JULY 2014

2014 -15 TRI-COUNTY LIONS OFFICERS INSTALLEDOn July 14, Lion Ray Valentine was installed as the new president of the Tri-County Club by PastCouncil Chair Jim McFarland, West Knox Lions Club. Other officers included Vice Pres. KeithMcCord, Secretary Ken Moffett, Treasurer Judy Moffett, Lion Tamer Richard Russell, andTailtwisterBuddy Greene. Members of the Board of Directors include Bill Mantooth (2 year), Juanita Mantooth,(1 year), and Moe Greenwood (2 year). Membership committee members include Peggy Russell(Chair), Connie Emmons, Joyce Wooliver, and Paul Boyer. Lion Jim used the analogy of running anairline to running a Lions Club, and each officer was compared to a similar position for a successfulFlight 14-15. We wish on-time flights and smooth landings to all as we serve!

As his first major action, President Ray named Lions Judy Moffett (treasurer), Buddy Greene, and MoeGreenwood (immediate past treasurer) to the Finance Committee, and asked them to prepare a budgetfor the Lion Year.

Left to right: Lions Buddy Greene, Ken Moffett, Peggy Russell, Judy Moffett, Bill Mantooth, Connie Emmons, JoyceWooliver, Keith McCord, Jim McFarland, Richard Russell, Ray Valentine, and Paul Boyer.

About our new masthead: Lions International President Joe Preston's theme for 2014-15 is“Strengthening the Pride”, and he has also composed and performed a song of that title, downloadablefrom the Lions International Facebook page and website.

CLUB REPRESENTED IN TORONTO AT 2014 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

Lions Ken and Judy Moffett recently returnedfrom the early July LCI Convention in Toronto,where Ken worked campaigning for the electionof Murfreesboro Lion Bob Corlew as 2nd

International Vice President. As a certifieddelegate, he was also pleased to vote for hissuccessful candidate. Lion Bob will serve as LCIpresident during the 100th Anniversary of Lions!On the first day of the event, Ken and Judywatched the International Parade, a colorful eventwith Lions from around the world participating.

Look forward to a club presentation on theconvention in the not-to-distant future.

At right, MD-12 (Tennessee) Council of Governors and Tennessee Past Int'l Pres. Austin Jennings lead the TennesseeDelegation in the parade. District 12-N Governor Ed Gibbons is closest to the camera in this photo.

9-INNING VACATION PROVES POPULAR

For the 3rd consecutive year, Tri-County Lionsgathered for a winning combination of catered all-you-can-eat picnic and Tennessee Smokiesballgame at Smokies Ballpark in Kodak. This pastJune 23, twenty-two Lions, family, and friendswatched under increasingly threatening skies asthe Smokies lost to Chattanooga. Nevertheless, itis an all-American fun way to unwind and relax atthe close of a year of service.

At left are Lions Juanita and Bill Mantooth, Lion BuddyGreene, and Brenda and Lion Ray Valentine.

GREENWOOD LATEST MELVIN JONES FELLOW

Congratulations to Lion "Moe" Greenwood(shown on right) who received the Melvin JonesFellow Award from District 12-N Lions ClubsInternational Foundation Chair Ron Riehn. Thishighest award from LCIF is a testament to LionMoe's humanitarian service over roughly 17 yearsas a dedicated Lion. The District award includes a$1000 donation to LCIF in his name. Moe is thefifteenth club member (alive and deceased) tohave been presented this prestigious award.Congratulations!

All it takes is asking one person…get started today!

Just Ask. Recruit new members and effectively manage our clubgrowth. Lions Clubs International has a guide on their website todo just that.

Promote our next meeting. Spread the good word about our cluball year long to your family, friends and business colleagues.

MEMBER PROFILE: 2014 KING LION

It was nice to have Lion Ray and Brenda Valentine both presentat the first July meeting (July 14) when officers were installed,and Ray became Tri-County Club President for this year.

He and Brenda have been married for 45 years, and recentlycelebrated their anniversary with a renewing of wedding vows.Lion Ray is a Melvin Jones Fellow, and served as club presidentin the past. For many years he served on the Board of Directorsof the East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank at UT Hospital. Hetransferred into the Tri-County Club from the Downtown LionsClub, and has been a Lion since 1971, with 43 years of service tohis credit.

Lion President Ray Valentine presides at the first meeting of the new LionYear following the installation of officers. Let's all support Lion Ray'sefforts to “Strengthen the Pride” this year!

GRAB YOUR CAMERA!Have a few colorful pixels hanging around? Then enter yourfavorite environmentally themed photo in the Lions Environ-mental Photo Contest! This is a way for you to portray, throughan original photo,your pride and commitment to improving,protecting and preserving our environment. Every Lion canenter a photograph into the club's Photo Contest.

Categories this year include animal life, urban or naturallandscape, plant life, weather phenomenon, and a special theme:Lions’ Pride in our Environment: Capturing the magnificentbeauty and grandeur of our natural environment. Lions ClubsInternational will display the best entries at the annualconvention in Hawaii!

PDG Ken Moffett, District Photo Contest Chair, encourages youto submit 8x10(s) for club selection by November. Identify (on back) with name, address, club, andcategory. For identification, a self-adhesive printed label works well, and won't imprint through thephoto paper.

TRI-COUNTY LIONS DONATE $500 TO LVBI “PROJECT PAYCHECK”

Lions Volunteer Blind Industries in Morristown uses the Project Paycheck funds to offset some of thedifference between what some visually impaired employees are paid and their level of productivity. Notall are able to produce efficiently, but still LVBI provides them a liveable wage. In June a donation tothe fund was authorized in the amount of $500. Lion Ken Moffett, a former member of the LVBIBoard of Directors, delivered the check. The Club supports this effort annually.

REMEMBERING PDG FRED SHERROD

Past District Governor Fred Sherrod became a Lion in 1958, and served as DistrictGovernor in 1978-79. He was a member and past president of the Downtown Clubbefore transferring to the Tri-County Lions Club. He was past president of the EastTennessee Lions Eye Bank and was serving as a Board member until his passingFriday, June 13.

He served in the European Theatre in WWII, and received a Bronze Star. He achievedthe rank of Colonel in the Corps of Engineers, and Brigadier General, 3rd Brigade,Tennessee Defense Force. He was preceded in death by Katie, his wife of 60 years.He was 89. A $50 donation to LVBI was made in memory of PDG Fred.

SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAST PRESIDENT KEITH MCCORD”S YEAR 2013-14

On My Own: a hands-on, real-life simulation in Sevier County schools that encourages youthto make healthy and wise lifestyle choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis. Besidesparticipation in the programs, the Tri-County Lions sponsored the program again this past year.

Optometry Student Assistance: We helped support an optometry student on an overseas mission. Eye Exams and Glasses: an on-going project providing vision assistance to the less fortunate. Litter Pickup: another on-going project where club members clean along a 2-mile section of

Chilhowee School Road. Easter Baskets: seventy-five local seniors received baskets prepared and delivered by club

members, family, and friends. This was a club “Family and Friends: event. Summer Reading Program: annual financial support through Friends of the Seymour Library. White Cane Days: annual fundraiser supporting multiple District 12-N Lions projects, including

Tennessee Schools for the Deaf and Blind, Lions Volunteer Blind Industries, East TennesseeLions Eye Bank, Leader Dog School, and more.

Paper Recycling: collection bins for collecting newspapers and other papers; while this hasresulted in less funds for the club, it provices an environmentally sound way to keep tons ofmaterial out of local landfills.

Other Fundraisers: Chili Supper, Pumpkin Pie Sales