Tag Archives: weekend

Ways to Appreciate the End of Summer

03 Thursday Sep 2020

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We probably don’t have to tell you that Monday, September 7, 2020, (Labor Day) is the unofficial end to summer and the beginning of autumn. There’s no question that these cooler days have been feeling quite fall-like, but this year has been different than those we have experienced in the past. There were days in 2020 that felt like they were never going to end, yet the summer seemed to fly by, leaving many of us wondering, “Was I able to get out and enjoy it?”

You’re not alone in this feeling, but believe it or not, there is still time to get out and make the most of the fleeting season. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy all that summer has to offer:  

  • Take a hike at a state or local park
  • Create a bonfire and toast a marshmallow
  • Enjoy an afternoon fishing at your favorite river or stream
  • Watch the sunrise or set (depending on whether you’re an early bird or more of a night owl)
  • Grab a blanket and pack a picnic lunch
  • Stay up late and catch a firefly light show
  • Take off your shoes and walk barefoot through lush green grass
  • Sit outside and admire the stars. There’s nothing quite like a clear night sky to remind us about the big, beautiful world we live in

The forecast shows that aside from a small chance of isolated thunderstorms on Sunday, it’s supposed to be a gorgeous weekend. We’d like to remind you to get out and enjoy the unofficial end to the Wisconsin summer, but always remember that it will be back again in no time at all.

Our office will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of the holiday. From all of us at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish you a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

Fast Food Fun Facts

14 Thursday Nov 2019

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Do you have meal plans set for Saturday? If not, you might be so inclined to indulge in your favorite fast food. Saturday, November 16, is National Fast Food Day. If you’ve been craving a juicy hamburger with a side of fries, there’s no better time to hop in the car and enjoy a quick meal on the go.

“Fast food,” of course, is a blanket term for any type of food that is made and prepared for a customer in a short amount of time. The phrase first appeared in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in 1951 but has an extensive history. Read more from the History of Fast Food.

As you know, fast food first began as burgers, fries and shakes, but now includes everything from breakfast sandwiches to Chinese food. Today, we’re celebrating the unofficial holiday with a list of interesting, fun facts:

  • Did you know that Chick-fil-A is famous for its restaurant lemonade? So much so, they’ve become the largest Sunkist lemon buyer. Each year, they sell about 121 million cups of lemonade, which requires them to purchase approximately 250 million lemons.
  • You may be surprised to learn that Subway, not McDonald’s, is the largest fast food chain in the world. Subway has an estimated 24,000 stores in the United States and 42,000 stores worldwide, which is 17% more than its highest competitor, McDonald’s.
  • Before kale became a popular health food item, Pizza Hut was the largest purchaser. The fast food didn’t use the leafy greens for the pizzas but instead to decorate their salad bars.
  • You may have heard that Dunkin Donuts coffee is served fresh, but do you know how fresh? According to the national coffee chain, if coffee doesn’t get used within 18 minutes, the staff will discard and brew a new carafe.
  • Wendy’s is the only fast food chain that sells baked potatoes on the side. Each week, the popular chain sells approximately one million baked potatoes.
  • Did you know the delicious cinnamon scent you experience when strolling through a shopping mall is fabricated? It’s true. Cinnabon entices shoppers by baking empty cookie sheets covered in their exclusive sugar and cinnamon mixture every 30 minutes. Talk about sneaky!

Will you observe National Fast Food Day? If so, where will you go? We’d love to hear in the comments below.

Whether you prefer a burger and fries, fried chicken or pizza, we hope you enjoy this fun concocted holiday. Happy National Fast Food Day from Lions Pride!

The 2019 USA/Canada Leadership Forum

12 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by in Conventions, News, Special Events

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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!

 

How to Beat the Cool Summer Blues

20 Thursday Jun 2019

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Tomorrow marks the first day of summer, but in case you haven’t noticed, the weather hasn’t felt very seasonal. If we look at the city of Madison, the average temperature range in June is 75 degrees to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely falling below 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Madison Temperatures

Source: Weather Underground

This year, however, we’ve experienced some abnormalities in terms of weather. Only half of our days have been in the average temperature range, and we’ve only seen three days reach the 80-degree mark. Days have been gloomy and rainy, making it challenging to stay optimistic about the season ahead.

We understand that it can be disappointing to see another cloudy day. Unfortunately, the weather is one of those areas that no one can control. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy the first part of June, even if it is a bit cooler than usual. We’ve compiled a couple of ideas to get you started:

  1. Participate in activities where warm weather is not essential

When you think about summertime, you probably think about activities like swimming and boating, but there are other ways to get outside. Rather than relying solely on the weather, consider taking part in other fun activities such as fishing or kayaking. If you wouldn’t consider yourself to be much of an outdoorsman, you can always plan trips to the farmers market, a local festival or outdoor concert. You might even enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or coffee to keep your hands warm. How of you have that opportunity in June?

