I
hope that the summer issue of our newsletter finds all of our members,
families and friends in good health and enjoying the good weather when
we get it.
Collector's Edition #8 Summer 2000
Message
from the President
I
hope that the summer issue of our newsletter finds all of our members,
families and friends in good health and enjoying the good weather when
we get it.
Our summer sports programs are well underway and by the time you read this most thoughts will be of playoffs in the not so distant future. Special thanks must go to all of the people who work so hard on the three sports committees and all of the coaches and assistants who ensure the success of these programs. We are all aware that enrollments go up and down on individual rosters over the years but the one thing that grows over the years is the total number of youth who benefit from Oakridge Optimist programs. Well done to all!
Bill Chantler has agreed to Chair the hockey tournament along with several other members. Bob Stark will continue to guide us through the process to ensure a great hockey tournament in the fall. Thanks for pitching in Bill.
Twenty-two young people from the Oakridge area competed
in the recent golf tournament. Our club has once again sponsored the golf
program.
The 2000 edition of the PEACE program is well underway and most of the London and area Optimist clubs have contributed. This year's group of students is very energetic and they are planning a great thank you for all of the sponsors on August 25th at the London Police Association building. We have signed up two new members so far this quarter and this would be a great time to bring in a couple more. I know there are a couple of other leads in progress.
I hope everyone continues to have a great summer. We will get back to the regular newletter routine in September.
Yours optimistically, Rick Gillespie
Oakography
Doug
Mackay has been a member of the Oakridge Optimist Club since 1991 and has
been involved in many aspects of the operation of the club. He was a member
of the baseball committee for a year and coached baseball, soccer and hockey
while his boys played. He has served on the Board of Directors as a director,
vice president of ways and means, president (1997-98) and as past president
the following year. After a year off he is returning in October as a director.
Doug and Judy have been married for 28 years (Doug didn't have to think for too long to remember that) and have two boys, Brandon and Brodie, aged 19 and 16 years. He has worked for the Provincial government (no cheap jokes from me) for 29 years. He spent almost 3 years at Sprucedale training school and then worked in Probation for 15 years. He has spent the last 11 years in Human Relations and had his last day in the office on June 30th. His official retirement date is in September.
Doug has lots of fond Optimist memories including a few years as the person responsible for selecting the recipients of the high school scholarships. He is genuinely awed by the number of youths who get good marks, work and find time to volunteer in the community. Like most old timers he has his share of Don Boos stories.
Doug was involved in all of the pig roasts and remembers his scariest Optimist moment as the day he spent preparing for the first roast. He and Fred Fickling were putting up the glitter ball in the center of the arena and were without a sky hook. They rigged up a ladder on top of two tables and wee Fred hooked the ball to the center of the ceiling. I hate to think of the damage that could have been caused to the cement pad if Fred had fallen! Doug has certainly been one of the most enthusiastic and hard working members of the club during the time I have been a member. I had better end this Oakography because I may not be able to resist making jokes about his actual last day of work. Someone said it was in 1989.
Best of luck in your retirement Doug and Judy.
A Date For Your Calendar !
Our bus trip to the Detroit Auto Show was a great
success and as a result I have made preliminary plans to visit the motor
city again. Boston is
playing the Tigers on Sunday, September 17th at
1:05 pm. I have booked the Camel Coach and my plan is to reserve the cheap
seats ($8US)
so that we can make this a family affair. I have
been told that these seats are in the bull pen area and they have a good
sight line. The total cost of the trip should be $30 Canadian. We will
start the phone calls soon to see if there is sufficient interest among
members, family and friends. ( Rick Gillespie)
PAST DINNER MEETINGS
Respect For Law - May 31, 2000
Oakridge was represented very well at the East London Optimist Center on March 31st. Honorees were members of Police Departments - active and retired - who are also members of Optimist Clubs. Master of Ceremonies, John Schindler, kidded that the whole evening was arranged for the Oakridge Club. Nine of the twenty-three police/Optimists were from Oakridge. Dressed in full uniform, they looked most impressive. Oakridge names on the program included Bill Chantler, Steve Cochrane, Doug Finley, Rick Gillespie, Dave Gilmore, Rick Harriss, Kevin Heslop, Scott Hessell, and Dave Kelday. Highlights of the evening included:
· Great meal by
the East London Optimist Club.
· Recognition
of the police/Optimists and presentation of a certificate to each.
· All 16 clubs
in 2 Zones were represented.
· Expressions
of appreciation for Optimist Clubs' support of the PEACE program and to
President Rick Gillespie for his initiative in promoting it.
· Thanks to Opt.
Michael Hoy for selling tickets for a raffle prize donated by the London
Police Dept. The framed picture of a restored automobile was won by Optimist
Rick Harriss.
Our attendance at this event counts as credit for an inter-club meeting.
Steve Cochrane, Rick Harriss,
and Rick Gillespie at the Respect for Law Dinner.
