In lieu of a program, we had a discussion on finalizing our $5K raffle this evening. Set-up will begin at 5 PM and anyone who can help out in addition to those who already committed are welcome to join us. We had 7 tickets unsold as of this morning. President Jeff suggested that we pick four of our youth sponsor programs and put their names on the ticket stubs. This suggestion was well received and we as group decided on Whaley Children’s Center, CANUSA, Boys & Girls Club, and Children’s Miracle Network.

Help is still needed in various areas during the event to sell tickets, man stations, assist guests, etc. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so calling or emailing Jeff or go to the website.

50/50 was won by Phil Holmblade.

Our meeting concluded with the Optimist Creed recital.

Submitted by: Phil Holmblade

Gary, who is a reporter for CBN News started out by posing this question. “What makes reporters risk their lives to report a story?”  Many reasons can come to mind – exposing the truth, present a good story, personal glory, the list goes on.  He himself and his family have been threatened.  So far in 2015 48 journalist have been killed, France with the highest number at eight.  One hundred forty-seven (147) have been put in prison this year.  He has just returned from Hungry where he was reporting on the immigration situation involving so many coming in from Syria and other Middle East countries.  This is the greatest human rights crisis that has taken place in a long time.  One half of the population has been displaced, 7.5 million refugees with no trauma counseling, no education for children, no food or water on a regular basis.  ISIS states that they have 4,000 jihadists in the refugee population and are entering Europe with no or very limited background checks.  Hungry does not want them to stay there so they can protect their culture.  Hungry at this point is a “process location” to direct the refugees to other countries.  Gary directed us to the CBN News website where we can review his blog. Go to http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/blogs/ and scroll down to Global Lane for Gary’s reporting.

A lot of good questions came out of our group to both Michael and Gary.  Thank you Dave, Michael and Gary for this insightful program.

President Jeff opened our meeting with Art Ridley leading us in the pledge and Greg Hilliker providing the invocation.  Dave Crabill won the bidding war for the crown at $2.00 and proceeded to be are real pain with the number of fines. Art Ridley won the 50/50 again!

Our meeting concluded as usual with the reciting of our Optimist Creed.

This was the 58th year of the CANUSA Games and for the first time the games did not receive any funding from the Flint Community School System.  All monies in support of this year’s games came from outside sources.  Dan shared some interesting facts regarding the Games.

• 60% of the participants came from Genesee County.
• 40% of the participants came from the City of Flint.
• To be in the CANUSA Games,  a participant must compete in the Flint Olympian Games.
• The even years the Games are held in Flint and the odd years in Hamilton/
• Philosophy of the Games is for the participants to understand cultures, traditions, people, laws, currency, etc.
• This year ten passenger type buses went to Hamilton with approximately 50 + on each bus.  this does not include the participants who traveled separately by other means. Past years there have been as many as 20 buses with participants on them.
• Participants stay with a host family whether the Games are in Hamilton or in Flint. Each host family must go through a background check prior to being allowed to house a participant. A host family may or may not have a participant in their family.
• All coaches must also go through the background check process before they are allowed to proceed.
• Participating children and parents are asked to complete and evaluation form of the experience of the Games.
• The fee structure for participants in the Olympian and CANUSA is to help cover costs and to keep the athlete’s amateur status.
• An interesting fact that Dan shared with us that may have some impact on the reduced number of participants is that Genesee Co. is losing 4 people per day and the City of Flint is losing 3 people per day. This has been going on for the past few years.

Dan thanked the Club for our participation in their Chicken Dinner Fundraiser at the Masonic Temple,  for providing the snacks to the participants coming back from Hamilton, and all the other things that help them out.

Next year’s Games are scheduled for August 5,6 & 7, tentatively to be at SW Academy.

President Jack got our meeting started promptly on time with a resounding ring of our bell.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by special guest and former member, Mr. Ron Polsgrove.

Invocation was led by the reverent Greg Hilliker.

