Morrison Lions approved annual donations to Lions Club International Foundation, Lions of Illinois Foundation, Center for Sight and Hearing in Rockford, IL, and the Lions of Illinois Foundation Low Vision Screening program. These donations lend support locally and on the State and International levels. More information can be found by visiting websites for each organization. Community support of Morrison Lions fundraisers enables the club to make these donations.
Plans are in the beginning stage for a Diabetes Awareness Fair at Resthave Home. This fair will be open to the public and is currently scheduled for sometime in April 2018. The fair will include dietitians, diabetes screening, informational talks, and good lifestyle education. Watch for further information, and plan to attend this free event.
Program speaker for the Tuesday, January 2, meeting was Kim Ewoldsen, left, Executive Director of Morrison Area Development Corporation. She is shown with Lion Bob Countryman. Ewoldsen talked about the formation of the newly opened art center called Loft 112, located at 112 E. Main Street, Morrison. She noted the idea began in March 2017, when the Steering Committee composed of Ned Nesti, Jr., Anne Frame, and herself began to coordinate plans with local artists. With the impact of Paint the Town on the City, it was decided that [an] art-related project would be a good fit. With much time, hard work, and with local donations, Loft 112 became a reality, with an opening on Friday, December 15, 2017.
There are 18-to-22 vendors displaying their works for sale at Loft 112. Connections are being made with communities near and far to find additional talented artists. Vendors pay a fee to display their art work, that presently includes glass, jewelry, wood, paintings, photography, furniture, and more. Vendors change every six-to-eight weeks, so new items will always be on display. In the future two or three artists will be doing shows at Loft 112. Also, Woodlawn Art Academy from Sterling, IL, will soon be offering art classes for children and adults at Loft 112. Music lessons may also be offered by Woodlawn. Loft 112 is open on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The work of the Morrison Area Development Corporation (MADC) was discussed. Th[is] volunteer group is made up of local business and governmental people working to support economic development in and around Morrison. To find out more about MADC and their efforts to support Morrison and local businesses visit their website, www.morrisonareadevelopment.com. It was noted that many businesses have made improvements to their properties recently, and eight new businesses have started in the past year. MADC is working to improve Morrison and secure jobs. Ewoldsen works with Sterling and Whiteside County to attract businesses and is always watching to match businesses with present facilities. She stated there are not a large number of vacancies in Morrison. Members asked questions at the end of her presentation.
Lions meet on the first and third Tuesday at noon at Happy Joe’s, 109 W. Main Street, Morrison, IL. Bob Smith has the program for the Tuesday, February 6, meeting. The speaker will be Meridith Layne, Chamber Coordinator for the Morrison Chamber of Commerce.
We cordially invite anyone interested in learning more about Lions to attend any of our meetings. You can also visit the club’s website at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/morrisonil.