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September 2006 (Click Here for Newsletter Archives) Becky's Bits Dear Fellow Lions: Enclosed in this newsletter you will find the outline and application for the State Youth Contests. Now is the time to make copies of these forms, take them to your local school to get them involved. We need to get our Youth and your local schools back into our Lions programs. These contests are a great way of doing just that. IPDG Leon VanAlstine is the District Chairman for all the State Youth Contest (Lion Sandy Sandberg is Peace Poster Chairman). Any questions should be directed to Lion Leon. I am sure that he will be sending out information regarding our District guidelines and deadlines for each contest within the next month or watch the next newsletter for all the details. I encourage you to start now with getting these contests out to your schools so they can plan accordingly, then you can update them on the deadlines and any additional information that IPDG Leon has for you. I have gotten most of the July Monthly Membership Reports (MMR) in but I still lack 4 or 5. This is one of the most important jobs as a club secretary is filing these reports. They are due by the 5th of each month. Club Presidents, I am asking you to follow up with your club secretary to make sure these are done by the 5th of each month. I will start calling or emailing you after the 5th to remind you to send them in. Your prompt attention on this matter monthly is greatly appreciated, so I can spend more time on other needy things going on in the District. During the last couple of months of IPDG Leon’s year, I asked that you hold off on dropping any additional members from your club, so that we could maintain our increase in membership and continue to lead the State in membership. Which you did, and Lion Leon and District 2-X2 ended the year ahead in membership. Thank you for making us a plus in membership. Now, I am asking that you drop all of the deadwood in your club now! We need to clean up our club roosters so that we know where we stand in membership before December. That will give us the rest of the year to achieve our goal of another year as a plus in membership for the District. So that you know where we stand in membership, Liberty City Lions Club dropped their membership and has been put on Status Quo. Naples Lions Club has officially been put on Status Quo and we will drop 32 members this fall. Plus a few of the July MMR showed drops which should put us about 50-60 members down in membership. You can see that we are in great need of new members, embers that will help your club grow and help serve your community. We need members who want to be involved in both our clubs and in our communities. Make it your club goal for everyone in your club to ask one person a month to come and visit your club. As a leader, we must lead by example, have you asked anyone to visit or join your club this month? From The Desk Of Vdg Jim Merritt Isn’t it great to be a Lion & SERVING people who are less fortunate! The first week in August Lion Linda and I had the privilege of attending the Council of Governors meeting in Kerrville and the meetings at the Camp. There we were able to see first hand where your hard work and donations to the Texas Lions Camp go. The kids from the Diabetic camp were there and those kids were so enthusiastic and appreciative of the camp! You can just tell this will be a high point, life changing experience for them and you, as a Lion, have helped to provide this opportunity. In addition, International President Jimmy Ross and Velda were there and spoke in most of the meetings and were at camp also. Mrs. Ross spoke about the first time she was at camp and attended the graduation night. She helped kids decorate their wheelchairs and crutches with crepe paper and they had a parade to the ceremony. After this experience Velda said she was totally committed to helping these kids. As a Lion, you can experience this also – a visit to the camp and the feasibilities make all your projects worthwhile and encourage you to participate even more! It does not require you to be an International President, or District Governor or Camp Administrator – it takes being a Lion with Lionism Pride! International President Ross also emphasized again & again that we want to build a bright new future for Lions Clubs International. He spoke about the Paradigm Shift and the questions Lions are asking as “what will this mean to our club?” In short, it may mean some changes if too many members are leaving. We should be asking “how can our club improve with this?”, “what can we do to make this work?”. President Ross also mentioned Networking in the club…it is ok to mention business and professional interests at the proper time along with our Lion business when we are together. Members stay when they feel they are making a DIFFERENCE. Let’s all SERVE and make a DIFFERNCE with LIONISM. Will you join with me in this effort? I’m looking forward to working with each Lion & Lion’s Club in 2X2! Leader Dog I would like to thank Gov. Becky for allowing me to attend Leader Dog School on Aug.10-12. The school is very impressive and rewarding to the students. Seeing what the school has done and how Leader Dogs change the lives of people who are blind, deaf or visually impaired leaves a warm feeling in anyone's heart. The visit is a working weekend.  