Bandon Lions Club - Lions e-Clubhouse

Past articles from the Lions Pride Column appearing in the Western World Newspaper.

Lions Pride May 2010

Earl Miller

The Bandon Lions Club walked away with two very prestigious awards at the District 36E convention in March. The convention was held at The Mill in North Bend. District 36E consists of 43 clubs and roughly encompasses the area from North Bend to Brookings, then East, beyond Highway 97. It includes the little town of Dorris in Ca. Dorris is the BIG FLAG town of which the Lions Club there is primarily the keeper of the Flag. Bandon has a big flag too at our fire station but it isn't on a 200' pole. Ours isn't flown much because the wind really raises havoc with damage. The Dorris flag has to be replaced every year and a flag that size is very costly to replace.

Our awards were for CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, which equates to our many and varied activities within the community and we also walked away with the best WEBSITE AWARD. Pretty good, huh ? Check the website out at – http://eclubhouse.org/sites/bandonlionsor

Want to hear about a bank that is recognized nationally for the great work they do and have been doing it for over 35 years, with a 31% percent increase in what they do so well ? Chances are you have never heard of this bank. Well folks, it is the Lions Eye Bank of Oregon, or LEBO for sake of simplicity. Some statistics on LEBO...

In 2009 Eye Tissue Donors totaled 1537 (this is where the 31% increase came from over 2008) with 1590 Cornea Transplants - - 1223 precuts. Precuts are performed and then sent on for transplants - - 10981 Donor call referrals - - 1344 eye tissues used for training and research.

LEBO and all Eye Banks do not sell tissue. They only charge a modest processing fee. The Lions Eye Bank offers tissue in this order: Local first – if no need, then offered to other Eye Banks in the USA – if no need, then it goes internationally. 204 corneas were sent internationally in 2009.

I hope you were able to attend the Mobile Health Screening Unit April 22^nd. Many people did. This was a Community Service provided by your local Lions Club and The Bandon Lions Charitable Foundation. Lions District 36E screened 7, 473 people through this unit in 2009.

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As selfishness perverts the mind, so love with it's joy clears and sharpens the vision.

Helen Keller 1880-1968

Lions Pride April 2010

Earl Miller

Reminders!....Easter egg hunt-Sunday, April 4th-City Park 1p.m.......

Mobile Health Screening Unit-Bandon Shopping Center. 10Am to 4pm. Thurs. April 22^nd. Testing of vision, hearing, glaucoma, blood pressure & diabetes. (An 8 hour fast is required for diabetes check)

The good Lion member in charge of both these projects is Bandon Lion Ken Yaeger. Ken is assisted by his wife Diane with the Easter egg hunt project. . They are very much appreciated by us all. You may reach Ken for further information on either project by phone at 329.0408

Good news readers! The Bandon Lions will be producing the outstanding play the “Miracle Worker”.

The Miracle Worker has played on Broadway many times. Movies for both the big screen and TV have also been produced. It is a great classic. Lion President John Hubbard has obtained Mike Dempsey as the director, with casting to begin soon. Performance dates are scheduled for September 17-18-19 & 24-25-26. More will be said about this fantastic play at a later date.

I would like to mention again some of the charitable causes the Bandon Lions support and to ask you to join us as an active member of Lions International. If you are interested in any of the below mentioned, please contact our membership chairman Don Rubin-347.6186 or Helen Brooks-347.4080.

Vision Testing at Ocean Crest School-Bravo Reading-July 4^th Fun Day in the Park-Dogs for the Blind-BHS Speech-Good Neighbors Food Program-Diabetes-Alzheimer & more.....Interested ? Contact Don or Helen or any Lion member you may know. Please consider joining now.

You may find our website of some interest also. Lots of information including links to Lions International-photos and much more. -www.lionwap.org/bandonlionsor/

The quote of the day -

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quite. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired,and success achieved.”

Helen Keller 1880 - 1968

Lions Pride March 2010

Earl Miller

It has been nearly 10 years since the opening of the Sprague Theater. The theater the Lions built, well sort of. Of course there was a general contractor and a good one at that. He built a very rugged building. This writing however is going to be about some people behind the scenes. Some of the fantastic volunteers I had the pleasure of working with as a lead person. A lead person is like a lower tier foreman. No title, no pay,just work, tell others what to do and stay busy.

