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October 2006

(Click Here for Newsletter Archives)

Becky's Bits

Dear Fellow Lions:

Sometimes in your life you come across an article and you go "I couldn't have said it better". When I read District 2-T2's newsletter and saw an article from their Vice District Governor, Lion Terrell Thompson, I knew I would have to share it with you.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD WASN'T A LION - BUT HE COULD HAVE BEEN

Lynyrd Skynyrd wasn't even a person, much less a Lion. For those of you in and around my generation, you know that Lynyrd Skynyrd is a rock and roll band famous for some of their hits in the 1970's. Songs like Sweet Home Alabama, Mr. Breeze, What's Your Name, and so on. Maybe their most well known song is Free Bird, a song about a man with a free spirit, and with no intentions of changing that spirit. The opening line of Free Bird goes like this, "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" After a tragic plane crash took the loves of several band members, that line became a rallying cry for their fans that the band would live on and they would, in fact be remembered.

I truly believe that every Lions Club everywhere is doing the Lord's work, and the efforts we make can genuinely be called miracles. I will always carry with me the memories of a young man at our camp in Kerrville riding a horse, and for the first time not being told he can't. I will remember the family that moved into the Habitat for Humanity house our district funded and built, and the first time having a place of their own, and a place their wheelchair bound child could really live in. I take enormous pride in the scholarships our Clubs fund, the opportunities for service and growth we provide, the improvements that we make happen, and the personal one-to-one difference our Clubs make to people every single day. Don't you ever think for one minute that your membership in a Lions Club is insignificant, or inconsequential?

Lions Clubs allow us to harness and multiply the talents and efforts of individual members into a directed, concerted effort for the good of countless folks. More and more individual members working in more and more Clubs means more and more power to change the world, and change it for the good. Your District Leadership is committed to do all it can to help you and your Club be a powerful force for doing good, be it for the first time ever for a younger club, or continuing the fabulous traditions of our older, established clubs.

I can think of no better legacy for any Lions Club that, without a doubt, if they were to be "gone tomorrow" that there would be lines around the block of people ready to say their lives were better, even for just a while, because of what a Lion did for them. I challenge each of you to do all you can to ensure your club is vital, alive, and working to make lives better however and wherever you can. As Lions, I think we owe it to ourselves and our benefactors to make sure we ARE there tomorrow, and every day thereafter, going about the business of doing good and impacting lives.

So, if Lynyrd Skynyrd was a guest at your next regular meeting and after finishing his meal he leaned across the table and asked you, "If you left here tomorrow, would you still be remembered?" What are you going to tell me?

Thank you Lion Terrell, for letting me share you views with our District.

I have a feeling you will be remembered.

From The Desk Of Vdg Jim Merritt

We have just returned from visiting the Lions World Services for the Blind facilities in Little Rock, Arkansas along with a delegation of Lions from Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. All of us were eager to learn about the services that are provided, the state of the facilities and more importantly to also meet face to face the people who are actually clients at the center and the teachers at the facility. Lions World Services for the Blind is simply amazing. They take clients of varying ages, nationalities, and various needs who are then carefully evaluated. If they successfully meet the criteria, they are accepted for training. This training is so important – they are trained to become productive individuals in a sighted world and not only are they trained but Excel when they graduate! You fellow Lions are helping them to live a normal life –you are Knights of the Blind with your continued support of this agency. The $2.00 per month contributed is a great investment in the lives of over 500 with sight disabilities. And if you check our District Newsletter for August, you will find an item about a young man in our 2X2 district who just graduated from LWSB and how he has benefited from this training. We need to continue to support this worthy cause.

In addition to the LWSB visit, we were privileged to participate in the US-Canadian Forum in Columbus, Ohio along with IPDG Leon VanAlstine, Lion Bill Hogan, and many other Lions across Texas. IPDG Leon received well deserved recognition for his achievements in membership while at the Forum.

Sadly, we attended the funeral services for Lion Clyde Bowling, Tuesday, September 19th. Lion Clyde's dedication to service in Lionism, especially the Lions Camp will be impossible to replace, and his passing is a great loss to the community of Mineola, District 2X2 and especially for his family. Lion Jackie and her family and friends will continue to be in all our prayers in the days to come.

We are looking forward to visiting with each of you at our next Cabinet meeting in Mt. Pleasant. The Mt. Pleasant Lions always go the extra mile in fellowship and hospitality. See you there and bring someone with you!

