Future Dates
05/20 Car Show
05/23 Optimist Singers
05/30 DNR – Boating Laws and Safety
06/06 Remnant Trust
06/07 Golf Outing at Stonehenge
06/13 Jim Reeve – Roy Rogers
06/20 Triathlon welcome bags
06/23 Triathlon
06/27 Sally Hogan – Kosciusko County Historical Society
07/11 Vicki Kitchin – Build Indiana Council
07/18 Mike Taylor – Encompass World Partners
07/25 Jim Erickson – National Pork Board

>>>>OPENING
99 Optimists & 3 guests attended our meeting. Alan Lucht was the guest of Dr. Jenny Lucht; Denny Strain was the guest of Jim Bricker; and Tamara Drake was the guest of Tracy Furnivall.
Door Greeters: Troy Tom and John Teevan.
Prayer was offered by Dr. Jenny Lucht.
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: Trace Hansen, Ron Donkers, and Craig Nayrocker. Martin Becker led us in the birthday song with “Sven” results.

>>>> INFORMATION
Membership: Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker read Denny Strain’s and Alan Lucht’s applications. Past Lt. Gov. Mary Ellen Jordan inducted Jason Zaugg. Past Lt. Gov. Dr. David Haines sponsored Jason, Jim Bricker sponsored Denny, and Dr. Jenny Lucht sponsored Alan.

Sheriff of Attendance: Harry Gigous greeted Past President Mike Hall. Thanks To Bill and Harry’s efforts we had 99 at today’s meeting.

City of Lakes Cruise In on May 20th: John Elliott and Art Gakstatter gave the last minute preview.
We have had good coverage in the Warsaw Times – Union.
Check to see what you signed up to work. If we all work what we agreed to do, it will go smoother.
We need more judges.
We could use some more door prizes. They should be worth around $5.
All cars will receive a dash plaque.

Everett Nifong reported that teams are signing up for our June 7th Golf Outing at Stonehenge.
Cost is $400 for a foursome (includes golf, cart, lunch, & driving range). A single golfer can sign up for $100.
Sponsorships are available at the Bronze / Tee Sponsorship $100, Silver $475, & Gold $1000 levels. The Esther Pfleiderer Charitable Trust and Sliveus Insurance are Gold level sponsors. Everett is looking for another Gold sponsor.
If you are sponsoring a Tee, tell a committee member right away, so they can have your sign made.
Hole sponsorships are $100, Door Prizes and Goody Bag items are also needed.
Everett says whatever you need is in the “bro-chures for-sure.”
Thanks go to committee members: Mike Cusick, Josh Gordon, Jay Tate, and Jerry Clevenger.

Past Gov. Ron Donkers reminded us that our Triathlon is on June 23rd, the FOURTH Saturday of June.
We will have hand sanitizer and hot towels for our participants after they finish our race.
Ron asked us to sign up for the T-shirts we want by May 23rd.
We are missing the vests and noodles the Parking Committee use to direct traffic. We are also missing One (1) 7 gallon cooler and Four (4) 5 gallon coolers that the Food Service and Water Stations use. We are also missing 17 packets of Gatorade. If you have an idea of where any of these are, contact Ron Donkers, Marty Becker, or Craig Nayrocker.
Some of our other Sub-Chairs are: Mitch Goon and Andy Swihart – Cycling, Bob Jackson – Run, Ken Anderson – Finish Line, Jay Tate – Body Marking, and Craig Nayrocker – Water Stations.

Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker thanked those who helped with our Respect for Law event last Saturday. Scott Whitaker did a great job organizing it.

Optimist District Fundraiser: Ryan Harper is selling $5 raffle tickets for a 32” LCD TV. Proceeds go to our Optimist District.

Please pray for our Troops and Families: SGT Ray Gradeless – Afghanistan

Sergeants-at-Arms: James Nesbitt and Luke Becknell entertained us.
Tyler Miller is celebrating the birth of his 1st child.
Judge Joe Sutton is celebrating the birth of his 1st grandson.
Trace Hansen is anxiously awaiting his new baby.
Fred Nieter reported the WCHS Girls Track Team has won their sectional for the 6th year in a row.
Dr. Steve Hollar invited all to watch some great golf Tomorrow at Stonehenge. It is Senior Night for the WCHS Golf Team.
New County Councilman and Precinct Committeeman, Jon Fussle, was congratulated.
Judge Joe Sutton offered a free 30 days in jail door prize for our Golf Outing.
Mike Hall was fined again for his great big sign.
Lecia Derrossett won our 50/50.

Program:
Baker Youth Club: Director Tracy Furnivall showed a video of BYC’s history and another video of Coach Robert Lichtenwalter’s 76 years at BYC. BYC has been an important part of the culture of our community. BYC has been “building the youth in our community since 1926.”
Pete Thorn, a truant officer at Warsaw Schools was the 1st part-time director.
Coach Lichtenwalter, a coach and educator was the 2nd part-time director.
Scott Wiley, a marketing agent at Bowen Center was the 3rd part-time director.
In 2003 the board hired its 1st full-time director, Tracy Furnivall.
Tamara Drake is the full-time program director.

Over the years the community has actively supported BYC. John Elliott reported when the Lichtenwalter Center was built, the $2.2 million dollars came in like clockwork. BYC had to borrow only $25k once for 21 days as the building went up.

In the years gone by, the activities would be basketball and sock tag.
Now the kids get tutoring and a meal or snack in addition to the activity they enjoy.
An example of the effectiveness of BYC’s tutoring is that 90% of BYC’s 3rd graders pass the new iRead test.

In addition to the Lichtenwalter Center, BYC has satellite programs in the Warsaw Elementary Schools, Sacred Heart, Claypool, North Webster, Syracuse, Milford, and Leesburg.

Years ago the cost of BYC’s program was $70k per year. With the 25 people on the payroll and all the new programs, today’s budget is around $300k per year. Much thanks go to the K21 Health Foundation, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, United Way, and our club among others.

BYC’s Golf Outing is June 16th.

www.bakeryouthclub.com

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