June 21st Barbecue:
This was an informal fun-filled evening held at Cuffs'-
the London Police Association Lounge and meeting room at the corner of
York St. and William St. If you were not there you missed out on a delicious
steak dinner prepared by master chef, Kevin Heslop (see photo at bottom
left). Thanks Kevin, it was terrific! June seems to be a month when it
is difficult to attract members to a dinner meeting. For those who were
able to attend, it was a relaxed time to chat about the past year and to
simply enjoy each other's company.
Board of Directors for 2000/2001
As was reported in the last newsletter, the April dinner meeting was devoted to the elections for the 2000/2001 Board of Directors. Past President Don Draper reviewed the slate of officers drafted by a committee of past presidents and invited any nominations from the floor. We appreciate the willingness of the following to administer the affairs of our club during the coming Optimist year.
President - Jim Easton
Past President - Rick Gillespie
Vice-President, Youth - Steve Cochrane
Vice-President, Ways and Means - Kevin Heslop
Director, 1 Year - Rick Harriss
Director, 1 Year - Peter Hegler
Director, 1 Year - Doug Mackay
Director, 2 Years - Sil Brecivic
Director, 2 Years - Fred Fickling
Director, 2 Years - Mike Wolowich
Treasurer - Craig Rath
Secretary - Bill Chantler
September
Dinner Meeting
Thurs. Sept. 21, 2000
At the Mandarin Restaurant
387 Wellington Road
Program will include introduction and swearing in of the new Board of Directors. Spouses are invited to attend. Cost is $20.00 per person which includes buffet dinner, taxes and tip.
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m.
Buffet dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Call captains will check for attendance numbers.
Notre Dame Bicycle Safety Rodeo
This event, scheduled for June 13th, was -like a lot of things in June - rained out. The school had too many other things planned for the rest of June and so it could not be rescheduled. Workers Pat Moffatt, Kevin Heslop and Don Draper were disappointed but next year we'll make sure there is a rain date. All prizes, pop and chips were given to the school to use for activity days. Watch for news of a similar Bicycle Safety program to be held at Westdale School in September 2000.
Many thanks to Sil Brecivic, and his employer - 3M,
for the generous donation of tape to be used in marking out the course.
It will come in handy at future rodeos.
Bingo for Kids
During the past two months funds raised during All Teams Bingo's have been designated for the following:
· $250 for the
Bike Rodeo at Notre Dame.
· $500 to sponsor
4th London Cubs, Scouts and Venturers.
· $100 to the
Oakridge Optimist Baseball Committee for the Summer Tournament.
· $500 to the
Children's Miracle Network Telethon.
· $1000 to the
Girl Guides of Canada.
· $85.00 towards
the Dr Paul Hauch tournament at the London Aquatic Center.
· $410.45 to Westdale
PS for their end of year Citizen Award Program.
· $250 to the
Middlesex-London Sun/UV committee which distributes literature targeting
youth 15-24 years old.
· $1500 the Physical
Relief Health Care Services. This supports needy youth that will attend
a summer camp Aug. 4th to Sept 1st.
· $5000 to the
Oakridge Optimist Baseball Committee ($4000 for equipment and $1000 for
player subsidies)
· $20.70 for a
Student Bursary Award.
· $500 from the
Bingo account to the National Service Dogs Training Inc.
· $4000 from the
Bingo account to the Oakridge Optimist Soccer Committee. (Equipment)
President Rick received a letter, in the spring, from Jerry Swift with the licencing department of City of London. It outlined concern in relation to the large balance in the bingo account in conjunction with budgeted donations. The indication was that if we could not reduce the balance to an acceptable level, it may impact on the number of licences issued for our next bingo season. The 2000 budget has been reviewed by the Board and found to be suitable. The above allocations have reduced the Bingo Account considerably from what it was at the time of the correspondence.
In some instances we may have to remind various organizations to apply for the funds we have budgetted for them. It could be that they do not have the same need as the year before but it also could be that they have forgotten.
Bingo Dates:
August 13th, 2000 - 6:15 PM, All Teams
Sept. 2nd, 2000 - 9:45 PM, All Teams
Sept. 24th, 2000 - 6:15 PM, All Teams
Doug, Fred and Rob figuring
it all out at the July 31st Bingo.
Rewards for Good Work
During recent Directors' meetings, Optimist Awards within our club have been reviewed. There is a need for incoming Boards to be aware of past practices and ensure that recognition programs are in place for our members. Some standardization may be desirable along with the flexibility to be creative each year.
A committee has been struck to examine awards and
their criteria, which have been important in the past. Consideration will
also be given to new ways of honoring members. Jim Easton has volunteered
to chair this committee. If you have ideas or would like to assist, please
give Jim a call.
Youth in Education
Michael Hoy has been our representative on this citywide
committee. Each year arrangements are made for elementary school children
to hear a prominent guest speaker at a central location. For this coming
school year, Nancy Greene has been booked to visit London for this purpose.
Junior Golf
We appreciate the continued involvement of Doug Mackay in this program. Doug reported at the last Directors' Mt. that 150 kids from Mid-Western Ontario participated in a tournament at St. Mary's on July 10th and 11th. Our club partially subsidizes local youth who take part.
Hockey Snippets
· David Peach will
be the Hockey Committee chair.
