Collector's Edition #1, Year 3 October 2001
Message From the President
Kevin Heslop
This is my first message as the new president of our club. Before outlining my goals for the 2001/2002 term, a few words should be said about those who have moved on from your Board of Directors. Rick Harriss, Peter Hegler and Sil Brecevic worked very hard on your behalf, despite their busy schedules at work, home and with various sports committees. Of particular mention is Rick Gillespie who recently completed his term as Past President. Rick will not be sitting on the Board this term but I know his commitment to our club will continue. Rick has taken a lead role on the Bingo Committee and in organizing and helped out with several upcoming events. Rick introduced me to Optimism and has been a terrific mentor for many years. His sensible approach to taking care of business has served our club well. We have a better club because of him.
Jim Easton has assumed the role of Past President after doing a fantastic job as President. He maintained our Honour Club status, increased our membership, enhanced our relationship with the sports committees and guided our club as we raised and distributed thousands of dollars to help the youth in our community - all while taking care of the day-today business of the club. Jim worked very hard in attaining goals for the club while building on the hard work of our Past Presidents. In short - he made our club healthier and stronger. On behalf of the club, I thank Jim for his hard work and congratulate him on his many accomplishments.
I would like to carry on with Jim's goal of building on the work of our Past Presidents. I will continue to develop our relationship with the sports committees by involving them further in the activities of our club and, through Steve Cochrane (Vice-President of Youth), enhance our lines of communication. I will also work toward maintaining our Honour Club status.
My most exciting and ambitious goal is to create a Junior Optimist Octagon International Youth Club. JOQI has three levels: Alpha Club (6 to 9 year olds), Junior Optimist Club (10 to 13 year olds) and Octagon Club (14 to 18 year olds). By sponsoring an Octagon Club, we will help young people in the Oakridge area to develop leadership qualities as we build the next generation of Oakridge Optimist Club members. Once the Youth Club is up and running, we can run joint activities, planned in conjunction with the officers of the Youth Club. In order for the Youth Club to be successful and active, our club must provide strong support and guidance. Optimist Fred Fickling has generously offered to take a lead role in providing this guidance. For the very few of you who don't know Fred, he is a recently retired school teacher whose experience and character will bring instant credibility to this initiative. Under Fred's guidance, a small committee will put our plan into action.
I feel honoured and privileged to serve as your president. With your guidance and support, I know we'll have an exciting year helping the youth of our community.
Kevin Heslop
Oakography
Vince Giannantonio is a very interesting guy to interview. More about that later.
Vince and Brenda have been married for 14 years but they dated for 7 years before that. Its hard to imagine what it must be like to experience 21 years of party tricks and anecdotes. More about that later.
Vince began working for Forest City Chrysler when he graduated from high school and has been in business with his brother, Gabriel, since May of 1979 when they opened Furniture Distributors on Hamilton Road. They each put up $6500 and a lot of hard work and the rest is history. They continue to operate the business and own a number of income properties and the third largest billboard company in London. This, of course, leads to a story.
It seems that Vince was renting space on a property on Wellington Road to a billboard company and he thought he was doing well getting money for space he wasn't using. When he learned that the company he was renting space to was getting a significantly higher amount of money from advertisers he ended the lease and erected his own sign and
rented the space himself. I could see the next part coming but it was interesting just the same. Vince is the third largest billboard company in London, with one sign, because there are only two other companies in the city.
Vince has been in the club for one year and is beginning a term as a Director. He has been active at bingos and our social events. He is helping to organize our second Detroit Auto Show bus trip and has some good fundraising ideas. Vince has had mixed success with his party tricks at Optimist social events. The egg trick was a huge success at Christmas but the nudist key-carrying trick that he performed at the July pool party didn't work as well. Vince insists it wasn't a problem with his execution but rather the matter of Doug Mackay jiggling. I will leave that to your imagination if you were not at the party.
I promised some explanation of my earlier statements. The Oakography has been a staple in the newsletter for a while now and I have the interview process down to a science. With Vince it was a little different. Each time I asked a question his response would be to chuckle and state, "I've got a story". The story usually had nothing to do with the question but I got the story any way and by the way, Vince is faster than Ben Johnson.
