Tag Archives: covid-19

The Return of Spring

18 Thursday Mar 2021

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Mother Nature may have been giving us mixed signals this week, but we are only days away from the Spring Equinox. We know that the fresh powder on the ground makes it seem like we are a long way off, but here’s how we know the new season is fast approaching:

The Sound of Birds

As we write this post, we are being serenaded by the sound of chirping birds. Yes, we may have seen cardinals and robins during the cold, winter months, but we can now look forward to seeing the ducks, sparrows, songbirds and other feathered friends again.

The Upcoming Forecast

Although today’s blustery weather makes it feel colder than it actually is; however, we are currently experiencing above normal temperatures. Local meteorologists are calling for sunny weather and over 50-degree temps. If this trend continues, March will definitely be going out like a lamb.

More Daylight

Many of us don’t much care for the turning of the clocks, but once Daylight Savings Time arrives, we need to remember that we are gifted with more sunlight and longer days. Tonight’s sunset is scheduled for 7:08 pm.

Baseball Season is Back

There’s no question that COVID-19 impacted all areas of life last spring, including sports. The baseball season didn’t start until late July 2020, but this year appears to be back on track. Spring training is well underway, and the MLB is planning a full 162-game season starting on April 1.

The Continued Rollout of the Vaccine

We’ve all been anxiously waiting for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, so we can all return to some sort of normalcy, and it sounds like we are on the homestretch. As of 3/16/21, over 2 million shots have been administered in the state of Wisconsin. At this rate, it won’t be long until we can enjoy the company of friends and family in the beautiful spring weather.

We know that winter in Wisconsin is usually challenging, but this one was especially trying due to the pandemic. However, many evident clues are signaling the return of the spring.

Which signs of spring do you look for each year? Let us know in the comments below.

All of us at Lions Pride would like to be the first to say, “Happy Spring!”  

The 2021 Lions Club Convention Season

25 Thursday Feb 2021

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Lions Club International Convention Registration is now open! Although COVID-19 vaccinations are underway, the Board of Directors elected to transition the Montreal LCICon to a 100% online event. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s convention as well as other district events:

  • Virtual LCICon 2021 is scheduled for June 25-29. Stay tuned for updates and event details, which will be published on lcicon.lionsclubs.org.
  • The registration fee is $50 from now until March 31. Lion Registration will increase to $75 on April 1. The registration fee for Leos is $30 from now until the time of the convention. Register now!
  • The elections for Executive Officers and International Directors will be conducted electronically. The official voting procedures will come ahead of the convention.

If you’ve never experienced a Lions Club Convention, this year may be the perfect time to get your feet wet as the registration fee is inexpensive, there’s no passport, hotel stay or airline ticket required and everyone’s invited (including your pets!)

Back here at home, many districts are following the lead of LCI by moving their conventions to virtual settings. Districts D1 and E1 are also conducting totally online events. District B2 put a twist on their digital event by creating an un-convention. DG Lion Amy Quig set up a YouTube channel and asked all of the presenters to record their presentations for participants to view at their leisure. Since there were no registration, dining or lodging costs, attendees were encouraged to consider donating that sum to an upcoming Lions project or local food pantry.

Of course, many of us are understandably disappointed that we will not yet be able to gather in person for many of our events, but we understand that these decisions were made to put health and safety first. We are still optimistic that brighter days are ahead and love to continue witnessing our organizations’ dedication to service, even in times of uncertainty.

What are you most looking forward to seeing with the online conventions? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Convention Season from Lions Pride!

The Best Time to Take Down Your Christmas Tree

07 Thursday Jan 2021

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The holidays are officially behind us. Christmas and the New Year have seemingly come and gone in the blink of an eye, and now you may be wondering when the best time is to take down your Christmas décor. Many of us would like to close the chapter on 2020, but there is no denying that there is something magical about the Christmas season that several of us would like to hold on to as long as possible. So, when is the best time to put away your Christmas tree?

To us, there are two schools of thought. If you like to pay attention to the calendar, there is an easy answer. According to Christian tradition, you should keep your tree up until the 12th Night of Christmas, which commemorates the arrival of the Three Wisemen.

As straightforward as the 12th Night sounds, unfortunately, that is not exactly the case. Different religions have different starting points, which makes pinning down the 12th Night a bit more challenging. The Church of England starts the 12 Days of Christmas on December 24, but the Catholic religion starts it on December 25, making January 6 (Epiphany) the 12th and final day of Christmas. If you were waiting for the ideal time to take down your decorations, that day has arrived.

