Newsletter Nov 2001 Collector's Edition #2, Year 3
Collector's Edition #3, Year 3 December 2001
Message From the President - - Kevin Heslop
Merry Christmas!
Reports on:
Novice Hockey Tournament
Grey Cup Party
Dec. Dinner at "Anna Banana's"
Nov. 15th Dinner Meeting
We've had a few really successful events in the past month, starting with the Novice Hockey Tournament held at Oakridge Arena on November 17 & 18. Bill Chantler and his committee devoted a lot of time to make sure everything went smoothly. This tournament is more of a FUN raiser than a FUND raiser with every player going home with a trophy and grab bag, juice delivered to the dressing rooms for every player after every game and reasonable entry fees - all without gate fees. Bill didn't cut any corners and all his efforts paid off. Thanks to Bill and his committee as well as all the many volunteers who came out to staff the barbeques and sell T-shirts.
On November 25th, Rick Gillespie and Bill Chantler ran the first-annual Grey Cup party at the London Police Association lounge. Eight dollars got you in the door and gave you unlimited barbequed burgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings. Door prizes - about thirty of them - had Randy Brewe cleaning up with a couple bottles, shirts and a fifty pound box of rutabagas. Doug Mackay won so many shirts, he turned one back to be drawn again -winning him the "Good Sport" award as well.
We held our Christmas Dinner at Anna Bananas on December 9th. The evening included a terrific buffet, a gag gift for everyone (personally presented by Santa) and a complimentary rutabaga (Compliments of Randy Brewe), then the evening was nicely rounded off with an after dinner show by Vince Giannantonio. Vince was in full flight with his make-the-glass-stick-to-someone-who-has-been-drinking-too-much trick as well as his infamous flying egg trick. Vince promises a third trick to complete the performance and hinted he'll be ready to debut at the pool party.
We also had a terrific dinner meeting at Thames Valley since our last newsletter. The Coordinator of Volunteer Services for CPRI, Brenda Pilley, gave us an interesting overview of where our donations go each year. Following the presentation, Past President Jim Easton presented Brenda with our annual donation. Don Lucas generously offered to run the Oratorical Program for our club and provided an overview of the program. As though Don Draper doesn't have enough on his plate preparing the Oakline every month, he volunteered to run the Spelling Bee program for us and provided an overview on that program. Fred Fickling also presented on our Youth Club initiative; Fred and Jim Coleman are targeting January to start that ball rolling.
Overall, I think we had a great year. Thank you to our members, their friends and family who donated so much time and effort to making sure our events are not only productive and successful but a lot of fun as well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
President Kevin Heslop
OAKOGRAPHY
Steve Cochrane joined our club in 1998 under the sponsorship of Rick Harriss. He immediately became a member of the baseball committee by taking over as the T-Ball Convener for the departing Roland Haines. Steve continues in that position today but has added responsibility for Rookie Ball.
Steve's first position on our Board of Directors was Secretary in 1999-00 and has been Vice President of Youth for two years since then. He has helped on the hockey tournament for two years and has observed Optimist Bill Chantler at his best as a leader. More on that later.
Steve has been married to Chantal for 10 years and they have two children, Sarah who is years and Chris who is 5 years of age. One of Steve's favourite Optimist memories was coaching Chris in rookie ball this past summer and beating Bill Chantler's team in the play offs. This isn't what I was referring to in the last paragraph.
Steve has been a member of the London Police Service for 15 years and has a wealth of experience in the Uniformed Division, Drug Free London and Patrol and in the Criminal Investigation Division, Vice and Drug Section and General Investigation Section. He is currently back in the detective office working on the Youth Crime Unit. That means that he is the guy that Eric Riley would call to look after kids that he can't handle. I'm pretty sure that Eric has Steve's number on speed dial.
Steve has a very ambitious hobby, or should I call it an obsession? He has run 28 marathons since 1995. He is very proud of the fact that he has been nationally ranked 35th in all of Canada in this sport. He has been named to the New Balance racing team effective next year. He has plans to run three or four races each year.
When asked about his favourite Optimist moments he was quick to mention beating Bill's team in the play offs (I think I already mentioned that) but eventually he gave a very common answer. He enjoys volunteering his time for the kids in our community and takes satisfaction in seeing their faces light up when they make a good play or receive a trophy.
Now about Bill Chantler, it seems that Steve has beat me to the punch with my early nomination of Kevin Heslop for President last year. Steve has been so impressed by Bill's natural leadership skills that he has told me that he wants to use his own Oakography to kick off his personal 'Bill Chantler for President' campaign.
Thanks for all your contributions to the club Steve. See - no short jokes!
Reported by Rick Gillespie
Don't miss the bus trip to the Detroit International Auto Show - Cobo Hall, Sunday January 13th. Cost for bus is $20 CDN per person payable at the bus. Included in this is transportation, draws and most likely some refreshments on the bus on the way back.
o Cost for admission to the show is $10 USD at Cobo Hall.
o Bus leaves northeast corner (close to the church) of Oakridge Mall at 9:00 a.m.
o We will stop at Tim Horton's in Lambeth on the way out.
o We will spend 3 hours at the show and return to Windsor and have a meal at a road house place downtown.
o We will return to London no later than 9:00 PM.
Family Skating at Oakridge Arena Friday, December 28th 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Oakridge Arena: pick-up hockey for Optimists and friends/family, bring the kids or anyone interested in passing the puck around. Equipment is optional but helmet should be worn. No contact, no slap shots etc. Extra sticks will be available. This is extra ice time provided free of charge, compliments of the Hockey Committee. Information has it that Rick "The Stick" Gillespie, Dirty Don Draper and Lighting Jim Easton may make an appearance. Call Kevin Heslop 472-2627 if any questions.
Sunday, December 30th and Sunday, January 6th. Our club is sponsoring public ice skating
from 2:00 to 3:45 PM. Free skating to Optimist Club members and their families. Likely a reduced gate price for the public. Excellent opportunity to have information pamphlets, applications at the door. Looking for one or two volunteers to help at the door each day. Call Kevin Heslop 472-2627 if you can help.
SeasonalHumour
Fruit Cake Recipe
1 cup water, 1 cup sugar
4 large eggs, 2 cups dried fruit
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup brown sugar
lemon juice, nuts
1 gallon whiskey
Sample the whiskey to check for quality. Take a large bowl.
Check the whiskey again to be sure it is of the highest quality.
Pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer;
Beat 1 cup butter in a large, fluffy bowl. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and beat again.
Make sure the whiskey is still OK. Cry another tup. Turn off mixer. Break legs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the whiskey to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift 2 cups of salt. or something. Who cares? Check the whiskey.
Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner.
Throw the bowl out of the window. Check the whiskey again. Go to bed.
Who the hell likes fruitcake anyway?
Celebrations for late December and January
Happy Birthday to:
Rick Harriss - Jan.21
Happy Anniversary to:
Ahlam and Ab Chahbar - Jan.
Leone and Bob Stark - Jan.24
Events for your Calendar:
1.) Bus trip, Jan. 13th, Detroit Auto Show.
2) Inter-club with Nor'West - Progressive Euchre Night, January 24th, Likely at Thames Valley but location to be confirmed. Our co-ordinator is Bruce Pope.
3) International President's visit - Saturday, January 19th in Kitchener.
Some members are already confirmed as attending the dinner. Anyone wishing to jump on board, call Kevin Heslop at 472-2627
4) Board of Directors meeting changed from Jan. 3rd to Jan. 10th, 7PM at the arena.