  1. Bring your parties indoors

Many people look forward to June because they have an excuse to get out and socialize with friends and neighbors after a long, cold winter. We know it may be easier to host an outdoor barbecue, but there’s no reason why you can’t bring everyone inside for a small get-together. Invite everyone over for a potluck-style dinner, so all of the responsibility isn’t left on one person. We can almost guarantee you will be thanked immensely for being the volunteer host.

  1. Appreciate your layers

Are you familiar with the term, ‘sweater weather?’ Typically, at the end of September, a transformation happens in Wisconsin; pumpkin is added to everything, and people take out all of their sweaters and sweatshirts. We know that it might be a little too early for pumpkin season, but you can give all of your layers an escape from the back of the closet – at least temporarily.

  1. Plan a weekend getaway

Just because it is chilly here in Wisconsin does not mean that you’re going to find that weather everywhere. Cities like Des Moines and Chicago are expected to see beautiful weather on Saturday and Sunday. Even if it’s too late to pack your bags for a spontaneous weekend away, consider planning a vacation for some time this year. Studies have shown that planning a trip can make you happier than actually taking it. Remember, time away is good for you!

People of the Midwest have mixed feelings about summer. Some adore the warm, humidity that Wisconsin brings while others prefer to stay in with the air conditioning turned up. If you don’t much care for summer due to the heat, think of the cooler temperatures a gift. If you long for the warm, 80-degree days, try to stay patient and know they are coming (just look at the 10 day forecast.) Until then, try to appreciate the unpredictably of Mother Nature. How do you plan to take advantage of the cooler weather?

Madison 10 Day Weather

Happy First Day of Summer from Lions Pride!

Happy Birthday Geri

14 Thursday Feb 2019

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There are several events taking place in February. Of course, today is 33298584_10156156990905999_7597001671436140544_n.jpgValentine’s Day, which is then followed by President’s Day and the start of the Winter Olympics. But, arguably, the most important event taking place is the 34th Anniversary of Geri Schlender’s 39th Birthday, happening on Sunday, February 17.

To celebrate Geri’s date of birth, we thought it would be fun to learn a bit more about our executive director with random interview questions:

  1. What is your favorite color? Blue
  2. Would you rather have the ability to fly or become invisible? Fly
  3. What do you bring with you everywhere you go? My American Express Card. I don’t leave home without it.
  4. Do you have any pets? One dog, a Shih Tzu named Ming LI
  5. Are you more of an early bird or a night owl? Night Owl
  6. Where did you last travel to? Toronto
  7. If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Pizza
  8. What does your perfect weekend consist of? Antiquing
  9. Do you prefer movies or books? Movies
  10. What do you feel is the best invention in the past 50 years? Cell Phone
  11. What do you wish you had more time for? Family
  12. Where is the most beautiful place you have ever visited? Greece
  13. What is your favorite time of the year? Fall
  14. If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Italy
  15. What three words best describe you? Funny, trustworthy, loyal
  16. What personal goals do you have? Become a Certified Trainer for Lions Clubs International
  17. Why did you decide to join Lions Pride? I saw the passion in Pride Chairman Dewey Carl and knew I wanted to be a part of his dream.
  18. What do you like best about your job? Observing the generous hearts of Lions and non-Lions alike who share our vision. Also, the Lions Pride Shoot that is held every second Saturday in June.

There you have it! Eighteen fun facts about Executive Director Geri Schlender. Now, here’s one fact that you already know: Lions Pride would not be the organization it is today with her  continued leadership and dedication. We appreciate all of her efforts in preserving, protecting and providing for Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects.

Please join us in wishing Geri a very happy birthday!

 

Celebrate National Spouses Day

24 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Special Events

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If we were to you to name your favorite person, who would you say? You would likely

landscape nature sunset clouds

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respond with the name of our spouse. But when was the last time you expressed your gratitude for their presence?

Life is busy. We all need to find a way to balance jobs, (grand)children and other responsibilities, it can be easy to take life partners for granted. Fortunately, there is an unofficial holiday to help you celebrate your spouse this weekend.

National Spouses Day occurs annually on January 26, and that gives us all an extraordinary opportunity to express our love for our spouses. We’ve together a list of ideas to honor your partner in crime:

  1. Spend time togetherThe days may sometimes feel long, but there’s no denying that weeks and months can go by quickly. If it’s been a while since you’ve spent some quality time together, there’s no better time than the present. Plan an activity this weekend that is centered around your spouse. Make a reservation at their favorite restaurant, go see the newest movie or take a road trip. Remember, time spent together is time well spent.
  2. Take on a few of their usual tasksThere are always jobs on the To Do List that no one ever enjoys completing. (We’re looking at you, dirty laundry!) Surprise your spouse by taking on a couple of their least favorite chores like shoveling the walkway, putting away the dishes or taking out the garbage. They may only take a few moments for your complete but offer extra time for your spouse to relax.
  3. Honor them with a giftDoes your sweetie have an organization that he or she cares deeply for? If so, consider giving a gift in their honor! Donations are the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization, so a gift of any size will help them keep moving forward in their mission. Click here for a Lions Pride memorial/honorarium form.

