Lions Club

On January 17, 2008, our District Governor, Lion Fred Remenka, and his wife, Lion Rita Remenka, were our special guests, and Lion Fred was our speaker. The District Governor presented a pin to Lion Club Sweetheart Addison Staley. He also presented Outstanding Lions pins to Lions Sherrie Leach, Joe Miller, and Johnny Metz. He spoke about LCIF focus for the year: RETENTION OF MEMBERS. To retain members, the local club must get them involved. There are 194 new Lions in our District this year and two new clubs in Vidor and Hamshire-Fannett. Lion Fred noted that the hardest part about getting new Lions is asking them to come to a meeting. There will be a District meeting in Livingston this weekend; registration is from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. International is sponsoring a campaign, SIGHT FIRST II, to raise funds to prevent River Blindness; a $6 injection can prevent one person from going blind. The campaign will end June 30, 2008. Upon completion of the District Governor’s address, the Newton Lions Club presented Lion Rita Renkema with a bouquet of flowers in appreciation of their visit to our Club. It was an inspiring address and visit from our District Governor.

Also at the meeting Addison Staley thanked the club for nominating her as the Newton Lions Club Sweetheart. She also gave an update of Leo Club projects: Sight Night (eyeglasses), Share the Warmth (coats), Diabetes Walk with HOSA in the Spring, assist Lions at the Newton County Fair to take up gate receipts, and serve at the Chamber banquet. The Leo Club now has 33 members. Lion Conley Todd presented a project idea that was approved by Directors’ and Officers’ on January 8. Lions will sponsor a political forum to hear candidates on February 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center. Each candidate will be given 5 minutes to present. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Lion Margie Herrin will chair this committee.

	On October 18, 2007, our speaker was Stewart Shaver, an adult probation officer for Newton County gave a report on the supervision and rehabilitation of offenders. There were 426,900 people probated in Texas this past year, 544 of those are in our District, 155 in our County; this brings Mr. Shaver’s case load to 362. He stated that 114 are drug/alcohol cases. The drug of choice among offenders is still alcohol. This leads to other offenses such as DUI and theft. Marijuana ranks second. Prescription drugs and Meth-Amphetamines rank third. Prescription drugs are gaining ground with school age kids because they are easily accessible in home medicine cabinets. Meth use is becoming epidemic. It is hard to stop the flow since it is made from household goods. This drug is more addictive than crack; there is a 50% chance that users will become addicted after using only one time, chances increase with more use. Mr. Stewart distributed posters showing the Faces of Meth. The biggest problem in rehabilitating offenders is lack of resources. There are only two centers for accessible for Newton residents and they are in Beaumont. This was a very informative program.

	Mr. Shaver giving his presentation.

	Mr. Shaver being thanked by the Newton Lions Club president.

	At our regularly scheduled on October 4, 2007, we had two special presentations. Theresa Freeman of Rosewood Assisted Living told us about their latest facility, Rosewood-- Newton, which is located in the old hospital on highway 87. She invited those interested to come by and see their newest facility. She is shown below with Lion President Joe Miller

	The Newton Lions Club had special guests from the Leo Club from Newton High School at our regularly scheduled meeting on October 4th. Pictured from left to right are Leo Megan Hatton, Leo Emily Jefferson, Leo Kenze Brooks, and Lion Elaine Kelley, the Leo Club sponsor. This year NHS has twent-six members. The Leo Club is a very active organization that serves the Newton community in a variety of ways. They discussed some of their upcoming projects. On October 30 they will pass out door hangers that invite people to donate their old eyeglasses for recycling by the Lions organization. Eyeglasses can be turned in at the Newton Pharmacy or Brookshires. On Halloween night they will be back in the neighborhoods collecting used eyeglasses and sunglasses. Sight Night is is a community service project sponsored by the Give the Gift of Sigh Foundation and Lions Club International. Collected eyeglasses are repaired and classified by prescription and given to people in developing countries who cannot afford eyeglasses. In December the Leo Club will be collecting sweaters, jackets, and coats to give to those less fortunate. Next spring they will emphasize diabetes, which has become a national epidemic. More information will be forthcoming on all events.

	At our regularly scheduled meeting on September 20, 2007, our new Lion Club Secretary, Sherrie Leach addresses the club. Lion Leach reported on future programs planned for the club.




	Sherry Tracy, Newton High School Counselor, gave a special presentation on programs at the High School. These programs include vocational training in welding and dual college credit courses in algebra, history, and English. Newton is proud of football and our academic program! Those who missed this presentation, missed a good one!




