(Click here to go to our website) Call to Order President David Lin called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation – Dave Hunter - We thank Thee for this food, oh Lord, for these friends and for a peaceful community. We pray that these blessings attend Thy people everywhere. Amen. Vittles – Prime Rib (yes, believe it or not), twice baked potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad and toppings, bread and butter, carrot cake, tea and coffee.

Attendance – 24 members, 1 visitor. Guests – Christian Nsuva Mbanzulu (brother of Smith Kamalemba). Birthdays – Frank Kresca.

Lions Report -- Jim Smith is in rehab across from the Windsor and is doing better. He welcomes visitors at room 104; Fonda Bowden is home taking care of Larry; Wanda, Bob Tuchels wife is home and recovering. If you are ill or know a fellow Lion that is under the weather, please call Pat Bryan at

Lottery – Ed Tichenor won the $13 lottery.

Announcements – It was announced that Rich King has visited some other clubs and will be inducting a new member this week.

Rich reported that Lions Relief Fund has helped with those in Harrisburg. Remember that this is a good way to give because it is very low overhead. The State Convention will be in May in Decatur.

Business Meeting. Ted Gonsiorowski substituted for Secretary Fonda Bowden and read the minutes of the February Board Meeting:

Rich King reported that the Basketball Raffle raised $1,030 with $150 expenses for a profit of $880 (updated to $955). Ted Gonsiorowski noted the deadline for selling the Sight and Sound tickets. Weldon Garrelts agreed to chair Tootsie Pop Days May 4 & 5. Herb Bail and committee members collected 380 pair of used eyeglasses, 2 hearing aids, and 26 cell phones in February. Membership Drive this month was discussed as well as attendance. Rich King is making arrangements for an evening meeting for members who cannot attend lunch meetings. The members would still be Champaign Lions Club members but could attend the evening meetings instead. The Club voted to give $100 to Emily Evans, last weeks speaker, and will supplement that amount by asking for donations from members. She has been asked to speak to the club again. Club Social Bowling will be Sat. April 7 th, 1:00 pm at Old Orchard Lanes. The event will be a fundraiser this year and will cost $20 per person (bowling costs $13 per person). We need 30 volunteers for the Water Station at the C-U Marathon on April 28 th. Thank you note was received from Salvation Army for the Clubs donation. $100 donation was received from 8 Ladies from Carle in honor of optometrists with whom they work. Bingo fundraiser was again discussed and will be researched. Walk for Sight is June 10 in Tuscola. This is a fundraiser for the Foundation. Board Meeting:

Frank Duff reminded us that the Champaign School Board is planning to sell bonds worth $14,500,000. Please sign the petition requesting that this issue be put to the voters.

Program – Know your Lion. Weldon Garrelts introduced Lion Ted Gonsiorowski.

Know your Lion Ted was born and grew up in Gary, Indiana.

He was very active in sports in High School and later went to Dayton University and studied Electrical Engineering.

He had met his wife at a high school dance. She asked him to dance and now theyve been married for 42 years. Wedding ring

They have 2 married daughters and a few grandchildren too. His wife Claudette works for the Chamber of Commerce.

After college he was drafted into the service and when he came out he had an offer to work in a new company and moved to Champaign.

Later he was hired by the University's Institute of Aviation. It was Omer Benn who simply walked up to him and invited him to his first Lions Club meeting.

He got into aviation by flying model airplanes with his dad.

When he was in Korea he started flying and, when transferred to Florida, got his private liscense, instrument and commercial licenses. He flies a Piper Comanche.

Tail Twister – Paul Hendren asked Ted Gonsiorowski to carry the bucket. Darn!

He fined Ed Tichenor for the lottery;

he made fun of several members, supposedly mentioned in the Chicago Tribune,

and fined all of them.

Mar 14 - Jonathan Ross (from Parkland) – Hybrid Vehicles Greeters: Ben Turpin and Bob Tuchel Mar 21 - Dan Hartleb – Illini Baseball Coach Mar 28 - David Leake – Current Events in Space Exploration Apr 4 - Business Meeting – Know your Lion Coming up

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