But, as we mentioned time and time again; however, these past nine months have been unlike any other period many of us have seen in our lifetimes. To cope with the uncertainty, many people decided to put up their Christmas decorations earlier than they would have in the past, which brings us to the second theory.

If the sight of twinkling lights and beautiful ornaments still brings you joy on January 7, we would encourage you to leave your tree up as long as you wish. Arguably, the most magical part of the holidays, is the kindness that people associate with the season, so who are we to say when that feeling should end?

From all of us at Lions Pride, we hope you’ll keep the spirit of the holidays alive as long as you can, regardless of when you decide to take down your Christmas tree.

Christmas Caroling Safety Tips

17 Thursday Dec 2020

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We know that likely everyone could use a boost of holiday cheer in 2020, and what better way than through the sound of music? Although many tried-and-true traditions, including cross-country travel and large family gatherings, may be frowned upon during the pandemic, Christmas caroling may be an activity you can still add to your holiday bucket list.

Sunday, December 20, is Go Caroling Day. What better time to gather a small group of loved ones to spread joy throughout your neighborhood? However, safety precautions are likely still necessary to stop the spread of coronavirus. If you plan to head out caroling, consider following these tips:

  1. Keep your choir small

    When it comes to event gatherings, the CDC guidelines say the more people you come into contact with and the longer that interaction lasts, the higher your risk to become infected and spreading COVID-19. To decrease the chance of spread, try to keep your caroling group on the smaller end.
     
  2. Maintain social distancing

    We know that Christmas caroling primarily takes place outdoors, but your group should continue to uphold a physical distance of at least 6 feet. You can further decrease your risk by keeping your masks on, avoid sharing items (like sheet music) and using hand sanitizer.

  3. Reach out to community leaders to determine your route

    As we mentioned, this particular holiday season may be especially dreary for some members of your community. Consider reaching out to community leaders who may have a good idea of who could use some extra holiday cheer. By speaking with these leaders, you may be able to efficiently plan your route and reach new people. 

    But remember, this year is unlike any other. Be sure to keep in mind that not everyone will feel comfortable opening the door to neighbors, especially if he or she is immunocompromised. You may want to reach out ahead of time to determine their caroling interest level.

  4. Gather virtually

    Lastly, if you’d rather avoid the risk, choose an online meeting platform to get friends together to sing your favorite holiday tunes. You may want to record your session and share it with your social network to get all of your friends in the holiday spirit.

The holidays certainly look different in 2020, but with a little creativity, we may still be able to participate in several well-loved traditions, including singing with friends.

Happy Go Caroling Day from Lions Pride!

Games & Puzzles Week in the Virtual Age

19 Thursday Nov 2020

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With Thanksgiving only one week away, we’re guessing your preparations this year probably look different than they did in the not-so-recent past. This time last year, you were likely excitedly discussing plans with beloved family members, conversing about who would bring the pumpkin pie, extra wine glasses and perhaps a board game to play after being stuffed to the brim.

This week is unofficially known as National Game and Puzzle Week, as it’s typically a time for families to gather for the holidays and share a few laughs. What better time to break out a classic family board game or quietly work on a puzzle together throughout the day?

Of course, the CDC has already set out specific guidelines for celebrating the holiday season. Sadly, as the conditions of the pandemic continue to worsen, families are being asked to reconsider their plans to slow the spread of the virus. Experts are recommending that families only gather with members of their household to reduce the spread of the virus.  

Many people are understandably disappointed that they will likely not be able to follow their usual family traditions to celebrate the holiday, but it’s important to remember that technology can help keep families connected. To help families get into the holiday spirit, we’ve put together a few games that can be easily played virtually:   

  1. Pictionary – with Zoom’s whiteboard feature, you can all have a blast sporting your artistic abilities. Simply divide your group into teams and open a Pictionary Word Generator to let the fun begin.  
  2. 20 Questions – you may think you already know your family members well, but we’d be willing to bet that you’ll learn at least a few new pieces of information after asking them 20 creative questions. Check out these 200 conversation-starting questions for inspiration. 
  3. Bingo – did someone say Bingo? Yes! Visit the website, My Free Bingo Cards, to play a virtual version of everyone’s favorite game. Consider adding small prizes such as gift cards or fun trinkets to enhance your family’s sense of competition.
  4. Trivia – show off your knowledge of random facts with a classic game of trivia. Assign a host a random trivia generator to get the brains working after a huge turkey dinner. The winner gets bragging rights!

