“Just IMagine a World Without Boundaries” -the theme of this year’s Oratorical Competition – was effectively and impressively delivered virtually by Kalyn at this year’s OI Convention and is available here. A relatively small group of members (9) gathered this morning and listened to the Overall Winner & Scholarship Recipient as they shared breakfast, news, and business.

After President Jack Proffitt opened the meeting, “King” Mic Goulet flashed his dashing sash power with fines against Jeff Dennings’ virtual image for failing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and for having his eyes open during the invocation. Mic reviewed business history since 1969 and potential plans for the future, Mike Butts reported his angling successes, Bill Hentgen   sent a note of thanks and Club support from his recuperative setting and hopes to rejoin us soon, and Ken Cullen shared information about his very rough week: thousands of dollars of damage to his truck from what he thought was a relatively minor collision with “a box!” and, more importantly, the precarious condition of his female friend, Chris. (Chris has since passed and Ken is “heartbroken”, so please keep him in your list of concerns.)

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”

Although we had no Guest Speaker this past week, Member Bonnie Kelley came this morning and told us about her business and the challenges faced in the “Covid” environment with a home-based and health-aligned operation. It was great to see you, Bonnie!

Mic Goulet has lined up a speaker for next week- from Special Olympics, one of our focal projects every year, Pat Peters will be here to talk about their 11-sport events and participants and to accept our donation for $1000 for this year of “no softball throw” (nor related injuries!).

Speaking of injuries, Member Bill Hentgen was injured in an accident at home and has been hospitalized at Hurley since August 16 with issues that include a brain bleed. Please keep him in thoughts and prayers.

Former and long-term member Peter Venos is relocating to Golden, Colorado.

“Optimist of the Year” voting will be this coming week, so please make an effort to be present. (If this is not possible, let leadership know of your vote preferences: we want this to be a Club decision.)

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”

Optimist meetings have resumed at Valley’s Breakfast & Bistro. We had 6 members present in person and another 5 members via Zoom. Jeff Dennings brought a special guest, our Michigan Governor-Elect, Debbie Berrie.

The board of directors have recently approved a $1000.00 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Flint, much of which will go for art supplies and (we hope) entries in the Optimist Visual Arts Competition.

There is a new dues proposal in the works. As you know the club has always charged for weekly breakfast in our quarterly dues. We will be talking about charging for Optimist fees only which is approximately $100.00 per year and charging weekly for breakfast. We are looking for YOUR feedback on this matter!

Because the coronavirus is still doing it’s thing, the Optimist International convention is going virtual. All members are invited and encouraged to attend, and the registration fee (only $35) will be either waived or paid for by the club. Non-members can attend, and all proceedings and training materials will be available to registrants for a full year. More info to follow.

The $5000.00 dollar raffle is in the books.  I believe this was our 32nd year of holding the event. When we cancelled  the raffle last fall it looked like the event might not happen at all,  but the club pulled together and made a profit of 5800.00. With everything going on, this has to be considered a huge success! A big thank you to John Losinski for chairing the event and Jim Reigle for tracking the tickets. Great job everyone!

Club on June 18 brought out 7 members in masks and 2 more via ZOOM, and Kevin Wainwright came to show off his newest “new leg” while Judge Joe Farah showed up electronically to tell old jokes and miss any thrown tomatoes.

Steve Schlott passed around a card for the family of an original charter member from the Breakfast Club – Jack Schaefer, a WWII vet and former POW, recently passed and has joined his recently deceased wife somewhere higher than he flew his B-29.

Ken Cullen’s lady friend, Chris, is having some testing for leukemia-related concerns and Ken appreciates Club prayers and support.

Jeff Dennings raised the idea of face masks with clear windows for Michigan School for the Deaf staff and families, and it was so enthusiastically received that he started checking out prices and quality in the meeting while Steve Schlott got on the phone with Rex Vernon (MSD Principal). More to come on this.

Anyone who wants an “Optimism is Contagious” mask needs to let us (or Pam Batcho at District) know – We have 10 coming to the Club at present.

Several fines flew, but many went against Bill Hentgen for his “ostentatious” red floral shirt and, worse, his floral non-matching shorts!

Mic Goulet felt crummy and missed last week’s meeting, so President Greg is doing this newsletter with apologies for timing and style!

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”

Great meeting this morning! This mornings program chair, Jeff Dennings, introduced Jim Stefanski from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan . We all know that the Food Bank can supply large amounts of food at very low prices. Did you know that they cover 22 counties from Flint to Cheboygan? They not only supply food for our Swartz Creek backpack program, they also service 200 schools and 13000 kids.

With 13 members in attendance, the 50/50 winner was the KING. Proceeds were promptly donated to OI FOUNDATION “DOLLAR A DAY”.

