Taking a minute to say THANK YOU

We've had a lot going on lately - our tulip fundraiser with Valley Nursery, our Firehouse Garden, White Cane Days for sight and hearing, American flags set-up and take down, our free kids' fishing derby, Viking Fest pancake breakfast, parade and our walking taco booth, choosing scholarship recipients for the $36,000 we have to give, and our Loads of Change at the laundromat.

 

These events take a lot of time and a lot of people. We especially want to thank our Leo students, family and volunteers. THANK YOU!

 

50 unhoused and low-income individuals helped with laundry

Poulsbo Lions spent $764 ($78 in Lions' donations) helping 50 people wash 170 loads and dry 130 loads Wednesday.

 

Many thanks to Lions Ray McMahon, Ken Hatton, Terry Blais, Dennis Tesch, Dennis Deitch, and Lee Metcalf.

Walking Tacos all the rage

Did you hear? Walking Tacos are all the rage at this year's Viking Fest at the waterfront. Poulsbo Lions are selling small and large Walking Tacos - they're taco fixin's in a bag of Fritos. Bliss!

Hours are till 10 pm Friday, May 16; 10 am to 10 pm Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm Sunday down in the waterfront parking lot. Hope you can make it and try one! They're really tasty!
 

What is a Walking Taco?

For the first time ever, Poulsbo Lions are making Walking Tacos for Viking Fest, this Friday through Sunday downtown. What is a Walking Taco (so glad you asked): We start with a bag of Fritos, add meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa, jalapenos, sour cream and a fork to eat it with while you walk around and enjoy the entertainment at the waterfront. Oh, and we'll have Coke, Diet Coke and bottled water.

 

Come early and you may be one of the lucky ones who gets a Walking Taco sticker ('cause they're just that cute!).

 

 

 

Olsen leads White Cane Day two-day event

We're happy to announce that we collected $2,788.92 during White Cane Days May 2 and 3. Special thanks to our chairwoman, Beth Olsen. 100 percent of the funds are used for eye exams, eyeglasses and hearing aids in our community.

If you'd like to donate, we are at poulsbolions@gmail.com on PayPal, or you can drop a check in the mail to Poulsbo Lions Club, PO Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Thanks!

 

Fishing derby a great success

Donuts, goslings and a good time fishing... What more do you need? Our Hooked on Fish fishing derby has it all! Lions will be at the pond at Poulsbo Middle School till 2 today only. Poles and bait are available to borrow.

Families with kids aged 12 and under showed up for a pleasant day fishing at the Horticulture Pond by Poulsbo Middle School.

Lion Tom Settle cleans a trout for 4-year-old Eisen with his parents looking on.

Poulsbo Middle School Leos selling donuts, hot chocolate, coffee and water.

Poulsbo Lions (l to r): Karl Ostheller, Dennis Deitch, Pat Osler (back), President David Damazo (sitting), Ken Hatten (yellow vest), Scott Puhn (front camo) and Tom Settle.

 The fishing derby was chaired by Pat Osler with help from Tom Settle. The two organized a clean-up around the pond beforehand, as well as a time to go through the fishing poles and other equipment to ready everything for fishing day.

Free fishing derby tomorrow morning at 7

Only one more sleep till our annual Hooked on Fish fishing derby at the Horticulture Pond near Poulsbo Middle School. The pond has been stocked with some beautiful trout and some weeds cleared from around the pond. All you have to watch out for are the ospreys!

The gate opens at 7 a.m. Children aged 12 and under fish for free! Lions have fishing rods, tackle and bait available for anybody who doesn't have it. Heck, we'll even clean your fish.

Leo students will have a concession table with donuts, coffee, water, etc. for sale as a fundraiser for their club.
 

More than 700 children get eye screening

Our Lions have made a difference in the eyesight of our kids! Our vision screening team has gone to various schools, preschools, learning centers, daycares, Montessori schools and the library from early October to the end of April, screening 713 children and referring 119 on for further evaluation.

 

A total of 16 Poulsbo Lions, led by Chair Steve Calhoun participated.

 

#kidscansee #savetheireyes #poulsbolions #weserve #visionscreening #sightfirst #poulsbowa

 

Walk yourself to our Walking Taco booth

Guess what we're serving up for Viking Fest next week? That's right - Walking Tacos. All the goodies that go on tacos will go into a Fritos bag (with the Fritos, of course). Come on by and enjoy a Walking Taco May 16-18 at the waterfront.
 