	Lion Sherrie Leach, Lion Joe Miller, and our presenter, Sherry Tracy.

	Kathy Miller cleans up in the kitchen after serving lunch to the club

	At our regularly scheduled meeting on May 17, 2007, we hosted the Texas Scholars from Newton High School. These are 12th grade students who have taken an academic coursework leading to college. The following pictures were taken before the meeting and during lunch.











	Election on May 3, 2007 The annual election of officers was held at the regularly scheduled meeting on May 3, 2007. The following is the list of officers elected: President, Joe Miller 1st Vice President, Sherrie Leach 2nd Vice President, Misty Spacek 3rd Vice President, David Hines 1st Year Director, Kristi Davis 1st Year Director, Gene Isabell 2nd Year Director, Gwendolyn Simmons 2nd Year Director, Ed Tracy Tail Twister, Sam Collins Lion Tamer, Christye Shaw Recording Secretary, Joni Miller Corresponding Secretary, Joni Miller Treasurer, Conley Todd Membership, Margie Herrin Past President, Hubert Franks

	The officers for 2007-2008
	Honored guests at the Newton Lions Club Meeting on February 15, 2007, were four fourth grade students who represented Newton at the Texas Capitol Schoolhouse event in Austin recently. The Newton Elementary School was one of only 15 schools that was recommended by the Texas Education Agency and then selected by the Texas Capitol Schoolhouse Foundation to participate. This event takes places every other year when the Legislature is in session. Its purpose is to demonstrate to the legislators how technology dollars are being utilized in public schools for teaching and learning. The children set up a table with several types of technology devices (laptop, printer, DANA, scientific probes) to show how they use the tools to conduct research and record their thoughts, ideas, and data. They set up a table just as they did in Austin, conducted a short demonstration of one or two of their lessons, and told about their favorite memories of the trip. We are very proud of these students and our schools in Newton. A quality education is most important thing that we can provide our children. Assistant District Superintendent, Lion Sherry Leach accompanied the students on their trip to Austin and brought them to the meeting.















	On February 1, 2007, District Governor Dr. Bonita Lowrie was our honored guest.

	The two pictures on the left show the conversation around the tables, and the picture on the right shows DG Dr. Lowrie with Lion President Joe Miller and his wife Kathy

	On January 18, 2007, Marlin Gengerich, the project manager for the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) was our speaker. Newton has a special love for the MDS. The MDS came to Newton within a few days after Rita and worked her for about 6 months clearing debris and repairing houses. They came back to Newton about 2 weeks ago with the mission of building some new houses from scratch. They are staying at the Baptist Encampment. They have a group of 28 Amish workers that will be here for an extended period of time. One of the Amish men, John Swantz came with Marlin. During Marlin's talk he stated that the MDS believes in doing work for which there is no expectation of repayment. They do it just because they want to help. After Marlin described the work projects, the Lion Club President commented how the MDS expressed their Christianity in such real terms by serving God and their fellow human beings. Their was a resounding AMEN from the club members.

	John Swantz chats with members of the Lions Club

	Members chat while waiting in the buffet line



	The Lion Club President thanks Marlin for his inspiring presentation


	The Following pictures were taken at our December 7, 2006, meeting. Representatives from the Newton High School Future Farmers of American reviewed their recent trip to the FFA Annual Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Also, Walter Diggles, Executive Director of DETCOG presented information regarding grants awarded to East Texas agencies that are involved in Rita Hurricane Recovery work. Reimbursement grants were awarded to First Baptist Church of Deweyville, First UMC of Newton, and New Beginning Day Care.

	Cortney Meyer, Secretary of the FFA addresses the Lions Club as Caddie Watson listens.

	Caddie Watson, Reporter of the FFA addresses the Lions Club as Cortney Meyer listens.

	Walter Diggles addresses the Lions Club on December 7, 2006

	Lions listen attentively to Walter Diggles' presentation.

	On Wednesday, October 4, 2006, The Newton Lions Club had its regularly scheduled meeting at First Baptist Church. The following snapshots were taken at that meeting.

	Visitor Bill Ackerman from Richmond, Kentucky, talks with Lion Devere Sanson just before the meeting.

	A group of Lions settles down for the meeting, just before it began

	Lions discuss various business items on the agenda.

	These Lions are ready to eat! We had a wonderful lunch of BBQ cooked and served by Chief Ricky Simmons!

	From a previous meeting Lion President Joe Miller and Past Lion President Ed Tracy pose of a picture