Palmer Lions hosting Mid-Winter Conference

The Palmer Lions Club is hosting the District 49A and District 49B Mid-Winter Conference this weekend at the Palmer Depot, and the organization is excited about a number of conference activities.

Last night, Hobo Jim played a concert for the Lions to kick off the conference.

Today and tomorrow, the Palmer Depot will buzzing with activity, from morning to night, as more than 150 Lions from around Alaska convene on Palmer.

The keynote speaker at the conference is Walter "Bud" Wahl, a director for The International Association of Lions Clubs.

"It's a real big deal for us to have him here," said Janet Kincaid, a member of the Palmer Lions Club.

Wahl has held numerous positions at the local, state and national level. He has been a Lion since 1981, and he has received numerous awards for his service work, including two Lion of the Year awards.

The Lions are also hosting Peter Powers, who is speaking at the Saturday lunch event. He is in Alaska to speak about diabetes and is offering a public information seminar. He is also speaking at Valley Hospital Medical Campus during his visit.

The conference is a big undertaking, but Kincaid said the community has given the Lions a big boost heading into the event.

"Wherever I've gone to ask for a donation, they always give," Kincaid said. "I think people are willing to donate because of the good the Lions do for the community. It makes you feel good to have that kind of support in your community."

At the conference, the Lions are giving away a Helen Keller quarter, which has Braille on it. At the first national convention, Keller challenged the Lions to eradicate preventable blindness -- a cause the Lions Club has worked tremendously hard for around the world.

"We do a lot of early screenings for kids, to let the parents know that a problem could potentially exist," Kincaid said. "It's something that is very important to the Lions."

People who haven't registered for the conference can do so early this morning at the Palmer Depot, Kincaid said. There are events planned throughout today and tomorrow, all of which take place at the Palmer Depot, including Saturday's prime rib dinner.