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Get Ready for the 2018 Winter Olympics

08 Thursday Feb 2018

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Looking for a way to display your American spirit? Tune in to the 2018 Winter Olympics, airing on NBC tomorrow night.Ice Skates

It seems like only yesterday we were cheering on our teams at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. This year, the games are taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, a city approximately 80 miles east of Seoul.

To get ready for the action, we’ve compiled a list of fun facts to commemorate this year’s competition:

  • The first Winter Games took place in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The 2018 Games will mark the 23rd Winter Olympics.
  • Four new events have been added to the competition. This year, viewers will be able to watch big air snowboarding, freestyle skiing, mass start speed skating and mixed doubles curling.
  • Lee Suk-Woo designed the 2018 medals that feature lively diagonal lines and 3D consonants from the Korean alphabet. The design was inspired by tree trunks that were made to symbolize the “the work that has gone into developing Korean culture and the Games themselves.”
  • The 2018 Mascot is a white tiger named Soohorang. The tiger is an animal that is highly regarded in Korean mythology and culture; the white tiger is seen as a symbol of trust, strength and protection.

    Here at Lions Pride, we like seeing Soohorang as the mascot, but Pride the Lion from the 2012 Summer Olympics will always hold a special place in our hearts!

South Korea may be 15 hours ahead of Chicago, but Americans will be able to stream all of the events in real time. The first figure skating competition will begin tonight at 6 pm.

Will you be watching the 2018 Winter Olympics? Which event do you enjoy watching most?

Enjoy the winter games!

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Fun Facts about Wisconsin Cheese

18 Thursday Jan 2018

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When you first think about January, what are the first words that come to mind? 02J16331If you’re like many of us, most of those topics are related to the New Year – terms like resolutions, exercise and healthy diet. You may be surprised to know, however, that there are several other holidays taking place.

In addition to our official holidays like New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, there are dozens of unofficial holidays on the calendar – Houseplant Appreciation Day, National Nothing Day and the upcoming National Cheese Lover’s Day. Cheese Lover’s Day takes place on Saturday, January 20, and we can’t think of a better holiday for our very own dairy state to celebrate.

Of course, you already know that Wisconsin produces a lot of cheese (it just comes with the territory, right?), but do you have any idea about just much “a lot” exactly is? We thought it’d be fun to celebrate the unofficial holiday with compelling facts about Wisconsin cheese.

  • Pioneering farm wives began making “kitchen” cheese from that of their herds in the 1830s, but the first official Wisconsin cheese wasn’t made until 1841 by Anne Pickett of Lake Mills when she added milk from her neighbor’s cow to that of her own small herd.
  • If Wisconsin were a country, it would come in 4th place in world cheese production, following the rest of the United States, France and Germany.
  • Wisconsin leads the rest of the country in the development of the following types of cheese: Limburger, Feta, Romano, Provolone, Parmesan, Muenster and Cheddar.
  • Wisconsin makes over 600 varieties, types and styles of cheeses (including more than 65 originals.)

Who knew cheese came in so many varieties and had such a rich history? It should come as no surprise for us to learn that there is a day dedicated to sharing their passion with others.

Don’t think one day is enough? You’re not alone! Cheese lovers will be happy to learn that there are 18 other cheese-related holidays that happen throughout the year, (but we’re not sure that they all count.)

Will you make plans to celebrate the day of cheese? Let us know in the comments below. Happy National Cheese Day from Lions Pride!

 

Celebrate Veterans Day with Gratitude

09 Thursday Nov 2017

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“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom is theWaving Flag very foundation of Veterans Day.” –Charles B. Rangel

This Saturday, we’ll have the opportunity to our nation’s living heroes in the 80th official Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day was created on November 11, 1919, on the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance and became a national holiday in 1938.

Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, who served on any branch of the US military during peacetime or war, living or dead, but especially giving thanks to all living veterans. The US Census Bureau estimates that there are currently over 21 million living veterans in the United States.

You’ve likely already seen lots of businesses celebrating the holiday with sales and specials, but may wonder the best way to celebrate the occasion. Here at Lions Pride, we feel the best way to recognize the holiday is with gratitude. Here are a few ideas on you could thank a veteran over the weekend:

  • Write a letter

Everyone loves mail! Well, maybe not direct mail, but we’d be willing to bet you greeted your last handwritten letter with a smile. This Veterans Day, thank a vet in the form of a letter. Operation Gratitude is on a mission to show our nation’s heroes how much we care about them. And nothing says more that more than a handwritten note that can be saved forever. Each year, the organization sends care packages and letters to veterans all over the county. Find out how you can start your first letter.

