Tag Archives: fall

2020 Fall Foliage Report

24 Thursday Sep 2020

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The local meteorologist may be tricking us into thinking summer is back again, but there’s no question that fall has officially arrived. Parents and children are starting to find their back-to-school routines, assorted pumpkins are being placed on front porches, seasonal flavors have returned to coffee shops and, of course, the greatest indicator of them are the changing fall colors.

If you would consider yourself an autumn enthusiast, you’re likely visited Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report. If not, there’s no better time to become familiar with an outstanding state resource.

Each year, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism provides the latest updates for finding the best fall colors. Regardless of your mode of transportation (hiking, biking or riding), you have the opportunity to see all of the changing leaves that your heart desires.

According to the latest report, counties around the state appear to be evenly split between beginning and moderate peak colors. Expectations show that northern counties will reach their peak in the first or second week of October, while southern counties will follow in the second or third week of the month. If you’ve been longing for a road trip, now is the time to start planning – with as much or as little effort as you’d like!

Travel Wisconsin put together a guide for 11 scenic drives to take advantage of when the leaves are turning. We were excited to see that one drive is not far from the Wisconsin Lions Camp. Did you know that three of the state’s highest points are right here in Central Wisconsin? Take in the fall foliage from a different perspective by driving along the Hilltop Tour.

If you don’t consider yourself to be a follower, you can always come up with a fall foliage trip of your own. Our state is chock-full of scenic highways and rustic roads, so we are confident that finding a unique journey shouldn’t be a trying task.

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year in Wisconsin. Don’t forget to open your eyes and take all of the beauty in. From all of us here at Lions Pride, enjoy your seasonably warm fall weekend!

Autumnal Equinox 2020

17 Thursday Sep 2020

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Photo Credit to the Wisconsin Lions Camp

We don’t have to tell you that the days are getting shorter and the temperature has been getting much crisper. (Yes, we’ve already seen frost advisories over the course of a few nights!) Although the changing weather is evident, it may still be hard to believe that this upcoming Tuesday, September 22, officially marks the first day of fall and the Autumnal Equinox.

If you’re anything like us, you may be wondering, “What is an equinox?” We know that it was probably an important lesson in middle school, but we all have a lot to remember. So, how about a lesson refresh?

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the word “equinox” is derived from the Latin word aequus, which means “equal” and “night.” During the equinox, day and night are roughly the same lengths of time or equal.

Equinox, of course, happens twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. The Earth orbits on the tilt of its axis at 23 ½ degrees. On the day of the equinox, at approximately 8:31 am CST, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres will trade places in receiving the sun’s light more directly. We don’t have to tell you that starting next week, the sun will begin to rise later, and dusk will come sooner.

Fall seems to be a season favorite for Wisconsinites because it means the return of football, cool, crisp weather and pumpkin spice everything. We especially love this time of year because we always enjoy watching the changing leaves that surround the Wisconsin Lions Camp.

What is your favorite part about fall? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Autumnal Equinox from Lions Pride!

Ways to Appreciate the End of Summer

03 Thursday Sep 2020

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We probably don’t have to tell you that Monday, September 7, 2020, (Labor Day) is the unofficial end to summer and the beginning of autumn. There’s no question that these cooler days have been feeling quite fall-like, but this year has been different than those we have experienced in the past. There were days in 2020 that felt like they were never going to end, yet the summer seemed to fly by, leaving many of us wondering, “Was I able to get out and enjoy it?”

You’re not alone in this feeling, but believe it or not, there is still time to get out and make the most of the fleeting season. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy all that summer has to offer:  

  • Take a hike at a state or local park
  • Create a bonfire and toast a marshmallow
  • Enjoy an afternoon fishing at your favorite river or stream
  • Watch the sunrise or set (depending on whether you’re an early bird or more of a night owl)
  • Grab a blanket and pack a picnic lunch
  • Stay up late and catch a firefly light show
  • Take off your shoes and walk barefoot through lush green grass
  • Sit outside and admire the stars. There’s nothing quite like a clear night sky to remind us about the big, beautiful world we live in

The forecast shows that aside from a small chance of isolated thunderstorms on Sunday, it’s supposed to be a gorgeous weekend. We’d like to remind you to get out and enjoy the unofficial end to the Wisconsin summer, but always remember that it will be back again in no time at all.

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of the holiday. From all of us at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish you a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

Celebrating Motorcyclists

09 Thursday Jul 2020

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On humid days like today, it’s difficult to enjoy the sunshine without a breeze. Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate with our plans, so sometimes you need to make your own. If you have to ask yourself how then we would guess that you don’t often find yourself on the back of a bike!