• Upcoming Events:
• Food giveaway at the Bridge on Friday, Sep 10. Volunteers needed to help out.
• School Supply giveaway at the Bridge on Sunday, Sep 13. Volunteers needed to help out.
• Installation Dinner at Ruggero’s on Sep 24th, 6-9 PM

Since Bill Hentgen was a no-show to sell 50/50 tickets, Greg volunteered to handle the task.

Jeff tried to buy the crown even though Queen Stephanie was present to preside in her royal status. Consequently, there were rampant fines taking place especially on Jeff Dennings and George Kitchen.

Don’t forget to sell your $5K raffle and dinner tickets!  Don’t forget to get your holiday nut sale orders too!

Our 50/50 winner this week was non-other than incoming Pres Jeff D.

In closing, Stephanie Eastman led us in the Creed.

$5K Raffle and dinner tickets are available from Jeff Dennings. Raffle tickets are $100 and dinner tickets are $50. We would like to have your sales include both, however if someone can’t be there they can still by a raffle ticket and not pay for a dinner. Volunteers are needed to sign up on the website for the various activities that take place on raffle night.

Nut Sale forms are also available from Joe Bushey or Greg Hilliker. Please see either of them our meetings or contact them for other arrangements.

Installation Dinner – Sep 24th at Ruggero’s, 6-9 PM. Club will pay for members dinner, member pays for invited guest / spouse.

Optimist of the Year – Nominations were taken from those present by paper ballot and are being held. More nominations will be requested from those who attend this coming weeks meeting who have not submitted one.

President Jack opened our meeting promptly on time. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Bill Hentgen. Invocation given by Ken Cullen, Sr.

Guest: Phil Holmblade introduced his wife Pama.

Jeff Dennings out bid Phil Holmblade for the crown at $1.25 and used his regency to its fullest extent with fines. 50/50 Winner : Bill Hentgen. Our meeting was closed with reciting the Creed.

Respectfully Submitted:

Phil Holmblade

Phil Holmblade was our speaker this morning. It was a very informative presentation about Civil War Reenactments.

Civil War time period is defined as beginning in 1860 and ending in 1865. South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860 and in the next six months eleven other states seceded. They were in order – Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The first engagement was the assault on Fort Sumter by the Confederates on April 12 of 1861. The next four years would see the bloodiest and most devastating war fought on this continent. More Americans lost their life in the Civil War (650K+) than in WW1 & WW2, Korea and Vietnam combined. The Confederacy surrendered at Appomattox on April 9 of 1865. Virginia is the state with the most battles fought during the four year period. The most westerly engagement of the war was at Picacho Peak in Arizona as the Confederates were on their way to California to get gold to help finance the war. The Union forces won & the Confederates turned back.

The Civil War soldier ranged in age from as young as eleven to thirty-five or forty. There were some that were older. A soldier’s uniform consisted of two pairs of drawers (underwear), two shirts, a wool vest, trousers (wool) & braces (suspenders), wool sack coat, two pair of wool socks, and brogans (leather boots). Over the uniform was his cartridge box sling, his cap box and bayonet belt, his haversack which he carried is extra clothing and other necessities, and his canteen. Lastly was his musket, which was either a .58 caliber Enfield or Springfield or a .69 caliber Springfield. The muskets earlier in the war were smoothbore and fired a round ball. Muskets later in the war were rifled and fired a conical projectile. Both were very effective at creating a lot of damage to whatever they hit. The musket weight varied from eight to ten pounds depending on make and model.

You can Google their Facebook page by entering 4^th Michigan Co A Volunteer Infantry. For more information contact Phil Holmblade at 810-869-2904. Some upcoming reenacting events throughout Michigan should anyone be interest in attending one to see what takes place are:

• Hastings – July 17 to 19
• Port Sanilac – July 31 to Aug 2
• Jackson – Aug 21 to 23
• Historic Ft. Wayne (Detroit) – Sep 11 to 13
• Wolcott Mill – Oct 9 to 11

Our next board meeting will be July 9 at 6:00 pm at the Bridge.

The Flint Olympian Golf Tournament will be July 24 at Brookwood. The cost is $80.00/player or $320/4 man team.

31 Day Raffle Winner’s names are not being posted to our website (we didn’t ask their permission). The winning ticket number and the person that sold the ticket are being posted. Click here to view the page. If you have any questions about the raffle then contact Jeff Dennings.

