BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES: Robert Todd will celebrate his birthday on February 19^th and Sue Cipares will celebrate hers this Wednesday. Happy Birthday to both "youngsters"!

PRESENTATIONS: Past President Kirtdoll presented John Willis with an Honors President patch for our Optimist banner. John received the award for his work as president of our club in 1996 – 1997. I don’t know what took us so long, but knowing John as we do, it is more than well deserved! And since Sgt. At Arms Andrew Plym has been admonishing us for not carrying the Optimist Creed card in our wallets, Past President Kirtdoll presented everyone in the room with an Optimist Creed card to carry. She also presented President Liz Capron with an official Optimist briefcase to help carry all her official Optimist work. She then presented Diane Bass with an official Optimist note taking case to assist her in her note taking duties. Congratulations to all!

BRAGS: John Willis bragged on Past President Erika Kirtdoll who has offered to tally up t-shirts for each soccer team. John says it is a harder job than it sounds and the final tally must be totally accurate. President Capron bragged on Past President Kirtdoll also saying that she keeps the board of directors on track while serving as this years Secretary/Treasury. Secretary/Treasurer Kirtdoll bragged that all puppies do have a home now and someone even wants the mother dog – but she’s not ready to give her up.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Craig Krassow announced that Don Boyer is home and seems to be doing well after surgery. He said that Don sounds very positive. John Willis announced that there will be an Optimist Soccer coaches meeting on March 16^{th at} 6pm at Ballard Elementary. He said that the real help will be needed the day before in taking T-shirt inventory, counts and check in. So far there are 49 soccer teams in Niles and about 35 in Buchanan. John also announced that Rudy Kappe and John Barrett are doing an excellent job in developing the use of three soccer fields in Buchanan. He said that Buchanan has more soccer fields than Niles. Mike Listenberger announced that the JOOI Club is meeting tonight and will have as their guest Holly Pomaranka who wants to start a youth center in Niles. He said the JOOI Club is always busy with community projects and have begun to gear up for the State JOOI Convention at a university south of Lansing on March 26^th and 27^th. They are also looking forward to the Optimist Youth Performance Arts Festival in May and this year’s international convention. Mike also announced that JOOI has a newly elected president in Niles. It is none other than Jonathan Poole. President Capron announced that a board meeting was held last night. She told the group that the Optimist Club has elected not to continue with organizing the Dragon Boat Challenge, but will continue with the Duck Race event. She also announced that Tri-Star baseball will be held in May under the direction of David Morse. There will be a District Meeting on February 21^st. There is also a Zone Meeting scheduled for the next board meeting in March.

50/50 RAFFLE DRAWING: Past President Erika Kirtdoll conducted the 50/50 raffle. John Willis took home the $13 pot! Congratulations John!

CLOSING CREED: John Willis led the group in reciting the Optimist Pledge in its entirety.

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