July 10, 2020 is National Motorcycle Day, an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the spirit of adventure and freedom. From what we could find, the creators of the event (Sentry Insurance) thought the second week of July was the perfect time to continue the celebration of Independence Day one week later.

If you consider yourself to be a fan of Lions Pride, you probably already know that motorcyclists have a special place in our hearts.

For the past ten years, we’ve helped host the Friendship 100, an invitation-only motorcycle ride. Riders raise a minimum of $100 to participate, then the group takes a beautiful 100-mile ride from Fond du Lac to Rosholt.

Upon arrival, the riders enjoy a seated lunch, followed by a tour to experience life as a camper at Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Last year’s event was held on July 25, 2019. We were incredibly grateful to have received combined donations of $8270, nearly 50% more than their original goal. To date, the participating rides have donated almost $45,000.

Year after year, we look forward to seeing the friendly faces of our Friendship 100 Riders, but like many other summer events, we’ve had to postpone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, we are disappointed that our 11th annual ride will not continue as usual, but we hope to host it later this fall. Perhaps the ride will coincide with the extravagant autumn colors.

To all of our Friendship 100 Riders, we’d like to send you a virtual message since we cannot see you this month as we’d like. We cannot tell you how much your generous support means to our organization. We are so appreciative of your giving hearts and hope to see you soon!

A Brief History of Daylight Savings Time

31 Thursday Oct 2019

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Wasn’t the first day of spring only yesterday? It seems like the snow was starting to melt, the trees were beginning to blossom, and we were springing ahead. Yes, we may have been losing an hour of sleep, but we were gaining an hour of natural sunlight. Sadly, this Sunday at 2 am, DST will come to an end. It’s around this time that people always seem to ask, “how did Daylight Savings Time come to be, and is it still necessary in today’s world?”

You may be surprised to learn that Daylight Savings Time has been around for over 100 years but was also seen in ancient history. Many believed that ancient civilizations also adjusted their daily routines to match the sun’s schedule.

Benjamin Franklin is often cited as the inventor behind daylight savings. He first proposed the idea in his 1784 essay titled “An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light.” Unfortunately, he never saw his theory put into practice.

On April 30, 1916, Germany was the first country to implement Daylight Savings Time, in an attempt to save fuel by reducing the amount of artificial lighting during World War I. Several other countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and France followed suit but reverted immediately after the war. 

Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted yearlong Daylight Savings Time in 1942. Time zones were called “War Times.” There was no federal law regarding DST, so states and municipalities were able to choose whether or not to observe the time change. Understandably, this caused much confusion, especially for certain industries, including broadcasting and transportation.

By the year 1966, an estimated 100 million Americans were observing Daylight Savings Time based on their local laws. Congress decided to end the confusion and establish one pattern across the country. 

The practice of Daylight Savings Time has caused a lot of controversy since its creation. In a 2014 survey, only 33% of Americans see a point behind DST, which begs the question, “Why do we still follow this practice?”

Advocates say:

  • Springing ahead creates longer evenings, thereby motivating people to get out of the house and participating in other activities such as participating in outdoor recreation or supporting local businesses.
  • Daylight Savings Time ensures that people’s active hours coincide with daylight hours, so less artificial light is necessary.
  • Changing the time has also been shown to increase road safety by reducing pedestrian fatalities during the dawn and dusk hours.

  

Still, many of us believe that Daylight Savings Time is no longer necessary as we now have several new electronics that stay plugged in all day. The time change can also have a severe impact on our health by increasing the likelihood of fatigue and depression. Unfortunately, it looks like until someone comes up with another way to work around the sun’s changing patterns, we will likely have to deal with changing our clocks twice a year. 

How do you feel about Daylight Savings Time? If given a choice, would you do away with the practice? Let us know in the comments below.

Here at Lions Pride, we may not be looking forward to darker days, but it will be nice to get an extra hour of sleep. Don’t forget to find a little joy in the time change!

Fall Planning Checklist

19 Thursday Sep 2019

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Have you noticed trees in Wisconsin starting to change?  We know that it seems early, but the time has officially arrived. The first day of the Autumnal Equinox is happening this Monday, September 23.

If you thought summer went fast, you don’t want to let this beautiful season pass you by, too. In many ways, we think fall actually goes quicker because once the snow starts to fly, winter unofficially begins (even if it’s only October!)

