Message from
the PresidentTHE OAKLINE
THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE OAKRIDGE OPTIMISTS
November - 1999
Message from
the President
Our Optimist year is off to a great start. We have a great feed back from members and other clubs about our new look newsletter.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
I have attended a quarter board and a zone meeting since the last newsletter. London's City Clerk, Jeff Malpass, was a guest speaker at the zone meeting and he attempted to answer our questions and concerns about bingo rules. Bingo is big business. Over 350 organizations have licenses in London and generate $15,000,000.00 every year. That translates into a lot of money for charities to disperse.
The city is authorized to act as the agent of the province in granting licenses and ensuring that the rules are adhered to. Many people at the meeting had concerns about the paper work involved and about apparent inconsistencies in the application of rules. Jeff did his best to offer explanations but noted that they base their judgements on rulings and orders of the province. He expects a new manual with guidelines in January.
Our bingo co-chairs and the club executive will stay on top of this issue.
The quarter board meeting was held in Waterloo and featured International Vice President Ken Hornick from Green Bay, Wisconsin and the keynote speaker. He addressed the group with a great talk on how to hit the honour club benchmark.
The next quarter board meeting is right here in London on February 19th. I hope a few other members will join me there.
I would like to end this report with a big THANK YOU to all the member who have provided their support to me and the club so far this year. I know that my personal goal of 100% participation by every club member in some way during the year is achievable --- Rick Gillespie
Oakography
Each month we feature a member of the Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres in this space. This month's biography takes a look at another Life Member who seems to have been around about as long as most of the oak trees in our area.
Bob Stark became a member of our club in 1971 and was given the honour of Life Member in 1989. He continues to be involved in community activities today.
He is still an active member of the hockey committee and is probably one of the best known coaches in the city. He organizes a tournament for Major and Minor Novice teams every year. In January Bob will start recruiting for his Rookie ball (I still think of it as T-Ball) team. Each July he organizes a great rookie ball tournament.
Bob has been married to his wife Leone for 40 years. They have three children; Kathy, Nancy and Bob. They also have two grandchildren who will no doubt be rookie ball or hockey players soon enough.
Bob has been a self employed business man for many years. Stark's Warehouse has adorned the back of many sport jerseys.
Our man Stark has held many positions over the years including President in 1978/79, hockey chair in 1984 to 1987 and again in 1993, base ball chair from 1979 to 1983 as well as positions as club vice president and director along the way.
Bob was pretty reserved when asked about his memories of the club. He did mention some- thing about getting Jim Coleman to be the first chair of the soccer committee. I'm not sure if Bob even considers soccer to be a sport. Sorry Randy!
He also has fond memories of the garage sales which includes people jumping over the boards in the arena to be first to the tables and the time his truck was used to pick up articles for sale and the brakes went and he had to scrap the truck.
My first meeting with Bob was when my kids started playing T-Ball. I remember Bob had all the mothers convinced that there was very little travelling or work involved. After everyone signed up for the competitive program he then mentioned that there was no league play - just tournaments and oh yeah.....we have to run this little tournament!
Thanks for all your help over the years Bob, and I hope there are many more to come.
To be intoxicated is to feel sophisticated but not able to say it.
The contest closes soon. Send your suggestions for a knockout title for your Oakridge newsletter to Bob Moldowan. A prize will be presented to the member whose title is chosen.
Dinner Meeting (Oct. 21) Report
Fourteen members attended at Thames Valley Golf Course. President Rick set the minimum fines at 20 cents per occasion. Members were warned that there was a "magic word" which, if mentioned, would be tallied and result in a fine at the end of the evening. Opt. Pat Moffatt, acting as Sergeant at Arms, kept track and eventually fines were levied to Opt. Ron Fisher, Opt. Ted Riquinha, and Opt. Bruce Pope for saying the word "Riley". Opt Eric might want to pursue just what was being discussed.
Opt. Doug Mackay wondered if a fine might be in order for one of the newsletter staff. His concern was about the position of our president on the newsletter staff. He had been labelled as "CEO and advisor" and Opt Doug felt to call someone a CEO on an Optimist committee was somewhat far-fetched. Pres. Rick was quick to point out that it was a spelling/typo.error- it should have been "COP and advisor"
Congratulations to Opt. Pat Moffatt for winning a free meal at the November meeting.