Vince has been very active in his short time with the club and I know that he has the potential to contribute a lot more. Perhaps a monthly "story" for the Oakline might be his next project?
Thanks for all your hard work Vince! Rick Gillespie
GREY CUP PARTY
Sunday, November 25, 2001
Cuffs Lounge - London Police Association
330 William Street
Social 5:00pm- Game 6:00 pm
Snacks, food and prizes
Bring your spouse, friends and family
$8 per person or $15 per couple
Contact Bill Chantler or Rick Gillespie for information
Call Captains
Our new Call Captains for the 2001/2002 term will be Randy Brewe, Vince Giannantonio and Cam Halliday. Paul Weekes has graciously offered to continue on for a second term. Many thanks to our outgoing Call Captains; Scott Hessel, Dave Kelday and Mark McGugan. When your Call Captain leaves a message asking if you will be attending an upcoming event, please try to get back to him as soon as possible. He has to prepare a list of those attending and call the names in to the event co-ordinator. Your Call Captains keep you informed of upcoming events so please help them out by returning their calls. Please file the calling list, included with this newsletter, for future reference.
Bingo! Bango! Bongo!
This has meaning, not only to golfers, but to our club:
"Bingo"
is our main fundraiser.
"Bongo"
represents our earnings at these happenings. Currently the bingo account is at about $8200. The last event resulted in a payoff of $552.
"Bango"
is the charge we get out of helping so many young people, coaches and agencies.
BINGO POKER LEADERS TO DATE:
1st Paul Weeks Pair of 5's
2nd Max Davis Ace of Spades
3rd Craig Rath Ace of Diamonds
4th John Preston King Spades
5th Rick Harriss Queen and Jack of spades
6th Ab Chabhar Queen Hearts
Eight other club members have also drawn cards so they can easily pair up and move in to the lead at the next bingo. Reminder that club members can draw a maximum of 7 cards. Our next bingo is October 28th. The bingo poker contest goes up to and including our last bingo in May 2002. You might as well get started soon. Come out to bingo and get in to the bingo poker contest. Top 4 poker hands will be the winners!
MEMBERSHIP FEES - 2001/2002
Membership dues are payable as of October 01, 2001. The current Board has seen the need for a slight increase in dues; the new amount has been set at $75.00 (regular members) and $50.00 for Life Members.
Cheques, payable to the "Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres" can be given or sent to the
2001/2002 Treasurer:
Doug Mackay,
1050 Mahogany Cres., London, ON, N6H 4V9.
THE PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHlP!!!!
Receive a new Oakridge Optimist T-Shirt when dues have been paid. You will be proud to where this at any Optimist event.
News From Zone #9
1. Lt. Governor for this year is Harvey Munroe from East London Optimist Club.
2. The First Quarter Board Meeting is scheduled for Oct. 26/27/28 at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener. Let President Kevin know if you would like to attend. Excellent workshops are given at these meetings to help members run various programs.
3. 3rd Quarter Board Meeting will be at the 4 Points Sheraton in London on Feb. 15/16/17, 2002.
4. North West Optimist Club is interested in an inter-club meeting with us. Watch for a date in the new year. Some mention has been made of making it a Euchre fun night.
Missing Photos
The following Optimists require new or replacement photographs to be displayed on the Optimist Board at Oakridge Arena.
Scott Hessel
Max Davis
Cam Halliday
Phillipe Morin
Noble Supersad
Please make a special effort to attend the October 18th meeting, at which time, photos will be taken. Optimists unable to make this meeting will be contacted by Jim Easton for a special shooting session.
October Humour
We have all been to those meetings where someone wants more than 100%. Well here's how you do that. Here's how you can achieve 103%. First of all, here's a little
math that might prove helpful in the future. How does one achieve 100% plus in LIFE? Begin by noting the following.
IF: A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4, E = 5, F = 6, G =7, H=8, I=9, J=10, K=11, L=12, M=13,
N=14, O=15, P=16, Q=17, R=18, S=19, T = 20, U = 21, V = 22, W = 23, X = 24, Y =
25, Z=26
Then:
HARDWORK
=8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = Only 98%
Similarly,
KNOWLEDGE
=11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = Only 96%
But interesting (and as you'd expect),
ATTITUDE
=1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5=100%...
