The retired Nassau County police detective and NYU Winthrop Hospital doctor are in New Zealand to visit a friend and take a break from the fast life.
But when locals discovered Mr Brandel - the past Lions Clubs International president and past Lions Clubs International Foundation chairman - was in town, that was the end of their free-roaming holiday.
``Our getaway turned into, `Can you speak at a Lions convention while you're here, can you speak at another Lions convention; by the way, in between the two Lions conventions we ... '
Yesterday, he attended a morning tea and planted a rhododendron at the Lady Thorn Rhododendron Dell in Port Chalmers, to celebrate the centenary of the Lions organisation around the world.
And last night, he spoke to past district governors of Lions clubs in the Dunedin area.
``We're thrilled to be here.''
``We're here to bring a message of thanks for what the people of this great country have done for the people in need here in New Zealand and also internationally.''
They felt ``blessed'' to be here, Mr Brandel said.
``On a personal note, we sing the praises of New Zealand all over the world.
``We've visited about 70 or 80 countries over the years. We've met the Pope and presidents of countries, but we tell people if we ever wanted to live some place else other than the United States, we would want to live here.
``It's such a beautiful area.''
