October
10, 2005
President Rick McKernan rang the Optimist Bell at 12:15 and then encouraged everyone to shout an Optimist expression with enthusiasm Kevin Quinn gave the Invocation and Valerie Goodin led the Pledge of Allegiance. About 42 members were present.
Guests were:
Mel West, guest of Jim Pinkstaff; Charlette Carrington, guest of Jerry
Clevenger, Steve Pouinelli, guest of Pat Brown. =>Steve has turned in his membership application today.
Shirley Reschly, guest of Lester Reschly.
The mystery person was Dottie Stoerker-Peters who awarded the free meal to Rick
McKernan because he gave Dottie a great warm greeting.
Tail Twister, Steve Henderson, lighten up the day again. To top it off, Steve reported that he just won his third consecutive 1st place finish in Chili Cook Off contests. Since this writer has tasted a few of his chilies, I was not surprised. Congratulations, Steve, for making the best Chili around.
Birthday coming up: Glenn Robertson on 10/14.
Each table had an auto license plate with “Missouri” in white letters on a maroon background. In smaller letters on the top it had “Optimist Clubs” and also under Missouri was “Friends of the Boy.”
These plates were made in the 1960's and found in his basement by Tom Martz, a former member. Tom passed them onto Gary Spotts to be handed out.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
*The new Optimist Club in Centralia will have a breakfast meeting Saturday. Rick would like to have three members from our club attend. Help Rick . Call (573) 443-7200 if you can go. The breakfast (Meeting?) starts 8:00AM at Bells Restaurant.
*Steak dinner Wednesday, 10/19. Have fun. Good deal. If you haven’t signed up, contact Jess Weaver.
*Kozee Nuts: Start getting the orders and money in. The sooner you turn in the orders, the less pressure on the nut guys at the end of the sales campaign.
*Dues are due if you haven’t paid. After next meeting, the club will have to send invoices out and that costs the club postage.
*Rick mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce is still taking applications for “Leadership - Colombia.” Rick recommends it as worthwhile. Contact him, if you are interested in applying.
PROGRAM:
The program was very timely and interesting. Eddie Hedrick from Mo Dept of Health & Senior Services gave a talk titled “Bio-Terrorism.” Right off, Mr. Hedrick points out Osama BinLaden is no match to what Mother Nature can dish out. He listed 30 or more diseases lurking about that could mutate and create a pandemic outbreak. However the rest of the talk was focused on flu viruses’. He talked about the types of viruses’ and how they are constructed. Headrick talked about the impact of past pandemic influenza outbreaks like in 1918 when millions died world wide. Said it took four months to spread around the world in 1918. Now it would take only four days. And then talked mostly about the current Asian bird flu virus.
There is great concern about this strain of An Asia bird flu virus. The concern is it could mutate so humans would be the carriers and easily spread among other humans. If this happens, then it is feared that the new virus could get ahead of health services’ capabilities.
Mr. Hedrick described different strains of the flue virus and the impact they have. The concern is that two or more viruses will reconfigure into a new virulent virus and since it is a pure new virus, people will have no immunity to it.
The health authorities are trying to prepare for a worst case scenario even though there is no proof that a worst case scenario will occur.
Some interesting points;
*It is believed that historically all the human flue viruses have likely started as avian flu.
*A vaccine for a new strain of the virus cannot be produced till the virus shows up and be identified. Then it takes six months or longer to produce the vaccine.
* Good chance that a new strain of the virus will have some elements of a past virus and humans will have partial immunity.
*Currently so far 165 people died in Asia from the Bird flu virus. All of them got it by handling chickens and not from other humans. The Asia bird flu virus is deadly to humans. It looks like a 50% mortality rate but there could be other health factors that caused some of the deaths.
October 17, 2005
President Rick McKernan rang the Optimist Bell and we all responded to Rick’s greeting with a strong “I feel Great!” Connie Howe gave the Invocation and Joe Sestak led the Pledge of Allegiance. It looked like we had a few more members attending than the previous week.
GUESTS
Brock and Brant Bukowsky were guests of Red Leighton. They have filled out their membership applications today. Welcome to our Downtown Optimist Club, Brant and Brock. Valerie and Ed Harre brought little John, who enjoyed the activity and we enjoyed seeing him.
MYSTERY PERSON
Jess Weaver was the Mystery Person today. Jess gave a free dinner to Ed Hampton.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES
Happy birthday to Larry (Bo) Bossaller, born in Slater, MO., not long ago.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ø Those who have not, please pay your dues.
Ø Board meetings 3rd Thursday, Oct. 20. Christmas sale meeting starts 6:00 p.m. and Optimist Board meet starts at 7:00 p.m.. The meetings are open to all.
Ø Steak Dinner Wednesday, Oct. 19. Jess Weaver Coordinator. Steve Henderson chiefs cook.
Ø Kozy nut sales need to be turned in now. Take to Jess Weavers business if you have sales that are not turned in. Or call Jess Weaver if you have conflicts . . .
Ø Harold Hinshaw is hospitalized.
