Future Dates 

08/08 WCHS History Winners

08/15 Gary Gerard – Times Union

08/22 Linda Cochran – Bell Aircraft Museum

08/25 Cruisin Hoosiers Car Show for Baker Youth Club

08/29 Jim Pinkerton – INDOT US 31 Projects

09/05 David Best – Thomas Jefferson

09/07 Big Wheel Race at Warsaw Downtown Days

09/08 To Bourbon and Back bicycle race

09/12 Tom Kline – WCS Student Test Scores

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

 

>>>>OPENING

78 Optimists & 8 guests attended our meeting. Kellie Malcolm brought 3 guests,

Tim Hori, Christan Clark, and her father, Jim Malcomb. Gina Voelz brought her two

daughters, Emily and Katie. Sgt. Jim Layne was a guest of Tony Ciriello; Joel Wood

was a guest of Bob Ibach; and Allen Kember was a guest of Trina Hoy.

Door Greeter: Jay Tate

Prayer was offered by Marv Miller. He offered special prayers for the Dave Turner

family and for the continued recovery of Jim Nesbit.

Pledge was given to the American flag.

And all promised to try to fulfill the Optimist Creed.

Since Martin Becker was in Michigan, we missed singing “Hail to Optimism.”

Birthday Honorees: John Elliott and Ed Nordstrom were serenaded for their birthdays

with Dr. Haines and Merl leading the way.

 

>>>> INFORMATION

Prayer Requests:

Jim Nesbitt’s recovery from heart surgery. He is back at Grace Village.

Nancy Nesbitt as she is in assisted living at Grace.

Bonnie Bradley’s recovery from brain cancer. She is having radiation daily.

 

Membership: Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker read Tim Hori’s application. He is director and

owner of the St. Regis club. Sam Whitaker asked how he came from missionary work

to bartending. Tim says that people confess sins to both missionaries and bartenders

so it is a natural choice. He is being sponsored by Kellie Malcolm.

 

Sheriff of Attendance: Bill Landrigan and Harry Gigous made calls to about 10

optimists with varying results.

 

Optimist District Fundraiser: Ryan Harper is selling $5 raffle tickets for a 32” LCD

TV. Proceeds go to our Optimist District. The deadline is approaching.

 

Come and hear our Optimist Singers sing the Star Spangled Banner on Tuesday,

August 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Corporate Dodge ball Challenge at the Lakeview Middle

School Gym. Proceeds go to United Way.

 

Luke Becknell invited cyclists to participate in the 2 Bourbon & Back for cystic fibrosis

on September 8, 2012. $15 entry fee ($18 after August 31st). Family entry fee $40 ($45

after August 31st). Luke2bb@comcast.net or www.becknell.org .

 

Ron Donkers reported a final tally of the profit from the Triathlon of $11,065! Thanks

to everyone for hard work and a special thank you to Ron for heading this up. This can

help a lot of young people in our community!

 

Jim Hayes reported that they are working on the new directory. If anyone would like to

have a new photograph, please see Trina Hoy. Jim sent out an e-mail to everyone to

 

check their information; please respond. See Jason Rich if you have changes or do not

receive e-mail. Thank you to the people producing the directory. It is a difficult task.

 

Dave Meyer reports that the Big Wheel Race will be run this year in conjunction with

the First Friday event in Downtown Warsaw, September 7. Registration starts at 5:30

pm and the race begins at 6:30 p.m. A sign up sheet was sent around the room.

 

Video Editor Jim Hayes showed us a music video of forgetfulness…I forget who sang

it.

 

Please pray for our Troops and Families: William Kretsch – Air Force – 52nd Fighter

Wing

 

Sergeants-at-Arms: Luke Becknell entertained us once again.

 

Harry Gigous had a lovely Disney Princess umbrella loaned to him by the YMCA

director, Chad Zaucha.

 

Harry was also fined for posing as an Olympic gymnast.

 

Bill Landrigan donated $1 for Chick-Fil-A

 

50/50: Denny Strain won $38

 

Program:

 

Mark Dobson of the Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce spoke this morning

about the direction of the Chamber for the coming year and about the success of the

recent months. He reports that it is important for the Chamber to meet the expectations

of local businesses. There are five main expectations the Chamber is trying to meet.

These are listed from the least to the greatest.

 

#5. Opportunities for business counseling.

 

#4. Member Benefits.

 

#3 networking opportunities.

 

#2 Economic Developments

 

#1 Government Advocacy. One major concern in this area is the new medical device

tax. This could mean the loss of about 1000 jobs in Kosciusko County alone. Mark

encourages us to call our congressman about the tax.

 

“Kosciusko County needs to be a business friendly environment. Warsaw is the best of

small town America. It is safe but with a fortune 500 drive.” Mark says.