November 21, 2005

Although President Rick McKernan claimed to ring the Optimist Bell at 12:15 pm, this writer’s watch showed 12:12 pm; and several members really had to struggle to finish that second piece of chocolate cake before the start.Rick encouraged everyone to put down their knives and forks and shout an Optimistic“I feelgoooooood!,”complete with the requisite enthusiastic swing of the arm.Jay Ketchie gave the invocation, and GregSchneider led the Pledge of Allegiance. A whopping 56members were present -terrific!

GUESTS

Brian Hudspeth introduced his son Tom Hudspeth from New Mexico. And welcome back to you too, Brian. We are glad that you are back from the hospital. Rick brought guest Suzie Naeger, managing officer at the West Broadway branch of BCNB.

MYSTERY PERSON

The mystery person was Chuck Boots, who awarded next week's free meal to Jess Weaver, in honor of all the hard work he has done for our KOEZE Nut sales. Of course how "free" was the meal when you consider that Jess donated a zillion hours of his time managing the Koeze Nuts program? Thank you, Jess!

TALE TWISTER
There is good news and bad news.T he good news is that tail twister Steve Henderson was unable to attend the lunch meeting; thus, we were spared hearing him tell a joke. The bad news is that he passed the joke on to Rick McKernan , who told it in Steve’s place.

FELLOWSHIP
Dottie Stoerker-Peters announced that Mike Russell has a birthday this week on November 26th. And, SteveWinters had a wonderful baby girl, Rebecca Octavia Winters on November 18th, with help from his wife,Reng.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas trees are being delivered to the tree lots right now, according to John Sapp. Sales begin this week on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. If you have yet to volunteer, please contact tree lot captains Bo Bossaller (864-3893) or Bob Merriman (442-2584).

Pat Brown reminded us that peanut brittle sales also start with the tree lot sales this Friday. We need volunteers to help bag the brittle Tuesday, November 22nd at 6:00pm at the clubhouse. Please come lend a hand...or both of them!

Rick McKernan announced funding activity that was approved at the recent DOC Board of Directors meeting on November 17th.We gave $1500 to JumpStart, which funds ten small books per student to 50 pre-school children. A college student also is assigned to each pre-schooler to help the child master reading skills, and to educate their parents on skills for helping their children learn. We also gave $500 to Columbia Youth Wrestling to support this sport among pre-high school students. Finally, we gave $200 to buy candy that was distributed at the recent Christmas Parade that included a Soap Box Derby /Downtown Optimist Club float.

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
That’s right. Here is still another plea to all you stragglers to mail in your dues payments.

PROGRAM
Jack Cruise introduced Teresa Maledy, president of Commerce Bank of Mid-Missouri and chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Teresa said that the Chamber is celebrating its 100^thanniversary and is a strong, robust organization with 1,165 members. The cost to join starts at about $280 per year and is pegged to the size of the joining entity. Its $740,000 budget supports a variety of activities. For example, the Chamber sends information to people who are thinking about moving or retiring here. It maintains a web site that gets about 400-500 hits a day. It also monitors issues that are important to its members, such as the proposed Rangeline expansion. The Chamber also sponsors leadership programs for high school and college students, and business persons. And, one of the Chamber priorities is focusing on early childhood development, which in turn leads to a better business and social environment for our community.

NEXT WEEK
Don’t miss next week’s presentation. On Monday, November 28, we will have Amber Thurlo Pearson, from the National BioDiesel Board speak. Your friends will be present as well. Be a hero - invite a guest!

FUTURE PROGRAMS
11/28-Amber Thurlo Pearson-National BioDiesel Board
12/5- Dr. Phyllis Chase, Superintendent of Schools, Columbia Public Schools
12/12- Deputy Sheriff Andy Anderson, Crimes Against Children Unit, "Dangers Lurking On The Internet"
12/19- Christmas Program

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1/9- Dr. Elson Floyd, President of University of Missouri System
1/16-Pending
1/23- Judge Gary Oxenhandler, 13th Judicial Circuit Court
1/30-Pending

***************Bulletin Submitted Courtesy of Steve Klein, 445-4434,kleinstevenh@msn.com.

November 14, 2005

President Rick McKernan rang the Optimist Bell at 12:17 pm. Although he again failed to begin the meeting at 12:15, several members nodded in approval at his improvement over last week’s 12:18 starting time. Rick encouraged everyone to shout an Optimistic “I feel gooood!,” with enthusiasm. Kevin Quinn gave the invocation, and Chuck Boots led the Pledge of Allegiance. About 46 members were present. Steve Klein was the greeter.