UPCOMING DATES:

Dec 6th Bell Ringing with Salvation Army at Elga Credit Union on Pierson Rd.. We are signing up for 2 hour blocks. Call Mic 810-287-0500 to sign up. You will also be eligible for drawing for the 2500.00 diamond ring being given by GAINES JEWELRY.

Dec 7th. Santa Run. Volunteers needed. Call Jeff Dennings

Jan. 9th Optimist Holiday party at Ruggeros. Approx. 30.00 per person. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Robin Chamberlain visited us this morning to share information about Answer Center for Women. This organization dedicated to encouraging young people toward “positive life decisions” has been providing counseling and material support to prospective or new parents who may benefit from having support (including access to clothing, diapers, formula, etc.) and skills (breast-feeding, parenting skills, pregnancy and relationship management, and even cooking) in their critical transition. Publicized primarily through “word of mouth” and funded entirely by donations, the Answer Center relies on a paid Director and 12 volunteer staff (three working per day) to meet with approximately 15-20 young women (and men) per week, most of the visitors aged 17-21 years (but some as young as 13 and several adults in need). Besides donations, garage sales are considered good resources for ways to provide “Pac-‘n-Play”s, cribs, car seats (which can quickly become “outdated”), and clothing up to size 3T for children.

Before Speaker Chair Mic Goulet introduced his guest speaker Robin, he re-introduced Mike Butz, his return breakfast guest after Pledge and Prayer. (Thanks, Kevin Wainwright and Ken Cullen!) Bill Hentgen offered Flint Symphony tickets for this weekend’s performance, and Steve Schlott passed around “Thank You” cards for member signature (recognizing the work that Linda Lawson and Matt Mrasek have provided for years to our Club. Before our guest speaker drew Dan Crannie‘s ticket for the “50/50 Drawing” for $16.00, President Greg Hilliker reminded members of several important dates:

• Dues are due (Jeff Dennings collected payments from several members this morning);
• Board Meeting will be Monday, 10/14/19, at 6:00 p.m. at Crannie’s office;
• Speaker for 10/17/19 – “Ms Black Fit & Fine” Patty Williams
  Speaker for 10/24/19 – Shannon Leach from “The Whiting”
  Speaker for 10/31/19 – None: Official Business Meeting to address needed Bylaws changes (Bylaws copies and proposed alterations will be distributed next Thursday.);
• “Santa’s Pancake Breakfast” with MSD kids is set tentatively for 12/12/19, with list of names and ages forthcoming for the 36 kids; and
• Monthly webinars offered free to Optimists were shown to members (Check “Opti-Views” or let the Prez know if you are interested).

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”

Recently installed President Greg Hilliker opened the first meeting of this Optimist year with Pledge and Prayer led by 2 of the 13 members present this morning. Matt Mrasek announced that the Xbox game system donated by the Club to Hurley Children’s medical program has been delivered, and Mic Goulet reported that $8800 has been received from the Widder family as a result of the Golf Classic named for our former Treasurer and good friend. (Steve Schlott, our “sensitivity sensei”, offered will make sure that a card gets passed around for Club signatures and sent in expression of appreciation for the nearly $30,000 that the Widders have generated for our work. Steve also relayed that Butch Gray (former Optimist Club member) had passed away. Mic introduced his guest, Mike Butz, to the Club, then fined the Prez fror low turnout at his this first meeting of this tenure. Mic also mentioned that Jason Pearsall at Flushing Valley golf course is willing to have a food tasting for the Club as part of the planning for our March “$5K Raffle” (for which the license is to be filed this week). Ken Cullen attempted a fine against Jeff Dennings, forgetting that the absence of the Crown on the King’s head is very easily rectified. Bill Hentgen will explore the prospects for another April Chicken Dinner at the Masonic Temple, and Jack Proffitt will firm up arrangements for the Santa Pancake Breakfast with MSD elementary kids in December.

Without an outside speaker this morning, we discussed a lot of Club business and “Judge Joe” Farah offered some insight on developments in the “rock-throwing” legal proceedings. Thank, Joe!

“Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”

Stephanie Confer, long known as “Stephanie K” (radio personality/DJ), is now a spokesperson for the Mass Transportation Authority (MTA), our award-winning and nationally recognized public transit system. Started in 1971, the operation has grown in size, transporting 3,000 workers per night to Saginaw for instance, and added options – Your Ride started out with 50 daily riders and now moves 4500 per day. At the same time, environmental impact of consuming 1.3 million gallons of fuel annually has, in 3 years, gone to 200 thousand gallons with use of hydrogen, propane, and compressed natural gas power engines. MTA is now the “#1 Medical Transportation Provider” in the country, takes folk to work or shop in Livingston County, Saginaw County, Lapeer, and anywhere in Genesee County for a maximum of $3.50 one way. (ADA-certified, Vets, and others may ride for reduced or even no fees, and monthly passes are $40/month.) The ridership calls for more drivers, and MTA provides a free 6-week training course, 2 weeks of supervised driving, and CDL license acquisition support, so any of us wanting to add to our income or encourage our family members to generate some can consider this!

