oz20051220

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

Note: Regular lunch meetings will still be held at Riverfront Cafe when they resume January 10th

Call to Order: Dave VanStrien

Invocation and Pledge: Rev. Lloyd Phillips

Brags:

Lloyd Phillips bragged on recently having seen a sports score for his alma mater's basketball team announced in the media. Lloyd played on the New York Nayak college basketball team, who recently beat a NJ tech school 88-80.

Rudy Kappe bragged on his daughter-in-law, currently in the midst of her second battle with cancer. He visited her in Plymouth and helped clean the garage. She has been having trouble sleeping, but there is a new bed headed her way after Christmas!

Don Boyer bragged that his wife is recovering well following last week's surgery, despite being in Don's care.

Scott Crouch bragged on the Niles Fire Department. They recently took Medical First Responder training, which will allow them to handle medical emergencies when first-on-scene rather than waiting for the paramedics to show up before doing anything. The firefighters each passed the MFR training and are now certified First Responders!

Carole Zackary says we should all go see Zathura in theaters, then look for her daughter Julie Zackary's name in the credits.

John Willis bragged on having given us (Robb and Michelle, your editors) a big pile of Optimist Soccer sponsorship stuff to be envelope-stuffed and mailed, rather than having to do it himself.

Erika Kirtdoll bragged on her brother, who was chosen to participate in training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico. He was one of just five Indiana police officers chosen to attend this particular session, a few of which are held each year.

Rudy Kappe has been taking tennis lessons from fellow optimist Mark Ficks, finally learning to play in a way that won't give him tennis elbow.

Michel Listenberger reminded us to watch for him during the Rose Bowl Parade on January 2nd. He'll be on the Frog Prince optimist float waving at us.

Announcements: * = New

*Justin Pazczak's membership approved at board meeting.

*Tuesday Lunch Location remains Riverfront Cafe for the time being when regular meetings resume January 10th.

Trivia Contest to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters is coming up January 14th at 6:30pm at St. Mark's Parish Hall. The Optimists are attempting to put together a team. Cost is $150/team with a ten-member maximum. $250 first prize. Liz and John are signed up so far - contact them or us to get signed up.

No official meeting Tuesday following Christmas (Dec 27th) No official meeting Tuesday following New Year's (January 3rd). Some members will still be having lunch at Riverfront Cafe at Noon on these days so feel free to join them and order off the menu.

Cassopolis Club Meeting Time and Location Change: The Cassopolis Club now meets at NOON on Thursdays at Cassopolis High School.

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.

Dr. Todd is always in need of Programs, please get ahold him if you have a program for us. Programs still needed for January 10th and 24th, plus the first three weeks in February.

*Happy Birthday Wishes to Butch Harrison.

50/50: $14, won by Michel Listenberger.

Curious the Monkey: Dennis Middleton brought us curious facts about life expectancy. If you were born between 1939 and 1949, your life expectancy at birth was 63 years, but if you're still alive today you're expected to have 18.2 years left, on average. If you were born from 1969 to 1979, your life expectancy was 70.5 years at birth, but if you're still alive today you should have 44 years left on average.

The Monkey goes to... JoAnn Krueger!

Program: Rudy Kappe treated us to some stories about what Christmas was like while he was a child in Germany.

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.