Oct 1: Dee Packer Oct 2: Steve Lathrop Oct 3: Clarke Smith Oct 4: Jane Grant Oct 5: Erica Rafford Oct 6: Danielle Lane
A Quick 2022 Yarmouth Lions Club Update – January 31, 2022 Total of donated Eyeglass collected by the Yarmouth Lions in 2021 was 1,483 (The 3rd highest total in the last 6 years!) Our successful Wreaths for Fuel program resulted in a $2,000 contribution to the YCAN Fuel fund. We are able to fund 4 additional $1,500 scholarships from a very successful 2021 Christmas Trees for Tuition program. The Yarmouth Lions sold 360 trees in 3 days! We plan to be a sponsor for the YCS Summer Concert series. The Capital Campaign Committee will begin meeting to discuss options for our next community project.
Yarmouth Lions 2020 Trees for Tuition Program Breaks Record [Yarmouth, Maine – December 31, 2020] The Yarmouth Lions Club had broken a new record in 2020 for their Trees for Tuition holiday program, selling out over 360 Maine-grown Christmas trees in less than 18 hours. As trees were being unloaded from the truck on Friday, November 27th, Yarmouth residents were arriving to pick out their tree, and by the end of the first weekend, almost all trees were sold. The remaining Lions trees sold over the next few days.
Each year, the Yarmouth Lions Club sells Christmas trees to raise money for scholarships awarded to deserving Yarmouth High School graduating seniors. By selling out of trees, the Lions will be providing thousands of dollars in scholarship awards to students selected by YHS advisors in 2021.
Learn more about the Trees for Tuition program at www.yarmouthlionsclub.org/trees
Yarmouth Lions Collected 815 Donated Eyeglasses in 2020 [Yarmouth, Maine – December 31, 2020] The Yarmouth Lions Club wishes to thank the many people in and around Yarmouth who have donated their used eyeglasses, lenses, and eyeglass cases to the National Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Project. Doug Carney, a Lion since 2013, shepherds our Yarmouth project. Doug reports that we collected 815 eyeglasses in 2020, somewhat less than 2019’s record-setting quantity due to the pandemic. The eyeglasses are processed by the regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center and distributed to needy people in developing countries where they have had the greatest impact. A special thank you also goes out to the 5 Yarmouth and Freeport businesses below that currently host the eyeglass collection boxes: Bayview Dental Associates, 247 Portland Street, Yarmouth – front entrance Maine Optometry, 407 US Route 1, Freeport – front entrance Town of Yarmouth Recycling Center & Transfer Station, 659 E. Main Street, Yarmouth – book shed Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main Street, Yarmouth – main entryway Insight Eyecare, 26 School Street, Yarmouth – front entrance The Lions would greatly appreciate your continued participation and support in this very worthy cause. For more information, please feel free to contact Doug Carney at 846-0863 and leave a message. Learn more about the Yarmouth Lions Vision Program at www.yarmouthlionsclub.org/vision
Yarmouth Lions Kick off 2020 Holiday Programs [Yarmouth, Maine – November 28, 2020] With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a tough year for all. But for some in Yarmouth, Maine, the holidays can be even tougher as they are unable to afford heating oil or gas, food for a holiday meal, or gifts for loved ones. The Yarmouth Lions Club is here to help through four holiday programs:
Adopt-A-Family helps low-income families and the elderly in town bring some holiday cheer through providing food and needed items.
Trees for Tuition funds scholarships for deserving Yarmouth High School graduating Seniors through the sale of Christmas trees.
Wreaths for Fuel helps fund the Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors (YCAN) heating assistance fund to help those who can’t afford heat this winter.
Santa’s Chalet is a family tradition where children meet with Santa, and give him their Christmas wishes.
Yarmouth Lions New Lemon Lucy Slush Drink Refreshes Clam Fest [Yarmouth, Maine – July 20, 2019] With soaring humidity and temperatures hitting the mid and upper-90’s, attendees of the 2019 Yarmouth Clam Festival are dealing with one of the hottest weekends on record. This 3-day event typically draws over 120,000 visitors to the town of Yarmouth, Maine, making it one of the most popular Summer-time events in Southern Maine. Despite the heat, thousands of people are enjoying all that the Clam Fest has to offer, relying on two of the festival’s staple beverages to keep the fun going: The Lime Rickey, sold by the Downeasters Barbershop Chorus, and the new Lemon Lucy slush offered by the Yarmouth Lions Club.
