District Governor Blog - MD19S District Governor

Troy Lions

I arrived just before dark. This made getting pictures a little more difficult. Surrounded by pine, and cedar trees, homes on the hillsides, and farms not far away, is the wonderful small town of Troy Idaho. The Lion's logo on the sign attached to their building is large and proud, right on the main street as you come into downtown.

Troy has a amazing club house, that is not only used by the Lions, but for community projects such as blood drives.

Troy Lions love their town and the people who live there as you can tell when you talk with their members. Like all Lion Clubs, they do many projects, but the largest is the buffalo hunt raffle which brings in over $30,000 that goes back out for services.

One thing I learned was be careful when driving or walking downtown, there are wild moose living in the area.

Troy Lions have always contributed to LCIF and not to many years back were the recipients of a matching grant to help add on to their fire station. They know personally why Lions should support LCIF, and continue to give.

Way to go Troy Lions!

1 min read

06Nov

Clarkston Lions

My meeting with the Clarkston Lions started at 6:30pm at their club house. I snuck in the back door, but they caught me and offered a warm Lion's greeting! I was ask to go downstairs and meet the rest of the group. ( I think there was something other than soda being shared, but you have to go visit yourself to find out

We all moved upstairs at 7pm and a wonderful potluck dinner was provided.

During dinner I had the opportunity to visit with different members of the club and learn some interesting facts. One being, if I went on to long, they were going to shut off the lights... so I promised to keep my speech under three hours.

The first thing I did was install two new members,and I was able to present Membership Chevron's to some of their members.

Clarkston like all clubs provide services to the people of their town, things like the Halloween candy give away, Bell ringing during the Christmas holiday season, Christmas float in the parade, and the lighting of the giant Christmas Star

Another fine group of Lions who love their community, and only want to help!

Thanks for letting me be part of your family.

1 min read

05Nov

Moscow Central Lions

Moscow Central Lions meet at noon at the University Inn (Best Western).

Another large group of men and women Lions who go out of their way to provide great service to their community.

One story that was told to me was how a lady recently was hit head on in a auto accident. She was injured very badly and was going to need a wheelchair ramp for her home. Two members of the Moscow club (Larry and Triss) jumped at the opportunity to provide services, and with supplies and support from their fellow Lions and the community provided the ramp she needed.

"WE SERVE " I think this says it all!

1 min read

04Nov

Pullman Lions

I arrived at Zappo's to meet with the Pullman Lions Club. I walked in and saw a bar and bowling alley and almost turned around thinking I had the wrong place, when someone pointed to my blazer crest and a sign that matched on one of the doors. Inside I met a diverse group of individuals to include one past Kiwanis member...(she said these Lions were fun to be around. )

I enjoyed a great time of fellowship with this large group of men and women Lions, watched some outstanding tail twisting, had the opportunity to present a MD 19 Secretary Excellence Award to their secretary, one of only two awarded...congratulations!

I understand this is another club that doesn't meet during the summer months, do to this being a farming community.

Check out this club's Facebook page. It's well done and helps you understand all the different things this club has to offer, and does for the community.

1 min read

Quick Reminder about the 2nd Cabinet Meeting

Good afternoon,

Just a quick reminder the 2nd cabinet meeting is on Nov 9th in Potlatch... Please have a report

ready to give at the meeting.

Also a reminder the Bill Shepherd passed away and his funeral is in Yakima on Nov 8th at Keith

and Keith. (I will be attending and then driving back that evening to Idaho.)

Ken Allan
Lion District Governor 19F

1 min read

19F Spring Conference Hotel Reservations

Spring Conference is right around the corner March 20-21st.

Hotel Reservation Hold Currently At Quality Inn in Selah WA (Rooms will go fast book now) Must book before March 1, 2020

Group Name: 19F Spring Conference Lions

Hotel Phone Number: 509-698-6000

Location of Hotel: 659 N Wenas Road, Selah WA

Per night rate for a King Room Rate: $109 plus taxes and fees per (11 rooms held)

Per night rate for 2 Queen Bed Room Rate: $119 plus taxes and fees per (7 rooms held)

1 min read

Memorial for PDG Bill Shepherd

It is with deep sympathy that we share that Yakima West Valley Lions club Life member PDG Bill Shepherd peacefully passed away Oct 28th, 2019 .

