 - Open

If you have a program suggestion, please let me know. Thanks, Bill Andrews New Baby Lion!!

Lion Don & PZC Rose Becker are now "Great-

Grandparents"! Little Miss Chloe Grace was born

Sept 15th to Lions Don & Rose's grand-daughter

Alexis, whom a lot of our members have met over

the past 20 years. When PZC Rose first joined

Lions, she had just became a Grandma...my how

time flies!

Lion Don Becker of Spanapark Lions, was the auctioneer on Oct 3, 2015 at the Violent Crime Victim's Annual auction. This is an organization that Spanapark Lions Club has supported and participated in for many years. Violent Crimes Victims, helps the families get through the horror of the "after" when one of their loved ones has been murdered or has passed because of an act of violence. Their founder, Lew Cox, was chosen many years ago by Zone C-5 to receive a Melvin Jones Fellowship for the work he has done for over 25 years in our community helping the families after these acts of violence. He will be a speaker at our club meeting on Dec 15th. We invite all to come and listen to him. A big Thank You to Lion Don for his services in helping Violent Crimes Victims with this major fundraiser.

Thanksgiving

Hope your stuffing is yummy,

and your turkey is plump.

And your taters and gravy,

have nary a lump.

Hope your yams are so scrumptious,

your guests ask for more.

And the pies and the cookies,

your friends will adore.

May the pickles, the olives

the cranberries too,

be the best you have ever,

presented this crew.

While the feast is fantastic,

You should never doubt,

That family and friends

Is what Thanksgiving’s about.

By PDG Frank

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Apple Sales

Did You Know?

Information about Lions - By PDG Frank Paul

Melvin Jones Memorial

Located at Fort Thomas, Arizona, the Melvin

Jones Lions International Memorial was erected and

dedicated in 1965. This came years after a

movement by the Arizona Lions to find a way to

honor Melvin Jones, founder of one of the largest

humanitarian service organizations in the world,

"LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL."

Melvin was born on January 13, 1879, at Fort

Thomas, Arizona at a time when the west remained

unsettled because the Apache Indians were making

their last stand against the White man's

encroachment on their land.

While visiting his birthplace, Melvin related a

memory of a spanking received at age three for

running away from home with his dog to the nearby

Gila River. In an interview for an article in the Lions

Magazine, Melvin recalled that he was either seven

or eight years old when his family moved from the

Arizona Territory. His boyhood memories were of

horses, blue clad troopers, bugles and war cries,

wagon trains, gaunt settlers and dust."

In 1961 the International Board of Directors

proclaimed January 13th as a day of memory each

year throughout the world of Lionism. Founders and

Rededication month traditionally observed in

January, shall subsequently be designated as

Melvin Jones Memorial month. Thereafter, every

year on the Saturday closest to the 13th of January,

Lions from all corners the world gather to rededicate

themselves to the principles of Lionism at the base

of the Memorial Spire. The Rededication is

normally attended by the current International

President and many of the current International

Directors. The next Rededication is January 9,

2016.

(R. to L) PCC Mike Gayda, Lion Diana Andrews,

AZC Suzanne Gayda, Lion Bill Andrews,

Lion Jim Wagner, PDG Frank Paul

We had a very successful harvest this year and

sold 22 boxes of apples. Packing of these boxes

happened on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at the Fair

Grounds in Lacey.

Six Lions and one visitor from our club helped on

packing day. It was an awesome time; everyone

was happy and so willing to accomplish our task.

After the harvest, we met at a local restaurant and

all had breakfast together. It was wonderful

fellowship among our members. Lots of love and

joy was brought to the table.

Next year I challenge each one of our members to

sell more apples and to also experience the

packing of the boxes to achieve higher results for

Camp Leo!

Lion Diana

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Veterans Day On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany

and the Allied nations came into effect thus ending World War I. Starting in 1919, Armistice

day was celebrated, both honoring the armistice and the veterans who fought in the war. In

1954 Congress change the name from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day”. Each November

11th, veterans are thanked for their services to the United States and its people.

On several occasion, attempts have been made to change the date of the celebration to a

Monday, as some other Holidays have done. In each case the attempts have failed.

Although Veterans Day is considered a Holiday by most people in the country, state and

local governments, schools and non-governmental businesses are not required to close and

may decide to remain open.

