Champaign-Urbana Optimist Club

Next meeting

Jessie Bernstein,Director for Area 8-Eastern Prairie Special Olympics will be our featuredspeaker on Thursday, February 18 at 6 pm, Perkins Family Restaurant

January 21& February 4 Meeting

President Lauraopened the meeting and led us in the pledge. Mason offered the prayer.

Program January 21

Connieintroduced our Essay Contest winner, Emily Miller. Her mother, Ruth Miller,accompanied her. She read her great essay, which will now go to the Districtcompetition.

Program February 4

Discussion andplanning for a NOW event. Give a membership application and a graciousinvitation to all who benefit from our largess.

Announcements

• Thank youswere received from UHS Student Senate for Thanksgiving donation, SIUFoundation/Camp CoCo, Crisis Nursery, UMS Character Education.

• Photos areneeded from any project you sponsor. Please get these to Laura. She would liketo make a display for the NOW event.

• In order tostart a college Optimist Club we must have 15 full time students and a Parkland instructor. Laura is still working on this.

• 40 Christmastrees remained. We will probably order fewer next year.

• Meijerdonated $700 to our club. Please frequent this fine supporter of Optimism. Weshopped there for our youth Christmas gifts. Thanks to Gene and Howard forarranging the shopping trip.

• Door prizeswere won by Mason, Emily, Laura, Gene, Dennis and Judy.

Essay Contesttopic- “The Internet: Today’s Evolution or Tomorrow’s Menace?”

"Optimists-Friend of Youth-

Bringing OutThe Best In Kids."

C-U web site: http://www.cuoptimist.org

IL Dist website: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

Internationalweb site:  http://www.optimist.org

Upcoming Events 

February 18 Jessie Bernstein,Special Olympics

February 20 District mtgTaylorville

March 4

March 18 Children’sChallenge Awards Ryan’s

April 1

April 15

May 6

May 20

June 3

June 3 or 8 Junior Golf atU of IL course

June 5 Fishing Derby, Kaufman Lake

June 17

July 23-31 County Fair

CU Optimist members,

Our regular meeting will be held this Thursday, January 21, at Perkins Family Restaurant at 6:00pm. We will honor our essay contest winner, Emily Miller, and her parents. Let's have a good showing!

Next meeting

Thursday,November 19th 6:00 pm, Perkins Family Restaurant

November 5th Meeting

President Lauraopened the meeting. Carlos led us in the pledge and Mason offered the prayer.Those in attendance were Laura, Carlos, Mason, Josh, Howard, Jim M, Fred, Geneand guest Chris Smith.

Program

Chris Smith isa member of the Springfield Optimist Club. He is a fundraiser for Camp COCO.Camp COCO supports children with cancer, andfamilies and caregivers of children with cancer and supports cancer research.It has been in existence since 1986 and is sponsored through Southern IllinoisUniversity School of Medicine. This is a one-week summer camp for kids age 6-10that costs $500 per child but free to the children in attendance. We gifted Camp COCO$1000 for the Childhood Cancer Campaign.

Announcements

• A thank youwas received from David Grabow for help to Head Start in Savoy.

• As a newproject, we would like to sponsor a college Optimist Club. A student needs totake 12 credit hours in order to be a member. A college group would require 15members. We would have to fund the $400 cost to charter this club.

• Christmastrees arrive November 28th at Country Fair Shopping Center. Laura will be on radio and TV to promotethe tree sales. The schedule is out on the email from Laura. Sign up accordingto your schedule and send back to Laura. Laura will record the workers andresolve any conflicts. Volunteer!!

Carlos has secured the tent and Howard hasthe electrical pole up. Next is the tree supports

• Laura attended the District meeting and took socks, gloves and hats for donation.

• Mason passedout Essay contest forms.

• Masonannounced that the senior scholarship applications are in the high schools.