Ø 3rd Annual Missouri Chestnut Roast which will take place on Oct. 29, 10am to 4pm at 10 Research Center rd., New Franklin, Mo. This is hosted by the U. of Mo Center for Agroforestry and College of Ag Food and Natural Resources. It is open to the public and free. Contact Christine McGraw or go to http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/events/chestnut/index.asp to get directions and schedule of activities. There will be wreath making; A wood lathe; Live bat and tree grafting demonstrations and more.
PROGRAM
The program started off with Mike Whitworth from Dream Factory, a nationwide organization with about 5,000 members. When a family member gets a chronic disease, the entire focus of the family’s life changes and normal family life stops. The purpose of Dream Factory tries to add back a little of normal family life.
Mr. Whitworth brought a beneficiary of their help, Turner Reed and his mother, Amanda Reed. Mrs. Reed talked about the need for her to give up her job so she could administer therapy for Turner. She told us about their experience with Dream Factory and the trip provided by Dream Factory to Disneyland. The Disney trip was a once in a life time, unforgettable experience. Disney Company gave them many quality mementos. Downtown Optimist Club provided funding to Dream Factory this past summer to help this dream become a reality.
Questions asked by an Optimist brought out the following statistics. Mid Missouri Dream Factory completed 27 dreams last year. Nationally, Dream Factory completed around 25,000 dreams.
Next week’s program: speaker from Boone Hospital.
October 24, 2005
President Rick McKernan rang the Optimist Bell and asked “How do you feel?”
Bo Bossaller gave the Invocation and Greg Schneider led the Pledge of Allegiance.
GUESTS
Jim Yankee was a guest of Travis Kempf.
MYSTERY PERSON
Chuck Pease was the Mystery Person today. Number six was the lucky number and Chuck gave a free dinner to Buck Rikli.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Birthday to Jay Ketchie, Connie Howe, and Kathleen Ellsworth.
TAIL TWISTER
Tail Twister Steve Henderson made some of us laugh instantly, some of us had delayed reaction to his humor and the rest of us are till trying to figure out the jokes. Steve’s name was mentioned in the Sunday Tribune as a chili champ representing Downtown Optimist Club. Also, won the side dish honors.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ø Optimists renewal dues are due as of Oct. 1. Pay your Dues to Steve Klein.
Ø Steak Dinner was the best ever. Steve Henderson out did himself. What a success!
Ø Koeze nut sales need to be turned in now. Monday, Oct. 31 is last day. Try to get it in sooner than 31st since the orders have to be compiled before sending in the order to Koeze Nut Co. And Jess wants to send the Order in on 31st. Take any outstanding orders to Jess Weaver’s business this week if you can. Or call Jess Weaver if you have conflicts . . .
Ø Bo Bossaller announced that his Bylaws committee will review and make recommendations at the next board meeting. Bo invited any to send him any ideas or recommendations members may have.
Ø Pat Brown gave a report on the Tree Lot activities. We will have the 2nd lot at the same place as last year,
Rock Bridge Shopping Center. We will be SETTING UP the Rock Bridge lot on NOVEMBER 11. The
Rock Bridge lot will be torn down December 22. Volunteers will be needed both times. First shipment of trees will arrive around Nov. 17.
Ø 3rd annual Missouri Chestnut Roast which will take place on Oct. 29, 10am to 4pm at 10 Research Center rd., New Franklin, Mo. Christine McGraw reports this is hosted by the U. of Mo Center for Agroforestry and College of Ag Food and Natural Resources. It is open to the public and free. Go to http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/events/chestnut/index.asp to get directions and schedule of activities. There will be wreath making; A wood lathe; Live bat and tree grafting demonstrations and more.
PROGRAM
Our speaker was State Champion Hickman Football coach Gregg Nesbitt. Coach complemented our club on what we do with the youth in our community. He reviewed his passions which were Faith, Family and young people, in that order. During the talk he noted that being a coach is a noble profession with huge responsibilities.
Coach Nesbitt talked about the team’s success over the past decade. The team has been ranked 11 times in the past 13 years. This year the team is 6-1 so far. He reviewed the athletic and academic methods the coach uses with the football team. During Q & A period we learned that
discipline is not as difficult with the team as with the school in general because the players are motivated to succeed on the team. Students that participate in any extra curricular activities such as bands, sports etc. have a higher average grade point average than the school overall average. Today’s kids are bright and focused. However, in his 26 years of coaching, Mr. Nesbitt noted his observation of the change in family structure. Where in the past the normal family had a father who worked and the mother more likely stayed home. Today’s family is less than the norm of the past. This can affect the attitude of kids. Questions about the weight room were asked. Nesbitt noted how they upgraded it to a top notch facility. He feels the weight program has made the athletes more competitive. The weight room is heavily used by several hundred kids. He talked how some kids who can’t make the team are still involved in supporting the team. His most memorable events were the State Championship last year where thousands of Hickman fans attended the game. Another was the first regular season meeting for years between
Hickman-Rock Bridge football teams in the early 1990's.
