Champaign-Urbana Optimist Club

Next meeting August 5

August 5 6:00 pm Perkins Restaurant

Program- Nadine Schmitz - Urbana Park District Environmental Education Coordinator

July 15 Meeting

Laura led us in the pledge to the flag and Mason offered a prayer. Dennis Auteberry was our guest. Our program was dedicated to fair preparations. This is a very important for us and all need to contribute. Mason reports that we will be paying workers for 50 hours and friends and volunteers are contributing 82 hours. Jim Manley is in charge of the Thursday Kids’ Day at the County Fair.

Announcements

• Joan Newcomb has rejoined C-U Optimists. We welcome Joan back to our club! We missed you.

• Committee chairs- Please give a description of your project to President Laura. She is compiling information for a booklet to give to new members.

• Nominating committee Report- Fred Neumann will be president for 2010-11 and Jim Manley will be program chair. Ron Eagan will fill the unexpired board term vacated by Fred.

• Our club has been asked to host the August 2011 District convention. We will accept this responsibility.

Birthday            Anniversary

July

23 Andrea Lynch

27 Jim Manley

30 Jim Sisco

August

3 Bill Fondren             3 Penn & Barb Nelson

11 Sally Widholm            20 Jim & Carol Manley

27 Walt Splittstoesser                         

27 Connie Minnes

29 Howard Schweighart

Essay Contest topic-

"Optimists- Friend of Youth-

Bringing Out The Best In Kids."

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

IL Dist web site: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

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

Upcoming Events

July 23-31 Champaign County Fair

August 5 Nadine Schmitz of the Urbana Park District, Anita Purves Nature Center

August 19 Identity Theft - Ed Schumer

August Fair Picnic

September 2 Board meeting 5:30

September 16 Terri Gibble, Champaign Park District- Kaufman Park Master Plan

October 7 Installation of Officers/Board

Our club has implemented a “point system” for dues for 2010-2011 as suggested by OI International. We hope this will encourage members to work our fundraisers and youth projects.

The points are as follows and will reduce your dues by $1.00 for every point – in $5.00 increments up to $40.00 reduction per member.

3 points – Youth project or Fund-raiser chair

3 points – recruit a new member

3 points – Club President, Lt. Governor, Governor, or OI International Officer

3 points – Bulletin editor

3 points – Attend 13 local meetings (all 13 or no points)

1 point – Help with a youth project*

1 point – Help fund-raiser (per shift)**

1 point – Attend a district conference

1 point – Board member (President is member of the Board but gets 3 points not 4)

*The youth project leader will need to e-mail me with the names after the project is completed. If Walt is not notified, you will not get credit.

**Walt keeps track of the help for fundraisers.

How does a member obtain perfect attendance?

            Perfect attendance is based on the first 21 meetings of the Optimist year.  This allows time to order the pins.  They are given out at the last meeting in September by the president.  One must attend a minimum of 13 regular meetings and the other 8 meetings can come from attendance at district meetings or our work projects.  You can have have perfect attendance by attending 21 of our meetings, but not by work projects alone.  

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

Next meeting July 15 6:00 pm Perkins Restaurant

Program- County Fair Preparations

Board meeting 5:30pm preceding meeting

July 1 Meeting

Laura led us in the pledge to the flag and Mason offered a prayer. Mason read a 4th of July tribute poem. All committees gave a short report of their important role in our club.

New members were inducted. We give a big welcome to Andrea Lynch and Greg Cales. Andrea is a student at Parkland College and works at Ruby Tuesday. Greg works for the Urbana Park District. Both are eager to help with our club projects. Laura and Walt were sponsors.

Announcements

• Nominating comm Report- Fred Neumann will be president for 2010-11 and Jim Manley will be program chair.

• ACT-SO has 5 youth going to national competition- Gabby Parsons, Ashley Mandisa, Chris Gillespie, and Courtney Clark. Sam Smith of Krannert will be helping ACT-SO youth perfect their theatrical talent. 

• Barbara Gillespie recently received the 4th Central Illinois Dorcas Fellowship Award.

• The fishing derby and dedication of the new fishing pier at Kaufman Lake was Saturday, June 19. It was a success and we had 35 fishers.

