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The Illinois Lion, Lioness, Leo

Elmhurst Lions Club Donated $4,000 to Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare Learning Center for Diabetes

District 1A Lions Kick-off Centennial Celebration at their Annual Convention

MD1 e-Magazine (Full) Vol. 3 - Issue 14, May 2016

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From Council Chair:

Welcome the month of May. Why you say? May is

the signal that the District Conventions are over,

the Districts have elected their new officers for the

2016-2017 Lions year and our year as the Council

of Governors will soon be coming to a close, but we

still have work to do. We have had a great year for

membership in Illinois. Across the State we are at a

+ 72.

When was the last time our multiple has had a plus

in membership? A ‘Thank You’ to the Governors,

the members of the GMT and GLT and to all the

Lions that used the “ASK ONE” approach.

The last Convention, our State Convention, is just

around the corner, May 20-22, 2016. It is being

held at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield

and the registration form is in this newsletter and

also available on the State Website.

Your Convention Chairperson, Lion Sharon Peska,

has been hard at work putting together a circus

themed convention. Lion Sharon is relying on all of

us to come to Springfield and enjoy the weekend,

attend as many of the seminars and activities as

you can and finally get to meet our Lions Clubs

International incoming President Bob Corlew and

our First Lady, Lion Dianne Corlew from Milton,

Tennessee. Lions Bob and Dianne are no strangers

to Illinois, having been the visiting Director to

several of our past District Conventions.

Your attendance and input at the convention will

help the committee to plan even bigger and better

things in the future. After all, we are about to enter

into our Centennial Celebration and enter the next

100 years of Service. To follow with the theme of

Lions Bob and Dianne, “More Mountains to Climb”,

I think we all can start that climb right here in

Illinois.

Thank you for your service,

Lion Steve Anton

Council Chairman

santonlions@comcast.net

Editorial:

SEEDS OF NEW LEADERSHIP

Just the nature’s way in the month

of May seeds start growing in our

yards and gardens to produce

vegetables and flowers to beautify our

neighborhoods and to savor fresh vegetables from

our gardens in the future months.

Our clubs, zones, districts and International will be

sowing these seeds in the garden of Lionism. New

seeds of leadership will grow and bring new

enthusiasm, projects, fundraisers with lots of fun

and frolic with new ideas, new goals and bring new

charisma to celebrate our Centennial Celebrations

in the Birth Place of Lionism – Chicago, yes

Chicago!

Entire world of lionism will be looking at us how we

celebrate our 100 years of pride and what we plan

for the next 100 years of our magnetic future.

Lions are leaders in community service, helping the

needy and quick responders to any natural disaster

in this world.

As I write this editorial, we are 1,410,052 members

worldwide – only humanitarian association in this

world to reach this number. We are very proud of

our membership growth. Now we need more

members in North America to keep our strength in

Lionism as world leaders. Shrinkage in

membership in North America doesn’t make us

look good as Lions World Leaders. Let us build our

clubs and let us bring new lions clubs where there

are none. These communities are missing Lions

activities; especially the less fortunate.

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Lions are recognized by UN as the #1 humanitarian

association of the world. Our clubs in our

communities take any challenge they have to fulfill

the need. Lions who started Leader Dogs, White

Cane and played a major role in establishing state

and federal laws on visually impaired people.

Lions are just volunteers who spend their money

and personal time to serve unselfishly. They are

the leaders in their communities and also they lead

where they work. Lionism grooms leadership skills

in them to be a team leader, organizer, care taker

and fun raiser.

May is the bad month for many Lions clubs in the

world as many clubs decide to drop their members

due to non-payment of dues or not attending

regular meetings. This should be changed – we are

care takers of the needy and how we cannot take

care of our own members to remain in our clubs?

Now LCI is not demanding members to attend

meetings regularly. Members do not have to

attend regular meetings without fail. We need

members support for our programs, events and

fund raisers. If members can do this without

attending meetings regularly where is the loss? Let

us support these members to remain as Lions in

our clubs.

Time to give more importance to cyber activities, e-

mails and social media. Only through this Lions will

grow further and come together when personal

presences mandate them to have projects, events,

fundraisers accomplished with flying colors.

-PDG Austin D’Souza, Ph.D.

ILStateEditor@gmail.com

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP CORNER: Jama Wahl

This is the last in a series of

articles based on Blueprint for

Club Success (DA-STPBG EN

5/15). This document is

available to download from the

LCI website.

LCI provides great tools to assist clubs in reaching

their highest potential. This ten-page document is

filled with ways for clubs to plan for success.

This guide suggests four areas for clubs to consider.

1. Assessing your club’s status 2. Establishing your goals 3. Developing your blueprint 4. Putting your blueprint into action

In this final article we are going to consider putting

your club’s blueprint into action, which is found on

page 4 of the document.

Following the assessing of your club’s status,

establishing and prioritizing club goals, and

developing the club’s blueprint, the final step is

putting the blueprint into action. A document such

as this is only valuable if it is used to provide

direction for your club. Implementation is key to

success.

As noted on page 4, be sure to share your blueprint

with all club members so that they are aware of

what the club wants to achieve. They also need to

know their role in achieving club goals. By

remaining committed to your plan and taking

consistent action, the club will move closer to your

goals.

If club members feel connected to the club’s

humanitarian service projects, it is likely the club

will be a healthy, vibrant part of your community.

It is also critical to evaluate your plan on a regular

basis. As circumstances change, your plan may

require revision. The creation of the initial

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Blueprint is just the beginning. Keep it alive and

relevant by measuring progress and gathering

feedback from club members on a routine basis.

This is how you will realize your desired results. Set

aside designated time at your club and/or board

meeting to review progress. Make the blueprint a

working document making changes and

adaptations as needed.

In addition, to achieve success, it is vital that

subsequent club officer teams assess needs,

measure progress, and update the blueprint at

least annually. The questions originally considered

related to the four key dimensions of club

operations, service, leadership development and

membership, will serve as a guide in the evaluation

process.

Your Blueprint for a Stronger Club provides a road

map to achieving greater levels of value in terms of

the community and in terms of member

satisfaction. These simple steps provide a practical

approach to enhance what is working, phase out

what no longer works, and implement new

initiatives. By creating a well-rounded Blueprint for

a Stronger Club, committing club members to its

implementation, regularly revisiting the plan, and

assessing needs and refining action steps, your club

can achieve both its short and long term goals.

The tools to support strong club growth,

leadership, and service are available. Let’s use

them to make our clubs the best they can be!

