Jasper (shown in the photo with me to the right), is the mascot for the Tennessee Valley Fair.  We met at the Dogwood Arts Festival in April.

Recently, a Lion told me that Jasper was hosting a Mascot Party during the Tennessee Valley Fair.  Of course, I was interested!

There will be a mascot parade from the Jacob Building through the park to Jasper’s “Roost”, introductions of each mascot and their organization, a group photo, and a Dance competition.

I’m not that great a dancer, but I could really use your support.  Come on out to the Tennessee Valley Fair on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 7-8 p.m. and wear your Lions gear!

Thursday is also Knoxville News Sentinel Reader Appreciation Day. So, cut out the coupon from the News Sentinel and save $2 on adult admission to the Fair!

It’s great to have the fans and interaction on Facebook, so keep it up, and I’ll do better here.

I have revised the way my photos are displayed and now you can view photos from two different pages:

• A gallery of photo albums for 2009 events can be found on the 2009 Photos page
• A gallery of photo albums for 2010 events can be found on the 2010 Photos page

To catch you up on my events since the last blog post, I’ve been a busy Lion!

December 2009 brought cool weather (which I really enjoy) and three Christmas Parades with Lions:

• Morristown Lions Club on December 3 (view photos)
• Powell Lions Club on December 5 (view photos)
• Oak Ridge Lions Club on December 12 (view photos)

I helped the Halls Lions Club with a public relations/awareness booth at the Knoxville Center Mall (view photos).

I participated in the Lions District 12-N Convention in February and managed to get into some mischief at the Friday night social, and learn a thing or two during Saturday morning sessions (view photos).

I joined with the Halls Lions Club, West Side Leos and other Lions to walk in the 2010 Dogwood Arts Festival Parade in Knoxville (view photos).

I participated in the Walk for Sight to help raise money for the Lions District 12-N Charities’ White Cane Agencies (view photos).

I visited the Knoxville Tri-County Lions Club Car Show (view photos), but didn’t last too long in the heat and humidity (bring back winter!)

On July 3, I participated in the Powell Lions Club Independence Day Parade (view photos) and the Norris Day Celebration.

I’ve got some pretty exciting things planned for August and September, so be on the lookout!

West Side Leo Group

They had a terrific turn-out of Leo members, as you can see from the photo, and many, many students!

Hmmm. . . I didn’t realize I was looking down in that group photo. I guess that’s a new challenge for dealing with this big head!

HVA Administrator

It was nice to meet the Leo Club Advisor and one of the school administrators.

I can’t remember the administrator’s name, but she told me her son had been the University of Tennessee mascot a few years before.

So she understood the temperature challenges and was nice enough to offer me a place to rest if needed.

West Side Leos

The Leos did a terrific job setting up and decorating for the dance.

They also stayed pretty busy throughout the evening with handling admissions, refreshments, and activities!

A couple took a break from working to have a picture taken with me. Great costumes!

When I wandered back toward the dance area, several of the students wanted to know who I was. . . expecting I was a fellow student.

I decided “better safe than sorry” and left the partying to the students once the dance got moving in full gear.

Congratulations to the West Side Leos for a successful event!

Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to work with the Leos again!

I’ve got larger versions of the photos in my photo album.

Keeping Roaring!

Return to my Home Page

Welcome to the Forum!

The Lions of Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri hosted almost 2,800 Lions from the U.S. and Canada in Memphis from September 24-26, 2009.

Hop over to visit the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum web site to learn more, see photos and seminar material from 2009 and plans for 2010!

With LCI President Eberhard Wirfs

I had the opportunity to meet our current Lions Clubs International President Eberhard Wirfs from Germany.

He was generous to let me have a picture taken, and he even asked for a copy of it for HIS web site.

I’ll have to be on the look-out for that!

Of course, you cannot be in Memphis without thinking about Elvis!

I missed the Elvis Tribute artist concert on Friday evening.

But, you can be sure Elvis had NOT left the building. . . though some were more realistic than others!

I met and had my picture taken with lots and lots of great Lions!

With Elvis?

Elvis Again!

I wish I had room to show them all here.

But they are included in my photo album or the slide show below, so be sure to check those out!

There is one Lion friend that I want to be sure to introduce to you. . .

Leo is from Multiple District 7 (Arkansas).

Leo and Lion Paws

We both had a great time mingling and “working the crowd”.

But amazingly, we didn’t have a chance to meet each other until Saturday evening!

Hopefully, our paths will cross again in the future!

There was also a presentation and booth for next year’s Forum, which will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I visited the Lions working the Milwaukee pre-registration booth, and you’ll never believe what they had there!

On a Harley to Milwaukee in 2010!

A Harley Davidson motorcycle!

I still am not sure how I “sweet-talked” my way onto the bike. . . without actually talking!

I guess it helps to have friends in high places

Hopefully, next year’s host committee can use some of the photos, too!

I almost forgot to mention the trolleys!

On the Trolley

I wasn’t ready to tackle Beale Street, but I was able to hop on the trolley that took you along Main Street from the Convention Center to Beale Street. Lots of Lions used the trolleys this week!

Gosh, I feel like I’m leaving so many details out. The best I can say is “Next year, you gotta be there!”

Congratulations to the 2009 Forum Planning and Host Committees for a terrific event!

Don’t forget to check out my photo album of USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum activities or enjoy the slide show of all the photos below.

Keeping Roaring!

Return to my Home Page

Slide show video of photos:

You Tube

• As I highlighted in my last post, you can now find me on You Tube. You are able to view my videos, sign up as a friend, and/or subscribe to my channel by going here – http://www.youtube.com/LionPaws1
• I’m pretty excited that Lions Clubs International requested to be my “first friend” on YouTube.  Actually, I think I’m more impressed that they even FOUND me, let alone so quickly!

Facebook

• You can get to my Fan Page by searching for “Lion Paws” or going here – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=109720621896
• My Facebook Fan Page will automatically feed updates from this blog.  You know what they say about “out of sight, out of mind”.  Well, hopefully, this will help some of my friends remember I’m out here and think to invite me to their club activities and projects.

What’s next?  I’m open to suggestions

Keeping Roaring!

Return to my Home Page

Lion Paw's Vest

Lion Paws Holding Sign

It is GREAT to be a Lion!

And I am excited to get to know the Lions of Tennessee by participating in your events and functions.

I had this posted once on my “Birthday” – May 27, 2009.  But then had some problems with the hosting company. I’m glad to be back up and running now!