So Happy Together: Lemon Lucy and Lime Ricky
Clam Fest Reactions to Lemon Lucy Slush
The Lemon Lucy promotion videos that Jim had produced have stacked over 1 million views on social media, and given the hot weather, local media outlets are reporting that Clam Festival visitors can cool off with both Lime Rickey AND Lemon Lucy. As of this writing, thousands of Lemon Lucy slush drinks have been purchased, already beating 2018 sales. This means that thousands of dollars will be donated to local service groups to help those in need. Learn more about the Yarmouth Lions Club Lemon Lucy slush drink at www.yarmouthlionsclub.org/lemonlucy.Yarmouth Lions Thank Town for Record Number of Eyeglasses Donations The Notes – January 28, 2019 The Yarmouth Lions Club wishes to thank the many people in and around Yarmouth, Maine who have donated their used eyeglasses, lenses, and eyeglass cases to the Lions Clubs International Recycle for Sight program in 2018. Lions Club member, Doug Carney, has been faithfully shepherding this the Club’s eyeglasses recycling program in Yarmouth, and reports that the Club had collected 1,512 eyeglasses over the last year – an amazing 77% increase over 2017!
Lions Club invites community to learn about our history of service to Yarmouth October 28, 2018 Update by Doug Carney A special “open house” meeting was held on October 1st at the Muddy Rudder restaurant. Guests learned about the history, current programs and contributions the Yarmouth Lions have made to the town, and how they can volunteer or become a member. Speakers, all of whom are club members, addressed the following topics.
Bob Swan presented the history of the Lions Club International, as well as the Yarmouth Lions, from its charter in 1949, to the present.
Larry Forcier spoke of our involvement in the annual Yarmouth Clam Festival, with a history of what we sell and the charities that are supported by the profits that are generated from our food booth.
Kerry Tull covered the acquisition, preparation, and sale of Christmas trees for our Trees for Tuition program, noting that 100% of the profits go to fund college scholarships for local high school graduates.
Alan Lambert addressed our Wreaths for Fuel program, noting that 100% of the profits from the sale of 120-135 wreaths each year (about $2,000) go to the Yarmouth Heating Assistance Fund for those residents in need.
Brian Bicknell gave a history of Santa’s Chalet, from its start in the 70’s to the present day. Thousands of children and families have enjoyed visiting Santa over the years on the three Saturdays before Christmas.
Larry Forcier spoke about “Adopt A Family,” a seasonal program in which contributions from Lions and local businesses are used to purchase, wrap, and deliver gifts to families and nursing home residents in need at Christmas time.
Phoebe Chandler covered the way the club has provided vision services to new Mainers through eye exams, glasses and transportation to receive these vision services.
Doug Carney reported that we have recycled over 14,000 eyeglasses over the past 15 years, and that we are 85% ahead of last year at this time.
Joan Russell briefed the attendees on where our dues money goes, as well as the process by which charities are selected to receive contributions from the Yarmouth Lions Club.
President Sandy Bowie closed the meeting with a well-deserved thank you to each of the presenters, a look to the future, and an invitation to prospective members to join our Lions Club and support our motto, “We Serve.”
The Yarmouth Lions Club won 1st place in the annual Clam Festival Parade float contest for non-profit organizations The Notes – August 6, 2018 The float was the brain-child of Jim Albright, a Lion since 2017, and a marketing wizard and creative performer. The float was a white stretch limousine, lent to the club by Lindquist Funeral Home, decorated with Lions Club decals, and driven by Lion Dave Floryan. The limo was outfitted with powerful loud speakers, obtained by Lion Greg Hughes and donated by Headlight Audio Visual of Portland, playing Michael Jackson hit tunes from the 80’s in keeping with the theme of the parade, “Totally 80’s.” Jim Albright, dressed as Michael Jackson – the hat, gloves, jacket, pants, socks and shoes – danced, spun around, jerked, and moonwalked his way to the music throughout the parade. If you saw Jim, you didn’t forget him!
