November 1, 2005

Moment of Silence observed in Memoriam of Corrie Listenberger Bair, beloved daughter of Michel and Judy

News of the Day: Rob Clingaman brought us the story of 45 year-old Amy Brasher, arrested for drug possession. Police were called after the oil change technician found numerous bags of marijuana stashed throughout the engine compartment. Amy explained to police that she didn't realize they would have to raise the hood to change the oil.

Brags:

Tom Majerek bragged on his picture (at 3 years old) making it into Anita Glenn's photobook Niles Remembered II. There are also a couple of Optimist-related pictures in the new book.

Liz Capron bragged on Safe Trick or Treat in Niles. The Optimists inflated over 300 balloons and handed out funbooks and candy to over 500 kids. John Willis tied so many balloons his fingers turned blue! Deb Asmus entertained the volunteers by reciting the Optimist Creed on helium.

John Willis bragged on the feeling having now come back into his hands following all that balloon tying, and also on having taken one of the photos that appears in Niles Remembered II.

Guests:

Liz Capron introduced Justin Panczyk.

Erika introduced Jeff Anglemyer and Arvin Delacruz.

Program Guest: Nikki Horvath and her parents, Mark and Lisa. Lisa was Michelle Morse's maid of honor and is a great friend that she met while coaching Lisa's daughter and Mark's son in Optimist soccer.

Pancake Breakfast: Andy Plym asked me to include information regarding a

Pancake Breakfast on November 6th at Niles Township Fire South Station on South 3rd street from 8-11?am.

There will be a New Member Orientation Monday, November 14th at 6:30pm at the Greater Niles Federal Credit Union. Dave invites everyone who has joined the club in the past two years to come and learn more about the club's activities and organization. Pizza and pop provided. This meeting immediately follows the regular club board meeting, which begins at 5:30pm and which everyone is also welcome to attend.

Dr. Todd is need of Programs, please get ahold him if you have a program for us. Everyone has a program in them.

50/50: $15, won by Liz Capron.

Curious the Monkey: Dennis Hinsey and the monkey were absent again. We drew for the monkey, and Rick Schpok is now charged with recovering the monkey from Dennis for the next meeting.

Program: Nicole Horvath is 15 years old and attends Niles High School. Nikki drives a junior dragster. She shared pictures of her in her dragster, as well as her brother in his dragster. They drive half-scale cars on a 1/8-mile track. She brought multiple trophies, including one for a first-place finish. She typically competes against 30-60 other racers, both boys and girls. She says her favorite parts of racing are the burnouts and the adrenaline rush.

Her maximum speed is around 82 MPH. The engine burns alcohol, but "not the kind you drink, and not the kind you use on cuts and scrapes". The engine block is from a 5 horsepower Briggs and Stratton lawnmower-type engine, but with aftermarket racing parts and alcohol fuel they get 60-65 horsepower out of it. The only accident she recalls was running over her mom's foot once.

Nikki is also involved in cross-country and track. She has previously set school records in the pole vault and hurdles. She aspires to run in the Olympics one day.

If anyone has an interest in sponsoring Nikki's drag racer please contact Mark Horvath at 683-0215.

Lisa Busby, Director of the Ferry Street School Resource Center.

Shirt Orders: If anyone is interested in ordering polo shirts like those awarded at the optimist banquet, please see Tom. The minimum order is 15 shirts, so we will take down names and contact people for payment if enough interest is generated to support an order. White polo shirts with the optimist logo are currently available from Tom for $10 each.