During the final phases of construction, is of course, the painting. This is no small task in a building of this size. Enter the person I remember most, the late Bobbie Aasen. She was my go to sub-lead. The Bandon Playhouse had a lot of volunteers working and whenever I needed people to help she somehow provided them.

One was Carol Luker. When she arrived for the day, it was obvious she came to work. I still remember working with her, taping drywall & painting the dressing rooms that distinctive pink color. Another was Earla Daoust who always seemed to be on the business end of a paint brush....I can't forget my ole buddy Chuck Salt. My memory of him will always be on a ladder painting the overhang in front of the building. He seemed to always be on a ladder-- someplace telling jokes?

All of the siding was pre-painted by members of the Lions Club with a final coat sprayed on after it was installed.

On their own was volunteers like Dick O'Grady pulling wire for communications or some special gizmos that had to go from back to front. He was assisted, I believe by Al Krug the Lions President. Another hard worker was Gary Dawson. He became known for his work later as the areas premier light & sound technician at the theater.

A memory that will forever be etched in my mind are the over 200 used seats donated to the Lions by the Sawdust Theater group in Coquille. The Sawdust group had obtained them and more from a movie theater in California. The Sawdust got their pick first, of course and we got the rest. All the seats eventually ended up at my abode where they were dismantled, repaired and cleaned. My driveway, garage & house was strewn with soggy seat parts in various stages of drying. It was a good thing I had the cooperation and assistance of my wife on this phase

A number of the seat backs, the wooden part, and the arm rests had to be repaired. My good friend, Tom Rose assisted with this phase. They were then stored in the Lions storage until the seat portion could be painted and reassembled by more volunteers. Mostly from the Playhouse. Later to be installed by the Lions.

These are only a few of the many volunteers that helped build the Sprague. I apologize for not remembering more names, but, after all it was 10 years ago and a lot of gray hair has come and disappeared on my noggin since then. The important thing is to remember the nearly 90 who volunteered to make this theater a reality. This is only part of what happened---behind the scenes at The Sprague.

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Lions Pride February 2010

Earl Miller

Saturday, February 13^th – Be there! - Where? - The Lions Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction. Located at the Bandon High School cafeteria. Breakfast at 8am. That's Saturday, February 13^th...Good breakfast ($5)($3 for kids under 12) with good bargains at the auction tables.....We need your support for our many local charitable causes.

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Johanna Anne Sullivan (Macy)

Recognize the name? Probably not! But Annie, as she was called by most was Helen Keller's teacher. She was the one who made the breakthrough of communicating with Helen at the now famous hand-water pump.

Few realized that Annie herself was legally blind from trachoma (happening at the age of 5) but regained some sight later due to operations. (By the 1930's though, she was near totally blind with a prosthesis in her right eye socket.) Further tragedy struck Annie when she was 7. Her mother died and her father left her and her brother at an orphanage where the brother died soon after.

Note: Trachoma is a bacterial infection. It is the worlds leading preventable eye disease.

Annie graduated from a school for the blind and was the class valedictorian. That was in 1886. She was 20 years of age. The next step in this wonderful woman's life was being the companion and teacher to Helen Keller who was then 6 years old. She remained with her until her own death at the age of 70 with Helen holding her hand until the last breath. One can't help but wonder what thoughts were racing through Keller's mind in those last moments.

Helen Keller was not only blind and deaf but she was also mute making the task of teaching her speech almost impossible but Anne prevailed. Becoming the first to do so under these conditions. Keller then went on in her adult life as an advocate for those with disabilities . She traveled extensively giving numerous speeches. As the guest speaker at the Lions International Convention in 1925 she made a challenge to the Lions to become – “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”

That challenge was accepted. Today there are 45,000 Lions clubs with 1.3 million members doing just that.

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The Bandon Lions' main focus is the preservation of vision as in our yearly vision check at Ocean Crest School and eyeglass purchase program. It is our largest budget item.

Now you know the continuing tie to Helen Keller and all Lions Clubs in every free country in the world.

Visit us at our website – just “GOOGLE” Bandon Lions.

