the galway lion · the galway lion bulletin june 2010 – edited by john hanlon editorial out of...

The Galway LionBulletin June 2010 – Edited by John Hanlon

Editorial

Out of the night that covers me,Black as the Pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstanceI have not winced nor cried aloud.Under the bludgeons of chanceMy head is bloody, but unbowed.

It matters not how strait the gate,How charged with punishments the scroll.I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul.

InvictusWm. E. Henley 1849 – 1903

That poem was the inspiration for Nelson Mandela when uniting his countrymenbehind the Springboks to win the World Cup in 1995. Go and see the movie of thesame name (Invictus is Latin for “unconquered”) – well worth a viewing even ifDirector Clint Eastwood doesn’t always get the rugby scenes right. The film is atribute to a giant of our times – Nelson Mandela.

President Yvonne would probably blush if we compared her to the mighty and cannyMandela. Nevertheless, as her year draws to a close (altogether now, awwwwww) it isworth reflecting on how she, just like Nelson Mandela, broke new ground in theannals of Galway Lions Club. We never doubted her ability to chair and direct ouroperations. She brings a degree of happy efficiency to the conduct of our club. She isan innovator and enthusiast at all times, always available to her project chairmen atshort notice. She is, of course, our first female president and even the most misogynistof us (who shall remain nameless!) was heard to declare his total admiration. Not onlydoes our president hold down a job and raise a family, she can be seen regularlyjogging the prom. Where does this remarkable woman get her energy and still manageto look so good? Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.

The May meeting of the Galway Lions was a strange affair - strange, as we couldn’tfind any parking spaces at the Ardilaun on Monday 10th May. The place was jammed.Recession my eye. Strange, as we were consigned to a small, unfamiliar room inwhich there was standing room only. Strange, as we had our newest member readfrom the code of ethics – another first for President Yvonne. Strange, because ouresteemed president surpassed herself in concluding the business in 37 minutes –

surely a record. And strange because all ongoing projects, correspondence and topicsof concern were covered with plenty of time (!) to consider all matters pertaining.

Another attribute President Yvonne displayed was her innovative approach to theProm Walk Project, which she effortlessly converted into a “chain reaction” or “chaingang” as I like to call it. Oh, I pity poor VP1 Noel Meehan who has to follow thisclass act. Aw,shucks, just let us all be upstanding and salute our best lookingpresident ever with:

THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE! THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE! THUNDEROUSAPPLAUSE!

Hilarious Bloomers

Presenter: Name a film starring Bob Hoskins that is also the name of a famouspainting by Leonardo da Vinci.

Contestant: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?Rock FM (Preston)

PROJECTS

Sponsored Walk

The much commented upon Prom Walk was a great success. Despite a rival walk withcute doggies P/C Richard Hughes was happy to report 9 organizations wererepresented by chain wearing officials and a total of some €3,620 was collected. LionRichard was especially grateful to Lion Matt Molloy through whom the local branchof the Bar Association contributed €1,200.

This was a pleasant and social event. President Yvonne’s invitation to other voluntaryorganization presidents to join the walk in their chains of office was indeed a novelconcept but to Lion Richard and his team we must bow and proclaim:


Connolly/Conway Cups

This project was covered in some detail in last month’s Bulletin but there was aninteresting postscript. P/C Des Conway having submitted his report, got his round ofapplause and then demonstrated his integrity (as if it was ever in doubt) byannouncing he had been left with 2 unclaimed bottles of wine. Crafty Lion Des thenpresented these superior wines (I happen to know!) to President Yvonne and LionTamer Tom Burke. Just why Lion Des wants to ingratiate himself with the LionTamer is unclear, but isn’t our Dessie the cute hoor! And even though he got his T. A.last month, I suppose we should salute such honesty with another:


Notice from the Church Bulletin

This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come and lay an egg on the altar.

Breakfast Morning

Under the chairmanship of Lion Tony Royliston and his hard working committee,another successful Breakfast Morning has come and gone. A good attendance,pampered by excellent food through the good offices of the Colleran and Dugganfamilies (not forgetting the free Sunday newspapers per Lion Stephen Daly) andserved by the genial staff of the Ardilaun ably led by Lion John Ryan made for apleasant morning. But wait, there’s more. Raffle goodies per Lion Frank Kinneen andhis superb wines ensured the raffle tickets were snapped up.

This year there was no musical entertainment, which was a blessing as conversationcame easily and without shouting or repeating! The children had their faces paintedand the use of the Aran Room to watch DVDs and did they enjoy themselves!

