Tag Archives: state

Get Out and Enjoy Our State Parks

15 Thursday Apr 2021

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Every April, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation team up to celebrate America’s natural treasures. This year, National Park Week will take place from April 17 to April 25. What better time to get out and explore everything that Mother Nature has to offer?

If you recall, life in April of 2020 looked quite different from what we were used to experiencing. Most of the country was locked down and Wisconsin residents were advised to follow the “Safer at Home” order. Adventure seekers were encouraged to commemorate National Park Week virtually.

Fast forward 12 months and our lives are starting to look a little more normal. As the COVID vaccine continues to rollout, many people are anxious to get out and participate in activities that may not have been easy or possible during the pandemic. Might we suggest taking a trip to take in one of three Wisconsin National Parks?

Apostle Islands

Located in Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore consists of 21 islands and one 12-mile mainland unit dedicated to preservation and public enjoyment.

Ice Age

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1200-mile trail that spans the entire state from north to south and east to west. Trailheads and access points are located in many places along the route. If you are looking to hike for a day, week or even a month, the Ice Age Trail is an incredible way to explore.

Saint Croix

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway offers over 200 miles of water surrounded by a beautiful forest landscape. Choose your mode of transportation by foot or paddle.

Although it feels like we are on the home stretch, please remember that we are not through the pandemic just yet. Before planning your trip, be sure to check the park website to verify its operating status. Masks are also required on NPS-administered lands where social distancing cannot be maintained as well as inside all NPS buildings and facilities. Follow their guidelines for recreating responsibly.

Which Wisconsin National Park would you be most interested in visiting? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy National Park Week from Lions Pride!

The 2020-2021 Council of Governors Meeting

23 Thursday Jul 2020

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We are nearing the end of another month, and it may be somewhat hard to believe that it is already time for the new Wisconsin Lions District Governors to meet. The entire MD27 Council of Governors is scheduled to meet this Saturday at the Hotel Mead & Conference Center in Wisconsin Rapids.

The first meeting of the 2020-2021 Lionistic Year will be an exciting one as it will be filled with lots of information and, for many of us, it will the first time that we are able to see friends in person. The day will begin with the call to order, introduction and opening remarks, the approval of the agenda and last July meeting minutes, followed by the ratification of all previous action and minutes.

Afterward, the new District Governors will hear brief reports from nearly 30 district chairpersons. Yes, we know that sounds like a lot of reports, but remember they only meet four times each year, so there’s plenty to discuss.

As the meeting continues the DGs will listen to MD27 and state committee reports. They will also hear from many of the State Lions organizations, including Lions Pride.

We are looking forward to seeing our fellow Lions in person but want to ensure everyone stays safe during the pandemic. At this time, we recommend the following safety tips:

  • At this time, it is believed that COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person. Avoid close contact with others by maintaining a distance of at least six feet.
  • Consider wearing a cloth face cover when in the presence of others, just in case the social distance is hard to maintain. 
  • Remember to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds.)

We are thrilled to be able to see the friendly faces of friends, even if they are partially covered by masks. We know there are smiles underneath. We’d like to wish all of our new DGs a safe, productive weekend and a successful year!

2020 Tax Filing Extension

09 Thursday Apr 2020

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accounting analytics balance black and white

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Typically, this would be the time of year when people would be concerned about filing their taxes on time, but there is another worry on everyone’s mind – COVID-19.

Due to the current health and economic state of the country, the Treasury Department and IRS recently announced that it would be extending the federal income due date from April 15 to July 15, 2020. This announcement follows the Presidents’ emergency declaration to pursue the Stafford Act as we all learn to navigate life through a pandemic. Like the IRS, the state of Wisconsin has also extended the filing deadline.

Additionally, taxpayers will have the option to defer federal and state tax payments until July, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deadline applies to all taxpayers, to include individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and all other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax. There is no need to make any special requests to qualify for this deferment, as it applies to everyone.

Although the filing deadline has been extended, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig encourages taxpayers not to procrastinate, especially if expecting a refund. At this time, most tax refunds are still being issued with 21 days.

If you are still working with your tax preparer on last year’s taxes, Lions Pride would like to remind you to practice extra patience and display even more kindness to essential business workers during this time. We are all being tested with daily challenges and are doing the best we can in the given situation.

Remember that we are in this battle together. Please continue to follow guidelines from CDC. Stay safe out there!

Honor Flight to Washington DC

25 Thursday May 2017

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Memorial Day may only Memorial Day Cemetarybe four days away, but a group of our state’s heroes has gotten a head start on the celebration.

