Silent auction, chicken barbecue on the burner

Shhh, we’re having a silent auction .... Get your tickets now for the Millerton Lions second chicken barbecue/silent auction to be held Saturday, Sept. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 178 in Millerton. The ticket price of $20 includes dinner: one-half barbecued chicken, just-picked sweet corn, homemade salads, fresh rolls and butter, and a yummy dessert, along with admission to our auction of spectacular prizes. Take-out orders may be placed in advance and a cash bar will be available.

There is still time left, so anyone wishing to donate items or services of value can contact Stacey at 518-789-4608 (Moore & More Printing) or Melanee at 518-789-3365 (Saperstein’s) and we will be glad to take your information. Or, if you know a member of our club, feel free to ask their assistance.

That same night we will be announcing the three winners of our handmade quilt/afghan/pillow raffle. Tickets are  $2 each or six for only $10. Both raffle tickets and barbecue/auction tickets are available at Moore & More Printing and Saperstein’s, right in downtown Millerton.You won’t want to miss out on the food or the fun, so save the date.

On the subject of dates, we are soon placing our community birthday calendar order for 2011. Anyone needing to make changes or additions or who didn’t know how or where to get them, just call me at Saperstein’s and I will be glad to help ’cause I am kinda the middle (wo)man, so to speak. You can list birthdays, anniversaries and special events, or honor family members no longer with us. It’s for a good cause and at a good price, but don’t delay because time flies.

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Lions President Todd Clinton began our meeting on Wednesday, July 28, at American Legion Post 178 with a moment of silence for lifetime member Bill Shaughnasey, who passed away this June. It was decided that  we will plant a tree in the community in Bill’s memory with the aid and full support of Mayor John Scutieri. Club member Dick Valentine of Valentine Monument Works offered the donation of a stone complete with inscription to be placed nearby. We all wish to thank him for his kind generosity.

Joining us for another fine meal prepared by the ladies’ auxiliary were Kaelan Reynolds and her mother, Toni, as well as Alicia Flinn and her parents, Russell and Donna. Kaelan and Alicia were this year’s recipients of the Eugene Brooks and Leon Silvernail scholarship grants, respectively. Chris Barros, awarded the Millerton Lions Club general scholarship, was unable to attend.

Todd shared a note from Scholarship Committee Chairman Ed Downey thanking the committee members for their hard work and dedication. This year, according to Ed, was especially difficult as there were so many fine applicants from which to choose. Thanks were also expressed to all club members for their help in raising the funds that make the scholarship program possible.

Both Kaelan and Alicia gave short speeches expressing their gratitude to our club. We learned  where they will be continuing their education, the fields they will pursue and what encouraged them in their decisions. A round of applause followed for all three graduates. Congratulations again, kids, and good luck.

Congrats are in order for Mary Cooper, too, as she received a key pin award for the sponsorship of two more new members. Secretary Tom Tighe presented our  club with a patch of recognition received from Lions Club International to be proudly displayed on our banner. We were recognized for “outstanding achievement  during the 2008-09 October membership growth campaign.â€� Hey gang, we rock. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.

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Guest speaker and past district governor, Joyce Maier, entertained us with some welcome “Lions� stories. She also shared district news as well as commended us all for such a fine job. We love when that happens.

She followed with the induction of our officers for the 2010-11 term:

• Lion Tamer: Diane Hosier

• Tail Twister: Glynda Buffalo

• Directors: Maryann Belarge, Mary Clinton, Mary Cooper, Carol Dean and Karen McGinness

• Third Vice President: Sarah Hermans

•Second Vice President: Michael Jordan

•First Vice President:                             Mary Clinton                                              

•Treasurer: Lewis Saperstein

•Secretary: Tom Tighe

•President: Todd Clinton

  What a great lineup. On a final note, I want to thank everyone involved in making our first ever Lions carnival such a great success. Special thanks to: American Legion Post 178, Mike Arnoff of the Millerton branch of Arnoff Moving and Storage, Floods Sanitation, Welsh Sanitation, “Nascarâ€� Dave MacMillan and the Sunday in the Country crew, the Millerton Fire Department and Police Department, the Millerton volunteer ambulance and the village crew.

Not only did members of various organizations lend a helping hand, but several “lay people� were there helping out and lending their support as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Can’t wait for the next one. It takes teamwork to make a great community and together I think we make one helluva team.

’Til next time....

Melanee Mayville has been a member of the Lions Club since 2008. She lives in Millerton with her husband, Dave, and their hand-me-down cat, Theory.

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