Optimist Newsletter May 27, 2004

President’s Corner

It’s good to step back once in a while and see if we’re on track with the goals that the board adopted this year.  So far we are doing fairly well.  The club is on its way to achieving a distinguished rating which is better than our goal of honor club.  This is great achievement for our 50^th year.  We still need to push for a few more members to make that happen.  We have not consistently had 50% attendance at all meetings, but the percentage is definitely up.  We need to work hard to have the committees include all the members that have signed-up to work.  All-in-all our club is doing very well.  We have elected a strong set of officers to take charge next year.

What we really need is for everyone to help your Optimist club finish the year with renewed enthusiasm and dedication to the youth we serve. I’m asking everyone to be an active part of projects and weekly meetings.  That is what made this club click for 50 years.  We need you to make it click for another 50 years. 

Optimistically,

Prez Pete

President Marshalltown

Noon Optimist club

Schedule of Events

Board Meeting

June 2 – Wed, Noon, at The Promise

Thursday’s Programs

May 27 – Dave Joswiak & Ted Kamatchus – Sherriffs Job

June 3 – Rob Borsellino, Des Moines Register

June 10 – Jr World Golf

June 17 – Wayne Sawtelle & Larry McKibben, Senatorial Races

Other Events

June 12 - Grinnell Charter Presentation Banquet

June 24 – Marshalltown Noon Optimist Club 50^th Birthday

July - Ragbri

District Events

July 29 - Aug 1st - Iowa District Convention in Des Moines,  Airport Holiday Inn, Fleur Drive.

Projects

June 10, 2004 – Jr. World Golf

Sept 11, 2004 – State Pedal Pull

Happy “May” Birthday

5/4 –  Brandon Bell, 5/6 – Floyd Harthun, 5/6 – Julie Shreve, 5/12 – Mark Rohde, 5/15 – Trish Crosser, 5/27 - Jean Campbell

** - And to anyone else I’ve missed. . .

Meet our new Member

Trish Crosser

Born Patricia E. Johnston and raised right here in Marshalltown on a farm just south of town.   I attended Aaron Palmer Elementary, St. Henry's Catholic School, Anson Middle School and Marshalltown High School.  After Graduation I attended Patricia Stevens Business College in Omaha Nebraska where I graduated with a Degree in Public Relations.  I started to work at Fisher Controls on November 26, 1973 and just currently celebrated 30 years of service. 

I have three beautiful children.   Jill Renee is 25 years old, has her 4-year degree in Business with an emphasis in Banking and Finance.  She is currently working at ING Financials in Des Moines.  Jeremy Allan is 22 years old, and will graduate in December of this year from University of Iowa with a Degree in Art and Business.  Jami Kate is 18 years old and will graduate from Marshalltown High School on May 29.  She plans on attending MCC in the fall.  This past year I hosted a foreign exchange student through the YFU Program at MCC.  Judit Losonci is 21 years old from Budapest Hungary. She arrived August 13, 2003 and will be returning home June 3. 

I have been a volunteer for organizations like YMCA Girls Basketball League, Marshalltown Area Soccer Club, Marshalltown Girls Softball, Bobcat Booster Club, United Way, YFU Program through MCC, and RAGBRAI the last time it came through Marshalltown.  I am currently on the Marshalltown Housing Committee for this year's RAGBRAI.  My hobbies include gardening, landscaping, fishing, traveling, antique shopping, crafts, reading and of course my favorite, socializing.  After focusing on my family the last few years I am now ready to become a more actively involved member of our community and have found the Noon Optimist Club to be my best fit.  I look forward to working with all of you and becoming a dynamic member of the Noon Optimist Club. 

Trish is sponsored by Larry Park.

MCC Scholarships Awarded

Our club annually sponsors four $500 scholarships to the Marshalltown Community college as part of the club’s continuing effort to assist the Youth of our community.  The Scholarship committee met May 6^th at MCC and selected the recipients from information submitted to the MCC Financial Aid Office by students applying for scholarships and financial aid.  Selections were made based on scholastic record as well as financial need.  The four scholarships are named for outstanding Optimists in recognition of their devotion to OPTIMISM and their contributions to the Noon Optimist club.

