2. (Click here to go to our website) Call to Order – President Ted Gonsiorowski called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Invocation – David Hunter: Be with us, Lord, as we share Thy bounty. Be with all who have not enough, and guide us in service that we may really help. Amen. Vittles – Salad and Toppings, Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Mixed Vegetables, Rolls and Butter, and Banana Cream Pie.

4. Birthdays – none. Attendance – 22 members. Guests – Fonda’s husband Larry Bowden, Ed Tichenor’s guest was Joy George.

5. Weldon Garrelts’ guest was Lou Liay.

6. Lions Report – None. If you are ill or know a fellow Lion who is under the weather, please call Pat Bryan at 586-4535.

7. Lottery – The $12 lottery was won by Tom Yaxley.

8. Announcements – Jay Hoeflinger reported that $930 was collected in Sight and Sound ticket sales. The drawing will be held at the State Convention this Sunday. Top seller was Ed Tichenor who sold 13 books, followed by Ted Gonsiorowski and Fonda Bowden who each sold 10 books.

9. There is still time, until July 13, to participate in the Birdies for Sight. See http://www.birdiesforcharity.com/ for details and a pledge form. http://www.birdiesforcharity.com/

10. Rich King talked about the Walk for Sight on June 9, a fundraiser of the LIF. He will be asking us to leave donations on our tables over the next three weeks and hopes to raise $500 in pledges from our club. Rich King, Jay Hoeflinger, Marvin Paulsen and Ted Gonsiorowski plan to walk. Others are welcome to join them. Rich plans to watch the professional Beep Ball team at the convention this weekend and is planning to get the Champaign Club team together for a practice before the Walk for Sight game against the Mattoon Club.

11. Weldon Garrelts reported on the successful Tootsie Pop days, May 10 and 11. There were 21 secondary time slots and 3 primary time slots vacant, and we cancelled the County Market at 331 East Stoughton, but we had extra help from friends and family members. A total of $2,956.58 was collected. Weldon said he observed Homer Kuder at Wal-Mart and believes him to be the best Tootsie Pop salesman.

12. Program – Weldon Garrelts introduced Charles Finn who was born in Paxton, IL, went to High School in Gibson City and graduated from the UI in 1955. He was a varsity football team manager and was in ROTC. His parents were in the furniture business and Charles was a manager, a salesman, and eventually retired as Vice President, Professional Furniture Marketing. He is a member of the UI President’s Council, Dean’s Business Council, and the recipient of many awards; the most recent was the College of Business Alumni Appreciation Award, April 26 at the Spring Luncheon Awards Ceremony attended by more than 800 alumni. Mr. Finn has done extensive research on Harold “Red” Grange, the Galloping Ghost, #77, born in 1903.

13. Red Grange grew up in Wheaton, IL. His mother died when he was five, and he and his brother were raised by his father, a lumberjack who later became Wheaton's chief of police.

14. Grange had natural athletic ability. He earned 16 varsity letters, in football, baseball, basketball and track at Wheaton High School.

15. He entered the University of Illinois in 1922 where he was convinced to try out and made seventh team in football.

16. He soon made the varsity team as halfback scoring 3 touchdowns and making headlines against Nebraska.

17. In 1924 he made football history scoring 4 touchdowns in the first twelve minutes of the game against Michigan.

18. He moved to quarterback and became a national star by 1925.

19. He was featured on magazine covers,

20. He was so popular that everyone wanted to see him.

21. After the last college game, he turned pro and began playing for the Chicago Bears. He is credited for getting the NFL off the ground.

22. and became the first to endorse products in advertisements.

23. Grange was a humble guy and always gave credit to his teammates.

24. There was no radio or television coverage back then. Newspapers made him a star.

25. C.C. (Cash & Carry) Pile, a Champaign theater owner and promoter, convinced Grange to join him in forming the American League in 1926 and he moved to the New York Yankees.

26. The league folded and Grange and the Yankees joined the NFL. The next year Grange injured his knee playing against the Bears.

27. That injury kept him out of the game for the rest of the season and the 1928 season as well.

28. In 1929 Grange returned to play for the Bears until 1934, but was never the same.

29. He later became an assistant coach, and a sports announcer. He was the original superstar. He married in 1941. He was a UI trustee for 5 years and had an insurance business in Chicago. He died in 1991.

30. The Park District is working on a play based on Red Grange’s life. It will be at the Virginia Theater.

31. Tailtwister – Tom Yaxley, today’s Tailtwister,

32. called on Byron Balbach to carry the bucket. He fined himself for the lottery winnings,

33. Weldon Garrelts because the Legion guys were at Wal-Mart a week early and we had to kick them out.

34. Lou Liay for being a Kiwanian,

35. Our Speaker for who knows what,

36. David Lin paid because as past president he was in charge of listing new officers and the Tailtwister was not mentioned.

37. Earl Swanson was fined because we are glad to see him after his not having been here in a while.

38. Rick King bragged that his son was on TV playing his trumpet and if you didn’t see it go to www.illinoishomepage.netwww.illinoishomepage.net

39. Dave Hunter paid for his letter to the editor. Ooooh, not smart…

40. He gonna regret that!!!

41. A package of asparagus from Marvin Paulsen’s garden was auctioned at $3 to David Lin.

42. Greeter: Homer Kuder May 29 – BUMP - Adam and Ellen - Prosthetic Limbs Click here osborne@bankchampaign.com to email Charlie Osborne and let him know what you would like to see in a Lions Club program some time.osborne@bankchampaign.com Coming up May 22 – Jennifer Roscoe

43. Thank you for watching Editor Fonda Bowden Publisher David Hunter To email Dave with your comments, click here → hunter4000@comcast.nethunter4000@comcast.net To go to the our website, click here → http://www.champaignlions.org/http://www.champaignlions.org/

44. Saturday is Armed Forces Day. Don’t forget to put your flag out.