Happy New Year from the Conroe Noon Lions Club, THE GREATEST LIONS CLUB IN THE WORLD!
This week Lions learned from the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Director, Scott Harper, about the S.O.A.R. program that the Chamber will be implementing this year. It stands for SKILLS, OPPORTUNITIES, ADVANCEMENT and READINESS in the job market. Conroe Noon Lions Club will be the primary sponsor of this program within the Chamber. Scott explained the program consists of classes to teach job seekers interview skills, professionalism on the job, conflict resolution in the workplace, and general skills to help young people transition from the school environment to the work environment. Scholarships will be offered to the participants, which further expands the CNLC scholarship programs. Let’s SOAR together!
We go from SOAR to ROAR! It’s officially Dinner/Dance & Auction season at Conroe Noon as we look forward to our annual gala event. Sharene Carr announced it will take place on February 26th at the Lone Star Convention Center with the theme ‘Travel, ROAR, Explore’. Other CNLC events kicking off at the start of 2026 are our Vision Screening at the Community Assistance Center on Jan. 26th, the Lions District 2S2 Mid-Winter Conference on Jan. 31st, plus the club’s winter Blood Drive on Wednesday, Jan. 28th. Lion Gail Cain reminded members to “be strong, roll up your sleeves, and give blood”; she even gave us a little arm flexing motion herself.
Lions also heard from local C.P.A., Leland Dushkin, though a Rotarian, Leland is still a great friend to CNLC as his dad was a Past President of our club 1966-67. His program explained the most significant effects of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on our federal income taxes. One important note, those who mail in your return and payment, you need to know that the post office is now only giving the postmark when mail hits the main station in Houston. Watch those deadline dates! Plus, the IRS is requiring all payments and refunds to be made electronically—although they’re still working on the particulars for people who don’t do electronic transactions.
Mr. Dushkin further explained that the senior deduction for people over 64 has increased but can phase out when adjusted with gross income limits. A small reward for living long enough! He reviewed the “No Tax On Tips” deduction from gross income up to $25,000 but that also phases out depending on income levels. He gave us a quick look at the “No Taxes on Overtime” and its application and limits. The “S.A.L.T.” (State And Local Tax) deduction goes up and if you borrow to buy a new American-made automobile, any interest you pay during 2026, 2027 and 2028 can be deductible. Other important changes include raising the child tax credit and allowances for deductions on charitable contributions and you don’t have to itemize! More good news—the exemption from the Estate tax goes up as well. For some bad news—you can only deduct 90% of your gambling losses and you can bet on that! Those were the most popular changes in the income tax code negotiated in the “Big Beautiful Bill.” And thanks, Leland for giving us the run-down.
Please come and join us any Wednesday at noon at the Lone Star Convention Cener. The food is good, and the fellowship is great! For more information about the Conroe Noon Lions Club, please visit our website, www.conroenoonlions.org, or call the club office at 936-760-1666.