The Jungle Jargon

A Happy and Safe Holiday Season To All Lions, Their Family and Friends

MEETING SCHEDULE

December, 2008

December 2 - Board of Directors Meeting - 7:30PM, Tom Gambino Library Room

December 3 - Peace Poster Meeting - 7PM, Cranbury Station; Dinner: Steak Orleans

Program: PDG Bob will present Awards to the Peace Poster Winners, with comments from Art Teacher Mrs. Tamara Woronczuk and/or Chief Administrator, Lion John Haney

December 19 - Holiday Party - 7PM, Charlie Brown's, Princeton; Dinner: Choice

Program: In lieu of speaker - Interactive meeting, featuring "The Magic of Music" DJ's for dancing.

January, 2009

January 6 - Board of Directors Meeting - 7:30PM, Tom Gambino Library Room

January 7 - Regular Meeting - 7PM, Cranbury Station; Dinner: Chicken Marsala

Program: John Ritter - former Township Committee Candidate and "relative expert" on New Jersey affordable housing regulations and legislation, will give a summary of the changes, the factors and formulas that will affect how many housing units Cranbury will be required to provide, the time scale, and the variables that will affect the outcomes.

January 21 - Regular Meeting - 7PM, Cranbury Station; Dinner: Beef Burgundy

Program: TBD

Things To Know

Even though we send a revised "Calendar of Events" with each dues mailing, we'd like to remind all members to PLEASE, share the Jargon with your Spouse, so that our events may be better scheduled on your personal or family calendars for better attendance. Please Note that Spouses are invited not only to attend the meetings, but to become Members under the Family Membership Initiative. In any event, Spouses are wholly encouraged to attend "Spouse Night" meetings. Our next "Spouse Night" is October 15.

Some of you might have noticed that our Eyeglass Recycling Box was sealed with packing tape for a couple of weeks. Apparently, the kids don't pay much attention to "Eyeglasses Only" or the BIG YELLOW Box and have been dropping Library returns in there; instead of telling the Librarians (who have a key for just such an occasion), they have tried to pry open the door to get their books and CD's back. Over time the lock snapped and has had to be replaced. The hasps on commercial locks are not long enough to lock the box (we had originally "jury-rigged" one), we had to have one made, and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank Bill Kanawyer, a friend of the Club, for fabricating a new lock hasp for us. Thank you, Bill!

A Message From OurTreasurer:
Lion Dean Koehler has advised that he might be having a few minor problems with his computer, and apologizes for any problems our members may have encountered. Dean has also advised that the quarterly billing has gone out and asks that you contact him if you have not received a dues invoice.

Last month's Wine Project Meeting at the Grape Escape was a huge success; 49 people attended the meeting and 21 of our members ordered a case or ½ case of "LionsPride". Due largely to the efforts of Lion Frank Marlowe, we were able to make this a joint meeting with the West Windsor Lion Club, who may join us for our next wine making venture. This delicious Bordeaux Blend features a label designed by Lion Rick Burke. Hint: hold the bottles in an upright position for 2-3 months before drinking, then lay them down for storage; you should definitely try a bottle of you wine now, but remember - this wine will taste better in 6 to 8 months, and will get better with age for about 2-3 years (if properly stored).

We are working with the US Marines again this year and are running our ninth annual Toys for Tots Collection Drive in and around Cranbury. As always, we are collecting new, unwrapped toys which will be distributed by the Marines to needy children in time for Christmas. Toy donations can be deposited at one of our collection sites at the Cranbury Post Office or any Branch of the 1^st Constitution Bank; Members may also drop toys directly at Lion Bob V's house. Cash donations are also appropriate, acceptable and appreciated; checks may be made out to the Cranbury Lions (please put Toys for Tots on the 'memo line' and may be mailed to our Post Office Box (POB 365), or dropped off to Lion Bob. All donations must be received no later than noon, December 18.

