Meridian Optimist Club

Meridian Optimist Club donates to Joplin, MO family

2011-08-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Meridian Optimist Club members Ron and Donna Petersen answered a calling from their church ministry to help aid relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri following the devastating tornado that struck on May 22, 2011. This video explains their participation.

The Meridian Optimist Club donated $500 towards the effort.

Meridian Optimist Club fundraiser

2010-11-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree Sales begin this weekend! Download the flyer and join us.

Meridian Optimist Jr Rifle Club News

2010-08-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

A team of air rifle shooters from Idaho recently competed at the 2010 NRA National Air Rifle Championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sponsored by Meridian Optimist Junior Rifle Club.

The Idaho team, which included Alicia Eckman, Nampa; Cassie Benavides, Meridian; Hayden Quilter, Boise; Mitchell Van Patten, Meridian; and Marianna Molinari, Blackfoot; competed in two shooting disciplines: precision and sporter.

The Sporter Team of Eckman, Quilter, Van Patten, and Benavides, won second place for the State Association Teams.

Eckman also set the highest prone score during the first day of competition, tying a national record. She finished 11th in the Intermediate Junior Sporter Division and 31st in IJ Precision.

Quilter placed 36th in IJ Sporter and 32nd in IJ Precision; Benavides placed 44th in IJ Sporter; and Molinari placed 28th in the Precision Junior Division.

Van Patten earned gold medals in the sub-junior age groups in Sporter and Precision competitions, as well as highest overall kneeling score, setting a new NRA national record and two other national records. His scores from the first day of competition earned him a spot on the USA team match against South African in precision and sporter categories. He is the first shooter ever to earn a place on both teams, officials said.

PNW Optimist Clubs: Mark Baer advances to Optimist International Junior Golf Championships

2010-07-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Junior golfer Mark Baer was a good sport at a recent Meridian Optimist Club meeting where Susan Thompson and the golf committee treated him to some goofy gifts to not take with him on his trip to Florida to play in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.

Mark recently won the PNW District - Optimist International Junior Golf Championship Qualifying Tournament and earned the right to advance to play at the PGA National Resort and Spa with approximately 600 other golfers from around the world.

For the wholestory, please click here: PNW Optimist Clubs: Mark Baer advances to Optimist International Junior Golf Championships

Good luck Mark. We're cheering for you!

Meridian Optimist Jr Rifle Team

2010-07-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

"Team Idaho" at the National Junior Airgun Championships in Albuquerque, from left to right Meridian Junior Rifle Club shooters Mitchell Van Patten, Hayden Quilter, Alicia Eckman, and Cassie Benavides, and Blackfoot shooter Marianna Molinari.

Opti-Bull November 7, 2009

2009-11-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

2009-2010 President Mark Sullivan

Mark Sullivan has stepped up to the plate to lead us through the year to come. He is full of wonderful ideas and energy to make this year a great year! The Meridian Optimist Club already has great projects and fundraisers, but be sure Mark will make these even better. He has appointed a committee to start up the casino fundraiser so we are well prepared and can make this a great event and bring in lots of money to support our clubs projects and our gun club. The gun club needs a new building and Mark is making sure we don’t drop the ball. Through this year I am sure we won’t just be talking about building a new building but steps will finally be taken to make this happen. Mark we are all excited for this year and all the projects the club will be doing. You are just the man to do the job!

Installation Dinner
Thank you to Rick’s Pressroom for opening your doors on a Sunday evening and allowing us to hold this wonderful event at your restaurant. The food, as always, was delicious! The installation dinner was a wonderful treat. But with great company, great food, and lots of laughs what more was there to ask for? An awesome 2009-2010 team was installed. Congratulations to our basket winners, Travis and Tina winning the BSU basket, Ken and Cindy winning the Vandal’s beer, Kim and Jerry winning the Breakfast basket, and Charlie and Patty winning the dinner and a movie basket!

