www.lionsofmi11c1.org
Lions Motto: WE SERVE
The Pulse
OF DISTRICT 11-C1 LIONS OF MICHIGAN
June 2016
District 11C1 Serves Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon & Ottawa Counties
40
Many things make for a great team, including
reaching team goals, developing friendships that last a
lifetime, and keeping the team together for future
success. This past month I had the privilege of attending
the Alto Lions' 40th year anniversary event, and had the
pleasure of meeting all of the Club, including 4 charter
members (pictured here are Charter Lions Dick Johnson,
George Anderson, Don Bergy and Bill Wieland). As I
attended the event, it occurred to me that each Club
anniversary is a reminder that we are a great team, and
one that needs to continue. We make the world a better
place, support our communities, and touch the lives of
many who are in need. Club anniversaries, whether they
be of the milestone 40-year type, or whether they be an
annual anniversary, are a time to look both back and
forward, like our Lions emblem, looking to the past with
pride, and to the future with hope and inspiration.
TH
If you believe you can
make a difference,
you will make a difference.
Oftentimes when we hold our large
anniversary events we speak of deeds done, and of
those who came before us, as is proper to do. And
while it is good to celebrate such accomplishments,
we might ask ourselves, how can we best honor
those who came before us, and best recognize their
accomplishments? I would suggest that one of the
best things we can do is to ensure that our great
team continues, and to build upon and expand each
of our Clubs. Too often we hear of Clubs that fold.
This is a sad event, and a real loss to those
communities that Club had served. To prevent such
losses, Clubs and Lions members need to give real
thought and planning to the future of their Club.
Lions Official Slogan: “Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety (LIONS)
Unofficial Slogan: “Loving Individuals Offering Needed Services, “Past International President, Sid Scruggs
Current members are the stewards for that which those
who can before us built. And while there is no one size
fits all solution to Club maintenance and growth, each
year your Club continues is a success, and makes for a
great team.
So as we enter our Summer season, and my term as
your District Governor comes to a close, let me first say
thank you for allowing me to serve as your Governor,
and thank you so very much to all of those who helped
me to make this year a success, and to continue our
great team. Let me also encourage each of you to plan
for the future success of your club, and act upon that
plan, so that your team has many more great years, and
honors the accomplishments of those who came before
us.
Yours in Service,
Rock
HALFWAY THROUGH THE CENTENNIAL
CHALLENGE…

85 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED
 3,000 CLUBS HAVE REPORTED LEGACY
PROJECTS
 NEARLY 10,000 MEMBERS HAVE QUALIFIED
FOR CENTENNIAL MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
Sizzling
Summer
Social
It started off as a sizzling warm day at
the Berlin Racetrack in Marne. But it sure
didn’t end that way!
Some 35 lions from the district
enjoyed hot dogs grilled by DG Rock June 4
and chips and filled cupcakes. Those lions with
kids and grandkids in tow headed over to the
Craig’s Cruisers Carnival hosted by Miranda to
enjoy the free activities before Mother Nature
let loose dousing the day’s fun and the races to
follow.
CALENDAR
June 20
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology Drive for
Vision Charity Outing, Quail Ridge
Golf Course
June 24-28 International Convention,
Fukouka, Japan
July 4
Independence Day
July 13
1st Annual West Michigan Golf Outing
For the Blind and Visually Impaired
Golfers, Family & Friends, Lake
Monterey Golf Course, Dorr
July 15
Ravenna Dog Daze & Cruise In,
Downtown Ravenna
Sept 24 &
Open House, Leader Dog, Canine
October 14 Development Center
October 8
Eye Care, Do You? 5K Race Walk, 5K8K-13.1 Mile Run, Tipton, MI
March 4
Lions of MI Foundation, 7 Night
2017
Caribbean Cruise
June 7
Lions of MI Foundation, 12 Day
Alaskan Cruise
Sept 15-17 Canada/USA Forum, Omaha, Nebraska
Lions celebrate 100 years of Service!
July 2018
Centennial Legacy Projects & Service
Projects completed & reported
International President, Jitsuhiro Yamada’s message
Bringing Dignity to Others
Through Humanitarian Service
NEW DISTRICT WEBSITE
The new District 11C1 website is up and
running at www.lionsdistrict11c1.org.
Lion Frank DiPiazza, from Muskegon Northside
Lions is the webmaster. If you haven’t done
so yet, kindly check it out!
