On a note of Optimism: Prez Valerie said “ … the weather’s going to change, so aren’t you glad you purchased your spring flowers and bulbs! “  The orders were brought to the meeting where we could pick them up and distribute.  Happy planting! **If You did not get your order today, contact Valerie to get it.

GUESTS:  Red Leighton’s guests were Christine White, who turned in her application! and Mati Singh and Rob Castle from Office Depot.  Christine McGraw’s guest was Jessica Jenks from Mizzou Credit Union and Cynthia Baker’s guest was her husband, Tom.

MYSTERY PERSON:  Cynthia Baker said that it seemed like everyone was in a hurry to get in this morning, and the most rushed person who shook her hand was Steve Meyerhardt, so he gets a free lunch next week!

TAIL TWISTER:  Steve Henderson was not here today to twist anyone’s tail.

FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanon could not make it either, but phoned to say that there were no birthdays this week, but she has a big list of birthdays for next week!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
*A Day With Wildlife – Prez Valerie asked all those who helped to please stand and be thanked.

** Second Reading of the Slate of officers and Board members for next year:  Jake Jolley, President, Pat Brown, 1^st Vice President, Rick McKernan, 2^nd Vice President, Tim Elliott, Board member and Lora Honey, Board member.

**Next Week’s program will include the winners of our Essay Contest.  Be sure to attend to hear these fine young people, and meet their parents and their teacher!

**Other announcements: Dawn Thurnau announced that the Relay for Life all night walk is scheduled for June 7^th and 8^th a Friday and Saturday.  She said it lasts for about 18 hours, and usually 15 to 18 people are on a team, so each team member walks about one hour.  Since she and her husband are the Chairpersons for the walk in Jefferson City, she asked for help to form a DOC team.

PROGRAM:  Joe Reardon introduced Michael Bollinger of the Lyceum Theatre who talked to us about the upcoming season.  He stressed that you don’t have to drive two hours to Kansas City or St. Louis to see a professional theater, because Lyceum is located “just up the road” in Arrow Rock.  He talked about each of the upcoming shows, and the cost of tickets.  You can get more information by calling (660) 837-3311 or by going on line at www.lyceumtheatre.org.  He then took questions from the audience, and a suggestion was offered to Jim and other ‘husbands’ in the audience to “make a date’ with their wives to attend a show this year, and don’t forget the terrific restaurants right there in Arrow Rock!
Michael Bollinger was presented with a OI pen, and thanked for his presentation.
We closed with the Creed at 1:00 pm.

April 14, 2003

Valerie Goodin rang the bell at 12:15  PM.                       Jay Creasy gave the invocation.
Ellis Havard  led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.                 64 members and guest attended.

On a note of Optimism: On this date, the University of Missouri began classes 162 years ago. We can expect to record the highest temperature of 2003 today, which may set an all time record.

GUESTS:
Essay Contest winners, Meghan Concannon and Charlene Kaiser joined us for lunch today.  Their parents Matt and Kathy Concannon, and Rodney and Linda Kaiser accompanied them.

MYSTERY PERSON:     
Jess Weaver was the mystery person.  He asked Jim Schwartz to stand, not to award him the free lunch but to show off Jim’s new retirement attire.  For the free lunch, Jess chose Marilyn Bohanon because she was willing to sit at such an established table!

TAIL TWISTER: 
Steve Henderson and Susan Long sold raffle tickets prior to the meeting.  They held the drawing for 2 sets of 2 tickets to the Forum Movie Theatre.  Lucky members, Bob Merriman and Kevin Roberson were the winners.

FELLOWSHIP: 
Marilyn Bohanon brought fellowship announcing the following birthdays: Max Miller and Jim Beckett had a birthday lunch with all of us today. Jim Dyer, Jerry Carrington, and Shannon Bruns will celebrate birthdays on the 15^th. Gene Scholes has a birthday on April 18 and Lora Honey, Mati Singh and Bob Curnutte share April 19 birthdays.

GREETER: 
Kelly Buxton was our new member greeter.  He has lived in Columbia for 22 years and is very involved with Soap Box Derby.  He thanks Garry Spotts for the invitation to join our club.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
*Club Board Meeting will be Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 PM in the Clubhouse.

*A Day With Wildlife – Report by Al Buchanan
Although we experienced the worst weather in 23 years, the committee members estimate that 750 people attended and we touched the lives of 300 kids.  Al thanks the committee: Spence Turner, Jim Schwartz, Amy Tripi, Todd Mackey and Ron Miller.  He also thanks Brenda Gibbs-Brown, Charlie Langreder, Rick McKernan, Jim Murphy, Cindy Neff, Buck Rikli and John Sanders for their help.

