Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Future Dates 

10/21 & 22 Taste & Trade Expo

10/26 Ed Summit/Hollowing Out the Middle

10/28 Spooktakular

10/29 District Meeting

11/1 How Meth affects out community

11/2 Nathan Hooley/DNR

11/3 Community Education Event

11/4 Education Summit

11/9 Veterans Day Program/Optimist Singers

11/11 CASA Holiday Festival

11/16 Lindsay Best/Big Brothers-Big Sisters

11/23 Cub Scout cake auction

11/30 Steve Miller / KCH

12/7 Chris Harrison / Indiana American Water

12/21 Optimist Singers

12/28 White Elephant auction

5/20/12 Car Show

06/23/12 Triathlon

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker led our meeting.  President John Sullivan & Merl Heckaman are in Wyoming.  John is still looking.

>>>>OPENING

72 Optimists & 13 guests attended our meeting.  Al Grossnickle & Bill Katip were the guests of Pete Gano; Richard King, Ryan Reed, & Scott Sigerfoos were the guests of Rick Kerlin; Ashley & Taylor Cassel were the guests of Lisa Cassel; Emily Metzger was the guest of Lila Shelburne; Richard Tuttle was the guest of Ot Schroeder; Nate Bosch was the guest of Jim Kessler; Sierra Derrossett was the guest of Lecia Derrossett; Rhonda Helser & her daughter were the guests of Lyle Enyeart.

Door Greeters:  Rick Kerlin & Fred Nieter. 

Prayer was offered by Jim Nesbitt. 

Pledge was given to the American Flag. 

Promise yourself was said in unison. 

Birthday Honorees:  Max Mock, Tammy Keirn, & Jim Walmer.  Martin Becker led our Optimist Singers in the birthday song with great results.

            >>>> INFORMATION

Membership:  Sam Whitaker read Al Grossnickle’s & Bill Katip’s applications. Pete Gano is sponsoring Al & Bill.

Sherriff of AttendanceBill Landrigan, is rightly proud of his results.  We have had over 70 here for weeks.

Lyle Enyeart presented a $250 check to Rhonda Helser for the 4-H Shooting Sports program.  They teach safety to over 90 kids each year.  Most of our homes have firearms.  It is imperative that our kids are trained in safety.

Coach Jim Kessler presented a $700 check to Dr. Nate Bosch for field days for 4th graders.  Nate heads our Kosciusko Lakes & Streams water quality group.

Art Gakstatter reminded us that 1000 kids came to our Spooktakular last year.  This year it will be Friday Oct. 28.  Registration for the Costume Contest is from 5:30 to 6 p.m.  Trick or Treat is from 6 to 7 p.m.  Costume Judging is from 7 p.m. on.  Volunteers are needed to keep the kids safe.  Show up when you can after 4:30 p.m.

Vice-President, Angie Tom, reminded us that Christmas is coming.  This means the Santa House is coming.  Keep the set-up, take-down & operation in mind. It will be open Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays.

Song Leader, Martin Becker reported our Optimist Singers brought the house down at Warsaw’s Got Talent.  Our Optimist Singers & John Kirkpatrick wowed us with a song from our youth, Duke of Earl.

Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker recognized those with perfect attendance.

Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker announced our district meeting at Hall’s Guesthouse in Fort Wayne on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m.  Contact Jennifer Dorman today if you are going.

Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker announced we have an upcoming canned food drive.

Trina Hoy invited us to the Taste & Trade Expo at Grace’s Orthopaedic Capital Center this Friday & Saturday.  Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday & from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Tony Ciriello invited us to the November 1st presentation about how Meth affects our community.  Recovering addicts will share their experiences.  It is at 6:30 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion.

Past Pres. George Brennan invited us to the CASA Holiday Festival fundraiser on Nov. 11, 2011 at the Biomet Hanger from 6 to 10 p.m.  There will be a silent auction in addition to the wines, beers, liqueurs, coffees, & hors D’ Oeuvres.

Trina Hoy invited us to the November 3rd Community Event and November 4thEducation Summit about how we can encourage our brightest young people to settle here.  Call Trina at 269-6562.

Please pray for our Troops and Families:   Cpt Charles Pridgen – Army – Chaplain

Sergeants-at-Arms:  Luke BecknellJames Nesbitt, & Bob Jackson entertained us.  Video Editor, Jim Hayes showed us a picture of Steve & Danny Habermanwith their BIG pumpkin.  Jim Hayes was recognized for setting up our room every week & Fred Nieter was recognized for taking it down each week.  Purdue fans were identified.  John Kirkpatrick was recognized for being recognized with the Optimist Singers.  Henry Church is the executive director for the Middle East for Impact.  Jim Walmer is celebrating a healthy baby granddaughter.  Bill Landrigan was recognized for helping Marlin Stutzman fight for freedom.  John Teevan reported today is graduation day at Michigan City.  Those with kids & grandkids on honor role were recognized.      

Mike Cusick won $30 in our 50/50.

Program:  Scott Sigerfoos, Director of Operations at MTEMS, brought us up to date about Multi-Township EMS.  MTEMS started Dec. 27, 1977.  They received 6 calls that day.  The 1st year they did 1813 runs.  In 1981
 they started doing Advanced Life Support.  In 2006 they expanded their coverage area.  Last year they did 4292 emergency calls & 1827 transfers. 

The national average for cardiac arrest survival is 5%.  MTEMS is proud of their 18 to 24% survival rate. 

In 2007 MTEMS received the Bowen Heroic Rescue Award. 

Most EMS organizations get about 50% of their revenue from taxes.  Because of MTEMS’ comparatively low expenses they receive 24% of their funds from taxes & 76% from billing for services.  They are able to get 43% of what they bill.  Their 2001 budget is $3.5 million. 

The K21 Health Foundation has funded many improvements for MTEMS including:  advanced equipment, cardiac monitors, RAD 57 c o detectors, ventilators & IV pumps, AEDs for FDs & PDs.

In addition to the runs they do, they also do CPR classes, first responders training, & first aid courses.

Go to mtems.com website’s History tab to see more.