Collector's Edition #2, Year 3 November 2001
Message From the President
Happy Thanksgiving!
Our dinner meeting of October 18th was held at Bill Bentley's Restaurant and although the meal met with mixed reviews, the fellowship certainly didn't. Fred Fickling acted as our Sergeant at Arms then ran an in-house bingo game following the meeting. Noble Supersad was inducted as our newest member of the club -many thanks to Andy Friyia for his sponsorship. We also distributed volunteer sheets for a few upcoming events and had a terrific response. Gary Shawyer and Don Draper volunteered for the membership committee, which will involve organizing two events to recruit new members. Andy Friyia stepped forward to take care of Youth in Government and Mike Hoy took charge of the Christmas Kettle Drive. Quite a few others volunteered to help at upcoming events such as the Novice Hockey Tournament, Grey Cup Party and the Christmas Party.
Another of our members has been quite busy lately. John Preston is the Vice-Chair of the London Sports Council Board of Directors. In addition to those responsibilities, John also chaired the Volunteer Recognition Dinner Committee that organized an outstanding "Spirit of Sport" dinner on November 18th . A report by Past President Jim Easton is included in this newsletter.
Optimist Bill Chantler and his committee are busy preparing for the Novice Hockey Tournament to be held at the Oakridge Arena on November 17th & 18th. While some of our members will be taking care of business inside the arena, others will be outside barbequing hot dogs and burgers on the parking lot to raise some money for our club.
Bill has also taken a lead role in organizing the Grey Cup party on November 25th. There is some indication of another "guess the mystery meat" contest in the works for that event. The Christmas Party is also coming up - to be held at Anna Banana's on Richmond Street on December 8th. All told, this has been a busy month for our club.
Our best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Optimist Eric Riley who is recovering from knee surgery.
Kevin Heslop
Oakography
Craig Rath
Craig Rath grew up in Oakridge until he moved away at age eight. He moved back to our area in 1983 and is now raising his own family. He has been married to his wife Lisa (Hawaiian translation not available) for 18 years. They have two children; 11 year old Katie who plays soccer in the Nor'West system and 9 year old Jonathan who plays Oakridge baseball and hockey.
Craig is a cabinetmaker by trade and he presently works at Larlyn Property Management. When I asked him where the business was located he told me "In the old London Winery building". Why doesn't it surprise me? He has worked for Strathroy Furniture and Hunt Windows and Doors in the past. Is it just me or are we getting a lot of cabinetmakers in the club?
Craig was sponsored by Kevin Heslop and joined the club during the 1999-2000 year. He has been active as a call captain and treasurer and is beginning his first term as Vice President of Ways and Means. His related involvement includes two years coaching T-ball and hockey, working a lot of bingos and two years on the Oakridge Optimist Hockey Tournament as treasurer.
When asked about his most memorable Optimist moment his eyes glazed over and he appeared to be in a trance or frozen in fear. It seems that his recent road trip to Collingwood for the District Convention in August is just too recent to talk about at this time although he did mention some thing about the drive, Jeff Gordon and selling shirts.
I know from first hand observations that Craig likes to have a good time and he doesn't mind rolling up his sleeves to do some hard work. With traits like that I think we have a model Optimist. Thanks for all your hard work Craig!
Rick Gillespie
REPORT OF DINNER MEETING
Oct.18, 2001
This was the first dinner meeting of the 2001/02 Optimist year. Twenty members attended along with our newest member -Noble Supersad and wife Donna. Noble was inducted into the club by President Kevin. The new meeting room at Bill Bentley's Restaurant proved to be a pleasant setting for a meeting with the entire group encircling a table grouping in the middle of the room. Six entrees were on the menu which was positive. Problem was that a server took orders from each person and then the group had to wait for the food to arrive. President Kevin filled in some of the waiting time with an overhead presentation concerning some background of our club and activities in which we are involved.
Sec./Treasurer, Doug Mackay, handed out this year's T-Shirt to those members who have paid their dues.
People present could sign up for upcoming bingos, membership committee and duties at the Novice Hockey Tournament, Nov. 17/18. The meeting concluded with a game of bingo conducted by Fred Fickling. This is kind of like sensitivity training so that we appreciate the skill of people we meet at the Bingo Castle.