**The Third reading of our new slate of officers and Board members.
For President, Jake Jolley; For 1^st Vice President; Pat Brown  For 2^nd Vice President, Rick McKernan
Board Members: Tim Elliott [2003-06];   Lora Honey [2003-06];  Election of our new Board will be Monday, April 28 at our regular meeting.
**Next Week’s program will provided by the American Cancer Society.
*Gary Greenlee announced the 2003 Neighborhood Watch Golf Tournament to be held Monday, June 2.  Interested golfers or sponsors should contact Officer Michael Hayes, Columbia Police Department, at 874-7658 or 874-7405.  We also passed the hat for Columbia Second Chance Animal Rescue.  There will be a Mini-Poker Run to benefit the program on Saturday, April 19.  All motorcyclists are welcome!  Contact Gary Greenlee.

PROGRAM:
Valerie Fick and Valerie Goodin presented the plaques and medals to the Essay Contest winners.  The third place winner was Charlene Kaiser, second place went to Jolyn Sattizahn, who was not present, and the first place winner was Meghan Concannon.

The Essay contest has very specific guidelines.  Judges are not members of any Optimist Club and not related to any Optimists or contestants.  The essays are scored anonymously and the totals compiled.  The topic this year was “When our freedom is threatened.” Meghan Concannon read her essay.
We closed with the Creed.

April 21, 2003

Valerie rang the bell at 12:15 PM.     
Invocation  =   Bo Bossaller       Pledge =  Joe Reardon                    Attendance = 64

On a note of Optimism: Prez Valerie announced that her great nephew was born in Scottsdale, AZ and that helps to signify that all is ‘still right with the world”.

GUESTS:  Greg Schneider brought his “boss and wife” Colleen Schneider as his guest, Tom Simmons Lt. Gov from NW Missouri introduced himself and also George Clemens, who chartered an Optimist Club in 1965.  Red Leighton introduced Christine White, who turned in her application (and a check!).  A special welcome to our new members Julie Cupp and John McFarland.

MYSTERY PERSON:  Karen Alissa mentioned that Steve called her earlier this morning and asked her to be mystery person, but she didn’t get here in time to shake many hands.  So, she decided that Jim Martin should get the free lunch next week, since “he works so hard at it”.  

TAIL TWISTER:  Steve Henderson showed us the birthday present he received from his father and gave us a demonstration of his present  … a one string (umm) instrument, which he used to sing a song (that he wrote himself?!?) to our President Valerie Goodin, while wearing his ‘psychedelic’ cowboy hat.  As always, you had to be there.

FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanon announced two birthdays on the same day: John Bach and Amy Tripi both have birthdays on April 21^st.

GREETER:   Joe Sestak also said that Steve called him this morning and asked him if he could be greeter.  Joe said he thought it was only for new members, but we all agreed that this is a good forum to keep in touch with all of our members.  Joe mentioned that he’s been a DOC member since 1990 and that Christmas trees are “my big thing” (which is a “good thing” for DOC!).  He reminded us that spring is the time to plant, so begin to “plant” the idea of buying a DOC Christmas tree with friends and co-workers and “tend this garden” of ideas all year long. He also said that he was a Statistician with the USDA for 39 years.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

* A short meeting of the DOC Board will follow today’s lunch.
* Pete Bakutes asked for a quick meeting with the members who plan to mentor this year.
* Air Show – Pat Brown reported that the committee has been meeting regarding souvenirs etc, and that DOC has been asked to staff 4 booths this year.  At next lunch meeting, he will bring a sign up sheet for those interested.
*At the Holiday Sales Program meeting Thursday, the committee reviewed some scheduling for next year’s tree lot sales program and began reviewing some job descriptions for tree lot projects. The first order for next December’s trees has been placed. The next Holiday Sales meeting will be Thursday, May 15 at 6:00 PM.  We welcome the attendance of those who are interested in getting a jump-start on changes for next year, and are especially appreciative of those who have a lot of knowledge of these projects and are willing to share it.
*The DOC Board met at 7:00 that same day, and welcomed Bob Merriman as a new member, replacing Dawn Thurnau. We are also grateful for Tim Elliott stepping up to the plate and taking on chairmanship of the Jr. Golf Championship tournament for the East Missouri District.
* Gary Greenlee announced that the Motorcycle Poker Run for 2^nd Chance Animal Shelter made over $670 for the shelter!  He thanked DOC members for their contributions when he ‘passed the hat’ at a previous lunch meeting.
*The Central Missouri Food Bank’s “Will Golf for Food Tournament” will be Thursday, May 15. Team captains are needed for 1 more team that our Club is sponsoring. We have seven Optimist Club team captains now, and just need one more!
Captains are…
(1) Jake Jolley
(2) Jim Murphy
(3) Pat Brown
(4) Ellis Havard (tee time - 1 p.m.)
(5) Roy Robinson
(6) Chuck Farquhar (tee time - 9 a.m.)
(7) Dawn Thurnau

Call Susan Long, 474-1020. Tee times will be assigned.