Reminders

• 31 Day Raffle has started so turn Money and Ticket Stubs in ASAP
• Board Meeting 6:00 PM July 9th @ The Bridge
• Flint Olympian Golf Tournament July 24th @ Brookwood

Phil Holmblade

Fines were opened by Prez Jack and as usual the nonstop barrage of fines kept tail twister Jack busy.

50/50 Winner was Dan Crannie. See, those BFOC tickets don’t always produce BFOC winners!

Meeting Notes

Nut Sale orders were due today.  However, if you do have an order and you didn’t turn it in to Jim Cole today, please call him right away and turn it in.  Money can be collected at the time of delivery.

Mick Goulet was our speaker chair for today, introducing our speaker Joy Martinbianco from the Salvation Army. Joy is the Director of Development for the SA.

 The Salvation Army is an international organization that was started in 1865 by William Booth, a London minister, who decided to give up his pulpit and take his ministry to the streets. From their website – “The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.  Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”

A 128 years ago, Buick asked the Salvation Army to come to Genesee County. Since that time a lot has taken place in our area and the Salvation Army. They have formed alliances with the United Way and Catholic Outreach to help with utility shutoff cases. They help individuals and families with keeping the electrical or gas on while the bill issues are worked out. They don’t pay the utility bills for anyone.

Many in the area are familiar with Bell Ringing, Angel Tree, and Coats for Kids. From some of their own research, they have determined that their Thrift Stores need better exposure, so the public has a better understanding of the opportunities that they provide. They currently have Thrift Store locations on Davison Rd., Dort Highway, and Corunna Road.  The Thrift Stores carry all sorts of items at very reduced rates.

Coats for Kids collects new or slightly used ones to give out to those who can’t afford to buy one for their children. Check out the website for drop-off locations.

The SA Genesee County is part of the SE Division of the SA and covers an area along the I-75 corridor from Detroit up to the Traverse City and includes the thumb area.

Our Club is pursuing a  bell ringing opportunity beginning right after Thanksgiving. Stay tuned or better yet, come to a meeting to your input on the time, location and date.

The Salvation Army’s web site link is http://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/genesee/

Optimist Creed led by Lynn Eastman.

Reminders

• District Q1 Meeting on Nov 4th in Southfield.
• Club Board Meeting on Nov 20th,  6 PM at the Bridge.
• Interservice Club Meeting is Nov 21st at First Presbyterian.

Respectfully yours in Optimism,
Phil Holmblade

Fines were opened by Prez Jack and the crown auctioned off, as our King Matt was not in attendance.  Ken Cullen won the bid for the crown which gave him amenity from all fines and any he proposed were automatic.

50/50 Winner was Phil Holmblade (again!). Amazing how those BFOC tickets keep producing BFOC winners!

Meeting Notes

Nut Sale is in final stages, so get those orders from your customers.  Money can be collected at the time of delivery, unless your customers prefers to pay early.  Please bring your orders to this week’s meeting and give them to Jim Cole on October 30th.

Jeff Dennings was our speaker chair for today, introducing our speaker lined up by Joe Bushey.  Our speaker was Brian Tietz from the MTA Flint.

The MTA has a millage request on the ballot this fall. They have been operating on the same millage dollars since 1996.  Over the past few years they have lost $3.4 million per year due to the reduction in property taxes. The millage request is 0.4125 over a 5-yr. period.  If the millage does not pass they will need to cut services and reduce staff.

The minibuses they have carry 100-120 passengers per day.  The current bus line is made up of electric, diesel, and natural gas vehicles (16 new ones).

In 2008 the MTA spent $2.6 million on diesel fuel.  In 2013 they spent only $750k on diesel due to the hybrids in the fleet.

Approximately 3,00o people who ride the bus line work out of the County.  The MTA has an operating agreement with other counties for transportation services.

In 2013 the MTA had 6.2 million passengers use their services.

Current fares are $1.25 Bus fare one way, $2.25 one way Your Ride fare anywhere in the county (Your Ride was started in 1998 at $1.00 one way), a student pass fare is $40 per month.