(from left) Jim Albright, Bob Swan, Dave Floryan, Jean Swan, Greg Hughes, and Sandy Bowie
Yarmouth Lions Bring Cool to Clam Fest A staple of the Yarmouth Clam Festival, the Yarmouth Lions Club are ramping up community service awareness, food and fun – July 16, 2018 The Yarmouth Lions Club has been participating at the Yarmouth Clam Festival for over 50 years, but this year, they are ramping up fundraising efforts to do more good in our town, and within Maine. This year’s Clam Festival parade theme is “Totally 80’s”, so the Yarmouth Lions thought it would be fun if the King of the Jungle became the King of Pop. During the parade, club members will be dancing behind a Michael Jackson “Thriller” themed limousine to re-recorded Michael Jackson favorites about what it means to be a Lion. A preview video was released earlier this week on Facebook, and already has over 8,000 views. You can view the video here: In addition, the Lions Club will be bringing a new drink to Clam Fest called the Lemon Lucy. It is the only all natural hand-made lemon slush drink at the festival. The drink and the name was chosen as a nod to the classic TV series, I Love Lucy, as companion to the popular Lime Rickey, sold by the Downeasters choral group. When trialed during last year’s Clam Festival, the Lemon Lucy got rave reviews. See reviews and more at yarmouthlionsclub.org/lemonlucy What make the Lions Club different from all the other food vendors at Clam Fest is that they give 100% of all proceeds from food purchases to local community service organizations. Some of these groups include the food pantry, Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors (YCAN), and the Iris Network. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated over the years, and just recently, the Yarmouth Lions were able to use funds from last year’s Clam Fest to help the Yarmouth Fire and Rescue department purchase an emergency UTV, which will make its service debut at the Yarmouth Clam Festival.
Yarmouth Lions contributed to Utility 1, Yarmouth Fire & Rescue’s new UTV, which begins service at the 2018 Clam Festival
Lemon Lucy Slush Drink: Get Refreshed While Giving Back at Clam Fest During the hot days of the Yarmouth Clam Festival, head to the Lions Club booth for a refreshing Lemon Lucy slush. 100% of all proceed will go to local service organizations to help those in our community who need assistance. Fresh Lemons. Pure Sugar. Ice. Simple Slushy Goodness We’ve been busy testing variations of our ingredients to come up with the perfect slush / taste consistency, which is sure to keep you completely refreshed. The Lemon Lucy is the only slush drink available at the Clam Festival event, and is made with only 100% natural ingredients. Yarmouth Lions Club Lemon Lucy Contest Starting this year, the Yarmouth Lions Club will crown one lucky winner as our official Lemon Lucy 2018. This person should demonstrate the Lions core value of serving our great community, and be willing to take part in our Clam Festival activities as the face of our giving back programs. More details to come!
Yarmouth Lions welcome their partner, the Casco Bay YMCA, and a new Club member The Notes – May 8, 2018 At the April 16th meeting of the Yarmouth Lions Club held at the Muddy Rudder Restaurant, our guest speaker was Scott Krause, Branch Director of Casco Bay YMCA. The Yarmouth Lions have been a partner of the YMCA for many years, and Scott wanted to update the club on what our local YMCA is doing for its 20th anniversary.
Scott Krause, Branch Director of Casco Bay YMCA
Dr. Bob Swan inducts Adrienne Nardi into Yarmouth Lions Club
Update on Building a New Yarmouth Community Center The Notes – April 3, 2018 At the March 19th meeting of the Yarmouth Lions Club held at the Muddy Rudder Restaurant, Horace and Barbara Horton, longtime Yarmouth residents, and co-chairs of the Steering Committee for the Yarmouth Community Center, gave an excellent presentation on the efforts of the steering committee, to locate a suitable piece of land on which to build a much needed Yarmouth Community Center.