No matter how you choose to celebrate the unofficial holiday, just be sure to tell your better half how much they really mean to you.

Happy National Spouses Day from all of us at Lions Pride.

Fun Facts About Labor Day

30 Thursday Aug 2018

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It may be hard to believe, but this Monday marks the unofficial end of summer. Families Labor-Daywill likely find themselves partaking in the same festivities that they took part in on Memorial Day – camping, parties and other outdoor events, before heading back to their regular school year routines. Let’s celebrate the unofficial end of the season with fun facts about the upcoming holiday, Labor Day!

  • During the 19th Century, American workers typically worked long, 12-hour workdays, seven days a week.
  • On September 5, 1882, NYC workers took a day without pay to protest. They wanted 8-hour workdays and fair working conditions. The protest became an annual event.
  • Oregon was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in the year 1887.
  • Labor Day became a national holiday after a political fiasco. Illinois railway workers were on strike, protesting higher wages. President Grover Cleveland was under pressure to end the strike. He deployed 12,000 troops and violence ensued; two workers were killed as a result. The disaster made national headlines and upset workers all over the country. To make amends, Congress passed a bill making Labor Day an official holiday.
  • According to historians, the common expression, “You can’t wear white after Labor Day,” comes from the early 20th People of the upper class would return home after their summer vacations and pack away their lightweight, white clothing as they returned back to work and school.
  • The Adamson Act was passed on September 3, 1916, establishing 8-hour work days.

There you have it! Six fun facts that you can use this weekend to impress your friends and family.

Although many of us consider Labor Day as merely an extended weekend, it’s important to remember the origin behind the holiday. Just think about how different our lives would be if our forefathers hadn’t protested for fair working conditions. We think we can all agree that we’re glad that they took a chance and stood up for their rights.

The Lions Pride office will be closed on Monday, September 3, in observance of the holiday. Have a safe, enjoyable Labor Day weekend!

The 11th Annual Lions Pride Shoot

07 Thursday Jun 2018

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Ready, aim, fire! We know it’s hard to believe, but we are only days away from thisTichigan Lions week’s 11th Annual Pride Shoot, happening once again at Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek.

Sporting clays shooting is often called “golf with a shotgun,” but unlike golf, shooting sporting clays is as fun for beginners as it is for seasoned experts (we’re sure golfers would agree!)

Our sporting clays fundraiser is our most popular event that takes place on the second weekend in June. Both Lions and non-Lions come together to enjoy a day on the course in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Wisconsin to support Lions Pride.

The day consists of an early breakfast followed by a challenging 22-round course with games and door prizes. After shooters have finished the course, they celebrate with beer, auction and delicious supper. The Pride Shoot is one of the most, unique and successful fundraisers that takes place for our organization.

Although we still have a lot of work ahead of us, we are eagerly anticipating Saturday’s arrival. We are always reminded of Dewey’s spirit, but it’s even more present this time of year as he so looked forward to the annual shoot. We feel we have a personal responsibility to make the upcoming event even more rewarding than the last.

We’d like to thank all of our donors, sponsors and volunteers for all of your support – both leading up to, during and after the shoot. We know firsthand that it takes a village to create and implement a successful event, and the Pride Shoot would not be what it is without all of your help.

See you Saturday!

 

Involve a Veteran this Memorial Day

24 Thursday May 2018

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If we were to ask you what the most patriotic month of the year is, how would you respond? You’d probably say July; it’s a no-brainer. But what about the second most patriotic month? We’d say May.

This month, we’ve already celebrated Armed Forces Day on May 19, and Memorial Day is right around the corner. Veterans gave a major sacrifice when they chose to enlist, but often, their eagerness to make a difference does not end when they complete their term. Many look to get involved at a local level, which could make Lions the perfect fit.

Veterans have so much to offer to any organization. They have a strong sense of dedication and commitment, have a keen sense of leadership and know precisely what it means to be a part of a team. That’s why LCI created the Involve a Veteran Program. From now until June 30, 2018, qualifying veterans have the chance to join a Lions club with an entrance or charter fee waiver. Eligible veterans include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard personnel as well as the Canadian Armed Forces who retired or were honorably-discharged from their service. National Guard and Reserve personnel who were called to active duty are also eligible.

When inviting veterans to join your Lions Club, consider trying one of these simple recruiting ideas:

  • Drop off brochures at your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) clubs. You might be surprised to learn how many chapters exist in our state!
  • Exhibit at a local Veteran community event. Be sure to check out the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Events page and watch your local newspaper.
  • Use the press release template to attract local media attention.
  • Take the opportunity to thank Veterans on your social media pages. Memorial Day would be an excellent day to express your gratitude for their service – you never know who might stumble across your post.
  • Start a new project and invite Veterans to join in on the fun.

It’s not too late! Join the over 700 clubs that have taken advantage of the Involve a Veteran program and give veterans the opportunity to continue serving, as a Lion.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed on Monday, May 28, to honor those who bravely served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. We’d like to wish you all a fun, safe holiday weekend!