Collector's Edition #4, Year 3 January/February, 2002
Message From the President
Happy New Year!
Report on:
International Auto Show Bus Trip
International President's Visit
Euchre Night with Nor'West
Awards Banquet
Once again, we've had a busy season with a few events to report. On January 13th, Optimists Rick Gillespie and Vince Giannantonio pulled off a great event - a bus trip to the International Auto Show at Cobo Hall in Detroit - chauffeured by our own Jim Coleman. We even had a few honoured guests from the London Fire Department. After a quick stop for dinner in Windsor, the thirty-nine attendees boarded the bus to enjoy refreshments and more-than-a few draw prizes. For the trip back home, Rick Gillespie arranged for an entertaining movie for our viewing pleasure. There must have been a glitch somewhere along the line because he accidentally brought along a Muppet movie. Nevertheless, our fire fighter friends seemed to have a great time and particularly enjoyed the movie.
On January, 19th, Optimists Bill Chantler, Craig Rath and I travelled to Kitchener to attend a dinner in honour of our visiting International President, Jerry Henderson. The Mid-western Ontario District, under Governor Margie Shephard, did an outstanding job preparing for this event. President Jerry was presented with many gifts and tokens to commemorate his first-ever trip to our district. Thanks to Bill and Craig for representing our club.
On January 24th, our club hosted an inter-club euchre tournament with the Optimist Club of Nor' West, held at the London Police Association lounge. Twenty of our people attended and, again, had a terrific time. Thanks to our own Optimist Bruce Pope for organizing another great event.
The Optimists' district awards banquet was held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in London on February 16th and was attended by six Oakridge Optimist members and their spouses. Jim Easton, Craig Rath, Vince Giannantonio, Doug Mackay, Kevin Heslop and I represented the club. The banquet was an opportunity for the District to honour the accomplishments of our members over the 2000-2001 Optimist year.
Our club walked away with a pretty good haul.
· Ol Foundation Award - $10 per member
· Zone 9 Highest Membership Increase Award
· Zone 9 Achievement and Award
· Community Project Award - Group (Safety Village)
· Club Bulletin Award (35-74 members)
· H.O.B.Y. Participation Recognition
· Honour Club - Silver Level
· Honour Secretary - Bill Chantler
· Honour President - Jim Easton
Jackie McGrenere received recognition as a Distinguished Lieutenant Governor. She was quick to recognize all of the hard work of the Zone 9 clubs, and in particular ours, for her success.
Perhaps one of the most prestigious awards of the night is the Outstanding Club President Trophy (Jim Nother Trophy). This is given to the club president, in Midwestern Ont. Dist., (125 clubs), who shows outstanding and continual leadership consistent with the objectives of optimism within his or her club over the course of the term of office. We were all pleased and proud to hear Jim Easton's name called. The only person surprised by the award was Jim. I think every member of our club is very aware of his dedication and commitment to our organization. Congratulations to everyone involved in the team effort that has brought this recognition to our club and especially to Jim! (Reports by Kevin Heslop and Rick Gillespie)
Arrangements are underway for the dinner meeting to be held on February 21st Your call Captain will be in touch. Just a reminder, when your Call Captain leaves you a message, please try to get back to him as soon as possible. No problem if you can't make an event but your quick reply will be appreciated.
Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Vince Giannantonio who broke his ankle after slipping on his porch. Vince will be getting a cast on in a couple of weeks and expects to be out of commission for the next few months. Hurry up and get better Vince!
Kevin Heslop
OAKOGRAPHY
Bill Chantler has been a member of the Oakridge Optimist Club for almost 3 years and has held positions on the Board for two of them. Last year he worked as Secretary and he is currently a Director. He has been the Chair of the Hockey Tournament Committee for two years and is presently planning the next one. He recently organized our first ever Grey Cup party and is a regular at bingo. Bill has enjoyed his experience on the hockey tournament committee and last year's pool party; at least until the glass trick went bad!