-Jama Wahl, MD1 GLT Coordinator

GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP CORNER:

We’re in the Home Stretch! The “Home Stretch” is usually a term that is applied to various sports events. It normally means that we are getting close to the end

of the game. That expression can also be applied to Lions. We are in the Home Stretch. The month

of May is upon us with June being just around the corner. That means there are only two months left in the current Lion Year. How will your club finish this year? You have two months left in which to generate any funds that may be needed to complete this year’s charitable giving. Maybe those funds will be applied to something at the beginning of next year. That could include sponsoring one or more campers to Camp Lions. Giving a kid who is vision impaired or blind, or hearing impaired or deaf, a week filled with all of those summer camp activities is a great thing to do. If your club does that, please try to participate in their Open House to actually see the kids and all of the fun they are having. If not Camp Lions, perhaps you are looking to provide eyeglasses or hearing aids to someone who needs them who can’t afford them. Maybe it’s some other worthwhile activity. You should have already elected your officers for next year. Do you want to do those officers a favor? Holding orderly business meeting is something that might come to mind. Something else could be raising more money next year than you did this year, is another. There is something else you could do to make raising more money a little easier for them. That would be finishing this year with more members than you had at the beginning of the year. Doing that would place your club in the position of having more hands, not only at fundraisers, but also at service projects. If you finish the year with a net gain in members and meet the other criteria, your club could qualify for the Club Excellence Award for this year. Check with your district’s GMT Coordinator or your District Governor. They have copies of the application. Compare the criteria with your club’s record for this year. Is you are one or two items short of qualifying, you have two months in which to check off those last few items. Go for it! Even though the current year may be winding down, there is still time in which to accomplish a lot. Complete that last fundraiser. Get some new members. Finish this year with a BANG! The

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members of your club will feel great and next year’s officers should appreciate your efforts. Lion Paul Gergolla, PDG MD-1 GMT Coordinator Phone: 630-858-8073 Email: lionpg1@aol.com

State Alert Corner: Greetings May Readers of 2016,

Now that the warm weather is finally here, sort of, we need to prepare for our outside activities. The children will soon be out of school and everyone will be ready

for summer. Along with this time of year is the possibility of nasty storms. Spring has been good to us so far but one never knows what Mother Nature will bring our way. We have mentioned many times now about developing that plan in case those nasty storms do hit us. How is your club coming along with a plan? Do you have a plan for your household? MD-1 is doing a good job with clubs getting some type of plan together. However, with all the clubs we have in MD-1, more need to step up. When you get in your car for some week end escapes, don’t forget to do some simple checks on your vehicle. Does your spare tire have air in it? Some new cars don’t even have a spare tire. Do you know what you will do if you get a flat? If you carry some traveling supplies in case you break down, check them out so they are fresh. If you don’t, consider putting some things you may need in your vehicle for such an emergency. If you created a to-go bag for your home, it may be a good time to check it for quality items also. Sure don’t want something to happen, grab your bag and the stuff inside is no good anymore. Never hurts to prepare. I hope to see you at the MD-1 Convention in Springfield and hear about the good things you are doing.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or just ask questions. A question never asked remains one unanswered. Lion Jim Kiser State Alert Chair LionJImKiser@gmail.com 630-660-7944

2016 MD1 FALL RALLY

To kick off the 2017

International Convention in

Chicago the Lions of Illinois will

be hosting a MD1 Fall Rally on

October 22, 2016 at the

Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Illinois. This

international centennial convention promises to be

the best and biggest celebration of service the

world has ever seen. And, the Lions of Illinois will

be the hosts!

Lions attending the Fall Rally will have the chance

to meet then President Chancellor Bob Corlew and

Lion Dianne. Informational sessions will be held to

highlight volunteering opportunities for Lions at

the International Convention. Educational sessions

will be held on Lions history, Retention, and much

more.

A new opportunity for clubs is the Lions Expo:

Lions Gone Wild for Service. Clubs will be able to

share information with other Lions about their

favorite service projects as well as their most

successful fundraising projects that support that

service. Clubs and agencies providing service will

receive their tables free of charge. Vendors will be

asked for a $20.00 fee to participate in the Expo.

These are exciting times for the Lions of Illinois and

the Lions of the world. Don’t miss the opportunity

to participate and show the world what your club

does TO SERVE!

Questions: contact Jama Wahl,

MD1 GLT Coordinator, 815-822-3014 or

jamawahl@yahoo.com

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TERRIFIC LEOS!

Few of Lincoln Way Central Leo Club members who

recently helped the New Lenox Lions at the Annual

Senior Spaghetti Dinner. Those young folks are

TERRIFIC! Says PDG Dave Wheeler.

District 1F Lions Convention:

First Lady Mary Reading with her friends

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Award winners at the convention with Governor Marty

and First Lady Mary Reading.

At the April 11th, 2016 meal/meeting of the Tampico Lions Club Keith Marcum was installed as a new member by Lion Treasurer Duane Thompson with Sponsor Lion David Beck giving Lion Marcum his membership pin and Lion 1st Vice Gary Johnson presenting Lion Marcum his membership certificate. (Picture L-R: Lion David Beck-Sponsor, New member Lion Keith Marcum, 1st Vice Gary Johnson, and Lion Treasurer Duane Thompson.)

DISTRICT 1M WALK FOR SIGHT

Join the Walk for Sight of East Central Illinois on Sunday, June 5 at Arthur, registration at 3:30 PM.

Contact: Phone: 217-465-5382 walkforsighteci@gmail.com

Pre-Register by May 5th. Then, mail all your Donations with form by May 30th to: 621 W Jasper, Paris, IL 61944 you will be entered into this drawing!

Handicap Accessible? Not for everyone. Larger

stalls, sturdy rails & those simple signs on the door that indicate gender do not help a blind person find what he or she needs to function in a public restroom. Losing vision means losing independence. They feel that they slow people down and need help finding the simplest things. They often feel like a burden, constantly asking for help. What can you do to help?

The Walk for Sight for our Lions of Illinois Foundation is an opportunity to help the blind not feel like a burden. We can help by working together to fund equipment, networking, educational & social opportunities such as Camp Lions. By joining the Walk for Sight, we can ease the burden of a handicap that often secludes its victims. Be a beacon to those who cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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On April 7, Arthur Lions Club welcomed a new member, Ryan Burdick, inducted by Zone Chair Lion Mark Krutsinger

& sponsored by Lion Gary Stutzman.

