A hearty thank you goes out to DALE BIPPUS and JEFF NEELY for our weekly warm welcome.

BOB RUSSELL has been faithfully selling raffle tickets for several weeks. We certainly do miss Basil and look forward to his return to good health and to Rotary.

DAVID O'DELL conducted the Opening Ceremony, ERV BERGEN gave the Invocation and MEL DARNELL introduced Guests and Visiting Rotarians. Past President John Early presided. It's always great when John presides in part because we are entertained with one of his infamous jokes! Thanks to John for helping Renee' this week. In fact, a sincere thank you to everyone who works together to make each week run smoothly, be informative and BE FUN!

Incoming President MIKE GOOD reported about the upcoming Texas Mission of Mercy to be held in Amarillo on June 29th and 30th.

TMM provides dental care for those who are unable to afford regular dental visits. David Woodburn from our club is a faithful volunteer and other volunteers are needed, as well. All five Rotary Clubs in the Amarillo area participate and an email reminder will be sent regarding the specifics for signing up. (Contrary to a popular rumor, NO volunteers will be allowed to pull teeth!)

As long as we are on the subject of rumors and a certain incoming President - Many of you will remember the WATCHDOG REPORT of a few years ago. Please "watch" for it's return at the upcoming changing of the guard. For those among us who are not familiar with the report, know that it is best to contribute your own interesting news and information for the report. Clarity and brevity are highly encouraged as Mr. Good is known to confuse the facts and is not one to let the facts get in the way of a good report. The few elements of truth included in the report leave us hanging on the fringes of the Rotary Four Way Test! So, just beware, lest you become an unwitting "contributor." Be quick to tell us something about yourself, or we'll make it up! Please note that the editor assumes no responsibility for the content of the Watchdog Report while participating in it's distribution.

Our Program Chairman for the month is RICK MATCHETT who announced that the Amarillo Bulls Hockey Team won the National Championship recently in Frisco, TX. The play off was between four teams and maybe local support helped then reach their goal as over 850 fans from Amarillo attended to cheer them onto victory! Rick will present the program on May 30 and Alice White will be speaking on behalf of the Rotary Foundation at tomorrow's meeting.

JEFF LESTER announced that the Rotary Holdup program will begin June 5. JEFF will take that evening to kick off the year but he does need volunteers to host the rest of the summer. Feldman's Wrong Way Diner is providing meals again this year and we encourage everyone to thank them by visiting their restaurant in Canyon.

GLENN RUNYON from the Lions Club presented the program on THE LIONS CLUB KIDS CAMPS. The camp is located in Kerrville and was created to serve children with handicaps. They have five sessions each year with approximately 200 kids at each session (ages 7-16). There is also one session for Downs Syndrome children (ages 12-16) and two for Diabetics. There are 80 types of handicaps they accept including cerebral palsy, asthma and blindness.

The cost for each camper is $1,500 however there is no charge to the children for the camp, funds are raised by the Lions in their projects which include sales of Roses for Mother's Day. Children who would not ordinarily have the option to attend a camp get to experience "a playground where everyone gets to play and do what normal children do". In fact during the Friday night graduation it's normal to see the 16 year olds in tears because that will be their last year. GLENN said to watch a graduation will "make a Lion out of you forever!"

Their Director is a full time employee and counselors (adult and youth) come from all over the world to help with the children. Highly trained and experienced staff and medical professionals offer the very best in safety, supervision and recreation. Every child regardless of their handicap has the opportunity to participate in every activity including horseback riding and swimming. Many of the campers have never spent the night away from home, so this is an opportunity for them to gain confidence by interacting with other children who share their challenges.

The Lions Camp originated in 1949 for victims of polio and today is not offered in every state. The Kerrville, Texas camp limits the campers to Texas residents. GLENN stressed that no short cuts are taken, the transportation and facility is the very best quality. Why?, you ask. "Because they are precious." GLENN it's obvious you love the program and the children. Thank you for sharing your passion.

Thank you to MELVIN EDES and ROCKY GAFFORD for supplying Beef Jerky and Pizza for the raffle each week.