DISTRICT 11C-1 GOVERNOR
Rock Wood
P.O. Box 419
Cedar Springs, MI 49319
C: (616) 450-5678
[email protected]
Home Club: Rockford
FIRST VICE DISTRICT GOVERNOR
Lloyd Foster
1091 – 10th Street
Martin, MI 49070
H: (269) 685-1455
[email protected]
Home Club: Martin
__________________________________
SECOND VICE DISTRICT GOVERNOR
Julie May
4379 Fruit Ridge Avenue, N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
C: (616) 570-4634
[email protected]
Home Club: Marne
CABINET SECRETARY
Cheryl Anderson
1045 Lumina Drive
Jenison, MI 49428
H: (616) 457-3048
C: (616) 443-1995
[email protected]
Home Club: Grand Rapids
CABINET TREASURER
Earl Howell
11197 Borden Road
Hubbardston, MI 48865
H: (989) 981-6795
[email protected]
Home Club: Lyons-Muir
REGION 1 – Chair:
Cheryl Schneider
ZONE 1:
ZONE 2:
REGION 2 – Chair:
Dianna Robach
ZONE 1:
ZONE 2:
REGION 3 – Chair:
Jack Brewer
Pending
Gail McCready
Anne Baird
Marv Ludwick
ZONE 1: Greg Wehby
ZONE 2: Carol Ludwick
REGION 4 – Chair:
Shirley Hoffman
ZONE 1: Carol Ruddy
ZONE 2: Dr. Paul Hodge
The Pulse is published 11 x per year. Deadline for copy is the 1st every month emailed out the 10th. Email submissions
for The Pulse & Pride to Sue Ferris at [email protected] or mail to 3776 Clyde Lyons, MI 48851.
A VOICE FOR LIONISM
www.thesightseer.org – TRY IT – YOU’LL LIKE IT
WANTED – STORY TELLERS!!
There are readers and there are story tellers. We are looking for those special people
that bring the story to life. They have the knack of finding the key word in a sentence to
emphasize. They turn a collection of words into a rhythm, a song, an emotion – they teach.
Come bring your ability to reach out and touch others with the magic of your voice.
Reopen the world of print to those of us who have lost the ability to embrace a novel, enter into
a poem, or digest the content of commentary. Come join the story tellers of the Sight Seer –
bring the printed word to life for those unable to read for themselves – find yourself in bringing
a light to their darkness.
Call me at 616-466-5132 or The Sight Seer at 616- 235 0020.
Yours in Lionism
Stan Hone, District 11c1 Project Chair – The Sight Seer Reading Service
Lions Clubs International
FOUNDATION
Lions of Michigan Foundation
CRUISE PLANS FOR 2017
7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean
“Adventure of the Seas”
March 4, 2017
$1,000 per person not firm
Various cabins at different prices
Details to follow on both
Contact PDG Ken Frary (616) 675-7666
Fellow Lions of 11C-1, we are within $211.21 of
reaching our stated goal for this 2015-16 Lion Year. This
means that if every club (25 of our 36) that has not yet
donated just sent in a check for $10.00 to LCIF we would
be over our goal. Individual members that may want to
donate to LCIF for any of the various LCIF programs are
welcome to donate as well. We have till the end of the
month to donate but the sooner the better as the
paperwork sometimes bogs down at HQ. A very big thank
you to those 11 clubs that donated as well as the
individual members that made healthy donations.
Looking forward to ending 4 years as the District
LCIF Chair by reaching our goal each and every year.
Thanks to all of you!
Dennis Cobler, OD PID
MISSION TRIP TO PERU
26 members from Nevada, North Carolina, Idaho and 11C1’s very own Gary and Cheryl Anderson had their sights set
on Lima, Peru where they spent four days April 25 to 29
performing 4300 eye exams. At the end of the week PID
Anderson inducted 7 new lions club members from the team
after which some of the gang tried the Peruvian epicurean
delicacy of guinea pig.
Line up and waiting to be screened.
To assist you in your travel to Omaha the Forum
Committee is working on a bus from both East and
West Michigan to take you to and from Omaha.
More information to follow…
26 members took part in this mission.
PDG Diane Wehby had state convention
attendees engaged and laughing with her
presentation on Centennial Celebration Service
Projects.
PID Gary Anderson and wife, CS Cheryl were two
Michiganders of the 26. Gary seen here with a
Peruvian lady.