Horace and Barbara Horton present possible locations for a new Yarmouth Community Center
Yarmouth Lions 1st VP, Alan Lambert (center) with Barbara (left) and Horace (right) Horton of the Yarmouth Community Center Steering Committee
Four Lions awarded for their combined 100 years of service to Yarmouth The Notes – March 26, 2018 At the March 5th meeting of the Lions Club held at the Muddy Rudder, Lions Club 1st Vice District Governor, Neil Iverson, presented length of service awards (Milestone Chevron Award) to four Yarmouth Lions.
Bill Goddard receives the 50 years of service award from 1st Vice District Governor, Neil Iverson
Lions Hear from The Center for Grieving Children The Notes – March 19, 2018
Anne Heros leads the Center For Grieving Children, a Portland-based nonprofit which has been delivering hope to more than 66,000 children, and their families since 1987
Lions Learn about New Programs for Yarmouth Seniors, and Welcome Two New Members The Notes – March 12, 2018
Maureen Brosnan provides local support for Yarmouth seniors
Club President, Sandy Bowie (left), and Lions Bob Swan (right of Sandy) and Larry Forcier (right) welcome Linda and Johnathan Shute (center) as the first new Yarmouth Lions of 2018.
Yarmouth Lions Finish 2017 with a FLOURISH of Service – February 17, 2018
Starting Thanksgiving weekend with the arrival of 350 Maine-grown balsam fir trees, club members unload and sort trees according to size for sale with all proceeds going to scholarship for area students. In the 20-plus years of selling trees for scholarships, over $80,000 has been awarded. Students are selected based on school recommendations which are, in turn, based on need, academics and extra-curricular activities. The program is well advertised and this year, as in most years, every tree sold out in the first three weekends of December raising over $6,700 in scholarship funds. Lions, as well as some family members, set up and took down tree stands, sold and as necessary, delivered trees. Click to learn more about the Trees for Tuition program.
More recently the club began to sell wreaths alongside the trees with the distinction that wreath sales are used exclusively to benefit the town’s fuel fund for those needing assistance. The Wreaths for Fuel program, under the sponsorship of Yarmouth Community Services, has become increasingly necessary as Maine has recently seen harsher winters, higher fuel prices and more people needing fuel. In December 2017, club members sold 115 wreaths netting over $2,000 to support Yarmouth’s fuel assistance fund bringing total club donations over a 10-year period to about $20,000.
While wreaths and trees are being sold at the village green, another tradition almost as old as the club itself, takes place each December in the same area. For two hours on Saturday afternoons, Santa Claus ably assisted by an elf or Mrs. Claus sits in Santa’s Chalet greeting an endless line of families who pose with their children for photos. Before the children leave Santa, cookies and goodwill go with them. In the 30-plus years of this activity, veteran club members estimate that over 6,000 children have chatted with Santa in his chalet which magically appears on the village green the first weekend in December. The structure currently serving as Santa’s greeting house was built and maintained by club members while cookies are provided at cost by a local bakery.
Probably, the centerpiece of Yarmouth Lion’s December activities, is the club’s Adopt-a-Family program which began 16 years ago and gains momentum with each passing year. In the Lion’s tradition of service, a few members of the club initially received names from Yarmouth Community Services of a small number of families who were experiencing financial difficulties. The club budgeted a modest amount of monies and members donated out-of-pocket to meet the program’s needs. As the need for assistance increased, so did the club’s support and involvement. In 2017, 14 local businesses donated over $2,000 in gift certificates. The club also budgeted $1,000 to the program. This year, several enthusiastic and generous members shopped, wrapped and delivered gifts to the families and nursing homes. In total, a record number of families (12) with a record of children (26), as well as 22 indigent residents of local nursing homes, received over $7,500, in gifts and gift cards. Cumulatively, thanks to Lions and friends, over $75,000 in merchandise and gift certificates have been donated in just the past 10 years.
Although it would be difficult to single out the reason(s) for the success of Yarmouth Lions December efforts, strong publicity through the local paper, signs and word of mouth indicating where the proceeds from these activities were going, have led to continued success and steady membership in the club.