The PEACE Program was the theme for the dinner meeting. Our special guest was Jacqueline Lo who is the representative for Oakridge and Nor'west in the PEACE (Police Ethnic And Cultural Exchange) program. Jacqui is an OAC student at Oakridge S.S. - has studied piano, enjoys maths. and sciences, has several volunteer experiences including the public library. She wishes to enrol in the engineering course at Waterloo U.
Jacqui described some of her PEACE experiences during 8 weeks this summer. In the first week of orientation she met the chief and shadowed a community services worker dealing with disadvantaged youth. She developed an awareness of detective work, function of the Police Recording Center, the Canine Unit, and the Ont. Police College at Aylmer.
She was particularly impressed with the laptop computer technology available in cruisers.
Following officers on foot patrol downtown was really an "eye-opener". Members of the team met the mayor, members of the Multicultural Youth Association, key people in the Block Parent organization and many others. The 8 weeks were described as an excellent learning experience - especially in how to deal with various people and situations. Appreciation was expressed to the Optimist clubs which helped to fund the program.
Jacqui received a copy of "Our Youth, Our Future" as a token of thanks.
RUNAWAY OPTIMIST!
Oakridge Optimist Steve Cochrane was one of 30,000 runners who participated in the New York City marathon on Sunday, November 6th. Steve has been training hard for this event and has participated in other marathons in past years. Although anyone can enter this event, Steve was seeded 577th and was in the first corral of runners due to his past performances. Good luck Steve!
GET WELL SOON
Long time Optimist supporter Lorne Benner is in hospital. Optimist Eric Riley has been maintaining contact with Lorne's wife over the past few weeks & will update us as news comes in. I am sure we all send our thoughts and best wishes to Lorne and his family and hope to have him back sharpening skates soon.
I NEED A FEW HELPERS...WAIT, KEEP READING!
Our club is known for its involvement in Hockey, Baseball and Soccer but there are many other activities that are important to the youth of our community.
Optimists have excellent programs including the Essay, Oratorical and Spelling Bee programs that
can lead the youth in OUR community to great rewards including bursaries for their education. New government requirements for 40 hours of public service by secondary school students make this a great time to build a youth club at one or both of the high schools in our area.
All that is needed is an member who is interested in taking on one of these endeavours. If we spread the work out amongst our membership we not only reduce the workload of each individual but more of us can feel good about our involvement and proud of our organization.
"Call me now and volunteer to take on one of these programs. Personal involvement with the youth of our community is why we are here and it feels a whole lot better than just cutting a cheque" -Rick Gillespie
NOW BREAKFAST
Our breakfast meeting is all set for Saturday, November 13th at 9:00 AM at Thames Valley Golf Course. Dress is casual. I hope everyone can come and bring at least one guest.
Lt. Governor Len Egan will provide an overview of what Optimism is all about and we will have plenty of information about our own club for our guests.
See you there!
UPCOMING DINNER MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Mark your calendar now with these dates.
Ken McTaggart will be the speaker at the November 18th meeting. He is the author of a book about the dark ages of London. Sounds very interesting.
Our December meeting will be a Christmas party with curling, dinner and lots of fun thrown into the mix. Make sure you mark Saturday, December 18th on your calendar. See you at the Ilderton Arena.
January will see two great events. On Sunday the 16th our WWW road trip is set to head for the Detroit Auto Show and then on to Joe Kool's in Troy, Michigan for dinner and a foot ball game and lots of surprises. We have a 55 seat coach booked. The cost will be $20 for members and $30 for friends. We will start collecting the cash and taking reservations at the breakfast meeting. Get your seat booked.
Our dinner meeting is set for Thursday, January 20th at the usual time (6:30 pm) and at the usual place (TVGC). Our speaker will be Gord Henry. He was a member of the Canadian Rowing Team that participated in the Barcelona Olympics.
Bob Stark, the Oakographer of the month, and his committee are hosting the annual hockey tournament on November 20 and 21. Their hard work raises the profile of the Oakridge Optimists. Bob will be looking for Optimist members to hand out trophies all day on the 21st.
Mark it on your calendar
and come out and help.
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.
BINGO BINGO BINGO
Thanks to all the members who have come out to work our bingos. This is the biggest single money maker we have and it supports a lot of great endeavours for the youth in our community.
Our last event, took us into the wee hours of the morning Oct.29/30, but was one of the most lucrative ($1008.22) in a long time. Opt. Ross MacDonald proved to be the most optimistic guesser in predicting the final earnings and won the nightly contest. Only 7 workers were present which is shy of the expected 10. If you find that you are unable to go to a Bingo, after indicating otherwise to the call captain, please call Pat Moffat (657-1147) about the change in plans so that a replacement can be arranged.