Sidell Lions Club welcomes new member Chuck Sergent (center), sponsored by Lion Mike Fogle,

inducted by CST Brad Cash. Westville Lions welcomes 5 newest members

being inducted by Past District Governor Bill Wallpe

& pinned by President Darren VanDuyn. New lions

are Lance & Ashley Wichtowski, Mark & Renae

Stine & Joanna Gerrib.

ALTAMONT Lion, PDG Lion Jim Strange presents

American Legion Department of Illinois Assistant

Department Chaplin Ralph Rounds a check for the

Gift to The

Yanks Who

Gave

program. This

program

distributes

gifts annually

to veteran

patients at all

of the V.A.

Hospitals and

extended care

units throughout Illinois. Chaplin Rounds is also a

member of Altamont Post 512.

The Palestine Lion's Club presented a check to a

committee from the Grant-In-Aid Fund. Those

representing the fund are Lion Starr Grimes-

Secretary; Lion Otie Tuttle-Director and Mary Ann

Fulling-Treasurer. Presenting the check is Palestine

Lion's Vice President Bill Kite. The funds were

raised at our annual Pancake/Sausage Breakfast.

These funds will be used for scholarships for

Palestine High School Students.

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MAHOMET Lions Club President Sherla Carpenter

presents Illinois Foundation Trustee Jim Strange a

check for $2500.00 for Camp Lions.

The Warrensburg/Latham Lions Club co-sponsored

The Heart of Illinois All-Star Classic ball game with

the W-L High School. It was an enjoyable evening

for players and fans alike. The game was held at

7:30 on Wednesday, March 30th at the W-L High

School. Outstanding senior athletes from central

Illinois competed and awards were handed out.

The W-L Lions served dinner prior to the game and

handed out the programs.

Stewardson-Strasburg Lions held their 60th Club

Anniversary event with a great turn-out!

The 55th Ramsey Lions Club Community Sale was a success again this year. It is the Ramsey Lion's Club major fundraiser. They work all year to prepare and make it better. They have farm machinery, as well as farm - related items, lawnmowers, titled vehicles, and lots of misc. household items. There are 8 to 10 Auction Trucks going throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m. They also cook and serve sandwiches, and freshly made pie was available, as well. As an added bonus, we allow private vendors to set up and sell their wares.

Mt. Zion Lions Club held their Pancake Day on the

first Saturday in March and Lion Yoder said they’d

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served 480 adults, 127 free meals to children and

13 free meals to firefighters. Pictured is their

pancake cooker that a late member built for them

around 1960. It can be taken down and stored

when not in use. Lion Yoder says there is another

one in the Decatur area, designed on theirs. Quite

a machine, eh?

The Athens Lions and Leo Clubs held a very successful eggstravaganza at the Athens Community Park on Saturday March 26. The number of children ages 1-9 that registered for the egg hunt totaled 180. That is 50 more than last year. Since the hunt for the eggs only takes about 2 minutes, other events were added this year to make it an even larger event. Inside the park building several vendors set up to sell their crafts or items. The American Legion had food items and drinks for purchase. The Athens Fire Department had their truck there for the children to explore. Other kid activities included a bounce house, duck pond, face painting, a balloon artist, popcorn and snow cones and a visit from the Easter Bunny. The Lions and Leo Clubs would like to thank their members, the many volunteers and the City of Athens for their help in making this a great community event. A special thanks to coordinator Lion Tricia Laager for her organizational skills.

Chicago Filipino American Lions Club held their

Dancing with the Lions at the Northbrook Hotel

Hilton with high glamour. All Lions and guests

came to the event with Hawaiian costumes and

brighten this event more. This year’s fun raiser was

to help The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind for

their continuous activities for the visually impaired.

PDG Wes Salsbury, Council Chair Steve and ZC Gail

Antons, DGE Ernie and Edna Lapid were the guests

for the event. Standing far right with white dress is

the President of Chicago Filipino American Lions

Club Yoly Zolenta.

During the event, Lions celebrated CC Steve

Anton’s 65th Birthday by cutting a cake and also CC

Steve received his favorite wine – Merlot!

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Aurora resident Aida Alvarado (in red shirt) was

among 30 East Aurora High School Students who

volunteered at the Aurora Noon Lions Club’s 9th

annual Easter Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser.

Alvarado is an East High sophomore and a member

of the school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training

Corp Unit.

Shabbona Lions Cub supported the Indian Creek

Girls Basketball Team, the Timberwolves, on its

way to a 3rd Place finish in the State 1-A Basketball

Tournament. It was the first time in school history

that the team had gone that far. Congratulations to

all!

Lion Craig Rice, Past President of Waterman Lions

Club, and Lion Kathy Smith (right), Secretary of the

club, present a check to Alison Metz (center), Social

Worker at Indian Creek School District #425. This

contribution, along with like donations from Lee

Lions Club and Shabbona Lions Club, helps fund

teacher and student manuals for the Lions Quest

Program. The program is used in the health

curriculum at the middle school. It supports

character development, social and emotional

learning, civic values, violence and substance abuse

prevention and service-learning. Each club donated

$130 toward materials.

It took more than these three Lombard Lions, Bob

Lehman, Ernie Turcotte, and David Orr, to keep

ahead of the crowd of egg-hunting children! The

Lions told us they had 15,000 eggs for parents &

children to hunt, but the Park District filled them

for the Lions Club. Lion Sandy told them they didn’t

know how lucky they were!!

Elizabeth Nielsen, a speech-language pathologist,

of Tiny Voice Therapy Services in Waterman,

receives a check from Lion Robert Bend, treasurer

of Waterman Lions Club. The donation will help

fund a communicating-with-symbols camp for

children who use augmentative and alternative

communications (AAC) devices. The camp will run

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Fridays starting June 10 and going through July 29

at the Waterman United Methodist Church, 210 W.

Garfield St., Waterman. Tiny Voice Therapy, 601 E.

Garfield St., Waterman, treats children with various

speech disorders and children who use

augmentative and alternative communication

(AAC) devices.

Sandwich Lion Gary Lemke (r) presented DeKalb

Lion John Corneille (l) with a donation for the

Foundation Fighting Blindness at the club's March

Meeting. Lion Lemke asked Lion Corneille why

Corneille wears glasses if he is blind. Lion Corneille

said it helps to enhance the little light that he can

still see and it just feels natural to him as he has

always wore glasses from an early age. It also helps

protect his eyes from injury when he might run into

objects that can poke his eyes.

