Presiding – Jeff Owens

Attendance – 71

Greeters – Charlie Wagner, Troy Tom

Invocation – Jim Smith

Guests – Isabelle Smith & Corbin Holtsberry

Birthdays – Isabelle Smith & Darren Mairle

Announcements –

• Essay contests have been administered, winners announced next week
• March 26, 2023 the Optimist Oratory Contest will be held. Encourage those that are 19 years old and younger to participate
• Triathlon, June 25, 2023
• Respect for Law Essay Contest for fifth graders, deadline March 17

Sergeants – Austin Donovan was drafted as the “Intern” for the day. Various members were harassed with fines of $1.00 each.

Program – Michelle Scott, Store Manager, Rural King, Warsaw, Indiana. There are one hundred and thirteen stores in thirteen states. We’re a farm and home store, so we have agriculture, farm feed, we have a full line of feed supplies, we carry steel, Carhartt, full line of tools and hardware. We have a large gun assortment. We sell firearms and we’ve got over 15,000 boxes of ammo back there. We’ve got tons of ammo – no shortage of that.

Any kind of animal is allowed in the store. Scott said there is a monkey named Jesse that comes in all the time. We’re very passionate about our customers. We have one owner – Alex Melvin – and he just cares about our company, cares about us, and we have great customer service. We have great (employee) benefits. When people walk in the door, they just feel like they’re at home.

Rural King, also known as RK Holdings, LLP, is America’s Farm and Home Store, a General Merchandise Store, providing essentials to the communities we serve. More specifically, we provide a broad range of necessities, essential goods, food, feed, seed and other farm and home products. Rural King planted its roots in Mattoon, Illinois in 1960. Since that time, Rural King has added over 100 stores in a thirteen-state area (Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia). The heart of Rural King is the corporate office, distribution center and flagship store, located in its city of origin, Mattoon IL.

We welcome visitors, and encourage you to come in and take part in our 50 year tradition by enjoying a free bag of popcorn and cup of coffee on us.

Our locations have an outstanding product mix with items such as livestock feed, farm equipment, agricultural parts, lawn mowers, workwear, fashion clothing, housewares and toys. You never know what you will find at your local Rural King and that’s why every trip is an adventure. Our friendly staff is dedicated to serving your needs and can help you find whatever you’re looking for.

Thought for The Day – Make someone else an Optimist today!