Magic City Lions

06/02/2026

Today, the club welcomed Pat Slotsve and Rick Hedberg, who shared exciting updates about the upcoming renovation of the lecture hall in Memorial Hall at Minot State University.

The project will modernize the space with updated audiovisual technology, new flooring, and improved seating designed to better meet the needs of today’s students. The new seating will provide more functional workspace and greater accessibility than the current fold-up desk design.

The lecture hall serves students across several programs, including Special Education, Nursing, Criminal Justice, and Communication Sciences, while also being available for community meetings and events.

Thank you, Pat and Rick, for giving us a look at how these improvements will enhance learning and create a more welcoming space for both students and the community.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to our scholarship winners! We had over 40 incredible applicants this year, and we're excited to see the impact they all make in the world. 🎓💛

Earlier this month, Minot Area Community Foundation, in partnership with the Magic City Lions Club awarded the 2026 recipients of the Magic City Lions Scholarship. Now in its second year, the scholarship recognizes local students who demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and strong character.

This year’s recipients are Collin Swenson of Our Redeemer’s Christian School and Zoe Labatore of MLS-Mohall High School. Each student received a $1,000 scholarship to support their future educational pursuits. Swenson plans to attend the University of North Dakota to study Business Management, and Labatore plans to attend the University of Mary to study Nursing.

"It was an honor to be part of awarding these scholarships to such amazing youth," said Mary Stark, Scholarship Committee Member. "Investing in students and their futures is truly an investment in our community, and we know these recipients will make a meaningful impact," added Shawna Reynolds, Scholarship Committee Member.

The Magic City Lions Scholarship is open to students from Minot and the surrounding region who are enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution for the upcoming academic year. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic achievement, school and community involvement, character, and a demonstrated commitment to continued education.

“It is always exciting to see local organizations create opportunities that have a lasting impact on area youth,” said Jason Zimmerman, President of the Minot Area Community Foundation. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Magic City Lions Club and their commitment to supporting students across our region.”

05/12/2026

We are honored to be featured as the Club Spotlight in the May Leading the Way newsletter from Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Leader Dogs shared:
“Leader Dogs for the Blind is proud to continue our Lions legacy with the support of Lions clubs across North America and beyond.”

Magic City Lions is proud to support programs that make a difference for people who are blind and low vision, both in our community and beyond. Thank you to our members, supporters, and community partners who help make this work possible. 🦁💙

05/07/2026

This week, we welcomed Brian Lenhart, who shared more about the impact and growth of Scouting America in our region.

Brian spoke about how the program has expanded in recent years, the way districts are organized, and initiatives like Scoutreach in several Minot schools during CLC. He also shared a personal perspective on what scouting has meant to him and his family over the years.

Thank you, Brian, for giving us a closer look at the opportunities, leadership, and life skills scouting continues to provide for young people in our community!

04/28/2026

Today’s meeting gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening every single day to keep our community safe and supported.

A big thank you to Minot Fire Chief Kelli Kronschnabel for sharing insights on everything from Care Resources (helping residents stay in their homes longer with simple, impactful support) to the realities of shift operations, training requirements, response times, and the cost and lifecycle of emergency equipment.

We also learned more about Minot Central Dispatch and the critical role they play, from managing high annual call volumes to supporting officers in real time through innovative tools like body cam live feeds.

It’s easy to take these systems for granted, but today was a great reminder of the people, planning, and resources working behind the scenes for all of us. 🚒

04/14/2026

When your birthday lands on a meeting day, you know Magic City Lions are going all out, and today we’re celebrating Lion Josh Ressler turning 50!

The morning featured Josh-themed trivia (yes, we covered his 20+ years as a Lion, his THREE terms as club president, and the very important fact that he’s a stomach sleeper 😄), plus a delicious chocolate chip cookie cake to top it off.

Cheers to you, Josh. Thanks for all you’ve given to our club over the years! 🎉

04/09/2026

Lion Mary and Lion Julie represented Magic City Lions at the Women Connect Minot event yesterday, sharing our mission and all the ways we serve. ✨🦁

We loved meeting so many incredible, community-minded women who are passionate about giving back and finding volunteer opportunities that fit their lives. That’s what it’s all about: making an impact together! 💛

04/07/2026

At today’s meeting, we heard from City Manager Tom Joyce and Public Information Officer Jennifer Kleen, who gave us valuable insight into city projects, processes, and what’s happening in our community. 🏙️

We appreciated the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about how decisions are made, and explore ways we can get involved, including serving on local committees. Thank you for an informative and engaging discussion!

03/02/2026

Our Magic City Lions had a blast hitting the ice for bumper cars at Citizens Alley today! Laughter, spins, and a whole lot of smiles made for a perfect winter afternoon. ❄️

Thanks to all our members and their families who came out and shared the joy!