GUESTS

Ed and Valerie Harre brought their son John to the lunch. John shared life experiences with other members of the club during the meal. Grandpa Larry Fick did not seem displeased to have his grandson visit.

MYSTERY PERSON

The mystery person was Scott Stager, who awarded the free meal to Garry Spotts. Garry earned his meal by engineering improved, light-weight “legs” that were used in setting up the Rock Bridge tree lot fence on Friday Nov. 11, 2005. Previously, the fence legs were inserted into concrete, whose weight was considerable. A survey conducted at the fence set-up concluded that Garry’s idea saved the Club from four hernias and two back surgeries.

TALE TWISTER

Tail twister Steve Henderson told a joke. Members intend to vote on whether the Red Cross should be present at future lunches, in case anyone will need medical attention after hearing any more of Steve’s jokes. Philosopher Steve then discussed what women think of men, including: so many men, so little aspirin.

FELLOWSHIP

Dottie Stoerker-Peters announced birthdays this week include Steve Winters, Jim Martin and Phyllis Nichols.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The tree lot committee will meet at the clubhouse at 6:00 pm this Thursday, Nov. 17, followed by a Board of Directors meeting at 7:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend.

The Koeze Nut delivery has arrived. By this time you should have picked up your orders. If for some reason you have not gotten yours, please contact Jess Weaver ASAP.

A big, big thank you to the members who set up the Rock Bridge tree lot on Nov. 11. They include: Max Miller, Garry Spotts, Mick Rettke, Brant Bukowsky, John Sapp, Sid Sullivan, Pete Bakutes, Chuck Boots with sons Zach and Shane, Pat Brown, Joe Sestak, Jim Murphy, Brian Phifer, Rick McKernan, Bo Bossaller, and prospective members Rusty Thurman and Roger Helmka.

Tree lot captains Bo Bossaller and Bob Merriman are still looking for a few good men and women to man and woman the tree lots.

The Eastern MO district meeting is approaching fast, this Dec. 2-3, in St. Louis. Contact Rick McKernan if you want to attend.

Don’t forget that the recruiter of any new members who join Optimists by Dec. 31, 2005 will be entered into an OI lottery, with the winner receiving two tickets to a Caribbean cruise.

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF

Treasurer Steve Klein reports that some members still have not paid there dues yet. Please, please send in your dues immediately. Additionally, Steve stated that he was very disappointed with the way members prepared their checks. Despite his instructions to make the checks payable to him personally, everyone, yes everyone made their checks payable to the Downtown Optimist Club. On another note, Steve announced that he was not going to be buying a boat after all.

PROGRAM

Member Glenn Robertson, program director of The Intersection, introduced our speaker, Dana Battison, Executive Director of The Intersection. Dana said that the organization started in 2003 and is a grass-roots Columbia entity located near our clubhouse. It offers a positive culture to kids and adults, stressing the importance of love, education and positive male role models. It started with 25 core kids and now helps about 90 young people, who are in kindergarten through twelfth grade, improve their grades and attitudes. It has activities for kids between 3:00 – 6:30 pm plus evening events. The Intersection also works with adults and is in the process of starting an elder care program. Our Club is proud to support The Intersection.

COMING  WEEK

BOARD MEETING this week on Thursday, November 17th, at 7:00 P.M. at Optimist Club House. The meetings are open to all.  

Don’t miss next week’s presentation Monday, November 24th: Teresa Maledy, chairperson of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, will be the speaker. And, your friends will be there as well.

Be a hero - invite a guest!