In closing, Mr. Nesbitt again complimented our club for what we do for the lives of young people.
NEXT WEEK - Happy Halloween!
Speaker: Tom Ratermann, Boone County Sewer District: "How the federal 'Clean Water Act' may affect YOU"
BOARD MEETINGS are on the 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:00 P.M. at the Optimist Club House. The meetings are open to all.
Monday, October
31, 2005
At 12:15, President Rick McKernan rang the Optimist Bell and asked Max Miller to demonstrate to the almost 50 attendees how to answer Rick’s “How do you feel?” Some members’ response still needs work on the enthusiasm part. We’ll get it right soon.
Jim Beckett gave the Invocation and Valerie Goodin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mike Hatchett was greeter. Mike joined early this year. Mike is working toward a Law Enforcement degree.
GUESTS
Mary Kline was a guest of Bob Merriman.
MYSTERY PERSON
Pete Bakutes was the Mystery Person today. Pete rewarded the free dinner to Max Miller for all the good things he has done for our club lately. A murmur of agreement was heard from members along with the applause.
TALE TWISTER
Steve Henderson showed us a bottle full of little ghosts in their little white sheets and their little faces looking at us. Steve asked “ what is this bottle called? Answer: A bottle of Boos. After a few boos from the audience, Steve brought up “Love” and asked Valerie and Dottie Stoerker-Peters to give their idea of love. Valerie use a short story from Edgar Allan Poe as an example of love. Dottie gave list of element of what love should include. Steve said it could be defined in the words “for” and “giving” and the combined word “forgiving.” Then Steve closed with a story of how a drunk thought he beat the cr* p out of a ghost.
FELLOWSHIP
Dottie announced this week’s birthdays. Happy Birthday to Garry Spotts; Jim Murphy; Paul Hinshaw; Carol Irish, and Jay Creasy. Jay was the only birthday person present this week. Dottie polled Jay regarding where he was born - -it’s Columbia.
Also Jack & Jackie Cruise celebrate their anniversary this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Rick attended Sunrise Optimist Club’s 50th anniversary celebration. This club was sponsored by our club, coincidentally, 50 years ago. Over the years, the Sunrise club also sponsored new clubs. Rick pointed out how important sponsoring a club is in spreading the Optimist message and helping more kids.
Valerie passed on her Optimist President Pin to Rick and pined it to his lapel.
East Missouri District meeting in St Louis has been postponed to Dec. 2 & 3. Anyone interested in attending should contact Rick in the next two weeks. The club will pay the registration fee for attendees.
Pat Brown reported we will be SETTING UP the Rockbridge lot on Friday NOVEMBER 11, 8:00Am. Pat asked for hands of who can come to help. The number of hands raised looked inadequate. Then it was announced that we will not be moving all the big concrete weighted posts because there is a plan to replace most of them with a different system. Then it was asked to raise hands again. Hard to judge if we gained any help.
Donna Paine announced it is our turn to work at Food Bank on this Wednesday, November
2nd, at 6-8pm.
Jess Weaver announced the Koeze orders are being sent in on November 1. Jess expects the shipment to be in next Monday or Tuesday. Jess will need help to unload. Since we do not know when the truck will show up, help will need to be on standby. If you think you can help, let Jess The lodge will be open on November 11 to pick up orders.
PROGRAM
Tom Ratermann, manager of Boone County Regional Sewer District, gave a presentation about the impact that the 1972 Clean Water Act will have on Missouri Sewer Districts. There has been demands that Missouri upgrade its streams to the spirit of the Act. DNR used up 74 pages in classifying 20,000 miles of streams of which 300 miles are in Boone County.
Tom started the presentation pointing out nine beneficial uses of water in Missouri. (One of the uses was what we being reading in our local paper over the past few months, “Whole Body Contact Recreation”.) He said his district operates 45 treatment facilities, of which 32 are within 2 miles of protected streams and will have to disinfect the treated discharge.
Two ways to disinfect waste is either by chlorine or ultraviolet light. Tom pointed out the costs of the two methods of disinfection. The Ultraviolet has a high installation cost but low operating and maintenance cost. The Chlorination method has a low installation cost but high operations and maintenance cost. Over the next 8 years, the 911 Missouri public waste treatment plants will have to spend around 250 million dollars for installation and spend additional 53 million dollars annually in operations and maintenance. This will add $5 to $25 monthly to current monthly sewer bills.
Tom implied that future cost could go higher. Tom pointed out that Nitrogen and Phosphate are still a serious problem in many places. N & P encourages algae to grow. Algae dies and the decomposition sucks up the oxygen in the water. Low oxygen mean difficulty for aquatic life. So someday, laws will be passed or regulations will be instituted to remove the N & P from sewage discharge.
Q: Define a stream. A: Not only does a continuous flow of water defines a stream . but DNR also defines any place where seasonally the water flow stops but water pools with aquatic life continue to exist.
BOARD MEETINGS on 3rd Thursday, 7:00 P.M. at Optimist Club House. The meetings are open to all. November board meeting: November 17th.
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