  • Visit a veterans nursing home

We think quite possibly the best way to thank someone is in person! Consider contacting your local veterans nursing home to see if there are any residents who may be longing for company. After all who doesn’t love a friendly visit?

  • Invite a veteran to join Lions

You can show your appreciation as a Lion by inviting a veteran to serve with your club and reconnect with their community. In July 2013, Lions Club International introduced the Involve a Veteran Program. From now until June 30, 2018, qualifying veterans will receive waived entrance and chartered fees when they join a Lions Club. Eligible veterans include all branches of the US military – Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel who are retired or honorably discharged. The National Guard and Reserve personnel who were called to active duty for other training are also eligible. Learn more about the program.

These are only three of countless ways to thank a veteran for their sacrifice. How do you plan to celebrate Veterans Day?

To all of the men and women in uniform, past, present and future, God bless you and the Lions Pride Staff & Board want to thank you for your service.

Happy Veterans Day!

Go Green This Halloween Season

26 Thursday Oct 2017

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Typically, orange and black are the first colors that come to mind when you think about Carving Pumpkinthe spookiest day of the year. This Halloween; however, we’d like to throw in another word – green. As you likely already aware, in the upcoming months, we are going to see a massive increase in the amount of waste found in the United States. Let’s help minimize the harm on our planet (and keep more money in our pockets) by coming up with new ways to stay eco-friendly this Halloween.

  • Make your own decorations

Did you know that Halloween is the second biggest decorating holiday of the year? Consider reusing your old decorations or get crafty by making your own with recycled household items. Check out these 19 DIY ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

  • Use eco-friendly lights

Light up the path to your front door by using LED lights or solar-powered lamps for your trick-or-treaters. Rather than selecting Halloween lights that will only be used one time each year, you may want to consider investing in something more versatile. Studies have shown that solar garden lights, which could save you in the long-term, with a return on investment of 47 percent over the course of ten years. Wow!

  • Reuse your pumpkin

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Americans have created a demand for over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins each year. These pumpkins will likely get carved or used for traditional fall décor, and the get tossed. This year, don’t throw out ole Jack! After showing off your carved masterpiece, repurpose your pumpkin by using it in a new recipe. While carving pumpkins may not be as flavorful as sugar or pie pumpkins, they will still work for several recipes including vegetable stock, pumpkin puree and pumpkin lasagna. If you’d prefer not to eat your Jack o’ Lantern, there are always many other fun ways to enjoy your pumpkin.

  • Host a Costume Swap

While it may be a little too late to implement this idea, it may be one to consider in 2018. The National Retail Federation has found that the average American spends $74 each Halloween, nearly 36 percent of that total cost is spent on a costume. Rather than going out and buying a new costume each year, parents may find relief with a Halloween costume swap. The swap could be as simple as getting a few neighbors together or as large as a city-wide event – the opportunities are endless.

There’s no reason why you can’t have fun and be eco-friendly this Halloween. These are only a handful of ways to take control of your carbon footprint. How will you plan to protect Mother Nature? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy (Green) Halloween from Lions Pride!

Safely Viewing the 2017 Solar Eclipse

17 Thursday Aug 2017

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Rosholt EclipseHave you heard the news? A total solar eclipse is quickly approaching! This Monday, August 21, the majority of the United States will have a clear view of both total and partial eclipses (for the first time in 38 years.)

Although we are also excited to witness the nighttime wonder, we have several concerns that deserve addressing. Here at Lions Pride, you likely already know that we support one of the WLF’s largest projects; early child’s vision screening. So, it should come as no surprise that we’d want to do everything we can to educate our readers on how to view the eclipse safely.

Unfortunately, in Wisconsin, we will not have the opportunity to see a total eclipse, but we will still have an out-of-this-world view. But since the sun will not be completed covered, it’s important to remember that it is not safe to view directly with your naked eye. There are several types of solar filter glasses available (not to be mistaken for sunglasses,) but even these special glasses have certain risks.

The most critical case to keep in mind that most of these glasses are made with adults in mind, will likely not fit children properly and should not be used without adult supervision. Plus, if the solar glasses do not completely filter out 100% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, if they are not used absolutely perfectly or should there be any manufacturing defects, this will result in permanent and irreversible vision loss.

Dr. Michael Schecter, an optometrist in Columbus, Ohio, makes another important point about viewing the eclipse with kids:

“The biggest danger with children is ensuring proper use without direct parental supervision. During an eclipse, because the moon blocks so much of its light, if one looks at it without full protection, it does not cause pain as looking at the sun does on a regular day.Generally, if you try to look at the sun, it physically hurts, and you can’t see anything. During an eclipse, however, it is easier to stare for a bit, and even less than 30 seconds of exposure to a partially eclipsed sun, you can burn a blind spot right to your most precious central vision. With solar glasses, you can’t see anything except the crescent of light of the sun, but kids could have a tendency to want to peak around the filter to see what is actually going on up there. One failure, just one, where education and supervision fail, will have a devastating consequence.”

