Roaring Lions Newsletter
March 12, 2024
The Marshall Lions Club met at noon on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative Inc. meeting room, 410 E. Houston, Marshall, Texas.
While there are many relevant things captured in time on this day in history, in this newsletter I will focus on three events. On this day in 1912, Juliette Gordon Lowe formed the first troop of American Girl Guides (later called Girl Scouts) in Savannah, Georgia. In 1993, American lawyer and public official Janet Reno was sworn in as U.S. Attorney General, becoming the first woman to the hold the office. And finally in 2009, American hedge-fund investment manager Bernie Madoff pled guilty to various crimes related to his operation of a Ponzi scheme that was one of the largest in the world; he was sentenced to 150 years in prison.
Since Lions are fascinated with tidbits of information, today’s “Did You Know” fact is provided for your reading pleasure. Did you know? The strongest bone in your body is the femur (thighbone) and it is hollow.
Connie Dowden and Cindy Ford from CC Catering provided our meal of the day. They served spaghetti, bread, salad, parmesan cheese, and of course, tea.
President Stacey Bowen called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. Lion Stacey Bowen announced that the Gospel Girls had arrived and he is providing a few minutes for them to setup as we get today’s program underway. He thanked CC catering for providing such a great meal today. Also, Lion Stacey announced that there will be a Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. This meeting will change venues and will be held at Rueggenbach Brewery on the 2nd Floor which is located at 108 W Houston Street in Marshall. For today’s line-up, the world traveler, Lion Dudley Swofford will be taking our prayer requests, Lion Stan Spence will be leading our pledges and Lion Alan Grantham will be leading our music. Lion Dudley gave thanks for the day and the opportunities we have for our club to get together, have a great meal, fellowship and hear a wonderful program. He gave thanks for the community and nation and asked for prayers for each. And finally, Lion Dudley gave thanks for the food that has been prepared in the nourishment of our bodies. Lion Stacey Bowen called upon Lion Stan Spence to lead our Pledges of Allegiance to the United States and Texas Flags.
Lion Stacey Bowen called upon Lion Alan Grantham to lead us in our weekly songs. Lion Alan was the first to admit that the morning was a bit brisk, but it is starting to feel a lot like summertime. In recognition of the temperatures a rising, Lion Alan led the group in performing, “In the Good Old Summertime” and for a patriotic favorite, Lion Alan masterfully led a rendition of “America, the Beautiful.”
With Lion Brooke LaBouve away from the building today, Lion Stacey Bowen moved past the Tail Twister assignment to provide the Gospel Girls a bit more time to perform. Lion Stacey Bowen called upon Lion Chris Horsley to introduce our program guests.
Lion Chris Horsley said it was an honor to have Lion Mary Spearmon and the Gospel Girls with us today. The team includes Joselyn Jordon (keyboard) and Lion Mary Spearmon, Glenda Ervin and Cathy Smith. Lion Mary is part of Avinger Lions Club and also fulfills the role as District 2-X2 Chaplain. Lion Chris admitted that when Lions Robert Wood, Donald Hocutt and he go to District 2-X2 Cabinet Meetings, Lion Mary and the Avinger Lions Club normally shows the most spirit and walks away with spirit stick. But surprisingly, Marshall Lions Club was able to win the award on one occasion. Lion Chris reported that we need to have a large attendance at the upcoming District 2-X2 Convention that will be held on April 19/20, 2024 in Hallsville, Texas to truly show our spirit. Lion Chris reported that the Gospel Girls had planned to come in February 2024, but unfortunately, Lion Mary Spearmon’s son was sick as well as another member, so that prevented their attendance. Today, they are missing one of their members – Vivian Johnson and Lion Mary sure wished the Marshall Lions could hear her sing. With the recent losses in our club with Lions Ken Poindexter, Stephen Lane, James Thompson and Gid Terry, the Gospel Girls are just what the group needs to assist in our healing process.
Before getting started with the performance, Lion Stacey Bowen reported we have 16 Lions in the den and two guests. Lion Jimmie Van Norden introduced her son, Ray Dunlap, that is visiting with her and Lion Dare Westmoreland introduced his friend Mike Haynes.
