May was a busy month as Morrison Lions members continued to serve the community. Two groups helped the City on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2019, by placing and removing flags along U. S. Highway 30 and Route 78. During this project, the weather allowed placement and removal to be free of rain! Pictures left-to-right is the Afternoon Removal Group: Ken Mahaffey, Ken Jansma, Courtney Jansma, Keith Hamstra, and Jim Ridley. Photographer Bob Countryman, his wife, Nancy, and Jack Rillie, a friend of Mahaffey, also assisted.
Several applied a fresh coat of paint to the French Creek Pavilion. Previously, the club installed a new metal roof and added additional supports to the structure. Picnic tables used at the pavilion are in need of refurbishing, and they will be the next project. The spring road cleanup was completed filling 12 garbage bags and assorted items.
The highway cleanup crew included, left-to-right, front row, Beth Wroble, Nancy Countryman, Terry Costello, Jim Blakemore, and Bob Countryman; back row, Steve Wroble, Aaron Johnson, and Keith Hamstra.
An annual donation to Junior Tackle Football was approved at our business meeting. A donation also was sent to the Thomson[, IL,] Lions Club, in appreciation of their generosity of providing their vision camera. It is used to screen preschoolers at Morrison Community Day Care.
The Second Annual Recycle Day will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2019, at the Whiteside County Fairground. Watch for additional information as the date approaches.
A Rose Sale report was provided to the club, stating Lions delivered 443 dozen roses. A big thank you to the community for supporting this major fundraiser.
Ken Jansma introduced Kim Ewoldsen, Executive Director of Morrison Area Development Corporation. MADC leads local economic development in conjunction with the City of Morrison. Morrison and Sterling, IL, are the two communities in Whiteside County with an economic development group, and they work closely together. Her presentation included information on The Loft on Main, where presently there are 60 artists displaying a variety of talent including painting, wood, and glass. Workshops conducted by Woodlawn Arts Academy [at The Loft on Main,] include art classes and private music lessons. The City also has a building improvement program available for existing and new building owners. A revolving loan fund can be utilized to help develop new businesses. It was noted the Industrial Park is now full with the last lot sold recently.
The next Lions Club meeting will be at noon on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at Happy Joe’s Pizza, 109, W. Main Street, Morrison. If you are interested in learning more about Lions, please come join us. All are welcome. You also can learn more about the club by visiting www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/morrisonil.