Pancakes are back at NK High for Saturday, May 17

 

Do you need an invite to our pancake breakfast? Consider this it! We're back at North Kitsap High School on Caldart Avenue and for ONE DAY ONLY - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. We'd love to see you!

Get Hooked on Fish Sat., May 10

 

We are once again hosting a great family event - our FREE Hooked on Fish fishing derby for kids aged 12 and under - on Saturday, May 10, at the horticulture pond by Poulsbo Middle School on Hostmark Street.

Poulsbo Lions have rods and reels, tackle and bait available for kids who don't have it. We offer assistance and free fish cleaning! The trout have gone into the pond and we're hoping the kids catch them before the ospreys do.

Our Leo kids will be selling donuts, water, coffee, etc. to raise funds for their group. We hope you'll come out to support this wonderful event!
#freefishing #poulsbowa #hookedonfish #weserve #funtimes #allaboutthefish

Puhn earns Sensational Lion award

 

Lion Scott Puhn is one Sensational Lion! President David Damazo presented him with this impressive award at our last meeting.

White Cane Days get underway

Lions are out in force today to collect money for sight and hearing! We're at Safeway (pictured with Lee Metcalf and Chair Beth Olsen), Red Apple and T&C.
 

Dollars collected for White Canes May 2 and 3

Poulsbo Lions Pat and Sherri Burch collect donations for sight & hearing during White Cane Days May 2 at Safeway.

 

Lions shop for White Cane support Friday and Saturday

Poulsbo Lions are handing out little white canes tomorrow in support of our sight & hearing programs. 100 percent of what we collect stays in the North Kitsap community! We provide eye exams, eyeglasses, and hearing aids to the needy via Fishline and Helpline House.

 

We're also collecting used eyeglasses, including readers and sunglasses.

 

Look for your favorite Poulsbo Lions starting at 9 a.m. Friday (May 2) at Safeway, Town & Country and Red Apple! We'll be out Saturday, as well.

 

#sightfirst #whitecanedays #weserve #poulsbolions #poulsbowa #lovethoseorangeaprons

 

 

 

Hatton joins Poulsbo Lions

Welcome to our newest Poulsbo Lion, Ken Hatton. He's already helped us out on a couple of projects. Hatton has been in the area since 1991. He was in the Navy at Bangor, and retired as a civilian last year in navigation electronics. Hatton has four children.

His sponsor is Dennis Deitch.

 

Welcome to our new Leo to Lion member!

New Leo to Lion Max Smith, 18, was officially inducted by Past Lions Int'l President Brian Sheehan at the district convention last weekend. Max is a student at NKHS, and has been a Leo for 4 years. Welcome to Poulsbo Lions Max!!!
 

Valley Nursery helps Lion tulip fundraiser bloom

 

We're excited to share that our tulip fundraiser brought in $4,074.47 for us to use in our community! We are especially grateful to Valley Nursery for supplying the tulips and supporting us (again!). If you weren't able to get a pot or two of tulips, look for them next year. And go to Valley Nursery for all of your plant/yard/landscaping needs. They rock!

 

#poulsbolions #weserve #valleynursery #welovetulips #fundraiser

Poulsbo Lions screen Gateway children

 

Our vision screening team went to the Gateway Learning Center April 11. The team - Lions Steve Calhoun, Greg Neal and Jeff Olsen - screened 24 kids and referred 3 for further evaluation.

#poulsbolions #weserve #sightfirst #Icanseeclearlynow #screeningkids

NK High Leos shine at District N convention

 

The NK Vikings Leo club attended the Lions District N convention in Vancouver, WA  on April 18-19, 2025 where they put on a Leo seminar and assisted with Fun Night.

 

Six highlights at this convention included (1) Two NK Leos inducted into Lions International by Past International President Brian Sheehan (Max & Ethan)  (2) The Leo Seminar that was organized and conducted by Leo-Lion Emalee Burgh  (3) PIP Brian Sheehan presented a special seminar for the NK and La Center Leo clubs  (4) PMS Leo Advisor Kate Ebert provided valuable insight and advice to Lions and Leos alike.  (5) The NK and La Center Leos assisted at Fun Night where they held a “Family Feud” game night.

 

The NK Viking Leos, with their bright purple Leo shirts, were a star attraction at the convention and received many congratulations for their character and participation.

 

Article by PZC Dr. Karl Ostheller

 Leo Liaison 

 

Celebrating excellence in service at district N convention

 

Our President David Damazo (middle) received a Service All Stars certificate when District 19N Lions came together to recognize the outstanding efforts of clubs and individuals at this year’s Contest and Awards at the convention in Vancouver, WA. We're proud to be Lions!

