From the Desk of Governor Jon
DISTRICT 37 BULLETIN District 37 Newsletter Update: Tracking Our Goals for a
District News, Newsletters
From the Desk of 1st VDG Gary Lewis & GST Lion Cheryl – October 2026
Hello Montana Lions, and greetings from your 1st VDG Lion Gary and District GST Lion Cheryl Lewis! With 1st VDG Training, travel and club visits, we’re on the move a lot!
We started this spring with a trip to Atlanta, Georgia for Mission 1.5 Training for me. DG Lion Jon Kimble and our District GET Lion Margaret Baylinson also attended, where we were reminded again of the importance of doing our part to grow membership in our area. Much learning and strategy involved in this project, which will culminate next year during my year as District Governor. It is definitely on my mind and in my sights to succeed, and Lion Cheryl and I will be looking at ways to implement the strategies learned in Atlanta. More to come on that.
Next, we headed out to Hot Springs, MT to see what can be done to generate interest in rejuvenating that club. Hot Springs is a unique area that has a lot to offer, along with a caring population that believes strongly in community service. For that reason, we are committed to doing everything we can to save this 86-year-old club! Several members from our home club of Seeley Lake went with us to recruit for new members. We enjoyed the farmers’ market, and picked up some delicious Dixon melons on the way home. If you haven’t tried them, it’s worth the trip to tiny Dixon, MT on Highway 200!
September was chock-full of travel, first to beautiful Memphis, Tennessee, to attend the USA/Canada Forum, another great opportunity for leadership learning and growth. With presentations on everything from “soup to nuts,” coupled with a chance to rub elbows with our past, current and future international leaders, we couldn’t help but come away with even more enthusiasm for Lions Club!
While in Memphis, we enjoyed visiting Graceland, the family home of Elvis “The King” Presley! The accompanying museums housing his cars, clothing, airplanes and other memorabilia were impressive. And, we found out he was a true philanthropist, donating thousands of dollars to his hometown, including the Memphis Lions Club!
A visit to Beale Street, the home of the blues, and partaking of some world-class barbecue completed a memorable visit to an iconic American city
Later in the month, Lion Cheryl was able to realize a lifelong (or at least as long as she’s been a Lion!) dream when we were privileged to visit the Leader Dog campus in Rochester Hills, Michigan! If you don’t already know, the folks at Leader Dog invite all incoming District Governors to their facility to see first-hand the amazing work they do for the blind and low-vison community.
At the campus, not only do they train and place leader dogs for their clients, but they take care of the “whole person” by offering other living with blindness skills, such as Orientation and Mobility training using a white cane.
Lion Cheryl and I, along with DG Jon Kimble and his wife Laura participated in three blindfolded events: White Cane navigation, walking with a Leader Dog, and Dining in the Dark! All of these activities made us realize how important it is to continue this important work and support the Leader Dog facility, and gave us a new level of respect for the blind and low-vision community who overcome extraordinary challenges every day. It was also very exciting to learn that new technology, such as the currently offered “Meta Glasses,” can provide even more valuable tools to help those with low vision.
Returning home, we immediately began our club visit circuit, attending meetings in Roundup, Big Timber and Winnett. Three down and 18 to go!! We are so encouraged by the dedicated Lions we meet with each visit!
Being a Lion has never held more excitement for us than here and now. We are deeply grateful for the opportunities for learning and growth as we travel to these various Lions Club events as a District Governor elect. It’s a great time to be a Lion!
Happy Trails – see you soon!
VDG Gary Lewis & GST Lion Cheryl
C:406-677-4072; [email protected]
PO Box 523, Seeley Lake MT 59868-0523
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