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OOOppptttiiimmmiiisssttt Indianapolis Downtown Optimist Club

Indiana South District – Zone 1 CHARTER NO. 1 – May 15, 1916

Scottish Rite Cathedral – Fridays, 12 noon www.optimistindiana.org/indydowntown

***************** Optimist International's

Mission is to foster an optimistic way of life, through a network of

Optimists, dedicated to the full development of their potential in order

to provide ever-expanding service to youth, the community

and the world.

******************

President’s Message: Courtney Curry, DOC President 2013-2014 Club To Do List:

Clothe-A-Child - April 5th (this Saturday). Several more Volunteers are still needed to help the kids shop. Members, Friends, Co-workers, Prospective members. 7 a.m. at JC Penney, 86th and Michigan Road (8752 N. Michigan Road).

Membership – identify and invite prospective members. Bring them to a club meeting or activity.

PPRROOGGRRAAMMSS && AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS

OFFICERS 2013-14

COURTNEY CURRY President VALLY ALLEN

President-elect

CHUCK CURRY

Immediate Past

President

MANDY CURRY

VP – Administration

CHERYL CURRY

VP – Youth Projects

KEN KOLMERTEN

Secretary/Treasurer

KEN LOUDENBACK

Sergeant-at-Arms

KIM LOUDENBACK

Chaplain

Indiana South District www.optimistindiana.org

Optimist International

www.optimist.org By providing hope

and positive vision,

Optimists bring out

the best in

children.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

- Class of 2014 - TODD BAUMAN

CHARLEY KOEHLER REGGIE LEE

HERMAN GREENWOOD

- Class of 2015 - YOLANDA

GREENWOOD KIM LOUDENBACK

KAYTE LOUDENBACK JACK RUBAK

Indiana South

District 2013-14

Frank Fowler, District Governor

Come Soar With Me

Rick Posson, Lt. Gov., Zone 1

Ron Huxley,

OI President

MO - Optimist

Volume XIII

Issue 7

April 2014

Bulletin Editor: Rick

France

Send your news and announce-

ments.

Apr. 4 – Matt Gutwein, President/CEO, Marion Co. Health & Welfare Corp.: community benefits derived from Eskanazi Hospital; Scottish Rite, 12 noon.

Apr. 5 – Clothe-A-Child project – details below.

Apr. 9 – DOC Board meeting, Wesley United Methodist church; 5:30 p.m. meal; 6 p.m. mtg.

Apr. 11 – Vob Osili, City County Councilman Dist. 15; 2nd chances for offenders Scottish Rite, 12 noon.

Apr. 11-12 –District Opti Conference, Terre Haute.

Apr. 18 – No DOC meeting - Good Friday

Apr. 25 – Brig. Gen. USAF (Ret.) J. Stuart Goodwin; Executive Director Indiana War Memorials; Scottish Rite, 12 noon. DOC Board of Director elections.

Program Chairs

April: Yolanda Greenwood & Ken Loudenback

May: Mandy Curry

June: Jim Stockman

July: open

August: open

September: Kayte Loudenback

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Member & Club News: Several DOCers attended the recent Regional Oratorical Contest at Plainfield in support

of our 2 participants, Grace Murphy and Chris McKay: thanks to Herman & Yolanda Greenwood, Vally Allen, Frances

Autrey and Rick & Pat France . . . Rick & Pat France made a trip to St. Louis recently. Part of the purpose of the trip was to celebrate Pat’s year as Governor. Pat and the other Governors of the Mid America Region & spouses were invited to dinner with Optimist International Immediate Past OI President J.S. St-Onge and Immediate Past VP Jerry Schue. Rick and Pat spent the rest of the weekend in St. Louis going though banker boxes of DOC material that is archived at the Optimist International headquarters. They collected some great club historical information in preparation of the club’s 100th anniversary coming up in 2016 . . .

AApprriill BBiirrtthhddaayyss:: Lynn Youngblood (3rd), Charlie Koehler (19th), and Jose Tord (22nd). This is a short list of April birthdays. Did I miss anyone? Let’s work on getting more March members. Remember, DOC has a tradition to contribute to the youth fund on your birthday an amount either to equal the number of years you have been in the club or your age, or another amount. We welcome birthday contributions to the youth fund whether it’s your birthday or not.

Clothe-A-Child project: Once again DOC members will be helping kids from the East 10th Street

United Methodist Church Youth Program pick out new clothes, shoes and garments. DOC members and volunteers meet at 7:00 a.m. (yes, early in the morning) at the JC Penney Store at West 86th St. & Michigan Road. Francine Bond and the one or more of the Curry ladies, chairs. Board of Director Elections – April 25. It’s that time of year to elect new members to the Club Board of Directors. Herman Greenwood and Kim Loudenback are seeking up to 8 candidates to fill 4 seats on the Board. If you are interested, let Herman or Kim know, otherwise, they will be out there recruiting and convincing.