These Scholarships and this years grantees are, Julie Burg, Charlotte Barnard memorial Scholarship; Luis Guzman, Don Rand memorial Scholarship, Amber Lamca, Gibson Barnard Memorial Scholarship, and Randall Tyler, Homer Rinehart memorial Scholarship.  These students are graduates of Marshalltown High School and will be presented with the scholarships at a special awards program at HS later this month.  These scholarships are for the 2004-2005 academic year at MCC.  – Jim Buresh, Chairman

New Optimist club in Grinnell

Our club has sponsored a new club in Grinnell which was officially organized on May 5th.  President Pete, Ken and Theresa Walton were there.  Governor Leon Wilkinson and his wife, Judy, were there to represent the district.  Carl McCarthy served as the Optimist International Area Representative to make sure that everything was done right.  He and his wife, Carol, drove three hours each way to perform this important function.  As a gesture of appreciation at the 3rd Qtr Executive Board Meeting, Ken presented Carl with a kit for making more of Carl's famous cherry brandy.

The Grinnell Optimist Club will celebrate its formation at a Charter Presentation Banquet on Saturday, June 12th at AJ's Steakhouse on Hwy 146 about ¼ miles north of I-80.  Social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m.  The price is $20.00 per person with a choice of Rib eye Steak or Grilled Chicken Breast specified when you RSVP by June 4, to Sheryl Parmley (641-236-0058).  We'd like to have a good turnout for the charter banquet to demonstrate our support for their new club.

The Charter Officers of the Grinnell Optimist Club are:

President - Lee McFee

Secretary - Jodi Hansen

Treasurer - Paula Sears

President-Elect - Darren Walton (no relation to Ken)

Vice President - Pat Hatting

Two Year Directors: Genni Heffron, Jeff Murphy, and Dean O'Reagan

One Year Directors: Neill Goltz, Joe Sumner, and Deb Upah

- Lt Governor, Ken Walton

District News

Theresa Walton’s, Community Projects Administration (CPA) book she put together last year, won the International contest in the Health and Welfare - Multi-Club division.  The project was the District Collection for the Food Bank of Iowa.  She will be recognized onstage at the Tuesday business meeting at the International Convention in St. Louis.  She will also spend some time in the CPA booth in the House of Optimism at the convention to answer questions about the project.  Way to go, Theresa!

The Optimist International Convention will be held in St. Louis, July 18th through the 22nd. There will be Officer Training, other training, business meetings, and fun events.  I don't know if a person can make it to all the District Hospitality Rooms, but a guy can try!  Caribbean Night is also fun.  Leroy Morford came close to winning the Limbo contest two years ago and Ken & Theresa danced a lot last year. You can get a registration form from your Optimist Magazine or from the International website at www.optimist.org.

The Iowa District’s annual convention, July 29 – August 1^st, will be held at the Airport Holiday Inn, Fleur Drive, in Des Moines. There will be more information on this on the district website; www.iowaoptimist.org, shortly.

At the 3^rd District Quarter meeting, there were two items brought up for discussion that everyone should be aware of. The 1^st item is the need to re-align the zone boundaries. The purpose is to better equalize the number of clubs in a Zone and reduce mileage for the Lt. Governors. The new boundaries are also supposed to encourage us to form more clubs in the empty space in out Zones. In our case, the effect would be to remove the Waterloo clubs and the new Grinnell club from our Zone and extend the northern boundary all the way to the state line. The 2nd item was a suggestion to raise the district portion of our dues.  It’s been 12 years since this was last done and the costs have gone up since then. The District has had to take $10,000 out of its reserve fund each of the last two year to avoid going in the red. The proposal is to raise district dues by $1 a quarter or $4 a year. Since there are approximately 3,000 Optimists in the Iowa District, that would raise $12,000 a year. The surplus would go back into the reserve fund.  Lest you think anyone is getting rich off their per diems and mileage for district meetings, many officers and Lt. Governors donate their (partial) reimbursements back to the district or to the Optimist International Foundation.  As an aside, I was surprised to find out how expensive it is to be the Governor of the Iowa District. With all the places the governor is expected to be in a year and the things you buy to get the job done, it is not uncommon for them to be out of pocket $4,000 by the end of the year.  Bear that in mind if someone asks you to be Governor.

