Chestertown Lions Club Annual Peace Poster Contest Winners

Elizabeth Alexander
Chestertown Lions Club Communications Chair

Emery Snead

The Chestertown Lions Club awarded the winners of its annual Peace Poster Contest during an award ceremony at The Kent School. This year’s theme was “Dare to Dream .” The contest is open to all Kent County schools that wish to participate.

Emery Snead-6th grade, was chosen as first prize winner for her painting, receiving $100. Ava Goodall-7th grade, garnered second place and $75., and Charlie Fry-6th grade, received $50. for third place.

1st place Emery Snead 6th grade
2nd place Ava Goodall 7th grade
3rd place Charlie Fry 6th grade

l to r: Art Teacher Amy Bower, Emery Snead (1st), Ava Goodall (2nd), and Charlie Fry (3rd).

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2023 Fall Raffle

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Halloween Parade Report and Photos

Elizabeth Alexander
Chestertown Lions Club Communications Chair

The Chestertown Lions Club annual Halloween parade held on October 28th, was full of ghoulishly fun delights and warm fall weather this year.

Hundreds of parade watchers of all ages – many in costumes – lined up along the parade route beginning at the intersection of Dixon Drive and proceeding down High Street to the bandstand of judges at War Memorial Park, where Master of ceremonies Mark Mumford introduced the float participants and costume contestants to the Judges.

The Chestertown Police Department car led the parade, followed by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office  vehicle and the Grand Marshall car with Mayor David Foster.

The Chestertown and Millington Volunteer Fire Company vehicles delighted youngsters as they gleefully grabbed up candies and treats tossed from the floats and vehicles. As a first this year, at the end of the parade kids broke open three hand-made pinatas filled with candy and rushed to fill their bags of goodies.

Also featured were several marching bands from area schools, including Kent County High and Sudlersville Middle.

Costume prizes were awarded in six categories: high school/adults, group entries and floats, middle school age, elementary school age and pre-school-age contestants.

The winning floats were from Carr Construction and the Chestertown Christian Academy. Other notable floats included the Pirates Cove ship and the clever Cats Colloquium presentation.

2023 Chestertown Halloween Parade
Float and Costume Contest Winners
Pre-school:
1 Louis Bruno – shark
2 Dominic Bruno -pirate
3 Ember Roberts- witch
4 Georgia Jewel- Rapunzel
5 Carson Owens- Spiderman

Elementary:
1st Suzie White -space queen
2nd Andy Stap- NASA astronaut
3rd Molly Blanton- Dorothy in Oz
4th Olivia Falconia -cheetah

Middle school:
1st Beckett Clerk -sax hot dog
2nd August Swanson -Mario
3rd Kato Swanson -alien abduction

High school/adults:
1st Rachael Lockwood- bumble bees
2nd Sara Dereza- Dr. dinosaur

Groups:
1st Cloughs Collision- roller coaster
Garcia-Ebert family- Pee Wee and Pokemon

Floats:
Kit Carr Construction
Chestertown Christian Academy

Costume contest winners group photo:
Dominic Bruno -pirate, Louis Bruno-shark, August Swanson-Mario, Kato Swanson, Beckett Clerk-sax hot dog, Sara Dereza as Dr. Dinosaur and Rachael Lockwood- bumble bees Front: Andy Stap- NASA astronaut

 

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A New Drop-Off Point For Used Eyeglass Donations

Elizabeth Alexander
Chestertown Lions Club Communications Chair

The Chestertown Lions Club has recently recycled a former US postal box as a very visible drop-off point for used eyeglass donations. Located on Cross St between the Chestertown Chamber of Commerce and the Town offices, the brightly painted purple box is available anytime for donations. Donated eye glasses are recycled and distributed to the needy in less developed countries (US law forbids giving used glasses).

Usable Glasses do make a difference.
Lions and Leos help to conserve sight by providing usable eyeglasses to children and adults throughout the world. Why Recycle Glasses? According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 120 million people are visually impaired because of uncorrected refractive errors (far and near sightedness). The lack of eyeglasses denies children and adults opportunities for education, employment and a better quality of life.

