Friday, December 14, 2018

Belle Fourche Lions end 2018 with a roar!

On the cusp of the official first day of winter – and the Christmas holiday just around the corner – the Belle Fourche Lions Club took steps to help ensure that a couple of local families in need will have a little brighter Christmas.  During their final meeting of 2018, Lions embraced a motion to provide holiday gifts of $250 each for two families.  It's a continuation of an abiding effort by Lions to bring a bit of support and good cheer to families that have a demonstrated need for assistance.

District Governor Bea Gifford
Well, 2018 may be winding down, but Belle Fourche Lions were churning and burning on December 13th with a bevy of other items, too.   

After adopting a motion to raise annual dues by $5 beginning in January, Lion President Melodey Zupan shared a letter from District Governor Bea Gifford (shown at left),  who encouraged members to mark their calendars and plan to attend the South Dakota Lions Convention January 18-19 in Spearfish.  You can click on the Yellow box at right to access a Registration Form

President Zupan promoted the sale of raffle tickets to support the South Dakota Lions Foundation.  Winning tickets will be drawn on Saturday, January 19, during the state convention.  Importantly, the money raised through this raffle will go to support KIDSIGHT vision screening.   In a supportive move, Belle Fourche Lions approved a $200 donation to support Lions Sight and Service!

Lion Joyce Drabek gave a brief update on our local vision screening activity.  She reported that in the last round of screenings included 236 screenings in Belle Fourche – with 10 referrals.  A screening in Deadwood resulted in 156 screenings with 10 referrals.

Because of the holidays, Belle Fourche Lions will not meet again until January 9th.  

Merry Christmas!  ...and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Neither cold....nor snow....keeps us from our Lion's den!

Despite a changing weather pattern that brought bitterly cold temperatures and (shudder) a brief burst of snow flurries to the Belle Fourche area, Lions turned out in fine number for our November 8 meeting at Grap's Burgers and Brews.  We counted 16 souls who braved the nasty elements in order to attend!

After a brief discussion about prospects for a Dog Park in Belle Fourche, no action was taken.

But a bit of new business generated considerable interest. Acknowledging that "Splash Parks" have become popular around the area – including one in Spearfish – members discussed the possibility of such a park for Belle Fourche.  One Lion described it as a very popular recreational activity for young people – basically a throwback to the simple childhood joy of "running through a sprinkler" – but on a grander scale.  No decisions were made, but Lion Willert agreed to do some checking with the city – and the possibility of a grant from the Greater Belle Fourche Foundation also arose.

Lion Joyce Drabek passed around a sign-up sheet for the vision screenings scheduled for next week. A morning screening session is set for 9 o'clock at South Park School, and there'll be an afternoon screening at Emmanuel Baptist Church starting at 2 o'clock.

President Zupan noted that the club had received a congratulatory note from the South Dakota Lions Foundation recognizing the occurrence of our Lion's Club 82nd anniversary.  We're also recipients of a new "Membership Satisfaction" patch sent to us for Lions International.  It'll soon be added to our club banner.

Following the meal, Lion Secretary Neumeister (at right in the photo) joined Lion President Zupan in displaying the recently received plaque recognizing the Belle Fourche Lions Club for having the "Best Website" in Multiple-Districts 5, which includes the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.  Sites are judged for quality of content and design.  Our thanks to Lion Secretary Del Neumeister.  Without his timely and comprehensive minutes of our meetings, this website would be woefully barren!

Members were reminded that – due to the Thanksgiving holiday – our next meeting will be Thursday, December 13th.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, September 28, 2018

Belle Fourche Lions are back into the fall schedule!


Between ushering at the Black Hills Roundup rodeo and providing burgers and refreshments at the All-Car Rally, the Belle Fourche Lions were a busy group this summer.  Among the familiar faces on task here setting up our club sign:  Lions Harry, Rich, Tom, Del and Chuck!  Thanks to Lion President Melodey Zupan for sharing this photo!  You can check all of our photos in our Lions Photo Gallery.  Of course, we're back to our fall schedule now, and our next meeting will be Thursday, October 11th!

Monday, July 23, 2018

Our new International President........a native of Iceland!


It's a long way from Reykjavic, Iceland to Belle Fourche, South Dakota – but Lions are bound together worldwide by a common bond to serve people everywhere.  Here's a brief biographical sketch of Lion Gudrun Yngvadadottir, our new President of Lions International.  She epitomizes  our Lions motto:

     We Serve! 

Friday, April 27, 2018

Lion Breanna Shaefer is newest member of Belle Fourche Lions

Breanna Shaefer (at left) is the newest member of the Belle Fourche Lions Club.  Her sponsor, Lion Melodey Zupan is at right, next to club President Brian Kline.  Lion Shaefer works in the Finance Office for the City of Belle Fourche.  Welcome to the club Lion Shaefer! (Photo courtesy of Lion Del Neumeister)


Friday, March 30, 2018

Pancake feed income tops $2,100!


