2010 has been a successful year, but it's time for a break

Soon we will return to the regularly scheduled program … in 2011 that is. The Millerton Lions will be taking time off for the holiday season to spend time with family and friends and to get ready for the year ahead.

And what a successful year 2010 has been. From our calendar sales, to our 11-month raffle (still in progress) to benefit our scholarship fund, our first-ever carnival held in June, our second annual silent auction/dinner and everything in between, we couldn’t be happier or prouder of our success.

On Saturday, Sept. 25, we held our silent auction/fall harvest dinner at American Legion Post 178 in Millerton. We were very happy with the outcome and want to thank those who participated, those who attended, those who assisted and those who were kind enough to donate items for our raffle and auction. A special thanks goes out to the American Legion for the use of their facilities as well.

Our last regular dinner meeting of the year was held on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the American Legion Hall. As Lions President Todd Clinton and his wife, Mary, were away celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, First Vice President Stacey Moore officiated at the meeting.

Topics of discussion included the successes behind us and the upcoming Screening Eyes Early (SEE) program, as well as our annual Halloween costume contest and our year-end holiday party.

I am happy to announce that trained Lions volunteers Mary Cooper, John Eboli and Michael Jordan screened 27 children at the Astor Head Start facility on Park Street on Thursday, Oct. 28, as part of the Screening Eyes Early program. This program is part of a nationwide effort by Lions to help identify children with vision problems that can lead to amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye.

Treatment of this condition is most effective when discovered early, but in the past it was difficult to treat preschool children. Now a specialized camera and unique auto refractor make it not only possible, but somewhat easier, to do.

The paperwork will be forwarded to the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute in Buffalo for evaluation and follow up. Nice work Lions, and thank you.

No year would be complete without the annual Lions-sponsored Halloween Party held at the Millerton firehouse on Century Boulevard. Glynda Buffalo, our tail twister sister, took on the job of Halloween Committee chairperson and started her new “careerâ€� off with a bang. There   were more than 100 people in attendance. Glynda is the perfect person for the job with her abundance of enthusiasm and imagination, and is already making plans for next year. You go, girl.

Our annual holiday party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, at — where else? — the American Legion. There will be good times, good food, good music and good friends. Now that sounds pretty good to me. We will also be announcing the voters’ choice award for Citizen of The Year, so we hope to see the “lion’s share� of our members in attendance.

The 2011 community calendars should be arriving shortly and distributed as soon as it is humanly possible. Remember that any changes or additions can easily be made for next year with just a phone call. I can be reached at Saperstein’s at 518-789-3365 and Brad Rebillard can be found at Dutchess Country Realty at 518-789-6185.

On a final note, I want to express appreciation to all those who have helped along the way, from individuals, to organizations and businesses, and to Lions members and layman volunteers — thank you, thank you, thank you. I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and a great start to the New Year.

’Til next time.

Melanee Mayville is the mother of four, grandmother of eight and lives in Millerton with her husband, Dave. She has been a member of the Millerton Lions Club since 2008.   

  

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