CLUB NEWS
CEDAR SPRINGS:
Cedar Springs Lions rubbed elbows with locals at
Community Night held the end of April at the area high
school. They highlighted local fundraisers including mints
and the Penny People. What will they do with the
$1,000,000 pennies they are raising? The pennies will help
purchase equipment to assist the hearing and visually
impaired for installation at the new Cedar Springs Public
Library. What a great Level 2, Centennial Service Project!
By allowing the public to guess how many pennies were
in the jar and win them if they guessed correctly, these
crafty lions had a way to draw the public to their booth
where they could raise awareness of their fundraiser, collect
additional funds and highlight projects. As anyone would
agree who has attended community exposmost attendees
are looking for the giveaways, draws or some game or
service, so this was an inexpensive and creative way to lure
them their booth.
(AKA GRANS GEMS)
DORR TOWNSHIP:
Lion president Joe Delisa (left) and Michael DeVries,
representing the Dorr Business Association presented
donations to Luella Leys for the Dorr Blood Drives at the
Lion’s June 7th meeting. At the same meeting President Joe
was awarded the club’s Lion of the Year Award while the
club awarded their Citizen Award which helps invites the
public to be involved with their club.
1ST ANNUAL WEST MICHIGAN GOLF
OUTING FOR BLIND & VISUALLY
IMPAIRED GOLFERS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS
Wednesday, July 13 (Starting at 1 pm)
Lake Monterey Golf Course
3765 2th Street, Dorr, MI 49323
$17 per player, includes cart, green fees & lunch
Registration Deadline: Friday, June 17
Contact: Gary Peters, head pro (616) 896-8118
FRUITPORT:
They were setting up for the Fruitport Old Fashioned Days
May 23 at Ponoma Park which ran May 25 through 30th.
Fruitport Lions were out delivering the Family Fun Festival
Guide to locations showing the times for the carnival,
events and the daily Lions Ox Roast. Lions Club President
Pat Stressman and husband Russ were named the Queen
and King of this year’s festivities which keep the club busy.
As if they weren’t busy enough, club member sponsored
and helped Mercy Health with a blood drive Saturday, May
28 during the Old Fashioned Days. The blood mobile was
set up close to downtown.
GRAND RAPIDS:
HUDSONVILLE:
On May 9, Hudsonville Lions awarded two $750
scholarships to local students – Leilani Brander from
Hudsonville High School and Ben Hoekwater from Unity
Christian. The presentation took place at noon at the Hughes
Park shelter building in conjunction with a luncheon of pulled
pork sandwiches, vegetables and dip, chips and graduation
cake served to club members, scholarship recipients and
their parents. Brander will pursue a degree Elementary
Education while Hoekwater plans to study Nature Resource
Management, both at Grand Valley State University.
LAKEWOOD:
Lakewood Area Lions had something to crow about with a
great turnout at their annual Chicken Barbecue May 21 at the
Lake Odessa Beach Pavilion. Two days before they met in
Lansing and presented a check for $500 to Leader Dog
Canine Development Unit which is one of several projects
near and dear to their members hearts.
LYONS MUIR:
Over the past 28 years, more than 80,000 people have
received vision care through proceeds from the Grand
Rapids Ophthalmology Drive for Vision Charity Golf Outing.
Not only is it a fundraiser supporting the Association for the
Blind and Visually Impaired; It also supports the Grand
Rapids Lions Club Vision Clinic at Cherry Street. It is also
considered one of the most competitive and fun events
each summer. This year’s goal is $40,000 raised on June
20 at the Quail Ridge Golf Course. For more info,
sponsorship or to register to play email
www.driveforvision.com.
Members headed to the Allegan area to Camp Optimist
May 12 helping fellow club member Gwen Botting clean for
upcoming camps for Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind.
OUB caters to kids who are blind, or have low vision honing
in on social skills while teaching life skills, independence and
self-confidence through regular camp activities, cooking and
gardening.
HAMILTON:
It was a finger licking good time May 25 when Hamilton
Lions held their annual chicken barbecue at the local Middle
School from 4:30 to 6:30.
HOPKINS:
Hopkins held their last regular club meeting of the year
May 18 at Russo’s. A summer picnic was planned and held
June 15.
Meet Mitchell Lahr & Madeline Meyer. They are the 2016
winners of the Duane D. Ferris Memorial Agricultural
Scholarships - through Lyons Muir Lions. Both are very
involved in 4-H and FFA and are 'going green' heading to
MSU in the fall for ag/tech courses. Maddy hopes to fast track
to Veterinary Medicine while Mitchell plans to focus on
Agronomy. Both were awarded certificates at the Ionia High
School Awards Night June 1st.