Birthday           Anniversary

NOVEMBER

16 Fred Neumann 18 Tom & Evelyn Danneberger

26 Penn Nelson

28 Barb Nelson

29 Carol Manley

Essay Contesttopic- “The Internet: Today’s Evolution or Tomorrow’s Menace?”

"Optimists-Friend of Youth-

Bringing OutThe Best In Kids."

IllinoisDistrict web site: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

Internationalweb site:  http://www.optimist.org

Upcoming Events 

November 19 Wanda Tracy,Crisis Nursery

November 28 Christmastrees arrive 8:00 am

December 3 InternetSafety, Joyce Remesch

December 17 Christmas Party

Next meetingThursday, November 5th 6:00 pm, Perkins Family Restaurant

September 17 MeetingDave Grabow, Head Start of Savoy advocate, spoke to the club. Another guest was Cole Grabow, son of Dave.  President Jim opened the meeting, Barb Gillespie led us in the pledge and Mason led us in prayer. In attendance were Jim, Barb, Judy, Howard, Fred, Miriam, Laura, Mason, Connie, and Josh. We had a motion to accept the 2009-2010 budget. Howard, Barb and Dave won door prizes. A very important project for the year is to add an Optimist college club at Parkland College.

October 1 InstallationInstallation was held at Kennedy’s at Stone Creek. Laura Auteberry was installed as President. Board members and other officers installed by Joyce Remesch, zone 7 Lt. Gov, were Walt Splittstoesser, Barb Gillespie, Miriam Paluch, Jim Manley, Connie Minnes, Gene Morgan, Judith Pece, Fred Neumann, Joyce Remesch and Howard Schweighart. Joyce used a candy ceremony to install our new officers. Amy Lopez presented the special Achievement in Education award to Dr. Laura Taylor, Urbana High School principal. Perfect attendance went to Laura for 1 year, Jim and Joyce-2 years, Judith–10 years, Miriam – 11 years, Mason and Howard for 13 years, Connie- 18 years, Gene- 21 years and Walt- 22 years. Receiving years of service and dedication to our club were Penn Nelson for 40 years, Connie Minnes for 20 years and Judith Pece for 10 years. Outgoing president, Jim Manley, gave special remarks. Laura Auteberry spoke of her goals for the year. We will work to help her achieve them. The meeting closed with the Optimist Creed.

October 15 MeetingBeth German of Operation Snowball spoke to the members. Snowball is for high school teens and meets Tuesday evenings. It started in 1979.  Laura opened the meeting with the pledge and prayer. Our guest was Marie Smith, sister of Bobbie Herakovich, from Motley, MN. We will be giving a plaque to Champaign County Tent and Kemper for their continued assistance with out Christmas tree sales. Howard, Joyce and Walt won door prizes.

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Announcements• As a new project, we would like to sponsor a college Optimist Club. A student needs to take 12 credit hours in order to be a member. A college group would require 15 members. We would have to fund the $400 cost to charter this club.

• Christmas trees arrive November 28th at Country Fair Shopping Center.

• Life member dues are increasing to $436.20.

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Birthday            Anniversary

OCTOBER

27 Justin Lopez  3 Laura & Dennis Auteberry

                          14 Judy & Roy Pece

NOVEMBER

16 Fred Neumann18 Tom & Evelyn Danneberger

26 Penn Nelson

28 Barb Nelson

29 Carol Manley

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Essay Contest topic- “The Internet: Today’s Evolution or Tomorrow’s Menace?”

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"Optimists- Friend of Youth-

Bringing Out The Best In Kids."

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Our web site-  http://www.cuoptimist.org

Illinois District web site: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

International web site:  http://www.optimist.org

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Upcoming Events   November 5 Camp CoCo- Chris Smith

November 19 Wanda Tracy, Crisis Nursery

November 28 Christmas trees arrive 8:00 am

December 3 Internet Safety, Joyce Remesch

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A drop of ink may make a million think.

Lord Byron

Next meetingBoard meeting 5:30- prior to dinner!

