From the KING LION'S Desk:

The Month of November was a very successful one for the Galena Lions in fact a November to remember.

Our 53rd Charter Night celebration that included both Millington and Rock Hall clubs went well. The meal was excellent and spirits were high. The District Governor was pleased with his visit.
The Car Show was the best that I have experienced. Blessed by good weather, with ninety nine entries and increased local business support, the trend for this event is encouraging.
When we promised the Galena Elementary School Principal a rain garden, we had little idea of what it entailed. However, the can do attitude or our members proved equal to the task and earned a heart warming statement about our club by the school. Did you see the notice board at the school?

We honored our Veterans again this year at our second dinner meeting. Lion Larry Rockwell shared a WW II experience with us and said he felt quite emotional. I believe our Veterans' service should make us all emotional.
The Millington Flood Relief received both financial support and donated furniture through our club.
None of the above achievements would have been possible without the enthusiastic support of club menbers. We made a difference and can be proud of it.
Thank you Lions.

MEETING MINUTES

GENERAL MEETING November 2, 2011

King Lion Don Hooker opened the meeting with12 members from Millington Lions, 4 members from Rock Hall Lions, 18 Galena Lions members and District Governor Dave Studley and 3 of his Cabinet members in attendance for the Galena Lions Club Charter Night.
 
DG Dave presented King Lions Maryland Massey, Don Hooker and Ron Jayne with the International Presidents pin.  DG Dave also presented Past President Jim Pileggi of the Galena Lions with the Five Star Club Award and Galena Lion Secretary Dawn Smith with the 100% Secretary Award.
DG Dave spoke of the International Presidents goal for Lions to plant one million trees.  That goal has been exceeded with almost three million trees planted to date.  District 22B is planning to plant 500 trees.
King Lions Maryland Massey and Don Hooker presented donations to DG Dave.
Lion Randy Keen won the 50/50 of $37 which was conducted as a regular 50/50 without drawing a card.
King Lion Don, PDG Ken and Zone Chair Jim are planning to attend the LVRF dinner Saturday November 5.
Volunteers are needed for the Car Show Sunday, November 6.  The trophies are ordered, registration will start at noon, auction items are needed as are baked goods.
Judging will start at 3 pm. Trophies will be presented at 3:30.  Lion Bob Fitzner will provide rolls.

BOARD MEETING November 9, 2011

King Lion Don opened the meeting with PDG Ken and Lions Wickes, Joe, Doug, Irene, Bob Fitzner and Dawn in attendance.
 
Minutes and Treasurers reports were accepted.

The PTA  was pleased with the turn out for the Fall Festival.  King Lion Don and Lions Bob Fitzner, Doug and Dawn along with Wilma Fitzner served hot dogs.
The Halloween Parade and Costume contest was blessed with a beautiful, sunny day for the little monsters.  Prizes, refreshments, hay ride and DJ were enjoyed by children and parents, thanks to the efforts of Lion Steve Schaech and his wife Dawn.
Charter Night was a wonderful combination of visitations by DG Dave Studley and his cabinet members and the Millington and Rock Hall Lions clubs. Awards and donations were presented.
The Car Show was a resounding success with 99 cars registered.  The proceeds of the 50/50 in the amount of $210 will be donated to the Millington Flood Relief Fund.
Lion Joe Irr has revised the Club website. It is up and running and is inviting everyone to visit and contribute information.
The Rain Garden at the school is well underway.  Planting is scheduled for the weekend of November 19. 
The School has requested that donations be made to supplement the school library.
Lion Rick Barton from Ridgely has requested a donation for Special Olympics and the budget covers this request.
Ralph Hall has a proposal for improving meals.  He will be asked to present his proposal at Member meeting for approval.
The Santa Letters will go out again for the third year.  Members are being asked to share with family and co-workers.  A suggestion that a discount for multiple letters be considered.
Angie Rutherford, Banquet Coordinator for the Kitty Knight House has booked a large party for the large dining room on Dec. 7.  She suggested either the Tavern or Granary for our Christmas party.  It was decided the Granary was the better choice.  Please bring an appropriate gift for an older teenager, such as movie tickets, gift cards or coupons.
The Christmas Basket program will need volunteers at the Worton Community Center on Sunday, December 11 at 2 pm and on Monday December 12 from 9:00 AM onwards to help sort and pack boxes of food, toys and clothing. The goal is to provide baskets for 700 families this year.
 Lion Joe will be editor of the club newsletter.  It was suggested the minutes be included.  Lion Joe will also be asking for additional material for the newsletter.  Lion Joe will check into Scholarship candidates. Also contact Lion Joe if you are interested in shirts.
It was suggested we do something different for Veterans this year, such as spend time playing bingo or cards with them.  Please contact Lion Bob Fitzner if you would like participate.

