Tag Archives: schedule

Springing Ahead Without Losing Sleep

05 Thursday Mar 2020

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March has officially arrived! The third month of the year brings a multitude of emotions. Many of us are hopeful that the coldest winter days are behind us, excited knowing that spring is right around the corner and perhaps a bit anxious after realizing that the start of Daylight Saving Time is less than 48 hours away.

You might be surprised to learn that that anxiety is not exactly unwarranted. While some of us may have no problems springing forward, others may not fare as well. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, some people can take up to seven days to adjust to the time change, though it might feel even longer! Anyone has ever experienced a sleepless night will empathize with these unlucky souls knowing that a lack of sleep can have a serious impact on mood, productivity and alertness.

We know that losing an hour of sleep is not exactly anyone’s preference, but it means that the Spring Equinox is only weeks away! The best way to create a better transition is by planning ahead. Follow these tips to start preparing your body for the new season:

  • Go to bed earlier

The AASM recommends that people start adjusting their sleeping and waking times by 15-20 minutes two to three days before DST. If you start going to bed 15 minutes earlier tonight, it will only feel like you are losing another 15 minutes on Saturday night, instead of the full hour.

  • Establish a healthy bedtime routine

To effectively get to sleep on time, you’ll want to make sure you include relaxation before bedtime. Engage in an activity that calms you, such as taking a bubble bath, reading a book, or meditate. Whatever you decide to do, stay away from your mobile devices. The blue light from these electronics suppresses melatonin and make it harder to fall asleep. Read through other reasons why you should consider putting the phone down at least 30 minutes before getting your shuteye.

  • Soak up the morning sun

On Saturday and Sunday morning, try to get out in the sun – even if it’s just sitting in a window. We may spend much of our days indoors, but don’t forget that sunlight still helps regulate our sleeping patterns. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the sun will alert our brains and set our bodies into motion.

  • Plan to nap on Sunday afternoon

Ideally, on Sunday morning, you would be waking up your new waking time (15 minutes earlier), but treat yourself to an afternoon nap. Make sure that you’re not snoozing too close to bedtime and try to keep it short. Studies show that most people do best when allowing 10 to 15 minutes for napping.

What other tips do you have for surviving DST? Let us know in the comments below.

Here at Lions Pride, we are also not thrilled with the idea of losing a precious hour of sleep when springing forward, but we keep trying to remind ourselves that winter is almost through. Always remember to look for the bright side and enjoy the passage to spring!

 

Celebrating Friendship with A.A. Milne

16 Thursday Jan 2020

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 “We didn’t realize that we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.” -Winnie the Pooh

We know that some time may have passed since you’ve thought about Christopher Robin. However, if you are a parent or grandparent, there’s no doubt that you are familiar with the name.

Saturday, January 18, is fondly known as Winnie the Pooh Day, the anniversary of A.A. Milne’s birthday. The author was best known for creating a collection of stories surrounding his son, Christopher Robin, and his honey-loving teddy bear.

Within these stories, Milne sent Christopher on wonderful adventures with Pooh, Piglet and the other characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. Each story always brought a lot of fun, as well as an important life lesson. It should come as no wonder that over 50 million copies have been sold worldwide, over the last 90+ years.

All of this discussion about growth and adventure makes us think of another place where friendships are made, a little closer to home.

The Wisconsin Lions Camp provides an experience for children and adults with special needs to come together for a week of joy. The goals are to assist in the development of self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness, but most importantly, to have a fun, safe, memorable adventure – all at no cost to their families.