For more information on the MTA go to http://mtaflint.org.

Optimist Creed led by Stephanie Eastman.

Reminders

• Sell, sell those nuts! Orders due October 30th!
• District Q1 Meeting on Nov 4th in Southfield.

Respectfully yours in Optimism,
Phil Holmblade

Fines were opened by Prez Jack and the crown auctioned off, as our King Matt was not in attendance.  Phil Holmblade outbid Dave Crabill for the crown which gave him amenity from all fines and any he proposed were automatic.

50/50 Winner was Joe Bushey. Amazing how those BFOC tickets keep producing BFOC winners!

Meeting Notes

Everyone was asked to make sure they collect complete information on all of the $5000 Raffle tickets sold (email, address, etc). All members were reminded to sell, sell, sell.  But most importantly, turn in the money ASAP.  It is extremely important to return any unsold tickets, sooner rather than later.  All tickets (sold or unsold) need to be in no later than our meeting on Oct 23rd.

Nut Sale is also in progress, so get those orders from your customers.  Money can be collected at the time of delivery, unless your customers prefers to pay early.  Please hold on submitting any nut order money to Walt until after Oct 23rd. Thank you.

This year’s Inter-Service Club Council Luncheon will be held on Nov 21 at the First Presbyterian Church at 746 S Saginaw St, Flint at noon.  Advanced tickets are required.  The cost is $15.00 and checks are payable to ISCC.

Guest Speaker

Mick Goulet was our speaker chair for today.  His guest speakers were Capt. Sippert, Lt. Battinkaff, Jason McClanahan from the Flint Township Public Safety Department.

Lt. Battinkaff’s program was on the upcoming Public Safety millage on the ballot in November.  The Township has had a significant decline in revenue, 22% since 2007, and therefore the need for the millage request. The request is for 3.85 mils for a 10 year period. Of all the tax money collected by the Township, only 17% is kept for Township use. The rest goes to the County and the public schools.

The police department officer reduction is ten and the fire department firemen is 4 since 2009. They have also reduced concessions to both departments as well.

By comparison, Burton and Mt. Morris both have millage rates of 9 mils for Public Safety, whereas Flint Township has 0.75 mils.  Also by comparison, Flint Township’s crime rate for UCR Part 1 is higher than either Mt. Morris Twp. or City of Burton. Violent crime is also higher in Flint Township than the other two.  Flint Township by proportion has a higher retail business sector which tends to generate higher crime rates. Residential population of Flint Township is 31,000, which is declining, and has residential ratio of 60-40 to commercial. It is estimated that over 100,000 come into Flint Township to work, shop, or other activities.

Violent crime in Flint Township is 2x higher than the national average. 9% is toward those under 18 years and 31% is toward those over 50 years.  Flint / Detroit / Flint Township have been identified as the top three most dangerous places to live in Michigan. There are approximately 575 citizen patrol contacts per year per officer in Flint Township.

The Fire Department average response time is 5 minutes per call compared to the national average of 8-10 minutes.

The present funding for Public Safety is $4.7 million. The millage will generate $3 million which will be broken down for the first year as $1.5 million for refund current balance (2014) and $1.5 million towards overall improvement of Public Safety Department.  The goal is to maintain and improve, striving to regain the level of service that was provided in 2009.

Optimist Creed led by Dave Crabill.

Reminders

• All members are reminded to SELL, SELL, SELL $5,000 Raffle Tickets.
• Sell, sell those nuts!
• District Q1 Meeting on Nov 4th in Southfield.

Respectfully yours in Optimism,
Phil Holmblade
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Fines were opened by Prez Jack with the usual barrage and efficient follow-up by our tail twister Jack Medemar to see that all monies are collected.

Guest this week was Meredith Dubbs invited by Art Ridley who was absent this morning. Fines against Art will be numerous next week. Meredith submitted her application for membership today.

50/50 Winner was Bill Hentgen. Amazing how those BFOC tickets keep producing BFOC winners!