· Ice rental will
be increased from $72 to $108 per hour. This increase will be phased in
over a 5-year period. Price increases will be covered in registration increases.
· Registration
is September 9, 13, and 16, 2000. It would be desirable to have an Optimist
member in attendance for those dates in an attempt to promote Optimism.
· A Greater London
Minor Hockey Association has been formed to replace the GLHA. New By-laws
and a constitution will be developed in future meetings.
Welcome Our Newest Members:
· Mark McGugan
is building a new house in the Oakridge area He joined in the fun during
the June dinner meeting at Cuffs' and showed much interest in the service
and fellowship offered by our club. Sponsored by Bill Chantler, Mark is
employed by the London Police Dept.
· Andrew Friyia
lives at 21 Queen Mary Cres, with his wife Lisa and 14 month old son, Cole.
He works at Hawryluk and Associates Insurance in St. Thomas. Andy was nominated
by Pat Moffatt.
Scrapbook Production
We have a number of photographs from past events and articles from newsletters, which can be used for a scrapbook summarizing the year's happenings. We could use more photos of the various sports programs. If you have any duplicates that you do not mind being used please contact Don Draper (471-1925)
Humour from
the Links
Low Eighties
"I play golf in the low eighties," the old man was telling one of the youngsters at his club.
"Wow," said the young man, "that's pretty impressive."
"Not really," said the old man, "Any hotter and I'd
probably have a stroke
Bad Day at the Golf Course
One day, as I was playing the fairway on the 15th hole of my local course, I watched as the man, on the fairway running parallel to mine, hit several balls into a water hazard.
In frustration he eventually tossed his club into the water quickly followed by bag and the rest of his clubs. He stormed off the course only to return a few minutes later.
He walked into the water, retrieved his bag, removed
his car keys and threw the bag back in.
Slice or Hook
A young golfer was playing in his first PGA Tour
event. After his practice round he noticed a beautiful young lady by the
clubhouse. He went up to her, began talking, and convinced her to come
back to his hotel room for the night. All through the night they made wild
love together. In the morning, the woman woke up and arose from bed. The
man said, "Please don't go. I love you and I want you to stay with me."
The woman replied, "You don't understand...I'm a hooker." The man said,
"That's no problem, you probably just have too strong a grip."
Seeing is not always good
A man was looking for a new caddie one day when his friend said " I know a great caddie - he is 90 years old but he has eyes like a hawk"
"OK then " said the man "tell him I'm playing again in a week. "
The week passed and they started to play. The golfer hit a perfect drive and he said to the caddie "Did you see where it went?"
The caddie then said "yes"
"OK then where is it?"
The caddie replied "I forgot."
Celebrations:
¨ Happy Summer Birthdays to:
Sil Brecevic - June 30
Randy Brewe - July 11
Jim Easton - Aug. 05
Fred Fickling - July 24
Ross MacDonald - July 04
Doug McMaster - July 08
Ted Melchers - Aug. 12
Alex Poulette - July 21
Eric Riley - July 21
Norm Smith - July 06
Bob Stark - July
Mike Wolowich - Sept. 07
¨ Happy Summer Anniversaries to:
Don & Pat Draper - Aug. 22
Fred & Sheila Fickling - Aug. 22
Rick & Mary Anne Gillespie - Aug. 25
Peter & Linda Hegler - Aug. 22
Kevin & Lisa Heslop - Aug. 25
Michael & Mary Beth Hoy - Aug. 26
Ross & Svetlana MacDonald - Aug. 16
Doug & Judy Mackay - Aug. 20
Doug & Joyce McMaster - Sept. 18
Pat & Barbara Moffatt - July 18
Bob & Patti Moldowan - Aug. 15
Bruce & Mary Ann Pope - June 23
Alex & Karen Poulette - Sept. 04
Eric & Dana Riley - July 17
Norm & Barb Smith - Aug. 07
Bill & Cathy Tyssen - June 30
Mike & Paula Wolowich - July 07
Apologies to anybody who was missed. If you were
please call Don Draper (471-1925) to ensure the dates are on our records.
Congratulations to Rick Gillespie who was recently promoted to Detective Superintendent in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division.
Congratulations to Doug Mackay on his June retirement from Correctional Services.
Please inform the newsletter staff of any celebratory
dates so we can share in the good news.
Board of Directors
1999-2000
President Richard Gillespie
641-2815
Vice President /Youth David Gilmore 663-9057
Vice President
Ways & Means Kevin Heslop
472-2627
Past President Don Draper
471-1925
Treasurer/
Director Jim Easton
641-0798
Secretary Steve Cochrane
657-8865
Director Rick Harriss
473-2412
Director Eric Riley
472-2025
Director Michael Hoy
471-2712
Director Max Davis
472-9890
Director Peter Hegler
471-4928
1999/2000 Sports Chairs
Hockey Chair Bob Litvinchuk
474-0255
Baseball Chair Joe O'Neill
641-8441
Soccer Chair Jim Harkin 474-1074
Next Board of Directors
Meeting - Thursday, September 07, 2000 - Oakridge Arena
Please report any errors or omissions to Don Draper (471-1925)
don.draper@sympatico.ca