If you plan to view the solar eclipse on Monday, please do so safely. Sadly, one wrong move could result in a lifetime of vision loss that may not be immediately felt. If you do not have proper protection, please watch it on television. Lions Pride wants you to remember to protect and preserve your gift of sight.

3 Ways to Express Your Gratitude This Mother’s Day

11 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events, Uncategorized

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We hope that we’re not the first ones to Happy Mothers Daytell you that Mother’s Day is only 48 hours away. While this may seem to be another obvious greeting card holiday, don’t fall for the deception! Mother’s Day is a holiday that honors motherhood and takes many forms all over the globe. In America form of Mother’s Day was created in 1908 by Anna Jarvis, and became an official US holiday in 1914. (She later tried to denounce the commercialization of the holiday and spent much of her lifetime trying to remove the holiday from the calendar, but that’s a story for another day!)

There’s no question in our minds that parenthood, and motherhood, in particular, is one of the most challenging jobs that comes with its own share of sacrifices. Mother’s Day is a wonderful holiday that gives us all an opportunity to show the moms in our lives how much they mean to us.

Often, this gratitude comes in the form of gifts, but gifts don’t necessarily need to include the typical card and flowers. This Mother’s Day, think about giving a more creative present to the moms in your life with a few ideas:

  • Giving your time: Rather than giving a physical present, say, “I love you” with the gift of your time. In this day and age, it’s easy for time to get away with us. Spend Sunday doing the activity of her choice like going to church, seeing a movie or just spending the afternoon catching up. We are confident that mothers will agree that there’s nothing better than spending precious time together.
  • Taking on her usual duties: In life, we all have responsibilities that we don’t much care for. Whether it’s scrubbing toilets, washing dishes or eliminating loads of laundry, take one or all of those duties to give her a chance to put her feet up and relax. After all, how often does that actually happen at home?
  • Giving a gift that keeps on giving: It’s very likely that Mom has a special cause that she cares about. Help that organization carry on in their mission by giving a gift in her honor. If your mom is a Lions Pride supporter, consider giving an honorarium donation to help us continue preserving, providing and protecting for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. Click her for a memorial/honorarium form.

Remember that the best gifts in life don’t always come packed with ribbons and bows. This Mother’s Day, say “thank you” to the most important moms in your life with a present that she won’t soon forget. How do you plan to express your gratitude?

From all of us at Lions Pride, Happy Mother’s Day!

Give the Gift of Blood This January

05 Thursday Jan 2017

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When you think about the month of January, american-red-cross-lions-clubyou likely think about one or more of the following topics: staying warm on cold winter days, making (and possibly breaking!) New Year’s Resolutions or celebrating the life of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., on the anniversary of his birth. While these are all common themes, you may have missed another important occasion – National Blood Donor Month.

Since 1970, the first month of the year has been designated as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, and for a good reason. As you know, January is a bit of an unusual month, it is a time for getting back into normal routines after holiday celebrations and hibernating in our warm, cozy homes, which is why blood donors are typically in short supply. The American Red Cross has taken advantage of this opportunity by encouraging adults of all ages to consider becoming blood donors.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood. Just imagine in the time you have taken to read this post, 15 people will have needed the gift of blood. Unfortunately, although an estimated 38 percent of the country’s population is eligible to give blood at any given time, less than 10 percent actually donate. Who’s ready to change that number?

If you’ve never donated blood before you might think the process for getting started may be difficult, but becoming a donor is quite simple. Just follow this easy 5-step process:

  1. Find a blood drive.
    Blood drives are happening all over the state, but you can find one nearest to you by visiting the American Red Cross Blood Drive Locator.
  2. Register
    On the day of your blood donation, you will register with staff and volunteers to review your eligibility and donation information. Be sure to bring a government-issued ID. Other photo IDs are also accepted.
  3. Review medical history
    After checking in, you will receive a mini physical from a registered technician who will take your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. He or she will also ask you about travel and medical history in a private setting.
  4. Donate
    Next, it’s time for the blood donation. Estimated time is between 8 and 10 minutes.
  5. Enjoy refreshments
    After donating, you will have the chance to raise your blood sugar back up to normal settings with a snack or beverage. (Who isn’t always looking for a valid excuse to enjoy a cookie?)

And that’s all there is to it! Most donors will be in and out in under an hour, and their donation can help up to 3 people. How often can you make a difference like that?