Thursday, September 17th 6:00 pm, Perkins Family Restaurant

August 20 Meeting Jim opened the meeting with the pledge and Mason offered the prayer. Elaine Carter, Case Manager from Children’s Advocacy Center, was our guest speaker. She shared the mission of the center. The Center allows for taping a young victim’s statement in order that they do not have to continue to tell a story that is traumatic to relive.

Announcements• We received a thank you from Champaign Park District for our contribution to the Kaufman Lake fishing dock.

• Our club will have an ad in the UHS fall sports program advertising our C-U Optimist Club.

• Andrea Lynch, Laura’s daughter, is off to college at Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL.

• Jim & Carol Manley celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

• Joyce is Lt Gov of our zone and was elected Finance Chair of the Illinois District. Congratulations, Joyce!!

• As a new project, we would like to sponsor a college Optimist Club. A student needs to take 12 credit hours in order to be a member. A college group would require 15 members. We would have to fund the $400 cost to charter this club.

• Christmas trees arrive November 28th at Country Fair Shopping Center.

• Life member dues are increasing to $436.20.

• Door prizes were won by Elaine, Gene and Andrea.

Upcoming Events   September 17 Board Meeting Perkins 5:30 pm

September 17- Dave Grabow- Headstart of Savoy

October 1- Installation of Officers for 2009-10 Kennedy’s at Stone Creek 6:00 pm

October 15 Beth German & Zach Smith, Operation SnowballNovember 5 Camp CoCo- Chris Smith

November 19 Wanda Tracy, Crisis Nursery

December 3 Internet Safety, Joyce Remesch

October 1st Installation of Officers

6:00 pm

Kennedy’s at Stone Creek

$27

Includes tax and gratuity

House Salad, Rolls and Butter

Coffee, Ice Tea and Soda

Grilled Certified Angus New York Strip8 oz. grilled to order served with au jus, sautéed mushrooms, grilled vegetables and roast garlic mashed potatoes.

Tilapia Sauté

Garlic butter with mushrooms, chardonnay and penne pasta

Fettuccine Alfredo

Rich cream sauce with Asiago, steamed broccoli, carrots and French beans

Next meetingThursday, August 20th 6:00 pm, Perkins Family Restaurant

August 6 Meeting

Laura opened the meeting with the pledge and Mason offered the prayer. Laura, assisted by Bobbie, told about the new fishing pier at Kaufman Lake. It is funded in part by Kellogg Corp, Champaign Park District and C-U Optimist Club. The pier will be handicapped accessible and only 3 feet off the lake. Walt presented Laura, the park district rep, with our donation. Judy, Bobbie and Joyce won door prizes.

Announcements

• Our club has passed the benefactor category in Optimist International donations.

• YMCA thanked us for our “Strong Kids” campaign donation.

• We received a certificate and letter from Urbana Middle School for our involvement in the Character Education program and Student of the Month retreat.

• Walt, Joyce, Jim and Laura attended the District Convention in Springfield. OI VP Eddie Wyndt from Jamaica was present. Only internet copies of the District Bulletin will be sent. Amy will be in charge of this project. Joyce is Lt Gov of our zone and was elected Finance Chair of the Illinois District. Congratulations, Joyce!!

• Mason thanks you for your volunteer hours at the county fair. We were able to meet our budget, earning only $72 less than last year. We might look at the possibility of corporate sponsors helping take tickets next year.

•  The point system, as it pertains to dues reduction, will be instituted beginning in October. This means that as you volunteer for projects and work shifts at the 2 fundraisers, your dues would be reduced as the volunteering accumulates.  All committee chairs need to let Walt know the event and times members work on each project. Dues are due.

Birthday            Anniversary

August

3 Bill Fondren            3 Penn & Barb Nelson

6 Dave Kovacic        20 Jim & Carol Manley

11 Sally Widholm     28 Dave & Peggy Kovacic

27 Walt Splittstoesser              

27 Connie Minnes

29 Howard Schweighart

Essay Contest topic- “The Internet: Today’s Evolution or Tomorrow’s Menace?”