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Lions Pride January 2010

by Earl Miller

Wow! - It's January 2010. I hope your Holidays were joyous and Santa treated you well.

The Bandon Lions certainly wish you all a very Happy New Year.

The Lions just finished one project ( See's Candy Sales ) and are preparing for the next one.

Coming up in February is the Sweethearts Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction. This is our most popular fund raiser of the year. The breakfast is excellent and the items for the auction are the best. The date for this event is February 13^th. Be sure to attend.

Would you like to know where the money goes that is raised at these events? Of course you would . The question is asked many times as we sell candy or hamburgers or pancakes. Here is a partial list of what the Bandon Lions and the Bandon Lions Charitable Foundation do with the profits.

Our number one outlay of funds goes toward eyeglasses. The priority here is the children of Bandon. This ties in with our Vision Check Day in September at Ocean Crest School. There is also a program for adults in need who cannot afford eyeglasses. The eyeglass program is our highest budget item.

Other budget items include the Good Neighbors Food Distribution, BHS Speech Program, BRAVO Reading, Caught You Being Good at Ocean Crest School and the Mobile Health Screening Unit we bring in every year.

There are more charitable causes in the budget but I am sure this gives you all an idea where the funds go.

In addition, the Bandon Lions Charitable Foundation (BLCF) is a good place for those wishing to donate $$$ amounts large & small as it is a designated 501(c)(3) by the IRS. Check with your tax preparer for the advantages you might have.

If you would like to serve your community by becoming a member of the Bandon Lions, contact our membership chairman, Don Rubin(347-6186) or any Lion member. Lion Don is also our program chairman and always obtains very interesting speakers for our weekly meetings.

Check out our Website....just “Google” Bandon Lions Oregon.

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February 2009 426

Lions Pride

by Earl Miller

This Saturday February 7^th – 8am to 11am, is the Bandon Lions annual Sweetheart Breakfast & Silent Auction. We will be serving a Fantastic breakfast consisting of pancakes, sausage & eggs with milk, juice or coffee. The silent auction will occur simultaneously in the Bandon High School Cafeteria. The breakfast is only $5 and $3 for age 12 & under with proceeds going toward our charitable causes. Among those benefiting will be BRAVO, the BHS Speech Team and Good Neighbors Food Distribution.

Mark your calendar for April 23^rd. On that day the Multiple Health Screening Unit from the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation will be in Bandon. This very customized, very large, semi-trailer has been made into a magnificent 5 station health screening beauty. Lion Ken Yaeger has made arrangements for the unit to be at the Bandon Shopping Center, 10am to 4pm on that day only. You will be able to have the following checked at NO cost to you:

Eye check (chart)-Glaucoma-Blood pressure-Diabetes (must fast)-Hearing. Ken says to be there. No excuses!

The Lions Club will soon be going home! Home being the Barn, where we have had our meetings forever or so it seems. It won't feel quite the same but none the less our roots are embedded very deep there. The Bandon Lions managed the Barn and Community Center for a whole bunch of years with yours truly being the last volunteer manager through the Lions to oversee operations at this fine old building. It has seen a multitude of usage, including conventions of the Cattleman's Association, religious retreats,weddings, reunions, Red Cross blood drives and much more. The uses have been many & varied. The Barn no longer resembles any place that a Coast Guard horse or it's rider would bed down for the night. Such is progress. I think however the spirit of CPO Art Dobney ( he commanded the Coast Guard unit during WW2 ) is looking down upon us, smiling with approval and even cracking a joke or two.

We also have a couple of interesting speakers this month. Feb. 4^th Mike O'Dwyer will be speaking on “Misconceptions of Law”. Feb. 18th-Our City Manager, Matt Winkle will be speaking-Chief Webb is on schedule to speak on March 18^th.

Thanks to Jerry & Margaret for letting us use their great facilities at the Bandon Face Rock Golf Course for all these months. They were very gracious hosts. We really appreciated the use of your fine facilities.

Check out our website: www.lionwap.org/bandonlionsor

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March 2009

Lions Pride

Earl Miller

Greetings from the Bandon Lions on this fine March day.

