PRESIDENTS MESSAGE (July 23rd)

FYI…We have a new leader. Mahendra Amarasuriya of Colombo, Sri Lanka, was elected president of The International Association of Lions Clubs at the association’s 90th International Convention, held in Chicago, Illinois, USA, July 2-6, 2007. He is a graduate of the University of Ceylon with a Bachelor of Science degree. He has participated in the Top Management Course at the International Institute of Management in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has also acquired considerable experience in the field of management over the last 40 years as a director and chairperson of many prestigious companies in Sri Lanka.

International President Amarasuriya is the chairperson of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon Limited and three other blue chip companies, as well as a board member of many other blue chip companies in Sri Lanka. He is also a past chairperson of the International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, the Employees’ Trust Fund Board, the Institute of Management of Sri Lanka and the National Agribusiness Council of Sri Lanka.

A charter member of the Lions Club of Galle, he has held many offices within the association, including district governor from 1978 to 1979, council chairperson from 1979 to 1980 and international director from 1991 to 1993. In recognition of his service to the association, he has received numerous awards, including many membership awards, the Master Key Award, eight International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, eight International President’s Awards, the Leadership Award and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor bestowed upon association members. He has also received the 100% District Governor Award, the Extension Award and the 15-Year Perfect Attendance Award. He is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

International President Amarasuriya resides with his wife, Lion Kushlani, also a Melvin Jones Fellow, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

We Serve ……… John Page

TODAY’S MEETING (July 23rd)

Russ Wasendorf will speak to the Club about Peregrine Financial Group.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

July 30 … A representative from Broussard Corp will speak to the Club

August 6 … Tony DiCecco, Katerina Kakoyianni-Bering UNI Women's Soccer Coach and 2 players will speak to the club.

August 13 … Carey Darrah, Cedar Valley Tech Works, will speak to the club

LAST MEETING (July 16th)

Both the Automotive and Agricultural Engineering Societies are entering their 100^th year of existence. Harold Brock talked to the Club about some history related to automobile and agricultural advancements since the early 1900’s. In those days, often referred to at the “Blacksmith Era”, materials were very limited. Metal’s, rubber and leather made up most equipment, Henry Ford, known as the, “father of the automobile manufacturing era”, sought to develop an affordable automobile that could be purchased by the average person. His highly successful Model-T could be purchased for $250 and between 1908 and 1928 millions of cars were sold. During the time around World War I, Ford Motor Company produced a tractor that also sold for around $250. In 1939, another tractor that could incorporate a 3-point hitch was manufactured. The selling price was $580, which was about the cost for a team of animals, harnesses and 10 acres of land used to feed the animals. In later years, the V8 engine was designed that could propel cars up around 85 mph, or 30 mph faster than what the competition had developed. This innovation prompted a letter from John Dillenger who thanked Ford for the engine as it made it impossible for the law to catch him.

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES

Wayne Aurand – July 27th None

Bob Leahy – July 29th

Bob Lembke – July 29th

IT'S GREAT TO BE A LION!