Monday night meetings feature informative and entertaining speakers.
The PUBLIC is INVITED
May 15, 2023 - Randy Thompson
Randy Thompson, Eden Prairie Police Youth Diversion Coordinator will be our guest speaker. A timely presentation and a chance for Q&A from you. Randy has been in the coordinator role for Eden Prairie Police Department Juvenile Diversion program since 2005. During the past 17 years more than 1300 youth have gone through Eden Prairie Diversion Program. Diversion is a way young, first-time offenders avoid the Juvenile Justice System. Police officers responding to minor offenses committed by a juvenile have the option of sending that young person through the diversion program other than court appearance. Randy will explain how the program works and share the importance this innovative program has had on area youth. In 2021, the program received the Innovative Police Protective Award from the MN Chief of Police Association.
May 1, 2023 - Steak Fry Dinner
Jerry Hammer. General Manager Minnesota State Fair.
Our guest speaker will be Jerry Hammer. Jerry has served over 27 years as CEO of The Great Minnesota get together: The Minnesota State Fair. He has spent all of his working life at the 12-day epic end-of-summer celebration. Hammer will retire from his CEO position later this spring after 50 years of driving the success of our Minnesota State Fair into one of the largest and best attended events in the world. The pre-pandemic attendance reaching more than 2 million visitors annually. Hammer has been involved with fairs and agriculture shows around the world and is a recipient of a number of industry and community awards including The International Association of Fairs & Expositions Hall of Fame and the Minnesota FFA Fall of Fame. Listen to Jerry share his experiences of the past. Discuss the present and the future of our great get together ongoing success.
April 3, 2023
.jpg)
We learned more about the many extraordinary efforts and services of hospice. Certainly, many of us have been touched by hospice and their efforts. We learned what is new in this area of personal care services.
March 6, 2023 - Rick Getschow
.jpg)
Eden Prairie city manager Rick Getschow - back by popular demand. Rick updated us on Eden Prairie's many 2022 accomplishments and walked through some exciting things happening in 2023.
February 6, 2023 - Dan Gladden
Dan Gladden, Twins Hall of Fame Left-fielder and current radio broadcaster. Dan served as an EP Lions Schooner Days bingo caller this past year. Dan shared many sports stories, experiences of the past and stories of great fun.
January 9, 2023 - Eric Schuman
The speaker was Eric Schuman, SW Transit Customer Service Supervisor. With the growth of Eden Prairie and demand for their services, Eric talked about the past, present, and future of SW Transit. SW Transit offers many helpful services for very reasonable fares. This was a very interesting and informing conversation. Brittany Martin, also from SW Transit, provide all attendees with SW Transit goodies.
November 7, 2022 - Gary Watkins
Our speaker was Lion Gary Watkins. His presentation was entitled "A Need for Speed, the Evolution of a Gear-head". Gary traced his competition & track experiences from his 1929 Model A Ford days getting kicked out of the Model A Ford Club for aggressive driving at age 20, early Corvette track experience including an "awakening" on his first lap at Donnybrook (BIR) in the early 70's, a bare frame '66 Corvette restoration, some motorcycles, more Corvettes, through track days at Brainard & Road America this summer. A short class in "High Speed Cornering 101" was also included.
October 3, 2022 - Laurie Carlson
Our speaker was Laurie Carlson from Can Do Canines. As a club we have contributed money to support this service several times. Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. We heard updates & learned more about past, present and future events & plans.
September 12, 2022 - Ellie Romnes
Tyler Torell and Ellie Romnes representing Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge brought first-hand knowledge focused on the current fentanyl epidemic and the front-line efforts to assist others to overcome addiction. They shared alarming statistics and trends of fentanyl that is affecting our community and taking many lives. 1,286 Minnesotans died of overdose in 2021, most due to not knowing of the presence of fentanyl in what they took. Tyler is a former Police Officer who developed an alcohol addiction that led him to seek help at MnTC. He has been thriving in sobriety, is passionate about education, and helping others overcome addiction. Ellie is a recovery counselor.
May 16, 2022 - Dr. Josh Swanson
Our speaker was Dr. Josh Swanson, Superintendent of Eden Prairie Schools. Josh gave a “State of the District” update and discussed the various challenges the district has faced over the last couple years in light of the Covid responses; followed by Q&A.
May 2, 2022 (Steak fry night) - Chris Egert
Our speaker will be none other than Channel 5 KSTP TV Personality, Chris Egert. Chris is an EDWARD R. MURROW Award winning reporter who has also received multiple Emmy Awards for his work. At KSTP, Chris moved from co-host of the “Twin Cities Live” program to anchor the KSTP morning news. Chris spent over 20 years covering newsworthy events and telling people’s stories all around the country before finally settling here in Minneapolis. Chris and his wife, Kate, have a son with Type 1 Diabetes. Chris and Kate work hard for local organizations like the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund to help find a cure.