• Jim Manley will be in charge of the Thursday Kids’ Day at the County Fair.

• District OI Junior World of Golf outing was June 15 and 16. Our club representatives placed- 16-18 age group

David Keenan       12th 

Matt Bowen III      18th

Ben Dodds           28th

Mason Silver        28th

Austin Hunt         35th

Jordan Danzl        37th

14-15 age group

Clarence Facer    8th

Jeffrey Lazuka     16th

Meijer donated golf balls for our 31st local tourney.

• Our club has been asked to host the August 2011 District convention. We will accept this responsibility.

Birthday            Anniversary

July

2 Pam Sisco            2 Walt & Shirley Splittstoesser

8 Joyce Remesch            4 Jim & Pam Sisco

9  Mae Donaldson                                           

13 Jeanette Nugent

15 Carlos Donaldson Jr.

21 Tom Herakovich

23 Andrea Lynch

27 Jim Manley

30 Jim Sisco

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

Upcoming Events

July 15

July 23-31 Champaign County Fair

August 5 Nadine Schmitz of the Urbana Park District, Anita Purves Nature Center

August 8-12 ACT-SO Nationals Kansas City

August 19 Identity Theft

September 2

September 16

October 7 Installation of Officers/Board

Next meeting

July 1 6:00 pm Perkins Restaurant

Program- Identity Theft Prevention

May 20 Meeting

Joyce opened our meeting with the pledge to the flag. She introduced the Respect for Law recipients. Urbana - Chief Mike Biley introduced Al Johnston. Champaign – Deputy Chief John Murphy introduced Kevin Olmsted. Sgt Dave Coffey introduced Champaign County – Michael Wurtz. Telecommunicator of the year was Brad Hardcastle, introduced by Director Ralph Coldwell. Joyce and Laura talked about the I Keep Safe, Internet safety program, to be held at the fair grounds June 5th. This was a wonderful evening. Congratulations to winners and thanks to Joyce.

June 10 Meeting

Laura opened the meeting and Mason offered the prayer. We honored our $1000 Senior Scholarship winners. His mother, Monique Leshoure, accompanied Kameron Leshoure. He will attend Univ of IL in music performance. He is a former ACT-SO winner. Zita Hubler, accompanied by her mother, Marietta and sister Amrei, will attend Univ of IL in mechanical engineering. Terrish Catchings brought her mother- Gloria, father -Raymond and brother- Letrent. She will major in education at Texas A & M.

Announcements

• NEW MEMBER- We welcome Ron Eagan to our club. He is retired from the university and eager to help with our club projects. Walt sponsored him. We are pleased to have him join us.

• Nominating comm. members, Jim Manley, Gene Morgan and Miriam Paluch, are still active and will make a report next meeting.

• By-laws have been submitted to OI.

• We received a thank you from UMS character education program for our sponsorship of the leadership retreat May 18th.

• ACT-SO has 5 youth going to national competition- Gabby Parsons, Ashley Mandisa, Chris Gillespie, and Courtney Clark. Sam Smith of Krannert will be helping ACT-SO youth perfect their theatrical talent.  

• Middle School Medallion Service Awards were won by the following 8th graders.

• The fishing derby will follow the dedication of the new fishing pier at Kaufman Lake. All should be present by 8:50am, Saturday, June 19.

Edison- Elias Wilcoski, Mariam Saadah, Clayton Lehman, Paris Finley

Jefferson- Jonas Reger, Lexi Hall, Doug Flint, Asia Stovall

Franklin- Arthur Vanote, Sabrina Sanders, Evan Miller, Aminah Bazzell-Smith

Urbana- Saul Downie, Hannah Mohr, Austin Stephen, Bridget Mueller-Brennan, Lewis Haber, Gabriela Rajic

• Jim Manley will be in charge of the Thursday Kids’ Day at the County Fair.

• Golf outing was June 8th. Ben Dodds, Austin Hunt, Jordan Danzl, David Keenan, CG Facer and Jeffrey Lyzucka will represent our club at the state competition June 15 and 16.