A New Look
The gun club received a bit of a face lift on the inside thanks to Elke and Gail. They took time out to clean it up. They took down old clippings from past shooters and made space for our current kids! They even put a new sign up on the door! Next time you go there make sure to take a look. It looks great!

Welcome New Members
Diana Howard
Kim Keene
Eddie Solórzano

And next to come…

Gun club fix up
November 7 – Come and join us. We will be fixing the waterline at the gun club Saturday morning. All who are able to help are encouraged to come. We will be meeting at Express Café for breakfast at 8am then heading to the gun club when are bellies are full.

Rake up Eagle
November 7 – Grab your rakes and help rake up the city! 8 am.

Rake up Meridian
November 14 – Grab your rakes and help rake up Meridian! We will be meeting at the Boys and Girls club at 8:30 am.

Casino Fundraiser
November 17 – Casino fundraiser planning meeting at Ron Peterson’s at 7pm

Food Baskets
November 9 – Containers will be dropped off at the schools.

November 20 – We will be meeting for lunch, then head out to pick up the food from the schools and take all food items to Red Line where we will sort and box.

November 21 - The best part. Everyone should meet at Red Line and deliver to the families. If you have yet to volunteer to deliver you should sign up this time. This is the perfect way to see the difference we are making!

Christmas Trees**
November 27 – (The day after Thanksgiving) Trees will be delivered! Come join us for breakfast 8am at Express Café. We will meet, at, then set up the Christmas tree lot.

December 7 – Larry Gebert with channel 7 will be at the Christmas tree lot. So rise early, dress warm, and come on down.

** We will need volunteers everyday from November 27 until all Christmas trees are sold. It is a great fundraiser, can’t wait to see you there!

Submitted by Opti-Bull editor Cassandra Lynch.

Meridian OptiBull March 23

2009-03-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

Meridian Optimist Club recognized for being an Honor Club in 2007-2008
At the recent PNW District Regional Meeting the Meridian Optimist Club was recognized as an Honor Club for the 2007-2008 administrative year. Less than twenty-five percent of all Optimist Clubs earn the distinction of Honor Club. However, it has become a tradition for the MOC to consistently be recognized by the PNW District and Optimist International for their excellence in service to the community. Congratulations to everyone who made this recognition possible. Let’s give a big High Five to our leaders for 2007-2008: Bill Garcia, President and Kimberly Bowers, Secretary/Treasurer.

You can help the MOC celebrate some Annual Events in April
This month offers us two great ways to sample what being an Optimist is all about as we hold two of our signature events.

Annual Oratorical Contest on April 8
This year’s theme is “For me, Optimism is…” Optimist International began the oratorical contest in 1928 as a way to help students learn to express themselves and prepare for continuing their education and work pursuits. Join th club and the children as they make their presentations on April 8, 6:30 pm, at Meridian City Hall. If you know of a student that wants to participate, please have them download the rules at http://www.meridianoptimist.org/ and/or contact the Sue at 409-0792.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 11
Chairman Trenna Bowman Garcia invites all Optimists and their friends and families to join us for the 32nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt. This little guy sure had a great time with his grandparents Ken and Cindi Wall at last year’s event. Plan to join us on April 11 – Breakfast at Express Café at 8:00 am; Setup at Meridian Elementary School, 48 W. State Street at 9:00 am; Egg-off at 11:00 am sharp!

Luck o’the Irish Casino Night

The Meridian Optimists joined forces with the Meridian Firefighters Local 2647 to help them raise funds for a Pipes & Drums Corps. Thanks to everyone who made this a fun and fund-raiser for both groups. Optimist Member, Fireman and event chairman Rod Shaul has already announced plans for a repeat performance in 2010.

Recent activities include:
President Sue and Past President Dr. Tom represented the MOC when we traveled to Twin Falls for a Regional Meeting for the PNW District. While visiting with our Optimist friends is fun, business is also conducted at the district meetings. Every club president serves as a member of the District Board of Directors and as such, they have the opportunity to participate in deciding what direction the district will take to promote and expand the reach of Optimist Clubs both at home and in our geographic region. Other club members can also benefit from the networking and inspirational activities that are part of the District Meeting agenda. We welcomed new member Jeff Peterson into the Meridian Optimist Club!

