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…”