DATELINE: Tuesday, December 17, 2002. Vice President Renae Harrison opened the meeting and asked Rev. Lloyd Phillips to give the invocation and lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Jon Martin introduced Brandywine High School Principle Ms. Chris Banizack. Welcome to the Niles Noon Optimists.

BRAGS: Osceola Skinner bragged on how the Junior and Senior Optimists had filled up the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Schedule. He even had to turn down Lloyd Phillips when there wasn’t a bell ringing spot open for him. Way to Go Optimists! Jon Martin bragged that Grand Valley State had won the Division 2 National Championship and bragged on the game being televised on ESPN.

FOR ALL THE MARBLES: Dana Trowbridge conducted the 50/50 raffle. The pot was $174.00. We drew until someone won. The following Optimists and Guests got a chance at the prize:

ANNOUNCEMENTS: REMINDER – Robert Todd announced that we still need guest speakers for the middle two weeks in January and for all the months beyond. Please contact him. Diane Bass announced that THERE WILL BE NO NOON OPTIMIST MEETINGS ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 24^TH OR TUESDAY DECEMBER 31^ST. Osceola Skinner announced the dedication of the "Professional Bell Ringer" we had over the weekend. John Willis announced that the Soccer Committee had a meeting last night and will have another meeting Wednesday night at 6pm to get ready for the upcoming Soccer Season. The meeting is at the YMCA.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH: Jon Martin introduced today’s Students of the Month as Kristin Bivens, Melisa Zimmerman and Aaron Holy from Brandywine High School. Kristin Bivens is the daughter of Suellyn and Jack Bivens. She is involved in the student senate and president of the sophomore class. She also plays the flute in the High School band. She baby sits for her family members and very much likes working with kids. She has volunteered to help with programs at other schools and recently helped out in a food drive. Kristin says she plans to go to Notre Dame University to major in business and will probably attend some other college also to major in Interior Design. Kristin’s hobbies include crafts, movies, shopping, writing and listening to music. Aaron Holy is the son of Michael and Kathryn Holy. He is also a sophomore and is in his 2^nd year of the Spanish Honors Society, JV basketball and JV baseball. He is also involved in varsity football. He has volunteered his time at the Niles Haunted House and works for Menards store in Mishawaka. Aaron said that he would like to attend the University of Michigan, Central Michigan, Michigan State or Grand Valley State. He is not sure yet. He is very interested in Science and would like to major in biology or pharmaceutical science. His hobbies are year round sports and spending time with his friends. Melisa Zimmerman is the daughter of Michael and Virginia Zimmerman. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Senate, SADD and honors choir. She volunteers at the Niles Fun House and the Niles Haunted House and has been tutoring Spanish for one year. Melisa says that she’d like to pursue a doctorate degree in mathematics education from Saint Mary’s College so that she can teach at the high school level. She enjoys singing, dancing, taking care of her hamsters and rat and loves to have fun with her family and friends.

Our thanks and congratulations to our Students of the Month from Brandywine High School.

"Instinct is the nose of the mind." Delphine De Grardin (1904-1855), Writer

"Love’s a thing that’s never out of season." Barry Cornwall (1787-1874) Writer

TODAY IN HISTORY: December 17^th

1777: France officially recognizes the United States' independence.

1903: Orville Wright makes the first successful flight in an airplane with a gasoline engine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, covering 37 m (120 ft) in a flight lasting just 12 seconds.

1941: Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz takes command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

1963: The U.S. Congress passes the Clean Air Act, a sweeping set of laws designed to protect the environment from air pollution.

A traveler set out on a journey and stopped only when he had returned to his starting point. During that journey, his head traveled 36 feet further than his feet, yet his feet remained attached to his body. What is the explanation for this?

The journey was right round the globe. The man’s head was six feet from the ground so the radius of the circle traveled by his head is six feet greater than the circle traveled by his feet. The difference is the circumferences of the circle are 2(p) x 6 = 36.