Since September the children in Mrs. Woronczuk's art classes had been busy creating poster art for the Peace Poster Contest. The Theme was "Peace Begins With Me". Lions Don Jo Swanagan and Bob V were on hand at the Library to jury the finished posters; of the 26 completed posters, they finally narrowed them down to First, Second, Third, and three Honorable Mentions. The winning poster has moved on to the District level competition, which will be completed sometime early this month. We will host the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners, as well as Mrs. Woronczuk and School Administrator (and Lion) John Haney at our Annual Peace Poster Meeting on December 3. The winning posters were completed by: Paige Metzheiser (1^st Prize), Kate Sohn (2^nd Prize), and Haley DeSimone (3^rd Prize), with Honorable Mention to Monica Ransegnola, Phoebe Musier, and Vanessa Gonzalez. (see our website for other posters). PostScript: Paige's poster took Second in the District Competition.

"PEACE BEGINS WITH ME" - FIRST PRIZE POSTER by PAIGE METZHEISER

Past President Rick Burke will once again chair the Poinsettia Sales Fundraiser. We will "advertise" through some public service announcements in the Cranbury Press, but word of mouth advertising never hurts! If members are able to 'pre-sell' poinsettias for pick-up at the Pancake Breakfast, it would help sales immensely. Lion Rick advises that the poinsettias can be ordered in two sizes: 6" (@$10) and 7½" (@$20). Place all orders directly with Lion Rick at 655-8757 or Lion Peter Turner at 378-5468, or at http://www.cranbury.org/clubs/LionsStore/Ordering. All orders to be picked up at the Pancake Breakfast on December 7.

The 61^st Annual Pancake Breakfast is scheduled, as always for the first Sunday in December - this year: December 7. As usual, Lion Jim Gerberich will be on hand to take professional photos of children (and adults!) with Santa; pre-ordered poinsettias may be picked up at the event; the Cranbury Arts Council will have a "kid table"; and, of course, the Lioness Club will have their craft table of homemade Christmas gifts. Lion Jerry Hanson is Chairing the event again and if, for some reason, you have not already received your copy of the "Duty Roster", please contact Lion Jerry to find out what shift you are on.

Due to the nature of 'world politics', the State of New Jersey now requires all food service and food handling done in schools to be monitored by "licensed professionals". This State requirement will seriously affect our bottom line for the Pancake Breakfast, as we must pay an hourly fee for this/these "licensed professional(s)" for monitoring duties, which begin on Saturday as we prepare for the Breakfast, and continues into Sunday from the moment they unlock the doors until the moment we finish our clean-up and they lock back up. A note of clarification to our members: the cost of these professionals must also be borne, per event, by the PTO and any other organization that uses the school cafeteria for food preparation or service. It should also be noted and stressed that this is a requirement from the State of New Jersey, NOT the Cranbury School, and since the school has donated (and will continue to donate) Janitorial Service for the event, they cannot, nor can we expect them to, pay the additional tab for these "licensed professionals".

After more than 20 years, Lions Don Jo Swanagan and Monty Hagerty have retired as Co-Chairs of the Annual Holiday Decoration Contest. The Club would like to thank them for their years of service on this project and welcome the two new Co-Chairs...Lions Jon Goldstein and Andre Mento! The "Drive & Judge" for the Holiday Decoration Contest will be on December 18; if anyone is interested in assisting in judging the homes throughout the town, please contact Lions Jon or Andre directly. There will be a sign-up sheet at the first December meeting.

The 2008 Christmas Party is right around the corner! The 2008 Christmas Party Committee, chaired by Lion Neile Wright, has advised that this year's party will be new, different, and exciting - but none of that can happen without you being there! The party will be held on Friday, December 19^th, 2008, at "Charlie Brown's" in Kingston. There will be a choice of meal; Entertainment will be provided by "The Magic of Music" DJ's (the same DJ that played for PDG Bob's Testimonial); and there will be a "Secret Santa". The cost of the event is $60 per person. Please contact Lions Neile Wright, Bobbie Marlowe or Phyllis Johnson with any questions, comments, or with your reservation. REMEMBER, only with your help can we make this a successful event. For additional Information, see the attached flyer. Invite your friends and family... sell a table... be creative!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Board of Directors has approved the Winter Art Auction. Some of you may recall we did this a few years ago and the event proved to be fairly successful. Due to the nature of the event, it was decided to hold it every other year, but due to one snafu or another we were unable to hold the auction last winter; we will, however, be having it this February 21^st...Lion Frank Vesci has agreed to Chair the event, and a sign-up sheet will start circulating soon. Look for more information in upcoming issues and at the meetings.

