Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Future Dates
1/16 Wed. Christon Clark / Habitat for Humanity
1/17 Thur. 4-H Open House in County Building
1/23 Wed. Warsaw Schools Symphony
1/25 & 26 Fri. & Sat. District Meeting in Logansport
1/26 Sat. YMCA Community Support Campaign Kickoff
2/1 Fri. First Friday downtown Fire & Ice, 4-H Chili fundraiser
2/2 Sat. TriStar Basketball at BYC
2/6 Wed. Rebecca Bazzoni / Jacob’s Ladder
2/9 Sat. Regional TriStar Basketball at BYC
2/13 Wed. Warsaw Schools Band
2/13 Wed. evening Valentine’s banquet
2/20 Wed. Lindsey Best / Big Brothers Big Sisters
2/21 Thur. 4-H Open House in County Building
3/8 Fri. Baker Youth Clubs Madness fundraiser at Wagon Wheel
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, January 9, 2013
>>>>OPENING
91 Optimists & 5 guests attended our meeting. Larry Bishop was the guest of Bob Ibach; Toni Derry was the guest of Trina Hoy; Rob Edling was the guest of Jason Matthews; and Anne Truitt-Petre and Cody Demske were the guests of Mary Ellen Jordan.
Door Greeters: Rich Haddad and Bob Jackson.
Prayer: Dr. Jennifer Lucht led us in prayer.
Pledge was given to the American flag.
Promise yourself was said in unison.
Martin Becker led us as we sang “Hail to Optimism.”
Birthday Honoree: Juergen Voss. Martin Becker led us in the birthday song with pretty good results.
>>>> INFORMATION
Prayer Requests: Marv Miller’s continued recovery.
Membership: Past President Jeff Owens’ assistant Brooke Hamstra readToni Deery’s and Larry Bishop’s applications. Past President Bob Jacksoninducted Brooke Hamstra. Rick Kerlin is sponsoring Brooke, Trina Hoy is sponsoring Toni, and Bob Ibach is sponsoring Larry.
Sheriff of Attendance Bill Landrigan greeted Chuck Kane, Dave Meier, andKaren Kauffman. Sheriff Bill reported that since we had 40 in attendance December 26 and 59 last week we had approached “The Attendance Cliff.” He said since we had 91 here today, we had wisely backed away from “The Attendance Cliff.” He further announced an attendance amnesty.
Christmas Tree Chairman Harry Gigous recognized those who helped put away the Christmas Tree Lot.
Lt. Governor John Sullivan invited us to attend the District Meeting on January 25 and 26 in Logansport. Let Treasurer Jennifer Dorman know if you are going.
Chad Zaucha invited us to the YMCA’s Community Support CampaignKickoff Saturday, January 26 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Chris Wiggins announced both our local and our regional TriStar Basketballwill be at Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market St, Warsaw, with registration at 9:30 a.m. and the event at 10 a.m. The local competition is Saturday, February 2 and the regional is Saturday, February 9. Sign-up sheets are on our tables. Please invite kids between the ages of 8 to 13. The 1st 100 kids on the 2nd will get free t-shirts.
President Elect Everett Nifong announced our Valentine’s banquet will be at 6:30 pm. with dinner at 7 p.m. on February 13 at the Shrine Building.
Past President Jeff Owens announced our Oratorical Contest will be at Zimmer. Thanks to Past President John Elliott and the Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust for sponsoring a prize.
President Tracy Furnivall invited us to Baker Youth Club’s Madness fundraiser at the Wagon Wheel on Friday, March 8.
Past President John Elliott announced our Car Show will be downtown onSunday, May 19, 2013.
Past Gov. Ron Donkers announced people are signing up for our Triathlon. 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.
Please pray for our Troops and Families: Lt Col James Schaefer – Army – Chaplain
Sergeants-at-Arms: John Elliott, Everett Nifong, and Joel Wihebrinkentertained us.
Rich Haddad’s daughter is engaged.
Rich Haddad provided us a good example by giving to our cause.
Past Lt. Gov. Jim Reeve was given a U.S. Marine Band Calendar in honor of his 2 sons who served in the Marines.
It was noted that Jim Walmer has been renamed Town Council for Winona Lake. He generously gives them a reduced rate.
Lake City Bank employees were honored since their employer donated $2500 to the Noon Club.
It was noted that the newspaper article about Donna Nordstrom’s Lions activities, did not mention all that Ed does with us.
John Elliott thanked Fred Nieter since Purdue hosted the Buckeyes.
Notre Dame fan, Bob Jackson, was recognized.
It was discovered that Jason Matthews is the talented artist who does the Post It Notes that show up in the paper.
It was noted that Coach Jim Kessler, Past President James Nesbitt, and Merl Heckaman had kids who played basketball for Jefferson Elementary years ago.
Those who used to go to Breading’s Cigar Store paid for the free coffee they received 25 years ago.
Fred Nieter read a touching story from R. Wayne Snider. It told the story of the kids from Newtown as they entered Heaven’s Gate and met with Jesus Christ their Savior. He says “In the midst of the darkness, I AM still the Light.”
Program:
Anne Truitt-Petre Purdue Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development Director and Cody Demske Junior Leader Vice President brought us up to date on 4-H. Today there are over 100 types of projects kids can get involved in. The traditional livestock group of projects include poultry, swine, horse and pony, among many others. The non-breading projects include, photography, shooting sports, among others.
The first year in shooting sports emphasizes safety as kids are introduced to the 5 disciplines of: rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzle loading, and archery. After the first year a student can do projects in any or all of the five disciplines.
Some of the newer projects are creative writing, learning to customize a cake or brownie box mix, Lego, pocket pets, or a self-determined project. Recently students have done self-determined projects like a robot or a security system.
4-H focuses on health living, community service, and science and technology. The Junior Leadership club emphasizes community service, fun, and leadership. The Junior Leaders are working on the Memorial Garden that will be rededicated next summer. Junior Leaders help at the fair, and also help beginners in as they start 4-H.
Kids from Kindergarten through 2nd grade explore 4-H. Traditional 4-H is for kids from 3rd grade through high school. The deadline to enroll is March 1st. 4-H is having an Open House on Thursday, January 17 and Thursday, February 21 at the County Building, at 202 W. Main St. The Junior Leaders will have a chili fundraiser at the Fire and Ice First Friday on February 1st.
