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West Flint Optimist Club
4-28-16 Newsletter

Michael Murphy, 2nd –term Lieutenant Governor for Michigan District Optimists, spoke with our Club this morning regarding a number of matters, but high on his agenda is the upcoming “Blues & BBQ/$5K Raffle” being promoted as a Friends of Optimism event by the Downtown Flint Club. A party on the rooftop at Flint Farmers Market is scheduled for June 22, 2016, starting with a 6:00 p.m. “Happy Hour” and featuring silent auction items, catered food, live music, and an alternative indoor rain venue. 1,000 tickets for the drawing are to be sold by all Clubs, who are to receive a portion of the money generated by the sales, for $25 each.
Mike also spoke about the statuses of the Clubs in our area, noting a general pattern of maintaining healthy membership through (A) New Club development (Flushing has 21 members), (B) “Tier” membership (e.g., $500 for business, $400 for individual, $300 for non-profits), and (C) Events (Davison Club’s Camel Races and monthly “Happy Hour” meeting to add options to their 6:00 a.m. morning meetings). These patterns offset losses due to “ageing out” enough to give us a net gain in area membership.

Joe Bushey’s ticket sales among the 14 in attendance today preceded the Pledge of Allegiance that John “J-Lo” Losinski tried to “mail in” from the parking lot. When charged with late arrival, John proposed a fine against our President Jeff Dennings for starting the meeting early (to be paid for by Greg Hilliker, and it passed! Oh, the Injustice!) Dr. Jack Medemar, our TailTwister, just “doing his job”, gave Steve Schlott a lesson about “spitting into the wind”. Bill Hentgen, Club Treasurer, won the 50/50 pot yet again and reviewed the results of the Chicken Dinner fundraiser, and Mic Goulet, this month’s Speaker Chair, transitioned to the introduction of our guest speaker, Mike Murphy.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
Former West Flint Optimist Denny Johnson passed away on April 29. Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 at Sharp Funeral Home in Swartz Creek, and funeral is 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, at First Presbyterian Church in Flint.
Bill Hentgen awaits the return of money and unsold tickets for the Masonic Temple Chicken Dinner.
Club sponsorship of new JOOI Club at Swartz Creek High School with the organizational meeting on 4-28-16. Thursday, May 5th, will be the election of officers, etc.
Wednesday, May 4, at 6:00 p.m., Blackstone’s will be the site of the Optimist Zone Meeting.
Whaley’s “Tux & Tennies Gala & Auction” is set for 5:30-11:30 p.m. on May 14 at Grand Blanc Motorcar.
Swartz Creek Hometown Days from June 2-5 (Club has a table reserved in the vendor tent. Tickets for the “31-Day Raffle” are waiting to be sold as part of this event. See Jeff Dennings about this, and SELL!)
“Blues & BBQ/$5K Raffle” rooftop party at Flint Farmers Market on June 22, 2016, starting with a 6:00 p.m. Happy Hour. Sponsorship options to come.
Walt Widder Memorial Golf Scramble at Dutch Hollow in Durand on Saturday, September 24. (Proceeds to the Club; Posters and team registration forms available)
“$5K Raffle, 30th Anniversary” is scheduled for Atlas Valley on October 22, 2016.

Until next time,
“Promise Yourself…”
Greg Hilliker