Burlington Lionesses had a Breakfast with the

Easter Bunny last month. (l to r) Lionesses Tracy

Hartje, Andrea Weeres, Jean Micklevitz, Mary Lake,

Melanie Peters, Jessica Lemmon, Kathy Pawlak,

and of course…the Easter Bunny (played by Lioness

Deb Twenhafel — just something else she does in

town!). All the kids had a great time playing games,

coloring, bean bag toss, Bozo buckets, and having

their pictures taken.

It’s a DeLorean??? This was the car supplied by the

Itasca Lions Club representing the “Back To The

Future” car in the movie of the same name. The car

sat out front near the entrance of the Westin Hotel

where the District 1-J Convention was held April 8-

10. Great car for all of you car buffs!

COVER PHOTO:

Late last summer was the 8th year for the Elmhurst

Lions Club’s Reverse Raffle. Only 200 tickets are

sold. All net proceeds of the Reverse Raffle raised

roughly $4,000 and it was donated to the Elmhurst

Memorial Healthcare Learning Center for Diabetes.

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This has been an on-going project for the club for

several years. Application for a 100,000 grant from

Lions Clubs International Foundation, along with

support from the Elmhurst Lions Club, and District

1-J, has made this center happen. The Learning

Center for Diabetes is officially recognized by the

American Diabetes Association and has received

the Joint Commission's Advanced Certification of

Distinction for Inpatient Diabetes Care. Elmhurst

Memorial Healthcare is one of only two

organizations in the state to receive this

certification.

VERY PRECISE PAN CAKES!

Darien Lions Club held its 45th Annual

Pancake Breakfast on

Sunday, March 20th.

Attendance was very

good. The Darien Lions’

Split The Pot was over

$2,600 this year! At left,

Darien Lion Bill O’Malley

gets ready to flip a pancake.

As a part of Lions’ Sharing the Vision Campaign,

Glendale Heights Barangay Lions Club provided a free eye exam and prescription glasses for a grade

school student, Marialetzy Flores (in the lt. gray

sweatshirt, wearing glasses and a big smile on her face) at LensCrafters in Bloomingdale, IL last March

29th. She was accompanied by her mother and four sisters who tagged along to see Marialetzy get

her first eyeglasses.

Three George Lazansky winners were from the

Southeast Region of District 1-J – (l to r) ZC Lion Jim Kiser, Warrenville Lion Lynn Miller, Naperville

Noon Lion Bob Hull, ZC Lion Renee Reeder, and Darien Lion Frank Modelski.

Sun City - Huntley Lions gathered for a buffet dinner at Randall Oaks Golf Club to celebrate 15

years of service to the community last month with their sponsoring Lion Club, Huntley Lions, as well as

other Lions clubs and dignitaries from the district and state levels. Guest speaker was LIF Executive

Director, PDG Lion Mario Gumino who emphasized the volunteering that the club has, and continues

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to do, for their community and Lions at all levels,

including sorting thousands of eye glasses every month for LIF. (l to r) Charter members present,

Lions Sandy Beck, Jim and Joan Graves, and Bill Lepola (not pictured) were acknowledged for their

initial and continuing efforts to SCH Lions.

-

(l to r) Dist. Gov. Lion Bob Fowler, new Sun City-Huntley Lion Rita Kasmarek and her sponsor, Lion

Mary Ann Gower.

McHenry Lion

Carol Perschke received the Jim

and Joyce Davis Lifetime Service

Award at the 1-J Convention.

Chicago Centennial Convention Host Committee

meeting was held on April 28th at the Lions Clubs International Headquarters, Oak Brook.

International Convention Manager Lion Gloria Genske briefed the committee. Far left is Lion

Kathy. Others are PID Dan O’Reilly, Host Committee Chair PDG Bob Block and Vice Chair

PDG Harold Burkett, Jr.

Several lions from MD1 were present for the meet.

Logo for Lions Merchandise to be sold.

Blanket

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Riverside Township Lions Club held their Annual

Chicken Dinner with a great success. Entire community took part in the event as a one huge

family.

District 1A held their Annual Helen Keller 5K Run

and Walk on April 24th at the Richard’s High School.

Several Leos took part in the event and helped the

lions to raise funds.

Richards High School Leos and Shepherd High

School Leos both took part in the race and volunteered the Lions. Also Chicago Light House

for the Blind employees from Chicago and Glendale Heights took part in the race. There were several

volunteers from Kohl’s also participated in the race.

The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind racers with

District Governor Ralph Zarada.

Some racers from Kohl’s

Riverside Township Lions Club’s newest member – second from left.

Chicago Magnificent Lions Club members with Hawaiian dress ready to dance.

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Chicago Mexica Lions Club held their Annual Spring

Dance fundraiser. Some of the members posing for a group picture.

Mexican Mariachi Band entertained the event

Lion Angel D’Souza, member of The Forest Kala

Sampath Lions Club who works for Google in An Arbor, was the emcee for University of Illinois,

Champaign TEDx seminars event held on April 28.

Genoa Lions Carnation Day 2016 – April 16

The Genoa Lions delivered over 240 dozen carnations to

local residents. The flowers were purchased, wholesale

from “Everything Floral” in Genoa. Lion Gene Bradford

worked diligently with his fellow Lions especially Lion

Dreska to sell the flowers and with Debbie Heiman the

owner of “Everything Floral” to ensure beautiful

bouquets for Friday and Saturday. Each bouquet was

sold for $10 with the profits being ear-marked for

student scholarships and other charitable contributions.

Lions Jeff & Gini Baker, Becker, Bradford, Caron,

Cravatta, Dreska, Feliciano, Haka, Helland, Holdridge,

Jurs, Kutz, Merritt, Moes, Pacey, Pelley, Ross, Sanford,

VanDerHeyden & daughters Jill and Annie, and

Wilkinson sold and/or delivered the carnations. Special

accolades to Lion Dreska for selling 70 dozen, and to

Lion Gene Bradford for organizing this fundraiser and

selling 45 dozen carnations too. Thanks to all the Lions

and others that purchased flowers with special thanks

to Lion Gene Bradford and the folks at “Everything

Floral” in downtown Genoa.

Pictured in the front of “Everything Floral” in Genoa are

some of the Genoa Lions that delivered flowers on

Saturday, April 16th.

(front row) Annie VanDerHeyden. (middle row l. to r.)