Thanks for all your help.
So Where Does the Money Go?
Bingo funds for the Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres support the following:
1. Baseball subsidy for needy youth
2. Safety on Wheels Program
3. Scouts Program
4. Canadian Diabetes Association Children's Camp
5. Children 's Hospital (telethon)
6. Equipment for our sports programs
7. Essay program through schools
8. Girl Guide Program
9. High School Scholarships (Oakridge S.S. and St.
Thomas Aquinas S.S. and Primary School Awards
10. Hockey subsidy for needy youth
11. Junior Golf Program
12. Oratorical Program
13. Respect for Law (Honoring deserving students)
14. School Citizenship Awards
15. Soccer subsidy for needy youth
16. Youth in Education Day (June annually)
17. VIP Program (Grade 6 children)
18. Optimist Youth Programs (Youth in Government, Youth in Education, Annual Chess Tournament)
19. Youth training sports programs
20. London Ringette Association
21. HOBY Youth Foundation Leadership Program
22. London Minor Lacrosse
23. SARI (Special Abilities Riding Instruction)
24. Thames Valley Children's Center (Rookies Wheelchair Basketball)
25. Junior Golf Sponsor Board -Contributions to other groups requires approval of the city clerk's
office which follows guidelines set down by the Gaming and Alcohol Commission
Funding
Funding was approved by the Board of Directors, on Nov. 4th for the following:
· $510 for the VIP initiatives at Westdale School
· $300 to the Board of the Children's Festival for needy children to attend the events with a cost.
· $250 to sponsor equipment required by an Oakridge hockey team in the Forest City Hockey
League (Cheque to the Oakridge Optimist Hockey Association)
· $1200 to Group Committee for expenses of 2nd London Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers.
This covers costs of the Scouts Canada Charter, rental of Clara Brenton School and purchases
from the Scout Shop (badges, crafts, etc.)
Optimist Programs to Consider -
President Rick attended the Quarter Board Meeting in Waterloo on Oct. 30th. Two planning sessions in which he participated were for the ESSAY and the ORATORICAL projects. These are very worthwhile activities for us to promote in the schools of our neighborhood.. Members are needed to volunteer to assist with either of these. Topic of the Oratorical contest is "Growing up in Today's World". Young people through grade 12 are eligible.
Topic of the Essay contest is "Where Would I Be Without Freedom?". Youth under the age of 19 years, as of Dec. 31 of the current school year, are invited to develop this theme.
SPORTS REPORTS
On the Rebound
We are pleased to learn that Stan Sher has returned home from the hospital and is doing well. Stan suffered a heart attack in October. He currently is a valued member of our Baseball program serving as vice-chair of the Boys' House League. Stan brings to our program much experience as a coach and convener. We hope that he gains strength over the winter and feels able to join the baseball program in some capacity come spring 2000.
Oakridge Optimist Hockey Association
MINOR - NOVICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
Nov. 20th and 21st, 1999
A hard working committee under the capable guidance of Optimist and Chairman Bob Stark is once again preparing for the 15th annual event. On Saturday, Nov. 20th starting at 7:00 a.m., Oakridge Arena will become a beehive of activity. We're talking "humongous" here as 14 teams, each with 15 players, their coaches, team officials, parents and friends visit the hub of our community. Opt. Bob gives much credit to the parents of the 8 and 9 year old children who make up the two Oakridge teams. He says that they have willingly shared the many tasks needed to make the tournament successfully happen. One remarkable aspect of planning has been the acquisition of draw prizes such that each participant takes home something. This will be in addition to a trophy that each receives. Of course the greatest memories will be of supporting one another as a team and of practising individual skills learned at quite a young age in a competitive format. Hopefully many of our club members will come to the arena during the weekend to welcome our guests - farthest from home is a team from Flint, Michigan.
Presentation of trophies will be on Sunday, Nov. 21, starting at about 8:00 a.m. Optimist Rick Harriss (473-2412) is co-ordinating the scheduling of club members' involvement in trophy presentations on Sunday. If you are able to assist, please give Rick a call. If you are in a position to donate a draw prize - a few more are needed, please call Opt. Bob Stark (471-5408)
Oakridge Mall Kettle Drive
For the past several years, members of our club have done community service by assisting the Salvation Army in their Christmas fund raising campaign at Oakridge Mall. Optimist Michael Hoy is co-ordinating the schedule for our participation. The following dates have been set aside for individuals to be with the kettle just outside the front entrance to Walmart. Wednesday, December 15, Thursday, December 16 In addition to helping with a worthwhile cause, this is a great opportunity to see and talk to people who live nearby but whom we have not seen for weeks. Please call Opt. Michael (471- 2712) if you can help.