If you are bringing guests, please let Lion Angela Parker know in advance of our weekly meeting. For our at large members, the costs of meals are $15 for Catfish Express and $10 for all other caterers. Please provide this money to Lion Angela Parker whenever you make a meeting and enjoy lunch.
With a short break waiting for a member of the Gospel Girls, Lion Kent Reeves decided to share a quote of the day regarding a good relationship between a husband and wife: “A good relationship is when she is by your side during bad times to tell you that none of this would have happened if you had only listened to her.”
Lion Robert Wood announced that Lion Mary Spearmon also plays in Jefferson Lions Club’s Diamond Bessie Murder Trial during the Friday night showing only. The 70th Diamond Bessie Murder Trial kicks off Pilgrimage with the first of 5 performances beginning on Thursday evening, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. Other performances of the play are on Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Mary 4 at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. This captivating drama is based on the true story of a murder and a subsequent trial which occurred in Jefferson in 1877. All performances of the play are held in the Jefferson Playhouse at the corner of Market and Henderson streets. Tickets for the 70th Diamond Bessie Murder trial are now being sold and may be purchased by calling the Diamond Bessie ticket-line (903) 665-0737.
Lion Chris Horsley also shared a story about a couple in a restaurant. An elderly couple walked in a restaurant and ordered one meal which they both would split. The lady sat there as the man was eating and the waiter and staff figured they did not have enough money, so the waiter walked over and told her they could provide the money and get hear something to eat. She was insistent that it was no problem as they always shared. As she continued to remain patient as her husband ate, the waiter once again walked over telling her that they would help. Again, she was adamant that they always share. The waiter recognized that the man was almost finished and the lady had nothing to eat. The lady explained that she is waiting because they also share the teeth.
Glenda Ervin introduced members of the Gospel Girls and pointed out that Lion Mary Spearmon and she have been performing together for over 20 years. Whether a nursing home or a local church, you will find all members performing whenever they have the opportunity to entertain. Her hope is members of Marshall Lions will also enjoy their performance today. Lion Mary shared that they started out together at Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in 2003. Glenda Ervin was a nurse at the facility, Cathy Smith was in dietary and Lion Mary Spearmon served as the facilities’ Activity Director. Always in search of something for the residents of the facility to do, Lion Mary Spearmon would start singing with the residents and before long, Glenda would join in. From that point, Glenda recommended they form a group and the group has been performing across East Texas ever since. At one time, the Gospel Girls had 12 members, but today, only five are still active members of the group.
The group performed gospel songs to include: “Ride this Train,” “There’s a Leak in This Old Building”, “What Is This?”, “Heaven Is My Goal”, ‘Get Right Church”, “Sweet Home” ,“Send Me, I’ll Go”, and an inspirational classic – “How Great Thou Art.”
Lion Chris Horsley reported that on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, we will have the Farm City Week Speech Contest winners and their families in attendance, so it is important for the den to be on its best behavior. And on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, we will welcome Sara Braun from East Texas Baptist University. Sara will be with us to discuss all facets of social media to include Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to name a few platforms. Then leading into April 2024, we will have some sort of program that introduces Marshall Lions Club to Artificial Intelligence. Lion Chris Horsley reminded the audience about Lion Alex Keith and his recent lecture on Bitcoin. As he looks at Bitcoin today, the cost of one coin has now eclipsed $73K. It is cool to receive a program and then have additional knowledge to understand the topic in its current context as we seek additional information.
Glenda Ervin thanked the group for providing the opportunity for the Gospel Girls to perform for Marshall Lions Club today and if we ever have the need, they stand ready to return and harmonize as a group again. If interested in learning more about the Gospel Girls, please reach out to Lion Mary Spearmon at mary.spearmon@gmail.com.
Lion Stacey Bowen presented the Gospel Girls with a gift card from Walmart and as often is the case, it was easy to recognize the joy the group possessed as they sang gospel music for the group. Lion Stacy called upon Lion Dudley Swofford to lead our closing prayer. Lion Dudley gave thanks for us to gather and for the talented vocalists as they performed gospel music for us. Further, he asked that the Lord be with us as we go about the remainder of our day. The meeting adjourned at 12:41 p.m.
Lion Donald Hocutt
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