Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012
Future Dates
01/27 & 28 District Meeting @ Marion
02/01 Octagon SupperBowl of Care food drive
02/01 Dave Wolkins – Statehouse news
02/04 Tri-Star Basketball
02/08 Jim Reeve – Roy Rogers
02/08 Valentine’s Banquet
02/11 Tri-Star Basketball regional
02/15 Joe Thallemer – State of the City
02/24 Oratorical contest
05/20 Car Show
06/07 Golf Outing at Stonehenge
06/23 Triathlon
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012
75 Optimists & 6 guests attended our meeting. Noel Hoke was the guest of Luke Becknell; Clark Ingram was the guest of Alan Grossnickle; Mike Metzger was the guest of Dan Metzger; JoElla Smyth was the guest of Tracy Horrell; Delane & Nancy Jackson were the guests of Bob Jackson.
Door Greeters: Fred Nieter & Pete Gano.
Prayer was offered by Dave Turner.
Pledge was given to the American Flag. Promise yourself was said in unison.
Birthday Honorees: Steve McGlothin & Lilli Hertel. Dr. David Haines led us in the birthday song with our usual results.
>>>> INFORMATION
Membership: Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker read Richard King’s, Dan Kolbe’s, & Noel Hoke’s applications. Past Presidents Ron Henry & Jeff Owensinducted Past President Ron Henry after a skit by Doug Ogle, Merl Heckaman, Harry Gigous, Past Presidents John Elliott & Jim Nesbitt, & Past Lt. Gov. Denny Andrews. Sam Whitaker sponsored Ron & Dan,Rick Kerlin sponsored Richard, & Luke Becknell sponsored Noel.
Sheriff of Attendance, Harry Gigous greeted Greg Kralis & Dr. Jenny Lucht.
May 20th Car Show: Past Pres. John Elliott reminded us that we were going to each buy a $25 plaque for participants instead of selling Christmas Trees.
Everett Nifong announced that our Golf Outing will be June 7th.
Doug Jones has the Triathlon posters Allegra printed for us. See Doug if you can post one. Also we need new sponsors. Some of our prior sources are unable to donate this year. Our event is June 23rd.
Chris Wiggins announced Tri-Star Basketball will be at Baker Youth Club. Our event is Feb. 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. & we are hosting the regional on Feb. 11th.
Pres.-Elect Tracy Furnivall announced our Valentine’s Banquet will be 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8th at the Shrine Building. Cost is $20 per person.
Past Lt. Gov. Ot Schroeder asked us to bring food items for Octagon to collect at next week’s meeting for their SupperBowl of Care.
Tracy Horrell introduced JoElla Smyth who introduced us to our Students of the Week from Edgewood: Jonathan Beres, Grace Garrett, Lilli Hertel, Henry Howard, Joseph Jackson, Clara Kois, Kyle Mangas, Krista Metzger, Austin Ritenour, Athena Schlitt, Emily Thrasher. Merl Heckaman served as our usher for our students.
Pres. John Sullivan announced our District meeting will be Jan. 27 & 28 in Marion. Tell Jennifer Dorman or John if you are going.
Pres. John Sullivan agreed we WILL meet the morning of Feb. 8th at our usual time. Several of us thought, we are up anyway, why not eat & have fun.
Past Pres. Jeff Owens reminded us of our Feb. 24th Oratorical Contest.
Jim Hayes announced our Club Directories are out. Thanks go to Dr.Jason Rich, Jim Hayes, Trina Hoy, & Allegra.
Please pray for our Troops and Families:
Nick Walz – Marines
Sergeants-at-Arms: Bob Jackson & Jim Nesbitt entertained us. Tracy Furnivall is thankful Baker Youth Club has their new bus. They have about 50 new kids because of the transportation. Fred Nieter reminded us of the cab driver’s 1st day after years of driving a hearse. Tom Klinesays the state’s new grading system will help us out. Those who gave toRight To Life were recognized. The beardless people at theNesbitt/Turner/Ibach table were noticed.
50/50: Past Lt. Gov. Dr. David Haines won $29.
Program: David Floyd, CEO of OrthoWorx educated us on OrthoWorx important work.
The Warsaw based orthopedic industry represents 1/3 of the worldwide orthopedic industry. The Warsaw based reconstructive industry represents ½ of the worldwide orthopedic reconstructive industry. There are 6800 jobs in Kosciusko County that are directly in orthopedics & 6200 indirect jobs. Overall 13,000 jobs in our county are orthopedics based. 43% of the jobs in our county are orthopedics based. As we know these jobs pay very well.
The challenges in Warsaw are: talent attraction, non-diversified economic base (what jobs are available for the trailing spouse), geographic isolation, limited workforce pool, good but limited educational offerings, lack of a regional innovation pipeline between our universities & our orthopedic industry.
OrthoWorx works strategically & collaboratively with the orthopedic industry & other stakeholders to build on community strengths to ensure that Warsaw continues to be the Orthopedic Capital of the World.
OrthoWorx’ 6 strategic areas are: enhancing education, workforce development, community enhancement, innovation & research pipeline between area universities & the orthopedic industry, transportation & logistics, & branding & awareness of Warsaw.
For more information go to www.orthoworxindiana.com.
