October 22, 2012

October Events: The Mosquito Festival and the Fall Blood Drive

The club is sponsoring two exciting events this week: The Mosquito Festival in Yosemite Valley and the annual Yosemite Lions Club Fall Blood Drive in El Portal. On Wednesday, October 24th, the blood drive, sponsored in conjunction with the Central California Blood Center, will take place at the El Portal Community Hall, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. In addition to juice, doughnuts and free t-shirts for blood donors, we will also be collecting used eyeglasses to recycle for the Lions In Sight program.

On Thursday, October 25th, in the Better Late Than Never category, the club will be hosting the annual Mosquito Festival in Yosemite Valley at the Curry Village Community Center. This year's festival, known as "El Mosquito Fiesta" features a Mexican dinner prepared by Maria La Veaga - formerly of the Curry Village Taco Stand. Maria's menu includes enchiladas, tacos, burritos, beans, rice and chips & salsa included in one of three different dinner combos: one item $8.00, two items, $10.00, three items $12.00. As always, proceeds from this event will benefit the Yosemite Community.

We hope to see you in El Portal on Wednesday and at dinner on Thursday evening!


October 1, 2012

Yosemite Lions Club Golf Tournament 2012

Thanks to thirteen teams competing in the golf tournament this year, the club raised $6000 in funds for the Yosemite community! On a sunny September 8th at the Wawona Hotel golf course in Yosemite National Park, tournament players enthusiastically participated in a putting contest, 18 holes of golf, BBQ dinner and a prize raffle - all for a $75 registration fee. This year's winners - Rich Sischo, Ken Kehrer, Steve Morelli and Bob Berkler - shot a combined total of nine under par to become tournament champions with prizes of $50 gift certificates for each team member. Second place winners Michael Lewis, Robert Lewis, Mike Wally and Dave Braun scored seven under par and $25 gift certificates.





Demonstrating his putting prowess, Bill Carroll reigned supreme in the putting contest and won dinner for two at the Wawona Hotel. Other winners included players with the longest drive: Renae Rippentrop and Matt McNease, and players who averaged closest to the pin: Renae Rippentrop and Jason Dubburke. Success with keeping the Pink Lady in play throughout the entire tournament was achieved by Pat Reilly, Greg Owens, Dennis Baker and Mike Gover. These categories were also awarded prizes of $25 gift certificates good for any DNC Yosemite retail or restaurant location.


After the fierce competition, players relaxed on the lawn at the Wawona Hotel with BBQ dinner and participated in the prize and wine box raffles. Prizes included a travel golf bag, a Pendleton blanket from Grand Canyon National Park, various and sundry goodie bags with golfing items, dinner for two at the Mountain Room, brunch for two at the Ahwahnee and tickets for a September game played by the San Francisco Giants.



Thanks to all the tournament participants and their generosity in supporting our fundraising efforts in Yosemite. The Yosemite Lions Club extends special thanks to the staff of the Wawona Hotel - particularly Golf Shop Manager Roger Lyons - for making the tournament a success, and to Lions Club volunteers Shari, Shani, and Julie. Fortunately, the club has many supporters who contributed raffle prizes or donations to help raise funds: Peets Coffee, Impact Photographics, California Sungold, Smith Western Company, In the Breeze, Smith Novelty Company, Studio Vertu, Porter World Trade, Ramatex, Dutch American Import Company, Staples Promotional Products, Dry Associates, Aloe Up, Bryce Dorst, DNC Parks & Resorts at Grand Canyon, and of course DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite. We couldn't do it without you!

The 2012 Golf Tournament Committee consisted of President Kym Wright-Youngdale, Lion Teri Tudela, Lion Michelle Hansen and Club Volunteer Shari Baudoux. Big thanks to all the club members for their participation and fundraising efforts.

Hope to see you again at next year's tournament which is scheduled for Saturday September 7, 2013.