Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Future Dates
07/31 Duck Race for Cardinal Services
08/04 Car Show wrap up
08/07 District meeting @ Bear Creek
08/07 Big Wheel Race
08/28 Safe Assured ID @ Day at Lake
09/11 Safe Assured ID @ Center Lake
9/11 “2 Bourbon & Back”
>>>>OPENING
70 Optimists & 3 guests attended our meeting: Jane Cope guest of Don Kenipe; David King guest of Jeff Owens; & David Stuart guest of Henry Church. Door Greeters: Past Pres. Jeff Owens & Past Lt. Gov. Mary Ellen Jordan.
Prayer was offered by Merl Heckaman.
Pledge was given to the American Flag.
Promise yourself was said in unison.
Birthday Honorees: Jeff Owens, Cathy Mullett, & Martin Becker. Merl Heckaman led us as we sang the birthday song with “Music Man” results.
Mystery Person: Martin Becker reported 9 people shook his hand.
>>>> INFORMATION
Prayer List: Rick Kerlin‟s daughter‟s recovery from heart surgery. Jim Hayes‟ mother, Norma‟s cancer recovery. Ron Chambers & Roger Crouse at the passing of their mothers.
Membership: Everett Nifong read Lecia Nunez Berrossett„s 1st reading.
Sherriff Bill Landrigan is redoubling his efforts.
Dave Meier announced the Penguin Point / Optimist Big Wheel Race is 8/7 downtown. Registration is at 9a.m. and the race starts at 10:30a.m. Help is needed.
Trace Hansen needs volunteers to work our Safe As-sured ID booth at the Day at the Lake at the fair-grounds in shifts on Aug. 28 and also at the Family Safety Day at Center Lake Park in 2 hour shifts from 10am to 4pm on Sept 11 Over 100 people were en-rolled each of the last 3 years. Shifts are available.
Cardinal Services: Jay Tate, reported this years Duck Race is July 31. Cardinal Services has had $800k in funding cuts, staff reductions, & pay cuts. Adopt a duck for $5. If we WIN, Sam will wear the duck suit at OUR meeting!
Ron Chambers reported Art Gakstatter drove 6 of our members to visited the Wabash club July 14.
Car Show: Past President John Elliott asked all who worked this year‟s show to stay after our August 4th meeting for a wrap up meeting about what went well and what we can improve on. We need to make “how to” instructions for future years.
President Sam Whitaker reported that Jeff Neumann is moving to Blufton. Joel Wihebrink has stepped up to be next year‟s president. Jim Lancaster is moving to Europe. We are looking for a new president-elect and vice-president. Tell a board member if you are interested.
Lt. Gov. Jim Reeve asked us to let Jennifer Dorman know if we are going to our District meeting 8/7 at Bear Creek.
Luke Becknell invited us to cycle for Cystic Fibro-sis in his “2 Bourbon & Back” on 9/11. www.becknell.org
Sergeant-at-Arms: Merl Heckaman and John Bar-rett collected happy dollars from us. Jim Lancaster is moving to the Netherlands for a couple years for Bio-met. Coach Jim Kessler reported on the basketball team‟s trip to Jamaica. A recruit may be coming. Rick Kerlin‟s daughter is home after heart surgery. Adam Galvin, son of Andy escaped an explosion in Iraq with an ankle injury. Ron Chambers memories of his mother‟s life. Ot Schroeder‟s niece‟s champi-onship goat. Cathy Mullett is starting her Masters at Ball State. John Elliott is happy to have recovered from a car show scouting trip with Art Gakstatter. Trace Hansen and Bruce Hansen are trading places, holding the fort down. Dave Meier shopped for tools. Fred Nieter and Merl Heckaman told some of their stories. Andy Swihart won $20.50 in our 50/50.
Please pray for our Troops and Families:
Bryan Kenipe – Army Infantry – Kuwait
Program: David Stuart, told of working directly with Henry Ford. David set up manufacturing plants for Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford was polite and could find the cause of a problem just by looking at it.