Oratorical Contest topic-“Cyber Communication – Progress or Problem?”

"Optimists- Friend of Youth-

Bringing Out The Best In Kids."

Our web site-  http://www.cuoptimist.org

Illinois District web site: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

International web site:  http://www.optimist.org

Upcoming Events  

August 20- Elaine Carter, Children’s Advocacy Center

August 30 Fair picnic 4pm- see directions below

September 3 Picnic and zone meeting at Joyce’s home – check attached flyer- IO Internet Safety program presented that night.

September 17- Dave Grabow- Headstart of Savoy

October 1- Installation of Officers for 2009-10

October 15

Mistakes are the visual bridge between inexperience and wisdom. Phyllis Theroux

Fair thank you picnic-bring a dish to share and your table service. Steaks are provided. Gather at 4, eat at 5. August 30th

Jim and Pam Sisco directions-

> Start out going SOUTH on US-45 S. (go 4 miles)

>  Turn RIGHT onto COUNTY ROAD 1000 N/MONTICELLO RD/CR-18. Continue to follow COUNTY ROAD 1000 N/CR-18. (go 9.0 miles)

> Turn LEFT onto COUNTY ROAD 200 E/CR-6. (go 3.3 miles)

>  End at 676 County Road 200 E Ivesdale, IL 61851-9774

TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME: 26 minutes DISTANCE: 20.18 miles

Zone 7 meetingSeptember 3rd, 2009

6:00pm—7:00 pm Picnic Social

7:00 Marshal Presentation

7:10 Decatur Presentation

7:20 C U Presentation

7:30 Internet Safety –New Program OI

Joyce K Remesch

3004 Kyle St

Urbana IL 61802

RSVP  please -217-384-7048 or E-mail: jremesch@hotmail.com

Bring Dish to Share

Meat/Drinks/Utensils Provided

Bring $5.00 for Fifty Fifty Heads Tails Game

Next meeting

Thursday, July 2 6:00 pm, Perkins Family Restaurant Best 4th of July memories and your plans for the 4th

Meeting

Gene led the members in the pledge to the flag and Mason offered a prayer. Jim welcomed Joshua Minnes as a new member into the club. Josh is returning to CU to complete his requirements to receive a teaching certificate.  Jim read a letter from WSDM concerning the cost of $90 a week for six weeks to sponsor a child in their summer camp. Not enough information was available so this was denied. In October we will install the new officers. The board is looking for three new board members to continue service to the club. Contact Laura Auteberry to put your name in the ring. This is a two year term. Door prizes were won by Walt, Laura and Mason.

C-U Optimist Junior World of Golf

21 golfers had a great day of golf. Winners were:

16-18 age group

Bryan Ideus      1st--- 75

Will Baillon        2nd  77

Grayson Pasco  3rd    78   won in play off with:

Mat Bowen                78 &

Austin Hunt               78

14-15 age group

Gray Schultz    1st   87

Jonathan Sherrick 2nd   96

Jeffery  Lazuka     3rd    103

12-13 age group

Peter Fox  1st      90

Announcements

• Mason will continue to contact you to sign up for fair shifts.  Hopefully all will be able to sign up for 5-6 shifts. The Neoga Methodist  men’s group will continue to help with parking and some of the work in the infield.

• Barb announced that Courtney Clark, vocal contemporary, Ashley Mandisa, dramatics, and Jordan Hibler, visual arts, will represent Champaign County in New York City at the ACT-SO national competition July 9-12.

•  The point system, as it pertains to dues reduction, will be instituted beginning in October. This means that as you volunteer for projects and work shifts at the 2 fundraisers, your dues would be reduced as the volunteering accumulates.  All committee chairs need to let Walt know the members  who worked on each project.

• Can you help at Camp Coco July 14th? If so, contact Joyce Remesch for more info.

