A Publication of the Niles Noon Optimist Club
Meetings every Tuesday at Noon
Riverfront Cafe on Front Street in downtown Niles, MI
Zone 4, Michigan District
Editors: Michelle and Robb Morse

Call to Order: President Dave VanStrien, our NEW President!

Rob Clingaman shared three funny stories that made us all laugh. There was a prisoner who spents months tunneling out of his cell. When he came to the surface, he was in a nursery school's playground. He jumped into the air shouting "I'm free, I'm free, I'm free." A nearby girl, hearing this, replied "Big deal. I'm four!"

Dave VanStrien bragged on Tom and Liz and Michelle and Robb and everyone else that helped make the Banquet the big success that it was.

John Willis bragged on how good it feels to be able to sit in the back of the room during the meeting instead of being center stage.

Tom Majerek bragged that John was a great President after having to take the reins mid-year.

O.C. bragged to remind us of the great story Erika told us of the freshman tennis player at their conference matches. This young lady has only one arm, yet is second-team and won all her matches, winning the final match 6-0, 6-0. She has to balance the ball on the end of her racket and toss it up into the air to begin her serve!

Liz Bragged on the two new members that signed up at the 35th anniversary banquet, including Liz's mom.

The Cassopolis Club was chartered Saturday Morning with 33 members, the first new Michigan Club of the new optimist year! A college club in Pennsylvania beat us out on first club of the year by chartering at 12:01am October 1st.

Race timing: Buchanan United Federal Credit Union's 15th annual race, for Cystic Fibrosis this Saturday? Contact John Willis.

Race timing: Battell Center Pumpkin Run race (Formerly the Turkey Trot). October 16th 12:30p IN/1:30p MI This race is NOT at the Battell Center - location to be announced. Contact Bob Rhynard or John Willis. This is the last timing event for the year. Eight to ten volunteers needed. Thanks for your participation!

New Website (still under construction - Thanks John!!!)

http://www.nilesoptimist.org/optimist_new

Board Meeting Monday at Dave's Credit Union 5:30pm

Butch won the 50/50 for $14. Curious Monkey goes to Charles Zanayed.

Week from Friday is the 102nd and last meeting of the Niles and Dowagiac Football teams on the Gridiron, as Dowagiac is joining a different conference next year. The mayors of the two towns have a bet riding on the outcome, with 10 lbs. of Dowagiac-made chocolate and a dinner for 4 at the Niles Riverfront Cafe on the line.

John Willis, in his role as Michigan Lieutenant Governor, inducted two new members into the club, Debbie Asmus and Rob Clingaman. Welcome aboard!

Debbie and her husband Kevin have both lived in Niles for many years. They have two daughters, both in college. Debbie was sponsored by Butch, whom she works with at TCU insurance selling personal insurance.

Rob works for Federated Media at WNIL.

Program: Lisa Croteau, Director, Downtown Development Authority. Many thanks from Dr. Todd and the Club for providing us a program at the last minute.

Lisa talked about some new businesses that are coming to Niles, and updated us on coming events.

A new nature store will be opening at the old site of the Front Street Gallery.

Appletree Restaurant will be reopening under new ownership, serving breakfast and lunch.

October 29th is set for the Niles Safe Trick or Treat program. (The optimists will be set up opposite Majerek's Reader's World to hand out goodies - see Liz to help out).

Friday Nov. 11th thru Sunday Nov. 13th, pre-Christmas Open House downtown.

December 3rd, Lighting of the Tree.

January 13th-15th, Hunter Ice Festival. Last year, the committee was worried that there would be leftover ice cream to contend with, but they completely sold out right as John Willis got to the front of the line. They're placing a larger ice cream order this year. Ice Cream selling like hotcakes in January - who knew?!?

June 1st completed Niles' first year as part of the Main Street Community Initiative. The area experienced 5% business growth and 10.5% employment growth during the year.

Late Brag: Liz thanks Lisa, whom she lovingly calls "the Queen of Niles", for becoming an important and dynamic part of our town.