- Lt. Governor Ken Walton

Happy Anniversary!

The 50^th Golden Anniversary of the founding of our club is approaching.  Please set aside the evening of Thursday June 24^th for a trip down memory lane.  We have a lot to be proud of throughout our rich history.  Plan to join us with your spouse and/or a guest.  There should be no shortage of stories and club legends.  The details will be coming soon!  - Sean Ervin, Steve Ford, and Floyd Harthun, the Anniversary Committee.

Youth Appreciation

The 2004 Annual Noon Optimist Youth Appreciation Banquet was held Thursday, May 6^th at the Best Western Regency Inn.  Each year the Marshalltown Noon Optimist club along with Optimist International designates a week to youth appreciation  The honored 5^th grade students were given a Youth Appreciation Award, a free pass to the new water park, they enjoyed the guest speaker, Optimist Lt Governor Ken Walton, and meal at the May 6^th "Noon Optimist", meeting.  The mayor, Floyd Harthun, read the proclamation.  Pete Peterson, president, and Ken Walton present the students with their certificates.

The banquet was a great success and a wonderful recognition for the students.  These students have contributed a lot to their school and community.  Some of the teacher’s comments about the students were:  “Zack is great leader in the classroom”; “Libby is a self starter”; “James sets high standards for others to follow”; “Emily demonstrates a strong work ethic”; “Michael sets a good example for his peers and is a positive leader.”; “Hannah's smile and positive attitude brightens my classroom on a daily basis”; “Michael is one of my best students at contributing to class discussions”; “Elizabeth is always happy and makes others feel that way as well”; “Damian attempts everything in school without complaint”; “Julie is apologetic for herself and forgiving to others”; “Valentin is a good spirited boy who always looks to do his best”; “Lydia's sense of humor can be uplifting to those around her”; Breanna makes the best out of any situation, and tries to see the good in everyone”; “Tanner has exhibited the traits of responsibility, respect, kindness, and trustworthiness”; “”Tim along with other students has taken time to read to Mrs. Marten’s student”; “Daisy’s warm bubbly personality makes everyone feel comfortable and welcomed to our school“; “Marlene is a strong leader who cares for others”; and “Jorge comes to school ready to learn and is an active participant”.  These are just a few of the comments made about each student.  These students will be wonderful leaders and role models.

We recognized the following students: Anson Elementary, Zack McLain and Libby Larson, their teachers are Amber Litwiller and Meg Sponseller.  Fisher Elementary, James Lindgren and Emily Wise, their teachers are Linda Anderson, Susan Buchan, and Linda Schroeder.  Franklin Elementary, Daisy Rodriguez and Tim Schwartzenburg, their teachers are Mrs. Linda Bohnsack and Mr. David Bowles.  GMG, Michael Burt and Hannah Van Gundy, their teachers are Ms. Jeri Hartwig and Mrs. Shelli Taylor.  Hoglan Elementary, Michael Gettemy and Elizabeth Medina, their teacher is Vicki McKibbin.  Marshalltown Area Catholic School, Damian Beard and Julie Hurd, their teachers are Jan Kloberdanz and Peggy Davis.  Rogers Elementary, Valentin Vargas and Lydia Martin, their teachers are David Stanfield and Julie Hammond.  West Marshall Middle School, Breanna Billman and Tanner Hill, their teachers are Marty Jimmerson and Vicki Sprugel.  Woodbury Elementary, Jorge Ibarra and Marlene Orozco, their teachers are Jennifer Beare and Kris Alman.