Leo Club Twinning

By Lion Jim Johnston

MD-2 Leo Chairperson

832-693-4008

md-2texas.leos@sbcglobal.net

"MD-2 Leo Chat"

This is a "Hello Howdy" from your friendly State Leo Chairperson. The following is information that appears on the International web page. I would like each of your Leo sponsor Clubs to share the information with their respected Leo Clubs. The Leo twinning program is an excellent program for your Districts Leo's to expose their clubs to other countries and cultures.

Let's get the ball rolling in your Districts on the Leo Club Twinning program.

That's all for now, look for more MD-2 Leo Chat next month in your District newsletter.

Leo Club Twinning

International Club Twinning Program is a voluntary and mutual agreement between clubs in different countries. Lions and Leos can participate; however, twinning should occur between like clubs (i.e. Lions with Lions, Leos with Leos).

The purpose of twinning is to give clubs from various cultures an opportunity to learn about one another. Through correspondence, the twinning partners actively illustrate the First Purpose of the Association, To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.

Although some clubs hold a special ceremony to commemorate a twinning relationship, Lions Clubs International does not require a formal ceremony to be eligible for twinning recognition.

Prior to Twinning

If twinning is a new activity for your club, be advised that:

No single "program" is in effect for the entire association. Selection of a twin, contents of correspondence and the extent of communication or cooperation between clubs varies according to personalities and desires of those involved.

Twinning is not to be initiated to persuade others to adopt your ways, or entered into with the expectation of financial or material assistance.

Twinning should provide its participants with an opportunity to learn from one another, realizing that in exchanging information and opinions, it is not always necessary to reach agreement in order to learn from the experience.

Club Twinning Guidelines

Suggested selection procedure

The club IR chairperson should contact the district international relations chairperson (also referred to as the international understanding and cooperation chairman) or the district governor for twinning suggestions. Perhaps your district participates in a district twinning program and your governor expects your club to twin with a club from that district.

If no program exists, consult the International Directory, available for purchase from the Clubs Supplies Division at International Headquarters. It lists the name and address of every Lions club president (or check club locator the association's Web site: www.lionsclubs.org). When selecting a club, consider the language spoken in the country in which you are interested as well as historical, ethnic and cultural similarities, including a common club name.

Work with your district international relations chairperson to contact the international relations chairman of the proposed district. The chairperson from both districts should work together to help establish a club twinning, perhaps with a club having a similar number of members.

Once a twin club is designated, begin to correspond. In the introductory correspondence, state the desire to form a twinning relationship. Also include information concerning club activities and interests, occupations of members, and data on the community and general area.

If the other club agrees to the invitation, the local club chairman notifies the district chairman of the acceptance. The file is then closed at the district level. within a reasonable length of time there is no response, i.e., three months, the district international relations chairman contacts the international relations chairman or the governor from the district of the designated twin. This intervention invariably brings results and avoids uncertainties.

Developing the relationship

The local club and its twin continue to correspond. After initial introductions and discoveries of mutual interest, the clubs may decide to exchange club and district bulletins, banners, magazines, periodicals, newspapers, pictures, cultural items and any other materials to foster mutual friendship and understanding. If clubs have equipment that is mutually compatible, they can exchange tape-recorded messages, films, slides and videos.

The twinning relationship can be expanded. Exchanging club membership lists allows individual members and their families to correspond. some instances, classes of school children from the area of one club correspond with children living in the area of the twin club.

As a result of information exchanges concerning club activities, joint service activities (possibly on behalf of a third country) may be undertaken. Such projects should, however, be voluntary and mutual endeavors, with each club making some contribution.

ABOVE ALL, have the courtesy to reply to all correspondence even if help is needed in translating. is more disappointing to a well-meaning Lion than to write and receive no reply. That Lion may then judge all Lions from your country based upon the lack of action by one Lion.

Language differences

Most clubs will not experience a serious language problem. For those that do, consider language a part of the international experience faced by every international traveler. Determine the language possibilities within the community, among members, their families and acquaintances. Often school language teachers and students welcome the opportunity to translate. Use of a third language, native to neither corresponding club but understood by individuals within each club, may be mutually useful. not be concerned, however, about being a master of the other language.

Twinning recognition

When a club initiates and reports its first international club twinning, it is eligible for either a certificate OR a club patch. No subsequent awards are issued for that twinning.

However, if in another fiscal year, the club enters into another twinning with a different club, it is eligible for a second award.

