Eleven members gathered, both “live” and electronically for this week’s meeting, and Dan Crannie provided the photo above as a proposal for the backyard fence at Optimist House. Dan also reported that over $300 had been generated by the Club’s support of a bottle/can collection donated to the Scouts. This prompted many swapped stories about members’ early “Boy Scout” experiences as we shared breakfast. Additional discussion revolved around Election Day experiences and results.

Reminders: that John Losinski will be undergoing surgery this coming week, that Bill Hentgen is still recuperating, that the Optimist Michigan District First Quarter Conference is this weekend, and that next week includes Veterans Day.

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”

“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…”

The club has been meeting for a number of weeks at the Valley Bistro. Our attendance has been growing. Last meeting 14 embers present and one zoom participant. Social distancing has not been a problem. Plenty of room for all.

The board has been busy conducting business. 1000.00 for clear face shields for MSD.  Our annual 1000.00 donation to Special Olympics. We have approved a new dues structure. Breakfast will no longer be included in your quarterly statement. It will be pay as you go for breakfast. Details to follow.

On June 18, 1994 the Optimist clubs of Genesee County purchased a house for Whaley to use as a satellite home for children. We spent  appx. $30,000.00 shared between 5 or 6 clubs. Over the years we have spent money and provided man hours on keeping the house in order. President Greg has been busy as of late inspecting the property and making a list of items that need to be done. There is a list and pictures provided on line and the club is starting to make our way through that list.

The first item to tackle was a basketball backboard and hoop. The pole was there but that was all. When Dan Crannie heard about the situation he volunteered his time and talents to make sure the kids had a basketball hoop and turned out perfect. It has been reported that the kids are using it regularly in this time of not much else for kids to do. GREAT JOB, DAN!

No meeting July 022020 because of holiday. Have a safe 4th

We had 6 members in attendance on Thursday with one zoom member.There was discussion in regard to honoring Doc Hale for all he has done for the WFOC.

The club is considering naming the raffle in his honor. Some names suggested were Hale the Youth, The Robert Hale Raffle for Youth and a few others. I have been trying to get in touch with Doc to get his thoughts, but I have not heard back, If anyone has any thoughts or input, please give me a call.

The date for the installation banquet has been set and the room reserved. We will meet on set.17th at Flushing Valley country club. more to follow.

There has been discussion in regard to dues. In the past you have been charged for breakfast in your quarterly statement. We are considering removing breakfast from dues and pay as you go for breakfast. This has been bought up many times in the past, there are pros and cons to both. We would like to hear your input.

Our former senior member Ron Ballard has resigned from the club.  He was installed in 1968 and has been a very active member for all of those years. Ron will be missed.

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…”

Optimist meetings have resumed at the Valley Restaurant. We had 6 members present in person and 5 members via Zoom. Jeff Dennings brought a special guest, our Michigan Governor elect, Patty.

The board of directors have recently approve a 1000.00 donation to the Boys and Girls club of Flint. The money is to used for art supplies.

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 approx. 100.00 per year and charging weekly for breakfast.. We are looking for YOUR feedback on this matter.

Because the corona virus is still doing it’s thing. That is why the Optimist International convention is going virtual. All member are invited to attend. The fee will be either waved or paid for by the club. 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.

As you are all aware, all restaurants are closed due to the Coronavirus. This means that there will be no weekly Optimist Meetings until further notice. No one knows when, but we will be meeting again when it is pronounced safe for us to meet in public,

Flushing Valley is closed as well until March 30th. There are more questions than answers in regard to the raffle. Getting the tickets and money to Jim Riegle could be complicated. President Greg is contacting the State of Mi. to see if we can postpone, or reschedule our drawing. If not, we might have a few of us meet, at a socially safe distance, in a parking lot and draw three numbers. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions regarding the raffle or dinner, please pass them along.

Please keep Kevin “The General” Wainwright in your thoughts and prayers. Kevin has having some serious knee surgery this week. We wish you a speedy recovery, General.

We may be shut down temporarily, but we are not out of business. There will be more emails posted as events unfold, and information is released.

As your king I will  not be negligent in my duties. I will be issuing Royal proclamations, edicts and fines, if need be.

It has been leaked that our newest member, Patty Williams, will be bringing in a new member. The crown and royal sash are in peril. Could this be the end of King Mic?  Honestly, the pressure of the job is pretty taxing. A short reign might be to best. Look what it did to Jeff Dennings!

We had 12 members and no guest speaker this week. There may be a mix-up on who is speaker chair this month. So, if you have someone that might be of interest, let Greg or Mic know. Thank you.

I included Phil and Greg in the picture above because it has been a while since we have seen them. We hope you guys are having a great time.

HELP WANTED!  We have distributed over 100 tickets for our annual $5000.00 raffle. That means there are still close to 50 tickets to move. The raffle is March 26th. This is our major fundraiser.  Lets make it a success! Lets move some tickets!

There will be a small dinner the night of the drawing at Flushing Country Club. We will have approx. 15 to 20 members for dinner.  We will bring the drum and draw three tickets after the meal. The cost of the dinner has been donated so there will be no cost for food. Cash Bar.  The exact time of dinner and drawing will be announced soon. If would like to come contact Mic.

I do have some sad news. Pete Venos lost his son recently. The cause of death is yet to be determined.  Please keep Pete in your thoughts and prayers.