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

Upcoming Events

June 19 Fishing Derby, Kaufman Lake

July 1 Identity Theft

July 23-31 Champaign

County Fair

August 5 Urbana Park District

August 8-12 ACT-SO Nationals Kansas City

August 19

September 2

September 16

October 7 Installation of Officers/Board

Next meeting

C-U Optimists are invited to attend THE 61st Annual Delta Sigma Omicron Disability Resources and Educational Services Awards Program. Thursday, May 6th at the I Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 South

First Street, Champaign, Reception 6:30pm

Program begins at 7:00pm RSVP to Maureen Gilbert at 217-333-4607 or mlgilbrt@illinois.edu

This is not a banquet. There is no cost. We will be recognized for a $700 contribution for two students to attend summer camp given in the name of former members-Jack Whitman, Glen Perkins and Ralph Patzke. Member Tim Nugent will be there, as the T.J.Nugent Award will be given in his honor.

April 15 Meeting

Laura opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag. Mason offered the prayer. Laura presented the I Keep Safe Internet Safety video. She will be setting dates with the Urbana After School Program for our first presentation.

Announcements

• NEW MEMBER- We welcome Jonathan Fields to our club. He transfers from the Havana club. He works for Unisys, Macy’s and Cameron’s Catering and lives in Mahomet. We are pleased to have him join us.

• Nominating committee members are Jim Manley, Gene Morgan and Miriam Paluch.

• Howard is on the mend. We look forward to have him back at our meetings soon. Howard and Gene went fishing at Howard’s lake home on Lake Mattoon. They cleaned 12 keepers and threw many back for later.

• Save the date of May 20 for Respect For Law to be held at Kennedy’s. Meal options are $24 for 8oz Ribeye, $23 for Bourbon Tenderloin Tips, $21 for Fettuccine Alfredo. Price includes unlimited coffee or iced tea, tax, and gratuity.

• Jim Manley will be in charge of the Thursday Kids’ Day at the County Fair.

• Door prizes were won by Gene, Laura and Jonathan.

Upcoming Events

May 6 Disability Awards Program

May 20 Respect For Law @ Kennedy’s

June 8 Junior Golf at U of IL course

June 10 High School Scholarship presentation, Olive Garden

June 19 Fishing Derby, Kaufman Lake

June 17

July 23-31 County Fair

August 8-12 ACT-SO Nationals Kansas City, MO

Next meeting Barb Gillespie and participants will educate us on ACT-SO, a program we sponsor. Thursday, March 4 at 6 pm, Perkins Family Restaurant

February 18 Meeting

President Laura opened the meeting and led us in the pledge. Mason offered the prayer. Joyce and Laura are going to the District meeting in Taylorville Saturday.

Program February 18Jessie Cain, director for Area 8-Eastern Prairie Special Olympics, spoke to our group. They offer 14 sports for over 700 athletes from 6 counties. This began in 1968.

Announcements• Thank yous were received from Elaine Carter, Children’s Advocacy Center, and three families who benefited from our Christmas gifts.

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

• Joyce has made contacts with Urbana Police Chief Mike Biley, Laura Taylor (UHS principal), Elaine Carter (Children’s Advocacy Center), Laura Auteberry (Champ Park District) and Pat Manin, (Provena Security).

• Ryan’s cost for March 18 will be $16.

• Door prizes were won by Joyce, Bobbie and Jessie.

Birthday            Anniversary MARCH

2 Tom Danneberger

11 Jack Widholm

26 Miriam Paluch

31 Kevin Buskirk

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

"Optimists- Friend of Youth-

Bringing Out The Best In Kids."

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

IL Dist web site: http://www.illinoisoptimist.org

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

Upcoming Events  March 4 ACT-SO program participantsMarch 18 Children’s Challenge Awards Ryan’s

March 27 ACT-SO Local Comp, Rantoul HS   9:30am

April 1

April 15

April 24 ACT-SO Award Ceremony /National Competitors Announced- Holiday Inn, Urbana

May 6

May 20

June 3

June 3 or 8 Junior Golf at U of IL course

June 5 Fishing Derby, Kaufman Lake

June 17

July 23-31 County Fair

August 8-12 ACT-SO Nationals Kansas City, MO

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