Arrangements have been made for Viewing November 7th 4-8pm and Funeral November 8th 1pm at Keith and Keith funeral home 902 Yakima Ave, Yakima WA 98902

The family has asked everyone to please join them for a reception afterwards at the WVC of the Nazarene location: 7109 W Nobhill Blvd, Yakima WA 98908 2:00 - 5:00pm

1 min read

28Oct

Kahlotus Lions

Kahlotus,

The very first thing I saw when I came into town was the large 10 commandments sign, thank you!

Kahlotus home of the Koyotes. This is one of the smallest communities I've had the opportunity to visit with a population of under 200. This club currently is boasting 16 members and are proud of the service they provide. As Tammy and I entered their Lions hall we noticed all the cardboard posters that showed everything they had done to support others.

Some of the projects they do; Kahlotus Days, Lions Cowboy Breakfast, Christmas signs, food baskets for school just to name a few.

As Tammy was talking about the Youth Exchange and how the foundation could be of help, they showed us where they had donated $100 to a young girl who was going to Greece in 2011. They said she wrote a beautiful thank you when she got back, but never had the chance to meet her. Seeing how that was one of our daughters (Lauren) I'm going to make sure they get that chance!

I never fail to be amazed by the caring and support every Lion Club provides. Way to go Kahlotus Lions!

1 min read

23Oct

Kendrick Lions

Kendrick is another small farming community, the sign as you enter the city says population 369.

As I drove and walked around this afternoon, I enjoyed seeing the beautiful river running next to the town, the trees that were in their fall splendor, and the rolling hillsides of all the farms. In town you will see little shops and a cute city park.

I also noticed almost every business had a Historic Tour sign on it with a name of the original business and date.

There is a paved pathway along the river that offers a opportunity to get a little exercise and enjoy the beautiful pine covered hillsides.

Now about the Kendrick Lions: I walked in about 6pm and was warmly greeted by some of their members. I found out that one member has three generations of off spring as lions. Also Lion Darell Brocke has been involved with the Lions/town blood drive since 1962.

This is another one if the clubs that don't meet in the summer, but get busy with projects in the fall and winter... tree lighting, park cleanup just to name a few.

Stop in and visit this club next time you are in town, you won't be disappointed!

1 min read

22Oct

Waitsburg Lions

I arrived in Waitsburg a couple of hours before my meeting with the Waitsburg Lions Club. It was great exploring the town and countryside and seeing what this community has to offer. I saw a beautiful park, historic buildings, amazing cemeteries, beautiful schools and churches.

Waitsburg Lions is a large club consisting of 65 members. They are involved with many community projects, their two largest are the Rib Feed on the 1st Saturday of May and Salmon BBQ on the 3rd Saturday of September. (They fed over 700 people just at the Salmon BBQ)

Stop by and visit the club if you are in town and you'll find you will be warmly welcomed.

1 min read

15Oct

Toppenish Lions

Well, what can I say about the men's Toppenish Lions Club... Or mabey what should I say?

If you've never been to a Toppenish meeting, your in for a experience. This is a joking, fun loving group, and if your not careful, you just might become part of their joke. Watch out for the tail twister, he will will help make your wallet lighter!

I've had the opportunity to meet with this club two different times over the last year, once for a zone meeting and once as their District Governor and both times I was amazed at how much this group of hardworking Lions do for their community. This group of men are involved with multiple projects to include; Train to no where, Ranch Party, Zombie Run, just to name a few.

They will be cooking steaks for the Spring Conference in March of 2020 in Selah, Wa., and if you enjoy good bbq steak, you might want to consider being there.

I would like to say right now how lucky the town of Toppenish is to have a great group of Lions looking out for them. Here's to you Toppenish Lions!

1 min read

14Oct

Wapato Lions

I had the pleasure of meeting with the Wapato Lions Club last night at the American Legion Hall. I was told Lions had been offered the use of this building for meetings so they would have a place until things get settled with their clubhouse.

I found there is strong leadership in this club and they truly have a willingness to serve their community.

We had a awesome discussion time on the projects they do and I saw some great pictures in the paper from the recent Tamale Festival.

Here is another club who works hard to provide services to the community, but is struggling to find new members. I do believe they are on the right track, and with a little assistance from their zone will continue doing great things as their predecessors did before them.

Just a heads up, there is a good possibility that Zones F1 & F2 will be having a combined zone meeting in Wapato sometime soon, so be watching for a announcement... and let's pack this meeting out, and show our support!

1 min read