Lions and volunteers spread 6 yards of mulch in Firehouse Garden

 

Volunteers Chase and Sylvie Blais

Poulsbo Lions Rob Ratcliff and Terry Blais, joined with her family - Eric, Chase and Sylvie, to move sheets of plastic from the Firehouse Garden this morning before raking 6 yards of mulch into rows that will grow loads of veggies for the food bank.

It took all 5 two hours.

#sharenet #weserve #poulsbolions #firehousegarden #eveningpride

 

Lion Rob Ratcliff

Volunteers Sylvie and Eric Blais with Rob

 

Lion spend Earth Day at Fish Park and Firehouse Garden

Poulsbo Lions will be celebrating Earth Day 2025 tomorrow (Sat., April 19) at Fish Park from 9-2 pm (say "Hi!" to Steve) and also moving mulch in our Firehouse Garden at 9 am. Last year, the garden produced almost 1,100 lbs of veggies for ShareNet Food Bank!

 

43 NK unhoused and low-income individuals now have clean laundry

 

Our April Loads of Change was a success! We spent $633 (which includes $114 in donations) serving 43 unhoused/low-income individuals with 157 loads of wash and 93 dryers.

 

Many thanks to Ray McMahon, Dennis Deitch, Ken Hatton (volunteer), Pat Rae, Lee Metcalf and Terry Blais. Our next wash is Weds., May 21, from 2-6 pm.

 

Any donations may be taken to Dennis Deitch at John L. Scott Real Estate on 10th Avenue, or mailed to Poulsbo Lions, PO Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370, or via PayPal to poulsbolions@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Clean laundry day is tomorrow

 

Lions sell tulips second Saturday in a row

Tulip World is now open!!! We're low on poppin' purple but have some amazing pink creamsicle, as well as lemon yellow on Viking Avenue in front of Les Schwab. Only $10 for 6 bulbs in a pot. (These are Valley Nursery plants, which are the best!) @valleynurseryinc

Lions Terry Blais, Lee Metcalf (co-chair) and President David Damazo took the first shift Sat., April 12.

 

Join us for a Walking Tacos lunch April 17

You're welcome to attend our next meeting - Thurs., April 17, at noon at Vinland Lutheran Church, 2750 NW Finn Hill Rd., Poulsbo. Our Lion Foodie Dan will be making Walking Tacos for lunch, only $10. Coffee, water and cookies are available for free.

If you have any questions, please contact Andy at (360) 621-1485.

 

Gearllach joins the club

 

Welcome to our newest Poulsbo Lions, Kay Gearllach. Her sponsor is Scott Puhn.

Kay is a retired ER Tech and has been working at the Pro Desk at the Poulsbo Home Depot for the past 4 years. Welcome to the club Kay!

Invite Spring into your yard with Lions' tulips

Come see us Sat., April 12, from 10-4 pm in front of Les Schwab on Viking Avenue. We have lots of beautiful tulips for sale, provided for our fundraiser by Valley Nursery.

This is why vision screening is so important

Ask for our Poulsbo Lions vision screening team to visit your child's daycare or preschool. This is why:

https://youtu.be/LLvJb67DYFU?si=nUbWqsxoLpx8iFga

13 vouchers for eye exams and glasses given out over 2 months

Poulsbo Lions have given out 13 vouchers for eye exams and eyeglasses at America's Best between February and March. Simple applications for exams and glasses are available at Fishline Food Bank on Viking Avenue in Poulsbo, and Helpline House on Bainbridge Island.
 

Tulips for sale Saturday, April 5

 Poulsbo Lions are selling tulips Saturday, April 5, from 9-5 in front of Les Schwab on Viking Avenue, Poulsbo. The pots of tulips have 6 bulbs each and we're asking $10. We want to thank Valley Nursery for providing such excellent flowers for our fundraiser. The nursery has been a great supporter over the years!

Leos raise $5k with 5K for Cancer

The combined Leo clubs of North Kitsap and Klahowya organized and executed a "Kitsap 5K for Cancer" walk held at Newberry Hill Heritage Park on Sunday, March 30, 2025.  They had 50+ participants and raised overmore than $5,000.

 

15 bags of trash gleaned from highway interchanges

Five Poulsbo Lions and one volunteer cleaned up the litter at the Hwy 3/305 interchanges, picking up 15 bags. Special thanks to our Litter Queen Gretchen Dunmire, and helpers Greg Neal, Greg Supancheck, Dan Vogel, and Terry and Sylvie Blais (pictured).