I can’t believe it is about to be August. That usually means we will be dealing with some hotter weather but not sure if that is possible this year.
Speaking of things heating up, that is almost our norm when dealing with our club. Under the new leadership of President Jason Miller, we had possibly our longest lunch meeting on record. Even though he started early, we still had to go through our typical agenda with our songs, pledges and door prizes. Thanks, this week to Lions Debbie Glenn of the Red Brick Tavern and Sarah McClure for providing some goodies to award to some lucky attendees.
As for quick updates on upcoming activities, Lion Eric Swanson reminded us to sign up now to give blood next week at our summer Blood Drive. Helping save three lives has never been easier. If you need more motivation, this blood might be used by one of our own that is dealing with some health issues and has needed blood.
Hang in there Mike, we are here for you. On another front, we are also still collecting school supplies for our adopted school, Reeves Elementary and to help support our past presenter Baily Cowart with her nonprofit B.E. Blessed. Lastly, we want to congratulate Royce Janik as being recognized as Lion of the Month for May, he was a huge asset at our ‘kids on the lake’- fishing tournament. He was out there all day in the rain to help support this event and the kids. Nicely done Royce!
Finally, we got to our presentation which was our 47th Annual Buddy Moorhead Pigskin Preview. Past President Donnie Buckalew has taken the reigns of organizing this event after his father, Don Buckalew, started this 47 years ago.
This is our meeting where we bring in the local high school football coaches so they can update us on their plans for all having a great season. We were joined by campus leaders from many of the schools and got to hear from Pat Kennedy(Lake Creek,) Grant Cooper(Montgomery,) Trent Miller(Willis,) Kendall Hineman(Caney Creek,) Jim Rapp(The Woodlands High,) Kyle Coats(College Park,) Mark Schmid (Oak Ridge,) Shaun McDowell(Grand Oaks,) and Cedric Hardeman(Conroe High.).
It was great to hear from the veteran coaches who have spoken at this event before who all had their own “Mr. Buckalew story” and how he was such an incredible supporter of them, our schools, and high school football. Lion Donnie reminded us of a story that if his dad couldn’t be sitting the press box to watch Conroe High School football, he would call in from wherever he was in the world so he could hear the action.
As for the coaches, they all had something interesting, and more importantly entertaining, to share with us about their teams and what to expect. Almost all of the schools have some standouts that we will probably be watching on Saturdays playing for college teams. Mark Schmid commented “you know when football has officially started when they come to the Pigskin Preview.”
Kendall Hineman said that with the coaches, principals, and staff in this room, “our youth is in great hands.” It is great to hear how much these coaches take pride in these kids. This is not a job, but a love for the sport. They respect the competition, or they all want to get fans out on Friday nights to support football, the bands, cheerleaders, drill teams, Jr ROTC and more.
As I mentioned, all of the veteran coaches know the routine and how to stretch the truth. Coach Kendall Hineman says he wants to keep the other teams guessing so for now, all of his players are 6’4” and 230 pounds. The rookie to our event was coach Shaun McDowell of Grand Oaks. He might also have been our most entertaining presenter after explaining that while working to get his job and pleading with principal James “Buddy” Bush, he was glad to know that he had a little Matthew McConaughey in him since finally agreed with an “Alright, Alright, Alright!”
He had the crowd laughing telling stories about his past and hoping that every team in the district had an incredible season going 9-1…of course with his Grizzlies being the only loss for each of them.
In the end, it is just a great way to hear about the youth in our community and the leaders that are helping them become responsible and successful adults. We hope you guys all have a great year, and we all appreciate the past Don Buckalew for his legacy and the ‘Pigskin Preview’.
If you would like more information about the Conroe Noon Lion’s Club programs, please visit our website, www.conroenoonlions.org, or call the local club office at 936-760-1666. You may also call 936-760-1666 for additional information on any area Lions Club.