In his spare time he coaches his daughters, Jessica 8 years and Rachel 5 years, in Devilettes Hockey and Oakridge Optimist TBall. Last season his ball team came in second to the team coached by Optimist Steve Cochrane.. or so they would have you believe.
***Bill's radio interview with D. Langford, London Free Press Sports Editor. Topic was the Nov. 2000 Novice Hockey Tournament.
Bill can't help but wonder if there was some funny business going on given the fact that Steve is the convener of the league and responsible for keeping track of the wins and losses, not to mention the fact that Steve controlled the team rosters. He doesn't mind losing on the field but off the field is another matter. Sour grapes or sordid truth? You be the judge.
Bill has been married to Pam for ten years and she has also been busy helping with the hockey tournaments and last summer's pool party at the Heslop's.
Bill has been a member of the London Police Service for 10 years and holds the rank of Detective. He has experience in a variety of postings at LPS including a stint on the Emergency Response Section and is presently assigned to the Major Crime Section in the Criminal Investigation Division. You don't work in those jobs or organize hockey tournaments without picking up administrative and leadership skills. Keep that in mind.
Bill is generally a pretty quiet and modest person but he became very vocal during our talk. He feels passionately about finding the right person for the position of President of our club for next term and was very quick to nominate Steve Cochrane. I don't doubt his sincerity or Steve's ability, but Bill could be our guy. At the very least maybe we have a race!
Thanks for all your help Bill. Rick Gillespie
Dinner Meeting - Bring a Friend
Our next dinner meetinq will be held on Thursday, February 2l~ in a private room at Palasad Billiards, 777 Oxford Street (at Adelaide St.). Cocktails at 6:00 PM, dinner at 6:30 PM. Dinner will be wings, nachos, pizza, veggies-type food at a cost of $10.00 per person. Following dinner, we'll have a business meeting to bring everyone up to speed on the club's activities - then it's time for billiards and some fellowship. This will be the ideal event to bring along those prospective members - and remind them they'll eat for free.
Call Captains will be in touch - but you could help them out by giving them a call.
See you there. Kevin Heslop
2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The club is currently in search of Optimist members willing to serve on next year's Board. Please give serious thought and consideration to the contribution you could make in this way to our club. If you are interested in helping and have any questions regarding the duties, responsibilities and time commitment please call Jim Easton at 641-0798.
Past Presidents' Meeting
Reminder that all Past Presidents are invited to aftend a meeting, 7:00 pm, Wed. Feb. 27th at the arena to review election of Board of Directors for 2002-03. Call Jim Easton if you have any questions 641-0798
Bingo Revenues and Donations
As of January 26th our Bingo Account sat at $12235.97. Our balance must maintain funds to cover the prize board - $4700, float $1000, and next bingo applications approx. $1000.
Earnings from the most recent Bingo dates are:
* Jan.07, 2002 -$981.05
* Jan 26, 2002 - $1055.41
Most recent donations approved by the Board of Directors include:
1. Lacrosse Program - $200
2. PEACE Program - $1500
3. Byron Opt. Chess Tournament - $250
4. UTRCA River Study - $250
5. School Safety Patrol Prog. -$100
Future Bingo Dates
Opt. Fred Fickling donned the Santa outfit just before Christmas to add to festivities at the Bingo Palace.
Please mark the following dates on your calendar
Friday February 22, 2002 10:00 pm Teams 3 & 4
Sunday March 17, 2002 6:00pm Teams 1 & 2
Monday April 8, 2002 6:00pm Teams 3 & 4
Thursday May 9, 2002 6:00pm Teams 1 & 2
Saturday June 15, 2002 6:00pm Teams 3 & 4
Friday July 12, 2002 10:00pm All Teams
Sunday August 4, 2002 6:00pm All Teams
Friday August 30, 2002 10:00pm All Teams
Sunday September 29, 2002 11:30am Teams 1 & 2
Optimist International Foundation
* We need a club representative
* Call Pres. Kevin if you are willing to help out (472-2627)
* Your main job will be to act as a liaison with District Rep. and communicate initiatives to our club members.