Did you attend our Valentines Breakfast & Auction in February ? If not, you missed a lot of bargains - not to mention a great breakfast. A special thanks to the co-chairs, Freddie & Katy Morehead for staging a very successful project. We also want to extend our gratitude to the many merchants who helped us with their generous gifts that made our auction so successful. Space does not allow the listing of their names but it is generosity like theirs that makes Bandon the great place that it is. Thanks also to the those that purchased the items so that the Lions may carry out their charitable gifting. One more “kudo”-to Sharon Haga, the cafeteria supervisor, what a great person. Thank you Sharon!

More events are on the schedule with the annual Lions Easter egg hunt in City Park coming up April 12^{th. ...}Then on April 23^rd the Lions Mobile Health Screening Unit will be at the Bandon Shopping Center. These events are part of our community service activities for all Bandonites and their friends.

Quiz time: Do you know what year the Bandon Lions were chartered ?

Do you know who the only charter member left with us today is ?

Answers: The Lions Club is proud to say we have served the community since 1951 and that Myron Spady has been a member since the beginning.(58years) Myron served as the Lions Vision Chairman for more years than even he can remember. Some of you might remember him as our city attorney. If you see him about town, say hi – and thank him for all he has done for the community

By the way, congratulations to City Mgr. Matt Winkle for overseeing the great renovation project at the Barn complex. He has been busy lately getting rid of a few construction bugs and gremlins. Of course problems are to be expected in a project of this size. I am confident Matt will prevail and those creatures will be gone. Regardless of the small problems, the Barn complex is open and ready for use.

Have YOU been thinking of a way to serve the area in which you live ? If you have, one of the best ways to do that is by joining Lions International. We support a number of worthy local causes. One of them will fit into your thoughts of interest. Check out our website for more information and phone numbers at - www.lionwap.org/bandonlionsor

View the videos at this site-you may see someone you know.

Until next month and always – the Bandon Lions wish you well.

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April 2009

Lions Pride

By Earl Miller

Hello—from the Bandon Lions. Here we are two weeks into Spring and I am still waiting for Old Man Winter to show up!

I rarely mention dollar figures in this column but this week I want to make an exception and mention an “inheritance” the Lions Club received from the John and Edna Grant estate. John was better known as “Tiny”. This of course meant that he was a pretty big guy. He was nearer to 7' than he was 6' in height and in his prime weighed in excess of 250#'s. John passed away a few years ago. When Edna joined him at rest recently, her will left $1000, split between the Lions & the Lioness Club to be used on a community project of our choosing. Our choice was the new bleacher project at Bandon High School. In addition, a bequest was made for $2500 to the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation and placed in the endowment fund for research plus medical needs as pertaining to vision. They are excellent causes. We urge everyone to support them.

So there!..I have made my exceptions on mentioning dollars.

Here is my reasoning for not mentioning the amounts of contributions or amounts we may contribute:

Contributions are meant to be a gift from the heart, and is, in my mind a very personal thought, not to be construed as saying-see how much I gave? but I gave, I gave to a good cause and I gave because it was needed.

Something I do like to mention though, is, what the Bandon Lions support with the money you supply via our fund raising activities and other contributions. This is so the public understands why we ask the literally hundreds of people to support our four main fund raising projects. Without the attendance, without the giving, we would fail to embrace the charitable needs of Bandon or our responsibility to fund vision needs, both locally and for research at the state level. This is why our Lions Club appreciates each and every hamburger bought at the park picnics every item you buy at our auction, every breakfast you buy from us on Pancake/Auction Day and every dollar you give on White Cane Day. We try to give you the best value possible, in some cases entertainment and at the same time making it possible for funding to support our charitable causes.

As you might guess the vision needs of Bandon is the biggest item in our charitable outflow, however scholarships are a very close 2^nd. The rest of our recipients fall under the category of community projects and will include – Good Neighbors Food Program, Local Aid Fund, Mobil Health Screening Unit, Coos Hospital, B.R.A.V.O., BHS Speech Team, Ocean Crest-Caught You Being Good, Easter Egg Hunt, Jul 4^th Parade, plus special needs and some park maintenance.

I mentioned the Mobile Health Screening Unit above – don't forget it will be at the Bandon Shopping Center April 23rd-10am to 4pm. Also all the little Bandonites are invited to the Easter Egg Hunt in City Park on April 12^th. @1 pm...Call Sandy @ 329-0120 for info.

