OPTIZETTE

November 29, 2005

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

Note: December Board Meeting Moved to Monday, December 19th

Note: No formal lunch meetings December 27th or January 3rd

Call to Order: Dave VanStrien

Invocation and Pledge: Rev. Lloyd Phillips

Brags:
Robb Morse bragged on baby preps being underway, having bought a carseat/stroller.

Liz Capron bragged that the ND game was "as good as the USC game, but even better because ND won". She also bragged that she had a fun time ringing the Salvation Army bell.

Dave VanStrien bragged that all the Salvation Army bellringing slots that have been assigned to us have all been filled.

Michelle Morse bragged that her Cincinnati Bengals are looking good for making the NFL playoffs.

Diane Bass bragged on her 14 year-old grandchild in California making the honor roll and earning a trip to Catalina Island.

Tom Majerek bragged on receiving a letter and another +1 lapel pin in the mail from the OI President.

Liz Capron bragged on PERSONALLY receiving a +1 lapel pin from the OI President.

News of the Day:

Rob Clingaman informed us that the Indianapolis Colts ran their record to 11-0 on the season in Monday Night action. Meanwhile, the Lions fired head coach Steve Mariuchi, only to replace him with Dick Jauron! In humorous news, a 77 year-old granny rugby-tacked and citizen-arrested a 25 year/old for jaywalking, holding him until police arrived.

Program Guests:

Students-of-the-Month from Niles High School

Ryan McCormick, his dad Rich, his mom Sue, and his grandmother Bernie Lyman.
Yahkeema Moffitt and her mother Mary.
Ben Hansen and his mother Margaret.

Announcements: * = New

*December Board Meeting Moved to Monday, December 19th.

*No official meeting Tuesday following Christmas (Dec 27th) No official meeting Tuesday following New Year's (January 3rd). Chances are good that some members will still be having lunch at Riverfront Cafe at Noon on these days so feel free to join them.

*Holiday Business After Hours sponsored by the 4 Flags Chamber of Commerce, December 12th at Millenium Steakhouse 5-730pm. $5 per person, RSVP to 683-3720 or nileschamber@qtm.net by Friday 12/9.

Cassopolis Club Meeting Time and Location Change: As of Thursday December 15th the Cassopolis Club will be meeting in the media center at Cassopolis High School at Noon.

Bell Ringing for Salvation Army at Walmart December 2nd and 3rd. All slots are full - this is just a reminder. Thanks for volunteering!

Optimist International Foundation Raffle tickets on sale. True 50/50, tickets are $20 each and are on sale at District meetings. Michelle and Robb are taking a collection to buy tickets on behalf of our Youth Fund.

Regional Optimist Meeting February 4th in Kalamazoo. Tom Majerek is in charge of this meeting and would like to see good attendance from Niles.

Trivia Contest to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters at St. Mark's Parish Hall Saturday January 14. $150 per table of up to 10 players, $250 first prize.

*Happy Birthday Wishes to Renee Harrison on November 30th and Robert Morse on December 5th.

*Congratulations and Best Wishes to Paul Crouch on his wedding anniversary November 30th.

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

Welcome New Member Mark Ficks, officially inducted today. Sponsored by Tom Majerek.

Second reading for prospective member Justin Panczak.

$15, won by Michelle Morse. Had to happen sooner or later :) Michelle also got Curious the Monkey for next week.

John Willis brought us interesting information on local area airports. Public Airports: Jerry Tyler Memorial, Niles. (Niles even has it's own luggage delivery code: NLE). Dowagiac Municipal, Dowagiac. Andrews University Airpark, Berrien Springs. Private Airfields: Crump Airport, Niles (East of Misty Acres). Rentz Ultralight Flightpark, Niles (South of US-12 east of Gumwood). Woolverton's Field Airport, Buchanan (North of Geyer between Range Line and US-31).

Students of the Month from Niles High School

Ryan McCormick is a seventeen your old senior at Niles. He has two siblings. He is President of the Art Club, and participates in NHS, ecology club, tennis, football, and public service including Relay for Life and Steve's Run. He believes today's youth can make a difference by taking a little of their free time and volunteering for public service projects. He is planning to study pre-med at Western Michigan, Central Michigan, or (hopefully) Michigan State University and go into Radiology.

Ben Hansen is an 18 year-old senior at Niles. He attended Grager Christian School from 7th to 10th grades and came to Niles as a Junior. He has three sisters. Ben participates in NHS, Counterpoints, and sports. The basketball tesm is expected to be particularly strong this year with 8 seniors. His favorite things about school are being a senior and taking firefighter classes a half-day everyday at Berrien Springs. At the end of this program he will receive his firefighter certification as well as 12 college credits. He plans to become a paramedic and/or firefighter. He's wanted to be a firefighter for the last 3-4 years, ever since he realized that planning to be an NBA basketball player was perhaps a tad unrealistic.

Jakeema Moffitt is an 18 year-old senior at Niles with a large extended family. She is editor-in-chief of the Viking Journal. She was tapped by the Notre Dame education talent search. She works at simplicty pattern and has recently started learning the guitar. Jakeema recently made the varsity soccer team despite not having played soccer since her participation in the Optimist Soccer league in 7th grade! She plans to go to a 4-year University to study Sociology, perhaps MSU. Jakeema says it's inevitable that today's youth will make a difference in the world because today's youth are tomorrow's doctors, lawyers, musicians, artists, and more. Making a difference is just a matter of implementing their good intentions.

Next Week's Program: ?

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.