Future Dates
7/6 no meeting—Fair
7/13 no meeting—Fair
7/20 Sally Mahnken—CASA
>>>>OPENING
82 Optimists & 6 guests attended our meeting. Mark Nunez was the guest of Lecia Derrossett; Lila Shelburne was the guest of Mary Ellen Jordan; Kendra Paton was the guest of George Paton; Shane Newsome & Jim Mills were the guests of Mitch Goon; & Ronnie Heim was the guest of Sam Whitaker. DoorGreeters: Greg Kralis & Ron Donkers. Prayer was offered by Doug Ogle. Pledge was given to the American Flag. Promise yourself was said in uni-son. Birthday Honorees: Dr. David Haines, Hugh Eagan, & Angie Tom. Martin Becker led us in the birthday song with our usual results.
>>>> INFORMATION
Prayer List: Dot Nieter, Fred’s wife is in the hospital.
Membership: Past Pres. George Brennan inducted Shawn Williamson. Scott Whitaker read Mark Nu-nez’s application. Everett Nifong & Lecia Derrossett sponsored Shawn & Mark respectively.
Past Gov. Ron Donkers & Luke Becknell thanked our members who participated in or worked at our Triath-lon. A special thanks goes to Jim Hayes who works UNTOLD hours behind the scenes every year to make our event go. Ron also read several notes of thanks from our participants. We gave Ron & Patty Donkers a standing ovation for all their leadership & work. Ten years ago we had 373 participants. Mitch Goon presented a $300 check to Jim Mills & Shane Newsome of Warsaw Cross Country for their help set-ting up & taking down our transition area.
Past Gov. Ron Donkers is looking for past presi-dents to train new presidents in our district. Please see Ron.
Lt. Gov. Jim Reeve’s Cub Scout troop 3736 is hav-ing a yard sale 7/9. Please drop off items at Jim’s of-fice. Also 7/14 is Scout day at the fair. Scouts get in for free that day if they are wearing their uniform.
Trina Hoy invited us to the Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing on 7/20th at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Cost is $125 per person.
Sherriff of Attendance, Bill Landrigan, looked out at our 82 members in attendance & sat down.
President Joel Wihebrink reported we will not be meeting July 6th & 13th due to the Fair.
Martin Becker reported the Optimist Singers are off until Aug. 10th.
Please see Craig Nayrocker if you are interested in writing our Optibullette newsletter when Craig is out.
President Joel Wihebrink led us in recognizing those who lead us in our major fund raising events: Past Gov. Ron Donkers & Luke Becknell with our Triath-lon; Past Pres. John Elliott & Art Gakstatter with our Car Show; & Everett Nifong with our Golf Outing.
Angie Tom invited all to Winona Lake’s 4th celebra-tion on Saturday, July 2nd.
Lt. Gov. Jim Reeve reported contestants are needed for the Hot Dog Eating contest at our Fair 7/17 at 2pm. Owens is sponsoring this event.
Please pray for our Troops and Families:
EN3 Evan Mock – Navy – working with mine detect-ing dolphins
Sergeants-at-Arms: Pres. Joel Wihebrink along with Dr. David Haines, Denny Andrews, & Jeff Owens entertained us. Joe Wilkey was recognized for his navigation on Winona Lake. Max Mock was recognized for his water weed control idea. Fred Nieter told us of a jumping goat. Don Kenipe won $25 in our 50/50.
Program: Tracy Furnivall from Baker Youth Club told us of the merger of Boys & Girls Club into Baker Youth Club. Kids are being bussed from the Pete Thorn Center to the Lichtenwalter Center. Service is being expanded to Syracuse, North Webster, & Clay-pool in addition to Milford, Pierceton, Leesburg & Warsaw. Tracy is looking for feedback on the name of the club. Those present like ―Baker Youth Club‖.

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