Jerry Helland, Rene’ VanDerHeyden, Bill Holdridge,

Gene Bradford. (back row) Dale Pelley. Other Saturday

delivers not shown were Jill VanDerHeyden, Lion Mike

Dreska, and Lion Chad Pacey.

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Oregon Lions Club Members were reminded at their April 14th meeting that we are indeed fortunate to have such a wonderful Park District here in Oregon. It enriches the lives of people of all ages who live within the boundaries of the District and beyond. Several staff members who were present at the meeting spoke about the different program offerings as well as upcoming special events this spring and summer season. Photo from left to right: Kaitlin Kielsmeier, Calvin Clothier, Oregon Park District Director Erin Folk, Amanda Zimmerman,Debbie Leffelman, John Barnhart, Nancy Kerwin, and Dr. Seth Anderson of the Oregon Lions Club.

Oregon Lions were out and about on Saturday, April 16th cleaning up roadside debris from Route 2 north of Oregon. Those participating in the clean-up effort are pictured left to right: Rob Arneson, Jim Hoff, Grant Afflerbaugh, Tom Duym, Don Fuller and Pat Farraday and Jean Hoff (not pictured)

Pictured with LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry Veteran Handlers Keith Stanton and Ward Dittmar, at left, with LCC Kare-9 Military Dog, Butch, and also Dale Sasse and Chuck Sorn with Britta, is German Valley Lion Kerry Hoops. The LCC Kare-9 Military Ministry is an outreach of Lutheran Church Charities designed to specifically connect with active military, veterans and their families and to stand by them during active service and when they return home. The dogs also serve a dual purpose as Comfort Dogs in various circumstances such as the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Through Lion Kerry’s efforts the German Valley Lions Club learned of this humanitarian work during their April Dinner Meeting.

PDG Charles C. Beard, 93, died Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Pinecrest Manor in Mt. Morris, following a brief illness. He was born July 7, 1922, in Fairbank, Iowa; the son of Ira E. and Cassie (Cloyd) Beard. He attended Maple Grove Country School and graduated from Mt. Morris High School, class of 1940. He married Marjorie F. Horst in Mt. Morris, IL on August 23, 1947; and she preceded him in death on June 4, 2007. He was a life-long farmer in Mt. Morris. Charles was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Ogle County Farm Bureau and served on the Board of Directors for Palmyra, Lincoln, Nashua (PLN) Insurance Company. He was a 59 year member of

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Mystic Tie Masonic Lodge No. 167 A.M. & F.M. (Polo) and a 59 year member of the Mt. Morris Lions Club. He served as the 1985 Lions District 1-D Governor on the Board of Trustees of the Lions of Illinois Foundation. He was a fifty year member of Tebala Shrine Temple; in 2015, he was given the distinction of becoming a Tebala Shrine Ambassador. He was a member of the Rockford York Rite Bodies, Crusader, Commandery No. 17 Knights Templar (Rockford), and a life member of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite N.M.J. of the Valley Freeport. He was a 56 year (life) member of the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge #1551, a 50+ year member of the Mt. Morris Goodfellows, and a former Reserve Deputy of the Ogle County Sheriff's Department. Survivors include his daughter, Connie (Richard) Mongan and son, Charles E. (Debra) Beard, all of Mt. Morris; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and sister, Margaret L. (Beard) Wilkinson.

BELVIDERE – The downtown streetscape project will benefits from a $7,500 donation from the Belvidere Lions Club. Money will go toward the purchase of landscaping items for the stretch between the railroad tracks and Madison Street.

City council unanimously accepted the contribution at its Monday, April 18 meeting. Alderman Ron Books said the club once again had stepped up for the good of the City of Belvidere.

The Belvidere Lions Club is observing its 70th year of serving the city and surrounding communities. As a civic organization, it assists others through financial donations and physical labor.

{Belvidere Lions President Valli Jo Rubeck along with Lion Mike LaScola and Lion Bill Villont present check to Belvidere Mayor Mike Chamberlain. Also present was Public Works Director Brent Anderson.}

Members are active with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity that specializes in electrical work in new homes. They also have helped RAMP provide home access for the disabled and the Salvation Army’s various programs.

Plus, the club provided the clock in City Park.

The club also sponsors baseball teams through the Belvidere Youth Baseball (BYB) program.

Fundraisers are held during the year, which help the club perform its community service, club member Lonna Bentley said. The big one is the concession stand run out of its building near the grandstand, during the Boone County Fair in August.

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“We’re known for our pork chop sandwiches,” she said.

The total cost of landscaping improvements is $11,700, City Public Works Director Brent Anderson said. The balance of $4,200 will come from the capital fund, with street department employees doing the work.

He said the plan was to finish landscaping before the Heritage Days celebration in June.

During the committee of the whole meeting on April 11, Alderman Mark Sanderson wondered about maintaining the improvements.

“We’ll be responsible this summer for watering and upkeep of the plant material,” Anderson said. “Going forward, we probably will be seeking proposals for biweekly maintenance.”

Streetscape work began on April 11. Plant material being purchased for the project includes 28 trees, 158 shrubs, and 504 perennials.

Belvidere Lions had a blast at Rockford Noon Lions Club Team Trivia Night fundraiser benefiting Leader Dogs for the Blind and The Center for Sight and Hearing. Belvidere Lions "Team Smooch A Pooch" consisted of President Valli Jo Rubeck, Lion Becky Maggio, Lion Ali Usedom and Lion Lonna Bentley came in 4th!

Leos at District 1D Convention.

Lions getting ready for the seminar at the 1D Convention.

Lion Vern Neumueller inducts new Lion Dave

Harbolt into the Belvidere Lions Club.

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Flagpole: Morrison Lions Club has been involved

in needs and improvements at beautiful Rockwood

State Park located near Morrison since the start of

the park. Originally, the club dedicated a flagpole

at the opening of the park in 1971 to the "memory

of L. C. Anderson who along with others made this

lake and park a reality". The club voted to replace

the original pole in 2001 with an aluminum

telescoping pole. This year, the Morrison American

Legion Post partnered with our club to replace the

telescoping pole after it sustained damage from

the harsh winter winds. It is good to partner with

other groups in the community to meet needs.