FUTURE PROGRAMS

11/28 - Amber Pearson - National Biodiesel Board

12/5   - Dr. Phyllis Chase,  Superintendent of Schools, Columbia Public Schools

12/12 - Deputy Sheriff Andy Anderson, Crimes Against Children Unit, "Dangers Lurking On The Internet"

12/19 - Christmas Program

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1/9    - Dr. Elson Floyd, President of University of Missouri System

1/23  - Judge Gary Oxenhandler, 13th Judicial Circuit Court

November 7, 2005

President Rick McKernan rang the Optimist Bell at 12:18 pm. The attendees overlooked his starting the proceedings three minutes late. Rick encouraged everyone to shout an Optimistic “feeling good,” with enthusiasm. Bob Merriman gave the invocation, and Mike Hatchett led the Pledge of Allegiance. About 41 members were present.

GUESTS
No guests were at the lunch. Members should consider the importance of asking guests to attend lunch, an excellent way to help increase our Club’s membership. 

MYSTERY PERSON
The mystery person was Connie Howe, who awarded the free meal to Luke Chase as a tribute to his whistling skill.

TALETWISTER
Tail twister Steve Henderson reported seeing a three-legged chicken running along Highway 70 and keeping up with traffic. He followed the chicken to its home; the farmer who bred the three-legged chickenssaid he expected to sell a lot of them. How do they taste? Don’t know; nobody’severy caught one. Philosopher Steve then gave several inspirational lessons fromNoah’s ark, such as: amateurs built the ark; professionals built theTitanic.

Birthdays this week include Dottie Stoerker-Peters, who was heard admitting that yes she is age 39, and Phil Weedin, who was born in metropolitan Fairfax, MO.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jess Weaver stated that the Koeze Nuts have arrived and can be picked up either Tuesday, Nov. 8, between 6-8 pm or Friday, Nov. 11, between 9 am to 5 pm. Please turn in any remaining orders by the end of the week.

Rick McKernan said that the Eastern MO District meeting has been postponed until Dec. 2-3, to be held in St.Louis. If you wish to attend, let him know.

We need your help! GarrySpotts reminded us that the set-up of the Rock Bridge tree lot will occur this Friday. Meet at the clubhouse at 8:00 am. Project chairman Pat Brown says that with adequate help, we can be finished between 10:00 am and 10:30 am. Please email Rick McKernan (mckernan@coin.org) if you can help so we know how many people we will have. But even if you don't email him, you're still welcome to show up if you can help.

Tree lot captains Bob Merriman and Bo Bossaller sent around sign-up sheets for working on the tree lots. If you were not at the meeting and want to help, please call Rock Bridge Bob (442-2584) or Grand Avenue Bo ( 864-3893), who will put you in touch with the appropriate tree lot weekly captain.

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
Treasurer Steve Klein reports that while many of you have paid your dues for the 2005-2006 fiscal year, some have not. The Club has a new get-tough policy for dealing with the late-payers. Anyone who does not pay immediately will be personally visited by Steve Henderson and be told a one-on-one joke.

PROGRAM

Carol Kieninger, teacher at Hickman High School and advisor to the “Hickman Review 05,” and three Hickman students discussed the magazine, which contains literary and artistic submissions from Hickman students. A broad range of talent is contained in the magazine, including poetry, prose, reviews, interviews, drawings and paintings, musical scores, jewelry and sculpture, photography, graphic art, and film.

Seven hundred fifty magazines areprinted, at a cost of $10,000. The Review receives $1,800 from the Columbia Public Schools and relies on generous donors to cover the balance. Carol expressed gratitude to the Downtown Optimist Club for the club's financial contribution to their success.

Several copies were distributedto Club members. Clearly, the magazine is a high-quality publication that contains outstanding material.

Assisting Carol in spotlightingselections from The Hickman Review were students Rokaya Helfer, Jacob Thomeczek, and Yuchen Tian. The three students each read selections from the Review, gave their commentary on the significance of the subjects, and furnished brief biographies of the creators of the material.

NEXTWEEK
If you are not a regular attendee of your Club’s meetings, you are missing terrific programs, such as this one--as well missing a chance to say hello to your Club friends. We look forward to seeing you next week on Monday,November 14th, when Laura Gray will discuss Mizzou’s Emerging Leadership Program, and getting students involved in the community.

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BOARD MEETINGS on 3rd Thursday, 7:00 P.M. at Optimist Club House. The meetings are open to all. November board meeting: November 17th. 

******************************Bulletin prepared by Steve Klein