“A Country Club Trying to Serve Its Country”

 

Things To Know

 

Fellow Lions, President-elect Andy Jost has received a new assignment in Houston, Texas, and is unable to assume the duties of Club President. Each of the three Vice Presidents, while ready to serve when their “planned ascension” time arises, were unable to step up to the position in 2003-2004 for varying business and personal reasons. President Bob and President-elect Andy sought a qualified volunteer to take the helm of the Club, and we are proud to say that we had four volunteers who were willing to take on the job; we chose the first positive response, and at the Board of Directors meeting held on June 3, 2003, the Board unanimously ratified Board Member, Lion Ray Dickey, as President for the Lion Year 2003-2004. This ratification will be brought to the membership at the meeting on June 4, 2003, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lion Ray will be installed as Club President at the Installation Dinner Dance on June 20^th.

 

With a Club as large as ours, acknowledging everyone’s anniversary would take pages, so we will always place our anniversaries in 5-Year increments, and list the members by the month of induction. Based on the current year. We would like to thank and congratulate our Fellow Lions who have contributed to the community as Cranbury Lions for:

50 Years – J. Schuyler Huff and Arthur Danser

40 Years – H. Craig Gilbert and Gordon Stults

35 Years – Monty Hagerty, Gerald Metzheiser, and Max Mesner

30 Years –Edgar Lawson, Mahlon Thompson, and Richard Pape

25 Years – William Robinson and Arthur Hasselbach (Sr.)

10 Years – John Jackson, Frank Marlowe, David Nissen, and Greg Overstreet

  5 Years – Arthur Hasselbach (Jr.), Richard Stannard, Bob Virgadamo, Henry Behnke,

                 Andy Jost, Bob Wood, and Mike Kaiser.

 

Our thanks to Lion Rick Cusworth, who has repaired and repainted the new Eyeglass Collection Box, which was donated by the US Post Office. Thanks also to Lion Mike Kaiser who transported the box to its new location in front of the Library. A special thanks to Lion Carol Malouf, whose efforts on behalf of the Cranbury Lions made the new location possible.

 

The Coupon Collection Project has a hit a minor snag. The Troop 52 volunteers are waiting for the necessary approvals to place the collection boxes in the local markets. As soon as these permissions are received, the boxes will be placed. All Cranbury Lions are urged to collect, or continue to collect manufacturer’s coupons and either bring them to the meetings or hold them and place them in the appropriate collection boxes, when available.

 

As we all know, the red oak we planted for last year’s dedication of the Todd Beamer Memorial did not weather last year’s drought nor this year’s harsh winter. Cranbury resident Patti Long approached us at the dedication and advised that if the tree didn’t make it, she and her husband, Matt, would be happy to donate a replacement tree. We are proud to announce that Patti and Matt have, in fact donated a new Red Oak for the Beamer Memorial. Due to the unseasonable rains, the property is too wet to remove the donated tree; as soon as the weather permits, the tree will be moved. Our thanks to the Longs and to Lions Mike Kaiser and Bob Virgadamo who handled the arrangements with the Longs.

 

Our Annual Student Awards were presented at the June 4^th meeting. The recipients were: Chris Lalli for the $1500 Todd Beamer Memorial Scholarship;  Lauren Caldwell for the $1000 Dr. David Tudor Science Scholarship; Marie DiStasio received $250 and her name was engraved on the Stan Thomas Community Service Award Plaque; And, Kendrick Li was presented with airline tickets and the necessary paid reservations to attend  the World Affairs Seminar. Congratulations to all our recipients.

 

For inquiring minds that need to know, the Memorial Day Parade  winners are: 50/50 – Ed Badgely (Rossmoor), Ilene Addonizio (Cranbury), L. Mason Blaich (Albuquerque, NM); Bicycles – Delano Hubert (1^st – $20), Remy Hubert (2^nd – $10), Adison Hubert (3^rd – $5); Float $100 Award – Whispers from the Grave (Historical Society)

 

There is basically nothing to report with regards to the State Convention, except to note that South Brunswick Lion Arthur Roedel was elected District Governor of District 16-D.

 

The Drug Free Fair was held on May 17^th and apparently was it’s usual hit with the kids. A laurel and hardy handshake to Lion Andre Mento for stepping in at the last moment, and taking the Co-Chair for this event with Lion Richard Stannard. For those of you that missed it, The Cranbury Lions presented Cranbury School Chief Administrator Carol Malouf with a check for $2000 as a donation for the Quest Program.

