Message from the President

Welcome to a new Oakridge Optimist year! The 1999/2000 Board of Directors has been busy since early July planning community service and social events for the upcoming year. We hope that all of our members take tadvantage of these plans and become involved in one or more functions.
 
 

First of all we have a new look newsletter which has been put together by Optimists Bob Moldowan, Don Draper and Steve Cochrane. Issues will be sent to all members monthly and should arrive before the dinner meeting. Communication is the key to all successful endeavours and I am confident that if this edition is any indication our club is destined for a great year. Send your submissions to Bob within four days of the first Thursday of each month at bmoldowan@home.com or by contacting him at home.

The executive has been busy booking exciting speakers for our dinner meetings. I think everyone will be pleased that we are returning to Thames Valley Golf Course for all of our dinners. Our October meeting will feature Jackie Lo, the PEACE student sponsored by the Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres. Jackie will share her experience with the London Police this summer.

Optimist Peter Hegler has taken the lead in planning a breakfast membership meeting on November 13th. This will be a great time to bring that friend of yours who has been procrastinating about joining out to hear what Optimism is all about.

We are in the process of planning a great road trip to the Detroit Auto Show on January 16, 1999. Mark this one down on your calendar. What is a club without a road trip?

The theme for our District in '99/2000 is REACH NEW HEIGHTS. I am confident that our club can receive the recognition it deserves through the participation of all members in at least one event during the year --- Rick Gillespie

Oakography

Each month we will feature a member of the Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres in this space. Fred Fickling is the subject of our first "Oakography".
 
 

Fred joined the club in 1976 and became a life member on November 9, 1990. He has served two terms as President and V-President (Ways and Means) and has been a Director more times than a man of his age can remember. He is currently co-chair of the Bingo Committee.

Fred has been a member of the baseball and hockey committees over the years and still looks after sponsors and equipment for hockey. If you have a hockey equipment problem.......the puck stops here!

He would not have been able to carry out these duties without the support of his wife of almost 29 years, Sheila, and his children Scott and Allison. Fred's career has been devoted to teaching. The past 14 years have been spent at Cartier Public School.

Fred stays active by playing slo-pitch. His over 50 team placed 2^nd in Canada and 3^rd in Ontario this year. Fred tells me this has something to do with new math.

Fred has many fond memories of his years as an Optimist. He still chuckles when he recounted the story from years ago when he and Bob Harris roamed the streets at night before the garbage pickups looking for good junk to sell in an Optimist garage sale.

Our new VP - Ways and Means could take a fund raising lesson from Fred! His greatest achievement has been the many friendships that he has formed over his 23 years as a member of the Oakridge Optimists.

"Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest." -- Mark Twain

Newsletter Introduction

Effective communication is paramount for the success of our club. President Rick has emphasized its importance and has excellent ideas he would like to see incorporated into a monthly bulletin. The Newsletter Committee consists of Rick Gillespie - CEO and advisor, Bob Moldowan - Publisher, Steve Cochrane and Don Draper - Editors. Your suggestions about topics we should include or have written about are valued. Any of the committee members can be contacted with your comments:

Rick at 641-2815 or rgillesp@city.london.on.ca

Bob at 471-0057 or bmoldowan@home.com

Steve at 657-8865 or cpiercey@execulink.com

Don at 471-1925 or don.draper@sympatico.ca

Ä On that same topic we are proudly announcing the Name the Newsletter contest. Send your suggestions for a knockout title for your Oakridge newsletter to Bob Moldowan. A prize ( yet to be decided ) will be presented to the member whose title is chosen

Dinner Meetings

For many members, meeting at Thames Valley Golf Course is like returning to our roots. Chef Lee has promised to offer a scrumptious variety of entrees and is eager to make our dinner meetings a classy dining experience. Cost of meals is $14.00 which includes tax and gratuity. Please try to attend as many dinner meetings as possible. A turnout of 20 or more will be needed to maintain a strong association with theThames Valley G.C. Interesting programs have been planned and you will want to reserve these dates on your calendar.

Oct. 21- Dinner Meeting (cocktails @ 6:30, dinner @ 7:00 p.m.

-London Police PEACE Program coordinator, Jackie Lo will be the guest speaker.

Nov. 13 - NOW Breakfast Meeting. 8:00 a.m. at Thames Valley G.C. Plan to invite/bring a guest who you feel would be a worthy addition to our club with its spirit of optimism and youth oriented projects. Lt. Gov. Len Egan will attend and address those who attend. NOW stands forNew Optimist Wanted.

Nov. 18 - Dinner Meeting. Guest speaker will be Ken McTaggart, author of The Dark Side of London.

Dec. 18 - Saturday Night Christmas Party at the Ilderton Curling Club.

Church Humor from Actual Church Announcements

1. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

2. Don't let worry kill you-let the church help.

3. Wednesday, the Ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing, "Put me in my Little Bed", accompanied by the pastor.

4. Thursday night we will be having a Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication will follow.

5. The rose on the alter this morning serves to announce the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

6. The ladies of the congregation have cast off clothing of all kinds and they may be seen in the church basement this Friday.