The New Jersey Devils have again invited New Jersey Lions Multiple District 16 to attend a game at the new Prudential Arena on New Jersey Lions Night. Our own Lions Joe Carroll has agreed to Chair this State Event again - you may all recall what a fantastic job Joe did last year! Game Night is Saturday, February 7, 2009, Devils v. LA Kings. The $65 face value balcony seats will be available for $45, and if we can sell 100 or more tickets (State-wide), $10 per ticket will be donated back to the Club. This is a GREAT way of raising money for our Projects Budget, go to a Hockey Game (and, fan or not, the feeling at the game is contagious!), have fun...and the Devils give our club money! Logistics for ticket orders are being worked out, and the information will be posted here.

The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley is once again running their Gift of Sight Raffle. Tickets are $30, $5 of which (per ticket) is returned to the selling Club; there will be 4 drawings through the winter and each drawing is for a $1000. Any one who wishes to sell or purchase a ticket(s) should contact President Mike.

Lions Clubs International is once again holding the Lions Environmental Photo Contest. If you take pictures, enter your best into the 2009 International Photo Contest. You can enter Black and White or Color; photos may not be altered using Photo Shop or other program; no people may appear in the photo; enter in any of the following categories:
  ●  Animal Life
  ●  Landscape- Urban or Natural
  ●  Plant Life
  ●  Weather Phenomenon
This year the special category is:
  ●  Lions Environmental Miracle Workers - Lions In Action, Implementing A Lions Environmental Project.
      As implied by the title in the, people may appear in photos entered under the 'special category'.

One winning photo per District will be selected and one may be sent per Multiple District to International. All pictures must be 8" x 10", on photo paper with the Official Entry Form which can be downloaded from the International Web Site (http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/pdfs/contest_md_entry_form.pdf). Deadline: All Cranbury Photos must be to PDG Bob NLT January 26. Last year the New Jersey Winner was in the Photo Contest Calendar. For complete rules or more information, check the Lions Clubs International Web Site.

The Board of Directors at the Jamesburg Home for Boys, an MD-16 State approved organization and an organization that the Cranbury Club has closely supported throughout our 76 year history, has requested our assistance in forming a new LEO Club at the facility. The Club will be open to (rehabitable) non-violent offenders, who wish to render service to the community; a service project is already being worked out between the facility and the NJ Lions Eye glass recycling Center. Our Board of Directors has approved this Club Service Project, and is seeking members who would be willing to serve as LEO advisors to this Club. More information will be available next month, pending a final vote by the Membership.

Since we already have a few volunteers from Cranbury, we should follow through on our commitment and plan to sponsor a new Club in Plainsboro. To accomplish this, we need a few committed Lions to contact local businesses, local government employees, and perhaps run a membership drive in the shopping plazas and the new "downtown" area to gather local residents as members. This would not be unprecedented; the Cranbury Lions sponsored the Hightstown Club, as well as the (now defunct) Hamilton, Jamesburg, and (former) Plainsboro Clubs. There's no doubt that this will be a large undertaking, but the satisfaction obtained at the completion of this project will make every Cranbury Lion proud! As it is with all our projects, the more volunteers we can get, the easier the task! Interested Lions should contact President Mike.

It has been recommended that a member of the Club be totally familiar with the Lions Clubs International Insurance Policy, which covers us under its umbrella, and be available to inspect our event sites and complete a form as it may apply to any particular event or fundraiser, as the new Club "Safety Officer". It is interesting to note that, other than being familiar with the policy, and completing any form that may ever become necessary (but only if necessary), this Club Position is about as easy as anything could be. Anyone interested in this position - especially members with insurance-related backgrounds - should contact President Mike.

