The Jungle Jargon

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

MEETING SCHEDULE

August, 2008

August 19 - Board of Directors Meeting - 7:30PM, Tom Gambino Library Room

August 20 - Regular Meeting - 7PM, Cranbury Station; Dinner: Baby Back Ribs

Speaker: Frank Marlowe - Lion Frank has prepared an interesting talk about U.S. Presidential Trivia

September, 2008

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

September 3 - Regular Meeting - 7PM, Cranbury Station; Dinner: Chicken and Broccoli

Speaker: TBA

September 17 - Regular Meeting - 7PM, Cranbury Station; Dinner: Stuffed Flounder

Speaker: TBA

Get Well Wishes...

...to Lion Richard Stannard who spent a few scary days in the hospital, but is coming along nicely at home these days...

Please Welcome Our Newest Member...

...Lion Frank Vesci. Lion Frank, who was sponsored by Lion Christine Thompson, operates the (new) Cranbury Limousine Service, so if you need a car or want to travel in style call him or Lion Christine.

...And Welcome Back Some Old Fiends

Andy and Ruth Jost and their boys have moved back into town. Lion Andy will have to "commute" for a few months, but once he is settled back in, he'll be back on Active status. Welcome back Andy and Ruth!

Things To Know

Summer dress rules are in effect through July and August; Members are permitted to wear appropriate summer attire, including shorts, to the meetings. Remember that we still meet in a restaurant and a little decorum is still required. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts, please.

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.

The Cranbury Lions Club has not had a dues increase since around 1990, and while the Board of Directors has tried to keep ahead of the inflationary spiral (especially through negotiation of dinner costs), the Board found it necessary to increase our Club Dues, and formed a committee to investigate best scenarios. The Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board at the July Board Meeting, and after some discussion, the Board approved an increase of $15 per quarter ($5.00 per month); the Members present at the July meeting ratified the dues increase. The New Dues Structure is effective immediately, with this first quarter of the 2008-2009 Fiscal year. As in the past, and in accordance with the Constitution & By-Laws, Members will be billed quarterly.

LAST CALL for entries into the Wine Label Contest for the Club Wine Project. The label should depict a relationship to Lions (or lions), and must incorporate the official Lions Logo (see above and available for download from www.lionsclubs.org). The artwork and/or wine name may be serious or humorous in nature. Although the contest has only been mentioned at the meetings and in the Jargon, it is open to all Lions, family members and friends. Judging will take place before the August Meeting.

Lion Joe and Suzanne Carroll hosted our Annual Club Picnic at their home, and as usual, friendship and camaraderie was promoted and a great time was had by all. The Board hopes that more members will be able to attend next year's event.

The Club's 10^th Annual Cranbury Lions Golf Classic was held on Thursday, July 24 at the Peddie School. There were some really nice give-away door prizes consisting of Cranbury Lions umbrellas, chairs, tote bags, golf balls, and a few 92-point wines ("Wine Spectator"). We had a few new sponsors at the outing including Rolly's - An American Bistro (which will soon open next to the new PNC location on Rte 130) and Wells Fargo Bank. We raised an "unofficial" net total of approximately $6500 for our charities! A laurel and hardy handshake to the Golf Co-Chair, Lion Ray Dickey, and to his entire crew for a job well done!

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.

There are a couple of tickets left...If you plan on going to the Annual Trenton Thunder Baseball Outing, you MUST contact Lion Bob V. ASAP. This great local rivalry game between the Trenton Thunder and the Reading Phillies is Saturday, August 23. The game starts at 7:05PM. Tickets are $10 each and are for sale to all Lions, their family and friends - and any Cranbury resident.

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".

...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 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 to: .

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!!