For tel.#'s & E-mail- View our website -www.lionwap.org/bandonlionsor

Consider joining the Bandon Lions so you can serve your community with Pride.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart...........Helen Keller-1880 - 1968

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Lions Pride

by Earl Miller

May 7^th 2009

Tribute to the Yellow Rose

The Bandon Lions and the Bandon community lost one of it's most beloved and perhaps most colorful personalities due to a long debilitating illness. Margie Kelley will be remembered by many for some time to come. She not only was a long time member of the Lions and Lioness, she also volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce along with her many other activities. Many years ago, she even had a cooking show on TV. I know she baked fabulous cookies when the Lions had work parties, painting or doing repairs at the Barn. Margie had an incredible sense of humor that was not apparent until you got to know her for awhile. She also knew how to let you know when you were out of line. Fortunately, I was never a recipient of this side of her.- I knew better. She hailed from Texas, so at the Lions sing

a-longs, prompted by Pastor John Hubbard, we quite often would sing “The Yellow Rose of Texas”.. ..She liked that. Her smile told you so.

Margie was under the loving watch of her husband and a fabulous caregiver by the name of Doris during the difficult years of her illness. Ray too, has had lingering problems due to a crushed hip that occurred some years ago.

There will be a memorial for Margie at the Odd Fellows Building on Hwy. 42S this Saturday May 9^th.

Ray, son Kingsley, and his family will be there to greet you from 1pm to 4pm...As Margie would say: For gosh sakes! Lighten up! Come and celebrate my life. It was a good one – for the most part.

A Quiz - Who Am I ?

I was born on June 27^th 1880. I have a connection to an “old fashion arm type water pump” and a lady named Sullivan. My story was required reading in schools across the nation - but no longer. A movie was made of my life. Stage plays have been running continually based on my life since 1959 and the fabulous effect of teacher Anne Sullivan's discoveries did for me. Did I mention I was blind and deaf. Do you know who I am yet? No!..What if I told you Patty Duke played me in the movie “The Miracle Worker” with Anne Bancroft as my teacher?

Now you know! .....My name is Helen Keller.

Helen Keller will forever be remembered by the over 1.3 million members of the Lions Clubs around the globe, for it was her that made the challenge during her speech in 1925 at the Lions convention to take the lead in eradicating all curable blindness in the world. The Lions accepted that challenge with great enthusiasm. Today, our work with the vision impaired is known around the world, all due to this wonderful lady.

For information concerning our programs: Our website-http://bandonlionsor.lionwap.org/

E-mail us at bandonlions@gmail.com

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June 2009

Lions Pride

By Earl Miller

At a recent meeting, the Bandon Lions honored Dr Nicole Erenfeld by presenting her with one of Oregon Lions top awards, the Norman Ross Award for her contribution of time, effort and expertise to the vision needs of Bandon's youths. Nicole is the first to receive the Ross honors from the Bandon Lions. We are very proud to be associated with her in our Vision Program.

LION Ken Yaeger, our Mobile Health Screening chairman reported good attendance with 70 people being examined at our last date for this event. We need more of you to take advantage of this service. It is free and we will be bringing it back next year. Watch for the date. This is another service of your local Lions Club.

How about going to a magic show?..As one of our fund raisers, we will be sponsoring Aaron Wheeler, a very talented performer and an award winning magician, His performance will be held at the Sprague Theater, Saturday, June 13^th.

Show times: 2pm & 7pm. Tickets are available at Bandon True Value. Proceeds go to our vision and other charitable community projects... Tickets are $10 & $12.

Remember last years “Day in the Park” on the 4^th of July ? - It was a fantastic “Day”.. Well guess what ? It's going to happen again...Games for the kids will return with the JUMP HOUSE and the popular VELCRO WALL will be there too!....For all the rest – the band Hot Wax will perform and the food – ahh...the food!... full meal BBQ hamburgers – cole slaw - chips - ice cream – root beer floats – also some great vendors will be there...It all starts at 11am. Saturday July 4^th.

Have you visited our website ? Try it! http://bandonlionsor.lionwap.org/ You will find additional information on our activities along with ways to contact us including a guest book we would appreciate your signing. There are even a few videos you might enjoy viewing. Comments on the website or this column would be very much appreciated. Contact us by e-mail - bandonlions@gmail.com

Serve your community, become a Lion member – you will be glad you did.

