Champaign Lion's Chatter

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Call to Order – President Ted Gonsiorowski called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation: David Hunter - Dear Lord, we thank Thee for this food, and ask Thy peace for those killed in the bombing at our Boston Marathon, healing for the injured and comfort for those bereft. Amen. Vittles: Salad and Toppings, BBQ Ribs, BBQ Chicken, Potato Wedges, Corn, Rolls and Butter, and Strawberry Cloud Cake.

Attendance – 23 members. Birthdays – Ed Tichenor (April 21).

Guests – Muriel Dean, guest of Pat Bryan, and Fonda Bowden’s husband Larry.

Lions Report – Pat Bryan had nothing to report.

Rich King reported Paul Coleman is having a lot of dental work done. Homer Kuder is in the hospital, but no one knew the reason. If you are ill or know a fellow Lion who is under the weather, please call Pat Bryan at 586-4535..

Lottery – The $12 lottery was won by David Hunter.

Announcements – Sight and Sound tickets and money are due to be turned in by the end of April. Jay Hoeflinger has 10 additional ticket books if you need more.

There is still time to participate in the Birdies for Sight. April 20 the Sidney Club is hosting a fish fry.

Weldon Garrelts reminded us that Tootsie Pop days are May 10 & 11. Two people are needed at each site if we want to take full advantage. A sign-up sheet was passed around for everyone to select a time slot and location. Locations include Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and 3 County Markets (State & Kirby) (Duncan & Kirby) and (331 East Stoughton on Campus).

The final reading of officers for next year was announced. nominations closed and a voice vote taken.

The officers for next year are:

President: Weldon GarreltsPast President: Ted Gonsiorowski1st Vice President: Charlie Osborne2nd Vice President: Sam McGrewTreasurer: Karl DrakeSecretary: Fonda BowdenDirector 2012—2014: Jay HoeflingerDirector 2013—2015: David HunterLion Tamer: Floyd “Gordie” Gordon

Program – David Lin said 29 years ago they decided to schedule a trip every year so they would have something to look forward to and time would go faster. Friends began coming along.

They went to Viet Nam and Cambodia. They flew on Korean Airlines into Hanoi. This trip 36 people joined, including Marvin and Karen Paulsen.

David condensed his 10,000 photos down to a smaller number and shared them with us.

They saw Ho Chi Minh’s grave,

his cars, including this Packard, and 3 telephones used during the war.

New Army recruits visit Ho Chi Minh’s grave.

Scooters serve people there as an SUV. They carry many people and products on their scooters.

There was a lot of traffic and no traffic lights. Everyone just went along including pedestrians and no one bumped into anyone.

They saw a temple

and ladies graduating.

They saw the famous Hanoi Hilton where John McCain was held prisoner,

the solitary confinement cell,

a vase factory,

and weird stuff to eat. This was David Lin’s plate.

He recovered.

There were singers,

Musicians,

a cooking class, and local moonshine.

They bicycled on the island and if you could not ride a bicycle, there were MBAs (married but available) to drive for you.

They sell many things on the street, fish, flowers almost anything you’d want.

On the way to Halong Bay, a very beautiful area, they saw the rice fields which are harvested 3 times a year.

David and Ellen’s bedroom in Hanoi

Their bus

There were floating houses

They were hungry when they got on the ship.

Caves to explore

They came across what looked like a church in the middle of nowhere. It was an orphanage run by nuns. Since coming home they prepared a website to raise money for them.

Next they went to Saigon, South Viet Nam were they stayed at a 5 star hotel.

Next they went to Angkor, Cambodia.

There they saw many ancient temples

and many very poor villages.

Their next trip they are looking at somewhere in Africa.

Tailtwister – Due to lack of time, the Tailtwister will have to get you next week!

Greeter: Paul Hendren

May 1 - Ted Beach – Illini SportsMay 8 – To be announcedClick here [email protected] to email Charlie Osborne and let him know what you would like to see in a Lions Club program some time.

Coming up

Apr 24 – Tony Clements - Comic

Thank you for watching

Editor

Fonda Bowden

Publisher

David Hunter

To email Dave with your comments, click here → [email protected]

To go to the our website, click here → http://www.champaignlions.org/