Do you know a child or adult that would benefit from this experience? Please encourage them to apply! As of today, online and paper applications are now available. See the complete 2020 schedule below: 

Block One

 

June 7 – June 12                     Adults who are Blind or Visually Impaired

June 14 – June 19                   Children with Type 1 & 11 Diabetes

June 21 – June 26                   Children with Type 1 & 11 Diabetes

June 28 – July 3                       Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism

July 5 – July 10                         Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism

July 12 – July 15                      Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism

 

Block Two

July 19 – July 24                      Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

July 25 – July 31                      Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

August 2 – August 7                Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired and Epilepsy

August 9 – August 13              Adults 18-25 with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism (by invitation only)

August 17 – August 21            Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

 

There’s nothing more valuable in life than being in the company of friends. Consider celebrating the unofficial occasion finding a copy of one of A.A. Milne’s classics.

Happy Winnie the Pooh Day!

The 2019 USA/Canada Leadership Forum

12 Thursday Sep 2019

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Leadership Forum 2019.pngForum week has arrived again! For the past 43 years, Lions Club Members from all over North America have been meeting for three days of motivation, education and leadership development. From September 19 to September 21, Lions and Lionesses will gather in one of America’s greatest riverfront cities, Spokane.

During their time in eastern Washington, Lions will take part is over 77 seminars spanning a wide variety of topics, including:

  • making change stick
  • using technology for more impactful marketing
  • creating synergy through action
  • enhancing mental health and well-being
  • how to captivate the attention of a younger audience
  • the ins and outs of cyber clubs

See the entire seminar schedule. Of course, there will be no way for one person to attend them all of the seminars. The biggest challenge you may faces is deciding which topics to focus on.! We’d suggest talking with fellow club members and divvying up the seminars. You can always follow-up, later on, to talk about the highlights.

Other special events will be taking place over the weekend. Lions will also have the opportunity to participate in the Strides Walk, observe a Lions University graduation and hear from incredible keynote speakers. If you enjoyed listening to Michelle Ray’s presentation at last year’s forum then you’re in luck. She’s back by popular demand! She’ll be challenging you to become a better leader by changing your personal attitude.

Lastly, we hope Lions will have the opportunity to explore Spokane. Attendees are encouraged to come early and stay let to allow the local experts to guide them through the Inland Northwest. The city is chock full of historic landmarks, breathtaking parks and lakes as well as unique attractions. Browse through all of the available tours, courtesy of Group Coordinators.

The USA/Canada Leadership Forum has something for everyone. Will you be attending the forum next weekend? If so, what are you most looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments below.

Here at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish all leadership forum attendees safe travels as they make their way to Washington. We look forward to hearing about your experiences when you return.

Bon voyage!

 

The Start of the Little League World Series

15 Thursday Aug 2019

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There’s no better time to grab some peanuts and Cracker Jack. All of you baseball fans out there know that are nearing the end of the season, but today, is the start of an extraordinary period, the Little League World Series.

From now until August 25, young athletes from all over the globe will compete to earn the coveted World Series Trophy. The tournament includes eight US teams and eight international teams. The series kicks off today with four games, featuring the following regions: Australia, Caribbean, New England, Southeast, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Midwest and Great Lakes. The remaining regions, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest, Southwest, West, Canada, Europe-Africa, Japan and Mexico will get their start tomorrow. See the complete schedule.

If you’re not overly familiar with little league baseball, you may be interested to learn about its rich history. The league was first formed back in 1938 by Carl Stotz in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Eight years later, the league had not gained a lot of traction as there were only 12 active leagues. Many believe World War II deterred its growth because many fathers had enlisted in the military. The following year, the board of directors decided to organize a tournament for all known programs and named it the National Little League Tournament. It was changed to the Little League Baseball World Series later on.

Over 2500 visitors came to Williamsport to watch young stars play in the first championship game. Its publicity spread throughout the county, and Little League Programs began forming in every US start. Today’s LLBWS includes seven tournaments played in various divisions.

Many modern-day Major Leaguers got their start in Little League Baseball; some names you may even recognize. Charlie Hayes, Jonathan Schoop and Gary Sheffield were all Little Leaguers who went on to play in the MLB with brief period as Milwaukee Brewers.

Hawaii took home the trophy in the 2018 LLBWS, so it will be interesting to see if they can do it again! Will you plan on watching the 2019 Little League World Series? Let us know in the comments below.

