FORMOSA – The Formosa Lions Club held its monthly meeting on Nov. 10, with President Jim Batte welcoming members and two guests.
A roast beef dinner with Agnes Hallhan’s yummy homemade pies was served with COVID rules in place. Lion Brian Donaldson thanked Lion Shirley Kuntz and her crew for a delicious meal. Two minutes of silence was observed in honour of Remembrance Day and those who have served in the armed forces.
Lion Jim introduced 2nd Vice Governor Lion Bill Yelland, who hails from RR#3 Clifford and belongs to the Mount Forest Lions Club. Yelland spoke on how Lions Clubs in District A-9 and across the world have had to adjust their routines because of COVID-19. He mentioned how most of the A-9 Lions Clubs are now back to meeting again in-person after 18 months of little contact, except by email or Zoom.
Fundraisers took on a new look and drive-thru meals and projects replaced the in-person events. Because of the pandemic, membership dropped and to maintain District A-9, a membership of 1,250 is required. District A-9 currently has 1,071 members. To encourage new members to join, new members and sponsors will be entered in a draw to win a $200 credit toward the A-9 Convention. The club will also receive $200. Yelland mentioned that District A-9 Governor Lion Jennifer Batte’s project this year is Campaign 100. He encouraged the Formosa Lions to “never forget how valuable you are” as you offer your service to the community and the world. Lion Les Nichols thanked Yelland with a donation to Campaign 100.
Lion Mary Ruth Job, Past District Governor from the 2019-20 year, accompanied Lion Bill Yelland and expressed her pleasure at visiting the Formosa club. She mentioned that 100 per cent of the Lions Clubs in A-9 donated to Campaign 100. Job presented the Formosa Lions with a crest to be sewn on their banner. She also presented the club with another crest for participating in putting out a club bulletin/newsletter for its members.
Secretary Lion Hank Soers and stand-in Treasurer Lion Frank Jacobi attended to their duties. Committee chairs gave their reports. Lion Bill Borho confirmed the parks have had the water drained and are winterized. An extensive clean-up and tree trimming has been completed. Lion Pat Strauss said the municipality will be changing the lights at the Horseshoe Park to LED.
Lion Carl Zettel reported that the Lions are still hoping for a grant through the municipality to assist with the upgrading of the recreation centre outdoor surface.
The Formosa Lions have agreed to look after the 2022 homecoming breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday of that weekend.
Lottery winners announced
One of the first fundraisers the Formosa Lions Club initiated after they chartered in 1977 was the Formosa Lions Lottery.
Three-hundred tickets are sold each year, with the first monthly draw taking place in December and the final draw held in November. Profits raised from this project go toward Lions and local charities.
$40 winners of the November 2021 draw: Cyril Spitzig – Chepstow, Dennis and Marylou Bross – Listowel, Simone and Mike Voisin – Kincardine, Tim and Donna Kraemer – Hanover, and Bill Barger – Formosa.
The winners of the End-of-the-Lottery draw, which took place at the Nov. 10 Lions’ meeting:
$40 winners – Harry and Rose Dosman – Formosa, Pete Liesemer – Mildmay, Jim and Brenda Galbraith – Teeswater, Linda Schumacher – Teeswater, Glen and Shelley Haldenby – Holyrood, Garry Caswell – Wingham, Steve and Kendra Tiffin – Teeswater, Brian Donaldson – Formosa, Barry Heisz – Mildmay, Yvonne Benninger – Formosa, Ron Lang – Walkerton, Karen Cronin – Elmira, Steve Ruttan – Wingham, Marilyn Moffat – Holyrood, Glen Weber – Formosa, Gerry and Donna Bross – Mildmay, Tony Rhodes – Formosa, Dave Kennedy – Mildmay, Luuk Postume – Teeswater, Al and Teresa Detzler – Teewater, Jerry Kuntz – Formosa, David and Bryan Benninger – Walkerton, and Greg Sonnenburg – Formosa.
The last four tickets in the drum saw the following:
$200 winner – Todd and Karen Konecny – Walkerton;
$300 winner – Delores Borho – Formosa;
$500 winner – Shirley Wendt – Mildmay; and
$1,000 winner Chris Benninger – Wellington.
The Lions congratulate all of the winners throughout the year, and thank everyone who supported the lottery by purchasing a ticket, and to those who have purchased a ticket for the 2022 lottery.