The Journey of Recycled Glasses: Lions collect used eyeglasses at various community locations.
The glasses are shipped to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center where trained volunteers sort, clean and determine the prescription strengths of the glasses. Volunteers at the recycling center carefully package the prepared glasses and store them until they are required for eyeglass-dispensing missions. Glasses that are not suitable for reuse are recycled for scrap, helping minimize landfill waste by supporting precious metal reclamation and scrap processing, with any earnings benefitting local Lions and Leos projects. At the mission site, eye care professionals and trained Lion and Leo volunteers perform vision screenings and dispense the appropriate recycled glasses–free of charge–to children and adults in need.

Chestertown Lions Club member Mike Gallagher found the box and coordinated the refurbishment. Recalls Mike, “On my way to Wilmington one day I spotted the mailbox– in need of some TLC– on DuPont Hwy in front of an old machine shop – I knocked and inquired. The man asked what my intentions for the mailbox were. I explained it was for The Lions Club, to which he responded ‘awesome take it!’. He even helped load and strap it down. His eagerness was based on how his local Lions Club helped him achieve his Eagle Club status.

Mike took it to Blackdog Sandblasting and Zierfuss painting company and they performed all the work and provided the labor for free. Todd of Todd’s Bodyshop Chestertown fixed a leg and performed some additional body work.

Vision assistance is one of the key programs of the International Lions Clubs, and the Chestertown branch is involved in that regard by subsidizing eyeglass purchases for local individuals needing financial help and providing free rides to eye doctors’ appointments for those with no transportation or ability to drive. They also contributed an eye screening device for Kent County elementary school children for eyesight problems.

The Club also gives financial contributions to the Lions Leader Dog Program, Johns Hopkins vision research, and two years ago they purchased a Bioptic Telescope for one severely vision-impaired school teacher in Kent County.

Additional eyeglass donation boxes are in the following locations:
The Peoples Bank
Redners Food Market
Shore United Bank
Heron Point
Aqua Fit
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Church Parish Hall
Seidenberg Protzko Eye Associates
Dependable Eye Care
Chestertown Yacht & Country Club
U of MD Shore Medical Center Chestertown
Kent County Public Library Chestertown
Women in Need resale store

Lions Paul McDonald. Fred Sheriff, and Mark Mumford with the new collection point

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Historic Earthquake Devastates Morocco

Lions Clubs International Foundation

Historic Earthquake Devastates Morocco
LCIF grant funding will empower Lions to help earthquake victims recover.

LIONSCLUBS.ORG/DONATE

On September 8, 2023, a powerful earthquake struck Morocco, killing at least 2,000 people and injuring over 2,000 more. The 6.8 magnitude quake is the largest to hit the country in more than 100 years, and the deadliest to hit the North African country in decades.

Lions in the region are already poised to help and Lions Clubs International Foundation is mobilizing funds, including a US$100,000 Major Catastrophe grant and a US$10,000 Emergency grant, to empower them as they help their communities recover.

Your donations can make a difference.

HELP NOW

Your generous donation to LCIF’s Disaster Relief Fund, specifically reserved for all disaster relief, helps Lions continue to serve!

To learn more about LCIF Disaster Relief grants, visit lionsclubs.org/disastergrants or email LCIFGlobalGrants [at] lionsclubs [dot] org.

*100% of donations benefit grants and programs and qualify for Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF) or Progressive MJF.

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Change the World

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A Path for Everyone

A Path for Everyone

One Lions Club Creates Diverse Options for Students

One of the ongoing debates regarding public education in the US is the overemphasis on every student attending college–rather than pursuing a career in craftwork or technical/ education. In Europe, the UK and many other places in the world, students choose prior to “high school” whether they want to pursue a path in academics and “white collar” professions, or one in technical trades such as manufacturing, auto, plumbing, electrical repair, or agricultural science.  Hence, in those countries, one can find many adults highly proficient in those areas who have apprenticed and studied their craft from a young age.

The American educational emphasis on academic pursuits for all has created a society with a serious lack of proficient people to build or fix our cars, our machinery, homes, or to grow our food.  Critics have called this emphasis an elitism to the detriment of other contributors to our society and workforce.

Educational experts in America do agree on one thing, that each student has unique abilities and learning styles– such as those who prefer physical hands-on learning and pursuits over more cerebral academic preferences.

The tide may be turning as more technical and trade schools are catering to high-school-age students. The chef/cooking profession, auto repair and restoration, farming and woodworking have all gained a popular resurgence, with the proliferation of tv shows and online videos promoting these trades.

