Wednesday, January 13,

Upcoming Events:

Jan:

1/20-WCS Middle School Orchestra/Carolyn Stalcup

1/27-Lakeland Youth Chorale

Feb:

2/3-History of Basketball/Jim Kessler

2/10-YEA!/Jennifer Pyle & Andrea Reed

2/17-WISE/Brooke Hamstra & Chris Mahan

2/24-The Trailhouse

Meeting:

President, Trace Hansen, led our meeting.

86 Optimists & guests:

• Jeffrey Crawford-guest of Jennifer Pyle.
• Jane Cope-guest and daughter of Don Kenipe.
• Mike Conley-guest of Art Gakstatter.
• Tom Brown-guest of Art Gakstatter.
• Diane Wulliman-Program.
• Patrick Haas-guest of Travis McConnell.
• Team of the Week: Warsaw Boys Basketball Team and Coach Doug Ogle.

Door Greeters: Bob Ibach & John Teevan.

Prayer: John Elliot.

Pledge was given to the American flag.  

Promise yourself was said in unison.

Hail to Optimism was sung in unison. 

Birthday Honorees: Happy Birthday to David Mitchell, James Layne, Dave Taylor, John Teevan, Ken Anderson and one of the boys basketball players!

Check Presentation: Jeff Owens presented a check to Coach Kessler in the amount of $584 for KCCCF Hoops for Hope on behalf of our club. 

Membership:

Pam Galloway conducted:

• 3^rd Reading:
  • Jeffrey Crawford-sponsored by Jennifer Pyle

Optimist of the Month-December: Mickey Smethers was announced. Last month Mickey was a Santa for the Santa House and drove all the way to Mentone to go visit a little girl who could not make it to Center Lake Park. Great job spreading the Christmas spirit and impacting our youth in a positive way Mickey!

CEO Report:

Jennifer Pyle announced-Everett Nifong.

Member since-January 2006.

Spouse-Bobbi.

Anniversary-June 25.

Children-(2) Josh and Jared.

Grandchildren-(3) Jayla-3.5, Joel 1.5, & Lakelyn-1 month old.

Pets-Bentley the Main Coon cat.

City of residence-Warsaw since 2005.

Occupation-Commercial banker with Lake City Bank-30 year career.

Hobbies-Golf, cruise vacations and playing with grandkids.

Burning Desire-Shoot even par round of golf, win the lotto and retire.

Key to Success-Honesty, integrity, remaining objective and having a belief in what you do.

Honors-Past President, Chair Golf Outing, Past Sergeant, Past Pillar of the Community, Past Board Member, Past Chair of Membership.

Something nobody know-He is double jointed in his right hand (cross fingers twice all at once).

Favorite Optimist Memory-As new President for the January 14^th meeting, he drove into the fairgrounds, noticed many people standing outside in the cold. We had changed caterers and new one did not obtain a key to enter the bulding. Thankfully Art Gakstatter had one, but breakfast was a little late that morning. Also selling Christmas trees with Joel W. Thank you Everett! We appreciate your dedication and ALL you do for the club!

Committee Reports:

• Jeff Owens-Oratorical Contest will be either on Friday, March 11^th or 18^th. We need volunteers, so contact Jeff if you are interested.
• Chris Wiggins-Tri-Star Basketball/Soccer will be held on Sunday, February 21^st from 1-3pm. We need 20 volunteers to come out and help get the kids through the different drills.
• Everett Nifong-9^th Annual Golf Outing will be in June. They are looking for Tee Sponsors and volunteers for the event. Planning to have the first committee meeting on February 8^th at 5:15pm at Clevenger Insurance Agency.
• Announcements:
• District meeting on January 23^rd at Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne, contact Michele Bickel if you are interested in attending.
• Board Meeting Recap:
  • We have printed off Business Cards for the club. Feel free to take a stack of 10 and use them to invite guests to join us for breakfast! Big thanks to Trina Hoy for designing them! 

Sheriff’s Report: Harry gave us an update on Bill Landrigan, he fell off a ladder and has some bruising, please keep him in your prayers.

50/50: Doc Haines won this week!

Videos: Chris Wiggins ½ court shot for push ups at the Tri-Star Basketball was played. 

Sergeants-at-Arms:  Bob Bishop, Tim Hamman and Joel Wihebrink entertained us…

$1 Fine:

• All the Bama fans for winning the National Championship.
• Chris Wiggins “placement cost” for the Lake City Bank ink pens placed on the tables with the Tri-Star sign up sheets.
• Kyle Dukes for buying 50/50 tickets from 3 weeks ago.
• Doc Haines for winning 50/50.
• Don Kenipe (our past lucky 50/50 winner) does NOT have a powerball ticket.
• Coach Kessler for winning the game. He attributed the victory to great defense and said they play again tonight.
• Doug Ogle left and his basketball team stayed for the meeting.
• Dave Taylor was in the paper with his customers and fans talking about the store when they were younger.
• Art Gakstatter announced you shouldn’t buy 50/50 tickets that say “Staples.”
• Fred’s joke of the week was funny Headlines.

Happy $1:

• Marty Becker mentioned Mark Spede the Clemson University Band Director had a tie to Warsaw (Bonus, Gina Voelz dated him at one time).
• Jeff Serveis daughter graduated Carol High School
• Coach Kessler for the boys basketball team.
• Jen Pyle announced she only has 10 more days until her wedding.
• Bruce Hansen said the Hawks played better than Minnesota.

Program:                                                                                                               

Diane Wulliman came to present about the Indiana Bi-Centennial. The torch will go through our county on Thursday, September 29^th. There will be events to celebrate and honor to come. Nominations are being taken through January 31^st. If you have a good candidate complete the nomination form and send it asap! There is more information online at www.Indiana2016.org/torchrelay, for volunteering, sponsorship opportunities and to return nomination forms, please email: INkos200@gmail.com. Thank you for presenting Diane, we appreciate the information and look forward to September this year!

Reminders:

• Invite a guest next week.
• Clean up tables.

Next Week’s Program: WCS Middle School Orchestra

• Quote: “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving.” -Dr. MLK Jr.

Have a Great and Optimistic week!