7. This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of our church. Children will be baptized on both ends.

8. This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Herbert Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the alter.

9. A hot dog supper will be the focus of a fund-raiser for our youth on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Remember to run your buns and wieners by the parsonage.

10. Who is the Antichrist? Lay minister Charles Messer offers his own explanations next week as he introduces his new wife to the congregation

11. A red beans and cornbread supper will be held Tuesday in the Parish Hall. Music will follow shortly after the meal.

Youth in Education

Michael Hoy is our representative on this citywide Optimist program. One activity is the organization of a presentation for school children by a high profile speaker. The week of February 21, 2000 has been targeted for when the YIEP will be hosting this event. The Directors have authorized $300.00 support. Scholarships funded by this committee are now listed on the Web Site for the Thames Valley District School Board.

1999/2000 Dues Due

Oct. 1, 1999 marks the beginning of a new Optimist year which means that all members are asked to help meet expenses incurred by OI, Midwestern Ont. District, Zone 9 and our club through the payment of annual dues. Attached is a letter which explains where the funds go and how much is owing. The current Directors have maintained the rate at $65.00 per year. ($48.00 for our 6 Life Members) It is important that we look after this ASAP. Also included with this newsletter is a list of our 38 members. Please notify Don Draper (471-1925) about any inaccuracies.
 

Did you know?Œ.......

The International President is a Canadian this year. His name is Andre Dubois, from the Optimist Club of St. Hubert, Quebec. The theme for the 1999-2000 year is "Vision 2000". President Andre has articulated a goal which fits our aspirations- "Each one of us must strive to recruit new members and increase public awareness so that we can be as effective as possible in our communities".

Did you know?.....

Peter Hegler has set up a website for the Optimist Club of Oakridge Acres, Inc.? Check it out at http://www.execulink.com/~oakridge/optimist.htm

Did you know?Ž......

Bob Stark 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.

"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."

-- Former U.S. Vice-President Dan Quayle

Balancing the Books

At the Oct. Directors' Meeting, Treasurer Jim Easton distributed and reported on the 1999-2000 Budget Projection. The gross expenses totaled $8462.00 and the gross revenue was reported to be $8483.00. This latter figure included $2000.00 which needs to come from a fund-raising project.

Ways and Means V.P., Kevin Heslop is exploring various means of earning this amount which is necessary to offset projected expenses. Whatever is decided will need the full support of our members.

Money from Bingo cannot be used to balance this operating account

Are You Online?

Sending newsletters by email can save us cash and get information to you quicker.. If you have an email address, please send it to Don Draper ( don.draper@sympatico.ca ) so that communications can be made electronically.

Celebrations

Happy Birthday to:

Steve Cochrane Oct.13

Sporting News

The following is an update of what is going on in Oakridge sports.

Hockey - There are 962 kids registered for hockey this year. We are still in need of several sponsors. If anyone knows of a person or company who is interested in sponsoring a team the cost is $295.

Soccer -- We have just completed another record season in which registration is growing by leaps and bounds. The last meeting of 1999 was held on September 17 at McGinnis Landing. Honoured for their long commitment to Oakridge soccer were Vic and Margaret Bailey and Randy Brewe. All three are stepping down after serving on the board for many years. The frst meeting for the 2000 season will be held in January.

Baseball -- Baseball has just completed another successful season. Jim Foster has stepped down as chairman and Joe O'Neill is the new chair. Many thanks to Jim for his dedication and service and welcome Joe.

There are still several positions available on the baseball committee, if anyone is interested in helping out give Joe a call at 641-8441.

Bingo Report

This is the main fund raising endeavor for our club. Numerous organizations, teams, youth programs and scholarships depend on the sponsorship dollars that we provide through our work at the Bingo Palace/Castle. Please try to be available for the dates listed below. Times indicated are when we should arrive.

October 6, 1999 Team 1 & 2 6:00 pm

October 29, 1999 Team 3 & 4 9:45 pm

November 14, 1999 Team 1 & 2 11:45 am

December 11, 1999 Team 3 & 4 9:45 pm

January 23, 2000 Team 1 & 2 3:45 pm

February 20, 2000 Team 3 & 4 11:45 pm

March 2, 2000 Team 1 & 2 6:00 pm

Bingo Chair, Doug McMaster reports the following revenue from more recent events. These figures do not include our share of Nevada sales or Super Star Bingo profits.

June 5, 1999 $491.99

July 3, 1999 $887.60

August 14, 1999 $522.45

September 5, 1999 $710.78

October 7, 1999 $384.74

Total to date for 1999---------$7217.15

Our Bingo Account is just over $23 000.00

During the past month donations have gone to Developmentally Challenged Class at Oakridge S.S. ($330.00), London Ringette Assoc. ($300.00), Oakridge Baseball Com. for player subsidies ($800.00) and Youth in Education Program (see article)

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
 

The next meeting of the Board of Directors is Thursday, Novembe 4^th at Oakridge Arena.