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Friday, November 6th and Saturday, November 7th

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Fred Myers Store

Bethel Station Shopping Center - 224th & Mountain Hwy.

MD19 Lions Annual Convention in Pasco

The weather was beautiful. The food was excellent. PCC Mike was the presenter at the Presidential Rap session which was outstanding. We have hopes that all Presidents will attend next year. (Vice President Bill, get your reservation in early.) Thanks to our club for picking up our registration costs. We were able to skype to Guatemala and talk to the CARE project manager building the water system. We saw many friends and learned about the great work going on all around Washington, Northern Idaho and British Columbia.

Lion Suzanne

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Humor ??? ►A new pastor was visiting the homes of his

parishioners and at one house it seemed obvious

that someone was at home, but no answer came to

his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took

out a card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back

of it and stuck it in the door. When the offering was

processed the following Sunday, he found that his

card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic

message, Genesis 3:10." Reaching for his Bible to

check out the reference, he busted out in laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door

and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice

in the garden and I was afraid, for I was naked."

►A husband and wife were driving through

Washington State. As they drove into Puyallup, they

started arguing about the pronunciation of the town.

They argued back and forth, then they stopped for

lunch. At the counter, the husband asked the

waitress, "Before we order, could you please settle

an argument for us? Would you please pronounce

where we are very slowly?" The waitress leaned

over the counter and said, "Burrr-gerrr Kiiing."

►If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a million times, don’t

exaggerate!

►A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad

memory.

►At what age is it appropriate to tell my dog that he’s

adopted?

October puzzle answers

1. How much dirt in a hole...There is no dirt a hole.

2. Mt. Everest was always the tallest. It just wasn’t

discovered yet.

3. You need some kind of camera instead.

4. 2nd place. The person in 1st place is still ahead of you.

5. One stack. He combined them all.

6. Meat.

7. Apple = 7

Grapes = 12 (5+7)

Bananas = 6 (7 = 1 + 6)

Did you notice there is only 1 banana in the last formula?)

Therefore:

Apple (7) + Grapes (12) + Banana (2) = 21

8.

The good (fairy), the bad (wolf) and the ugly (duckling).

The Fairy

The Wolf

The Duckling

How many squares do you

see on this chess board? It may amaze you!

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2015-16 DISTRICT ENTRY FORM Name of Lion Photographer ______________________________________________________ E-mail Address of Photographer ___________________________________________________ Please enter this photo into the following category (select only one):

Animal Life

Landscape (urban or natural)

Plant Life

Weather Phenomenon

Special theme: Dignity, harmony, humanity: Celebrating the peaceful coexistence of species.

Please note: Only one printed photo will be accepted with each entry form.

CERTIFICATION I hereby certify this photo is an original unaltered photo taken by the Lions Club member submitting this entry. Signature of Lion Photographer _______________________________________________________

Lions from clubs in good standing can enter one original, unaltered, 8”X10” borderless color or black-and-white photo (without people) from each of the Environmental Photo Contest categories. The impartial judging of photos should focus on originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the environmental theme.

I hereby certify this photo as an official entry from my Lions Club. Lions Club of Photographer and Club ID ________________________________________________ Club President or representative (please print name) ______________________________________ Signature of Club President or Representative ____________________________________________ Please mail this signed entry form with the official printed 8” x 10” (20.3 x 25.4 centimeters) photo by November 15, 2015 to:

Lions Environmental Photo Contest

c/o Lyell Clark

2218 Monique Ct SE

Lacey, WA 98503

Lion photographers accept responsibility for the cost of taking and processing all photos. Contest photos become the property of

Lions Clubs International. Lions Clubs International reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet contest criteria or

that may be viewed as inappropriate or objectionable.

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Daylight Savings

Time Ends

2 3

Regular

Meeting

6:30pm

District Gov.

Al Hedstrom

Visit

4 5 6

10am to 4pm

7

10am to 4pm

8 9 10

Board of

Directors

Meeting

6:30pm

Country Rose

Café’

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Veteran's Day

12

Happy

Birthday Wally

Chry

13 14

15 16 17 Regular

Meeting

6:30pm

Lion Erika

Risley Visit

Membership

Happy

Birthday

Dot McKinley

18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26

Thanksgiving

27 28

29 30

2015

Only in

America do

People

trample each

other the day

after they give

Thanks for

everything

they already

have!