 

Our 5^th Annual Golf Outing was held at the Cranbury Golf Course on June 2, 2003, and by all accounts it was a grand success. Winners of the various contests were: 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place foursomes were Frank Bown, Chris Brown, Bill Dey, and Joel Tornquist with 59; Tom Witt, Tom Greenwood, Pete Ogden, and Frank Kopecwith 60; and, David A Stout (the elder), Donald Stout, Mike Kenny, and Sean Kenny with 60. Closest to the Pin Winners were Paul Huhn (#2), Dennis Kennedy (#7), Dick Olszanowski (#12), Vivek Vellore (#16). Longest Drive Winners were Keith Kaufmann (#9), Ron Ryll (#18). The winners for the Par 3 Prize, the Time Share and the 50/50 Drawing were Doug Pearce, Jack Penny and Mark Jaworski, respectively. The Golf Committee gave away 6 door prizes, which were won by Ray Dickey, Vivek Vellore, Brent Barlow, Anthony Nichols, Jody Pearce, and Hugh Harr. The Auction items – all donated to the Club – were won by John Cirullo (Yankee Tickets), Walt Caldwell (Cranbury Golf Club foursome), David A. Stout, the younger (Peddie Golf Course foursome), Dennis Kennedy (Jumping Brook Golf Course foursome), and, Dave Shaffer (Continental Airlines tickets). After the accounting is completed will have realized an approximate net profit of some $5800. Lions Walt Caldwell and Doug Pearce shared the outing this year, but it was Lion Doug that held the reins and we’d like to give both he and his wife Jody a whopping Attaboy! We’d also like to thank all the members of the Golf Committee, the individuals and companies that made donations to the outing, and especially all the folks who attended for making this our best annual fundraiser.

 

The Trenton Thunder have awarded us a night to sell a Super 50/50 at the Stadium. On Saturday, June 14^th, the Trenton Thunder (NY Yankees) will play the Norwich Navigators (SF Giants). The game is sold out, which means that barring any unforeseen problems with weather, we will have the opportunity to sell 50/50 tickets to over 6000 people. To sell to that kind of crowd, we need as many ticket sellers as we can get. Lions may bring anyone over 18 to help sell, but each volunteer must wear a Lion identifier (like a hat or vest – available from Lion George Smith). Ticket sellers are admitted to the park for free, and the Club will pay for a hot dog and a beverage, for each. This has become one of our most profitable – and most fun – fundraisers. To volunteer, add your name to the sign-up sheet circulating at the meetings, of contact Lion Bob Virgadamo.

 

Show your support for the newly elected Officers and Board of Directors by joining us at Good Time Charlie’s in Kingston, on June 20^th. The Installation Dinner Dance allows a choice of meal, and will have dancing to the sounds of DJ Fred Campbell. Cocktails at the cash bar begin at 7:00PM, dinner at 8:00. Please use the reservation sheets circulating at meetings, or call Lion Charley Devany at (609) 409-7619.

 

Our Club Tail Twister, Lion Joe Carroll, has run a fishing excursion at work for a couple of years, and has suggested this as a new, and additional, Club Outing for Lions, their families and friends. Using this as a poll, any Lion who might be interested in such a fishing trip, should contact Joe, and provide him with you’re comments, including your preference for a time slot during the summer or early fall.

 

The 3^rd Annual Cranbury Lions Club Picnic will be on Saturday, July 26, at the Cranbury Swim Club. A reservation sign-up sheet will begin circulating at the June 4^th meeting, or contact Lion Joe Carroll.

 

The 4^th Annual Trenton Thunder Baseball Outing will be on Saturday, August 23^rd, at 7:05 PM, and is between the Thunder (NY Yankees) and the Binghamton Mets. Tickets are $10 each and are available to all Cranbury residents and guests. We have been advised that the game is completely sold out. It is NOT too early to reserve tickets. At this writing, we have 9 tickets left; seating is limited, so reserve your tickets now!

 

Reminders

 

Frank Marlowe has been our Program Chair for a few years now, and has done quite an excellent job lining up speakers for our bi-monthly meetings. You can all imagine how difficult it can be, finding 20 speakers per year that will be of relative interest to all our Members!  We all come in contact with someone interesting on a regular basis. When you do, or if you have any suggestions for speakers, please give Frank a call.

 

It is important that we increase our fundraising capability without requesting money from our small community over and over again. With over 300 commercial locations in our immediate area, the website is one of the easiest and best fundraisers we have. We ask every member to please try to bring in at least one advertiser per year. Refer all advertising leads to Lions Gene Buckley, Dave Shaffer or Bob Virgadamo.

 

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 Lion Dave Cook to activate the “phone tree”, so that all members may be notified.

 

Member Pick-Up

Ed Lawson (5 S. Main), Max Mesner (Rossmoor)

6/4 – Charley Devany; 7/16 – Walt Caldwell; 8/20 – John Goldstein

 

If you cannot make your pick-up, and/or if you switch (or need to switch) with someone else, please notify Rick Cusworth (655-2426) as soon as possible. Riders: please notify the assigned driver if you’re not going to make a meeting.