We're Social Too!
Though the Lake Sumter Lions Club is a service organization, we do have activities that are purely social. We do enjoy our fun, fellowship and foolishness!
Lots of Games
Lake Sumter Lions enjoyed an afternoon of cards and board games at the Canal Street Rec Center. Lots of fun. Thanks Lion Bernice Hanna for organizing this event.
Lions Were Off to the Horse Races
Lake Sumter Lions met at Coconut Cove Rec Center for a social horse races by attendees. There was first a contest of best hat, won by Lion Todd in a pink hat. Then players hopped on a wooden horse and raced to the finish line via a roll of the dice. Lion Linda was the women's winner and Lion Gary was both the men's winner and the overall champion.
Lions Toured First Responders Rec Center
Lake Sumter Lions met at Laurel Manor Rec Center with their golf carts and drove them to the First Responders Rec Center, which opened in April 2022. Members toured the new Rec Center that honors Police, EMTs, Fire Fighters, and other first responders. Afterwards, members drove their golf carts to Glenview Country Club where they gathered for dinner.
Trivia and Ice Cream Sundaes
Lake Sumter Lions and guests enjoyed an evening of trivia and ice cream. Lion "Walter" developed and asked the trivia questions, which range from US Presidents to Entertainment (which was really questions on 1950s westerns!?). Lion Bunny arranged for the ice cream sundaes and served attendees, along with Lion Annette. It was a social event full of fun, fellowship, and foolery.
Lake Dora Boat Tour
Thirty-nine (39) Lake Sumter Lions and guests enjoyed a 2-hour boat tour on Lake Dora and the Harris Chain of Lakes. We filled two pontoon boats which we boarded in downtown Mount Dora. We saw lots of different flora and various birds, but no alligators. Thanks goes to the Club's Social Committee who organized this adventure.
Wine and Chocolate Bingo Social
Lake Sumter Lions 2021 Christmas Party
Lions on the Right (Golf Cart) Path
Twelve (12) Lake Sumter Lions Golf Carts left Seabreeze and Eisenhower Rec Centers and drove south over the Brownwood Bridge (Rt 44) and the Water Lily Bridge (FL Turnpike) to go to Edna's on the Green. Other Lake Sumter Lions joined us there for a total of 32 LS Lions enjoying the music, food and fun on a beautiful afternoon. Lion Eileen made an announcement that puppy-in-training Zinfandel and her handler Jo-Ski were celebrating Zinfandel's 1st birthday, one day early. It was a great Lions social event.
Lions Visit Conklin Davis Center
Eighteen Lake Sumter Lions and guests (and two guide dogs) visited the newly certified Conklin Davis Center in Daytona Beach. Lions were given a tour of the newly renovated facility and were served lunch. Conklin Davis Center helps "adults who are blind and additionally disabled lead independent, productive and dignified lives."
First Social Event of 2021
Lake Sumter Lions enjoyed their first social event of the year...playing bocce at Canal Street Rec Center. There was a wonderful breeze most of the time so it wasn’t too hot. Everyone had a great time and of course there was plenty of food. Thanks goes to Lions Bunny and Eileen for organizing this fun event. And thanks too to Lion Eileen for the photos. Oh - Bocce winners were Lions Esther and John H and Bonnie and Bob I.
Lake Sumter Lions Masks
While the number of Lake Sumter Lions Social activities has been severely decreased due to the Covid pandemic, members were still able to get out and about wearing their Lake Sumter Lions Mask. Thanks goes to Lion Jaci who got these masks made.
Lions Golf Cart Scavenger Rally
It was a hot October day for the Lake Sumter Lions Golf Cart Scavenger Rally. Seven (7) teams of 3 to 4 people each, in a 4-seater golf cart, traveled around selected portions of The Villages. Teams navigated a predetermined route, identifying locations of 36 photos that were taken at various points along the route. Scoring was based on the number of correct answers. Prizes were given to First, Second, and Third place teams. A Certificate of Astonishment was given to the last place team. Afterwards, participants enjoyed a light lunch at Lake Miona Rec Center.