Thanks to all Lions who helped make this event a success – and the many community members who joined in the festivities!  Of course, we have expenses to pay, but the net income will help support that wide range of Lions projects in the Belle Fourche. 
For more photos from the pancake feed, check out our Lions Gallery

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Larry Shoemaker welcomed as newest Lion!

Larry Shoemaker (center) was welcomed as newest member of the Belle Fourche Lions Club during the club meeting on Thursday, March 22nd.   He is flanked by Lions John Cooper (left) and Melodey Zupan (right).  Lion "Coop" sponsored Shoemaker; Lion Zupan is Vice-President and presided over the meeting.  Welcome Lion Larry Shoemaker!

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Lion Tom Nary presented with 20-Year pin


Lion Tom Nary, who seems to be active in just about every Belle Fourche Lions endeavor, was presented with his 20-Year Lion pin during the club meeting on February 22nd at Graps.  Congratulations Lion Tom!

The gathering was a busy one as members also received updates on the Middle School Science Fair, for which our $100 donation was divided equally among four students.  Winners were 8th graders Ceylee Meyers and Theresina Seaman, and 7th graders Grace Clooten and Payge Oakes.

Tickets and posters for the Lions Pancake Feed on Sunday, March 25th were shared with all members present.

Lion Rich Drabek provided a New Member Orientation, which was appreciated by all members – not just newer Lions.  It included a history of our 82-year-old club, along with a splendid blending of information about the scope and impact of the 1.4 million Lions members worldwide.  You'll find more about Lion Rich's program – along with news about our guests and the Zone 2 meeting – in draft minutes from our February 22 meeting.

Thanks to Lion Del Neumeister for the above photograph, as well as his great job with minutes from ALL of our recent Lions meetings  You'll find them under the MINUTES Tab at the top of thispage.





Friday, January 26, 2018

Lions approve $1,200 to support three local projects

Lions belted out the Lion's Song, echoing through the halls of Grap's Burgers and Brews last night (1/25/18) perhaps inspiring members of the Belle Fourche Lions Club to get down to business during their final January meeting.  Of course, there was plenty of socializing before and during dinner, but we'd like to think that it was the melodious strains (and we're sure that's the right word) of the Lion's Song that motivated members to move swiftly through a full night of club business.

Guest Larry Shoemaker (left) with President Brian Kline
But not before welcoming Belle Fourche retiree Larry Shoemaker as a guest invited by Lion Frank Walton.  Larry's a retired trucker and a prospective member of Belle Fourche Lions, so we hope our singing doesn't scare him off.  You'll be hearing more about Larry.

On the business side of things, Lion Joyce Drabek reported on the latest vision screening at the Health Fair.  Twenty-six children were screened – with three referrals.  Members were reminded, too, that our annual Pancake Feed will be coming up on Sunday, March 25th.  Mark your calendars now!

True to the spirit of Lionism, members gave their approval for three projects in the community.  They include funds to support two $500 scholarships for Belle Fourche High School students; a $100 donation to Parents Who Care, an organization that – among others things – coordinates "After-Prom Activities"; and, finally, a $100 donation to the Middle School to fund two $50 awards for the Science Fair.

But wait, there's more!  Read about it in our award-winning Lions Minutes compiled by Lion Secretary Del Neumeister.  You can also enjoy archived photo "treasures" in our Lions Gallery.

Lion Rich Drabek is on the program agenda with a Lions Orientation at our meeting slated for Thursday, February 8th.  See you then!

Monday, January 15, 2018

Neither wind, nor snow, nor COLD...

Despite bitter cold weather, more than a dozen weather-resistant Lions congregated Thursday evening (1/11/18) at Grap's for the first meeting of the new calendar year.  Happy New Year!  Welcome to 2018.

Members were reminded of the State Lions Convention in Huron later this month – January 19 and 20, as well as the forthcoming Health Fair at the Belle Fourche Area Community Center next Saturday, January 13th.

Lions Brian Kline, Michael Floyd and Melodey Zupan.
A happy ending for the two Lions Christmas Families; after a bit of a cash card "issue" surrounding its activation, the problem was resolved, and Lion Kraft reported that both families received their cards and were able to use them during the holidays.s

Lion President Kline gave recognition to Lion Melodey Zupan for her sponsoring one of our newer members, Lion Michael Floyd.  They are shown – in that order – at left.  Thanks to Lion Neumeister for sharing this image.

Lions are looking for an ambitious Lion to take over the reins as Chairperson of the 2018 Dodgeball Tournament.  Filling this position is critical to the future of the tourney.  Contact Lion Kline for particulars.

Some other calendar items were discussed – and more.  Check out the details in Lion Neumeister's comprehensive minutes.  A link to all minutes from the last year can be found at the "Minutes" tab at the top of this page.  Check out all upcoming events on our Lions Calendar (at right).  Newest addition is our Lions Pancake Feed, set for Sunday, March 25th.  More information will be forthcoming.