Invocation and Pledge: Diane didn't prearrange anything, but Dr. Todd did a fine job for us after being "randomly" chosen.

News of the Day by Rob Clingaman: Rob brought us stories of a great grandma in Australia who survived a venomous snakebite and a 13-year old cattle dog named Lassie (yes, Lassie) who stayed with her injured master until he heard the man's wife calling, then went to the woman and brought her back to the injured man.

Guests:

Captain Bill Walters, Salvation Army.  Bill attended our meeting as a program guest last week, and now as a prospective member this week.

Tom Smith, former club member.  Potential returning member?  John Willis says to "ask him about the bratwurst".
 

Ron Fink, Sorry, no details available.  But he's apparently a friend of Michel's, and any friend of Michel...
 

New "Member":  Diane Bass was so bubbling over with excitement that she sort of stole my brag.  (That's okay, Diane).  An hour or so before the meeting we dropped by her work with Aarika Michelle RayeLynn Morse, our new baby girl.  (That sounds like "Erika", but is spelled more like Aaron).  Diane LOVES babies, and was so giddy that she just couldn't wait to announce that there is a new future Optimist in the world, born to Robb and Michelle Morse.  I'll try and send you all an email with details and a couple pictures soon.  Hopefully Michelle and Aarika will be able to attend with me this week. -Robb

Brags:

Dennis Middleton bragged on his son Derek, the only salesman(?) to qualify for all three incentive trips (Aruba, St. Thomas, Rio) given away by his employer.

Rudy Kappe bragged that he had just gotten back from a great trip, returning at 11pm the night before the meeting.  Their cruise took them to Miami, Cuba, Haiti, Aruba, Panama Canal, Costa Rica.  In the Grand Caymans they snorkeled with two dozen stingrays.  Rudy also bragged that he had found a copy of a leaflet or similar advertisement online that came from his Grandfather's business selling hoes and other gardening implements way back in 1879.

John Willis bragged on Soccer Signup Saturday Morning at the YMCA going well.  Thanks to JoAnn + Lyle for showing up and helping out.

John Willis bragged on OC.  Around a year ago OC found that the "Niles Noon Optimists" were listed as being owed some "unclaimed property" on the State of Michigan treasury website.  Now nearly a year later the club received a check for $50 thanks to OC.

Many members suggest visiting www.missingmoney.com to see if YOU are owed.  And it's free! 

Erika Kirtdoll bragged that last Saturday was the first week of the Lakeland Athletic Club Youth Tennis program.  Erika volunteered and helped out for a few hours as over 100 kids, most of them new to tennis, had a great time being introduced to a great game.  If you'd like to help out, contact Mark Ficks or Erika.

Announcements: * = New

*Optimists After Hours February 7th 7pm at the Billieview (sp?) Conference Center, 58220 Decatur Rd, Cassopolis.  All Niles Optimists are invited to attend.  Special guests include Michigan Optimist Governor Don Brose and Optimist International President Michel Listenberger.

*Regional Optimist Meeting February 4th in Kalamazoo.  PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED!  Registration form available at: http://www.michiganoptimists.org/data/2Q06_Registration.pdf
Transportation options available: contact Tom Majerek. 

*Race Timing Trailer has been taken to Dee's by Bob Rhynard.  Trailer to be refurbished at cost.

*First Race Timing Event of the year, March 19, 2006 1pm Battell Center Run

Dr. Todd is always in need of Programs, please contact him if you have a program idea for us.

50/50: $17, won by Dennis Middleton.

Curious the Monkey: JoAnn has the monkey this week, and drew her own number for next week.  (NOT the first time she's done this, BTW!)  The redraw sends the monkey to..... Tom Smith - now he'll HAVE to come back next week!
Curious Facts:  JoAnn brought us a random collection of facts.  There's a SuperMan of some type seen somewhere in every episode of Seinfeld.  First toilet ever seen on TV was on Leave it to Beaver.  Marlboro, Coca Cola, and Budweiser are the three most valuable brand names, in that order.

Program: Dennis Middleton spoke to us about Women's Right's issues, and about how much things have changed just in his lifetime.  He supported a woman's right to be treated fairly as a member of the workforce since a young age.  His mom and grandma were both careerwomen.  And a quote from his grandpa that stuck with him was "when the wife works, I've got more time to fish".
 

Dennis attended Michigan Tech, and there were 2000 guys and 50 girls there at the time.  The women were treated differently by the school.  He studied surveying, and the whole of the 16 years he was in the profession he never met another woman surveyor.  Now women make up nearly half of all new surveyors. 
 

Dennis' wife graduated from Western Michigan in 1961, but was told a lower-qualified man would be given a certain job because they didn't want to take the risk that she'd become pregnant and want time off or quit.  Dennis hired 5 women salesmen over the years, including one who went on to become a millionaire.