“Seeing people and merchants open their hearts and wallets to help those less fortunate, the willingness of volunteers to do what they do, and seeing the benefits of their efforts, make me proud to be a Lion.” – Sandy Bowie, President, Yarmouth Lions Club
Lions Club Celebrates Member’s 102nd Birthday The Notes – January 23, 2018 On January 19th, our oldest Yarmouth Lion officially turned 102 years old. Espen Christensen, who has been in the Lions Club for 49 years and is, no doubt, one of the oldest Lions Club members in the world, was honored with a celebration at our January meeting at the Muddy Rudder Restaurant. We did want to light 102 candles, but we couldn’t get an OK from the fire department. Bill Goddard, Lions Club member and Fire Rescue Deputy Chief, said he was not concerned about Espen being able to blow out 102 candles, but rather, he was concerned for the safety and well-being of the person trying to light 102 candles. Ha!
Happy 102nd birthday to Yarmouth Lion Espen Christensen!
YARMOUTH LIONS CLUB SAYS “THANK YOU!” The Notes – January 16, 2018 The Yarmouth Lions Club wishes to thank the many people in and around Yarmouth who had donated their used eyeglasses, lenses, and eyeglasses cases to the National Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Project. Doug Carney, a Lion since 2013, has been faithfully shepherding the project, and reports that the Yarmouth Lions had collected 852 eyeglasses in 2017.. These eyeglasses get processed by the regional Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Center and distributed to needy people in developing countries where they have the greatest impact. The Yarmouth Lions Club would like to send a special thank you to five local businesses that currently host our eyeglasses collection boxes:
Bayview Dental Associates: 247 Portland Street |
|
Hannaford Supermarket: 756 US Rt. 1 |
Maine Optometry PA: 781 US Rt. 1 |
Merrill Memorial Library: 215 Main Street |
Transfer Station: 659 East Main Street |
2017 News:
BRIAN BICKNELL BECOMES A MELVIN JONES FELLOW The Notes – December 18, 2017 At the Lions Club’s December 4th meeting, Brian Bicknell, a 40+ years member of the Yarmouth Lions Club, was honored on behalf of the Lions Club International Foundation by becoming a Melvin Jones Fellow. Melvin Jones founded the Lions Club 100 years ago. This award is the club’s highest form of recognition, and it embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of the Lions Club International. Dr. Bob Swan, a fellow Lion, gave a moving tribute to Brian before presenting him with the Melvin Jones Fellow award. This prestigious award represents Brian’s dedication to humanitarian service of the highest degree to the Yarmouth community. Among Brian’s many accomplishments are two different terms as club president, years as a director, decades as a shift leader during the Clam Festival, chaperone for youth parties before most members were even in Lions, tree sales, Santa Claus duties, and much, much more.
Brian’s Lions golfing buddies:
Mike Murray (another Melvin Jones award recipient), Larry Forcier, and George Delorme
YARMOUTH LIONS CLUB SUPPORTS EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT The Notes – November 28, 2017 The Yarmouth Lions Club presented Kyle Bennett with a generous contribution in support of his Eagle Scout project, a memorial honoring past and present volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service providers of the Yarmouth Fire Rescue. The 15’ x 20’ brick memorial is located in front of the Fire and Rescue Station on North Road. It consists of a cement podium with a plaque affixed to it, a cement crest, a bench, and two flag poles – one flag with the Fire and Rescue crest and the other with the EMS crest. Kyle, a Yarmouth Eagle Scout in Troop 648, gave a well-received presentation of his project to the Lions Club at their October 16th meeting. He described the material and labor costs of the project and provided the club with a photo depicting the podium and its inscription.