To take advantage of the most colorful season of the year, we’ve put together a fall planning checklist for you and your loved ones to check off together:

  • Enjoy an afternoon drive, taking in the beautiful hues of yellows, oranges and reds. The best way to stay on top of the changing fall colors is by regularly visiting Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report. Find the best locations for viewing fall colors on their comprehensive peak fall foliage map.
  • Cheer on your local high school team at a Friday night football game. Be sure to bundle up because the temperature cools drastically when the sun goes down.
  • Visit a local orchard and pick a bushel of apples. Once you have those red beauties home, you can treat your family to their favorite apple dessert. Visit the Wisconsin Orchards Directory to find an orchard near you.
  • Rearrange your closet. We know this isn’t exactly a fun way to commemorate the new season, but it’s time to put the shorts away and dig out those warm, cozy sweaters.
  • Decorate with gourds and pumpkins. Whether you choose to decorate with fruits of your labor from the garden or stop at a nearby farm stand, there’s no better way to welcome fall.
  • Celebrate Oktoberfest. Since we live in the state of Wisconsin, we all know there are plenty of festivals to attend this season. Honor our state’s German heritage with beer, sausage and pretzels. Find an upcoming event near you.
  • Have a bonfire. If you didn’t have time to enjoy the warmth of a campfire during the summer months, it’s not too late. Many prefer fall fires as observers don’t need to sit so far away from the coals. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

Lots of Wisconsinites gladly welcome fall. It’s the best to time to cozy up and enjoy the changing colors. What are you most looking forward to doing in the new season?

Happy Autumnal Equinox from Lions Pride!

 

Rounding Up Summer Checklist

05 Thursday Sep 2019

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If your Facebook feed looks anything like ours, you’ve likely seen lots of back to school pictures this week. You know the ones, photos of smiling children dressed in their new clothes holding up their handmade signs. All of these pictures have us asking, “Where did the summer go?”

It’s important to remember that, although the kids are back in school, the season isn’t over just yet. Fall does not officially start for 2 ½ more weeks, so there’s still time to get out and enjoy all that Wisconsin has to offer. To get you started, we’ve put together a few ideas to help round out your summer:

  • Pitch a tent and sleep outside – even if it’s just in the backyard
  • Build a campfire and roast a marshmallow or two
  • Visit a local or state park
  • Count the stars
  • Get out the rod and reel and spend the afternoon fishing
  • Host an end of summer cookout
  • Pick a bouquet of wildflowers and bring the outdoors in
  • Eat an ice cream cone
  • Buy a ticket to the ballpark
  • Pack a picnic lunch and spend quality time with a loved one
  • Enjoy an outdoor concert
  • Remember Lions Pride

The end of summer may always be a bittersweet moment, but do you remember the old saying? All good things must come to an end. Just think, if we experienced summer all year long, would we really give it the attention it deserves? More than likely, no; only because, it would become the everyday normal. That’s why summer only comes once a year, so we make the most of the season. And, of course, it will be back again!

What items would you still like to complete on your personal checklist before the summer rounds out? Let us know in the comments below.

In approximately 408 hours, we will be approaching the Autumnal Equinox, but that means there’s still plenty of time to have the best summer ever. Go out and make the most of the remainder of the season!

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Diabetes Awareness Month

08 Thursday Nov 2018

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We have arrived at the eleventh month of the year. If we were to ask you, “What is the Strides Lions for Diabetes Awarenessfirst topic that comes to mind when you think about November?”; what would you say? More than likely, your response would include something related to Thanksgiving, football or fall, but there is one other topic that should come to mind – diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and we think it’s time to spread the word about the growing epidemic.

Diabetes is a long-lasting disease that impacts how your body turns food into energy. According to the CDC, approximately 30.3 million American adults have diabetes, and 1 in 4 don’t even know that they have the disease. People with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes are at higher risk for other serious health complications including blindness, kidney problems, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, nerve damage and more. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for diabetes at this time, but it is treatable with healthy lifestyle changes.

Lions Club International adopted diabetes awareness at a long-term commitment back in 1984. The primary object was to reduce the number of new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy. Wisconsin Lions are always on a mission to actively support LCI’s efforts, but November is an excellent opportunity to reach an even larger audience. If you and your club are looking to make a difference in the world of diabetes awareness, here are a few project ideas, courtesy of Lions Club International:

  • Conduct a local diabetes screening – Partner with healthcare professionals to carry out the event. Organizations such as government health departments, universities, hospitals and private physicians will often agree to perform free of low-cost public screenings. Learn more about getting started.
  • Organize a Strides event in your community – A Strides event is a highly visible, family-oriented activity that combines fun with exercise. Events can include walking, dancing, cycling or running. Find out more about organizing one today.
  • Start planning a school or community garden – Spring may not be top of mind this time of year, but it’s never too early to start thinking about next season gardening. Having fruits and vegetables readily available is always a great way to encourage others to make healthy meal choices.
  • Provide your local library with an annual diabetes magazine subscription – You can find industry publications with subscriptions as low as $10 a year. Talk about an affordable way to reach all curious library visitors!
  • Create a support group for those affected with diabetes – A support group will give you a chance to educate and inform others while creating a safe space for families suffering.

