The President’s Message
If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month, get married.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help others.
– Chinese Proverb
Based on the proverb, Damascus Lions can expect happiness for a lifetime. There can be no doubt that we help others. October was a very busy month for us with activities going on every weekend but the last. We kicked off the month with our 64th Year Charter Night celebration with our guest speaker, District Governor Sandi Halterman. Congratulations go particularly to Lion Mike Thornett, recipient of the Emerson Slacum Community Service Award; Lion of the Year Honoree, Lion Gary Rogers; and Lion of the Years, Lion Ken Phillips. It is a difficult task to honor a single Lion in this club as so many are worthy! Thanks to the selection committees who were burdened with the job and finally settled on these three valued recipients.
Before the dust settled, we were on to Basket Bingo on Friday to raise funds for our scholarship program. Many Lions stepped up at the 11th hour to sponsor baskets and sell tickets and pushed us to our goal for the year. Many pairs of eyeglasses were collected that will be sent to the recycling center. Thanks to you all for your rally and support. Lions Mary Frances and Tess have this event down to a fine art with the organization and planning.
Pancake Breakfast was also a success thanks to the help of many. Club members turned out in quantity and worked the floor, minimizing the effect of the missing Leos. The bake table was well-appointed and saw great sales for the day and there was a steady stream of customers enjoying the great menu that went into production long before daybreak. Lions Joy & Sue join me in thanking the ticket sellers, cooks, servers, floor staff, bakery group, dishwashers, ticket-takers and clean up crew (did I get everyone?) for their help and cheery attitudes and making it another fun Lion activity.
Clean Up Damascus Day was provided a boost with Lions helping to staff the registration area. Thank you to those who signed up to help. Lion Carol Cook headed up a road crew for our club to add our contribution to the beautification of Damascus for the day. Route 27 looks so much better after the Damascus Lions go down the road. Thanks to all who showed up to help. An additional activity for the day was the ground-breaking ceremony held at the Recreation Center for the Skate Park. 3rd VP Lion Barbara Barry was our official representative, joined by County Council Chair Ike Leggett and one of our newest members, Lion Tom Didone, as well as past member Linda Panagoulas, Director of the Rec. Center, and organizers of Clean–Up Damascus Day, Sue and Mindy Miller. There is a photo on the Montgomery County government web site and the Gazette ran an article on the park as well.
So catch your breath and gear up for November. The pace is actually a bit slower, but not by a lot. We’ll be participating in the Thanksgiving food distribution on the 20th. And we have a blood drive scheduled for Monday, November 22nd. Remember, there’s a new process in place now to give blood. You need to sign up in advance with the Red Cross for a time slot. Christmas will be upon us before you know it and we’ll be getting our children to shop for this month.
Once again, I hope I have included everything here you need to know and haven’t left out something important. I am so proud of this club and the great work you do. Be involved and enjoy happiness for a lifetime.
Yours in Service,
King Lion Marcia