We helped President Sue Thompson celebrate her March birthday.

A little bit of networking took place at the Luck o’ the Irish Casino Night with Tom McKinstry and Dr. Tom Hammond.

What’s happening next?

Junior Golf Tournament Planning
March 25 – 6:30 pm at Smokey Mountain Pizza. Join the committee and help make our newest club activity successful.

New Member Induction
April 8 – 7:00 a.m. Help us welcome our newest members to the Club! Each new member will learn about the purposes of Optimist International and get the opportunity to tell us about themselves! New member inductions will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Sponsor a member today!

Optimist Oratorical Contest
April 8 – 6:30 pm Hear what the kids have to say at the Club contest about “For me, optimism is…” at Meridian City Hall.

32nd Annual MOC Easter Egg Hunt
April 11- Meridian Elementary School 48 W. State Street. Egg-off at 11:00 am sharp. Join your friends for breakfast at Express Café at 8:00 am or arrive at the school at 9:00 am for set-up.

Board Meeting at Smokey Mountain Pizza!
April 15—7:00 p.m. The Board meets on the third Wednesday of every month unless otherwise noticed. Meetings are always open to all!

Zone and Regional Optimist Oratorical Contest
April 25 – 11:00 am Zone and Regional Contest at the old Boys & Girls Club.

District Meeting in Hood River
May 15-16 – It’s the most favorite District Meeting of the year because we get to hear and see the finals of the District Oratorical Contest. Elections for Lt. Governors will also be held. Join us in Hood River, Oregon for the fun.

National Historical Month
May 22 - MOC Bus Tour with Lila Hill. Find out more from Dr. Tom Hammond.

Club meetings!

Every Wednesday –7:00 a.m. Join us at Rick’s Press Room, 130 E. Idaho, Meridian.

Meridian OptiBull February 22

2009-02-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

We’re on the move…
Your Optimist Club keeps growing! That’s a good problem to have; but with the unexpected closing of Kal’s Big Breakfast, the MOC had to go out in search of a new meeting location to accommodate our usual number of attendees. Thanks to MOC member Rick Valenzuela, Rick’s Press Room stepped up to the challenge and has graciously offered his restaurant for a private Meridian Optimist Club breakfast every Wednesday.

It’s a special party every week – and you have a standing invitation! The first breakfast was terrific. Thanks Rick! We look forward to many more.

Meet new member Doug Mason
Doug joined the MOC in January and has already pitched in on a really big move in town. With equipment from his employer, Sanitary Services Co. (SSC), Doug helped make short work of the Meridian Food Bank’s relocation to Bower Street. Thanks to Doug, the job was accomplished in hours instead of days.

Flintstones are no match for the Pirates at the Annual Chili Cook-off
Staying with tradition, MOC members dressed up for their themed chili for the 1st Annual Meridian Fireman’s Chili Cook-off. This is the first year for the firemen to coordinate the event that they inherited from the Meridian Chamber. Always a favorite of our members who like to pretend they are someone else for a day, this year they pretended to be the loveable characters from Bedrock – a place right out of history!
According to the story in the Valley Times, the Eagle Fire Department entered Pirates in the contest and no one was a match for the pirate calendar. Or was it a Firemen Calendar? Aye, matey! Need I say more?

Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 11
The candy has been ordered! Prizes have been purchased! According to Chairman Trenna Bowman Garcia, the rest is all fun. Plan to join us on April 11 and before for preparations. Details to be provided soon.

Casino Night Fund Raisers

The casino tables have found a renewed energy with Chairman Ron Petersen. He’s marketing them to the community along with volunteer Optimist dealers to help. Be sure to step up to this fun and fund raising opportunity. Watch for details coming soon on a combined fundraising event for the Meridian Fire Department and the MOC.