On behalf of Lions Pride, we’d like to wish the best of luck to all of the athletes participating in this year’s LLBWS. Let’s play ball!

Sleeping Tips for Surviving DST

07 Thursday Mar 2019

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Didn’t it seem like only yesterday that we were setting our clocks back and excited for an extra hour of sleep? It may be hard to believe, but Sunday marks the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST.)

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Understandably, most of us do not look forward to the end of Daylight Savings, like we do at the beginning. According to sleep.org, the average person sleeps 40 minutes less on the night following Daylight Saving Time then they would on a typical night. Many people feel adjusted to the change by Wednesday, but other unlucky individuals may struggle for weeks.

Anyone who has experienced a rough night of sleep will likely tell you that it can have several negative impacts on the following day. To prepare for Daylight Savings, now is the perfect time to audit your regular nighttime routine. Keep these following tips in mind as you plan to spring ahead:

  • Gradually transition into the time change

Ideally, you would already be going to bed a little earlier than usual. If not, it’s not too late to get started. For the next couple of nights, make an effort to go to bed 15 to 30 minutes earlier. If you are well-rested before Saturday night, you will help minimize the effects of DST.

Remember that different people need different amounts of sleep. Make an effort to determine how much sleep you need.

  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake

Alcohol and caffeine, which can be found in coffee, chocolate, tea and pain relievers, can disrupt your sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, avoid these stimulating substances for four to six hours before bedtime.

  • Don’t schedule nighttime workouts

Moderate exercise during the day can help you sleep better at night. When done regularly, aerobic exercise can help improve your quality of sleep, but the timing is important. For some, working out too close to bedtime can hinder sleep. Rule of thumb, if you don’t often sleep well, think about exercising earlier in the day.

  • Establish a digital curfew

When using smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices at bedtime, you are unknowingly delaying your internal clock. These devices suppress the release of melatonin and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Create a digital curfew for you and your loved ones in which you all turn off electronic devices for the night. Consider setting the limit 30 minutes to 2 hours before bed. The earlier you in the evening you power down the electronics, the better.

  • Commit to a regular sleeping schedule

Finally, for the best night’s sleep, go to bed and wake up at the same time each day (yes, even weekends.) By sticking with a schedule, you can help your body regulate its sleep pattern and maximize the hours you sleep.

Here at Lions Pride, we may not exactly be excited about losing an hour of sleep, but Daylight Saving Time means that spring is right around the corner and brighter days are ahead. Don’t forget to enjoy the changing of the season!

The Start of the 2018 Camping Season

31 Thursday May 2018

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Pack your bags, grab the sunscreen and let’s get ready to camp! We are officially less lions-pride_sunset-at-campthan ten days away from the start of the 2018 camping season at Wisconsin Lions Camp, and we couldn’t be more excited. For the past 60+ years, nearly 1300 campers with vision, hearing, mild cognitive disabilities and Type 1 and 2 diabetes travel to Rosholt for the adventure of a lifetime.

Below you will find the 2018 schedule:

Block One

June 10-15                       Adults who are Blind or Visually Impaired

June 17-22                       Children with Type I & II Diabetes

June 24-29                       Children with Type I & II Diabetes

July 1-6                             Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism

July 8-13                           Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism

July 15-20                         Staff Transition Week

 

Block Two

July 22-27                          Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

July 29-August 3               Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

August 5-10                       Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired

August 12-17                     Adults 18-25 with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism (by invitation only)

August 20-24                     Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (July 20)

During their week away, campers have the chance to create a comprehensive program built around their interests. Overnight camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, archery and crafts make up the daily activities that take place at camp.

The goals of camp are to assist each child in the areas of self-confidence, interdependence, environmental awareness, but above all, to have a fun, safe experience combined with camaraderie and friendship.