April 18, 2022 - Robert Hed & Larry Frisvold
Our speakers will be our own EP Lions eye glass collection chair Lion Larry Frisvold and Past District Governor Lion Robert Hed representing the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation. Larry will talk about the club’s great success in collecting eyeglasses through our Lions donation boxes across the city of Eden Prairie. Larry will share some astonishing statistics of this EP Lions project. Lion Rob will share with us the journey of these glasses take once Larry and wife Sherri drop them off at the central collection site. This project has become a very successful project with many of our Lions actively working the streets to care for their collection boxes.
This is one of those Lion projects that fly under the most of our radar. The story of these glasses traveling around the world & improving the lives of thousands of people living in poverty is truly amazing
April 5, 2022 -- Mystery night at Victoria Burrow
(click the picture below to see the individual pictures)
March 21, 2022 - Eden Prairie Fire Department Chief Scott Gerber
Keith Anderson - March 7, 2022
Keith is a certified Master Diver. Keith shared his experiences and knowledge regarding his expertise on cave diving, underwater welding, deep dive, etc. Keith shared many pictures of his various experiences.
Dr. Sadak & Kenna Dooley – February 21, 2022
.JPG)
.JPG)
Dr. Sadak will present to us updates on progress and research to Childhood Cancer. 300,000 children aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer has become an important Lions service pillar internationally.
Dr. Karim Sadak MD, MPH, MSE. Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota.
Rick Getschow – February 7, 2022
Back by popular demand. Eden Prairie city manager. Always a highlight to the program year. Come hear about the state of the city. What is new, happening in Eden Prairie. 2022 outlook.
Blaine Peterson – December 20, 2021
MSP Mac. Blaine oversees several Minneapolis regional airports. Blaine spoke of what is happening at Flying Cloud Airport. The past, present, and future.
George Adzick – December 4, 2021
George Adzick grew up in Eden Prairie, played high school football here, as well as at the U of Minnesota, and then professionally in Seattle. He retired a couple of years ago as director of the M Club at the University of Minnesota. George shared meaningful memories of the impact the Eden Prairie Lions had on him while growing up. He also paid a wonderful tribute to our own Lion Curt Connaughty, who was the first EP high school football coach and is a charter member of the EP Lions Club.
Paul Douglas – November 15, 2021
Paul is a Penn State meteorologist with 45 years of television and radio experience. A serial entrepreneur, Douglas has launched 7 businesses, including Praedictix (consulting), AerisWeather (weather data) and Climatrends (climate scenario analysis). With a daily Star Tribune weather column and a talk show on WCCO Radio, Douglas has authored 4 books, including “Caring for Creation, the Evangelical’s Guide to Climate Change and a Healthy Environment" and “A Kid’s Guide to Saving the Planet”. Paul will talk about the various weather trends. His presentation “the time for environmental stewardship is NOW” Aligns with our Lions International service pillar of environment.
Dave Thoen – November 1, 2021
Dave was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 23 at the prime time of his life. The diagnosis was a big surprise that brought many changes to his life. Over the years Dave did not let the disease control his life, as a husband, father, coach, and community volunteer. He runs close to 30 marathons. Dave became a Lion through Bloomington and serves as a trustee on the Minnesota Lions Diabetes Foundation. Dave qualified for a clinical trial at Schulz diabetes Institute in 2006, 2008 and 2009. Dave was the recipient of two islet transplants that have change his life as he now lives without diabetes. Tribute to the hard work that the Lions do in efforts to end this disease. Diabetes is a pillar to our mission.
5M5 District Governor Kristine Morin - October 18, 2021
Kristine has been a Brooklyn Center Lioness member for 10 years, currently Brooklyn Park Lady’s Lioness. She has served on Lions vision foundation four years and cabinet for ten years. Come hear what is happening within 5M5. Kristine will share her vision and induct our new 2020-21 EP Lions members. A club visit from our District Governor an important highlight of our club year.
Mutual UFO Network, Minnesota Director Tom Maher - October 4, 2021
Tom Maher recently appeared on KARE 11. Recent Pentagon report admitting UAP’s has people talking. What is in the sky? Last year MUFON investigators completed 103 UFO sightings case files in Minnesota. Explained or unexplained. Inside Minnesota’s recent UFO activity. Discuss recent MN sightings and related phenomena.
Eden Prairie Police Chief Matt Sackett - September 27, 2021
Police Chief Sackett was hired by EPPD in 2002 after serving as an officer for the city of Hopkins for five years. During his tenure at Eden Prairie, he has worked as officer, patrol sergeant, investigation sergeant, support lieutenant and patrol lieutenant. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota and master’s degree in public safety administration from St. Mary’s University.
