Friday, November 14, 2008

Second Century Project Explained

Sanford, Well Centered.” In both geography and community values.

That’s the new slogan and concept adopted by the Lee County Second Century Project to promote future growth and development in and around Sanford, according to Chet Mann, a member of that planning group and president of the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce. He was guest speaker Thursday, Nov. 13, at the weekly meeting of the Sanford Lions Club.

He was introduced by his father, Tommy C. Mann, Jr., who has been a Lion for 36 years. Also looking on was his grandfather, Tommy C. Mann, Sr., a Lion for an amazing 65 years. So Tommy C. Mann, III, needed little introduction. He explained how the Second Century Project evolved following Lee County’s centennial celebration in 2007. It grew out of concerns from the Chamber of Commerce and Committee of 100 that Sanford and Lee County needed better development strategies moving forward into its second century.

Last year the group raised $85,000 from private contributions to fund a professional marketing plan and this year $150,000 in private funds has been raised to implement recommendations, Mann said. New promotional publications including multi-media presentations are now available and being distributed in many areas touting Lee County’s good quality of life and opportunities for economic development.

A new “brand” or logo incorporates a pinwheel made of four swirling arrows focusing in on the center. They appear strategically to form the “O” in Sanford as well as in the names Lee County, Broadway, and Jonesboro. Mann said the logo will be used on various street signs and business signs in the future to maintain a unified focus on the vision being promoted throughout the community and county. He said a great deal of work has gone into the Second Century Project and its leaders appreciate all the cooperation and support received from the community.

In other business, Preston Spence reported that sales of Camp Dogwood tickets were going well and urged club members to sell or purchase their allotted tickets. Camp Dogwood is a recreational facility for the blind near Charlotte operated by the North Carolina Lions. Each summer hundreds of blind and sight impaired citizens enjoy a fun-filled camp experience there funded by Lions from across the state. The one dollar tickets help support this project and purchasers have a chance to win one of two $200 gift certificates or the grand prize of a new vehicle to be given away at the N.C. Lions State Convention May 3, 2009.

Phil Bradley announced that the club had collected 1,966 pair of eyeglasses that N.C. Lions reprocess for use by the needy. Each year the lives of thousands of disadvantaged persons with sight impairments are made better through the collection of used eyeglasses.

Two guests were introduced by Jim Romine. Receiving a warm Lions welcome were Marvin Pattishall and David Johnson.

President John Walden presided and gave a report on a recent statewide Lions meeting and announced plans for the District Convention Nov. 14 and 15. Roy Jernigan gave the invocation and Bill Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Diabetes Educator Speaks to Club

Diabetes Type II is a chronic, lifetime illness impacting more and more Americans of all ages, but it can be avoided if people adopt more healthy lifestyles, according to Mrs. Marilyn Novosel, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator.

She was the guest speaker Nov. 6 at the weekly meeting of the Sanford Lions Club and was introduced by her husband, Lion Nick Novosel. The speaker noted that November is American Diabetes Awareness Month and last week was National Diabetes Education Week, thus discussing risk factors and management techniques for this very serious illness was very timely. She works with a non-profit organization providing diabetes education classes.

While family history, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are often key risk factors for Diabetes Type II, being overweight is the number one factor seen in those contracting the illness. Persons who are at risk, but not yet at high blood-sugar levels, have a good chance of avoiding diabetes they adopt healthy eating and exercise habits. A good diet consisting of a wide variety of foods and smaller portions along with an exercise routine are key factors to good health, Mrs. Novosel said.

But for those already with high blood-sugar, proper management of diet, exercise, medication, following a physician’s instructions, and staying properly informed of latest developments in the treatment of diabetes can improve one’s life. Anyone with symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision or a sudden feeling of hunger should consult a physician. Complications from diabetes can include kidney problems, blindness, loss of limbs, and chances of heart and stroke events.

Mrs. Novosel explained that type II diabetes once was associated primarily with middle-aged adults, but now with many children displaying signs of obesity the age range has dipped greatly. Type I diabetes, commonly known as juvenile diabetes, continues to strike younger people whose bodies do not produce insulin. Those with type II do produce insulin, but it is not utilized properly at the cellular level. While many type II patients need only pills to maintain acceptable sugar levels, some in this category must also inject insulin.

President-elect Richard Hendley presided over the dinner meeting while Nick Novosel gave the invocation. Roy Jernigan led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Tail Twister Wendell McGee entertained the crowd with a series of jokes and humorous stories.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Sanford Lions Celebrate 73rd Charter Night



The Sanford Lions Club’s 73nd annual Charter Night was celebrated Thursday, Oct. 30, with over 200 Lions, spouses, and special guests attending a dinner meeting held at the Lions Fairgrounds.

It was an evening of remembrance, thanks, good fellowship and looking forward to the future of Lionism and how public service is being transformed through new technologies and lifestyles. President John Walden, Jr. presided and past district governor Roy Jernigan delivered the invocation while another past district governor, Russel Mann, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Decorations Chairman Lindsay Jones thanked those who worked on transforming the Lions Den into an autumn festive scene. He also recognized over 30 volunteers, many from his neighborhood, who worked tirelessly helping at last month’s Lee Regional Fair. President Walden joined in expressing the club’s thanks to all family members of Lions and volunteers whose help was vital in having a successful event.