A club is recognized only once for twinning during a fiscal year, regardless of the number of twinnings initiated during that year. Thus, whether the club enters into one or ten twinnings, it is eligible for a recognition only once within that year. The award itself indicates participation in the International Club Twinning Program - not the number of clubs with which one has twinned. The club receives no annual recognition for a twinning that continues. It is expected that the twinning will continue. A club is eligible for further recognition only if it enters into a new twinning during a different fiscal year.

www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/leo_club_twinning.php3

Environmental News

Hello, Lion Friends,

As your District's Environmental chairperson, I would like to begin early this year encouraging your club to begin an "environment friendly" program. LCI's commitment to the environment is to reduce the amount of waste produced, to reuse materials instead of discarding them, and to recycle materials whenever possible. This is one of the main areas of the monthly project reports requested by LCI.

There are so many ways your club can become involved. Some of the favorite ways to participate in this service are as follows: plant trees, organize community clean-up days, and recycle paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic.

Some of the District's clubs are already involved in recycling projects. I know Cypress Springs has a strong aluminum can recycling program. They are working to improve our environment while making money for their club by selling the cans. Aluminum is selling at a high price at the present. This would be a relative easy way for your club to make some extra money and help protect our environment. Mar-tex Evening and Marshall Noon clubs are recycling ink cartridges and using the income to help finance the new chapel at the local hospital.

I would love to hear how your club is working to protect our environment for the future generations. Please email your activities to me at nancyv43@yahoo.com and I will be sure to pass on the good news to others in the district. Pictures would be a great plus.

Also, I encourage all to begin taking pictures of nature. Last year our District entered the state environmental photo contest. To my knowledge, it was the first time. We had 2 photos entered for the District contest. The winner was Lion April McCright from the Wake Village Lions Club. Now that was exciting! However, the most exciting thing was that Lion April's District winning picture was submitted to the State. It was NOT the first time the State has been involved in this contest. There were SEVERAL entries at the State level. Lion April won second. I was so proud of her and our District for promoting her. Start taking pictures today of nature – NO PEOPLE. Have a contest within your club and then send your winning picture to me. We will have a district contest and send the winning picture to Governor Becky to be forwarded on to the State. Maybe this year, our winning picture can go to Chicago for the International judging. I will be sending more information about the contest. However, in the meantime, have a great time taking pictures that "showcase the beauty of nature"!!

Thanks, Lion Nancy VanAlstine

Leadership Development Tips

(Taken from the website of www.businessballs.com)

While leadership is easy to explain, leadership is not so easy to practice. Leadership is about behavior first, skills second. Good leaders are followed chiefly because people trust and respect them, rather than the skills they possess. Leadership is different to management. Management relies more on planning, organizational and communications skills. Leadership relies on management skills too, but more so on qualities such as integrity, honesty, humility, courage, commitment, sincerity, passion, confidence, positivity, wisdom, determination, compassion and sensitivity. Some people are born more naturally to leadership than others. Most people don't seek to be a leader. Those who want to be a leader can develop leadership ability.

Leadership can be performed with different styles. Some leaders have one style, which is right for certain situations and wrong for others. Some leaders can adapt and use different leadership styles for given situations.

Today ethical leadership is more important than ever. The world is more transparent and connected than it has ever been. The actions and philosophies of organizations are scrutinized by the media and the general public as never before. This coincides with massively increased awareness and interest among people everywhere in corporate responsibility and the many related concepts, such as Fair Trade, sustainability, social and community responsibility. The modern leader needs to understand and aspire to leading people and achieving greatness in all this areas.

Philosophy is the platform on which great leadership is built. Get the philosophy right, and the foundation is strong. Ignore the philosophy and all that follows here will be built on sand. Different leaders have different ideas about leadership. Here's Jack Welch's perspective, which even though quite modern compared to many leaders, is nevertheless based on quite traditional leadership principles.

TEN LEADERSHIP TIPS

Jack Welch, respected business leader and writer is quoted as proposing these fundamental leadership principles (notably these principles are expanded in his 2001 book 'Jack: Straight From The Gut'):

  1. There is only one way - the straight way. It sets the tone of the organization.
  2. Be open to the best of what everyone, everywhere, has to offer; transfer learning across your organization.
  3. Get the right people in the right jobs - it is more important than developing a strategy.
  4. An informal atmosphere is a competitive advantage.
  5. Make sure everybody counts and everybody knows they count.
  6. Legitimate self-confidence is a winner - the true test of self-confidence is the courage to be open.
  7. Business has to be fun - celebrations energize and organization.
  8. Never underestimate the other guy.
  9. Understand where real value is added and put your best people there.
  10. Know when to meddle and when to let go - this is pure instinct.
As a leader, your main priority is to get the job done, whatever the job is. Leaders make things happen by:
  • knowing your objectives and having a plan how to achieve them
  • building a team committed to achieving the objectives
  • helping each team member to give their best efforts
As a leader you must know yourself. Know your own strengths and weaknesses, so that you can build the best team around you.

