|
A Publication of the Niles Noon Optimist Club Meetings every Tuesday at Noon at the Signal Point Country Club on West River Rd. in Niles, MI ¨ Zone 19 Michigan Regional District |
|
VOL. XXX, NO. 111803 ¨ ELIZABETH CAPRON, PRESIDENT ¨ DIANE BASS, EDITOR ¨ P.O. BOX 63 NILES, MI 49120 ¨ DECEMBER 9, 2003 |
DATELINE: Tuesday, December 9, 2003. President Liz Capron opened the meeting and gave the invocation then led us in the pledge of allegiance.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: David VanStrien introduced his guest Tom Rasler from AAA of Michigan. Tom has been a visitor before and may be considering becoming a member of the Optimists. Welcome Tom! Visit us again soon.
BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES: Amy McKean and Diane Bass will celebrate anniversaries this month. Osceola Skinner, Carol Milburn and Bill Haslett each have birthdays this month. Happy Anniversary to Amy and Diane and Happy Birthday to Carol, O.C. and Bill!
BRAGS: President Capron bragged that both she and her husband Dee Capron, along with John Willis rang the Salvation Army bell this past weekend. She thinks they get more donations when her handsome husband is there also. Ladies like the look of him! (He’s a regular Clark Gable kinda guy). President Capron also told a story about one person with a very revealing outfit in the dead of winter. But we won’t repeat it here. President Elect Jon Martin bragged that the Optimists have no more races until March. We should have all thrown a quarter in the pot for Jon’s brag. It was a very busy year. Thanks to Robert Rhynard and John Willis there were about 16 races this year compared to 11 races last year. But hey! WE MADE MONEY FOR YOUTH! Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to all who help in snow, rain and heat to make Optimist Timing a success.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Osceola Skinner announced that sign-ups were still needed to volunteer for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing campaign. Please call or email him to sign up for a time at
OSMary2035@aol.com or 684-1740. Robert Todd announced that guest speakers are still needed for next year. Please contact him to schedule a guest speaker. President Capron announced that at a recent Board of Director’s meeting the board approved membership for Brent Braaksma and Joyce Cronin. We’ll soon be having induction ceremonies for the new members. She also announced that the board had approved a General Fund budget for the 2004 fiscal year. Hopefully the Youth Fund budget will be approved at the next meeting. There is also tentative planning for an Optimist Golf Outing to raise more money for our Youth Fund. President Capron also updated the group on upcoming events such as Tri-Star Basketball and the Oratorical and Essay contests. Sgt. At Arms Andrew Plym announced that members are to wear Green and Red next week in honor of the Christmas holiday. Fines will be doubled to 50 cents for all those who forget to bring in the holiday spirit. Also, please note that the Niles Fire Department will be presenting a sample of their children’s fire safety program on Tuesday, January 13th. Please try to attend to see this great show. Please take notice: There will be no noon meetings on Tuesday, December 23rd and Tuesday, December 30th.
**Kudos to Carol Milburn and Susan Armstrong for a successful First Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Crystal Ball Auction.
**Kudos to the Niles JOOI Club for being great Santa Helpers and Elves while working the Breakfast with Rudolph and Shop with Santa events last Saturday.
50/50 RAFFLE DRAWING: John Willis conducted the 50/50 raffle. David VanStrien took home the $14.50 pot! Congratulations Dave! President Capron provided us with two gifts for a loser’s drawing. The winners were Lyle McMullen and Diane Bass. Congrats to both!
GUEST SPEAKER: There was no guest speaker today. Optimists socialized a little longer and had a chance to get back to work on time.
CLOSING CREED: David VanStrien led the group in reciting the Closing Creed at the end of the meeting.
If you’d like to see previous issues of the Optizette visit our site at
www.nilesoptimist.org or visit the international site at www.optimist.org. Don’t forget the Niles JOOI Club’s site is www.jooi.org .
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. – John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Great organizations demand a high level of commitment by the people involved. – Bill Gates
Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans. – Peter F. Drucker
TODAY IN HISTORY: December 9th
1793: American lexicographer Noah Webster establishes New York's first
daily newspaper, The Minerva.
1940: Britain launches its first major offensive against
Italian-dominated North Africa at Sidi Barrani in northeastern Egypt.
1941: China declares war on Japan, Germany, and Italy.
1958: Robert H. Welch, Jr., founds the John Birch Society to fight the
infiltration of communism into American society.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS: December 9th
John Milton, English poet (1608)
Douglas
Fairbanks, American actor and producer (1883)
Clarence
Birdseye, American food expert (1886)
Kirk
Douglas, American actor and producer (1916)
Dick
Butkus, American football player (1942)
DAILY JOKES:
Genetic Manipulation For Good, Not Evil
What do you get when you cross a centipede with a turkey?
Drumsticks for everybody!
WHO AM I?
I was born on this day in 1912. I have been a member of the House of Representatives for more than 30 years
WHO AM I ANSWER:
Tip O’Neill was a member of the House of Representatives for more than 30 years and speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1987. A Democrat from Massachusetts, O’Neill was one of the first leaders to speak out against the Vietnam War. He also opposed many of President Reagan’s conservative policies.
