Collector's Edition #8, Year 2 August, 2001

In Remembrance of two members of the Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres

Phillip Louis Stumpf- Thursday, June 28, 2001 (Age 62)

John Douglas McMaster - Sunday, July Ol (Age 62)

Phil Stumpf

The following memories were written by club president Jim Easton

I am often amazed when in conversation with someone for the first time, how frequently and invariably you learn that you have some commonality, usually through work, sport, travel or recreation. It may be only a minor instance but collectively it is all part of our life experience. I suppose through volunteering and being active in our community that we extend our number of contacts and experiences. If you could talk to Phil Stumpf today I am certain that it would not take long before you found that you had tread some common ground.

Allow me to recall a little of the common ground I shared with Phil.

When I became a member of the Oakridge Optimists in 1985 Phil was one of only a few members that I knew by name. For over 20 years Phil was the registrar for hockey for the club. In addition he spent time as treasurer. He was Oakridge Optimist of the Year in 1980. Through his work Oakridge was one of the first organizations to be introduced to computers. These were the very early days of computer. After each registration date Phil and Bob Stark would disappear with the mounds of paper. Phil would help hand sort it and carry it to work and see that all the information was tabulated. Phil worked in systems and reports were kicked out from a Canada Trust computer. Corrections given to Phil were always made immediately.

I can recall times when I was chair of hockey that a problem over registration or a small money situation would arise. Often rather than kick it around at the next meeting Phil would report to me on what had happened and how he had handled it.

I took for granted at that time how wonderful it was to have a committee member who accepted responsibility for his position and' who dealt quickly and accountably with matters as they arose. What a strength it was to have his resource. Speak to anyone who served on a committee with Phil and you will learn that he as dependable in his reports, reliable to get things one without follow-up and even with his own work load, would help in other areas as it was needed.

Not long after I joined the Optimists a stag was held for me just prior to my wedding. Many things about that event I can no longer (if ever) recall, but I do remember Phil Stumpf and Bob Stark in attendance. As a new Optimist it was nice to see these guys offering support to me. Phil was never a guy that stood out in a crowd but I remember him taking the time to be there.

Certain things about people last with you forever. Phil was an easy guy to read from facial expressions. You could tell when he was serious and when he was uncertain. Most of all you would tell when he found something funny. His face would kind of light up with puffy cheeks and bright eyes but most of all was his memorable laugh. Not a laugh that was infectious or annoying but a laugh that was easy to identify, genuine and unique to Phil. People having this characteristic seem always easy to be around and you end up enjoying time spent with them.

Often during the lunch hour downtown one could find Phil out for a jog. I encountered Him during one of these outings shortly before He retired. He lamented that he did not attend more Optimist meetings and seemed somewhat hesitant about attending since he didn't know many of the 'guys' anymore. As Optimist club members we should go out of our way to introduce ourselves. Who knows what experiences we can share? Ask some of the veteran Optimists about Phil. Many members will have shared different paths with him. We should all make it a habit to learn about all members in our club.

Though his children have long since grown up and left the Oakridge community Phil maintained his Oakridge Optimist membership, philosophy and way of life. In recent years much of his volunteering time and effort was centred in his faith and the Knights of Columbus fellowship. As always he gave 100% while participating in any project or event and like the kind of volunteer he was Phil never was looking for personal reward or recognition. He gained strength from the Optimist pledge in that: "in the belief that the giving of one's self in service to others will advance the well being of humankind, community life and the world."

Jim Easton

President

Doug McMaster

The following eulogy was delivered by Optimist Fred Fickling at Doug McMaster's funeral, in Forest, Ont. on July 05, 2001

I'm pleased and honoured to be speaking on behalf of the Optimist Club Oakridge Acres in London and myself for this celebration of Optimist Doug's life.

JOHN DOUGLAS McMASTER

"FRIEND OF YOUTH"

Doug joined the Optimist Club Oakridge Acres in London in 1979 and immediately became involved in a number of sports including convenor, referee assignor, and Forest City representative for the hockey program.

Doogie worked on numerous fund-raising and fun-raising events for the Optimist Club, giving both his time and energy freely. Who in his family or Club will ever forget Doug's involvement with the enormous garage sales, the Lobster Bashes, or the annual Pig Roasts? Most recently, Doug's dedication to co-convening the long-running Bingo committee helped to raise thousands of dollars for youth programs ii, the Oakridge area, across he city, and nationally and internationally as well. His painfully accurate and, I might add, colour-coded Bingo Reports, meticulously completed are legendary at London's City Hall today.

Doug accepted lie challenge of holding office in the Optimist Club on several occasions, being elected director for number of years, vice-president of youth work, vice-president of ways & means, and finally President of the Club in 1984-85. Doogie made a fine executive member because he dealt with issues in the old-fashioned way, straight up, directly, and to the point. If Doug thought something needed changing, he would let it be known, and sometimes in no uncertain terms like oily Doug could. For all his fine dedication and commitment to Optimism, J.D. was awarded a Life membership to Optimist International, a recognition of which he was very proud

I first met Doug when he joined our Optimist club way back in 1979 and met his lovely wife Joyce (a.k.a Lightnin') and their three delightful youngsters Darcy, Jonathan, and Christina. Twenty-something years later, it was Christina's wedding day, which ended Doogie's string of perfect attendance at Bingos. He tried to work something out which would satisfy both events but in the end, as usual, Doug (with Lightin's guiding words) made the appropriate and only choice possible.