Chestertown (Maryland) Lions Club Member Jeff Ferguson decided to support this vital aspect of education by creating and supporting internships in technical trades through grants from his Club to various Kent County businesses willing to mentor and apprentice high school students.

Ferguson joined the Lions Club in June 2019 and was immediately put in charge of researching a scholarship program the following year.  Although his club was already giving college scholarships, he felt strongly that the club needed to also support those who were going into the trades.

“My opinion is that college degrees and attending college has been oversold in our country, much to the detriment of the skilled trades and crafts.  Some of the degrees awarded from colleges and universities do a real disservice to the students and their parents in that those degrees have little or no utility in the marketplace. I say this as someone whose parents pushed education.  Both of my brothers, my sister and myself all have doctorates in different areas.”

“I was out in the community talking with people and looking for a partner who could help us get the program started.  Through the University of MD Ag Program, I was referred to Aundra Anderson, the Senior Counselor of Next Generation Scholars Program with the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education, which  includes a coalition of leading employers committed to supporting education reform and improving student achievement in Maryland.  Founded in 1992, MBRE networks with board members and partners, while providing internship coordination, access to local professional volunteers to assist with career exploration, skills-building, service-learning hours, mock interviews, and more for high school students state-wide. Since 2018, Anderson has worked with 242 Kent County High School students.

“I had her speak at a Lions dinner meeting to help sell what we were proposing to do.  My criteria was that local companies that participated were ones that wanted an intern but perhaps weren’t able to afford one.  The students had to come from families who could benefit from the financial support that the internship could provide,” recalled Ferguson.

With agreement from King Lion Fred Sherriff and the Lions Club membership, Ferguson went forward to start the program for the spring 2023 semester.  Aundra Anderson brought the local companies into the process and then matched student interests with the companies.  Anderson and Ferguson interviewed the selected companies to make sure they were a fit for the internship program.  With Ferguson’s concurrence on the companies, she then chose the students from the Next Generation Scholars Program. All three interns chosen were already members of Next Generation Scholars and had been members since the 7th grade.

Red Acre Farms in Kent County Maryland is a family-run farm growing hydroponic lettuce sold to stores and restaurants throughout the region. They also run a farm store and an events venue. Owner Brian Williams was teamed up with senior intern Jaylin Whye, who plans to attend a University of MD program in construction management after he graduates high school. Williams has found intern Jaylin to be a great asset to his business. “He is very quick to learn any task, do it well, and stay on task.”

Whye concurs, “I have grown and prepared lettuce, had a hand in preparing for events and helped out in the farm store. I thank Brian and everyone at Red Acres for welcoming me immediately. I’ve shared more genuine moments of laughter there than I have in a long time. This experience has taught me organizational and leadership skills and prepared me to balance school and work life. I plan to work while in college, so having that experience beforehand is going to be extremely helpful, but most personally, Brian (Williams) has taught me to cherish every moment of my senior year.”

The Happy Chicken is a burgeoning catering business providing freshly-prepared  dishes from locally-produced ingredients for private events. They also offer pastry items at the Chestertown Farmers market, local pop ups, and custom orders.

Intern Brooklyn Usilton was paired up with owner and baker Martha Ledoux to learn the trade.  Ledoux found Brooklyn to be a great asset and helper while the intern learned vital aspects of the food trade and running a small business.

“Brooklyn was an incredible asset to our team. She was a joy to have around.  We know she is going to do great things and we are excited to watch her continue to blossom!,” remarked Ledoux.

In addition to baking, Brooklyn learned a lot about how a kitchen was run, the rules, and how to use equipment properly. She also helped with food prep, learned knife skills, and helped with packaging for orders and the farmers market.

“My favorite learning experience, however, was how to deal with failure. The job added a level of maturity to my high school experience that I otherwise would not have had, and I am very thankful to Martha, Zach, and the Lions Club for the opportunity.”

Brooklyn will be attending Towson University to study business to hopes to open her own bakery one day.

Wildly Native Flower Farm grows hundreds of varieties of flowers for private events and venues, delivering their custom flower arrangements to clients around the four-state region.  Owner Liza Goetz established her “growing business” on her family’s 300-year-old historic Kent County farm.

Intern Alycia Wilson has been a great asset to the business, learning the trade from field to presentation; it has been a lesson in agricultural production, the artistry of flower arranging, processing flower orders and working with clientele. She also created a line of stickers with quotes to promote the company.