The foundation was organized in 1988, and its purposes are:
* To receive and maintain funds to operate programs and activities for youth in Canada,
such as:
+ scholarships for Canadian students
+ scholarships to the winners of Optimist International Foundation of Canada's Essay Contest
+ leadership training seminars for Canadian youth and those responsible for the training of Canadian youth
+ the sponsorship of educational programs and dissemination of information on safety, drug abuse, respect for law and youth appreciation.
OPTIMIST ORATORICAL CONTEST
Thanks to Don Lucas for his work in organizing this program. The topic this year is "If I Could Change The World". The contest is open to young people who have not attained the age of 16 years prior to or on January 1 of the current school year and are educated in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean.
+ Contest Date: March 23, 9:00 a.m.
+ Place: Riverside United Church
Volunteers will be needed to assist on this day. If you have approx. 2 hours on Sat. Mar. 23rd, please contact either Don Lucas (474-0854) or Kevin Heslop (472-2627)
Joke of the Month
The Hit and Run Case
A very successful lawyer parked his brand-new Lexus in front of his office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. As he got out, a truck passed too close and completely tore the door off of the driver's side. The counselor immediately grabbed his cell phone, dialed 911, and within minutes a police officer pulled up.
Before the officer had a chance to ask any questions, the lawyer started screaming hysterically. His Lexus, which he had just picked up the day before, was now completely ruined and would never be the same, no matter what the body shop did to it.
When the lawyer finally wound down from his ranting and raving, the officer shook his head in disgust and disbelief. "I can't believe how materialistic you lawyers are," he said. "You are so focused on your possessions that you don't notice anything else."
"How can you say such a thing?" asked the lawyer.
The cop replied, "Don't you know that your left arm is missing from the elbow down? It must have been torn off when the truck hit you."
"Ahhh!" screamed the lawyer. "Where's my Rolex!"
PHOTO ALBUM
Grey Cup Party. Bill Chantler sells an arm's length.
Christmas Party. Sil and Candace thrilled with gifts.
Christmas. Guess the origin of Bruce's rutabaga.
Lucky Randy Brewe won a box of rutabagas
Celebrations for Feb. & early Mar.
Happy Birthday to:
+ Bill Chantler- Feb.15
+ Hal Fraser-Mar.2
+ Andy Friyia - Mar.18
+ Rick Gillespie - Mar 13
+ Dave Peach - Mar.16
+ Cam Halliday - Mar.12
+ Bob Moldowan - Feb.18
Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres Board of Directors 2001/2002
President - Kevin Heslop (472-2627)
V.P. (Youth) - Steve Cochrane (657-8865)
V.P. (Ways & Means) Craig Rath 673-6403)
Sec. frreasurer - Doug Mackay (473-5885)
Past President - Jim Easton (641-0798)
Director (1 yr.) - Michael Hoy (471-2712)
Director (1 yr.) - Fred Fickling (472-1062)
Director (1 yr.) - Vince Giannantonio (672-6038)
Director (2 yr.) - Bill Chantler (641-6483)
Director (2 yr.) -Andy Friyia -474-3877
Director (2 yr.) - Pat Moffatt - (657-1147)
The Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres, Inc. is a member of Zone 9 in the Midwestern Ontario District.
· Dinner Meetings held the third Thurs. of each month at Thames Valley Golf Course, unless announced otherwise. (7:00 p.m.)
· Board of Directors Meeting held at the Oakridge Arena on the 1st Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
THE OPTIMIST CREED
PROMISE YOURSELF
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble
Oakridge Communicates!
1.) Newsletter Staff
Editor - Don Draper,
Oakography - Rick Gillespie,
President- Kevin Heslop,
Sports - Steve Cochrane.
2.) Check out the website for the Oakridge Optimists.
Web address - http://www.execulink.com/-oakridge/optimist.htm
Email address - oakridge@execulink.com
Web Master is Peter Hegler