However - always remember the philosophical platform - this ethical platform is not a technique or a process - it's the foundation on which all the techniques and methodologies are based.

Leadership is without doubt mostly about behavior, especially towards others. People who strive for these things generally come to be regarded and respected as a leader by their people:

  • Integrity - the most important requirement; without it everything else is for nothing.
  • Having an effective appreciation and approach towards corporate responsibility, (Triple Bottom Line, Fair Trade, etc), so that the need to make profit is balanced with wider social and environmental responsibilities.
  • Being very grown-up - never getting emotionally negative with people - no shouting or ranting, even if you feel very upset or angry.
  • Leading by example - always be seen to be working harder and more determinedly than anyone else.
  • Helping alongside your people when they need it.
  • Fairness - treating everyone equally and on merit.
  • Being firm and clear in dealing with bad or unethical behavior.
  • Listening to and really understanding people, and show them that you understand (this doesn't mean you have to agree with everyone - understanding is different to agreeing).
  • Always taking the responsibility and blame for your people's mistakes.
  • Always giving your people the credit for your successes.
  • Never self-promoting.
  • Backing-up and supporting your people.
  • Being decisive - even if the decision is to delegate or do nothing if appropriate - but be seen to be making fair and balanced decisions.
  • Asking for people's views, but remain neutral and objective.
  • Being honest but sensitive in the way that you give bad news or criticism.
  • Always doing what you say you will do - keeping your promises.
  • Working hard to become expert at what you do technically, and at understanding your people's technical abilities and challenges.
  • Encouraging your people to grow, to learn and to take on as much as they want to, at a pace they can handle.
  • Always accentuating the positive (say 'do it like this', not 'don't do it like that').
  • Smiling and encouraging others to be happy and enjoy themselves.
  • Relaxing - breaking down the barriers and the leadership awe - and giving your people and yourself time to get to know and respect each other.
  • Taking notes and keeping good records.
  • Planning and prioritizing.
  • Managing your time well and helping others to do so too.
  • Involving your people in your thinking and especially in managing change.
  • Reading good books, and taking advice from good people, to help develop your own understanding of yourself, and particularly of other people's weaknesses (some of the best books for leadership are not about business at all - they are about people who triumph over adversity).
Achieve the company tasks and objectives, while maintaining your integrity, the trust of your people, are a balancing the corporate aims with the needs of the world beyond.

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

Oct 2 Mackey Guest Oct 3 Charles Norwood Oct 4 Robert Marsh Oct 6 Bob Bostick Oct 7 Carey Endrizzi Oct 7 Lloyd Holcomb Oct 8 Dianne Endrizzi Oct 9 George Philpot Oct 10 Sheila Nicklas Oct 11 Francene Van Os Oct 12 James Tyler Oct 12 Robert Urban Oct 14 Howard Skelton Oct 14 Ray Skelton Oct 15 Roger Purdy Oct 15 Summer Smith Oct 16 Jean Rullis Oct 17 Kimberly McLarry Oct 18 Boyd Gilbreath Oct 18 Warren Attaway Oct 19 Juanita Attaway Oct 20 Dianne Hellen Oct 22 T.R. Mills Oct 25 Bob Fowler Oct 28 Debra Granstaff Oct 28 Judy Morris Oct 28 Kyle Morrison Oct 28 Rickey Granstaff Oct 29 Sandy Stevens Oct 30 Ann Miller Oct 31 Barbara Bailey Oct 31 Pennye West

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

October 7- Longview Noon Pancake Breakfast, 7:00-11:00 a.m., Gregg County Extension Office, $5.00 per person

October 14- Wake Village Pancake Breakfast, 6:30-11:00 a.m., Wake Village Fire Department, $4.00 per person

October 17- Marshall Bar-b-q and Silent Auction, 5:00-8:00 p.m., Marshall Civic Center, $5.00 per person

October 21- Eyebank Meeting, Mt. Pleasant, 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Ocotber 21- Long Range Planning Meeting, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

October 21- Cabinet Meeting, Mt. Pleasant, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

November 11- Gladewater 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.