OPTIZETTE
A Publication of the Niles Noon Optimist Club
Meetings every Tuesday at Noon
Riverfront Café on Front Street in downtown Niles, MI
¨ Zone 19 Michigan Regional District ¨
| CALL TO ORDER: PRESIDENT John Willis |
| INVOCATION & PLEDGE: Robert Rhynard |
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GUESTS: Spencer Miller and his mother Margo Miller! |
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CURIOUS THE MONKEY: Diane Bass had Curious available today, but because of time constraints Curious will wait until next week to give us a fact. |
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BRAGS: Rudy Kappe bragged on the Phil Vandenberg Traveling Soccer Tournament held this past weekend. Rudy said it was a lot of fun, even if the Niles team won the tournament. Being a Buchanan resident he cheered for the Buchanan team and said, "just wait ‘til next year". He also bragged on the beautiful trophies the Optimist Club bought for the winners. Mike Listenberger bragged on the really cool name tag he got at the Midwest Ontario District meeting in Chatham, Ontario. Way Cool Mike! Tom Majerek bragged that he ran 15 miles yesterday. He said just as he was getting comfy with a cold one his wife Nancy called to say he had to be at a BBQ for the VP of Notre Dame – her employer. Well, since Nancy has attended so many Optimist gatherings with him, he couldn’t say no. Tom also bragged on a great meeting in Bay City this past weekend. He said there was a party for Don Brose. Michigan Optimists had a break-even year. However, we dropped 600 members and only added 400 so it is membership drive time again! Mike Listenberger talked about membership briefly and gave everyone a brand new Green "ASK ME" pin. John Willis bragged on us being the home club of the International President and to prove it . . . unfurled a beautiful new Presidents Home Club banner for us to display at all of our meetings. |
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ANNOUNCMENTS: MANDATORY FUNDRAISING ACTIVITY FOR ALL MEMBERS. This Labor Day weekend is the Optimists’ main fundraiser, the Niles Optimist Triathlon. It will be held at the Howard Township Fire Department in Barron Lake on corner of Barron Lake Rd. and US-60. We’re expecting at least 400 participants. In addition this weekend is the Optimist Childhood Cancer Campaign 5K Run held concurrently with the triathlon.Friday, September 2nd , >>>> Breakfast at 8 am at Home Plate Restaurant then on to work! Members will set the course up, put together bike racks, spray paint parking and running areas, place balloons in the lake for the swimmers, paint and post signs, etc. Also on Friday there will be a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 pm at the Fire Station.Saturday, September 3 rd >>>> show up at 6:30 am to help with parking cars, marking numbers on beautiful bodies, handing out t-shirts, helping with registration and of course, timing the races. If you have any questions, call Robert Rhynard at 574-250-6406. SEE YOU THERE!!Mahlon Wise , the Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters stopped by to announce their annual Bowl for Kids Sake. He is asking our group to get a bowling team together to raise money for BBBS or to give a donation to the cause.Robert Rhynard announced this week’s Niles Optimist Triathlon and also told the group that we got a request to rent out all the tents we have at $75 a pop! Good going Bob!!Mark your Calendars à OPTIMIST BANQUET. Saturday, October 1st. Bell Building on 3rd Street. Don Brose, MI Dist. Governor will be guest speaker. Great Dinner planned. Stand by for more info soon.Mike Listenberger announced that he, Tom Majerek and David VanStrien were in Cassopolis recently working on getting a new club started. Please let them know if you have any contacts in Cassopolis who may be willing to help. |
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50/50 WINNER IS Carol ZackaryThe Lady is Hot! |
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THIS WEEK’S SPEAKER: Spencer MillerSpencer is 16 years old and a homeschooler. He talked about his experiences at the Student Statesmanship Institute camp this year. (Check them out at www.ssi-online.org). Spencer said there were about 300 kids this year. The camp allows kids to be involved in mock trials, mock legislative sessions and mock media press conferences. They got a tour of the capital building and the dorm areas where they stayed at the Great Lakes Christian College. They worked on preparing for debates on issues such as Stem Cell Research, Abortion and others. They also created arguments for and against real bills that are currently pending before our legislature. They also attended worship service each afternoon and had a guest speaker to lecture each evening. Spencer loved the experience, although he really didn’t want to go and didn’t think he would like it. He says it was great learning so much about how our country is run and that he would like to attend next year also. He said the program costs a little over $320 for the 5 day visit, but that many kids have sponsors. His sponsor was an area congressman. Spencer answered many questions for the group and was a very nice, personable young man. Thank you for visiting with us Spencer. |