**Next Week’s program will be Chris Gervino on local sports

**Other announcements:
*A reminder that the Business Conference and Showcase is today, and Prez Valerie read a description of the seminars being presented.
*Jay Creasy asked for help at 4:45 PM at the Clubhouse today to unload helmets for Bike Safety Clinic.

PROGRAM:  Lynn Kelley and Cheryl Washington of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Lynn mentioned it was a good opportunity for us “to bond with each other for a good cause”.  Relay for Life is a “signature event” for the American Cancer Society and will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 6^th and 7^th, starting at 6:00 pm on Friday and ending at 10:00 am the next morning, Saturday.  The goal this year is to raise $170,000.  Cheryl mentioned that the proceeds are used to offer services at no charge for many needy people.

President Valerie presented each of them with a plaque of the Optimist Creed.
We closed with the Creed at 12:55 pm.

April 28, 2003

Valerie rang the bell at 12:15 PM.            
Invocation  =   Pat Brown          Pledge =  Christine McGraw                      Attendance = 68

GUESTS:  Steve Winters was recognized as ‘not being a guest’ and a ‘Welcome Back!’
MYSTERY PERSON:  Pete Bakutes picked Brenda Gibbs-Brown as the person he chose for a free lunch next week.  So Brenda, lunch is free for you next week!
TAIL TWISTER:  Steve Henderson had called earlier to say he could not attend today’s meeting and therefore could not brighten our day as the ‘Tail Twister’.  This announcement was followed by a
boisterous applause!
FELLOWSHIP:  Marilyn Bohanon announced birthdays for Bill Arendt on May 1^st, Red Leighton
on May 2^nd, Jim Silsby on May 2^nd and Luke Chase on May 3^rd.
GREETER:   Christine White announced that she was indeed a new member and has taken on this
‘Greeter’ task even before she has her DOC name badge!  She works at Lutheran Family and Children’ Services which helps families with adoption both internationally as well as locally, and offers many other benefits for families and children.  She also mentioned that Red Leighton “roped her in” into attending a lunch, then joining DOC.  Christine, you aren’t alone!  I still think we should make some ‘Red Leighton Raiders’ (the name designated by Jim Silsby) t-shirts for those of us enlisted by Mr. Red himself!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
* The slate of DOC Officers/Board for coming year was brought before the membership and motion was passed to accept.  The new officers for the coming year are: President, Jake Jolley; President Elect, Pat Brown; Vice President, Rick McKernan; and Board members, Tim Elliott and Lora Honey.
* Spence Turner announced that the National Boating Association was sponsoring a family to build a boat, so if we know of any needy family who would like to participate, then keep the boat, let him know.  For this sponsorship, Spence is selling donation tickets to for a chance to win a fully loaded bass boat!  Contact Spence for your ticket!
* Air Show – Pat Brown reported that the committee has been meeting regarding souvenirs etc, and that DOC has been asked to staff 4 booths this year.  At next lunch meeting, he will bring a sign up sheet for those interested.
* Jr. World of Golf Championship – will be June 18^th and 19^th at A. L. Gustin Golf Course.  Children ages 10 through 18 are eligible to participate, so if you know any “Tiger Woods” wannabees, let them know about this event!  It’s on our web site!
*The Central Missouri Food Bank’s “Will Golf for Food Tournament” will be Thursday, May 15. Team captains are needed for 1 more team that our Club is sponsoring. We have seven Optimist Club team captains now, and just need one more!  Captains are… (1) Jake Jolley (2) Jim Murphy (3) Pat Brown (4) Ellis Havard (tee time - 1 p.m.)  (5) Roy Robinson (6) Chuck Farquhar (tee time - 9 a.m.) (7) Dawn Thurnau. Call Susan Long, 474-1020. Tee times will be assigned.
* Jake Jolley briefed us on the district meeting this past Saturday.  It was a combination meeting of both the East and West Missouri Districts.  Luke Chase and Red Leighton and their wives attended the meeting also.  Luke and Red were recognized as being past Governors of East Missouri.
Program: Chris Gervino from KOMU TV spoke on local and national sports.  Chris can be found on the nightly news on KOMU TV as well as the Sports Talk Show on Sundays.  Chris commented that he grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from MU, and he enjoys the college town atmosphere of Columbia.  He talked about the NFL draft as to what MU players went where, MU sports, Columbia College sports, and the upcoming area high school season and the new Mid Missouri Mavericks baseball team.  He then answered many questions for the membership.