May 2008 Newsletter

President JoAnn’s Message:
“Why Not Have A Great Day!”
Greetings! I hope you all will be able to attend the May 6th meeting. It should be very interesting and informative. Past District Governor Kim Willer and a representative from Habitat for Humanities will be our guests. They will give us information about this worthwhile project. The Lions will be involved in building two Habitat houses this summer. We all have some talent we can use to help with these projects. At the May meeting I will be asking for volunteers to furnish cookies and bars for June 3rd. The Akron Lions have volunteered to provide morning and afternoon goodies for that day. We ill be feeding approximately 90 hungry workers. Please help!!!!

This meeting would be a good time to invite
a guest to attend. They would probably enjoy the program. We always need new members.

A big “Thank You” to Karen Taylor-Mortensen for the outstanding articles in the Hometowner about our Awards Night. What great publicity!!

I found an article entitled “What Kind of Day Shall I Have?” I will only give you some excerpts from it. “My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free. Today I can grumble about my health or I cxan rejoice that I am alive. Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have. Why not have a great day!”

Just Another Thought: Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it’s called golf. See you on Tuesday!
JoAnn Ziniel, President

Chad Ericson Lion-of-the-Year!! Congratulations!
After his dedicated work with the new City Event Sign, Lion Chad Ericson, seen here with son Raiden and presenter Iola Frerichs, walked away with this year’s award without any difficulty. A landslide election!

Chad’s energy and drive are remarkable. In addition to being a Lion he is also operating
his own Financial Advisory Firm (Legacy Financial), the father of two minor children,
happily married to Lion Angela, City Council,
Chamber of Commerce and renovating a building downtown. He never sleeps…..

Kim Willer Featured Speaker With Special Guest On May 6 Lions Clubs In Siouxland Partners With Habitat For Humanity
Yes, several Siouxland Lions Clubs are helping
out with habitat for Humanity’s projects this year and our Board decided to pitch in as well. About 86 other people will participate in the Building “Blitz” starting on June 3, 2008. Our Akron Lions Club will be serving refreshments both in the morning and afternoon that day. Want to swing a hammer yourself that week? Talk to PDG Kim Willer who will be our featured speaker in May. She is a very energetic person and knows everything. You may contact her at kawiller@midamerican.com . It’s a great project! PDG Kim will be bringing a special guest from Siouxland Habitat for Humanity with her on Tuesday so please make an effort to come and join us that night. Yummy Swiss Steak served by Akron Jo’s; his best! Lion Kim is a true pioneer
in the best American spirit. She was our very first lady District Governor in NW Iowa and will be followed by many more in the future.

Club Donates $500.00 To ACT Chairlift
The Akron Community Theatre building is a cultural tradition in our community but it is not particularly well designed for the elderly and disabled in our town. The new chairlift, recently installed, serves a wonderful purpose in helping those with some sort of handicap to enjoy the fine plays promoted by the ATC.

Of course our club, living up to it’s motto We Serve, wanted to participate in the fundraising efforts for this lift and seen here is PDG John
Ziniel presenting a check for $500.00 to ACT Board Member Doug Olson recently. What would this community be without it’s dedicated people in various service clubs? Not such a great place to live anymore….

Lion Lori Rexwinkel Instrumental In Starting
“Helping Hands” Thrift Shop In Akron
One of our members, Lori Rexwinkel, has been instrumental in starting the new thrift shop to benefit the Akron Children’s Center in the old American Legion Hall in Akron. Many others, of course, have also been involved, especially Mary Lucken who was honored at our Awards Banquet together with her husband John. A reasonably priced daycare center is a 100% “must” if a community like ours will ever attract any younger families and the thrift shop is a part of that effort. Congratulations to Lori and her team mates!


Congratulations!!
Lion Arden Johnson receives Iowa Lionism’s finest award, the Warren Coleman Fellowship Award, presented by Stefan Sandberg.

It took our club far too long before we finally rewarded Lion Kevin Eekhoff for all his work, but we made up for it with the coveted Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

Calie Westergard receives her certificate for the Peace Poster contest presented by Club President JoAnn Ziniel.

Past President Iola Frerichs received the District Governor’s Certificate of Appreciation

John and Mary Lucken receive the Country Citizens Award presented by Stefan Sandberg.

Robert D. and Sharon Frerichs received the Town Citizens Award presented by Arden Johnson.

Our Student Citizens were Shelby Johnson and Jessica Horton. Presenters were Phyllis Frisk and President JoAnn Ziniel.

These are all outstanding people from our community!

Club News & Gossip: PDG Kim Willer To Speak On Tuesday And Fun Night On June 3rd! And Dues are Due!
We had a good turnout on Saturday, April 5, at
the Akron Care Center for our semi-annual Omelet Bash. Those old folks just love us!
This month, President JoAnn has recruited none else than our immediate Past District Governor
Kim Willer to speak to our club about Habitat for Humanity (see separate article). And don’t forget “Fun Night” next month on June 3rd! Annual club dues are due by the end of June
2008, however, our Treasurer Kay Sandberg will begin accepting your money at the May meeting already. Dues are as follows: Single membership: $60.00 per year; Couple membership: $100.50 per year

Club Donates $1,000 To Fire Department For Equipment Repairs This Year’s Scholarships Awarded To A-W Students
Our excellent Akron Fire Department had an unpleasant surprise recently when it was discovered that pump repairs to the tune of some $10,000 were needed. A major fundraiser will be coming soon by the Fire Dept.! Our Club decided to give our intrepid fire fighters a good start with a generous donation of $1,000 recently. Way to go!
As we go to press, the A-W Scholarship Awards event has taken place and the two lucky winners that will receive $500.00 each this year are Danielle Frigge and Elizabeth Mace. Thanks to our scholarship committee for their work!

Thank-You Note
Dear Akron Lions,I’m honored to receive the Certificate of Appreciation Service Award.
I feel the Lions Club has very worthwhile
projects and I’m happy to be part of the organization. Thank you so much!!! Sincerely,
Iola Frerichs

Message From The Editor And The Proof Reader
Stefan Sandberg was the Editor for this Newsletter this month again. Kay Sandberg also contributed everything financial and proof read as well. President JoAnn Ziniel writes her own
message; un-edited in every respect (except the
headline). Koala-T Printing (Lion Joe Hook
himself) did all the color printing and Scanada
did all the b/w. Arden Johnson assembled and
distributed. Thanks!

Deadline for submitting articles, pictures and
other material to the next issue of this newsletter is: May 25, 2008

Do you wish to receive this newsletter in PDF
format? Tell the Editor your e-mail address!
Thanks to all of you for supporting our Lions
Club!

Lion of the Year Chad Ericson with son Raiden and presenter Iola Frerichs.

John Ziniel presenting a check for $500.00 to ACT Board Member Doug Olson.

Lion Arden Johnson receives Iowa Lionism’s finest award, the Warren Coleman Fellowship Award, from Stefan Sandberg.

Kevin Eekhoff receives the coveted Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, from JoAnn Ziniel.

Calie Westergard receives her certificate for the Peace Poster contest from Club President JoAnn Ziniel.

Past President Iola Frerichs received the District Governor’s Certificate of Appreciation.

John and Mary Lucken receive the Country Citizens Award from Stefan Sandberg.

Robert D. and Sharon Frerichs received the Town Citizens Award from Arden Johnson.

Our Student Citizen Shelby Johnson and presenter Phyllis Frisk.

Our Student Citizen Jessica Hortorn and presenter JoAnn Ziniel.