“What I learned from doing all of those things was flexibility. Each morning I came into the shop, I had no idea what my task was going to be, which was really refreshing and exciting and admittedly sometimes a little bit stressful, but it was nice to give up some routine and control.”

Ferguson says the program turned into a huge success for all concerned.  The financial support of the Lions enabled three students to obtain some “real world” experience.

“The companies got some extra help that they perhaps otherwise wouldn’t have been able to have.  Word of the program has now spread.  Not only do the three companies want to participate again, but four other local companies have contacted us requesting an intern.”

“I see this program as a way to make a difference for both the companies and the students, a way to give something back to the community in helping a business grow and a means for increasing club presence and building the Lions brand within the local community.”

Alycia and Liza

Intern Brooklyn Usilton and Martha from Happy Chicken

Jaylin and Brian

##

  • by Liz Alexander

Alexander is a retired journalist and current Chestertown Lions Communication Chair

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Congratulations to John Lawrence!

John Lawrence was elected at the OC convention to represent the combined Lions District 22 as their International Director candidate for consideration at the International level.  The final selection to take place later at the Boston International Convention.

A great choice for this responsibility.

Way to go, Lion John!

Lion Fred

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Save the date!

Our 37th Bay to Bay Jim Gent Memorial Ride is scheduled for Sunday, June 25, 2023.

On the fourth Sunday of June each year, the Chestertown Lions Club welcomes cyclists to its summer bicycling challenge, the Bay to Bay ride. The tour consists of five routes between 26 and 102 miles in length. The flat loop routes take in the scenery of the heartland of the Upper Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware including farmlands, old country homes, quaint towns, and great country stores. The 26-mile ride goes through historic Chestertown for those who want a less challenging ride.

Spend the day touring the town, then return to join your friends just up the hill from Betterton Beach. Temperatures of mid-June lend themselves to a pleasant swim in the Chesapeake Bay at the end of the ride.

Click here for additional information.

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HomePorts Donation

HomePorts
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Vision Days Awareness

Vision Days
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Four Chestertown Lions Honored for Their Work in Fighting Blindness

Knights of Blind
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February – March Club Activities

Feb.Mar 22a
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Chestertown Lions Club Sponsors Vision Days April 14th-16th

The Association of Lions Clubs (later renamed Lions Clubs International (LCI)) was formed in Chicago, IL, in 1917 by businessman Melvin Jones. The clubs’ initial goal was to reach beyond local business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. One of the first public issues they felt needed attention was vision impairment. Additional vision impairment issues became obvious after Helen Keller, herself blind and known as a tireless advocate for people with vision disabilities, addressed the Lions National Convention at Cedar Point, OH, in 1925. There she urged assembled Lions to continue their tireless efforts in supporting the blind and those with vision problems and proudly branded the Lions as “Knights of the blind in the crusade against dark ness.” Since then, Lions Clubs have worked vigorously to help those individuals with vision difficulties.

Today, the Lion Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) proudly continues these efforts by offering unique and impactful initiatives, programs, and grants. One of LCIF’s most notable programs is SightFirst which celebrates 30 years of funding efforts in fighting blindness and provides aid to persons who are blind or have visual impairment. Since 1990, SightFirst has helped more than 488 million people, with millions still requiring support. Locally, Lions Clubs support eye research and rehabilitation programs at the Lions Vision Center and Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.

To learn more about our many vision programs and help continue funding vision programs, visit us on “Vision Days” at JBK Hardware and Redners in Chestertown on April 14th-15th from 5pm-8pm and April 16th from 9am-12pm at JBK Hardware, Redners, Molly’s, and Chestertown Farmers Market. For more information about Chestertown Lions Club vision programs, please visit our webpage at www.chestertownlions.org or on Facebook @chestertownlions.

 

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Bike Ride Sponsorships

Website Posting 6.6
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Draw for Sight Bicycle Poker Ride – April 24, 2022


The Chestertown Lions Club welcomes cyclists to Draw For Sight Bicycle Poker Run Ride. The tour consists of a 36 or 60 mile rolling to flat course.  The route takes in the scenery of the heartland of Upper Kent County in Maryland including farmlands, old country homes, quaint towns, and great country stores. The ride goes through historic Chestertown.

Route starts and ends at Betterton Volunteer Fire Company, 2 Howell Point Road, Betterton, MD 21610.