You are introduced to many different people that make up the Leader Dog School.  This year we were introduced to two NEW areas of the school.  The first area was the White Cain Training area and the second area was in of the New GPS items that are being used by several graduates of the Leader Dog School.  The Texas Lions sent in donations totaling over $54,000.00 in 2005-2006. Speaking of supporting the Leader Dogs PLEASE call me, Lion Lynn, at 903-657-9416 and I would be more than glad to present a program to your club.  Puppies are a wonderful addition to anyone's family but a Leader Dog is a blessing to a person that is blind, deaf or visual impaired. Thank you for your support for the Leader Dog for the Blind. Lion Lynn Nacoll District 2X2 Obituary Lion Weldon McCord - New Boston Noon PDG H.L. Ashcroft - Longview Club News Pittsburg Lions Club recently voted to assist a blind person to get a computer and “jaws” program . The young man has attend LWSB twice, once for blindness adjustment and once for computer training. He also attended Leader Dog School. Diabetes Information (Taken From www.prevention.com) 1. The three major categories of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. The latter occurs during pregnancy and is usually temporary (lasting only through pregnancy). Type 1 or type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications from high glucose levels, including blindness, kidney disease and nerve damage, as well as vascular disease that can lead to amputations, heart disease and stroke. Gestational diabetes places a woman at greater risk of developing type 2 at some later time in her life. 2. The new term "pre-diabetes" describes an increasingly common condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. Research supported by the US Department of Health and Human Services has shown that most people with this condition go on to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years unless they make modest changes in their diet and level of physical activity, which can help them reduce their risks and avoid the debilitating disease. 3. An estimated 20.8 million people in the US have diabetes, and nearly one third of those do not know they have it. Another 41 million people have pre-diabetes. Each year, about 1.3 million people are diagnosed with diabetes and more than 200,000 die from the disease. 4. Diabetes can strike at any age, but your risk for developing the disease increases as you age. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes increased by more than 60 percent from 1990 to 2001. The number of Americans with diabetes is growing by an alarming eight percent per year and the disease is the single most prevalent chronic illness in children. 5. Key risk factors that you can control are obesity and sedentary lifestyle. If you are more than 20 percent above your ideal weight and rarely exercise, have your glucose tested and discuss a fitness plan with a health care professional. Losing even 10 pounds and exercising three times a week cuts your chances of developing diabetes. 6. Risk factors that you can't control are age, family history of diabetes and ethnic heritage. African Americans, Latino/Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians are all more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (although Northern Europeans are more likely to contract type 1). 7. The best test for diabetes is one that measures fasting plasma glucose. The normal, nondiabetic range for blood glucose is from 70 to 100mg/dL. A level over 126 mg/dL usually means diabetes. A fasting plasma glucose test of 100 mg/dL or greater, but less than 126 mg/dL, indicates impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes, a frequent precursor to diabetes. 8. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can cut by half or more your risk of developing many of the associated complications-such as kidney disease and neuropathy-by following an intensive glucose management regimen, which includes frequently testing blood sugar, administering insulin (if applicable) on the basis of food intake and exercise, following a diet and exercise plan, and frequently consulting a health care team. 9. You should not smoke. 10. There is no cure for diabetes. However, it is almost always manageable, either with diet and exercise alone or with the addition of regular medical treatment. Diet and exercise also are key to reducing risk. 11. It's important to control the "ABCs" of diabetes: A for the A1C test (hemoglobin A1C); B for blood pressure and C for cholesterol. The National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association recommend the following target numbers: A1C: below 7 (an average blood glucose of 150); blood pressure below 130/80; and LDL cholesterol below 100. Talk to your health care professional about your "ABC" targets and your blood pressure (keeping it at less than 130/80) and LDL cholesterol (less than 100 mg/dL is optimal for individuals with diabetes; less than 70 mg/dL is desirable for those with both diabetes and heart disease). August Birthdays Send birthdays to aprilm128@aol.com Sept 18 Sandy Bullard Sept 30 JaLorne Keesler A Note of Thanks The following letter was sent to the Mineola Lions Club: Members of the Mineola Lions Club, Thank you for helping me pay for my glasses.  