To know Doug was to know a fun-loving guy who really enjoyed sharing jokes and stories with anyone within earshot, which was often quite a distance. No subject was taboo for Doogie to find humour in and give others a good belly laugh not just because of the joke or story just shared, but with own enjoyment of the joke with his very unique laugh.

At Optimist dinner meetings many a punch line or key phrase in a story had to be put on hold while the female servers were in the room.

I'm told that while Doug took care of his daily paperwork during his fine 38 year career at the 3M Company (or M3 as Doug would say), not all the paperwork dealt with company business. Some trips to the photocopier (just a few mind you) could have involved copying jokes to share and make other people's lives happier.

Doug was awfully good at that - making other people's lives happier. When Doug and Joyce decided to pull up stakes and leave Oakridge Acres to move permanently to the beach, we were afraid that we had lost an avid Optimist worker. Who would travel for an hour from the beautiful shores of Lake Huron to attend a service club meeting or a bingo event? J-D. would, and did, gratefully. Stories of new friends and acquaintances he'd met at the Lake and new situations he had encountered as a "land baron" kept optimist bingo workers entertained on a regular basis during our debriefing meeting back at the Oakridge Arena.

In closing, Doug was one of the Optimist members who could quote the Optimist creed by heart, mainly because he lived his life by the creed in service to others, Listen and see if you don't agree:

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

J.D. won't be attending any more Optimist meetings, or bingos or serving youth here or earth but Doug's contributions, and his personality and his sense of humour will live on in Optimism for many, many years to come.

Secondary School Scholarship Program

-A Report by Opt Rick Gillespie

The Oakridge Optimist Club awards two $1000.00 scholarships each year to one graduating youth from Oakridge Secondary and another from St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary. The scholarships are intended to aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of oneself in service to others will advance the wellbeing of the person and his or her community.

Lindsay Francis is a graduating Oakridge student who has spent her high school career earning 80 plus averages, volunteering at a wide variety of locations within and outside the school and holding down two part time jobs. She will be attending Conestoga College in the fall to study in the Police Foundations program. Her name will be added to the plaque that hangs in the school.

The STA student will be selected and awarded a scholarship at their graduation in the fall.

Oakridge Rookie Ball Tournament

Twenty-two ball teams of seven, eight and nine year olds competed July 7-9 in the annual Oakridge Rookie Ball Classic. Teams represented Ajax, Oakville, Thorold, Cambridge, St. Thomas, Waterloo, Mississauga, Brantford, Burlington, Brampton, South London, Guelph, Tecumseh and three teams from Windsor participated in senior and junior groupings.

Guelph topped Brampton Red 13-9 to capture the Major title while Brampton Blue defeated Riverside 14-10 to take the consolation.

In the Minor category Oakridge lost in the final 17-10 to Mississauga. A rematch between these two squads is in the offing. Waterloo handled Ajax 25-7 to win the consolation.

Congratulations to all players, coaches, umpires, parents and Optimist Bob Stark and his organizers in making for a fun event. As in the past every child participating went home with a trophy, win, lose or draw. The smiling faces of both parents and children are a measure of another successful tournament. Great job to all involved!

Upcoming Bingos

Sunday, July29, 2001 - 10:00 pm (ALL TEAMS)

Saturday, Aug.18, 2001-6:00 pm (ALL TEAMS)

Sunday, Sept.02, 2001 - 4:00 pm (ALL TEAMS)

Saturday, Sept.29, 2001 - 10:00 pm (ALL TEAMS)

You have to like weekend bingos. Call captains will be in touch.

Make an effort to help the club for these upcoming dates.

Breakfast Meeting - June 23, 2001

Eighteen members and guests attended. All enjoyed an excellent breakfast with many choices. We were joined by Lt.-Gov Jackie McGrenete and husband Marty. Jackie performed induction ceremonies to officially welcome into the club, Opt. Gary Shawyer and Opt. Cam Halliday.

Opt Don Draper gave a report on the Notre Dame Bike Rodeo. (see article) Opt. John Preston explained the work done by the London Sports Council, of which he is the chair. This group has developed a website www.1ondonsportscounci1.org which is a centralized database of all London sports organizations and local sporting events. Its affiliation with FYI London allows it to offer exciting benefits to all member organizations. One definite use can be the registration, online, (including fees payments) of children in minor sports programs.

OPTIMIST INTERNATTIONAL

Bicycle Safety Rodeo

June 12th was a beautiful, sunny spring day. It was custom ordered by Rodeo organizers, Don Draper and Kevin Heslop. The setting was the tarmac behind Notre Dame School. The event was made extra special by the presence of the Command Vehicle of the London Police Force. Thanks to Opt. David Kelday for making the arrangements. Also on hand was officer John Bink of the Police Bike Patrol. (He felt a lot of the kids' bikes were better than his). Others who helped included: Opt. Doug Mackay (helped Kevin inspect & repair bikes), Opt. Sil Brecevic and 3M (donated tape), Opt Don Lucas and wife Judy, Jamie Draper, Hugh Newman, Jim King; Command Vehicle personnel - David MacDonald and Matt Garwood; and School parents, Sue Boyd, Cathy Berry, Phil Van Buskirk, Mary Stanford, Harry Strang.

Over eighty children participated in the rodeo which is exceptional considering many of the students are bussed to school. In addition to getting their bikes checked, they practised skills necessary for safe and confident bike handling, enjoyed a drink and chips, toured the Command Vehicle; received a certificate and were eligible for draw prizes.