Recent visitors and activities include:
President Sue Thompson, Bill Garcia and Linda Jackson attended the Boise Noon Optimist Club Meeting at the request of Nooners Ken Wall, Larry Highley and Michael Bouton. The purpose of the meeting was a ransom demand! Buster Bronco was returned to his rightful owners for the mere price of one Meridian gavel. As a bonus, Sue received two gavels instead of one.

Jessica Galloway, executive director, Idaho Peace Officers Memorial visited to confirm MOC’s participation in the Fun Run scheduled for May 9.

Due to the favorable weather we’ve been enjoying, Bill Holstein found his way to town to enjoy a meeting recently. We were hiding at JB’s restaurant for the day, but thanks to his investigative skills as a super insurance sleuth, he found us anyway. You can see why he has a hard time getting here in the snow. Good to see you Bill!

The Meridian Optimist Junior Air Rifle Club has been competing! Junior Olympic trials were held and twenty-one shooters participated. Ross Hadfield and Bob Nelson shared the news at a recent meeting.

What’s happening next?
Regional Meeting in Twin Falls
March 7 – Join the MOC usual suspects for a Regional District Meeting at Bridgeview Estates in Twin Falls. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Idaho Optimists, plus District Governor Peter Smith will be there to welcome you and Immediate Past Governor Steve Andersen will be presenting awards for the 2007-2008 administrative year. Can you guess which Idaho club will be honored?

Casino Nights
March 7 and 21 – Dealers needed. Call Ron Petersen at 866-3706 or Rod Shaul at 888-4699 to volunteer.

New Member Induction
March 11 – 7:00 a.m. Help us welcome our newest members to the Club! Each new member will learn about the purposes of Optimist International and get the opportunity to tell us about themselves! New member inductions will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Sponsor a member today!

Board Meeting at LOCATION TBA!
March 18—7:00 p.m. The Board meets on the third Thursday of every month unless otherwise noticed. Meetings are always open to all!

Optimist Oratorical Contest
April 8 – 6:30 pm Hear what the kids have to say at the Club contest about “For me, optimism is…” at Meridian City Hall.
April 25 – 11:00 am Come back for the Zone Contest at the old Boys & Girls Club.

Club meetings!
Every Wednesday –7:00 a.m. Join us at Rick’s Press Room, 130 E. Idaho, Meridian.

Looking Forward
April 11- Easter Egg Hunt
May 15-16 - District Meeting in Hood River

May 21 -National Historical Month Meridian Bus Tour with Lila Hill

The Meridian OptiBull January 10, 2009

2009-01-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
Wow! Can you believe that it is already the second week of 2009? I hope it’s not too late to share a wish with you that Oprah Winfrey shared with her guests on her popular television show. She said, “Welcome to 2009. It’s another chance to get things right!”

What a great approach If you feel that you already are successful, then keep on keeping on. If you didn’t quite make your goals, then try a little harder. And if you just blew it – didn’t keep any of your resolutions or didn’t make any – then this is your chance to try again.

I believe that most Optimists get it right when they strive to carry out the tenets of the Optimist Creed. Join us every week and double your chances for a successful year!

Holiday Season equals Fund Raising Season
The Meridian Optimist Club celebrated the holidays by holding two great fund raisers. According to S/T Bill Garcia, the Christmas Tree lot brought in $600 less than last year and spent $300 less than last year. Sounds like whatever we did, we doubled our money!

In dollars, that should compute to approximately $22,900 gross and $10,900 net. That’s approximately $400 more than budgeted and with this economy, that deserves a BIG HIGH 5! Well done team! Special thanks to Chairman Kirk Farnsworth and every Optimist and Rifle Club member that made up the sales force and set-up/tear-down team. We appreciate you!

A fun-filled, value-added activity was headed up by Ron Petersen, Casino Chairman. Instead of just renting out the casino tables, he rented our Optimist members as dealers. Our Optimist team got to enjoy a little holiday fun with Idaho Power and others and earn approximately $1,700 to boot. Ron says, “Children are our best ‘bet’.” Great job Ron! Thank you dealers!

