Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Future Dates
02/22 James Glass – Historic Courthouses
02/22 planning for Golf Outing
02/24 Oratorical contest
02/29 Craig Hintz – Warsaw Schools
03/07 Joe Hawn – DARE
03/14 Christon Clark – Habitat for Humanity
03/21 Oratorical Contest Winners
03/28 Jamie Visker – Winona PVD Coatings
04/04 Jim Reeve – Roy Rogers
04/11 Scott Tucker – Maple Leaf Farms
04/18 Eric Lane – Fellowship Missions
05/02 Joan Younce – Purdue Health & Human Res.
05/20 Car Show
05/23 Optimist Singers
06/06 Remnant Trust
06/07 Golf Outing at Stonehenge
06/20 Triathlon welcome bags
06/23 Triathlon
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
75 Optimists & 5 guests attended our meeting. Andrew O’Connell was the guest of George Brennan; Trevor Cracknell was the guest John Sullivan; Garry Phillips was the guest of Trace Hansen; Jeff Kumfer was the guest of Mary Ellen Jordan; & Ronna Kawsky was the guest of Tracy Horrell.
Door Greeters: John Teevan & Fred Nieter.
Prayer was offered by Fred Nieter.
Pledge was given to the American Flag.
Promise yourself was said in unison.
Birthday Honorees: Tracy Furnivall & John Kirkpatrick. Dr. David Haines led us in the birthday song with do-wop results.
>>>> INFORMATION
Prayer Request: John Teevan’s, 7 month old, granddaughter’s heart surgery.
Membership: Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker read Noel Hoke’s & Andrew O’Connell’s applications. Luke Becknell & George Brennan sponsored Noel & Andy respectively.
Sheriff of Attendance, Bill Landrigan & Harry Gigous had no report.
May 20th Car Show: John Teevan reminded us that we as club members were going to each buy a $25 plaque for participants. Please give your $25 to John Teevan. On the other hand, we are asking businesses to sponsor at the $100, $200, or $500 levels. Give the big checks to Ann Sweet. Please clear your calendar on May 20th so you can help. Contact John Elliott to work on a committee.
Everett Nifong announced that our Golf Outing will be June 7th at Stonehenge. All are invited to a kick off meeting at 5:15pm on 2/22 at Jerry Clevenger’s Insurance office.
Chris Wiggins thanked those who worked Tri-Star Basketball the last 2 Saturdays.
Pres.-Elect Tracy Furnivall presented Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker the traveling monkey trophy for winning the newly wed game at our Valentine’s Banquet. Our Optimist Singers did an outstanding job.
Past Pres. Jeff Owens reminded us of our Feb. 24th Oratorical Contest. It starts at 6:30 p.m. We need 2 more helpers. Thanks go to our Prize Sponsors: Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust, Orthopediatrics, &Lake City Group. Thanks also go to our Event Sponsors: Zimmer, Allegra Printing, WRSW 107.3, ESPN 1480, & Willie 103.5.
Jim Hayes announced our Club Directories are out. Thanks go to Allegra Printing for printing them at NO COST. What a high quality directory at NO COST!
Tracy Horrell introduced our own Troy Akers & Ronna Kawsky who introduced us to our Students of the Week from the Warsaw Area Career Center: Alexis Busselberg,
Hayden Dobbins, Vicki Harris, Braxton Hanft, Vanessa Malagon, Marleigh Maldonado, Jason Melgoza, Austin Montel, & Luis Munoz, Kelly Wildman.
Bob Jackson presented a $300 check to Trevor Cracknell for Warsaw Rugby. They are starting junior high teams after establishing high school teams.
Bob Jackson presented a $1000 check to Mitch Goon for the Warsaw Education Foundation’s Quiz Bowl. This years Quiz Bowl is March 20th. Proctors are needed.
President John Sullivan reminded us to pay our dues.
Rick Kerlin is looking for volunteers to answer the phones March 15 & 16 at the Radio-A-Thon for Riley Families. Sign up sheets are at our tables.
Please pray for our Troops and Families: Pfc Dwight Kohler – Army – Korea
Sergeants-at-Arms: Luke Becknell, Bob Jackson & Jim Nesbitt entertained us.
Jim Nesbitt was happy to see fellow rugby fan, Trevor Cracknell,
The following were recognized for being in the paper for good things: John Sullivan (Optimist funding graduation coaches); Dr. Steve Hollar (something other than basketball, dentistry); Joel Wihebrink’s daughter (high honors).
Art Gakstatter is celebrating a new grandson, Angie & Kyle Tom’s new son.
Harry Gigous is celebrating a new granddaughter.
Fred Nieter has recovered from cracking his back at our icy meeting a month ago. Fred stayed through the meeting & even spread salt after being injured.
Rick Kerlin was recognized for his generous gift of $2000 to Riley Kids Fund.
Ann Sweet & Bob Jackson invited us to the 2/16 grand opening of The Hub from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1201 College Ave., Winona Lake.
Bill Katip paid for the sleeping Coach Jim Kessler. Grace beat Bethel last night in double overtime.
George Paton is busy selling boats at Patona Bay & working his side job for the Minnesota Vikings.
Program: Our own Mayor Joe Thallemer brought us up to date about the State of the City.
Joe recognized Scott Whitaker’s work as police chief and Mary Ellen Jordan’s work on the zoning board & as the president of the Warsaw Community Development Corporation (WCDC). He said he is blessed by very capable department heads.
He said the First Fridays have been very successful. Keith & Cindy Reinholt & Cindy Dobbins have spent a lot of extra time to make them work. Going forward, Paula Bowman will coordinate the First Fridays along with a calendar of downtown events.
The renovation of City Hall is underway. Thanks go to Mary Ellen Jordan & Jeff Kumfer for the design work. Lots of interesting things have been found in the 100 year old building. The parking lot will be larger to its west. It is estimated the City Administration will move in next fall.
It is hoped that the Greenway will connect downtown with the lake. The Greenway Committee is working to get Warsaw/Winona Lake recognized as bike & pedestrian friendly.
Warsaw gets about 50% fewer dollars from our Federal Gas Tax compared to 10 years ago. The price of asphalt is about twice what it was 10 years ago. So our purchasing power is about 25% of what it was. Lacey Frances is doing a good job with limited funds we get from our gas tax. Indiana is 49th in Federal Gas Tax expenditures. Our gas tax money is going to projects on the East Coast.
One need is neighborhood revitalization. There are many people with time, tools, & knowledge in our community. Joe’s vision is sustained volunteerism to help with light external repairs, kind of an ongoing Day of Caring type of thing. Chris Clark of Habitat for Humanity suggested a Habitat program calledBrush with Kindness. Look for more info to follow.
Development is continuing at Kohl’s. It looks like more is coming to Silveus Crossing.