BINGO POKER UPDATE
The October 28th bingo was uneventful for any major gains by players. Optimist Max Davis failed to upgrade his Ace of Spades by drawing a 7 of Hearts and Optimist Ab Chahbar did little for his Queen of Hearts by drawing the 5 of Diamonds. Optimists Jim Easton and Andy Friyia both wimped out badly by drawing deuces and Gary Shawyer and Ross Macdonald did little better by taking small Diamonds. However two first time draws were solid by Optimists Fred Fickling (King of Clubs) and Doug Mackay (aka The Euchre Snooze) who selected the Queen of Hearts. Watch out for the start of possible flushes as Optimist Vinny drew his second Heart and Pat Moffatt is now working on two Spades. It doesn't take much now to move up with these hands. Remember that the top four hands are winners.
LEADERS AND OTHERS OF INTEREST
Place Optimist Hand to date
1. Paul Weeks Pair 5's
2. Max Davis Ace Spades & 7 hrts
3. Craig Rath Ace Diamonds
4. Vince Giannantonio King & 9 Hearts
5. John Preston King Spades
6. Fred Fickling King Clubs
7. Rick Harris Queen & Jack Spades
8. Ab Chahbar Queen Hearts & 5 diamonds
9. Doug Mackay Queen Hearts
10. Rick Gillespie Jack Clubs, 6 spades
One of the worst hands to date - Optimist Pat Moffatt with the 2 of Clubs and 6 and 8 of Spades. But he could easily pair the six or the eight and move in to first place Come out to the next bingo and witness Pat in action.
SPORTS COUNCIL DINNER
The inaugural London Spirit of Sport Volunteer Recognition Dinner kicked off to a sold out
gathering of 420 on November 1st at the Hilton Hotel. The Optimist Clubs of South West London, Byron and Oakridge all were represented at full tables for the dinner. Members were also present from other city clubs.
Major awards were presented to these volunteers:
3M Coach of the Year: Male winner - John Darnell
Female Winner - Jane Peckham
Administrator of the Year - Fred Galloway
3M Interscholastic Coach of the Year - Ralph Corry
London Optimist Clubs Volunteer of the Year -Steve Cashen, Byron Soccer
Fanshawe Optimist and Optimist Mid-Western Ontario District Membership Chair, Len Egan did a fine job presenting this award. Award winner Steve Cashen has been an active volunteer for the Byron Optimists for many years and in different sports. His primary focus has been on Byron Soccer and Steve also has been an integral part of the upgrades at the Byron Optimist Sportsplex. It was merely coincidental that this award was presented to an Optimist club member. All sport volunteers are eligible for nomination for this award. Certainly it should not come as a surprise that an Optimist received this recognition, as there are many Optimists in London that would be deserving of nomination.
London Optimist Clubs are gathering behind this new award. It is an opportunity as Optimists to recognize a major volunteer in the London community in a forum with their colleagues and the city at large.
Several Oakridge Optimists believe that Optimist Fred Fickling consumed the most dinner rolls and evening programs at the event.
A great deal of thanks goes to Oakridge Optimist John Preston who presented the
Optimist clubs of London with the opportunity to participate in this event and has shown patience in the process of gathering support from all clubs. Further John did a great job as Co-Chair of the dinner. The dinner was very successful and provided a great foundation on which to base next years event. Congratulations John!
Jim Easton
OPTIMISTS WIN AWARD
On October 20, 2001, I represented our club at the Awards Night for the London Urban Alliance On Race Relations held at Centre Desloges. Representatives from several London Optimist clubs were also in attendance.
London's Deputy Mayor Russ Monteith, Acting Chief of Police Brian Collins, Fire Chief Dave Hodgins, and Crown Attorney David Arntfield recognized this diverse cultural group with each of them speaking during the evening. The night also included music, dance and a variety of ethnic foods.
One of the major awards during the evening was presented to the Optimist Clubs of London for their collective participation as a major financial supporter of the PEACE (Police Ethnic and Cultural Exchange) program. Optimist Rick Gillespie accepted a plaque award to all Optimist clubs in the city.
Optimist Rick deserves special recognition as the quarterback who initiated Optimist commitment to this special program. Through Rick's effort and leadership, this program has quickly become another successful activity in which all London Optimists can take pride
Several young participants in PEACE shared their experiences. Their personal accountants clearly illustrated the value of the PEACE program to each of them as individuals and also collectively to the members of the London Police Service who shared in the program.
