Some changes in meeting format are in store for the Hamilton-Wenham Lions Club.

At the Wednesday, Sept. 3, meeting, Ashley Billington of the District Visual Aids Committee will visit the club to speak about the workings of her committee and its growth through the years.

President Harold Simpson said two residents, one from Hamilton and one from Wenham, are recipients of a Lions-provided CCTV that allows them to use their limited sight to read correspondence, newspapers and magazines. Simpson said he hopes to have one of these residents attend Wednesday's meeting.

Simpson plans to continue to invite various Lion Committees to attend club meetings in order to broaden members' knowledge about the services offered through the Lions. And he hopes that as word spreads, others will want to join the club to be of service to the community.

The Lions meet at the Hart House in Ipswich on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. For more information, call Simpson at 978-468-4864.

¢¢¢

For many decades, the Peabody Golden Age Club has drawn residents 60 and older to its meetings, held on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Peabody Elks Club on Oak Street. The club's next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 3, and all are welcome.

In addition to regular meetings that include games and a social time, the club sponsors parties and banquets throughout the year and offers occasional day and overnight trips to points of interest both near and far.

Kathleen Ryan recently acted as installing officer as the following new officers were inducted for the 2008-2009 season: Geraldine Jenkins, president; Catherine Morrocco, vice president; Cecile Lamothe, financial secretary; Frances LaGrand, recording secretary; Frances McLure, treasurer; Eleanor Burnett, chaplain, Eugene LaMothe, goodwill ambassador.

Committee chairpeople include: Teresa Rydzewski, Grace Macrinotis, attendance/sunshine fund; Robert McLaughlin, Eugene LaMothe, 50/50 raffle; Judith Anderson, Lorraine Ouelette, trip coordinators; Dolores O'Leary, Olive Bochnick, Marie Frost, William O'Leary, refreshments; John Keenan, Cynthia Kolhonen, singers; Arthur Doyle, William Jenkins, Robert McLaughlin, Margaret Paciulan, Ann Richardson, bingo; Elizabeth Quinlan, Virginia McCathy, Carol Rudnicki, banquets; Alice Neudeck, holiday decorations; William Pcheny, Phyllis Boyd; Florence Fournier, album caretaker.

For more information on the Peabody Golden Age Club, come to a meeting or call President Geraldine Jenkins at 978-531-2716.

¢¢¢

Explorers Life Long Learning Institute has issued an invitation to veteran Explorers and new members to a Fall Open House at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Explorers Center, 10 Federal St., Salem. This is an opportunity to welcome new members, meet course presenters and renew old friendships. For more information, call 978-744-0804, e-mail explorers@verizon.net or visit www.salemstate.edu/explorers (complete catalog online) or www.explorerslli.org.

¢¢¢

North Shore Chapter 479 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Community Life Center, 79 Central St., Peabody. Peter LaChapelle, chief of visitor services at the National Park Service, will discuss the history of the Salem Maritime Site and the Saugus Iron Works.

Prospective members are welcome. NARFE membership is open to current or former federal civil service employees or their spouses. Others may join as associate chapter members. For more information, call 978-535-5047 or visit www.narfema .org.

¢¢¢

The Salem Garden Club will welcome members back for the 2008-2009 season on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6:45 p.m. at the First Church in Salem, 316 Essex St. Refreshments will precede the business meeting, which will begin at 7:15 followed by a program at 7:30 p.m.

Members will have an opportunity to meet the new club officers, board members and new members. Holiday Boutique and various club activity leaders will also speak about the many opportunities for members throughout the coming year.

¢¢¢

Each year, Salem Lions Club distributes the results of fundraising efforts to worthy projects. Among the charitable organizations the club donated to last year were the Lions Club International Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind, St. Joseph Food Pantry, Toys for Tots, Visual Aids Foundation, Lions Youth Speech, Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Salem Public Schools and the Salem Council on Aging, among many others.

¢¢¢

Peabody Rotary holds breakfast meetings at 7:15 a.m. every Thursday at the Peabody Marriott on Centennial Drive. Anyone interested in learning more about Peabody Rotary is invited to visit www.rotary.peabody.org or call Herb Harris at 978-977-0411 for an invitation to attend a meeting.

¢¢¢

Club News runs every Friday in The Salem News. If your club or organization has news to share, call Cynthia Garber at 978-531-5863, e-mail sgarber@comcast.net or fax 978-531-6756.