Don't forget to recycle your old eyeglasses. You will find drop boxes at the following locations:

Bandon Post Office – Umpqua Bank – Shindlers Pharmacy & the Senior Center at the Barn.

Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.

Helen Keller

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July 2^nd 2009

Lions Pride

by Earl Miller

Hello - to all - from the Bandon Lions. Summer is here and is time for a picnic. That is exactly what is going to happen in City Park this Saturday July 4^th. The Lions “Family Day in the Park” will start immediately after the parade at 11am. BBQ hamburgers, polish hot dogs, Cole slaw, soft drinks and ice cream. The food will be available at a reasonable cost until we run out or 3pm-whichever comes first. To make sure you have a place to sit bring a chair so you can relax and enjoy the music of Hot Wax while the kids are doing their thing at the Velcro Wall or jumping in a pool of plastic balls or getting their face painted by Ruthanne. Another fun thing for the adults will be checking out the many great vendors that are coming this year. Come to City Park for a great day of fun.

July 1^st is the start of our organizations fiscal year. That means new officers are on board now with several new officials coming in for the first time. It is a fine group that will be running the Bandon Lions / Bandon Lions Charitable Foundation. They will have the energy of ten new members inducted this past year to help us become an even more successful club. John Hubbard will again be our # 1 man, leading us for the coming year.

Some facts and figures to share with you from the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation:

Since 1996- more than 800 sight hearing surgeries or treatments performed, amounting to a cost to OLSHF of $1,187,795.

Since 1993- 310,038 people have been screened on the MHSU facilities statewide (That is the mobile unit that comes to Bandon courtesy of the Bandon Lions every year) with 132,183 potential health issues being found.

During this same period of time the used eyeglasses program was started in Oregon, with an amazing count of 3,227,000 collected state wide. The citizens of Bandon donated their share of those. No accurate count was kept locally but it would amount to several thousand. GOOD job Bandon!...Used eyeglasses are collected & used on the Lions sight missions, mostly to South America.

Almost forgot-the big guy-Dean Conyers. He was chosen as LION of the YEAR. Congratulations Deano!

A quote from the Lions favorite lady ”It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision” - Helen Keller -1880-1968

Check our website for other events and information – http://bandonlionsor.lionwap.org/

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Lions Pride

By Earl Miller

August 2009

Can you believe a month has passed since the Bandon Lions staged the communities “Day in the Park” big bash? Were you there to enjoy the great burger & polish dog feast? Or the kids to enjoy the games?...How about the fantastic music of the 50's played by the “Hot Wax” band!

Our good friend Ruthanne was in attendance creating her fabulous face painting for the little citizens with an occasional big citizen getting dabbed too. The vendors enjoyed a good day as did the nearly 500 hundred people attending the festivities....Thanks to all who helped make this “Day” great, with a special thanks to our newest members Bob Braddy, Helen Brooks & Erik Turner for their needed participation.

All went well, with one exception beyond our control. Someone decided not to let the public restrooms in the Community Center be used by those attending the 4^th celebration inday at Ocean Crest as this event is combined with picture day and the height/weight recording. Check with the school office to see if they need some parental help that day.

Have a wonderful August and I leave you with a meaningful quote from the Lions favorite Lady. the park. The front entrance doors were locked & signed “not to be used”.... Really!

The BBQ during the Cranberry Festival is still in the planning stages but will be formed in the next couple of weeks. Check our website for more information later at....http://bandonlionsor.lionswap.org/

The annual vision check at Ocean Crest School will be happening in September. Every year the Lions of Bandon check all students at Ocean Crest plus students at the Bandon Middle & High Schools on a “need to” basis. Any child needing eyeglasses and does not have insurance, will be furnished them by the Lions Club.....This is a very busy

What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.........Helen Keller

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September 2009

Lions Pride

by Earl Miller

The Bandon Lions will be having a steak BBQ at THE BARN dining room, Saturday September 12^th. It is to be served with baked beans, Cole slaw and dinner roll. All for just 10 bucks ( $9 if bought in advance)... Soft drinks available. Serving hours are from 11am to 3pm or until the steaks are gone, whichever occurs first. So take a break from the Cranberry Festivities and enjoy a good meal for the benefit of our LIONS charitable causes. See you there! For more info-phone Don at 260-7248