MARNE:
There were 20 entries for this year’s Marne Fest logo
contest. 17 entries came from the St. Joseph’s Campus
of Divine Providence Academy while three entries were
designed by students from Kenowa Hills Middle School.
This year’s design was to incorporate the words Marne
Fest 2016 with the theme “Lest We Forget.” A panel of
eight judges picked the top three entries which were
presented by Marne American Legion Auxiliary Present
Barb Taggart, Marne Lions Club Secretary Julie May and
Wright Township Supervisor Josh Westgate. The winning
entries were designed by 3rd Place Katie Joe, 2nd Place
Myla Amock and 1st Place Megan Pearce. Artwork was on
display at the Veterans Park during Marne Fest on
Memorial Day. The day also featured the town’s 68th
annual Memorial Day parade, car show, 5k run/walk, hot
dog eating and pie baking contests, vendors, music and
food.
MARTIN:
MARTIN:
Remember Frankie
Johnson, a sophomore at
Martin High School, who
is heading to Japan with
the Lions of Michigan All
State Band later this
month. She performed
with the Lions of Michigan
All State Band at the
State Convention in
Sterling Heights May 14.
Afterwards she was
sworn in as Leo with her
local Martin Lions Club.
The club raised $730
through a Roast Pork
Dinner in April to help her
attend the International
Convention in Japan at
the end of June.
The club raised $730 through a Roast Pork Dinner in
April to help her attend the International Convention.
MIDDLEVILLE:
Come join hosts Middleville Lions July 30 for the 7th
Annual Taste of Middleville. They took last year off due to
the area’s bridge project, but are back this year under a
new pavilion. This year’s event will feature music and
entertainment beginning at 1:00 with tasting from local
restaurants beginning at 5:00. The family friendly event
wraps up at 7:00.
MUSKEGON EAST SIDE:
Future lion? Possibly. Martin High School student
Austin Marsman received the President’s Volunteer
Service Award for over 100 hours of community service
at his high school awards assembly. How fitting that he
received his Presidential Service Pin and signed letter of
appreciation from President Obama from First VDG Lloyd
Foster as the soon to be DG of District 11-C1 of the
largest service organization in the world. LION’S ROAR!
On May 11 Muskegon East Side Lions regrettably voted
to dissolve their club as of June 30. Declining membership
over the past few years was the reason for the vote along
with a general consensus that the club could not contribute
to their community or the Lions organization as they would
like. You will be missed!
MUSKEGON HOST:
ROCKFORD:
The Start of Summer Celebration the second weekend in
June is always a great time and the largest money maker for
Rockford Lions. Now the second largest club in our district,
Rockford Leos and Lions came together for a parade float
that dispelled any illusions that Rockford Lions are an aging
organization.
Muskegon Host Lions have served pancakes at the
Muskegon Care Affaire for 20 years. Held this year June
4 at the Muskegon County Airport, the event is a
collaborative event by many organizations and boasts a
memorial ride, a run and viewing of the hangar and
aircraft all in support of Wings of Mercy. Wings of Mercy
is a service providing air transportation to distant medical
facilities for families who cannot afford to pay to fly.
MUSKEGON NORTHSIDE:
Muskegon Northside Lions have begun flipping
flapjacks through their Pancake Wagon at the LST for
Armed Forces in May as well as the club’s 2nd Annual
Yard Sale held June 10 and 11 at the Unity Methodist
Church. Of all the club’s fundraising projects, the
Pancake Breakfasts are the most fun since the crew gets
to mingle with the public, talk about lionism and club
service. Ramp building has also begun as has flag
raising twice on the Causeway in May. Muskegon Host
now raises the flags on Flag Day June 14.
For the rest of the weekend Lions hustled drinks in the beer
tent and raffled of another bicycle to a lucky local youth.
SPARTA:
RAVENNA:
Sparta Lions served a “Kick off to Summer” picnic theme
dinner to the 33 residents at the Harvest Way Senior Home.
The icing on the cake – or best part of the meal – was the
root beer floats!
WYOMING:
The Wyoming Lions were saddened to lose a good friend
and a great member in Natalie Yost, May 15. Both Natalie
and her husband Gaylord were lions who were integral to the
Wyoming Club family.