Sandy Bowie, Lions Club president, Kyle Bennett, and
Bill Goddard, Lions Club member and Fire Rescue Deputy Chief
YARMOUTH LIONS CLUB SAYS “THANK YOU!” The Notes – August 15, 2017 The Yarmouth Lions Club wishes to thank the many people in and around Yarmouth who have donated their used eyeglasses, lenses, and eyeglass cases to the National Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Project. Doug Carney, who has been shepherding our Yarmouth project, reports that, so far this year, we have collected 473 eyeglasses, which are then processed by the regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center and distributed to needy people in developing countries where they have had the greatest impact. A special thank you also to the five Yarmouth businesses below that currently host the eyeglass collection boxes:
- Hannaford Supermarket, 756 US Route 1, Yarmouth – pharmacy waiting area
- Bayview Dental Associates, 247 Portland Street, Yarmouth – front entrance
- Maine Optometry PA, 781 US Route 1, Yarmouth – reception area
- Town of Yarmouth Recycling Center & Transfer Station, 659 E. Main Street, Yarmouth – book shed
- Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main Street, Yarmouth – main entryway
The Lions Club honors 2 YHS Community Service winners The Notes – June 20, 2017 At the May 15th meeting of the Yarmouth Lions Club, the club honored two Yarmouth HS seniors, Tucker Whitney and Johanna Hattan, for their outstanding contributions to community service during their four years at Yarmouth HS. Colin O’Neill, a Lions Club member, gave the club some background on our tradition of providing high school seniors with community service awards. The high school chooses two students each year who have gone above and beyond their requirements. Each student needs 60 hours of community service to graduate, and most have more. It’s an introduction to a life-long commitment to service, and it reinforces our club’s motto, “We Serve.” Colin then introduced this year’s YHS Community Service winners. Tucker Whitney spoke about when he was young, he attended many summer camps and always looked up to the leaders in training. This inspired him to start volunteering in many of the different camps. He wanted to give back to the camps, which made him feel good. He has always enjoyed working with kids and has volunteered in many school events, as well as scouting. He is going to UM Farmington to study education and coaching. Johanna Hattan spoke about going on a church mission trip to Guatemala where she was first exposed to poverty. She has volunteered at Preble Street soup kitchen through her church, she coordinated Tree Street Youth, a non-profit group in Lewiston that supports immigrant children, and she is in the Sewing Club at YHS. Johanna is also involved with Partners For World Health by sewing pillow cases and quilts for hospitals around the world. She will be taking a “gap year” next year.
Colin gave each a token of appreciation and told them that community service is just a beginning, and not an end. Congratulations to Tucker Whitney and Johanna Hattan on their accomplishments and best wishes in their future endeavors.
Johanna Hattan, Colin O’Neill, and Tucker Whitney
New Members Added To The Lions Club The Notes – May 9, 2017 The Yarmouth Lions Club inducted 3 new members into the club at their April 27th meeting at the Muddy Rudder. The new members are Greg Hughes, Jim Albright, and Alan Lambert. Bob Swan performed his usual flawless induction ceremony, inspiring them with the history of the organization, its purpose to serve the community, and administering the oath. The new Lions “cubs” were then welcomed into club with the traditional Lions “ROAR” from the rest of the members.
Greg Hughes, Jim Albright, Alan Lambert, Jane Cleaves, Bob Swan and Mike Murray
Yarmouth Lions Club Recycles Hearing Aids The Notes – March 28, 2017 Did you know the Yarmouth Lions Club recycles hearing aids? We collect used hearing aids and ship them to our regional Lions Hearing Aid Recycling Center where many are refurbished for recipients in need. Other hearing aids are distributed to teams of hearing care professionals and other volunteers for use during health care missions in developing nations. Hearing impairment and deafness are serious disabilities that can result in learning difficulties for children and decreased employment opportunities for adults. The poor are especially affected. They are unable to afford the care necessary to prevent hearing loss and cannot afford to purchase hearing aids. If you have used hearing aids you’d like to donate, carefully wrap them and place them in a Lions Eyeglass Collection box located at any one of the following five Yarmouth businesses below that host the Eyeglass Collection boxes:
- Hannaford Supermarket, 756 US Route 1, Yarmouth – pharmacy waiting area
- Bayview Dental Associates, 247 Portland Street, Yarmouth – front entrance
- Maine Optometry PA, 781 US Route 1, Yarmouth – reception area
- Town of Yarmouth Recycling Center & Transfer Station, 659 E. Main Street, Yarmouth – book shed
- Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main Street, Yarmouth – main entryway
Lions Club Celebrates Member’s 101st Birthday – The Notes – February 28, 2017 On January 19th, our oldest Yarmouth Lion officially turned 101 years old. Espen Christensen, who has been in the Lions Club for 48 years, was honored with a rousing celebration at our February meeting at the Muddy Rudder. We did want to light 101 candles, but we couldn’t get an OK from the fire department. Espen was a member of the 82nd Airborne during World War II and was awarded the French Legion Of Honor Medal for his role in the liberation of France on D-Day. He was a crew member in a glider unit that landed behind enemy lines in Normandy before the D-Day assault took place. He also served in the Battle of the Bulge. After Espen blew out his birthday candles, selections of the film, "Silent Wings – The American Glider Pilots of WWII," narrated by Hal Holbrook, were shown which documented the dramatic and heroic exploits of the glider pilots and their crew during WWII. Through rare archival footage and photographs, the film placed the audience right at the center of the action in the dangerous world of the American glider pilot. 6,000 young Americans volunteered to fly large unarmed cargo gliders into battle. For these glider pilots and crew, every mission was do-or-die. It was their task to repeatedly risk their lives landing the men and tools of war deep within enemy-held territory, often in complete darkness. Once the glider was released from the cargo plane in the air, there was no going back. Landing safely was their only option, and many landings were not successful. They didn’t land on paved runways. They landed many times in heavily treed fields and pastures too small and the terrain too uneven for a glider to land smoothly. When successful, the crew members then became infantrymen and joined in the battle. At the conclusion of the film, there was a palpable silence in the room as many of the Lions Club members realized the enormity of Espen’s sacrifices and contributions to the war effort. Espen then answered a number of questions from the members. His answers were succinct and very moving, remarkable for a man who is 101 years old. When we say, “Thank you for your service,” it is truly more meaningful when you understand what Espen went through during WWII. To Espen Christensen, we say with greater understanding, “Thank you for your service, and we look forward to celebrating your 102nd birthday next year!”
Espen Christensen
Yarmouth Lions Club Says “Thank You!” – The Notes – February 7, 2017 The Yarmouth Lions Club wishes to thank the many people in and around Yarmouth who have donated their used eyeglasses, lenses, and eyeglass cases to the National Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Project. Doug Carney, a Lion since 2013, has been faithfully shepherding our Yarmouth project. Doug reports that we collected 1019 eyeglasses in 2016, which are then processed by the regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center and distributed to needy people in developing countries where they have had the greatest impact. A special thank you also to the five Yarmouth businesses below that currently host the eyeglass collection boxes:
- Hannaford Supermarket, 756 US Route 1, Yarmouth – pharmacy waiting area
- Bayview Dental Associates, 247 Portland Street, Yarmouth – front entrance
- Maine Optometry PA, 781 US Route 1, Yarmouth – reception area
- Town of Yarmouth Recycling Center & Transfer Station, 659 E. Main Street, Yarmouth – book shed
- Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main Street, Yarmouth – main entryway
Thank you, Santa, for visiting Yarmouth! – The Notes – January 6, 2017 The Yarmouth Lions Club would like to thank Santa Claus for visiting Yarmouth the past three Saturdays and spreading his good cheer, Christmas wishes, and delicious Christmas cookies to many of our local children…and adults, too. Sebastian Silver and his mother, Alina, are shown posing for a photo with Santa Claus taken in Santa’s shed in front of Yarmouth’s Town Hall. Santa has been visiting Yarmouth for many, many years courtesy of the Yarmouth Lions Club. The Lions Club would also like to extend our sincere thanks and Christmas wishes to the following local businesses that assisted in preparing Santa’s shed for his annual visit – Hewitt’s Auto Body, Jeff’s Electric, Yarmouth Sunoco, and the European Bakery. To all of you out there, have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year!
Alina and Sebastian Silver with Santa Claus
2016 News:
Lions Club Donates To The Bartlett Circle Project – The Notes – December 13, 2016Jane Cleaves, President of the Yarmouth Lions Club, presents a generous donation from the Yarmouth Lions Club to Margaret Downing, President of Yarmouth Senior Housing, Inc., in support of the exterior deck privacy fencing project at Bartlett Circle Senior Housing. Also at the presentation are Jay Soule (L), Yarmouth Senior Housing board member, and Roger Snow (R), Lions Club board member.
