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”

July 24, 2003

Opening: Presiding: President Lion Ed Ball; Prayer: Lion Charlie Smith; Pledge: Lion Steve Davitt; Leading the song was Lion Harold Wright with Lion Jimmie Giles playing the cymbals and Lion Robbie Raiford playing the piano.

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM: YES, we’ll have one!!!

Visitors: Twenty-four members were in attendance and no one brought a visitor.

NOTES/Remarks:

• Lion Charles Smith remarked about the lack of publicity received by Lion Craig Kennedy who was honored last Friday with a surprise birthday at the Government Plaza by Mayors Hightower and Dement; Sheriff Lion Steve Prator; Chiefs Mike Campbell and Kelvin Cochran. The Times article was buried in the inner working of their “advertising is more important than news” paper – seems that a local politician in hot water received the headlines. Craig Kennedy Day was last Saturday, July 19^th – son named as a small token of appreciation for all the great work he has done in our community. Over 100 friends were in attendance at the surprise party on the first floor of the Government Plaza. CONGRATS TO LION CRAIG AND IT IS AN HONOR TO BE SERVING IN LIONISM WITH YOU!!!
• Big Bass Rodeo… Sell tickets and the Rodeo is September 27^th.
• Our dues will be increasing $5.00 per year due to a decision recently made at the International Lions Convention.

WE NEED MEMBER ATTENDANCE IN OUR WEEKLY MEETINGS!!!

Tailtwisting: Lion TT Bill Archambeau with Lion Gabby Garbarino possessing the pot. Lion Prez fined for a slightly late start. Lions Jerry Paige, Brian Self and Scott Harkey were fined for getting to the meeting late. Lion Stuart Reeks was praised for his proper attire as today’s Program Chairman. Then, the “ Millionaire” questions rained on us – we need more help from members who are not attending to get us through this tough time.

PROGRAM: Lion Stuart Reeks introduced Mr. Ross Owen, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana. Three Judicial Districts are in the Federal Court System for the state of Louisiana. Shreveport is in the Western District, New Orleans is the Eastern District and Baton Rouge is the Central District. Ross gave us a briefing on the Sheila Webb Wharton murder trial in which she was killed in Haiti by a plan of her husband, Curtis Wharton, and his secretary, Judy Nipper. This was a very interesting case since it happened in a foreign country and tied directly back to Shreveport. Many federal and international agencies assisted Ross on this complex case. Ross was the lead player in the successful prosecutions of C. Wharton and J. Nipper. I didn’t get a lot of notes for The Rag, because it was such an involved case – sorry the ones who weren’t here didn’t get to hear and see this spell binding program. Curtis Wharton is serving two sentences for life in Virginia on the convictions.

Ticket Drawings: The red ticket winners were: Lions Gabby Garbarino and Steve Davitt.

BLUE TICKET: Lion -- NOPE, Lion Bob Allen didn’t get it -- the pot is over $100!

Attendance Prize: Lion Robbie Raiford was in attendance and collected the $15 prize!

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;

Irish Auction – March; Rose Sale – April

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