This January, think about taking some time out of your busy schedule to become a blood donor. Although it may be a simple task, it’s one that definitely should never be discounted. Thank you so much for your consideration, and for the gift of blood.

Happy National Blood Donor Month from Lions Pride!

 

 

Child Vision Screening Facts

13 Thursday Oct 2016

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lions-kidsight-usaToday is Lions World Sight Day! Since 1988, Lions from all over the world have worked together to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and the need for quality eye care.

Here at Lions Pride, we are especially passionate about the children’s vision screening because we have seen first-hand the power of early detection, but sometimes it can be difficult for children to know whether or not they are see something incorrectly.

Vision problems affect one in twenty preschoolers, and one in four school-age children. Without early detection and treatment, these conditions could lead to permanent vision loss; however, fewer than 20 percent of children are adequately screened for vision problems in the United States.

To help improve the chances of early detection, Wisconsin Lions have teamed up with Prevent Blindness Wisconsin to see that all Wisconsin children aged six months to teens have had a vision screening. Now thanks to Lions and Lionesses, vision screenings are taking place in day care centers, preschool facilities and schools all over the state. In the past year, 51 clubs reported over 15,600 children were screened, and nearly 1,500 of those children were referred to an eye care professional for a follow-up appointment.

We can continue to increase these numbers by increasing the number of club members certified to perform vision screenings. You may be surprised to learn just how easy it is to get started. Vision screenings typically take five minutes or less per child and can make a world of difference.

To learn more about screening programs in Wisconsin, please review the Wisconsin Lions Children’s Vision Screening Toolkit. All training is provided by Prevent Blindness Wisconsin. Together, we can see that all children receive satisfactory vision screenings and work to end preventable blindness.

Happy Lions World Sight Day from Lions Pride.

To Receive Luck, You Must Give Luck!

17 Thursday Mar 2016

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We don’t have to tell you what day it is. You’ve likely already seen multiple shades of the Lucky Clovercolor green and may be daydreaming about enjoying a green beer this evening. There are many items that you know automatically symbolize St. Patrick’s Day, but have you ever wondered why you so often see the four-leaf clover on this day?

During the early days of Ireland, many believed that carrying a shamrock would provide the ability to see evil spirits, which was deemed as a lucky gift that helped the Irish escape in time. Four-leaf clovers presumed to offer magical protection and ward off bad luck.

The definition of the word, luck, means, “circumstances that lead to a favorable outcome.” The leaves of four-leaf clovers are known to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck. The term and understanding of luck ties to St. Patrick’s Day in a sense because St. Patrick often used a three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity. Clovers became a popular symbol amongst the Irish and finding a four-leaf clover (or lucky clover) was a rare occurrence.

With all that being said; however, we must all understand that being lucky isn’t all about letting the universe take fate into its hands, but to also put in our own efforts and hope into our favorable outcomes.

We live in a world where we tend to forget how lucky we are to have the help of others, especially here in the United States. At Lions Pride, we feel like we have a four-leaf clover in our pocket every day of the year. We are so lucky to have the support of donors who understand that helping today will provide help for today and hope for tomorrow. Our extraordinary donors provide life-changing opportunities for individuals that create a ripple effect for continuous growth and selfless giving.

On this day, we wish you all of the luck of the Irish, but we hope you also remember to thank the donors who have made a difference in your life, and to continue the act of giving and kindness. One step in the right direction is all that it takes to make a positive impact.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

LCI Involve a Veteran Program

21 Thursday May 2015

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Memorial Day

Photo Credit to SheKnows

May is an especially patriotic month. Last Saturday was Armed Forces Day and we’re right on the heels of Memorial Day. United States Veterans have sacrificed so much to aid our country, but many want the opportunity to get involved in local service work. There’s never been a better time to invite these dedicated individuals to become Lions with the Involve a U.S. Veteran Program.

Veterans have experience turning plans into actions, leading groups and brainstorming new and innovative ideas. They are just a natural fit into the Lions community.

There are several, easy ways to recruit Veterans to your club:

  • Exhibit at a local Veteran community event. Check out the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Events page and watch your local newspaper.
  • Drop off brochures at your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) clubs. You may be surprised to learn just how many organizations exist in the state of Wisconsin.
  • Take the opportunity to thank Veterans on your social media pages. You never whose eyes may stumble across the update!
  • Start a new project and invite Veterans to join in on the fun.

Don’t wait! Start getting your local Veterans involved in your club. From now until June 30, 2015, the first 5000 qualifying will receive an entrance or charter fee waiver when joining a Lions Club. Learn more here.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed on Monday, May 25 to celebrate Memorial Day. Thank you to all of those who have bravely served our country. Enjoy a safe and fun holiday weekend!