Calhan Lions Tale
June 2023
Lions Club Meeting: The June meeting was held June 6th, 2023, in Swink Hall at the El Paso County Fair Grounds.
Call to Order: Lion President Ed Bridges called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Lion President Ed led the Pledge of Allegiance and PCC Lion Bob Selle gave the invocation/blessing.
Attendance: There were 21 Lions Club members at the meeting; Lions Janie Antons, Ken Antons, Carl Breuning, Doris Bridges, Ed Bridges, Karin Dilger, Jenifer Erickson, Ginger Flynn, Carolyn Gardner, DGE Maria Herndon, Steven Herndon, Mae Jones, Tod Jones, James Nile, Judy Nile, Tim Pachak, PCC Bob Selle, Donna Selle, Susie Starr, Ray Tukua, and Shirley Tukua. Thank you for all who attended!!
Dinner: Dinner was provided by Lions Erik & Jeni Erickson, Karen Dilger, Doris & Ed Bridges. We had tacos, burritos, with spicy meat and beans, salad, cookies, and chocolate cake. The July meeting, to be held June 27th, is a potluck meal at Calhan Methodist Church.
Approval of Agenda: Lion President Ed asked for a motion (Lion Jim) and second (Lion Mae) to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion for the agenda was approved.
Approval of Minutes: Lion President Ed asked for a motion (Lion Jim) and second (Lion Janie) to approve the May 2023 minutes as presented. The motion for the minutes was approved.
Correspondence and Secretary Report: DGE Maria reported there were several correspondences sent via e‑mail over the month. Two sheets covering the Colorado Lions Camp Annual Report and Summer 2023 were passed around. The Meal Sponsor sheets were sent around along with a sign up for the June 27th potluck. DGE Maria reported the Fair Board asked if the club wanted to participate in their $4 Day event. She asked for ideas to be brought to the meeting. This will be on next months agenda for vote.
Treasurer Report: Lion Carolyn gave the following treasurers report. The only 2022-23 budget item left is to pay for the Calhan Ballpark sign.
Accounts:
Checking $7,818.83
Raffle/Bingo $10.00
Savings $1,042.40 interest $0.10
Foundation $19,802.69 interest $3.04
Income:
Dues
Tail Twister
Kroger check
Expenses (all paid):
Dollar-A-Month
Pennies for People
e-file for CO state $10
New Eyeglasses: Lion Carl Breuning reported the Falcon Family Eye Care is now doing our service on Wednesdays. There were no new applications.
John L. "Nap" Pieper Ed Scholarship: The Calhan Lions Club is proud to announce that Mr. Cooper Clark of Calhan is the recipient of the 2023 John L. “Nap” Pieper Educational Scholarship, also known as the Calhan Lions Club Scholarship. The Scholarship is worth $1,500 and is given to a student who currently attends either Peyton or Calhan High School. Candidates for this scholarship
must have an ACT of at least 19, a 3.0 GPA, and have attended school in Peyton or Calhan for a minimum of one school year. The Lions Club Scholarship is named after John Pieper, who for many years, provided the funding for this scholarship out of his own pocket. Nap, as he was known to everyone around town, felt it was important to not only have an excellent academic record, but it was also important to be involved in the community – both inside and outside of school. Without a doubt, Cooper Clark exemplified Nap’s vision. One of his recommendation letters stated, “One of the most admirable qualities Cooper possesses is his willingness to help everyone and anyone in the community without reservation…from cleaning up the yard of residents around Calhan to fence repair, landscaping…you name it. Cooper is always available to help at the local churches when needed and loves working with younger kids at the school at various hosted events. He is always kind, humble and reliable.” Early in Cooper’s high school career, he played football, baseball, and wrestled. Cooper has always wanted to be a power lineman, like his father, Cody. Cooper worked diligently and took extra classes in his junior year at Calhan, so that he could complete all the graduation requirements five months early. Cooper completed his studies early for a reason - so he could start working toward attaining his CDL, which can only be started once a person turns eighteen and is also a requirement to become a lineman. In this short time since completing his studies, Cooper has already received his CDL and is currently working with a company that will better prepare him for being a lineman. Cooper will attend Trinidad State College where he will be enrolled in the Rocky Mountain Lineman Program. The Calhan Lions Club is thrilled to have Cooper as the 2023 John L. “Nap” Pieper Educational Scholarship winner. The Lions Club Scholarship Committee feels that Cooper will be a successful leader and will represent not only our community, but Calhan School well in the future. The Calhan Lions Club is a service organization that plans and participates in a wide variety of service projects including a strong commitment for the blind and visually impaired, as well as providing clothing and school supplies to children as part of our KidSpree program. Additionally, the Lions Club takes an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of the community.