Scholarship contests
The Optimist International Essay Contest is underway and MOC is hoping to receive essays from students at area schools. The topic is “The Power of Youth.” Students under 19 years of age as of December 31, 2008 are eligible to participate. Deadline for entry is January 31, 2009.

The Optimist International Oratorical Contest is also seeking participants. Students must be under the age of 16 as of December 31, 2008. The topic is “To me, optimism is…”. The club level competition will take place in mid-March.

Complete rules and entry forms can be found at http://www.meridianoptimist.org/. Please help spread the word! Homeschoolers are welcome too!

Recent visitors and activities include:
Tracy Shaw from the Wishing Star Foundation shared some heartwarming stories about helping kids with life-threatening illnesses. According to Tracy, Wishing Star is unique in that they help out “beyond the wish” for birthdays, holidays, and any other time a helping hand is needed. The Foundation was formed in the Coeur d’Alene area in 1993. Tracy is shown here with Kevin Orth.

Melissa Delaney from the Meridian Police Department made a presentation to the club on the same day that Tom McKinstry pulled the winning card and pocketed $214. Guess what? If you missed it, Tom still owes us breakfast! It’s a tradition that the winner buys!

Breck Thompson joined Cassie Lynch, Sue Thompson, Linda Jackson and a volunteer from St. Luke’s to wrap Christmas presents for Santa’s Toy Box. Santa’s Toy Box provides gifts to children who are in the hospital during Christmas. Special thanks to Sue for answering the call to help find more gifts when their toy box ran low. With donations from the community, she added 73 more gifts to their program.

Tina Ellis, Founder and Executive Director of Angel Cakes Charity told us all about her pet project of baking and delivering cakes to people just to help them feel special on their birthdays or other days as needed. She started working with hospice clients, branched out to kids in foster care and is now expanding her reach to area rescue missions. She has a team of Angel Bakers that share her passion including Donna Petersen. Donna claims her baking style is “grandma baker.”

What’s happening next?
New Member Induction
January 14 – 7:00 a.m. Help us welcome our newest members to the Club! Each new member will learn about the purposes of Optimist International and get the opportunity to tell us about themselves! New member inductions will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Sponsor a member today!

Board Meeting at a NEW LOCATION!
January 21—7:00 p.m. The Board Meeting is moving across Main Street to Corkscrews. We’ll meet some new people and still be a fan of Rick’s. Rick has offered to fix “to-go” dinners and Trenna has volunteered to be our go-fer! Board meetings are open to all.

Essay Contest Deadline
January 31 – All essays must be received by the club on this day.

Regional Meeting in Twin Falls
March 7 – Plan ahead and join the MOC contingent for a District Meeting. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Idaho Optimists, plus our District Governor Peter Smith will be there to welcome you. Keep your ears open and you may find out more about a side trip to Jackpot!
Club meetings!

Every Wednesday – We hope to see you at 7:00 a.m. Join us at Kal’s Big Breakfast, 39 E. State Street, Meridian.

In Memory

John Dodge will be remembered at a memorial service on Jan. 21 in Vancouver WA. John was a past PNW District Governor and member of the Portland-Lloyd Center Optimist Club.

The Meridian Opti Bull December 1, 2008

2008-12-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
‘Tis the busy season for the Meridian Optimist Club. The Meridian Optimist Christmas Tree Lot opened on November 29. We send a special thanks to the burly elves that showed up early on Saturday morning to unload the truck and set up the lot. The truck was unloaded in record time and by 10:00 a.m. they had begun to set up trees and put the decorative touches on the fence and trailer. Customers were arriving and purchasing well before 2:00 p.m. Great job!

