Next up - Tuesday, Feb. 18. Noon, at the Sheraton. A program meeting, and MICHELLE VETTERKIND is Program Chairman for the day as well as the year. She'll introduce Gayle Viney, head of the Dane County Humane Society. Everybody's heard of the Humane Society, and we will hear about it - all that they do, and how they do it. Pet lovers know that shelters and rescue groups are needed, because animals get lost, injured and homeless, and they need a place to go. They also need kind people who will adopt the homeless. As one who has had two rescue dogs, you get repaid many times over for making a place in your home and your heart for a pet in need. We'll hear how all of us can help.

At our last meeting, Pres. LINDA presided, newly returned from a month's vacation in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, an excellent choice considering the weather she dodged. If there's a Spanish equivalent to Ms. (the editor only knows Senora/Senorita) perhaps she polished a little Spanish while she was there, but we know she spent some time in the shops, because she showed us a hammered copper plaque of our Lions logo, which she got in a small workshop there for about $15USD, after someone spent nearly a week making it. Obviously, the Lion emblem is well-known in Mexico, partly because of the many service missions by American Lions, many from Wisconsin.

LINDA noted the absence of DEBBIE MAHAFFEY, who has been a faithful attender (we could use more like her) and then explained it by displaying, on a good-sized electronic screen, a very cute picture of DEBBIE'S new grandchild. Congratulations, Grandma!

We didn't Pledge, and we didn't sing, which was a good thing, because the editor's mouth was momentarily glued shut by the caramel he got from a box that PADDHE HEINEN passed around for all of us to share. But we did talk about the upcoming Golf Outing, for which we need “hole sponsors.” For a $200 donation the sponsor gets their name prominently displayed on the hole. We also need prize donations, and oh, yeah, we need golfers. Let your golfing friends know of this opportunity to have some fun and help the community at the same time, because the money we raise will go to our “Glasses For Kids” program. Further info, including the date and location, will be available shortly.

Cycle For Sight is coming up - Saturday, March 8, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the SERF and the Natatorium on the UW Campus, and the Princeton Club on the west side. Basically, you ride a bike for 50 minutes, and you get people to “sponsor” your participation with donations. It's best done in teams, and our Club will have one or more in action. You get your exercise, and support the McPherson Eye Research Institute at the same time. Our Board has voted to match pledged donations, up to $250.00, so everything you give or raise counts double. As Roundy used to say, “what more could be fairer?” GAIL STIRR can tell you more.

The Felly rep showed us a couple of sample bouquets, lovely as always, and told us that this year we would have red roses, “rainbow” rose bouquet of mixed colors, and a mixed bouquet of spring flowers. We didn't date the order forms last year, so we may be able to use the leftovers this year, and they're available now. PADDHE HEINEN bought one sample bouquet, and then gave it to DALE MUELLER, to take to St. Mary's Care Center, where DALE's wife Gwen now resides, and LINDA bought the other. The date for orders in the editor's notes is clearly wrong, so let's just say “first week of April.” Best to check your list and start now.

It is reported that STEVE BRIGGS has had a hip replaced. He was pretty hip before, so he hopefully is really hip now.

JOHN JENSON reminded us that the District Convention is at the Marriott in Middleton again, on March 14 and 15, and the State Convention is at the Kalahari at Wisconsin Dells on May 16-17. See JOHN to sign up.

As he went out the door, TOM STEVENS said he was on his way to Arizona. We knew he was smart, and now he's proved it.