Tag Archives: tips

9th Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser & New Shooter Tips

09 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Fundraising, Lions Camp, News, Special Events

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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.

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Last Minute Tax Time Tips

14 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Giving Tips, News, Special Events

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Tax TimeThe countdown is on! We are only 96 hours away from the 2016 Personal Tax Deadline. Procrastinators can rejoice because the usual April 15th deadline has been pushed to Monday, April 18. You may be wondering why this year is different than past years, and the reason is due to a holiday usually only observed in Washington DC. Emancipation Day is a legal holiday that is celebrated on April 16, but since that falls on Saturday this year, the holiday will be observed on April 15.

Have you already taken care of your taxes? If so, good for you; if not, you are definitely not alone. Surprisingly, nearly 20% of all Americans wait until April to file their taxes. In fact, according to the IRS, the week of April 15 is typically the busiest week for tax filings.

If you still need to file, don’t stress, these tax tips can help make your job a little easier:

  • Avoid waiting any longer. E-file your return at irs.gov to submit your taxes for free.
  • If you cannot file online and plan on mailing your documents, be sure to pay special attention to collection pick-up times to ensure that it will be postmarked by April 18. It’s also a good idea to double-check that you have the right amount of postage.
  • If you don’t think you can complete your filings by the deadline, you have the opportunity to file for an automatic extension; however, be sure you understand these seven points before filing Form 4868.

Although many Americans file their taxes last minute year after year with no issues, there is no denying that that procrastination can cause unnecessary stress and increase the possibility of errors. Rather than waiting for next April, consider becoming more proactive to make the filing process easier on yourself next year.

  • Take your accountant out to lunch – If you aren’t in tune with all of the tax deductions and rules, you will likely have questions. With the 2015 Tax Season wrapping up, your accountant will have more time available to work with you. Now is the perfect time to find answers to your questions.
  • Create a charitable giving calendar – It’s easy to forget about charitable donations, especially when you’re in a time crunch. Rather than attending every fundraising event, create a plan that shows where you want to keep your contributions to go. You’ll also know exactly how much you are contributing and keep your giving in check.Did you know that Lions Pride offers an option for you to automate your contributions? Learn more about automated giving.
  • Review your withholdings – Now’s a great time to review the withholding amounts on your paychecks. For instance, if you overpaid this year, there’s no reason why you can’t adjust the values now and see a little more money every other week.

Read through more preparation tips for next year’s taxes.

Remember, the early bird catches the worm. Plan ahead now to save yourself time and frustration later on. Happy Tax Time from Lions Pride!

Disclaimer: The staff at Lions Pride are not tax experts. The tips listed above are merely from various sources from around the web. For any tax questions that you may have, please consult with your CPA or tax preparer.

 

Good Pedestrian Safety Habits

10 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in News

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Now that September has arrived, there is a noticeable difference in the Central Wisconsin atmosphere. Although the weather is still unseasonably warm for this time of year, it is obvious that fall is upon us.

School started a few weeks ago, and we shared safety tips when driving through school zones. While we know this is an important piece in keeping our children, we know that there are more pieces that come into play. This week, we thought it would be nice to switch perspectives and list safety tips to share with the children in your life.

Sadly, each year, thousands of kids are killed or critically injured due to accidents with motor vehicles. We also know that many of these fatalities can be prevented with the knowledge of a few key safety tips.

  1. Always use the crosswalk

Crossing someplace other than an intersection is the reason for approximately 81 percent of child pedestrian deaths. Emphasize the importance of taking the extra time to cross the street at the corner.

  1. Use the sidewalks when available

Sidewalks can reduce pedestrian crashes by nearly 90 percent. Always use a sidewalk or path when it’s there. If there are no sidewalks on the road, be sure to walk facing traffic and as far away from the vehicles as possible. If walking at night, wear brightly colored clothing so you can easily be seen.

  1. Stay alert

According to a recent study, 1 in 5 high school kids crosses the street while distracted – meaning they are either playing on their mobile phone or listening to headphones. Talk to your children and make sure they are paying full attention while crossing the street. Remember to take your own advice, if you put your phone down, then they will likely do the same.

  1. Watch for second cars

While many cars will stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, there is still the chance that someone behind them may not. Remember to pause at each lane or intersection and make eye contact with the drivers to avoid an accident.

Walking may seem like a monotonous activity to many teens and children, but it’s so important to pay attention. Please take the time to talk with your kids and grandkids about good pedestrian safety habits, both now and throughout the school year. We can all work to reduce pedestrian injuries in Wisconsin.

Safe travels from Lions Pride!
Shared Responsibility

Safety Tips for July 4th

03 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by in Holidays

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2014 marks the 185th anniversary of America’s freedom. The 4th of July is one of the most fun days of the year, a time to enjoy the beautiful, summer weather with family and friends. However, if you’re not careful, it can also be a day full of hazards. Stay safe this Independence Day with these tips:

  • Give yourself enough time for travel

Holidays always mean busy streets and highways. There are thousands of families across the country traveling out of town for special events. It’s always a good idea to leave earlier than usual to ensure a timely arrival.  View a short AAA travel safety video here.

  • Have a fire extinguisher available

We all enjoy barbecues and fireworks displays, but grills and fireworks mean there are more fire hazards than usual. Be prepared for all uncertainties with a fire extinguisher nearby.

  • Boat safely

July 4 is another busy day on rivers and lakes. You may not be used to the high traffic out on the water. Review boat safety tips to keep everyone, including other boaters and swimmers, safe.

  • Don’t forget the sunscreen

Remember, a sunny day isn’t the only time you should protect your skin. You can still get sunburned on a cloudy day. Rub on the SPF before you leave and house and bring the bottle along to reapply after 2 to 4 hours.

  • Leave Fido at home

July 5 is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters because dogs panicked during the firework display. Many dogs are afraid of the loud noises that occur on the 4th of July and they “retreat” to safety. We understand pets are part of the family, but in this case, your best bet may be to keep your dog at home.  For other holiday weekend pet safety tips, click here.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed on Friday, July 4. We wish you a safe, enjoyable Independence Day!