Time:
Registration Hours;
7:30 am to 8:30 am
Rides start at 8:30 am
Drawing stations close at 1:00 pm
Rides end promptly at 2:00 pm.
Last sweep 2:00 pm
All score cards must be turned in by 2:00 pm.

Cost:
$35 until March 31
$40 April 1 until April 16
$50 April 17 until April 24
– Blind riders ride for FREE
– No Refunds
– Fee includes map, marked route, sag wagon and five food stops

Make checks payable to Chestertown Lions Charities, Inc.
Proceeds go to Lions Club projects.

Register online:

 

 

Register By Mail:

Click here for a mail-in registration.

Walk-in Registration:
Walk-in registration will be available on the morning of the ride. To speed up the registration process, print a mail-in registration form and have it completed with payment in-hand at the time of registration.

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Interview With Event Chair Lion Mike Gallagher – Shotgun Raffle Drawing

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Interview With King Lion Henry Hart – Shotgun Raffle Drawing

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Interview With Lion Fred Sherriff

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Video – Our Shotgun Raffle Winner!

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Shotgun Raffle Drawing Video

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November – January Club Activities

Nov.Dec
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Chestertown Lions Activities

Chestertown Shotgun Raffle
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Covid Test Kits

From Virginia Gregg, Emergency Planner in the Kent County Office of Emergency Services:

Good afternoon!   Here is a message of a different sort.  Instead of the normal weather update, I’m advising of an opportunity to order 4 free covid test kits.  The federal government web site for ordering free at-home covid tests is  now live (one day earlier than expected).    Visit this site and you can order 4 free test kits to be delivered to your home address.   Limit:  1 order of 4 tests per address.    Please be aware that there will most likely  be a gap between the time of your order and the time of delivery, so please place your order before you need a test kit.    The site is https://www.covidtests.gov/

Best,

Ginger

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Club Calendar

IC-2022-Printable-Monthly-Calendar-Portrait-8644_PDF Jan
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October Activities

October Newsletter
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Club Calendar

2021-11-02_213945 Calendar
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Chestertown Lions Club Has Another Successful Chicken Barbeque Event

ChixBBQ
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Chestertown Lions Club Honored by Commissioners

COVID Press release
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September Club Activities

shotgun raffle 9.18
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September 7th Business Meeting

September 7 Business Meeting
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Chestertown Lions Club Crab Feast

Chestertown Lions Club Crab Feast. Aug 26
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June Club Activities

June Club Activities 21
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May Club Activities

May Club Activities 21.1
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Chestertown Lions Club Thanks Sponsors of 35th Bay to Bay Ride

2021 Sponsorship Ad (1)
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Chestertown Lions Club Bike Ride

2021 Press Release
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Ride Sponsorships

Website Page 1 6.8 Update 0713
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Congratulations to PKL David Dunham

Fellow Lions,

Congratulations to PKL Dave Dunham!! Dave was recognized by District Governor John Lawrence on behalf of the Lions International President Dr. Choi with a CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION in Recognition of Distinguished Achievements in Fulfilling the Mission of Lions Clubs International. The presentation was made at the annual Social held in Cambridge, MD, Saturday, March 7, 2020, to honor 22B’s District Governor John Lawrence.

Dave, a relatively new Lion was recognized for his outstanding service for his recent service as President of the Chestertown Lions Club, by the implementation of a new fundraiser (the Comedy Night) and particularly for his success in promoting the activities of his club in local news outlets. His club’s activities seem to get published almost every week.

The entire Chestertown Lions Club thanks PKL Dave for all he does.

KL Rick

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Our Shotgun Raffle Winners!

Congratulations to our Shotgun Raffle Winners!

1st place: Samantha Delroy – Chestertown

2nd place: Pat Thompson – Chestertown

121819 CTOWN LIONS raffle 1.4
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Rogers Smith & Jim Lupis awarded the Knights of the Blind Pyramid

Pyramid
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Richard “Rick” Wells Awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award

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Chestertown Lions – Live Raffle Drawing

Live Drawing
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Details of Chestertown Lions Club Drive for Sight Program

Fellow Lions,

One of the major challenges of Kent County is the lack of adequate public transportation.  To help alleviate this problem, the Chestertown Lions Club implemented a service project several years ago to support local residents in need of transportation to their eye doctor.  The program provides free transportation to and from the eye doctor.  This project has been very successful thanks to Chairman Henry Hart and his committee for distributing information about the program and responding to calls for transportation.