This is how you achieve 100% in LIFE.
But even more important to note (or realize), is
BULLSHIT
= 2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%
So now you know what all those high-priced consultants, upper management, and motivational speakers really mean when they want to exceed 100%!
Novice Hockey Tournament
November 17 and 18
Chair, Bill Chantler, reports that enough teams have entered to fill the competition. Numerous sponsors advertise in the program booklet. If you notice one with whom you deal, it would be good PR to thank them for their participation. We have permission to sell Bar-B-Q items at the tournament as a fundraiser. Sign up to assist at the next dinner meeting or give Bill a telephone call.
September 20th Dinner Meeting Report "Anna Banana's" on Richmond St. N., proved to be an ideal location for the last meeting of the 2000/2001 Optimist year. This bed and breakfast facility had several rooms where members and guests could gather and chat before dinner. The banquet area was most comfortable and the buffet meal' second to none.
Guests included Lt. Gov. Jackie McGrenere along with husband Marty, Noble Supersad, and soon to be member, again, Jim Coleman with wife Ev.
Highlights of the evening included:
1. Introduction of Noble by Andy Friyia - a tale
of bad odours and visits by fire trucks in the neighbourhood they share.
2. Induction of Jim Coleman who has contributed so much to Optimism in the past, serving in numerous official capacities of the organization. "Welcome back, Jim" was expressed by all.
3. Announcement by Lt. Gov. Jackie that the OAKLINE had been selected as the top newsletter in the Midwestern Ont. District.
4. Induction of the new Board of Directors -see following for the names. Good to see all who are serving on the Board present!
5. Speeches by now Past President Jim Easton and incoming President Kevin Heslop. The past year really has been an "Honour" to be involved with. The 40+ in attendance all anticipate another great year. Thanks to all who have been willing to serve in leadership and organizing roles.!
October Dinner Meeting -
Thurs. Oct.18, 2001
Location: BILL BENTLEY'S RESTAURANT in the Oakridge Mall. Our meeting will be in the new room at the far north end of the restaurant.
Time: 6:30 p.m. for cocktails 7:00 p.m. for the meal
Cost - $15.00 which includes tax and gratuity. Choice of food will be from chicken, veal, perch or pasta.
This will be the first general meeting for Pres. Kevin and the 2001/02 Board of Directors. The agenda will be a business meeting format with reports from various committees. It is a chance for all members to show their support for different initiatives and to suggest projects in which you would like to see the Oakridge Optimists involved.
Please plan on attending. If you have not paid dues, Opt. Doug Mackay will gladly receive your cheque at this time.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Mark Dec 8th on your calendar. Arrangements have been made with "Anna Banana's" for this event. Cost per person will be $20.00 which includes buffet meal, tip, tax and license to B.Y.O.B. Watch for more info on this.
Signs! Signs! Everywhere there's signs!
Opt. Rick Gillespie has obtained upright signs, used at the Summer Games. They are at the arena meeting room and could be used to help at any of the events we run. Thanks Rick!
Celebrations
Happy Anniversary
Pam & Bill Chantler - Oct.12
Brenda & Vince Giannantonio - Oct.11
Hillary & Cam Halliday - Oct.05
Dana & Rick Harriss - Oct.13
Donna & Noble Supersad - Oct.29
Cathi & Dave Peach - Oct.11
Lisa & Craig Rath - Oct.22
Happy Birthday
Ab Chahbar-Oct. 10
Steve Cochrane - Oct 13
Kevin Heslop - Oct.05
Richard Hooper - Oct.01
Bruce Pope - Oct.12
PLEASE LET DON DRAPER KNOW OF ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. (471-1925 or don.draper@sympatico.ca)
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 Giannantonlo (672-6038)
Director (2 yr.) - Bill Chantler (641-6483)
Director (2 yr.) -Andy Friyia -(474-3877)
Director (2 yr.) - Pat Moffaff - (657-1147)
The next Board of Directors Meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov 1, 2001
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
The Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres, Inc. is a member of Zone 9 in the Midwestern Ontario District.
Optimist club of Oakridge Acres London, Ontario, Canada
· Dinner Meetings held the third Thurs. of each month at BILL BENTLEY'S RESTAURANT -
Oakridge Mall, 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