What do our campers and Lions Pride have in common? We both look forward to the camping season all year long. Did you know that when the Wisconsin Lions Camp was first opened, it was funded primarily by Lions Club donations? In the last decade or so, however, expenses for camp and all other WLF statewide projects have increased drastically.

Many might be surprised to learn that combatting rising costs was the primary reason for the birth of our organization. Read the whole story here. Today, the Wisconsin Lions Camp is one of the statewide WLF projects that receive financial support from the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. We’re proud to work alongside both donors to help create lifetime camp experiences for both now and future generations.  We sincerely appreciate your support as we continue on to preserve, protect and provide.

 

Holiday Travel Tips from Lions Pride

14 Thursday Dec 2017

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We are quickly making our way through the month, which has left asking where Winter Drivignon earth has December gone? Hopefully, by now, you have started checking items off your unusually long checklist – wrapping presents, sending cards and baking treats. Soon, it will be time to develop your travel schedule.

Whether you are traveling near or far this holiday season, we want you to arrive at your destination safely so we have compiled a list of driving tips to keep in mind as you make your holiday travel plans:

  • Add basic maintenance to your list

According to AAA, you should give yourself at least one week to check the tire pressure, replace wiper blades, fill up your windshield washer fluid and test the battery. Don’t hit the road until you are confident that your vehicle is ready for the trip!

  • Check the extended weather forecast

We don’t have to tell you that Wisconsin weather is unpredictable. Remember just a few weeks ago when we saw nearly 60-degree temps early in the week followed by single digits within 48 hours? Be sure you know what kind of whether you will be driving through and plan to leave early, if necessary.

  • Get comfortable with winter driving techniques

Although we don’t currently have fresh snow on the ground, nearby roads may still be more slippery than usual. Increase your regular following distance from one car length to a couple. Also, avoid skids by accelerating slowly.

  • Bring along your emergency road kit

AAA suggests adding an emergency road kit to your luggage. Not sure what to pack? Look back at one of our past blog posts to get reacquainted with the idea. Remember, tis the season to be prepared.

  • Take breaks

Would you believe the average Christmas long-distance trip is 275 miles in the United States? If you are traveling long distance by car, don’t forget to include breaks. Breaking up your trip will keep you more alert when you’re on the road.

  • Above all, don’t forget to be patient

We know that you’re anxious to reach your destination to be with loved ones, but remember that everyone wants you to get there in one piece. Exercise caution when out on the road.

Safe travels from Lions Pride!

Autumn Colors are Arriving

21 Thursday Sep 2017

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Does it feel like the fall colors are arriving early this year? Some people may tell you that Autumn Roadtime seems to go faster and faster when you get older, but don’t believe them this time because you’re not imagining it! The leaves have already started to turn in northern Wisconsin, and parts of the state could peak as early as the third week of September (Yes, that’s next week, and a week quicker than usual.) See for yourself at SmokyMountains.com’s Interactive Foliage Map.

According to the map’s creator Wes Melton, this year’s leaf model is predicting an earlier-than-typical peak fall due to the heavy precipitation we saw during the summer months. Fortunately, however, the NOAA 90-day future precipitation and temperature graphs are pointing towards a longer color period for most of the county. If you’d like to see Wisconsin’s fall foliage map, be sure to check out Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report.

Shorter days play a significant role in the changing leaves’ color, but weather can also be a big part. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the best recipe for stellar fall colors include a warm, wet spring; a mild summer that doesn’t get too hot; and a fall with warm, sunny days that don’t quite reach freezing temperatures – the perfect way to describe the past the six months of 2017.

In other years, we may have seen a delayed arrival of fall colors due to drought, or less leaves from early frost or heavy winds, so we may consider ourselves lucky this year!

If the fall days continue as we’ve already seen, it sounds like Wisconsin will have a lovely, colorful season. Where is your favorite place to take in the breathtaking colors? If you don’t have a destination in mind, Travel Wisconsin comes to the rescue once more! Check out their picks for the best scenic drives that will give you a guaranteed front row seat to Mother Nature’s annual show.