World Diabetes Day is Friday, November 15. There’s never been a better time to start planning a project to increase diabetes awareness. Already working on a large service project, or don’t think there’s enough time to get one started this month? You and your club can still help spread the word. When you support Lions Pride, you can designate your gift specifically for the WLF’s Diabetes Project – ensuring funding in perpetuity. Diabetes is no match to the power of Lions. Together, we can all work to inform and educate others to help prevent and control diabetes.

 

Plan a Tree Planting Project

26 Thursday Apr 2018

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“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” –ChineseTrees proverb

As the long living species on Earth, trees have an amazing ability to connect to the past, present and future, while also providing a whole slew of environmental and health benefits. Here in Wisconsin, many of us are lucky enough to be surrounded by trees of all shapes and sizes, but that doesn’t mean we should sit back and idle.

Tomorrow marks the observance of Arbor Day, and while the ground may still be a bit too frozen to physically plant a tree, there’s no better time to make plans for a club tree planting project.

As part of the Lions organization, we understand that every tree planted is part of a broader scale effort by members all over the world to make a significant impact on the environment. According to the European Environment Agency, one mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. Read more interesting tree facts from the Arbor Day Foundation.

Before creating your tree planting project, consider the following preparations from LCIF:

  • Evaluate your community’s needs – is there an area where new trees may be more beneficial over others?
  • Work with a local forestry or agriculture department to identify the most appropriate tree species for the local environment.
  • Partner with other local groups or organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
  • Outline a plan that includes procedures, materials needed and expenses.
  • Submit your plan and budget to your club, district or multiple district for approval.

Once your plan is approved, the fun can begin:

  • Request Lion volunteers for the project committee.
  • Obtain approvals or permit for your project, if necessary.
  • Create marketing materials such as a flyer, press release or social media post to promote the event – be sure to include protective clothing recommendations for volunteers!
  • Invite the local media to observe or take part in the project.
  • Remember, if your Lions Club participates, you will fulfill complete the Environment portion of the Centennial Service Challenge.

There’s no need to worry about rushing to complete your tree planting project. Some experts even say that planting in the fall can have its advantages. No matter when you decide to plant trees, remember that you are making an important contribution to both present day life as well as future generations.

Happy Arbor Day from Lions Pride!

Why Does Christopher Columbus Get All the Credit?

28 Thursday Sep 2017

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For the first time in September, it finally feels like autumn has arrived at the Lions Pride office. With the summer of 2017 officially behind us, it feels like there is a lot of time before the holiday season approaches, but there is always one holiday in October that always seems to sneak up on us – Columbus Day.

Think back to your grade school years. While the lessons in themselves may be a bit foggy, you likely remember this rhythmic line, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” We were taught that Christopher Columbus was the first person to set sail and set foot on the “New Land,” but in the last few decades, historians have revealed what they believe is the actual history. There are a few theories depicting the birth of America, including one that a Viking actually arrived nearly 400 years before Columbus was even born.

Exploration was a family business for the Erikssons. Leif was the son of Erik the Red, founder of Greenland. It’s believed in the year 1000 AD, Erikkson sailed to Norway where he was converted to Christianity by King Olaf I. Then he set out on his next great adventure.

We have heard differing stories, some believe that Erikkson got lost traveling back to Greenland and sailed off course; others say that he heard rumor of a new land and went off to see it for himself. Regardless of the background, Leif discovered the North American continent. He spent winter exploring a region he called Vinland, what many now believe to be Newfoundland. After a few months, he traveled back to Greenland and never returned. Other competing theories say America’s first discoverers could have been Irish monks or Chinese explorers.

So, if Christopher Columbus wasn’t the first to discover America, why does he get a holiday and the credit? The answer is actually quite simple. Many believe he is known as the founder because he was the first to open up America to Europe – the world’s greatest expansionist at that time. We know now that there were already millions of people already here – the Native Americans, so it is likely that their ancestors were truly the New World’s first explorers.

Today, 17 states have chosen not to observe Columbus Day as a national holiday. Several cities and states are now choosing to celebrate instead with Indigenous People’s Day.

Hopefully, as time goes on, we will continue to learn more and more about the history of our country. We know that our past may not be perfect, but remember, it’s the struggles and challenges that show the greatest lessons and give us the opportunity to come together as one.