We know everyone is experiencing COVID fatigue, but the promising news about the recent vaccine milestone should provide us all with hope that an end is in sight. We just need to all hang on a little while longer to overcome this tremendous obstacle.

Have a safe, healthy Thanksgiving from Lions Pride.

12 Ways to Spread Kindness

12 Thursday Nov 2020

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What a week it’s been! We’re still awaiting recounts of the 2020 Presidential Election, COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the state as well as the country and it seems like our cold, winter weather has finally arrived. In times like this, it can be difficult to remain optimistic, but there is one anecdote that can always bring a smile – kindness.

As you might recall, this week is National Kindness Week, which gives us all an opportunity to spread kindness wherever we might go. Though we understand that these places may be limited given the current environment, we’d like to help encourage you to partake in random acts of kindness as we round up the week. Here are 12 ideas, courtesy of randomactsofkindness.com.

  1. Write a handwritten letter
  2. Pay a compliment to a friend or co-worker
  3. Buy coffee for the person behind you in the drive-thru
  4. Wheel out in your neighbor’s garbage can
  5. Choose to eat locally
  6. Reach out to a family member you haven’t heard from in a while
  7. Give away an inspirational book
  8. Be a courteous driver
  9. Start a fundraiser for a cause you care about
  10. Leave a positive review for a local business online
  11. Ship a care package to a loved one
  12. Smile when passing a stranger (yes, even behind a mask)

These are only a handful of countless ideas for you to spread kindness to everyone you encounter. We understand that times are challenging, but actively working to promote kindness can help us all get through them together.

Happy National Kindness Week from Lions Pride!

Halloween in Quarantine

29 Thursday Oct 2020

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This weekend marks the spookiest day of the year, Halloween. While parents and children were originally excited to see this holiday land on a Saturday, there’s no denying that many will likely celebrate differently than they imagined.

Halloween is usually filled with fun activities for both the young as well as the young at heart. Children anticipate filling up a bag of Halloween candy while adults take the day to play dress up and gather with friends. Sadly, though, the COVID-19 pandemic has more than likely sent those plans packing.

Over the course of the last few weeks, our state has seen its highest increase in coronavirus cases since the pandemic was announced. That means it’s more important than ever to practice caution when celebrating the holiday.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the CDC recommends staying away from high-risk activities associated with Halloween, including participating in trick-or-treating or visiting a costume party. We understand that it’s disappointing having to miss out on yet another 2020 holiday, but there are a few safe alternatives for you to consider:

  • Decorate or carve pumpkins with immediate members of your family. Be sure to revisit the story of the Jack-O-Lantern!
  • Decorate or carve pumpkins outside with neighbors or friends. Saturday’s temperatures will be in the low 50s, which means you won’t need to bundle up to enjoy the company of friends from a safe distance.
  • Host a virtual Halloween costume party. More than likely, you’ve become familiar with Zoom or another online meeting platform. Use this technology to celebrate a costumed happy hour.
  • Have a movie night with the people in your household. Settle in with a bowl of popcorn and re-watch some of the old classics.

Although the CDC is discouraging trick-or-treating, many Wisconsin municipalities are still hosting designated trick-or-treating hours on Halloween. Be sure to keep your porch lights off if you chose not to pass out candy.

There’s no denying that 2020 has been a trying year for us all, but unfortunately, we’re not through the pandemic just yet. Be sure to continue following the CDC guidelines to help slow the spread. Remember, we’re all in this fight together.

From all of us at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish you a safe, enjoyable Halloween.

The Pandemic’s Effect on Hunger & World Food Day 2020

15 Thursday Oct 2020

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As residents of planet Earth, we all have certain necessities that we need to satisfy to survive. We bet it wouldn’t take long for you to list these items. We all need shelter, water, air and, of course, food. Unfortunately, just because these needs are necessary doesn’t mean that they are guaranteed for us all.

According to 2016 data from LCI, over 815 million people around the world are impacted by hunger. Sadly, as the world continues to face the negative impacts of the pandemic, this number has likely increased. And, unless we take immediate action now, we all risk a worldwide food emergency that could have lingering effects on hundreds of millions of our global neighbors.

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a step back with some terminology, starting by defining hunger. When people face food insecurity, they are not able to meet their food requirements or consume enough calories for a normal, active life. This long-term struggle unquestionably leads to ongoing, future implications for these individuals. Learn more about the challenge COVID-19 presents for both food and agriculture.

The evidence has become clear, although there is enough food on our planet for everyone, too many of our neighbors are battling hunger. That’s why the timing of the next UN international holiday couldn’t be more fitting – World Food Day.