Spring Cleanup on Route 30 was quickly accomplished with the Lions "crew" - pictured left

to right - Front Row: Martha Kophamer, Nancy Countryman, Beth Wroble, Aaron Johnson, Jim Blakemore, and Tracy Muur. Back row: Bob Countryman, Steve Wroble, Ken Jansma, and Keith Hamstra. Denny Countryman was the photographer and also helped with the cleanup. -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Genoa-Kingston Citizen/Student of the Year 2016

Presented by Genoa Lions

The Genoa Lions Club hosted twelve recipients of

the Genoa Kingston Schools Citizen of the Year

Award on Wednesday, April 20. Dinner was also

[Pictured: Front row (l. to r.): Marissa Schnupp, Adrian

Delgado. Back row:(l.to r.): Nevyn Wallace, Lauryn

Stoffregen, Tanner Grimm, Katey Kurpius, Jaelyn Wallace,

Anna Drendel, Omar Pacheco, Nathan Nesler, Jacob Mishler,

Alison Rahn.]

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provided to all attendees and was prepared and

served prior to the award ceremony by the

Masonic Lodge. Genoa-Kingston School District

Superintendent Joe Burgess was represented by

Karen Simmons (Dr. Burgess was in Springfield,

receiving his own award). Genoa Mayor Mark

Vicary, congratulated the award recipients. He also

thanked the Genoa Kingston School District along

with parents for helping the awardees to achieve

this honor.

Each of the district’s principals introduced the

students from their school, reading a short letter of

recommendation prepared by one of the student’s

teachers. Each student received a medal amid the

applause of the 55 people that attended.

Principal Cindy Wills, introduced the first grade

Citizen of the Year, Marissa Schnupp.

Kingston Elementary principal Stefanie Hill,

introduced second grader, Adrian Delgado and the

third grade recipient Nevyn Wallace.

Genoa Elementary Principal John Francis,

introduced the fourth grade winner, Omar Pacheco

and fifth grader, Jaelyn Wallace.

G-K Middle School Principal Angelo Lekkas

presented the sixth grade Citizen of the Year medal

to Jacob Mishler. Tanner Grimm was the seventh

grade recipient and Alison Rahn was the eighth

grade medal winner.

Genoa-Kingston High School Principal Brett

McPherson, introduced and congratulated the

following winners:

9th grade – Nathan Nesler

10th grade – Lauryn Stoffregen

11th grade – Anna Drendel

12th grade – Katey Kurpius

Medals of achievement were awarded by Lion

President Bob Becker amidst the applause of the

guests and Lion’s Club members. Kristi Mulso of

the Genoa-Kingston School District coordinated the

events leading up to the award night and was

instrumental in making sure the students and

parents knew when and where to be for the Award

Ceremony. Special thanks go to the Masonic

Temple and the fine folks that prepared the meal

and to Lion Secretary VanDerHeyden for making

the arrangements with the school district and

acquiring the medals. And a special thank you to

Lion Gene Bradford for working with the Masonic

Temple to make the evening a success. The Genoa

Lions Club is happy to sponsor this event each year.

The Lena Lions completed their first highway pickup of the year on April 23, there are 3 more scheduled for the summer and fall. Also our club does a tour every year. This year our president Jerry Staskal thought that we should visit the Center for Sight and Hearing Impaired in Rockford. Our Club toured the Center on April 27 there were 16 members plus spouses that went on the Lion Bus. We had a delicious meal catered and President Maureen Mall of the Center gave a very informative tour.

Highway pickup crew l-r Jerry Fox, Highway pickup chairman Dave Hoffman, Bill Crichton and Ben Mayer seated in front Mary Keith not pictured Jim Cox.

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Picture above: 16 lion members and spouses in front of the Lion Bus getting ready to go in and eat dinner and take a tour of the Center.

Streator Hardscrabble Lions Celebrity Bartenders project co-chairpersons Beth Cravatta and Karen Ranger present Streator Unlimited with a check representing partial project proceeds. The Celebrity Bartenders project held recently at Streator Carbo's Sports Bar, raised funds for Streator Unlimited, Diabetes Awareness and sending a local sight or hearing impaired camper to Camp Lions this summer. Pictured from left to right are Co-Chairpersons, Karen Ranger, Beth Cravatta presenting Executive Director of Streator Unlimited, John Mallaney a check for $3500.00, Streator Unlimited Job Developer, Sherri Stephens, and Hardscrabble Lions President, Karyn Dzurison.

The Hardscrabble Lions wish to thank the teams of celebrity bartenders from the Streator Firefighters, Illinois American Water Company, Streator Onized Credit Union, Streator Home Building & Loan, Streator Unlimited employees, Streator Unlimited Board, Carbo's Sports Bar, Cali 's Tap, Theresa Solon State Farm and Chad Lucas State Farm. Most importantly we wish to thank the community for their support.

PDG Dr. Robert D. “Bob” Goodfellow, age 78, of Batavia passed away Friday, April 22, 2016 at Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin with his family at his side. He was born September 29, 1937 in Oak Park, the son of David and Ruth (Klein)

Goodfellow. He grew up in Berwyn and Glen Ellyn and graduated from Glenbard West High School. Bob received his B.A. from North Central College in Zoology and Chemistry with a minor in history. He received his Master of Science and PhD from Northwestern University in Biochemistry. Bob was a published researcher and keen laboratory

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scientist during his studies. Following his PhD, Bob was a professor at the University of Notre Dame, Fordham University, and Waubonsee Community College before retiring. Bob was a wearer of many hats and worked in the office supply business, computer sales, and as a volunteer Firefighter/E.M.T. Bob was an active member in the Geneva Lions Club for 37 years. He loved working with the club on Candy Day, Swedish Days, Used Eyeglasses Collections, and Hearing and Glaucoma Screening Bus Committees. He attended weekly meetings at Mill Race Inn and Riverside Banquets until recent months due to failing health. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 27 years Debbie (Thompson); daughter Emily of Batavia; brother Dr. William (Mary) Goodfellow of Geneva; and many dear nieces, nephews, students, Lions Club members, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and son Timothy who died in infancy.

Geneva Lions beautify their Post Office.

Geneva Lions after their weekly meeting.

Disrict 1BK Cabinet Meeting: Governor PDG Charlie Siefert officiating District 1BK meeting. Far right are MD1 GMT Coordinator

Lion Jama Wahl and MD1 LCIF Chairman PID Bud Wahl.