Now that I have them, I am able to see things written on the board at school with no problem at all.  That is a very good thing for me, because now I am doing better in school thanks to you all. The glasses have helped me a lot at home and at school. I am very thankful for your help and generosity.  If only everyone in the world were as kind as you all.  I thank God for people like you who care and do nice things for other people.  I hope you keep on helping others like you helped my brothers and me. Once again, thank you for everything you have done for me.  God bless you all and keep you safe. Texas Lions Camp The following clubs are 100% to Texas Lions Camp: Bogata Cypress Springs Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gladewater Hallsville Henderson Judson Liberty City Longview Marshall Mineola Mt. Pleasant New Boston Evening New London Spring Hill Sulphur Springs White Oak Windom District Calendar Of Events September 28- New Boston Evening will have Commander Douglas Evans from Red River Army Depot as guest speaker at 6:00 pm October 14- Wake Village Pancake Breakfast, 6:00-11:00 a.m., Wake Village Fire Department November 11—Gladewater Lions will sponsor a Turkey Shoot, 8:00-5:00, Gladewater Airport December 15- District 2X2 Hall of Fame Nomination Deadline January 20- Midwinter Conference in Tyler May 4-5- District Convention in Longview Have your events listed here by emailing Lion April McCright at aprilm128@aol.com Need an Easy, Worry-free, Hassle-free Fundraiser? Call Lion Mac LaGrone from the Hallsville Lions Club We can help! Top Fundraisers of East Texas offers: candles made by Candles & Moore (50% profit) cookie dough (42% profit) pizzas (40% profit) pies & cheesecakes (40% profit) corn dogs/breakfast sticks (40% profit) Texas salsa (50 - 75% profit) special occasion bears by Beary Thoughtful (50% profit) ultimate beverage collection including:  coffees, teas, cappuchinos (40% profit) Please click on our website to see all of our product lines: http://www.topfundraisersofeasttx.com/ All of our products are personally sorted and delivered by us.  You will not have to worry if the freight truck will show up on the wrong day or especially the wrong time.  We will work with you on the date and delivery time that you want.  We strive to take care of you from beginning to end. Other benefits with Top Fundraisers of East Texas: THERE ARE NO MINIMUMS TO RECEIVE THE PROFITS WE OFFER!  Most companies offer free shipping but will add in hidden shipping cost by offering less profit if you do not fulfill a minimum amount.    NO PAPERWORK FOR YOU AS A SPONSOR!  You simply just send us your order forms and we do all the work for you.  PRIZES!  We offer prize programs as well as free product incentives to students. if interested, please call: 1-888-918-5598  New Members Rosalie Catania - Canton Kenneth Yancey - Canton Jane Campbell - Canton Brandie Duncan - Canton Kerry Wells - Linden Eucline Richardson - Linden Bryan Hodge - Marshall Larry Petty - Mt Pleasant Dia Dodson - Pittsburg Russell Brown - Quitman Jimmy Richards - Yantis Lake Fork MITCHELL URGES OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIONS YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM The following article was written by Marlene J. Bohr and appeared in the July 27, 2006 edition of the Pittsburg Gazette: Camp County resident, Wanda Mitchell, has an open door for the youth of other countries. Mrs. Mitchell, a member of the Pittsburg Lions Club, has hosted more than a dozen young people through the Lions Youth Exchange Program. “This is a culture exchange and not a student exchange,” Mrs. Mitchell said. “People involved in the program are between the ages of 15 and 21. These young people are not here for study, but for cultural exchange.” Mrs. Mitchell said the exchange usually lasts six weeks in Texas. “There are usually two families lined up as Texas areas are so different,” she said. “Then the students can visit two different places and see varied things.” Marco Parisi, 17, from Italy is visiting Mrs. Mitchell at this time. He is from Parma, Italy, a large city. “Marco was able to sneak up on a baby calf when it was resting and pet it,” Mrs. Mitchell said. “He also was very excited and took several pictures of real, live longhorns.” The Kilgore Oil Museum is a place Mrs. Mitchell takes her visitors. She also takes one day of their visit to tour the four state area, so students can get a glimpse of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Mrs. Mitchell is an avid supporter of the Lions Youth Exchange. Along with Marco, she recently visited the Hughes Springs Lions Club to urge others to participate in this exchange.