Fair Chairman Ronnie Turner reported that the 2008 fair set new records in attendance and proceeds that will enable the Sanford Lions to continue its outstanding record of helping the blind, sight and hearing impaired, as well as many other local and regional charities. He thanked scores of club members, the staff of Lee County Cooperative Extension, volunteers and the public for its support.

Turner said the fair committee will work each year to set the bar higher to ensure the highest quality event possible. He also praised the support of the area business community whose backing through sponsorships is a key in the fair’s success.

In honoring the club’s founding in 1935, Walden recognized the widows of Lions past who were special guests. They included Margarita Brinn, Virginia Brooks, Beverly Badgett, Virginia Hester, Kay Miller, Belva Oelrich, Marie Profio, Mary Agnes Rosser, Juanita Sluss and Mary Lin Keith.

Lion Bob Nelson delivered remarks citing the history of Lionism and its hallmark philosophy of public service over personal gain. And that community spirit of service to others must continue as the primary mission, he said. But there will be changes as the world is changing, he stressed.

“We are beginning to cross generations. We lived to work, the generations following us work to live. We function best with face time; the generation following us has grown up in a world of texting,” Nelson said. New generations will still want to serve others, but it will be in a different manner. The needs of Lions and other civic clubs will be posted on computer websites and the work undertaken without the need of committee meetings or planning sessions. “We’ll still be about serving, but it will be about networking the needs of the needy with the needs of the future servers,” Nelson said. To read the full text of Nelson’s remarks, go to www.sanfordlionsclub.com.

Entertainment for the evening was introduced by past district governor Avron Upchurch. Steven Lympany, a professor of laser and computer technologies at Central Carolina Community College, presented an outstanding program of music playing the hammer dulcimer and guitar. Also attending were several pageant winners from the recent fair. They included Miss Lee Regional Fair Hannah Chang, Miss Junior LRF Brandy Gregson, Miss Young LRF Mary Blaire Stephens, and Miss Little LRF Colbie Normann Stephens.

Lions Charter Night Address

October 30, 2008
Presented by Bob Nelson

There is an old adage. They say, “If we forget the past, history will repeat itself.” What a great saying. Perhaps it would be instructive to take a few moments in time and contemplate some of our own history, history that got us to where we are today. In the beginning God, oh, too far back, huh.

On the national scene, Lions International came about by way of a dream of a business leader Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Born in 1879, Melvin Jones, the man whose personal code was, “You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over. Melvin died June 1, 1961 at 82 years of age, but not before he saw an unselfish motive grow to one of the largest service organizations in the world.

While the Tar Heel state was not there at the beginning in 1917, by 1922 we had recognized the importance of his mission and 10 clubs were organized in the state that year. Winston Salem being the first and our sponsoring club Raleigh (host) Club was organized in May of that same year.

Organized June 12, 1935, we received our Charter September 5 of that year. There were 20 charter members present. Tonight we celebrate our birthday. For 73 years our club has had the stellar distinction of being significant in the operations of District 31F. Often we have been the largest club in our district, winning awards in so many ways, a significant contributor toward the District’s budget and, maybe most importantly, the resource of 12 past and current district governors spanning from 1938 to 2008. Men such as Charles Lano, Lynn McIver, Stacy Budd, Glenn Edwards, King Moore Willis, Russell Mann, Avron Upchurch, who also went on the become president of the NC Lions Foundation for the Blind 1983-84, Winston Hester, Milton Sommers, Tony Williams, Roy Jernigan and our current DG, David Martin. We have averaged a district governor about once every 6 years. These gentlemen have carried the pride of this Club to a much higher calling; you make us proud to be part of this Club. You have recognized the importance of looking beyond just the trees but to the existence of the forest; you are the heroes of this world. You, along with the leaders of this club, not just those in office but those who truly care about this club and its mission, remind us it is not what we have done but what we failed to do that we should have done.

Beyond our district governors, we have also been the sponsor of other clubs both within and without our District. Our flag proudly displays those Clubs.
But I return to my opening remarks, will history repeat itself? Better yet, will this club survive? And if so, how?

I stand here and look at the lions and lioness that have helped shape my 30 years in this club. You have brought me along into positions of responsibility, leadership, and administrative tasks but most importantly the desire to serve. You have never asked me to say thank you for what you have done for me but to merely ensure that the flame that drives this mission will not go out. I marvel at the fact that just when I think you can give no more, you find ways to do just that. We have accomplished so much together but how we serve in the future might look much different than how we served in the past.

We need to continue our focus on the mission, “we serve”. We need to be about Club continuance. For it is Club continuance that ensures that “we serve.” This will not always be an easy task. We are beginning to cross generations. We lived to work; the generations following us work to live. We functioned best with face time; the generation following us has grown up in a world of texting.

Does this sound familiar, Club president John receives a call from someone who needs transportation to Carolina Eye Association for an eye exam. John comes back to the club; he makes a general appeal for volunteers to make the trip. John makes two, maybe three different appeals, might even establish a committee to find someone. Someone finally volunteers and at the next awards night we give them a certificate.

Our members in the future will still want to serve, but in all likelihood in a much different manner. They may simply go online, review the immediate needs of the Club, the requests we have received to serve; they will pick one because they have the opportunity to help at that moment and they’ll get it accomplished. No need to go to a meeting, no fan fare, just the same basic need to do what is right. The results will be the same but the execution oh so very different.

We’ll still be about serving, but it will be about networking the needs of the needy with the needs of the future servers.

Our legacy is not what we did in the past or how we did it. Our legacy will be how we make sure that it continues in perpetuity. Are you up for the task?