No matter where you plan to go, be sure to schedule your time accordingly – it will be here and gone in just a few, short weeks.

Happy (Early) Fall from Lions Pride!

2017 Council of Governors Orientation Weekend

01 Thursday Jun 2017

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June has arrived! The trees are blooming, the birds WI Lions Campare singing and winter feels like nothing more than a cold, distant memory.

While we may only be halfway through the year of 2017, the 2016-2016 Lionistic Year is coming to a close; that means it’s time for our current Council of Governors to start handing the reigns to our the DGEs. Saturday marks the first full weekend of the summer at Lions Camp. The DGEs will be gearing up for their new roles at this weekend’s orientation.

The fun starts on Friday afternoon at 4 pm with initial Council Chair Training presented by CC Shawn Redington, IPID Karla Harris and PID Mark Hintzmann. Immediately following, the elected officials will receive a camp tour and meal from the WLF Directors. The night ends with WLF orientation history and current project overview.

On Saturday, the District Governor Elects will learn about the training at the International Convention and receive more information about the several projects happening within Wisconsin Lions. They will hear from Lions Club International Foundation, the Global Members Team, Wisconsin Lions Eyebank and, of course, Lions Pride.

The day will then wrap up with the council meeting schedule, locations, format and committee action items. The next two days are going to move quickly for the incoming Governors and will begin to prepare them for the year ahead.

Lions Pride is looking forward to seeing all of the District Governor Elects this weekend, and sharing our message about Pride. We’d like to wish all of the new DGEs a nice weekend; we know you are going to be great in your new roles!

9th Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser & New Shooter Tips

09 Thursday Jun 2016

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Pride Shoot PreparationIt’s been a busy week here at Lions Pride! We’ve been preparing for this weekend’s 9th Annual Pride Shoot Sporting Clays Fundraiser happening again at Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek. Our sporting clays fundraiser is one of our most popular events of the year where both Lions and Non-Lions come together to spend the day in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Wisconsin.

While many of our participants are active supporters of Lions Pride with some prior experience shooting sporting clays, we understand that there may be a few newbies out there who may enjoy a few pointers before the shoot. Read through our list of beginner’s tips to feel more comfortable before Saturday morning:

  • Determine your dominant eye

Many new shooters assume that since they are right-handed, they also have a dominant right eye. While this is common, it is not always the case. To verify eye dominance, follow this exercise: stand tall and point to an object on the opposite side of the room. Close your left eye, and if you can still see the object at the end of your finger, your right is dominant. If the object has moved, open your left eye and close your right. If the object is still at the end of your finger, your left eye is dominant.  

  • Always practice safety first when out on the course

Handle your gun as if it were loaded, but keep it unloaded until you are ready to shoot. You’ll also want to make sure that your muzzle is always pointed down until you are ready to shoot, and never point your gun at anything that you don’t want to shoot.

  • Use the proper stance

Rather than aiming, you will want to get in the habit of pointing your gun. To accomplish this, stand with your front leg slightly bent and your back leg straight. You will also want to bend a little at the hip and slightly lean forward.

  • Focus on the target

While this may sound like obvious advice, you may be surprised to learn that it’s hard not to look down at your gun barrel or bead. Get into the routine of staying focused on the target.

  • Choose your target ahead of time

When it’s your turn, you are typically going to want to shoot the lower target first because the recoil will automatically bring you to the higher target. Keep this in mind, unless of course; you are interested in taking on a more challenging shot!

Experienced shooters, what advice would you give to someone new to the game? Learn more tips by visiting MEC Shooting Sports.

We are looking forward to seeing all of our fundraiser participants this weekend. Good luck to all of our shooters; we cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support. We are especially thankful for the volunteers who come to help; we could not manage without them.

Was your schedule too full to get to this year’s Shoot? Plan on attending next year, the 10th Annual Lions Pride Sporting Clay Fundraising Shoot will be held on June 10, 2017.