RReeggiioonnaall OOrraattoorriiccaall CCoonntteesstt RReessuullttss:: Our kids, Grace Murphy and Chris McKay did well. Grace won

the girl’s contest that saw 6 contestants and she advances to the District Finals in Terre Haute later in April. Grace was a clear choice of the 3 judges. Chris finished 4th out of 6 in the boy’s event. Chris actually tied for 3rd in the ranking but was edged out in total points. We wish Grace the best and hope that Chris tries again next year; he has more years of eligibility. Participants were sponsored by Indy Downtown, Indy Breakfast, 500 West, Avon, Terre Haute Breakfast, Columbus and Plainfield Opti clubs. This year the kids ranged from 5th grade through high school.

District Essay Contest Results: The results of the District Essay Contest were just announced and our club winner Corwin Irwin’s essay was not a finalist. 18 essays were entered into the District Competition. The winner was sponsored by the Terre Haute Noon Opti Club, with 2nd sponsored by the Center Grove Opti Club, and 3rd by the Shelby County Opti Club. Congratulations to Corwin for his fine effort.

Indiana South District Conference, April 12, Terre Haute. This District Conference features the Oratorical Contest Finals, presentation of the Essay and Oratorical contest plaques and scholarships, and election of the 2014-15 Lt. Governors plus other great programs. Carl Westenbarger, OI Vice President of the Mid America Region, will be making an official visit. Registration and conference details are available at the badge box. Register early if you want to be sure to be included in the luncheon; walk-ins welcome but at risk for the meal.

Kellogg Free Book program – check out Kellogg products for the Family Rewards label and a special code inside each box. Collect those codes and bring them (the box or cut out the entire code portion) to Courtney Curry. She will coordinate collecting and submitting the codes to receive free children’s books. DOC will donate those books to a school library. These codes can also be found on Eggos, Kiebler products and certain other packages.

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Program Summary – Mar. 14: We were treated by the winners of the club’s Oratorical and Essay Contests. After a rather exciting and profitable St Patrick's auction, we were privileged to hear from the winners of the club Oratorical and Essay contests. All of the participants were once again from the St. Jude Catholic School. Grace Murphy, the girl Oratorical winner, talked about how books and reading influenced her life. Chris McKay, the boy winner, talked about his passion to help others. Other Oratorical participants present included Samantha Curtis, Gabrielle Viduya, Emily Schubach. Cameron Irwin, the Essay Contest winner, read his essay about Dream for Success. Other Essay entrants present were Gabrielle Viduya and Dave Shrader. Grace and Chris next compete at the Regional Oratorical Contest. Cameron’s essay was sent on for District judging. Susan Denzler, their teacher/coach, was also present as were Mrs. Irwin and Mrs. Murphy. – Report by Bob Bailey

Program Summary – Mar. 21: Longfellow Super Citizens Day: Cindy Eckle, teacher sponsor, introduced the kids and reads their teachers’ nominating remarks. The tenet chosen this term was “wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.” The focus was a good attitude and appropriate behavior. The Kids: Christian, Key, Cody, Dakota, Stephanie and Anniah.

Program Summary – Mar. 28th – Bob Brafford introduced an old friend, Bruce Schumacher, of the Indianapolis Indians, who gave a recap of the 2013 season and a look to what we can expect in 2014. The Indians won their division in 2013 but lost in the playoffs. They had an outstanding record and sent several players to the resurgent Pittsburgh Pirates. Also, they had the best attendance in all of minor league baseball. Many of last year's players plus the manager and coaching staff will be back. We should expect great things from newbie, Greg Polanco. A new free Wi-Fi system has been installed and the third base gift shop has been redone. The club opens in Columbus in April 3rd and has their home opener with the Toledo Mudhens on April 10th. DOC will have an Indians baseball outing date in late June. So let's PLAY BALL!!! – Report by Bob Bailey.

- Save the Date – Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH), May 21st, 1:30 p.m., Indiana School for

the Deaf (Auditorium). Marty Keller, chair.

Indianapolis Indians Baseball Outing - Date pending in late June – watch for details. Bob Brafford, event chair.

Symphony on the Prairie - August 23rd, the Beach Boys. $30 per person for reserved seating at

tables in front of the stage. 8 p.m. concert time; gates open at 6 p.m. Charley Koehler, event chair.

Box Tops for Education for Cedar Elementary School in Avon.

Look for this symbol on products - Clip ‘em and Bring ‘em !

Remember our collections of beverage can pull tabs (also soups, pet food, vegetable cans with pull tabs), hygiene items and toiletries, coffee & tea service, soup labels & Box Tops for Education, paperback books, and items to support the Ronald McDonald House and to help family members who are visiting their children in local hospitals.

Meeting Note Reminder: Each member is to pay $2.00 when attending a Friday meeting to help offset meeting room costs. This covers the drinks (iced tea, lemonade, coffee, water) that are provided in the room, gratuities, and servicing the meeting room (set-up/clean-up). The money goes to the catering company not to the club. Please remember to pay the $2.

Clothe-A Child – this Saturday!