Meeting Notes

Everyone was asked to make sure they collect complete information on all of the $5000 Raffle tickets sold (email, address, etc). All members were reminded to sell, sell, sell. But most importantly, turn in the money ASAP. It is extremely important to return any unsold tickets, sooner rather than later. All tickets (sold or unsold) need to be in no later than our meeting on Oct 23rd.

Nut Sale is also in progress, so get those orders from your customers. Money can be collected at the time of delivery, unless your customers prefers to pay early. Please hold on submitting any nut order money to Walt until after Oct 23rd.  Thank you.

Guest Speaker

Bill Hentgen – Bill is very active in the Flint Institute of Music and Flint Institute of Art and shared some brochure information with us.  Handouts were also provided.  The next FIM concert is on Oct 17th, 7 PM featuring Joseph Deller, violinist at the FIM MacArthur Recital Hall. The next concert at the Whiting is Nov 15th , 8 PM with guest artist Saul Medina on the marimba (a percussion instrument). For other music opportunities go to www.FlintInstituteofMusic.org or call 810-238-1350, ext. 3.

 “Curious George” is at the Sloan Museum.

Next week’s speaker will be the Police Chief of Flint Township. Let’s have a great turnout.

Optimist Creed led by Dave Crabill.

Reminders

• Board Meeting on Oct 16th, 6 PM at the Bridge.
• All members are reminded to SELL, SELL, SELL $5,000 Raffle Tickets.
• Sell, sell those nuts!
• District Q1 Meeting on Nov 4th in Southfield.

Respectfully yours in Optimism,
Phil Holmblade

Fines were opened and they we rampant against Past-President Greg due to his exemption from being President the past year. Almost every fine proposed was to be paid by Greg regardless of who it was against or for any reason.

Guest this week was George Tanner invited by Ken Cullen.

50/50 Winner was Phil Holmblade (again!). Amazing how one can go so long without winning and then win 3 out of 5 weeks. I will be there to sell those winning tickets.

Meeting Notes

Everyone was asked to make sure they collect complete information on all of the $5000 Raffle tickets sold (email, address, etc). All members were reminded to sell, sell, sell. But most importantly, turn in the money ASAP. It is extremely important to return any unsold tickets, sooner rather than later.

Guest Speaker

Joe Bushey was the Speaker Chair today. Our speaker was Sean Gartland with the Flint Farmers’ Market.

Sean is the Culinary Manager as well as the Facility Manager at the Market.

The original Flint Farmers’ Market was started back in the 1940’s as part of the Works Progress Administration under Franklin D.Roosevelt . The Market was built along the Flint River owned and operated by the City of Flint. The largest Saturday attendance at the Market ever was 7,000 back in 2000.

The new market location is at 300 East First Street and occupies part of the old Flint Journal Printing facility.  The Market is currently managed by Dick Ramsdel who will be retiring soon and Sean will be taking the reigns. The Market currently has 50 vendors, 20 of which are new.  Charlie’s BBQ is now inside and Godfrey’s from the original market is at the new market.

The new Market opened June 21st with 17,000+ visitors and they have had 256K visitors to date.  The new market has modular vendor stalls that are assembled in groups, which makes it easier to refomat for vendor expansions or alterations. Several business type meetings are using the facilities and some weddings have already been scheduled for the rental facilities.

There are two commercial kitchen spaces for rent for those who wish develop and market their food product(s).  The kitchens rent for $15 per hour. The Market has partnered with United Way of Genesee Co. with $10K grants for those who want to consider a start-up business.

The Whiting has a vendor space where tickets can be purchased for their upcoming  events. They are also doing a play on the Farmers’ Market history.

Currently all vendor spaces are occupied and they do expect to have some drop-outs later in the year due to season changes. The Market does plan to be selective on new vendors in order to keep the right mix of services being offered. Their website can be accessed by clicking here.

Optimist Creed led by George Kitchen.

Reminders

Reminders:

• Board Meeting on Oct 16th, 6 PM at the Bridge.
• All members are reminded to SELL, SELL, SELL $5,000 Raffle Tickets
• District Q1 Meeting on Nov 4th in Southfield.

Respectfully yours in Optimism,
Phil Holmblade