Chairman Kirk Farnsworth is looking for workers for all days and times. Please give him a call at 850-6729 and let him know you’ll be there to help. The tree lot hours are:
§ Weekdays – 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
§ Saturday – 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
§ Sunday – 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tree Lot Promotion
Larry Gebert will broadcast live from the Tree Lot on Friday, December 5. Be an early riser and help us promote the great things that Optimists do throughout the year.

Holiday Food baskets delivered
Kudos to Chairpersons Jim Correia and Kim Bowers and everyone who came out to help with collecting and sorting food and delivering food baskets to thirty-two families on behalf of the Meridian Optimist Club. Every family received more than 100 lbs. of food. The crew began the project at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and was done sorting by 7:00 p.m. Many came back out on Saturday morning to make the home deliveries. Rick Valenzuela from Rick’s Press Room added a very personal and caring touch to the gifts this year. As a special treat, he made homemade pies for every family. Well done everyone!

We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming guests to our recent meetings:

Cindy Wall, President, Boise Noon Optimist Club visited to present a check for
$2,400 to the Meridian Optimist Concessionaires for their hard work at the Boise Optimist Football Complex. Special thanks to Sue Thompson, Bill Holstein, Trenna Garcia and Bill Garcia for working every Saturday at this event.

Buster Bronco has abdicated his place of honor at the Boise Noon Optimist Club meetings to take a tour of the Treasure Valley. Word is he plans to spend the
holidays with President Sue.

Michele Larson, Development Manager, Idaho Make-A-Wish Foundation, stopped by to tell us about the inspirational wishes that are granted for children with life-threatening illnesses. There were 86 wishes granted in 2007 in Idaho; 52% of those wishes were for children in the Treasure Valley. Wishes cost about $6,500 each.

Pam Orr, Firefighter and Community Outreach Representative, Meridian Fire Department stopped by to give us some fire safety tips. Find her brochure at the Christmas Tree lot for full
information. She also invited individuals to participate in the Public Safety Academy conducted each year to teach residents about public services in Meridian. Log on to www.meridiancity.org/fire to learn more.

Coming this month
December 3 – Tracy Shaw, Wishing Star Foundation
December 17 – Melissa Delaney, Meridian Police Department

What’s happening next?

Christmas Tree Extravaganza!
November 29 until they are gone – Join us for a little holiday retail fun! The Tree Lot is open every day: Weekdays – 2 to 8; Saturday 9 to 8; and Sunday 10 to 6. Sign-up sheets are circulating for our biggest fund raiser of the year. Sign up early and often! Call Kirk at 850-6729 to let him know you’ll be there.

Rise and Shine with Larry Gebert!
December 5—4:30 a.m. at the Meridian Optimist Club Christmas Tree Lot, 250 E. Overland Road. Channel 7 Weatherman Larry Gebert will again help the club by announcing the Christmas Tree Lot during the morning report. Come down for fun, coffee and hot chocolate. Rumor has it that there may even be breakfast served. All elves are requested to be there early!
Meridian Winterland Parade
December 6 – 11:30 to 2:00, downtown Meridian. MOC will help the Meridian Chamber direct traffic for this fun, family event. Call Dr. Tom at 631-6637 for details.

Board Meeting!
No Board Meeting this month – If urgent matters arise, a new date will be determined.

Casino Night Fund Raisers!
December 17 and December 19 – Groups that are leasing our casino tables are looking for dealers. Ron Petersen has the details on this easy fund raiser for the club. Give him a call at 866-3706 if you are available to assist.

Club meetings!
December 3-10-17-24-31 – We hope to see you every Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. Join us at Kal’s Big Breakfast, 39 E. State Street, Meridian.

The Meridian Opti Bull November 10, 2008

2008-12-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

Sue Thompson named Optimist of the Year
Shortly after presiding after her first meeting as Meridian Optimist Club president, Sue was recognized at the 2008 Installation Banquet as the Optimist of the Year for 2007-2008. According to Immediate Past President Bill Garcia, Sue was always ready to take on a new project and always there to make sure the project was completed. Congratulations Sue and best wishes for the great year ahead!

