Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
President Everett Nifong led our meeting.
>>>>OPENING
96 Optimists & 5 guests attended our meeting. Anna Lackey was the guest of Dr. K T Kishan; Brenda Edling was the guest of Rob Edling; Robert Lee was the guest of Kevin Weaver; Daren Maierle was the guest of Martin Becker; & Camille Kerlin was the guest of Rick Kerlin.
Door Greeters: Ken Anderson & Larry Tucker.
Prayer: Amanda Zambrano led us in prayer.
Pledge was given to the American flag.
Promise yourself was said in unison.
Martin Becker led us in singing Hail to Optimism.
Birthday Honorees: Amanda Lopez, Conner McCammack, Mitch Goon, Noel Hoke, & Ot Schroeder. Dr. David Haines led us in the birthday song with our usual results.
>>>> INFORMATION
Prayer Requests:
Carol Presley Ousley’s family at the passing of her mother.
Phil Jensen’s family at the passing of his brother.
Jim Nesbitt’s recovery.
Membership: Past President Jeff Owens read Jim Layne’s, Anna Lackey’s, & Brenda Edling’s applications. Tonny Ciriello, Dr. KT Kishan, & Rob Edlingsponsored Jim, Anna, & Brenda.
Sheriff & Deputy of Attendance Bill Landrigan & Harry Gigous are taking a well-deserved sabbatical. If we keep coming to the meetings, they may take the whole year off.
Attendance Chairman Don Kenipe has distributed Attendance Make-Up Activities sheets. Please fill out and turn in these sheets to Don. Please put your name on them.
Lt. Gov. John Sullivan installed President Everett Nifong, VP George Brennan, VP Tracy Horrell, Secretary Michelle Bickel, Treasurer Andy Swihart, Board Members Don Reinholt, Gina Voelz, Adam Turner, & Luke Becknell, Sargent at Arms Luke Becknell, Trace Hansen, & Lyle Enyeart.
President Everett Nifong asked us to invite people to eat breakfast with us. As they see the fun we have while helping kids, they may want to join us. He encouraged us to help youth as we go about our week. He also announced the next Board meeting is Monday at 6 p.m. in the Club Office.
Camille Kerlin & Chad Goon announced our Octagon Club is taking orders for their Pumpkin Project. They will donate the profit to Riley Children’s Hospital. They will set-up and take-down an outdoor autumn display at your home or business. For $75 they will set up a display of pumpkins, gourds, 2 straw bales & corn stalks. Cost includes removal, if desired. To order contact any Octagon Club member or call Ot Schroeder at 269-2020.
Dave Meier reported the Penguin Point / Optimist Big Wheel Race will be Friday, October 4 as part of First Friday. Help is needed. Set up is at 5:30 p.m. Registration is from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. The races start at 7:30 p.m. The location will be on Center Street between the Courthouse & the city parking lot.
Trina Hoy reported that our Spooktakular will be Friday, November 1 as part of First Friday. Sign-up sheets are going around. The Costume Contest is from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Trick or Treating is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Costume judging starts at 7:30 p.m. on the Courthouse lawn and can go until 9 p.m. Sponsors are Miller’s Merry Manor, WCDC, Downtown Merchants, Bowen Center, Warsaw Breakfast Optimist & others.
Director Martin Becker reported our Optimist Singers will sing at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, November 3 at Miller’s Merry Manor.
Harry Gigous announced we will be rotating Cub Scout groups who bring cakes to our pre-Thanksgiving Cake Auction.
Tech Chairman Jim Hayes recognized Website Chairman Jeff Owens for his work rebuilding our website.
Warsaw Community High School Football Coach Phil Jensen introduced us to: Anthony Hendrickson #68, Josh Wogoman #66, Stuart Wagner #67, Brett Anson #47, Alfred Walker #54, Tristan McClone #26, Tanner Balazs #25, Chad Goon #23, Jason Taylor #41, Seth Fouts #29, Peter Shepherd #45, Austin Head#10, Conner McCammack #5, & Wyatt Troutner #50. Four Seniors were at the National Honor Society breakfast. Coach Jensen’s philosophy is that his players values should be: Son – Student – Athlete. Every 3 weeks there is a grade check. One guiding goal is that “If you help a young person become a better person, you cannot help but make a better football player.” Our kids work as a team and represent Warsaw very well. In addition to their usual community service, they have done several fund raisers for Sam Dailey from the Columbia City football team.
Sergeants-at-Arms: Trace Hansen, Luke Becknell,& Lyle Enyeart (the good, the bad, & the ugly) entertained us.
Trace recognized those who have adopted shelter dogs, our clergy, Past Lt. Gov. Jim Reeve for Scout popcorn sales, Steve McGlothin for custodians, golfers, and teachers.
Luke recognized Red’s fan, John Kirkpatrick; mongrel of his table, Dave Turner; Jane Wear for sitting at a different table; Kevin Marose for being here to sit at any table. Luke quizzed Packer fans about who the pulling guard was for the Green Bay Sweep. Mike Cox is the one who knew it was Jerry Kreamer. Luke being an Optimist Singer gave a clapping lesson.
Lyle noticed someone parked in Chubb Smith’s parking spot that John Elliott inherited. Lyle reminded us of the story of how you can tell if a cow is from North Dakota. Merl Heckaman reminded us of how the fly got into the milk. Lyle reminded Dr. Jenny Lucht she did not kiss her husband after her 1st wedding. (Lyle &Jenny were married in 1st grade at the Silver Lake playground.)
Rich Haddad commended our Volleyball team for raising funds for the Kosciusko Cancer Care Fund. He also announced our Football team is raising money at Friday’s home game against Wawasee.
Gina Voelz is proud of her daughter for being named the Most Valuable Volleyball Player.
Ed Nordstrom thanked us for attending his successful garage sale. He says now the garage is for sale. The house and view of Pike Lake are thrown in at no extra charge.
Sheriff Bill Landrigan was recognized for his tireless efforts to get us to our meetings. A couple years ago, when Bill started it was an accomplishment to have 75 to 80 in attendance. Remember when Past Lt. Gov. Sam Whitaker reached his stretch goal of 90 in attendance with the help of Sheriff Bill. We have over 80 at our meetings just about every week. Actually the usual is even over 90.
Past President John Elliott enjoyed the Oklahoma Sooner Marching Band the “Pride of Oklahoma” and our own Warsaw Tiger Pride Marching Band. Thanks go to John for asking them to play in Warsaw on the eve of the Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame Football Game. Speaking of the game, the Sooners invitedJohn to watch them beat Notre Dame from a seat on the field. To make the day perfect, Captain Rovenstine gave John a lift back to town in time to see John’s team from Columbus, Ohio beat Wisconsin.
Program:
Amanda Lopez and Cori Olinger told us about the Indiana Heart Gallery. The Indiana Heart Gallery is a traveling photographic exhibit featuring children in foster care who need and deserve a safe and loving home. The gallery showcases remarkable professional portraits of and stories about foster children in Indiana – all of whom long for loving and safe homes. The dramatic photos put a face on a sometimes invisible need and remind families that adoption can change lives.
The Indiana Heart Gallery was created by the Indiana Department of Child Services in 2007 as one way to help children share their stories and hope of joining a family and encourage families to adopt. Many of the children featured in the gallery are older or special needs children, minorities, or members of a sibling group. All are considered hard-to-place children. Our goal is to keep the Heart Gallery moving until all the children are adopted!
The staff at the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) cherish each child and want to help them all find their way to safe and loving homes, call 1.888.25.adopt.
Ann Sweet and Merl Heckaman told touching stories of their experiences as adoptive parents.
