Optimist Newsletter February 14

I read an article a few days ago that stated research has shown that people generally think volunteering is more valuable than money. Also stated was the fact 42% of adult’s volunteer time and give 15 hours a month to some cause. With all the activities each of us has that demand our time I would say Optimists are a special group of people. Just look at the success of the girls MOBI tournament that was just completed. The boys MOBI will be here shortly and then Special Olympics. One could look at this and dwell on the work to be done, but we are Optimists and we look at the opportunities to help our youth. Thanks to each of you for taking the time to volunteer. After all you are an Optimist.

DESPITE LEAK IN LENIHAN ROOF,

GIRLS’ MOBI

IS AGAIN A BIG SUCCESS FOR THE

NOON OPTIMISTS

At 7a.m. Saturday, Brian Danielson began to set up for the Girls’ MOBI games when he discovered a puddle of water in the middle of the Lenihan gym floor. Brian observed that water was dipping from the ceiling at the rate of a drip about every 15 seconds.

He quickly got on his cell phone and contacted Jerry Stephens, Marshalltown High School principal and asked Jerry if the Optimists could transfer the games to the MHS Roundhouse. Jerry said that the gym was open all day but that the conference swim meet was scheduled in the afternoon for the MHS Pool. The concession area is in the gym so that MOBI would have to share the concession area with the fans from the swim meet.

Brian agreed to these terms. A sign was slapped on the Lenihan gym door to redirect the players, coaches, fans, referees and MOBI workers to the MHS Roundhouse. Officials Director, Ed Sharp, was notified to send his officials to the Roundhouse instead of Lenihan. Nancy Park called the KDAO and KFJB to announce the change on the air.

Brian along with the help of his wife Kayla and Optimists Floyd Harthun and Jim Buresh transferred all of the food from Lenihan along with the MOBI posters, programs, and scorebooks. Al Hoop and Linda Leaton, from the high school staff, also help immensely with the MHS setup.

Everyone cooperated and the first game of the day tipped off at the scheduled time of 8 a.m.

5^TH GRADE DIVISION ADDED TO BOYS MOBI

Something new has been added for the 19^th annual Boys’ Marshalltown Optimist Basketball Invitational this year on March 6-7. A fifth grade division has been added and the ninth grade division has been dropped.

“We dropped the ninth grade division because we could not fill our tournament with nine teams,” MOBI chairman Larry Park explained. “We have had 4-6 in 9^th grade the past few years and we have had to wait for these entries. That’s because ninth graders are in high school and cannot play on AAU teams until their high school season is over.”

“Unfortunately, we have only three fifth grades teams entered at this point,” Park continued. “I guess we did not get the word out soon enough although we sent out the information about MOBI in the middle of October.”

There are only 22 teams entered as of February 10, 5^th-3, 6^th–8, 7^th-6, and 8^th– 5. Boys’ MOBI is planned for nine teams in each grade. Entry deadline is extended until February 18.

Larry emphasized, “I am going to ask each Noon Optimist member to again help with the success of Boys’ MOBI. 1) Sign up to work one or two shifts on March 6-7;and 2) Contact anyone you know that might coach a boys basketball team and tell them to enter MOBI!”

“QUOTES “

GIRLS’ MOBI COACHES

“Thanks for the nice write up for AGWSR girls. It is too bad this was the first and now the last year we could come. You guys ran an excellent tournament. I know how much time and effort it takes to put one of those on.”

“Thank you for a great tournament. It was very well organized. We appreciated only having to play 2 games per day. You also provided us with some very good competition. We look forward to returning next year.”

CHAMPI0NS CROWNED

11^th ANNUAL GIRLS MOBI

Teams from Ackley, Pella, Marion and Cedar Rapids claimed championships in the 11th annual Girls’ Marshalltown Optimist Basketball Invitational (MOBI) Sunday at the Anson and Miller school gyms.

The folks from Ackley, Geneva, Wellsburg and Steamboat Rock can be proud of their AGWSR 8th grade girls team as they showed the big city girls how to play basketball by running away with the 8th grade Girls’ MOBI title. The Cougars defused the West Des Moines Sparks 38-34 in the championship game at Miller after derailing the South Des Moines Rails 41-17 in the semifinals. West Des Moines Sparks advanced to the title game by defeating Cedar Falls 29-20.

In 7th grade, the 4th seed Pella Lady Dutch won the title by edging a fine Johnston Slam team 28-26. Pella sent the Omaha Lady Lakers home early with a 52-27 thumping in the semifinals while Johnston went into overtime to edge the Prairie (Cedar Rapids) Hawks 26-23 in its semifinal.

An overtime game was needed to determine the champion in 6th as the Linn Mar Pride from Marion shot down the Huxley Bombers 32-31 at the Anson gym. Linn Mar advanced to the finals by stopping the Johnston Jammers 26-17 while Huxley ousted the top seed Cedar Rapids Lady Lightning 32-20.

There was no doubt in 5th grade as the Cedar Rapids Lady Lightning struck down the Waukee Warriors 29-11 to with the championship. The Lady Lightning eliminated the Cedar Rapids Panthers 4th grade team 28-13 in the semifinals. Waukee had to fend off the Pella Dutch Hazards 14-12 in its semifinal contest.

After a leak was discovered Saturday morning in the Lenihan gym roof, games scheduled for there were moved to the MHS Roundhouse Saturday. The Sunday Lenihan games were moved to Miller.