I mentioned this in last months column but it bears a repeat because of its importance. The Lions will be conducting the annual vision check at Ocean Crest Elementary School on September 29^th. All students-grades 1 through 4 and other students grades 5 through 12 on a need to basis. Any student found to have possible vision problems will then be referred to an eye care professional for further testing...There is no cost for this service. Also on this day at Ocean Crest is PICTURE DAY! So be sure your child is there. If there are any questions, our friend in the school office, Linda Smith, will gladly answer them for you. Thanks Linda.

Our membership continues to grow with the induction of four more members in August. Perhaps you would like to join us too. If so contact any Lion member or go to our website at http://bandonlionsor.lionwap.org/ for further information. You will find our charitable causes serve the local community very well and in many varied ways. You will be proud to say “I am a Lion” so contact us soon if you wish to serve your community. The Lions motto is “WE SERVE”. It may well be worth noting that there are over 45,300 Lions Clubs in the free world with more than1,330,000 members. Our club was chartered 58 years ago this month. At that time, our charter brought the total of Lions Clubs in the world to 8,913.

You may also contact us by e-mail with any questions you might have or to comment on this column at bandonlions@gmail.com.

I leave you this month with one of my favorite quotes from a very special lady -

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.”..............Helen Keller 1880 - 1968

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October 2009

Lions Pride

By Earl Miller

The Bandon Lions completed another successful CranFest BBQ with the best steaks ever served at the Barn or elsewhere for that matter. This was the comment made by many of the customers that attended the event. The weather was excellent and you could dine inside in the lush surroundings of the quiet? (I jest of course) Barn dining room or outside, picnic style and enjoy the great weather. Our citizens and visitors were able to enjoy their time in the park at what became, once again, a Community Center. A place for all of us to gather and enjoy. Did you notice the boys doing the clean-up chores & replacing the settings at the tables and wondered who they were? Or who the mustachioed gentleman was giving them direction? The answer below.

Co-chairs for the event were Lee Anderson and Don Rubin....The Lions Thank You for coming. All proceeds will be used for charitable causes.

We had another happening at the end of September that is the number one reason the Lions Clubs even exist. That is the annual vision check for our young citizens. Our local Lions are very proud of their participation in this program. It is one of the most enjoyable and gratifying experiences you can imagine. I will report more on this later as this column will be submitted before we make our showing at Ocean Crest.

The Bandon Lions Club is now heading into its 59^th year of existence in our town of Bandon by the Sea. What a tremendous amount of accomplishments during that period of time we can be very proud of. Not only the Lions group but all Bandon citizens. Just think of all the good things (only the good) that have occurred since 1951. The Lions are always ready to do their part and perhaps you would like to help us better serve our great community, if so, go to our new website at http://bandonlionsor.lionwap.org/ . There you will find all the information you need to contact us.

Here is the answer to the quiz above:

The man behind the mustache was Jim Proehl, the Scoutmaster of 29 years of our local Lions sponsored troop. Yes, that was correct-29 years a dedicated teacher of scouting & transforming young boys into young men.. He also just retired from teaching at Bandon High School. Those young men were under Jim's tutelage learning what it is to be of service to others. I think they did a tremendous job. I hope you did too.

My quote from our lady today is:

“ Helen Keller 1880-1968The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but no vision" Helen Keller....1880-1968

Lions Pride April 2010

Earl Miller

Reminders!....Easter egg hunt-Sunday, April 4th-City Park 1p.m.......

Mobile Health Screening Unit-Bandon Shopping Center. 9Am to 3pm. Thurs. April 22^nd. Testing of vision, hearing, glaucoma, blood pressure & diabetes. (An 8 hour fast is required for diabetes check)

Good news readers! The Bandon Lions will be producing the outstanding play the “Miracle Worker”.

You may find our website of some interest also. Lots of information including links to Lions International-photos and much more. -www.lionwap.org/bandonlionsor/

The quote of the day -

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quite. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired,and success achieved.”

Helen Keller 1880 - 1968