Ninety Wisconsin veterans received the opportunity to fly to Washington DC on Sunday, May 19, with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. This flight was the second of three scheduled for the spring of 2017.

The group left Mitchell Airport early at 7 am to fill in a full day of site seeing. Upon arrival, our veterans visited the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Iwo Jima/Marine Corps Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall. The group also got to witness the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The heroes arrived back in Milwaukee at 9 pm that evening and were graciously welcomed home by family, friends and community members.

Although many of us may celebrate the holiday with a classic barbecue with loved ones, it’s important to remember the true meaning of the holiday.

As reminded by the SSHF, “Memorial Day isn’t a ‘thank you for your service day’ for our living veterans or active duty military. It’s a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and were denied the privilege of growing old.” Read the entire excerpt here.

It’s so easy to lose sight of the origin of Memorial Day, appreciating those who sacrificed themselves for our country and freedom. Consider spending some time on Monday, to visit a cemetery and saying “thank you” to our nation’s greatest heroes.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed on Monday, May 29 in observance of the holiday. We’d like to wish you and your family a safe and happy Memorial Day!

The 66th Annual Wisconsin Lions Bowling Tournament

23 Thursday Feb 2017

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It’s time to dust off your bowling shoes, wi-lions-bowling-tournamentfind your lucky ball and head over to Marshfield for the annual Wisconsin Lions Bowling Tournament. From February 25 to April 9, Stratford, Pittsville, Auburndale and Rozellville Lions Club will be hosting the 66th annual competition at Rose Bowl Lanes.

To get you in the bowling spirit, we thought it might be fun to put together bowling fun facts that you might not already know. Feel free to share after bowling a frame!

  • The first indoor bowling lanes were built in New York City in 1840, but the origins of the game can be traced back thousands of years.
  • Bowling balls were first made of wood and later (a heavy rubber) until about 1960.
  • Women weren’t allowed to bowl until the year 1917 when they got their own governing body, the Women’s National Bowling Association.
  • Nine-pin bowling is banned in every state except Texas.
  • There is no minimum weight requirement for a bowling ball.
  • The largest bowling alley in the world is located in Japan and has 116 lanes. (Wow!) The second largest is housed in Las Vegas.
  • Jennie Kelleher of Wisconsin was the first woman to bowl a perfect 300 game in 1930.

Doubles and Singles Events take place on Saturday at 10:30 am and 1 pm. Team Events will take place on Sunday at 10 am and 1 pm. Check-in times are one hour prior to the shift, and the cost to compete is $8 per team. To learn more, please click here.

All entries will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration, all tournament-related information and motel information can be found at the Pittsville Lions website. Entries will close on the last day of the tournament based on lane availability.

From all of us at Lions Pride, we wish all participating bowlers the best of luck!

 

Sources:

 

http://pinchasers.net/amazing-facts-never-knew-bowling/

http://gobowling.com/News/May-2012/bowling-facts-blog

New Mountains to Climb

30 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Conventions, News, Special Events

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New Mountains to ClimbThe 2016 Lions Club International Convention is officially behind us. Words alone cannot describe the entire experience of traveling to Japan, meet new people, seeing old friends and learning so much more about our role as Lions. The fact is no matter how long you have been a part of this organization; there is always something more to learn.

The 2016-2017 theme for Lions is “New Mountains to Climb”. Our new Chancellor President Bob Corlew came up with the idea as he was thinking about his home state of Tennessee. (Did you know that Tennessee is known as the Service State?) As he was thinking about the rolling foothills and steep mountains, he thought it was the perfect metaphor for our 100th year. It’s no secret that we live in an ever-changing world, and with those changes come new challenges or mountains to climb. But by pursuing these mountains, we have an extraordinary chance to make the world a better place.

This year as we approach our centennial year, we are at a critical point in future planning. We are challenged with creating a map for future generations of Lions, who will follow and preserve our tradition of service.

An important thought to keep in mind; however, that as we reach the top of one mountain that it is not the end of the journey, it is simply the beginning of another. As leaders in service, our job is never over because we are always looking to inspire others to join us.

To read more highlights of the 2016-2017 theme, please follow this link.

Here at Lions Pride, we always enjoy the beginning of a new Lions Year because it’s an exciting time to look ahead to see what the next 365 days will bring. Now’s the perfect to start creating your action plan and help Lions Club International beat their Centennial Service Challenge (CSC).

What mountain do you and your club hope to climb this year?