It was a most agreeable occasion with everyone in good form. Lion Tony introducedPresident Yvonne who thanked everybody for their support for this Trabolganfundraiser for Senior Citizens.

Well done, Lion Tony and team, for an enjoyable event,

THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE! THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE! THUNDROUSAPPLAUSE!

D.G.Getting to Know You

This is a new feature for the bulletin. From now on it is intended to profile aprominent club member so that in a big club like ours members can get a handle on allthe oldies, newcomers and those in between.

Naturally we start with this year’s president and while we all know her from presidingat our meetings it’s no harm to get an up close and personal glimpse of the individual.

Yvonne Thornton

FootballFootball is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, theGermans win.

Gary LinekarSympathyOur sympathy goes to Tina McDermott, wife of Lion Brendan, on the death of herfather Willie Joe McLoughlin R.I.P.

CongratulationsAnother old wrinkly (he doesn’t look a day over 70) former president (1999-00) LionPeter Flanagan was presented with his 25-year chevron. Now I know his memory isn’twhat it used to be but I’m positive I heard him say the drinks were on him inLonergans next Thursday. And if he does buy then pigs surely do fly! Anyway, toLion Peter we say well done.

I didn’t like to mention it in last month’s bulletin but sure, there we were in theminutes and in the photos in glorious Technicolor. Your Editor is a modest man (Iknow, he has much to be modest about) but suffice to say the bulletin team – here onthe 7th floor – won again the Best Bulletin Award at the convention in Belfast. Thatmakes 12 wins in the last 13 years and your humble servants, contributor Lion DanGriffin, publisher Lion Pat Dempsey and yours truly promise to keep up our effortsfor at least another year (if we’re asked!).

And what about Associate Member and former president (1990-91) Sean Hosty? Inthe recent prestigious Ryan Junior Scratch Cup 74 year old Sean shot 2 rounds of 77off the back sticks to finish in second place only 1 shot behind the winner. The sameSean’s handicap has not gone above 6 for over 60 years. What a man! Alright, let’ssalute the bould Sean with “You’re the man!” and


Lion Yvonne joined our club in 1999 having beensponsored by former DG Pat Connolly, further proofour beloved Lion Pat is one smart cookie! Yvonne ismarried to Paul and has two daughters aged 6 and 4.She is a native of Galway and has worked with theGalway Diocesan Youth Services for over 20 yearsfor which she was Director prior to taking a careerbreak to become a homemaker. Lion Yvonne wasinvolved with many projects including Toys andDeliveries, Trabolgan, Auction, SupermarketCollections and Peace Poster. She has enjoyed everyminute of her time with the club and has found theexperience of President wonderful and challenging.

Marriage

I’m a good housekeeper; when I divorce I keep the house.Zsa Zsa Gabor (1917 - )Married 9 timesDivorced 7 times1 annulment

Middle Age

When you’re sitting at home on Saturday night and the phone rings and you hope itisn’t for you.

Ogden Nash (1902 – 1971)

Any Other Business

Past DG Pat Connolly is a gentle, caring man. He gave a heart-warming account of amemorial service he organized and which some lions had attended. It was arranged inmemory of the little Latvian toddler (aged 16 months) who tragically fell to his deathfrom an upstairs window of a city centre apartment some months ago. The club washappy to provide return flight tickets to the parents who are now back in Galway andmuch appreciated our support. Well done, Lion Pat. In fact this wonderful gesture issurely worthy of


JUNE MEETING

Date: 21st June 2010

Venue: Ardilaun

Patricians 7.30 p.m.

Hoi Polloi 8.00 p. m.

N. B.

PLEASE NOTE EARLIER STARTING TIMES AND

DON’T FORGET - Barbecue following meeting to celebrate Handover

Some photos for recent Lions Club activities

President Yvonne presents Peter Flanagan with his 25 year pin

Breakfast Morning

PC Tony Royliston with Pres Yvonne

Queuing for Breakfast

Painted faces Enda Colleran and Dermot O’Connell

Trabolgan Get-together

P/C Sean with Pres Yvonnne. Noel, Tony and Tom, Enda and Seamus, Des and Sean.

Set-off for Trabolgan

Yvonne with Mayor and Bishop Drennan – bags are ready.

Margaret Loftus Tom Burke and Una Feeney and Julie Connell and her motherMauren Murray.

Tony Kavanagh with Rita Ridge, Cait Connor and Brue Ward

Maureen Spelman, Michael Mooney and Sal Evans

Pat Dempsey with Bridget Folan, Jimmy Rainbow and Ann Thornton

Noel with Mary English and Madge McFadden

the galway lion · the galway lion bulletin june 2010 – edited by john hanlon editorial out of...

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