Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Future Dates
12/1 & 2 Sat. & Sun. Christmas Tree sales
12/4 Tues. Baker Youth Club Open House
12/5 Wed. Mary Ellen Jordan, City Hall and downtown
12/5 Wed. collecting for Baker Youth Clubs Christmas
12/7 Fri. Santa House downtown at First Friday
12/8 & 9 Sat. & Sun. Christmas Tree sales
12/9 Sun. Optimist Singers at Rodeheaver
12/12 Wed. Mike Couzens, voice of the Tin Caps – Business of Minor League
12/12 Wed. collecting for Baker Youth Clubs Christmas
12/15 & 16 Sat. & Sun. Christmas Tree sales
12/19 Wed. Optimist Singers
12/22 & 23 Sat. & Sun. Christmas Tree sales
12/26 Wed. no program
1/2 Wed. White Elephant Auction
1/9 Wed. Purdue Extension Junior Leaders and 4-H
1/16 Wed. Christon Clark / Habitat for Humanity
1/23 Wed. Warsaw Schools Symphony
2/6 Wed. Rebecca Bazzoni / Jacob’s Ladder
2/13 Wed. Warsaw Schools Band
2/20 Wed. Lindsey Best / Big Brothers Big Sisters
3/13 Wed. Chad Zaucha / YMCA
3/27 Wed. Dave Hoffert / Chief Academic Officer
5/19/13 Sun. Car Show
6/29/13 Sat. Triathlon
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
>>>>OPENING
99 Optimists & 2 guests attended our meeting. Delaney Wihebrink was the guest of Past President Joel Wihebrink and Dennis Williams was the guest of Coach Jim Kessler.
Door Greeters: Dr KT Kishan and Past President John Elliott.
Prayer was offered by Ron Henry.
Pledge was given to the American flag.
Promise yourself was said in unison.
Martin Becker led us as we sang “Hail to Optimism.”
Birthday Honoree: Troy Tom. Martin Becker led us in the birthday song with pretty good results.
>>>> INFORMATION
Membership: Past President Jeff Owens encouraged us to bring guests. Once they visit they will want to join.
Sheriff of Attendance Bill Landrigan and Deputy Harry Gigous greeted Jim Bricker, Lecia Derrossett, Tim Hori, Jason Matthews, Mike Gavin, Mark Skibowski, Judge Joe Sutton, Richard Tuttle, Jim Walmer, Past President Joel Wihebrink, and Dan Metzger. Merl Heckaman presented Deputy Harry Gigous a sheriff’s hat. Thanks to Bill & Harry for getting 99 of us here today!
Martin Becker invited us to hear our Optimist Singers, Grace College Community Wind Ensemble, Lakeland Community Choir, and Lakeland Youth Chorale perform Christmas by the Lake at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 9 at Rodeheaver.
Luke Becknell reported we will be passing the basket the next 2 weeks for the Baker Youth Club Christmas presents and dinner. Usually around 120 kids come. Help will also be needed to buy the gifts.
Christmas Tree Co-Chairmen Harry Gigous and Ot Schroeder reminded us that Owens East manager Michael McCarty graciously is continuing the offer of $5 donated to us for every Christmas Tree sold at the regular price. The biggest sale days are the first two weekends in December. To help sell trees, just show up. To get in the Pinky Eherenman’s trailer, use the last 4 digits of Jeff’s phone number to unlock the realtor lock that has the key.
Jane Wear reported the Santa House is coming along fine. Ot Schroeder is getting the Octagon students to volunteer as elves. Jim Hayes is getting the music set up. Art Gakstatter is moving the Santa House. It will be downtown Friday, December 7 for First Friday.
Past Lt. Gov. Jim Reeve thanked us for the $621 his Cub Scout pack received at our Cub Scout Cake Auction.
Merl Heckaman thanked us for ringing the bell for Salvation Army. Most of us worked 1 hour. Special thanks go to Ken Zortman for working 5 ½ hours!
President Tracy Furnivall invited us to the Baker Youth Clubs’ Tuesday, December 4th Open House. Hours are from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come see CoachLichtenwalter and the kids. Coach challenges anyone to a game of Tic Tac Toe.
Past President Jeff Owens is getting started on our upcoming Oratorical Contest.
Past President John Elliott announced our Car Show will be downtown on Sunday, May 19, 2013.
Past Gov. Ron Donkers announcement people are signing up for our Triathlon. The date has been changed to the Saturday JUST BEFORE the 4th of July. It will be Saturday, June 29, 2013. Also this year in addition to a short swim after the traditional participants, there will be kid’s races for kid’s who are 11 to 12 or 13 to 14.
Video Editor Jim Hayes showed a Video of kid’s reactions to being told their parents ate their Halloween candy. The lesson we learned is to not betray the trust of our children.
Please pray for our Troops and Families: Com. Dayne Nix – Navy – Chaplain
Sergeants-at-Arms: John Elliott, Everett Nifong, and Joel Wihebrink entertained us.
Past Lt. Gov. Dr. David Haines is celebrating his new granddaughter. He now has 19 grandchildren.
Dr. Craig Hintz was recognized for being the State of Indiana’s School Superintendent of the Year!
Mayor Joe Thallemer was in the paper, without a mention of his being one of us.
Troy Akers and Noel Hoke received a special dispensation from Sergeant John Elliott. The secret is to be for Ohio State.
Mike Gavin stood by his convictions and “The Indiana Hoosiers.”
Attendance Director Don Kenipe is not buying a Powerball ticket. We have a chance.
It was noted to Dave Meier that after a WCHS Basketball game, where Past President Ron Henry told everyone to go to Penguin Point that day for a discount, they were all closed after the game because of the Thanksgiving holiday the next day. Someone pointed out the discount was good earlier that day.
Our retired educators and DNR are breathing easier now that the sate has shored up their pension funds.
Program:
Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer gave us the State of the City report. A lot has been going on.
The City annexed 110 acres west of Ivy Tech. That area has been approved for TIF funding and has been certified as a technology park. They are also getting the infrastructure ready.
It is likely the City will move into the New City Hall around December 18th. The City Hall Plaza will be used this weekend from 8 a.m. to noon for Toys for Tots. The Plaza will also be used for the Farmer’s Market and First Fridays. The Farmer’s Market will include crafts in addition to produce.
The Comprehensive Bike / Pedestrian Plan is coming along. A planned connection between the Heritage and Chinworth trails is in the works. The City has applied for the bicycle friendly community status. There is a need to get the word out to car drivers as well as bicyclists about the markings on the streets to ensure safety. The Krebs Trailhead Park is funded by OrthoWorx, the K21 Health Foundation, and the Kosciusko Convention and Visitors Bureau. The KCV Cycling Club has been very helpful in this process.
The old Boggs Sewage Treatment Plant has been converted to a pumping station to the new more cost efficient plant.
Retail and residential growth is continuing north of town. TJ Max is open and Meijer is coming along.
Iconocy Orthopedic Implants and Micro Machine opened this year.
Future developments or possibilities include:
Reconstruction of Husky Trail north of Martin’s around 2015.
Redevelopment of the land south of the railroad tracks on Buffalo Street.
New fire station on the south side of town.
Extending United Way’s Day of Caring to a year round Brushes for Kindness with the help of Christon Clark from Habitat for Humanity.
A Charrette, brainstorming session, between architects and local people about possibilities with the old Little Crow and Indiana Water properties.
Again a lot is going on. Our city officials are hard at work. A great future is in store for us.