Upcoming Events
NOW Breakfast - Sat., Nov. 13, 1999 at Thames Valley Golf Course Starting time is 9:00 a.m., not an hour earlier as was reported in the Sept. newsletter. If you have thought of a guest you would like to bring since the call captain checked with you please call Pres Rick (641-2815). Even if you do not have a guest come on out for breakfast and enjoy a good summary of what Optimism is all about from Lt. Governor Len Egan. At press time we have 8 guests who will attend.
Dinner Meeting-Thursday, Nov. 18 at Thames V.G.C.
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Ken McTaggart, a local author and historian with a flare for highlighting the bizarre and unusual will address members and guests after the meal. By attending you stand a chance of winning one of Ken's books as a draw prize. Don't miss out on the fun.
Christmas Party - Saturday, December 18 at Ilderton Curling Club - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Curling.
If you have never tried the "Roaring Game" this is a good opportunity to throw some rocks, (instruction will be available) , brush the ice, and slide like you may have seen Ed Werenich or Colleen Jones do it on TV. You just need some warm clothes, ( mitts or gloves, warm sweater and/or a jacket) and a clean pair of shoes (tape will be available for the left shoe if you are right-handed). Brushes are also available at the club.
6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktails. There will be a cash bar. (reasonable prices ). Even if you do not wish to curl come and watch. The upstairs lounge has a pool table and a shuffle board table. There also is a dance area if anyone feels so inclined.
7:00 p.m. Full turkey dinner will be catered. (Approx. Cost - $10.00 per person).
More news will follow concerning possible appearance by Santa and gifts.
Detroit Auto Show - January 16, 2000
A bus with a capacity of 50 has been arranged from the Shriners' Club. This should be a most enjoyable trip. As if the Auto Show isn't enough, we also will be visiting the Joe Kool's Restaurant in Detroit for an evening meal. Anticipated cost is $20 per club member and $30 for non-members. More information will follow, (departure times etc.) But make sure you mark this date on your calendar.
Celebrations
Birthdays:
Bill Tyssen - Nov. 21
Jim Foster - Nov. 23
Ted Riquinha - Nov. 29
Linda Hegler - Dec. 7
Don Draper - Dec. 9
Peter Hegler - Dec. 9
Anniversaries:
Ted and Kim Melchers - Nov. 22
John and Lorraine Cameron - Dec. 7
Humour Section
Two little kids in a hospital who were lying next to each other. The first kid leans over and asks "What are you in here for?"
The second kid says, "I'm in here to get my tonsils out and I'm a little nervous."
The first kid says, "You've got nothing to worry about. I had that done to me. They put you to sleep, and when you wake up they give you lots of Jell-O and ice cream. It's a piece of cake!!!"
The second kid then asks, "What are you in here for?"
The first kid replies, "Well, I'm here for a circumcision."
The second kid says, "Whoa! Watch out! I had that done when I was born. I couldn't walk for a year!"
Optimist International Foundation of Canada
Each year Optimist clubs, individuals, the general public, businesses and corporations are approached to donate money to the "OI Foundation". Our club has traditionally contributed and the Directors will be considering an amount in the near future. All members should have an awareness of how the funds are used. OI Foundation was established in 1971 and OI Foundation of Canada began in 1988 as not-for- profit charitable organizations in the U.S. and Canada. The mission is to provide educational opportunities for boys and girls involved in Optimist programs. More than $5 million dollars in funding has been awarded since 1971. 1.5 million youth are served annually by programs funded. Major service programs covered include:
1. Oratorical Contest: Over $150 000 in scholarships awarded annually (40 000 children )
2. Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. $60 000 in scholarships.
3. Essay Contest. More than 50 District winners attended a weekend conference at Freedoms
Foundation in Valley Forge, PA.. $10 000 scholarships to the top 3 international winners.
4. Junior Optimist Octagon International. Youth clubs with 20 000 members, substantially supported by the Foundation.
5. Training Sessions, Videos and Publications to improve and expand Optimist services to youth and communities.
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
Hockey Chair Bob Litvinchuk 474-0255
Baseball Chair Joe O'Neill 641-8441
Soccer Chair Jim Harkin 474-1074
Next Board of Directors Meeting - Dec. 02, 1999