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| First Place | Second Place | Third Place |
Last Place
Bunko and Sundaes
Lake Sumter Lions gathered at the Truman Rec Center to play bunko, eat snacks, and enjoy sundaes from Ollies Frozen Custard afterwards. There were chocolate prizes for people who had the highest score, lowest score, and the most bunkos. Unfortunately, there are not many photos as the webmaster forgot to take any as she was trying to learn and play bunko for the first time! Thanks goes to Social Committee Chairwoman Bunny and Kathy who organized this fun event.
Tour of Camp Boggy Creek
Five Lake Sumter Lions, join with two Mt. Dora Lions, to tour Camp Boggy Creek, located just east of Eustis. Camp Boggy Creek provides a safe and medically-sound camp environment for children with serious illnesses. The Camp is free for all campers; funding is provided through donations.
Lions toured the small animals pens, horse corral, craft shop, mess hall, pool, infirmary, theater, and cabins. It is certainly an upbeat place with young energetic counselors and lots of actvities. For more info about Camp Boggy Creek, click here.
Lions Trivia and Desserts
Led by Lions Sharon and Gary, the Lake Sumter Lions and their guests enjoyed an evening of Trivia and desserts at the Lake Miona Rec Center. Lion Gary developed a number of impossible questions which tested fellow Lions' knowledge. Lions were randomly grouped into 4 people per table. The winning table included Lions Kevin, Mary Alice, Jim and guest Brenda. There was lots of desserts for both the winners and losers.
Lions Bingo Social
It was not a fundraiser, but just simply a social gathering of Lake Sumter Lions and guests at the Canal Street Rec Center. Bingo was the game with cash prizes given out from the sales of bingo cards. Co-organizer Lion Ruth sold the cards. Lion Ed called the games, with Lion Jim tracking the numbers and Lion Larry confirming the winning cards. Guest Larry won the blackout game and Lions slippers with it. Thanks goes to Lions Ruth and Jane for setting this fun event.
A Lion Super Bowl Winner
Lion Jaci recently was awarded the 2019 Super Bowl winner for 3rd and 4th quarters of the game. Lion Ed recognized Lion Jaci at a Lions meeting and presented her with her earnings. Congrats.
Lions Visit New Vision for Independence
It was both a social for club members and an opportunity to donate $$. Lake Sumter Lions visited and toured the New Vision for Independence facility at the Lake Sumter State College in Leesburg. Lions John and Connie also presented a donation check to assist this organization in serving people with low vision or blindness in Lake and Sumter Counties and The Villages. For more info about New Vision for Independence, go to their website at http://newvisionfl.org
Tour of The Sharon
The Lake Sumter Lions Club say a big THANKS to to Trevin Cooper, Director of Education at The Sharon of Performing Arts, for providing an informative and entertaining tour of The Sharon. It was great to learn about the operation, tour the facility and to meet some of the staff. Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch at a nearby restaurant in Spanish Springs square.
Look what appeared in The Villages Daily Sun South Mix!
Lions Enjoy Cruising on the Gulf
Thanks to organizer Lion Kathy, eighteen Lake Sumter Lions enjoyed a ride on the Calypso Queen Riverboat out of Clearwater, FL. Participants "munched" on a Carribean buffet while watching the dolphins play in the Gulf waters.
Hot Chili and Hot Trivia!
Lake Sumter Lions and their guests enjoyed an evening of chili tasting and trivia. Attendees tasted the seven pots of chili and voted Lion Bunny's chili as the best. (See photo below.) She received a bottle of wine from the country of Chile. Lion John served as moderator for the Trivia game which had a mixture of geography and history questions. We were all trying to remember our High School History classes. It was a fun evening for all.
Best Chili Maker Bunny.