Galena LIONS CHARITIES

The Board of Directors voted to contribute $1000 to Galena Elementary School Library. The school will purchase a series of self-educational books for various age groups. These books will be retained in the Library.

Charities also approved funding of three $1000 scholarship awards for Washington College students who are residents of Kent County. There will be a competition for the scholarships organized by the College. Winners will be selected by the Charities Scholarship committee.

RECENT ACTIVITIES, ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLUB

Five Star Club Award:

During the past year the Club did many things to support community, district and international activities. Because these activities were well documented and reported to District 22B, the District Governor has recognized the Club by giving us a Five Ster Club Award. This is a tribute well earned by the membership and the officers. Past King Lion Jim Pileggi accepted the award during the Charter Night celebration.

100% Secretary's Award:

The dedicated efforts of Lion Secretary Dawn Smith who followed all of the District Activity and Membership reporting activities resulted in Lion Dawn being recognized by the District Governor for her commitment. Well done Dawn.

Food Preparation at Turner's Unlimited:

Twice this Fall Lions put on their work clothes and cooked, cooked, cooked.
Farm Sale along with members of Olivet Methodist Charge, Christians and Lions fed a field full of hungary farmers as they bid on a wide array of tools and farm implements. Many $$ were raised for Relay for Life - Kent County.
Lions Annual Car Show: The grills and cookers were again activated and the Lions fed participants and attendees to the Car Show. Some funds supported recent flood victims from Millington and the rest enriched the treasury of Galena Lions Charities.

Galena Elementary School:

Members have been very busy on projects aimed at helping Galena School get into full swing as our source of community educations. Three activities predominated our efforts;
Food preparation for the annual PTA Fall festival. Lions and spouses prepared cooked food for the parents and children in attendance on a chilly early fall evening.
The RAIN GARDEN: Hard work and dedicated efforts by members and friends who brought heavy equipment to the site resulted in the completion of a beautiful educational tool for the benefit of the school children. Images will be on our website as one of our slide shows quite soon.

ZONE

The five Lions Clubs of Kent County are once more organizing the annual Christmas Basket Food and Gift distribution. Look at the Coming Events Section below for more information.
Consider making a cash contribution because the need this year is much greater than in the past.

DISTRICT
Visit the District 22B
MULTIPLE DISTRICT
Visit the Multiple District
INTERNATIONAL

Visit the LCI website

GALENA LIONS CHARITIES

Competition for three Scholarships for Washington College Students initiated. $3000 given to the Finance Department of Washington College which will conduct the competition. Applicants, who must be Kent County residents at the time they enrolled in the college, will be judged and selected by the Club's scholarship committee.
Galena Elementary School Library Grant: The school Principal and Librarian submitted a request for funding to pay for the purchase of some specialized self-learning materials for use in the Information Center. Directors agreed to award the School $1000 for this project.
Rain Garden Expenses: All costs associated with constructing the Rain Garden at Galena Elementary were underwritten by Choptank Electric. Funds were managed by the Charities Treasurer.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Christmas Party December 7th.

This year's Holiday celebration will be held in the main dinning room of the Granary Restaurant. Bring your family and friends to this gala event. Once more there will be musical entertainment by "Vocal Exchange" our favorite a cappella songsters featuring Pam, Ronda, Pam and Joyce. Everyone should also bring an unwrapped gift for a child, preferably for a pre-teen or teenager. These will be donated to the Kent County Lions Christmas Basket Program.

Christmas Basket Program

This community service project needs our financial and physical support. Gifts will start to arrive at the Kent County Recreational Center Dec 10 and 11. Food collected by schools and other organizations will be brought to the Center on Dec. 7, 8 & 9. Food from MD Food Bank will arrive on Dec. 11 at 2:00 PM. Christmas Baskets will be prepared and delivered on Dec. 12 beginning at 9:00 AM. Wrap up will happen on Dec. 13. Your help is definitely needed on Dec. 11 and 12.