Birthday            Anniversary

June       

2 Pam Sisco             2 Walt & Shirley Splittstoesser

8 Joyce Remesch    4 Jim & Pam Sisco

9  Mae Donaldson    20 Jeff & April Wendling

13 Jeanette Nugent

15 Carlos Donaldson Jr.

21 Tom Herakovich

27 Jim Manley

30 Jim Sisco

Essay Contest topic- “The Internet: Today’s Evolution or Tommorrow’s Menace?”

Oratorical Contest topic-“Cyber Communication – Progress or Problem?”

"Optimists- Friend of Youth-

Bringing Out The Best In Kids."

Our web site-  http://www.cuoptimist.org

Illinois District web site: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

International web site:  http://www.optimist.org

Upcoming Events   

July 2   Fair shifts sign-up

July 14 Camp Coco- Springfield- Can you help?

July 16

July 24- August 1 Champaign County Fair

Volunteers aren’t appreciateded because they are worthless. They are appreciateded because they are priceless!

Officers and

Directors for

2008-2009

PRESIDENT

Jim Manley

667 Co Rd 3350 N

Fisher, IL 61843

217-897-1334

1ST V-PRES

Laura Auteberry

301 Dodson Drive East

Urbana, IL 61802

217-367-6911

2ND V-PRES

Barbara Gillespie

2707 E Coddington Circle

Urbana, IL 61802

217-384-7413

SEC-TREAS

Walt Splittstoesser

2006 Cureton Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

217-367-3330

SGT AT ARMS

Miriam Paluch

1724 Henry #5

Champaign, IL 61821

217-352-5916

DIRECTORS

Past President

Joyce Remesch

Through 2009

Carlos Donaldson, Jr.

Gene Morgan

Bobbie Herakovich

Through 2010

Amy Lopez

Connie Minnes

Judith Pece

Next meeting

Thursday, June 18 6:00 pm

Perkins Family Restaurant

Fishing Derby

50 fishers were present with a variety of parents. Many fish were caught and prizes were given to all three age groups. Special thanks to the workers!

C-U Optimist Junior World of Golf

21 golfers had a great day of golf. Winners were:

16-18 age group

Bryan Ideus      1st--- 75

Will Baillon        2nd  77

Grayson Pasco  3rd    78   won in play off with:

Mat Bowen                78 &

Austin Hunt               78

14-15 age group

Gray Schultz    1st   87

Jonathan Sherrick 2nd   96

Jeffery  Lazuka     3rd    103

12-13 age group

Peter Fox  1st      90

Announcements

• Mason will have the fair shift sign up sheets at the next meeting. Hopefully all will be able to sing up for 5-6 shifts. County Fair Board decided that tickets would not be sold until noon on weekdays. Lot A sign ups will begin soon. If you have a son/daughter or a grandchild that would like to work for $4 per hour, we have time slots available. Contact Connie for this opportunity. 217-417-2734

• Barb announced that Courtney Clark, vocal contemporary, Ashley Mandisa, dramatics, and Jordan Hibler, visual arts, will represent Champaign County in New York City at the ACT-SO national competition July 9-12.

• Check out the website for new pictures of our events. Thanks to Amy for updating our site.

•  The point system, as it pertains to dues reduction, will be discussed at the next meeting. Bring your opinions. This means that as you volunteer for projects and work shifts at the 2 fundraisers, your dues would be reduced as the volunteering accumulates.

• Can you help at Camp Coco July 14th? If so, contact Joyce Remesch for more info.

Birthday            Anniversary

June       

13 Christina Donaldson1 Carlos & Mae DonaldsonJr.

21 Shirley Splittstoesser10 Mason & Connie Minnes

25 Tera Buskirk    11 Gene & Lorna Morgan

                            27 Tim & Christina Donaldson

Essay Contest topic- “The Power of Youth”

Oratorical Contest topic-“For Me, Optimism is. .”

