AVOCA-MUSCODA-BLUE RIVER - Lions Club member Mark Cupp reports that the Avoca-Muscoda-Blue River Lions Club is working with the Village of Muscoda and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as other local donors and the family of Tracy Krueger, to refurbish a village basketball court by the swimming pool in honor of ‘Coach K.’
“Coach K was a longtime history teacher, coach, athletic director and high school sports official at Riverdale Schools,” Cupp said. “He died officiating a basketball game recently.”
Cupp said the proceeds from the sales of the Lions Club’s two history books will also go towards the fundraising effort.
“Locally, we donate to the area rescue squads on an annual basis, fund scholarships for Riverdale graduates, fund the Christmas food basket program for needy families and individuals, and work with the schools on eye screening for youngsters.”
Cupp said that the Club has also refurbished the large shelter at Victora Riverside Park, donated funds for the ‘Kids Don't Float’ kiosks, such as the one at Avoca, donate funds to Wisconsin Lions Camp for children with sight, hearing or diabetes issues, and support the ‘Leader Dog’ program, Hope House in Madison, diabetes awareness efforts, recycling of eyeglasses and hearing aids for use in Third World countries, and many other initiatives.
“On an international level, the Lion Club is the largest service organization in the world, and funds efforts to fight blindness, respond to disasters and support other humanitarian projects,” Cupp explained. “The Lions Club was founded by Melvin Jones in Chicago, and accepted the challenge from Helen Keller to be ‘Knights of the Blind.’”
Books and more
The two local history books available from the Lions Club are ‘Muscoda – The First Hundred Years,’ by Wendell Smith, and ‘Duffey’s Service Station – A Bit of History,’ by John Duffey.
The cost of the history book is $10, and for the Duffey book, $15. The books are available at Wilkinson Auction & Realty and the Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board office, both in Muscoda. Members of the Lions Club also will have copies available for purchase. Contact president Dan Biba at 608-588-4647, Ercill Faga at 604-5255 or Mark Cupp at 608-739-2179 for more information.
According to Cupp, in addition to the history book sales, the Club is also working on a calendar raffle that is their largest fundraiser. They are also co-sponsors of the ‘Wisconsin River Canoe Race’ held in July, and will have a food stand at that event. He said the Club had just participated in the Muscoda Morel Mushroom Festival, and annual event in the village.