PDG King Pye from District 1A passed away on April 8, 2016 at the age of 86. He was the governor of 1A in 1991-1992 lionistic year. He had a wonderful life. He was born on October 19, 1929 in Greenville, Mississippi. He was the fifth of nine children born to Truman and Lillie Ann Goffman Pye, both of whom preceded him in death as well as his sister

Rachel. LaCree, Little Mae and Merlene, and his brother Albert affectionately known as A.C. As a child, King was full of life and energy. He loved helping his father, who was a painter and Pastor. He attended elementary school and his freshman year of high school in Greenville and was known as a very intelligent child. His intelligence made him acutely aware of the discrimination that the ‘colored’ children faced in Greenville. Instead of encouraging the bright students to pursue courses of their choosing, he and many of his classmates were encouraged to pursue strictly vocational training. He told his parents that Greenville would not allow him to pursue his dreams, so he was permitted to travel to Chicago when he was fifteen years old. When King arrived in Chicago he stayed with his sister Rachel. He attended Wendell Phillips High

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School. It was also during this period that he converted to Catholicism and was re-baptized at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. His uncle, Johnson Pye, was a practicing Catholic who King attended Church with on Sunday. His parents didn’t care where he went to church as long as he ’went’ to church. After graduating from Wendell Phillips High School, King attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. He majored in political science. He later worked for the grocery store National Tea, where he encountered prejudice from its leadership. Like so many qualified African Americans, National Tea was not interested in promoting him regardless of his qualifications. This all changed when he met and forged a wonderful business relationship with Ernest ‘Stu’ Collins. King became the general manager of the Food Basket on 49th and St. Lawrence and later the general manager and owner of Collins Certified on 79th and Calumet in Chicago. While working at Certified, he was selected by the Food Marketing Institute to attend Executive Leadership courses at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. It was at the Food Basket where King met his wife of 57 years, Magnolia. Their love was a beautiful love, full of laughter, travel and children. Their union produced four children – Kevin Joel, Eric Maurice, Keith Sherwin, and Ingrid LaCree Pye. King read extensively, had an amazing jazz collection, loved opera,Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If” and he could tell jokes with the best of them. King’s civic activities were numerous. He was one of the principal organizers of Seaway National Bank. He actively participated in politics, community development and business activities. He held various leadership roles with the Chatham Business Association. The Chatham Lions. The International Lions – becoming District 1A Governor. He has traveled the world with his wife and family, including Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Every summer he would load up his car and take his family on wonderful family vacations. He has received many awards and achieved much in life, but his greatest achievement was watching his children become upstanding adults. He always told his children, “You all have never disappointed me.”

Besides his civic and business interest, King loved his church family. He was an active member of the St. Ailbe Men Club, The Horizon Ministry, The Eucharistic Ministry; and before his health began to fall, The St. Ailbe Food Pantry. It is only fitting that his last activity reflected his life long career of feeding people. Helping others is how he lived his life. Family could count on him. Family loved when he came to visit, because he loved sharing whatever he had with them. He did not have a selfish bone in his body when it came to his family or someone who needed his help. He was quick to smile, but quicker to defend himself and others when he had to. You could count on him to stand by your side. His was a wonderful life. King’s journey was slowed by cancer. Throughout his treatments he never gave up. He faced his challenge with courage, dignity, grace and an abiding faith that God had never forsaken him. His mind was sharp to the end. The day before he died, he was quietly singing, “The Lord is Blessing Me.” While in hospice his wife asked him, “Do you know who I am?” He loudly proclaimed, “The Love of my Life.” His journey ended quietly on April 8, 2016, he is free. King leaves his beloved wife, Magnolia; his children, his older brother, sister and his grand children, host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Algonquin Lions Club had the induction ceremony

for newest Lion Kevin Gardek during their April

11th General Meeting. Pictured from left to right is

Sponsor (and Father-in-Law) Lion Adriaan Vrught,

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Lion Gardeck, and Lion Bill Moore who performed

the induction ceremony.

Camp Lions Wish List

WOW, can you believe it is this time of year again?

It is amazing that Camp Lions 2016 is right around

the corner! We have heard from our Counselors

and boy do they have a list of items this year. A lot

of our items are getting kind of old and abused

after several seasons of camps. We sincerely

appreciate everything you and your clubs have

done for Camp Lions in the past and the future.

The children have such a great time at camp and

with your donations it turns out even better!

We are having a good turnout so far for all of the

camps. In the month of February I mailed and

emailed invitations to past campers. I also sent

invitations to different programs in the Illinois

School Districts. Please, if you might know of

anyone that might want an application, please do

not hesitate to ask me. I do not mind sending one

to them or check out our website at

www.lionsofillinoisfoundation.org.

I have the list of items that we are in need of. If

you could PLEASE keep me in the loop as to what

items you have purchased, I would sincerely

appreciate it. I would really like to keep track of

the items.

Thank you for all that you do!

Lisa Kaczmarczyk

Art Supplies:

More Construction Paper (Letter sized and 18’’

by 12’’ sized)

Tubs to store Art Supplies and Sports

Equipment in

o We have many old tubs, it’s time to

replace them

Sharpies (Multicolored)

o (http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-

Permanent-Markers-12-Pack-

Assorted/dp/B000F9XBQQ/ref=sr_1_2?

s=office-

products&ie=UTF8&qid=1461089081&s

r=1-2&keywords=sharpies)

Liquid Soap

Plain white tee shirts (multiple sizes, especially

youth)

Tie-dye colors (multiples – for over the summer)

o Can be found in Walmart or Art

Supplies stores

Squeeze bottles for Tie-dye – link below –

bottles are reusable

o (http://www.amazon.com/Tulip-One-

Step-Mini-Patriot-2-

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Pack/dp/B00KIN1HBK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=U

TF8&qid=1461088884&sr=8-

1&keywords=squeeze+bottle+for+tie-

dye)

Acrylic paint

o Especially blue, orange, yellow, green,

purple and red

Paint brushes

o Similar to these:

(http://www.amazon.com/Acrylic-

Xpassion-Professional-Watercolor-

Painting/dp/B017M01UFE/ref=sr_1_5?s

=office-

products&ie=UTF8&qid=1461089174&s

r=1-5&keywords=paint+brushes)

Picture Frames

Painters Tape (blue type)

Paracords – below is a link to a whole set of

different styles/colors

o http://www.amazon.com/Paracord-

Planet-Crafting-Buckles-

ZOMBIE/dp/B00CIVTO56/ref=sr_1_4?ie

=UTF8&qid=1461089288&sr=8-

4&keywords=paracord

Embroidery Floss (thread)

o Used for Friendship bracelets

Colored/decorative duct tape and normal duct

tape as well

Canvas Panel Packs (4’’ x 4’’ and/or 5’’ x 7’’) –

for painting

o 24 pack On sale now for $3.13 or $7.21

at Dickblick

http://www.dickblick.com/products/bli

ck-economy-canvas-panel-classroom-

packs/

Spray Paint (multiple color ones)

