Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling and Vision Center

Congratulations 49B on your Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling & Vision Center.

Providing recycled eyeglasses for those in need around the world and vision care for those in need in Alaska. Had a blast examining a patient in the new exam room with PID "Doc" Meyers.

Thanks to Governor Ed Casey and Rhonda for being such great hosts and an incredible first experience in Alaska, MD 49.

Lions of Alaska.....YOU SERVE!!!!!!

District 49B-Alaska and Yukon Territory

Congratulations District Governor Ed Casey on an outstanding Mid Winter Conference. The weekend was filled with a comprehensive Cabinet meeting and great training in leadership, meeting management, extension, membership, and retention.

We celebrated the first anniversary Charter Night of the Fairbanks Offroad Lions Club. My head is still bobbling after the "off road" ride to dinner. Thanks Lion Phil for sharing your Jeep with us!

Great to see PID Buster and Cheryl and PID "Doc" Meyers again. Met so many great new Lions friends. Lions Bill, Ann, Juanita, Rick, Dodie, Howard, "Ski", Andy, Cory, 49A DG Phyllis and many, many more.

Fairbanks, Alaska MD 49B

Great first day in Fairbanks, Alaska! After three flights to get here, a ton of thanks to District Governor Ed Casey for picking us up at the airport at 12:30am.

Just like Michigan in January, it's 25 degrees and a little snow, with really slippery roads. The sun comes up at 9:00am, but doesn't rise far above the horizon, and then proceeds to circle around until it sets at 6:00pm.

We saw some moose in the wild just off the road. Roadkill here is a lot bigger than in Michigan! We had fun visiting the Hot Springs, the Ice Museum and the Ice Hotel. So glad we did not have to sleep in the big, cold bed!!
Had a tremendous evening of dinner, dancing, fundraising, and costume contest at the "Icebreaker" party sponsored by the Goldstream Lions Club. Dinner was served to us by the local Girl Scouts. What a great way to involve our young people in service and let them meet Lions.

Fayetteville, Arkansas District 71 - Our First ID Visit

District Governor Ron and Marcia Frey, District-7I, were great hosts in Fayetteville, Arkansas, last weekend. It was our first ID visit and it was great! Governor Ron had a fun-filled and informative weekend planned for his convention, which was held on the University of Arkansas campus.
Friday night consisted of a Blue Grass band playing while we all tasted samples of 11 recipes entered in the chili cook-off competition. The competition was fierce and the voting was close for the three top places. This looks like a great competition to be repeated next year on an even larger scale.

Saturday's schedule was filled with awards, a Cabinet meeting, election AND information centered around break-out sessions. These sessions were facilitated by volunteer executives from Walmart Corporation and resulted in a lot of interaction and great ideas from the attendees. During the wrap-up summary session, two of the Walmart volunteers said they would be attending their local Lions Club meeting. Now THATS what we are talking about! Involving people in SERVICE and then they become interested in making a difference in someone's life. It was good to see some establisted friends in PCC John and PDG Wanda Barnett and Lion Brad Baker; and great to meet new Lion friends in Lion Myrna McGee (widow of PID Don), CC Earl Sears, VDG Jennifer Carey, Lion Kelly Ellis, Lion Keri Earwood, Lion Ken Swanson, PDG Bill Johnston and future Lion Scott.

Saturday evening we experienced the most frightening haunted house. This "Nightmares Haunted House" is a gigantic, annual project of the Bentonville-Bella Vista Breakfast Lions Club. Dozens of high school and college students work alongside the dedicated Lions and spouses, scaring the daylights out of everyone, and raising money for all the visually impaired charities the Lions support in Arkansas. Service & fun, an unbeatable combination!


Thank you Governor Ron and Marcia for being such wonderful hosts and making us feel so welcomed and at home. Congratulations on a great convention. Go Arkansas! Woo Pig Sooiee!!!

Directors in Kilts

To fully participate in the Scottish heritage of President Sid Scruggs, the entire Board dressed in traditional attire for our banquet and dinner with the Host Committee at Edinburgh Castle. The men wore kilts and the ladies were in sashes. No, we did NOT totally follow Scottish tradition with our kilts!

LCI Board Meetings

Our first day of the full Board meeting was Friday, followed by a full day of individual committee meetings. I am one of five Directors on the Service Activities Committee. Saturday night meant late night reading of the committee reports in order to be ready for summaries the next day. The last full day of the Board meeting consisted of reviewing all the separate committee reports and resolutions. Voting on the resolutions happened at our last session on Monday morning. At all times we were encouraged to participate and ask any questions. It was a lot of work, but thorough and satisfying.