Tag Archives: tips

Springing Ahead Without Losing Sleep

05 Thursday Mar 2020

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closeup photography of adult short coated tan and white dog sleeping on gray textile at daytime

Photo by Christian Domingues on Pexels.com

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!

 

National Camera Day + Tips for Taking Good Photos

27 Thursday Jun 2019

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collection of gray scale photos

Photo by Fancycrave.com on Pexels.com

When was the last time you sat down with a loved one to look through a treasured photo album? If you’re like many of us, it’s probably been a while. This Saturday, June 29, is National Camera Day, and we think there’s no better time to celebrate the magical history of photography as well as cameras themselves.

You may be surprised to learn that the cameras have an extensive history. The device first made its debut in the Middle Ages. A physicist named Alhazen discovered the idea of Camera Obscura, the act of reproducing an image with color and perspective preserved. This discovery led to the invention of history’s first pinhole camera.

Over the years, many scientists experimented with photography, developing different types of cameras, but the tools didn’t become accessible to amateurs until George Eastman began producing and manufacturing film in 1955. He later created a brand that we all surely recognize, Kodak.

Of course, the whole industry was turned on its side when Steven Sasson invented the first digital camera in 1975 while working at Eastman Kodak. Unfortunately, the discovery was not given the recognition that it deserved. At that time, the company was afraid that digital products would compete with their film products and did not pursue the venture. The digital camera became available to the public in the early 1990s.

Nearly 30 years later, we don’t have to tell you that times have changed. Unless you are an aspiring photographer, you probably don’t have a high-tech camera; you simply rely on the device that can be found beside you.

Smartphones have allowed everyone to become a photographer. We now all have the ability to take a picture, edit it and share it with the world in mere minutes. The problem; however, is that many of our photos never actually see the light of day. We may scroll through them occasionally when we want to take a quick stroll down Memory Lane, but they rarely get a permanent home in a photo album for future generations to see.

In honor of National Camera Day, we challenge you to start taking pictures with the intention of printing and preserving. These four easy tips can help you take your best photos yet, even if you are only using your trusted smartphone:

  1. Clean the lens

    We know, this is a simple one. You can take the sharpest images by staying on top of dust and grime. Use a clean, microfiber cloth to get the job done.

  2. Use natural lighting

    Did you know that the word “photography” effectively translates into “painting with light?” You may have noticed that professional photographers often have more tools to play with lighting. Remember this when taking your own pictures. When possible, be sure to have the primary source of light shining on the subject.

  3. Avoid using zoom

Again, you may see many professionals utilizing the zoom function, but smartphone cameras do not work the same way. Rather than actually zooming in on the subject, the camera just crops the image. Instead of using the zoom, just try moving closer.

  1. Turn on the grids setting

A common rule in photography is “The Rule of Thirds,” the idea behind the rule is to break the image into thirds to create a well-balanced and interesting shot. Learn more here. You can imagine the grids themselves, or you can find the setting on your device.

Just think of where we’d be if we didn’t have cameras in our life. We likely wouldn’t recognize many elder family members, look back at history or have the chance to relive the most important memories of our lives. Make sure to keep this in mind as you think about photographs in today’s world. Your great-grandchildren will want to see pictures of you!

Are you a smartphone photo gallery scroller, or do you still print many of your photographs? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy National Camera Day from Lions Pride!

 

 

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.

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

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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!