After calling his final meeting to order, President Phil Holmblade oversaw the Pledge and Invocation before reviewing the Installation Dinner last week, Bill Hentgen offered information and tickets to FIM events, Jeff Dennings reminded us of events listed on our Club website and Tuesday’s resumption of our “Backpack Program” activities (9:30 a.m. on October 1 at Swartz Creek Middle School). Fines opened and flew furiously, mostly in the direction of President-Elect Greg Hilliker, who is likely to have paid his last fine for a full year (WOO-HOO!) and contributed to the “50/50” pot that “Optimist of the Year” John Losinski won and donated to the General Fund.

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”

Deb Hawley from St. Francis Prayer Center came to tell us more about her work near the intersection of Carpenter Road and Dort Highway. Started by a priest in 1974, concern was focused on the poor in “the Projects” (a term with which Deb is very uncomfortable), now extending to the ecumenical “Parish” with emphasis on needy mothers and children. Help with paying utility bills, obtaining food, and especially obtaining beds (distributing 500 beds per year!), along with holiday meals and celebration keep Director Deb very busy: Thanksgiving dinners and “adoption” of 40-50 families for Christmas meals and family gifts are funded by donations and their largest fundraiser (next Saturday’s “Gatsby-themed” dinner and auction. Volunteers from local parishes and schools come to pack gift boxes, pass out provisions, and pray for recipients, or to participate in retreats on the Center grounds (available for rent, with 24 beds on-site). The lovely and peaceful grounds are great for a “guided” or open gathering for those who can use a reflective experience or a break from stress and schedules.

The 19 people gathering for today’s meeting were called to a semblance of order by President Phil Holmblade, who took advantage of Art Ridley‘s return from his surgery to ask Art to lead in the Pledge, followed by Jack Proffitt‘s invocation. Mic Goulet reported that the Club will likely receive between $7000 and $8,000 from the recent Walt Widder Memorial Golf Classic. (How this can happen is a little unclear in that Mic’s guest today, Ted Kramer, is expecting his portion of the $500,000 purse that he and Mic agreed to share from their golf winnings.) All were reminded of this evening’s Installation Dinner at Ruggero’s before the fines began:

John “J-Lo” Losinski fined “anyone who showed up after his guest speaker this morning” and then paid another fine for “self-flagellation” proposed by Steve Schlott, Bill Hentgen paid another fine related to his shirt and, incensed, proposed fines against all those boring folk who did not wear their grandkids’ pajamas to the meeting. Keeping to the shirt theme, Jack Proffitt fined all who “did not get the memo” about wearing Club shirts this morning, after which Jack Medemar fined all those who had not absconded with John Farah‘s “hole sponsor” sign from the Widder outing. Jeff Dennings fined President-Elect Greg Hilliker for “harrassing” TailTwister Jack Medemar before Phil Holmblade (again) won the “50/50” pot. Speaker Chair J-Lo closed with the Creed, which starts…

“Promise Yourself…”

Until next time…

In the absence of President Phil Holmblade, Greg Hilliker stepped in to ring the bell to start the meeting, entrusting Pedge and Prayer leadership to John “J-Lo” Losinski and Jack Proffitt, respectively, before a quick review of recent Board activity by King Jeff Dennings and Matt Mrasek and a listing of Cultural Center events by Bill Hentgen. Mic Goulet reminded all of the Walt Widder Memorial golf event this weekend and we discussed the Installation Banquet arrangements for Ruggero’s on Thursday, Sept. 19. (Please plan to attend, preferably with someone else that we really like!) Ehen the fines opened, Steve Schlott immediately hit Ron Ballard with a fine for switching tables while Steve was stalking him, Matt Mrasek fined the Southerly table for waking him, and Ken Cullen attempted a fine against the TailTwister Jack Medemar (to be paid for by the Southerly table) because of a disparaging remark about Ken’s golf game. Ron Ballard fined anyone not striding with a fancy “walking stick”, John “J-Lo” Losinski proposed a fine that required some elucidation, and Greg Hilliker wound up paying for merely trying to be helpful and considerate. The limited “50/50” pot this morning was won by Bill Hentgen, who might be able to buy a cup of coffee with the money, if he drank coffee!

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”