Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Future Dates
12/7 Fri. Optimist Singers at Key Bank
12/ 7, 8, & 9 Fri., Sat., & Sun. Santa House downtown
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/ 14, 15, & 16 Fri., Sat., & Sun. Santa House downtown
12/15 & 16 Sat. & Sun. Christmas Tree sales
12/19 Wed. Optimist Singers
12/22 & 23 Sat. & Sun. Christmas Tree sales
12/26 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, December 5, 2012
>>>>OPENING
96 Optimists & 7 guests attended our meeting. Brandon Cordell was the guest of Greg Karlis; Brooke Hamstra was the guest of Rick Kerlin; Zach Nelson was the guest of Chris Wiggins; Matthew Voss was the guest of Juergen Voss; Sheri Reeve, Sean Sikora, and Beth Sikora were the guests of Jim Reeve.
Door Greeters: Don Reinholt and Merl Heckaman.
Prayer was offered by Dave Turner.
Pledge was given to the American flag.
Promise yourself was said in unison.
Martin Becker led us as we sang “Hail to Optimism.”
Birthday Honorees: Larry Tucker and Jim Hayes. Martin Becker led us in the birthday song with our usual results.
>>>> INFORMATION
Membership: Past President Jeff Owens gave us the opportunity to greet our guests.
Sheriff of Attendance Bill Landrigan and Deputy Harry Gigous greeted Craig Allebach, Mark Skibowski, and Greg Kralis. They have been doing a Cracker Jack job of getting us here. We had 99 in attendance last week. Deputy Gigous interviewed Past President Dr. Charles Hollar and found out that 50 years ago we bought over 1,000 Christmas Trees.
Past Lt. Gov. Mary Ellen Jordan invited us to hear our Optimist Singers at 6:20 p.m. at Key Bank on First Friday, December 7.
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 passed the basket today and will do so again next week 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 ofJeff’s phone number to unlock the realtor lock that has the key. Harryreported only 74 trees are left.
Jane Wear thanked those who renovating the Santa House last Saturday. It will be downtown this year. The hours are Friday, Dec. 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 15 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Past Lt. Gov. Jim Reeve and Pack 3736 Leader Sheri Reeve introduced us to Scout Sean Sikora who presented us with $100 from the Pack’s give back to the community program!
President Tracy Furnivall thanked those who attended Baker Youth Clubs’ Open House. They had 90 kids and 60 visitors.
Past President Jeff Owens is getting started on our upcoming Oratorical Contest.
Vice President Angie Tom encouraged us to see “Oliver” at the Wagon Wheel this Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Others confirmed that it was great.
Past President John Elliott announced our Car Show will be downtown onSunday, May 19, 2013.
Past Gov. Ron Donkers announcement people are signing up for ourTriathlon. 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 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient Dax Locke’s last Christmas. When his family heard his chances of making it to Christmas were slim, they started celebrating in September. As the neighbors realized why their house was decorated early, they also decorated their houses early. Then the people in their town caught on and decorated all over town in October. The people in that town will never forget Dax’s smile and positive attitude.
Please pray for our Troops and Families: Major William Graham – Army 101st Airborne – Chaplain
Sergeants-at-Arms: John Elliott, Everett Nifong, and Joel Wihebrinkentertained us.
Lisa Cassel’s son, Taylor won 2nd place in speed skating at Trace Hansen’s Eastlake Skate.
Past President Ron Henry’s son-in-law’s picture was in the paper as a magician.
Sheriff Harry Gigous’ parents were in the paper 75 years ago.
Rick Kerlin pronounced our lineup of those who set up our Santa’s House as America’s Finest Lineup.
Josh Gordon is celebrating Tower Bank’s 5th anniversary in Warsaw.
Chris Wiggins and Lisa Cassel are celebrating Lake City Bank’s being awarded a high performing bank.
John Elliott is celebrating 1st Source Bank’s being awarded Small Business Administration Leander of the Year.
Judge Joe Sutton and our attorneys are suffering through a shortage of legal secretaries.
Our insurance agents are suffering through a shortage of agents.
It was noted we may be fined for wearing advertizing in the future.
Nick Deeter and Dr. Steve Hollar were noted to have rubbed shoulders with Congressman Rokita.
Speaking of spending time with politicians, upon inquiring with PastorRoland Kramer we found that Representative Dave Wolkins goes to church all the time.
Program:
Our Past Lt. Governor and Warsaw Community Development Corporation (WCDC) President Mary Ellen Jordan told us about the great work WCDC is doing for our downtown. Mary Ellen thanked Past President John Elliott for his support for her presidency.
The WCDC is a 501c3 that encourages development of downtown Warsaw.
The WCDC invests in people, buildings, businesses, and land.
The WCDC works for a vital, attractive, dynamic, and unique downtown.
The WCDC keeps information on available downtown locations.
Merchants can order bike racks for their storefronts.
Facade grants match up to $5,000 of expenses incurred improving facades. The WCDC does $25,000 in facade grants per year. Some of the facades that have been improved are: NBS Office Supply, Brennan Pharmacy, 124 & 126 S Buffalo, Giverny Fitness, Lake City Bank Training Center, and Lake Theater / Z Hotel.
WCDC Treasurer Chris Wiggins told us of the revolving loans of up to $20,000 for interior and up to $20,000 for exterior improvements. He said the interest rate is 75% or the Prime Rate. He said that worked out toapproximately 2.4375%. The source of these funds are community banks and local individuals.
In the past WCDC had a “part-time” Director. However the job is more than full-time. This year the WCDC has hired the Warsaw Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce as Director. Trina Hoy does the Newsletter and marketing. Trinais working up a menu of Warsaw downtown restaurants. Mark Dobson works with the merchants.
First Fridays have rally taken off. We have thousands of people downtown on these Friday nights. Upcoming events are Holly Days, December 7 & 8 and Fire and Ice Festival February 1 & 2. Other downtown events include, Fat and Skinny Tire Festival, Spooktakular, and our Optimist Car Show.
The new City Hall is coming along nicely. It will cost half what new construction would have cost. There will be some rent-able space in the 3rdfloor. The City Offices will be on the 1st 2 floors. The new Plaza will operate as parking and on special occasions will be a great atmosphere for First Fridays and Farmer’s Markets.
Our downtown is the place to be!