Honey Baked Ham Dinner Social
For the second consecutive year, the Lake Sumter Lions and their guests dined at the local Honey Baked Ham restaurant where they enjoyed a delicious ham and turkey dinner. The Club thanks the restaurant manager who supports club projects, especially the calendar drawing fundraiser. It was a event full of food, fun and fellowship. Thanks goes to Lion Marty who organized this social event.
Members Visit Presidents Hall of Fame
Recently, the Lake Sumter Lions and their guests traveled to Clermont to visit the Presidents Hall of Fame. This exhibit featured a miniature White House (often used in documentaries when the actual White House is unavailable), mannequins of the Presidents, Campaign Memorabilia, and much more. King Lion John posed sitting at the Presidential desk while Immediate Past Club President Linda posed behind the Presidential lecturn. Afterwards, the group enjoyed lunch at Olive Garden and then traveled to the Lakeridge Winery for a tour and a relaxing afternoon.
Lions Learn About Florida's Natural History
Lake Sumter Lions took off to Gainesville in January to visit the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Butterfly Rainforest. Thanks to Lion Elaine who organized the trip, Lions had a great time viewing and learning about fossils, shells, and vegetation unique to Florida. In addition, Lions walked through the nearby Butterfly Rainforest surrounded by many varieties of butterflies. The trip ended with a meal (of course) at Cracker Barrel.
Cruisin' Lions (Again!)
We had to do it again. At the end of January, 48 Lake Sumter Lions and their guests boarded the Victory Casino Cruise Ship for a day of food and slots and even line dancing. Attendees first boarded a bus at the Canal Street Recreation Center which then drove them two hours to Port Canaveral when they went onboard the 1200 passenger ship to sail out into the Atlantic Ocean. Though it was a rocky ride (due to windy conditions), attendees came home on the plus side, with a total of a $1366 gain.
Lake Sumter Lions Poker Run
Thirty-eight (38) Lions and guests participated in the Lake Sumter Lions first Poker Run on September 28. Driving their golf carts, Lions went to six different Recreation Centers within The Villages and drew one playing card at each Center. The end goal was to draw the best poker hand from the playing cards at the Rec Centers. The first card was drawn at Canal Rec Center, second at Lake Miona, third at Hibiscus, fourth at Allamanda, fifth at O'Dell and sixth at Coconut Cove. Everyone then proceeded to City Fire at Lake Sumter Landing square where they enjoyed refreshments of the liquid and food variety. The first place winner was Cathy Shivery with a full house of queens and sevens. Second place was also a full house with fours and aces in the hand of Tim Phelan. Third place was a flush of hearts by Linda Jefferies and Hal Bellis. Fourth place was held by Bob Hedger - three queens ace high and Fifth place was Arthur Georgalis three queens seven high.
Cruisin' Lions
Lake Sumter Lions and their guests enjoyed themselves immensely aboard the Victory Casino Cruise on August 1. From The Villages, they were first shuttled to Port Canaveral where they boarded the 1200 passenger ship to sail out into the Atlantic Ocean. Then they were entertained, enjoyed wonderful food, and took in a little gambling for the day. Big winners (??) for the day were Lions Sharon, Ken and Linda (though Linda admitted she played only the nickel machines). This social event was also a fundraiser for the club as a portion of the costs went back to the club.
Lions Enjoy the Air (Boats!)
Members of the Lake Sumter Lions Club and their guests recently enjoyed another social event, organized by Lion Linda. Carpooling from the Canal Street Rec Center, Lions first braved the "wilds" of the river during a 90-minute airboat ride. Then Lions and guests gathered together for dinner (of course!) at the Harbor Lights Restaurant.
On Board the Orange Blossom Cannonball
Thirty-two Lions and guests carpooled to the nearby city of Tavares to board the Orange Blossom Cannonball express for a two-hour ride to Lake Jem. Riders experienced the adventure of riding an historic steam engine that has been featured in several motion pictures. Afterwards, everyone traveled back to The Villages area where we all enjoyed a bar-be-que dinner.