Bingo: Lion Janie reported the signup sheets were going around. There are plenty of volunteers for the month of June.
Eastern Plains Community Pantry: Lion President Ed reported there were 6 Calhan students who came over from Calhan High School for “Crew Day” to volunteer at the pantry. The pantry will have a booth at the Calhan Summerfest event, July 14th, and will serve pork sandwiches. They will have a Bronco player helping to serve.
Fun Run in the Sun: Lion Doris reported the trash pickup event on June 3rd was canceled due to rain. The event moved to June 10th, 7:30 am. We will meet at the Calhan Country Church parking lot and clean up East Hwy 24.
State Convention: DGE Maria reported the State Convention was held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It was expensive; however, the 2024 State Convention will be held in Akron, Colorado. DGE Maria encouraged everyone to consider going to this State Convention as it will be affordable and conventions are held to give people encouragement and enthusiasm, as well as new ideas, for their club. Next year’s convention will be held May 2nd through the 4th. The 2nd is expected to be the PDG dinner, with convention starting on Friday, the 3rd.
El Paso County Fair Obligation: Lion Jim and Judy passed around the signup sheets for all the events. Lion Jim was not sure what the club is supposed to do for the light show, as it is not a ticketed event. However, all the other events should be the same as in the past.
Pie Day: Lion Ginger reported the date will again be on Tuesday of Fair week. She will need 26 pies.
KidSpree: Lion Ginger reported KidSpree will be August 5th. The signups start June 6th at the Eastern Plains Community Pantry. Hoping to get 100 youth from the community. Instead of ordering shoes online during the event, there will be gift cards given to the youth to purchase shoes at Walmart.
Business: Club Bingo Possibility: Lion Janie ask that this be tabled. The Catholic Church is planning on adding days to the month as they gain more clientele. We don’t want to compete with the church.
Approval of 2023-2024 Budget: Lion President Ed asked for a motion (Lion Tim) and a second (Lion Steve) for the approval of the 2023-2024 Budget as presented. See last page of minutes. The yellow items were those that were changed since the last budget approval. The motion was approved as presented.
Calhan Summerfest Lions Table: This subject was tabled.
6SE District Convention: Lion President Ed asked for a motion (Lion Jim) and a second (Lion Bob) to sponsor and hold the 6SE District Convention at Swink Hall on April 13, 2024. DGE Maria will reserve the hall. The motion was approved as presented and a committee was named; Lions Ed, PCC Bob, Jim, Vicki, Steve, and DGE Maria.
Welcome Bags: The question was asked if there were Welcome Bags available for new residents in the area. There may be some at Calhan City Hall. PDG Sharon would know if there were any bags available.
Celebrations: June Birthdays: Lions Pam Gotschall and Ginger Flynn. - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: DGE Lion Secretary Maria Herndon
Next meeting is June 27th, 6:30 p.m., at Calhan United Methodist Church.
Next month’s dinner is a potluck.
Important Dates: Mobile Pantry (Jun 16th), Father’s Day (Jun 18th), Bingo (Jun 14th,28th), VFW Lunch (Jun 24th), Lion’s Club Meeting (Jun 27th), July Dinner is a potluck, Bingo (Jul 12th, 26th), Calhan Summer Fest (Jul 14th), Mobile Pantry (Jul 21st), El Paso County Fair (Jul 15th-22nd), Pie Day (Jul 18th), International Convention, Boston (Jul 7th-11th), VFW Lunch (Jul 29th), and the August Dinner Sponsors Lions Doris Bridges, Carolyn Gardner, Susie Starr, and Shirley Tukua