This award will be shared with all clubs attending the second Quarter Board meeting to be hosted here in London in February. Plan to attend. It will be a fine opportunity to experience Optimism with clubs from all over Mid-Western Ontario.
Jim Easton
O.I. PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO OUR DISTRICT
Jerry D. Henderson - International President
2001-2002
Dinner honouring the president will be held at the Holiday Inn, Kitchener, - Saturday, January 19. All clubs have been encouraged to send a delegation to this event. If you would like to attend, please call Pres. Kevin at 472-2627.
Some thoughts from the OI President:
"Serving youth community by community, Optimists continue to "Bring Out the Best in Kids." With positive thoughts, upbeat solutions to real problems and an uncanny ability to reach youth worldwide, Optimists view the world in a unique way. They prove they can change the world in a positive manner - and they do it every day.
As Optimist International strolls into another year of service, the key to the organization's unified resolve will be rooted in optimism."
Henderson's theme for 2001-02 - ATTITUDE -sums up what has made the organization the world's top youth service organization. The Optimist ATTITUDE is what has separated Optimist International from other organizations since our inception in 1919. Optimists use that positive ATTITUDE to shine light into the souls of the six million young people they serve each year.
ORATORICAL PROGRAM
One of the most valuable skills a young person can develop is the ability to present a speech in front of a group of people. With the Optimist Oratorical program, we have the means to help the youth of our community develop this skill.
This year the topic is: "If I Could Change The World" District deadline: - July 1, 2002
Who: 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. The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives youngsters that chance to speak to the world. More than $159,000 are awarded annually in scholarships to youth.
The second most popular of Optimist International's suggested annual activities, the Oratorical Contest was first conducted in 1928.
The winners at the club level receive medallions and zone winners receive a plaque. Districts have the opportunity to provide two $1,500 scholarships or a first place scholarship of $1,500, a second place scholarship of $1,000, and a third place scholarship of $500. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year.
SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS KETTLE SCHEDULE
LOCATION: OAKRIDGE MALL (in front of WalMart)
Please contact Optimist Mike Hoy 471-2712 or mhoy@home.com if you can work all or a portion of any of these dates. Thanks to all.
Fri. Dec. 7th 11:00-2:00 2:00-5:00
Sat. Dec 8th 11:00-2:00 2:00-5:00
Thu Dec 13th 11:00-2:00
Mon. Dec.l7th 11:00-2:00
Tues. Dec. 18th 11:00-2:00 2:00-5:00
Wed. Dec.l9th 11:00-2:00 2:00-5:00 5:00-8:00
Mon. Dec. 24th 11:00-2:00
NEXT DINNER MEETING
- Thurs., Nov.15, 2001
- At Thames Valley Golf Course
- 6:30 p.m. - cocktails, 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
The speaker will be Brenda Pilley, Co-ordinator of Volunteer Services for CPRI.
Agenda items will include:
Novice Hockey Tournament Nov 17/18
Grey Cup party Nov.25
Christmas Party Dec. 8
Bingo (update and signup lists) Nov.24, 9:30 PM
Oratorical
Spelling Bee
JOKE OF THE MONTH
Two women are playing golf on a sunny afternoon when one of them slices her shot into a foursome of men. To her horror, one of the men collapses in agony with both hands in his crotch.
She runs! to him apologizing profusely, explaining that she is a physical therapist and can help ease his pain.
"No thanks... just give me a few minutes... I'll be fine..." he replies quietly with his hands still between his legs.
Taking it upon herself to help the poor man, she gently undoes the front of his pants and starts massaging his genitals.
"Doesn't that feel better?" she asks.
"Well... yes... That feels pretty good," he admits. "But my thumb still hurts like hell.
Celebrations for November
Happy Birthday to:
Don Draper - Dec.09
Jim Foster - Nov.23
Vince Giannantonio - Nov.24
Linda Hegler - Dec.07
Peter Hegler - Dec.09
Noble Supersad - Dec.12
Ted Riquinha - Nov.29
Bill Tyssen - Nov.21
Happy Anniversary to:
John & Lorraine Cameron - Dec. 07
Ted & Kim Melchers - Nov.22
Jim & Evelyn Coleman - Nov.04
Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres London, Ontario, Canada
· 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.
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. ITreasurer - 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 Moffaff (657-1147)
Oakridge Communicates!
1.) Newsletter Staff
Editor - Don Draper
Oakography - Rick Gillespie
President- Kevin Heslop
VP 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.
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