In an effort to make this free transportation service available to more Kent County residents, Chairman Hart has documented the program in detail to show all of the Club members how easy it is to become a driver and hopes to involve other Lions Clubs.
Please take a look at details attached of the Drive for Sight Program and the Need a Free Ride To And From Your Eye Doctor Appointment Form.  If you would like to become a driver please let Chairman Hart or me know.
When there is a need, Lions are there.  Thanks, Lion Henry Hart!!
KL Rick
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Chestertown Lions Club’s Newest Member

Washington College President Kurt Landgraf is the newest member of the Chestertown Lions Club and was inducted by District Governor John Lawrence at a regular dinner meeting the evening of November 20, 2019. Congratulations and welcome Kurt!

Pictured below (left to right) DG John Lawrence, Lion Kurt Landgraf, and sponsor VDG Wayne Benjamin.

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Annual Fall Shotgun Raffle

Fellow Lions,

Under the leadership of Chair Fred Sherriff, the Annual Shotgun Raffle is one of the Lions Club major fundraisers.  This year, we added 500 tickets for a total of 5,000.  To sell all of these tickets we need everyone to serve multiple times, and remember you have to ask for the order, not wait for them to come to you.  Chair Fred does a great job of organizing and coordinating 5 sales teams which sell most weekends starting in September and ending in December.
Most weekends, Lions can be seen selling tickets at Molly’s, JBK’s, The Mill in Kingstown, and the Farmers Market.  We will have to work hard to make this year’s target.  If you could help again let Chair Fred know.
Photos from the sales team at Molly’s and JBK.
Thanks for all you do.
KL Rick
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CHESTERTOWN LIONS CLUB MAKES DONATION TO COMMUNITY TABLE AT FIRST UMC

Community Table at FUMC
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Chestertown Lions Fight Diabetes

Fellow Lions,

Saturday morning, November 9, 2019, the Chestertown Lions Club was joined by Chrissy Nelson, Diabetes Nurse Educator with UM Shore Regional Health, at the Farmers Market to increase diabetes awareness. Information about diabetes was available as well as a diabetes risk self-assessment questionnaire. The Lions Club was well represented by Lion Bill Low, John Paolella, Larry Lyons, Glenn Owens, and KL Rick Coffman.

Lions International has identified diabetes as one of Lions Five Global Causes.

Lions can be seen each week at the Farmers Market selling raffle tickets for our annual Shotgun Raffle to raise funds to support the many services provided to the community.

I wish to thank Chrissy Nelson and all of the Lions that participated to make this event a success.

KL Rick

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Chestertown Lions Support the Betterton-Still Pond Lions Club

Fellow Lions,

Chestertown Lions supported the Betterton Still Pond Lions Club by selling 50/50 tickets at their fall Horse Races on November 2, 2019. Lions Glen Owens, Matt Kempel, Mark Mumford, and Rick Coffman participated.

Lion Mark called the Races and the other Lions sold 50/50 tickets. The event was well attended and fun was had by all.

KL Rick

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Poker Tournament

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Farmers Market

In Chestertown, diabetes nurse educator Chrissy Nelson will join the Lions Club in a booth at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, November 9, with the theme, “Lions Raising Awareness of Diabetes.”

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Service Project – Church Hill PTA

Fellow Lions,

In search of a new fundraiser for the Chestertown Lions Club which required little up front cost and limited number of volunteers, Service Chair Fred Sherriff and Director Ken Roderick organized an event in partnership with the Church Hill PTA and a food vendor out of Easton, Md. The Church Hill PTA was raising money for an additional White Board.

The event was held Friday evening October 25, 2019 at the Church Hill Elementary School. The Chestertown Lions Club was represented by Lions Herb Wilkinson, Lee Hunley and Henry Hart. A big thanks goes to the Lions participating.

Our Lions Club benefited from this community project by the service we provided to make it happen and the experience we gained by first hand observation of food and the vendor from Easton. Based upon what we learned we may be able to duplicate this type of fundraiser in the future at other venues.

Again, thanks to Fred and Ken for spearheading this event.

KL Rick

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Chestertown Lions Supports LOVRNET

The Chestertown Lions Club supports the Low Vision Rehabilitation Network (Lions Lovrnet) which is a community based healthcare program that addresses the current shortage and distribution of low vision rehabilitation services.

