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North Shreveport Lions Club

 

The Yellow Rag

a weekly newsletter

 

We meet every Thursday at the D&W

Business Center, 1434 Hawn Avenue.

Yellow Rag Editor

Mike Middleton

 

“Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety”

 
June 3, 2004
 

Opening:  Presiding: President Lion Ed Ball; Prayer: Lion Jim Peck; Pledge: Lion Merle Gore, Leading the song was Lion Bud Byrd and Lion Jimmie Giles sounding the cymbals -- Lion Robbie Raiford on the piano.

 

PRAYERS:   For Lion Gene Bacon, now on her way for an extended stay in Michigan; all members – present or not – who might be in the need of the Lord’s help – ESPECIALLY THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS WEEK’S STORMS!!!

 

NEXT WEEK:  June 10th -- Dr. Jeff Sadow, a political professor at LSU-S; June 17th a speaker from the Juvenile Justice System.

 

BOARD MEETING – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9TH @ 12noon

 

INSTALLATION BANQUET…

IS JUNE 24TH AT 6:30 P.M. AT SAVOIE’S ON E70TH.  THE COST IS $18.00 PER PERSON AND IF YOU SIGNUP, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COVERING THE $18/PERSON COMMITMENT.

THERE WILL NOT BE A NOONTIME MEETING ON THAT DATE – JUNE 24TH.

 

VISITING:  Lion PDG Paul Little again had his lovely wife, Martha.  Lion Scott Harkey was accompanied by his beautiful daughter, E.D. Harkey.

 

NOTES/Remarks:

 

Tailtwisting:  Prior to the TT session, new Lion Merle Gore was allowed to tell the members a little about himself.   He was sponsored by Lion PDG Bryan Self who is a longtime friend, acquaintance and barber.  Merle coached for over 34 years at Plain Dealing and Trinity Heights Schools.  Girls basketball was his usual coaching job and an overall record of 13 state championships (4 at PDA & 9 at THCA).  He has two stepchildren that are college graduates, one a stepdaughter, Jennifer Miller, a veterinarian technician and a son, Chris Morrison, with the Shreveport Fire Department.  Additionally, he has a 12 year old son, Chase Gore at Herndon Elementary Middle Magnet.  His wife, Carol, teaches first grade at Herndon Elementary.  His father-in-law was past NSLC member and president, Lion Otis Cannon.  Merle remembers Lion Stuart Reeks and his brother, Scott from THCA.  He knows Lion Bill Archambeau as a neighbor before Merle moved to Indian Hills.  He remembers Lions Hubert and Libby Gleason as having two sons at THCA.  Lion Merle attends First Baptist Church of Blanchard along with Lion Jim Peck.

 

Lion TT Bill Archambeau had Lion Mike Middleton passing the pot.  Late: Lions Pete Copes, Kevin Anderson, and Gloria Kennedy. Happy 97th birthday song was sung to Lion Harold Wright.  Recognitions: Lion Charlie Smith – 40 years as a Lion; Lions Hubert and Libby Gleason were recognized for 50 years of marriage; Lion Robbie Raiford is having an anniversary this month.  Lion Scott Harkey’s wife, Terry is having a birthday.

 

Program:  Lion Stuart Reeks introduced Mr. Marty Albritton, Executive Director of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.  Prior to the Symphony, Marty was Director of the LSU-S Development.  The Symphony is the longest continuous playing group in Louisiana which began in 1948.  They began at Byrd High School and played at the Shreveport Civic Theatre for ten years before years of engagement at The Strand.  However, due to space needs, they are again at Shreveport Civic Theatre…There are 24 full-time musicians which performs more than 200 times per year in concerts, schools and special events.  Their budget is over $1.3 million.  A new season starts in September.  Accolades go to the Symphony for hard work being done at Linwood School.  Linwood has the highest expulsion rate and referral rate to alternative school in both Caddo and Bossier Parishes.  Marty gave a listing of ticket prices and a lot of other useful information.  Their website is www.shreveportsymphony.com.  His phone number is 318.222.7496 x30 and his email address is malbritton@shreveportsymphony.com.  Here is more information on what is being done for kids:

 

Music In the Schools

In the elementary schools we take a three-tiered approach. Schools with first and second grade students are visited every year with a small ensemble. On a rotating year basis, schools with third and fourth grade students receive either a small ensemble or the 24 member core orchestra. All fifth grade students are invited to the Civic Youth Concert in late January each year held at the Civic Theatre with a full orchestra.

 

In-School Ensembles First and second grade students in Caddo Parish have visits from small ensembles ranging from duos to quintets. Their programs last about 40 minutes and are designed to entertain, excite, educate and involve the children. While the programs are developed with the age of the audience in mind, each child is exposed to the basics of instrumentation and the collaboration between instruments needed to create music. The musicians allow ample time for questions. In the spring of 2002, seven ensembles gave 78 performances in 45 schools reaching almost 6,000 students.

 

Civic Youth Concerts Each year fifth grade students are invited to the Civic Theatre in Downtown Shreveport for a full-scale orchestra performance with a larger orchestra. Each year a theme is chosen and a teacher's booklet is produced containing the program, program notes, concert preparation notes, teaching ideas and some worksheets. This is distributed ahead of time to give the schools ample time to prepare their students before the concert.

 

At the end of January 2004, symphonic performances were given over three days for 5th graders from throughout the region. These concerts, performed at Shreveport's Civic Theater, explored the changing music of America. Music from different periods of our country's history was featured, with a special emphasis on the contributions of Native American and African American composers. Themes from previous years' performances have included "Invitation to the Dance" and "Can't Stop Dancing: A Jazz Tribute."

 

Teaming with schools - Starting with Linwood Middle School, the Shreveport Symphony has started to team with inner city schools to develop new programs aimed at improving attendance and grades.

 

These interactive approaches are very much the way our education program should be going as we plan for the future. Creative work of this nature has been proven to strengthen children's powers of concentration and reinforce key skills in areas of communication, application of number, working with others, problem solving, thinking skills, enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and an improvement in the students' own learning and performance. Children have to appraise their own work, learn how to use their time effectively and how to work both independently and with others.

 

We look forward to increasing our presence in the schools by developing further programs for middle and high school students. We are constantly looking for new sources of funding that will enable us to continue and develop future programs.

 

Ticket Drawings: The red ticket winners were: Lions Bud Byrd and Scott Harkey.

 

BLUE TICKET:  Lion Charlie Smith failed to pull the Queen from the almost new deck.

 

Attendance Prize: Lion Bob Allen was not present to collect the pot.

 

MAJOR PROJECTS: Louisiana Lions Childrens’ Camp, LSU Lions’ Eye Foundation, Northwest Louisiana Eye Bank, Louisiana Association for the Blind, Northwood High School Leo Club, Scholarships for Northwood and Green Oaks High Schools

 

FUNDRAISERS:  Chicken Charbroil – October; Candy & Nuts – November / December;

Irish Auction – March 2004; Rose Sale –May 2004

 

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