"Optimists- Friend of Youth-

Bringing Out The Best In Kids."

Our web site-  http://www.cuoptimist.org

Illinois District web site: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

International web site:  http://www.optimist.org

Upcoming Events   

June 16-17 Illinois District Junior World of Golf at Red Tail Run Golf Course, Decatur

June 18 meeting- Perkins Restaurant  6:00 pm

July 2

July 14 Camp Coco- Springfield- Can you help?

July 16

July 24- August 1 Champaign County Fair

You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

John Wooden

Officers and

Directors for

2008-2009

PRESIDENT

Jim Manley

667 Co Rd 3350 N

Fisher, IL 61843

217-897-1334

1ST V-PRES

Laura Auteberry

301 Dodson Drive East

Urbana, IL 61802

217-367-6911

2ND V-PRES

Barbara Gillespie

2707 E Coddington Circle

Urbana, IL 61802

217-384-7413

SEC-TREAS

Walt Splittstoesser

2006 Cureton Dr.

Urbana, IL 61801

217-367-3330

SGT AT ARMS

Miriam Paluch

1724 Henry #5

Champaign, IL 61821

217-352-5916

DIRECTORS

Past President

Joyce Remesch

Through 2009

Carlos Donaldson, Jr.

Gene Morgan

Bobbie Herakovich

Through 2010

Amy Lopez

Connie Minnes

Judith Pece

* Fishing Derby Kaufman Lake Saturday, June 6th beginning at 9am through lunch. We could use your help counting fish or cooking.

* Junior World of Golf at Savoy Orange course June 11th beginning at 9am through lunch and beyond to record scores.

Next meeting

Thursday, June 18 6:00 pm

Perkins Family Restaurant

May 21st meeting

Respect For Law banquet was held at Kennedy?s. The pledge was led by President Jim and Mason led us in a prayer. Our 2009  honorees are William Smoot of University of Illinois, Shaun Cook of Urbana, Erik Bloom of Champaign, Chad Beasley of the County Sherrif office and August Vogos as telecommunicator for Champaign County. These men serve and protect our community and deserve our respect and honors. Congrats to them and their families. 

June 4th meeting

The Olive Garden was the setting for the High School Scholarship award night. Mason led us in the pledge and prayer. He announced the winners of our $1000 scholarships and they introduced their families. We celebrated the accomplishments of Nathanial Hall of Centennial High and Jitenga Knox and Taloya Walker of Urbana High. They told of their plans for the coming years. Best wishes and good luck to these young people.

Announcements

? Middle School Service Medallions were won by Christopher Gillespie, Vivian Bui - Jefferson MS, Thomas Roadcap, Connie Hong - Edison MS, Fletcher Evans, Joelle Clayton ? Franklin MS, Augustus White, Mary Odom, Jared Broom, Karidia Shelby, Vanessa Rumsey, CG Facer ? Urbana MS.

?.Thank you from Tara Buskirk for kindness and memorials in Glenn?s name. 

? Tara Buskirk has her driver?s license! We look forward to seeing her again.

? Barb announced that Courtney Clark, vocal contemporary, Ashley Mandisa, dramatics, and Jordan Hibler, visual arts, will represent Champaign County in New York City at the ACT-SO national competition July 9-12.

? County Fair will not begin taking tickets until noon on weekdays.

? Thank you from Carle Foundation for our check to help combat childhood cancer.

? If you can help with the IL District Junior World of Golf, please contact Terry Wright at 217-824-5977 or 1-800-976-4542.  His e-mail is twright2@ameren.com. June 16 & 17

? Can you help at Camp Coco July 14th? If so, contact Joyce Remesch for more info.

Birthday            Anniversary

June       

13 Christina Donaldson1 Carlos & Mae DonaldsonJr.

21 Shirley Splittstoesser10 Mason & Connie Minnes

25 Tera Buskirk    11 Gene & Lorna Morgan

            27 Tim & Christina Donaldson