Membership - Membership - Membership

Last year's theme was "the Challenge to Change", and, through change, we can increase our Membership while rejuvenating existing members to help to keep the Club young-at-heart, active, and viable! Cranbury Lions Club President Mike will continue to accept the Challenge to Change, and is asking ALL members to assist Membership Chair Jon Goldstein in attracting and bringing in new members. To get information about membership options or to obtain membership applications contact Membership Chair Jon, Secretary Bob Virgadamo, or President Mike. In any event, we MUST begin a proactive campaign to bring in new Members! Let's try to keep our Lions Club from being Cranbury's "best kept secret".

As a "bonus", all new members and their sponsors will be personally invited by International President Al Brandell to attend the Induction Ceremony under the Globe at Flushing Meadow Park (the site of the 1964 World's Fair) on World-Wide Induction Day - March 7, 2009 - and to be inducted by International President Al, himself. There has also been a pin designed just for the occasion, which will be given to each new member and each sponsor; after the ceremony, all unused pins will be destroyed, creating an instant "collector's item".

...And Attendance...

Using the tag-line, "If you build it, they will come", President Mike is asking EVERY Cranbury Lion to provide suggestions on how we might be able to CHANGE the meetings to appeal to a broader range of the membership, in an effort to build a stronger Cranbury Lions Club. Please provide your suggestions to him directly.

Reminders

Do you know of an interesting speaker? You may be an interesting speaker! Please advise Program Chair Frank Marlowe with any and all suggestions for speakers at our meetings.

Any member who learns of the sickness or death of another member, or in a member's family, or any other similar incident or emergency, should contact Lions Frank Marlowe (Chair, H&W) and/or Dave Cook ("phone tree"), and/or Bob Virgadamo (e-mail notifications) so that all members may be notified as soon as possible.

Member Pick-Up - Ed Lawson (5 S. Main)

Lion George Smith has volunteered be the "permanent" pick up driver for Lion Ed; Lion Frank Marlowe has volunteered to be the "permanent" back-up driver. Drivers: if you cannot make your pick-up, please notify President Mike as soon as possible. Riders: please notify the assigned driver if you cannot make a meeting.

LION'S CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY 2008!!

On behalf of the Lion's club, we would like to invite you to attend the Annual Christmas Party on Friday, December 19^th, 2008!!

PLEASE PUT THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW!

The party will be held at "CHARLIE BROWN'S" in Kingston. There will be a one hour cash bar cocktail reception with butler style passed hors d'oeuvres starting at 7:00 pm. Sit down dinner and dessert to follow. The cost for this festive event is $60.00 per person. The menu is as follows;

A. Mixed green salad

B. Your choice of 1) Queen cut Roast Prime Rib of Beef, Au Jus, OR

2) Stuffed Flounder with Lump Crabmeat, Lemon Dill Butter, OR

3) Marinated Breast of Chicken, Francaise Style

C. Garlic Mashed Potato, Bread

D. New York Style Cheese Cake with Raspberry Drizzle

Entertainment will be provided by "The Magic of Music" DJ's. This is the same DJ that played PDG Bob Virgadamo's testimonial party earlier this year. They provide dancing lessons and are very good at getting everyone involved.

There will also be a "Secret Santa" gift exchange this year. If you would like to participate in the exchange, please bring a gift worth no more than $15.00. (If you choose not to bring a gift, you can not participate in the Secret Santa.) The explanation of how the gift exchange works will be given at the next Lion's Club meeting.

REMEMBER, only with your help can we make this event successful. Invite your friends and family... sell a table... be creative!

Please contact Neile Wright, Bobbie Marlowe or Phyllis Johnson with any questions, comments, or your reservation. We will be taking reservations until December 12^th. (Last minute arrivals cannot be guaranteed a seat or meal choice.) We look forward to seeing you there!!