Hemp Cords (different sized ones)

Beads (various sizes to put on threads for

necklaces or bracelets)

Scissors and Glue (I believe we already have

many? However we need MANY glue sticks)

General Supplies:

Tarps – used for Water slides

Basketballs (2)

Kickballs (4) – Also used for Gaga

Bandanas (roughly more than 50 – various

colors)

Beeper ball chargers

Type of beeper alarms for Archery at Henry

Horner and East Bay

Wifi hotspot to use for East Bay

Baseball bases

Medical Supplies:

Sun Block lotion (AVOID SPRAY due to run off

and compression, SQUEEZE IS A MUST)

Aloe gel for sunburns

o Gauze bandages

o Compression bandages (regular

bandages)

o Triangular bandages

Bed Sheets (I know we have some but not a lot)

Pillows (that can be washable or small sized

ones that we can let the campers take home

since it’s one time use)

Toothpaste (travel pack sized)

Toothbrushes

Ponchos for rainy days

Bed Sheets (I know we have some but not a lot)

Bandages

Poison Ivy Medication – Calamine lotion

Medi-kit bags for Staff (total of 15) that they

can carry in backpacks

Below can be found at Wal-

Mart/Walgreens/CVS

o Both Latex and non-latex gloves

o Hydrocortisone packets

o Neosporin packets

o Triple Antibiotic packets

o Icy-hot sprays

o Finger Splints

Surgical Masks

o For campers that may get sick/coughs

and to protect the pathway from

airborne pathogens

Ziplock bags (sandwich sized zip ones) to store

bandages and supplies in the medi-kit bags

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The Duffels for Dignity Service Project

Continues to do its work in MD-1

Lion Marcia Meyers from District 1-D made a donation on behalf of the Duffels for Dignity project to the Safe Families organization in her district. This donation included 50

duffels, 40 tied blankets and 50 stuffed animals. I have included pictures from the presentation. As of today the Duffels for Dignity Project has made donations to the following Districts:

• Lutheran Services Agency, 1-CS

• House of Neighborly Service, 1-CN • CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, 1-J • Chaddock School, 1-G

Additional donations will be made to the rest of the Districts by July 1, 2016. On behalf of the Spouses, thank you, thank you and thank you for your generous support of this service project. 2015-2016 Council of Governors Spouses

-Lion Gail Anton

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MD1 COUNCIL OF

Governors Cordially

Invites You

To attend md1

convention

May 20 to 24 In

springfield Illinois

At Abe lincoln’s

hotel

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MD1 Convention Guests:

LCI First Vice President Chancellor Bob Corlew and Lion Dianne Corlew

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COME, MEET MD1 STATE CONVENTION GUESTS:

LCI FIRST VICE PRESIDENT CHANCELLOR BOB

CORLEW AND LION DIANNE CORLEW

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SUPPORT YOUR FOUNDATION:

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Hello MD-1,

Please join us at the MD-1 State Convention to learn more about the Kid Sight vision

program. V.O.I.C.E.S., “Volunteer Organization Involved in Charitable Expressions of

Service” is the Charitable Arm of District 1-A and will be hosting this session along with

providing free vision screenings to children ages 6 months to 6 years. In addition, 1st

Vice President, Lion Bob Corlew and Lion Dianne will also be participating in this

screening.

We are very excited to have Tammy Johnson a representative from the plusoptix

Company that has partnered with the Kid Sight program to do an informal seminar about

the program and equipment. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about

this program.

In addition, we have invited all the Districts in the state to bring their cameras that are

being used in their District, to help with the screenings. MD-1 currently has 12 cameras

in operation around the state with more on order. We hope to have a group picture to

showcase all of our cameras in the state.

PDG Jerry Curry and PDG Steve Frankenstein and the Springfield Noon Lions Club from

District 1-M have joined forces to get the word out to the local community about this

program and invite them to attend. Please join us if you live in the Springfield area and

would like to have your child screened (ages 6 months to 6 years of age).

Date: Saturday May 21

Time: 2:00pm – 4:00 pm

Location: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel --- Freeport room (2nd Floor)

If you have any questions please contact, Lion Gail Anton ZC at anton173@comast.net or

708 514-4825

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“One of the best hotels ever!” We just returned from our stay in Springfield. We thoroughly enjoyed staying at this hotel. The staff was very friendly, the beds were extremely comfortable, and the location was perfect for visiting all of the historic Lincoln sites. We ate in the hotel restaurant three times during our stay. My husband said it was the best burger he ever had! I had the prime rib and it was excellent. Our server was Sean - very friendly and very prompt to attend to our every need!

“Possibly the best hotel in town” I am in Springfield often and this is my favorite hotel. Clean, well-appointed, comfortable rooms. One deficit is the walls are thin and you can hear every word, sneeze and flush. Great breakfast buffet includes made to order omelette.

Room service menu is quite limited and not the best, but it's good enough if you're exhausted or don't feel like venturing out of your room. There's always a conference or other activity so rooms book up, you'll need a reservation. Front desk staff could be friendlier, but otherwise good “One of the best hotels ever!” We just returned from our stay in Springfield. We thoroughly enjoyed staying at this hotel. The staff was very friendly, the beds were extremely comfortable, and the location was perfect for visiting all of the historic Lincoln sites. We ate in the hotel restaurant three times during our stay. My husband said it was the best burger he ever had! I had the prime rib and it was excellent. Our server was Sean - very friendly and very prompt to attend to our every need!

RECENT REVIEWS for the ABE LINCOLN:

SOME OF THE TOP THINGS TO DO in

SPRINGFIELD:

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library &

Museum

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Dana-Thomas House, a Frank Lloyd

Wright ‘Hidden Treasure’

Lincoln Tomb & War Memorials

Lincoln Memorial Gardens

Lions of IL State Convention

The Abe Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, IL, site of the:

2016 State Convention

May 20th through

May 22nd, 2016

SAVE THE DATE and plan on joining us for some: FUN,

FELLOWSHIP & FULFILLMENT!

More to come next month!

Rates for Convention = $99 + tax per night!

COME EARLY OR STAY AFTER THE

CONVENTION AND ENJOY ALL

SPRINGFIELD HAS TO OFFER!

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MD1 State Convention e-Magazine Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza for

Lions, Lionesses and Leos of Illinois. e-Mail Address: ILStateEditor@gmail.com

Mail your articles, pictures and news items to above e-mail address.