Additional funding to complete the project was provided by the John T. Gorman Foundation in recognition of Tom Gorman’s longtime membership in the Yarmouth Lions Club
Jay Soule, Margaret Downing, Jane Cleaves, and Roger Snow
Lions Club Gets Updated On Bartlett Circle Renovations – The Notes – October 18, 2016
The October 3rd meeting of the Yarmouth Lions Club was held at the Muddy Rudder. Our guest speakers for the evening were Jay Soule, a member of the Board of Directors for Yarmouth Senior Housing and an insurance agent for The Yarmouth Insurance Agency, and Frank Oliva, an architect for the Bartlett Circle renovations and principle of Frank Oliva Architect here in Yarmouth.
Jay gave us an update on the renovations, expansion, and privacy fences projects at Bartlett Circle. Bartlett Circle is doubling the number of the units by building a new 3-story apartment building with 28 units on the property. The name of the building will be Bartlett Woods. The land has been cleared and the foundations are being poured as we speak.
Frank reported on the renovations to the interior of the 28 existing apartments. The renovations that are taking place will make the apartments more energy efficient. They are updating kitchens and bathrooms with new fixtures and installing new insulation in all the apartments. They are also sprucing up the decks on the exterior and adding privacy fences between the decks. We are proud to say the Lions Club was instrumental in installing the original decking in the rear of all the apartments a number of years ago.
An interesting and thoughtful discussion followed their presentations.
Frank Olivia, Jane Cleaves, and Jay Soule
Yarmouth Lions Say Thank You! – The Notes – September 6, 2016
The Yarmouth Lions Club wishes to thank the many people in and around Yarmouth who have donated their used eyeglasses, lenses, and eyeglass cases to the National Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Project. Doug Carney, a Lion since 2013, has been faithfully shepherding our Yarmouth project. Doug reports that we have collected 787 eyeglasses so far this year, which are then processed by the regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center and distributed to needy people in developing countries where they have had the greatest impact.
A special thank you also to the five Yarmouth businesses below that currently host the eyeglass collection boxes:
Hannaford Supermarket, 756 US Route 1, Yarmouth – pharmacy waiting area
Bayview Dental Associates, 247 Portland Street, Yarmouth – front entrance
Maine Optometry PA, 781 US Route 1, Yarmouth – reception area
Yarmouth Transfer & Recycling Center, 659 E. Main Street, Yarmouth – book shed
Merrill Memorial Library, 215 Main Street, Yarmouth – main entryway
The Lions would greatly appreciate your continued participation and support in this very worthy cause. For more information, please feel free to contact Doug Carney at 846-0863
Lions Club Awards Five Scholarships – The Notes – June 21, 2016
The Yarmouth Lions Club announced the recipients of college scholarship money to five Yarmouth High School graduates. The funds for the scholarships are raised by the Lions Club selling Christmas trees each year, and the proceeds are then awarded to deserving high school graduates. The scholarship money is paid out at the completion of the student’s 1st college semester and when the student returns for their 2nd semester. This year’s five Lions Club scholarship recipients are:
Veronica Handy – will attend Lesley College;
Andrea Hincks – will attend Endicott College;
Noah Pellerin – will attend Assumption College;
Jonathan “Jack” Snyder – will attend Roger Williams University;
Eavan O’Neill – will attend St. Lawrence University.
The Lions Club is very happy to assist these students in furthering their education, which is so important and necessary in today’s world. Congratulations to these graduates for a job well done! Their “blood, sweat and tears” did not go for naught.
May 24, 2016 Lions Club Honors YHS Seniors High School seniors, Katie Glenn and Ethan Peters, were honored for their outstanding contributions to community service. May 10, 2016 Yarmouth Community Center Initiative A proposal to establish a community center was approved by the Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors board of directors. April 19, 2016 Vision Services for New Mainers Lions Clubs are leading an effort to provide vision services to Portland’s new Mainer population. February 23, 2016 Chamber News and a 100 Year Old Lion The new Chamber of Commerce Executive Director discusses non-profit groups within the Chamber and how the Chamber and the Yarmouth Lions can support and nurture them. February 2, 2016 2016 Yarmouth Lions Vision Program is a Success The Yarmouth Lions Club wishes to thank the many people who have donated their used eyeglasses, lenses, and eyeglass cases to the National Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Project.