As president, Sue says that she wants to “Switch it up!” In addition to the great projects that the club already performs, she hopes to start a golf tournament for kids that will advance them to the District tournament. She also hopes to build the club membership so that we have the ability to consider new activities. What a great start – five new members joined the MOC in October!

First project of the year is complete
Thanks to everyone who came out to work at the concession stands for the Meridian Optimist Club at the Boise Optimist Football Complex. The fall football program serves more than five thousand kids. This fundraising effort is a great partnering opportunity that allows the Boise and Meridian Clubs to support each other.

The Flintstones visit first quarter district meeting

Yes, it’s true! Fred, Wilma, Betty and Barney are all Optimists. They share d their unique brand of inspiration when they gathered with the representatives from twenty-six different Optimist Clubs in the PNW District during the First Quarter Meeting in Gig Harbor, WA. They learned about the topics and deadlines for district and international programs for 2008-2009 and shared experiences about adding new members and new projects to a club’s busy agenda. Club presidents and secretary-treasurers were also invited to learn about budgeting during a mock board of directors meeting and to role-play during a model club meeting. According to leadership development co-chair Ed Murphy, this allows the participants to learn from each other so they may take back fresh ideas to help run their clubs more smoothly. It also allows the newly elected presidents to experience the agenda that is promoted by Optimist International for helping members be engaged.

Welcome new members!
Linda Jackson
Cassie Lynch
Kevin Orth
Donna Petersen
Bob ThompsonYes

First Tee and the OIJGC
Anne Williamson, Executive Director with the First Tee of Idaho visited the club to discuss this fabulous life skills and character development program for kids that sets its curriculum around golf. Anne told us that the program was started in 1997 by the World Golf Foundation and while Tiger Woods is a contributor to the program it is not his foundation. First Tee came to Idaho in 2005. It operates out of Pierce Park Greens and Foxtail Golf Course. More than 2,500 students in the Boise and Meridian School Districts have learned about the positive learning opportunities offered by First Tee through their school outreach program.

It was first thought that the Meridian Optimist Club might join together with the First Tee to sponsor a qualifying tournament for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (OIJGC). Since the mission of the First Tee is character development and not competition, the Meridian Optimist Club will most likely support the First Tee program, but proceed with a golf tournament on our own. New members Kevin Orth and Bob Thompson are anxious to get a golf project started!

Speaking of character development
The Meridian Optimist Junior Air Rifle Club has started the fall season with sixty-five young shooters. The participants learn discipline, character development, self- motivation and endurance through this NRA sanctioned program. Way to go MOC!

What’s happening next?

Board Meeting!
November 19 – 7:00 pm at Rick’s Press Room, 130 E. Idaho. Find out what projects are being planned and how you can help by joining the Board of Directors at the monthly Board Meeting. Unless notice is given, the Board meets on the third Wednesday of every month and all members are welcome.

Food baskets!
November 21-22— time to be announced at the Meridian School District, 1303 E. Central Drive. The club is once again gathering canned goods and non-perishable items from the schools. Join us on as we put together and deliver 30 baskets to families in the Meridian community.

Christmas tree delivery and sales!
November 29 – time to be announced at Meridian Ford, 250 E. Overland Road. The trees usually arrive before noon and all hands are welcome to assist. Sign-up sheets will be circulating for working at the Christmas Tree lot for our biggest fund raiser of the year. Sign up early and often! Call Kirk at 375-2639 to let him know you’ll be there.

Rise and Shine with Larry Gebert!
December 5—O’dark thirty at the Meridian Optimist Club Christmas Tree Lot, 250 E. Overland Road. Channel 7 weatherman Larry Gebert will again help the club by announcing the Christmas Tree Lot during the morning report. Come down for fun, coffee and hot chocolate. Rumor has it that there may even be breakfast served. All elves are requested to be there early!

Club meetings!
November 2-9-16-23-30 – We hope to see you every Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. Join us at Kal’s Big Breakfast, 39 E. State Street, Meridian.