Pictured left is President Rick Coffman and District Governor John Lawrence.

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Speaker District Governor John Lawrence

The Governor of District 22B, John Lawrence spoke to the Chestertown Lions Club on October 23, 2019 to discuss the joy of service.
Pictured left is District Governor John Lawrence and President Rick Coffman.

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Farmer’s Market Saturday, November 9th

Fellow Lions,

See the following article in the Chestertown Spy:

Free Events Set for Easton, Chestertown to Mark National Diabetes Awareness Month

In Chestertown, diabetes nurse educator Chrissy Nelson will join the Lions Club in a booth at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, November 9, with the theme, “Lions Raising Awareness of Diabetes.”

Rick KL

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Larry Lyons Awarded Melvin Jones Fellowship Award

Lion Larry Lyons was recognized by the Chestertown Lions Club for his tremendous contribution to humanity & service as Chair of the Membership Committee. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award at a regular meeting held October 23, 2019. The Lions Club International recognizes outstanding individuals by bestowing on them an award that is named for its founder, Melvin Jones.
Pictured left to right is Larry Lyons and District Governor John Lawrence.

KL Rick

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Lions Road Clean Up Team – Photos

Fellow Lions,

I wish to thank Chair Lion Matt Kempel, Lions Henry Hart, Herb Wilkinson, Bob Knapp, and Wayne Benjamin for coming out Thursday to pick up trash on Route 213 between Fey Road and Sprackel Pool. Working together we can make a difference in our community.

Thanks again.

Rick KL

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Homeports Health & Wellness Expo

Fellow Lions,

A big thank you goes to Lion Fred Sherriff and a team of Chestertown Lions that worked at the Homeports Health & Wellness Expo held at the Kent County High School on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

The Lions served coffee and manned a table promoting Health-related services provided the community by the Chestertown Lions Club including the collection of eyeglasses, eye screening of young children, transportation to eye doctors, and diabetes awareness. It was a fun day of Lionism, and both District Governor John Lawrence and 1st Vice District Governor Wayne Benjamin stopped in for a visit.

Thanks again for another great day of service.

KL Rick

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Photos From 2019

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2020 Ride Dates

Hope to see you all in 2020!  Here are the dates to mark your calendars.

Draw for Sight Poker ride   April 26

Bay to Bay ride   June 28

Thank you for supporting Chestertown Lions Charities!

Kitty Neff

Cycling Events Coordinator

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Want to sponsor a Bike Ride? Here’s how!

We invite you to consider sponsoring the Chestertown Lions Club 37th Bay to Bay Jim Gent Memorial Ride held June 25, 2023.

The popular Bay to Bay Ride typically draws over 500 cyclists who can follow any of four routes between 26 and 102 miles in length, taking in the heartland of the Upper Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware.   All of the funds generated from this ride support Lions Club programs, particularly in Kent County, including the Leader Dog program for the blind, preschool eye screening, the purchase of eyeglasses for individuals who cannot afford them, and other activities such as scholarships for Kent and Queen Anne’s County students.  Most of the funds will directly benefit Chestertown and Kent/Queen Anne’s County community groups.

Our sponsors will receive recognition for the 2023 ride.  The enclosed sponsorship form explains the different levels of support and recognition.  Every sponsor will be recognized for making an important contribution to our town, to Kent and Queen Anne’s counties, to hundreds of cyclists participating in the ride, and to the local and national programs supported by Lions Club International.

If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring the Chestertown Lions Club cycling event in 2023, we would be glad to answer any questions you may have about these rides or the Lions Club in general.  Please feel free to contact us.

To become a sponsor, complete and return the sponsorship form with your payment to Chestertown Lions Charities, Inc., PO Box 265, Chestertown, MD  21620.  Chestertown Lions Charities, Inc. is a non-profit tax-exempt public charity as provided for in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Sponsorship Ranges
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Halloween Parade Info!

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Chicken Barbeque May 6th!

Twice a year, the aroma of chicken slow-cooking on a charcoal fire (basted with our secret marinade) wafts down Washington Avenue, enticing passersby to purchase our wonderful chicken barbeque dinners.

Our next event is Saturday, May 6th.

These events are key fundraisers for the Club, and they enjoy tremendous community support.

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