The regular daytime July meeting of the Tipton Lions Club met at noon, July 3, at the Cedar County Extension office in Tipton. It was held here due to our club house being full of flags drying out.

The meeting was called to order by 1st vice president Amber Frerichs, due to absence of president Wally Reidel. Lion Amber opened the meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegience and singing of the Doxology. Guests included Hilary Northup, daughter of Lions Jim and Anita Northup. Hilary was the recipient of the Tipton Lions scholarship for this year. Also attending were Joe and Lucille Kirk and their daughter, Vicki, and Tim Martig, vice president at Tipton Branch of the US Bank. Tim was a guest of Lion Keith Whitlatch. Our newest members Karolyn and Mike Rouse were also in attendance. The meal was catered by Tipton Family Foods and served by Steve Sterner.

Following the meal, Vicki thanked the Tipton Lions for erecting a ramp at the Kirk residence for Joe. The materials came from our salvage pieces of ramp we store from one job to the next. Lion Amber read an invitation for our Lions members to attend a birthday party for Lion Blanche Ahrens on July 19. Lion Dave Geinzer settled in as our new tail twister. He even fined retired Lion Joe for parking his wheel chair in a “no parking” zone. Lion Ron Salmonson served as acting treasurer. He reported that treasurer Ken Muller has set up a line of credit at US Bank and has borrowed $3000 on a one year note at 7% interest to help finance construction of the new food trailer. Lion Ron also reported that Lion Ken was to purchase insurance on the concession trailer and the Flags over Tipton trailer; $8000 on the concession trailer and $7000 on the Flags over Tipton trailer for a total of $263.00 from the Community Insurance Company. Lion Marilyn Ailey seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Lion Ron will contact Agent Mike Pelzer and get coverage immediately.

Secretary Lion Keith read the minutes of the last meeting and last board meeting. They were approved as read. Lion Ron Salmonson presented a brief treasurer’s report. It was approved as presented. The Joker Draw game was conducted. Joe Kirk drew the winning ticket, which was held by Lion Dave Geinzer. Dave was unable to draw the joker but settled for the 2 of Diamonds.

Lion Keith reported on the concession trailer. It was mostly completed by June 28 and will be used for the Airport Fly In on the 28th. He reported that Lion Dean Doerscher and Jerry Elijah were working on the pop cooler/refrigerator. It had to be shortened to fit into the trailer and the air compressor will be mounted on the rear bumper. Lion Marilyn Ailey had donated a deep freezer, Lion Dave Geinzer’s son Tim Schulke, and Dave’s grandson, had painted the exterior of the trailer (Colors are purple and John Deere Gold). The kitchen is done. Ray Zaruba dba “Ray’s Plumbing”, did the plumbing and Neil Gaunt did all of the electrical work. Mary Wright had staines and sealed all of the cabinets and has painted the trim around the windows and doors, and also the condiment tray on the outside. The deep fat fryer will be installed in the trailer this afternoon, and Lion Alvin Wright and Keith will move it to the Tipton City Park for the
Independence Day celebration.

Lion Mike Boyle repored that Sheriff Warren Wethington had requested volunteer to help patrol a pedestrian walk-way during Ragbrai. Lion Raldo Horman reported we have been asked to help park vehicles in the city parking lot during Ragbrai.

Lion Amber, chairman of the concession trailer reported that the Lions will be serving Funnel cakes, pop and water out of the trailer during the afternoon of July 4 in the park. Leo club members will be serving ice cream sundaes out of the trailer also. Their profits will go to help flood victims in Cedar County. Lion Don McGlaughlin passed out work schedules for our next “Flags over Tipton” project. We will put out flags at 6 am on July 4 and pick them up at 5 pm on July 6th.

Work schedules were handed out for the Lions Car Show, on August 2,3, 2008. Lion Ken Crock, chairman of the food for the car show reported that we will serve food out of the Mathews building as we have done in the past. Lion Ray Rouse reported on the vandalism damage at the Lions club house. We suffered extensive damage to the siding and windows. Windows have been repaired, but not the damaged siding. There was other damage to buildings on the fairgrounds and in Tipton also. Lion Lois Salmonson reported that all of the blinds are up on the north side of the club house. The work schedule has been mailed out to every Lion member for the food stand. No notation had been made reference who was to bring pies and how many. With the change in the regulations by the Health Department, Lion members can again bring home baked pies (two crust fruit only). Following some discussion, it was decided each shift chairman would state who would bring pie on their shift, and how many.

Lion Bob Suchomel told us that due to health reasons, he was resigning from our club. Lion Bob has been a good member for many years. He will be missed.

Lion Mike Boyle reported on the recently held Cedar County Monument Square program. it was successful and well attended. We had many favorable comments on our flags that lined the area. Lion Dave Geinzer helped Lion Mike with refreshments following the program.

Lion Amber reported the recently held Walk/Run for Cancer was successful. Lion members, under Lion Amber Frerichs supervision, served food. Lion Mike reported on the recently held “Fly In” at the Airport. The Tipton Lions served food by the new hanger out of our new concession trailer. We netted approximately $750.00.

Lion Amber reported that the Tipton Chamber of Commerce had requested we operate our concession trailer for both days of “Ridiculous Days” August 1 and 2. This also coincides with the annual Hardacre Film Festival.

Lion Amber, co-chair of the food stand for the Cedar County Fair, reported that members will be setting up the club house for the upcoming fair on Sunday night, following the retrieval of the flags. Again, work schedules have been mailed out.

Lion Raldo reported on the upcoming Hoover Fest in West Branch on August 2. The Hoover Fest will be honoring Volunteers and our club has been invited to participate.

Lion Amber requested volunteers to help solicit funds from the crowd in the city park prior to the fireworks display for the following year. Baskets will be at the concessions trailer. Volunteers are to report to that area about 7 pm.

The next regular meeting is Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the Tipton Lions Club House on the Cedar County Fairgrounds.