Each year on October 16, the United Nations celebrates the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. Like all major events in 2020, the 75th anniversary will be different than events in years past.   

On Friday, FAO Special Ambassadors, heads of the Rome-based UN agencies and other keynote speakers will meet virtually to ensure everyone is able to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and access to healthy and nutritious food. You can join in by watching the webcast.

Naturally, we are always looking for new ways to make the world a better place. Although we may not be a direct line in the global food chain operation, there are still ways to make a positive impact. Remember that consumers also play an important role. How will you choose to make a difference?

Happy World Food Day from Lions Pride!

Fun Facts to Celebrate National Taco Day

01 Thursday Oct 2020

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Hola amigos! Have you been struggling to come up with what to plan for dinner each night? Since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant and hospitality industry has suffered a downturn in activity, which has, sadly, brought a whole slew of issues to its workforce. Additionally, it poses extra challenges at home, including asking repeatedly asking your housemates, “What should we make for dinner?”

If you’ve also been challenged with coming up with a new meal each night, let us suggest a favorite entrée to add to the menu – tacos. Sunday, October 4, is National Taco Day, and we think it’s worth celebrating an easy supper win. We’ve compiled a list of fun facts to share with your family about the popular Tex-Mex dish:

  • Experts in the field believe that the invention of the taco was first created between 1,000 and 500 BC. Though, the early days, the taco anywhere near in the form we know and love today. Instead, it was believed to have been used as an edible spoon to rake in other food.
  • Thanks to the Chili Queens of San Antonio, tacos first came to the United States in 1905.
  • The world’s most expensive taco would set you back a whopping $25,000. The deluxe taco was made with Kobe beef, beluga caviar and served on a gold flaked taco.
  • Taco John’s was the first to trademark “Taco Tuesday” in 1989. Thirty-one years later, the company still has some claim to the phrase.
  • Part of the beloved nature of tacos is due to their great versatility and variety. A taco can be made with several different fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood and more. 
  • In 2018, Americans ate over 4.5 billion tacos, equating to 775 million pounds.

What is your favorite type of taco? We’d love to hear in the comments below.

This weekend is the perfect time to enjoy everyone’s favorite Mexican dish. Happy National Taco Day from Lions Pride!

Observing International Day of Friendship in 2020

30 Thursday Jul 2020

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You are likely familiar with the phrase, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder,” right? We know that this saying is typically used to describe star-crossed lovers, but in today’s current environment, we think it also works to describe the way people are feeling about their beloved friends.

We don’t have to tell you that life has seemingly changed overnight due to COVID-19. Many people are choosing to eat in, postponing family gatherings and other significant events and avoiding contact with close friends. Although saying no to getting together may be a wise choice to stop the spread of the virus, there’s no denying that continually making these decisions have been difficult, particularly the last one. Friendship is one of life’s greatest blessings, so not being able to spend time with those we love is challenging, to say the least.  

One way to get through the foreseeable future is to start by celebrating International Friendship Day, which happens each July.  

The holiday was first created in 1958 (previously known as World Friendship Day) by the World Friendship Crusade to foster a culture of peace and friendship. Over 50 years later, in 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared July 30 as International Day of Friendship. The idea behind the celebration was the message that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can work to inspire world peace and build bridges between communities.

Now you might be wondering, how can we observe International Day of Friendship during a pandemic? Don’t worry! We have a few ideas to get you started:

  • Create a photo collage of special memories of you and your friend and then frame it to deliver an extra special gift. The happy memories will likely inspire you to plan your next adventure when life has settled down.
  • Send a small gift of flowers, chocolates, or cookies to let a friend know that you are thinking about him or her.
  • Put your creativity to work by crafting a handmade item such as a knitted scarf, homemade salsa or special care package. There’s never been a better time to try a new hobby!
  • Write a post on Facebook or your favorite social network to brag about your best friends. Your status update could include all of the reasons you enjoy being their friend or something as simple as saying, “I miss seeing you!”
  • Honor a friend with a donation to their favorite nonprofit organization. Consider donating to Lions Pride and designating your gift for the Wisconsin Lions Camp. It is, after all, the place where hundreds of friendships are made each year.
  • Try to call, text or email your friends to let you know that you’re thinking about them and feel so lucky to call them friends.

We know that we may not be able to see our friends as often as we like given the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean we can’t tell them how we feel. How will you celebrate your friends today?

Happy International Day of Friendship from Lions Pride!