The Weekly Bulletin

October 1, 2018

 

Call to order: Mary Dewey, President at 12:05 p.m.

Invocation: Sid Sullivan

Pledge: Ron Berg

 

Introduction of Guests

Sid Sullivan shared that his wife Joan joined him to the meeting today.

 

Bob Moore introduced himself as a guest to the meeting today.  The purpose for his attendance is to share that a documentary called Big Sonia is being introduced into the Columbia Public Schools.  It is a very good documentary about Sonia, a survivor of the Holocaust and lives in Kansas City, MO, who talks about her experience in the Holocaust.  Mr. Moore indicated it will be shown today at 6:00 p.m. at Battle High School and Sonia will be present at Columbia Hickman High School on Wednesday 10/3/18 at 5:30 p.m. to speak about the documentary. Mr. Moore added that the Optimist Creed is important to Sonia. Mr. Moore will provide more information about the documentary at the Downtown Optimist meeting next Monday, 10/8/18.

 

Birthdays and Anniversaries

None

 

Greeter

Larry Fick congratulated Sid Sullivan for all the hard work he has done in preparing the weekly newsletters.

 

Mystery Person

Scott Stager reported due to the improved cooler temperatures he was able to do more yard work at home.  He added he received a text about two weeks ago from his niece in Minnesota, who will be visiting to go with Scott to the Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, Kansas this weekend.  It is a three-day event that has been occurring for over 40 years.  It is a big thematic event with crafts, craft sales, and stages for entertainment (e.g., musicians).  Scott will be demonstrating woodworking at the event.

 

 

Announcements

• Sign In or Pay the Pig.  All were signed in.
• Mary stated social dues are due now for the 2018-2019 year.  Dues are $80.00.  This is the Internal Optimist Club 100^th year.  We are trying to bring new members in this year. Reminder- Educators current and retired and under 30 years old may only pay $30.00 for 2018-2019 year.
• Food Bank – Jim Murphy stated that they worked with chicken products at the Food Bank.

• Soap Box Derby – Rick McKernan mentioned that last year when he was at the Soap Box Derby event in Akron, OH, he learned that about 60 persons from New York were at the event to support the drivers.  He looked into costs for a tour bus/drivers to see if members from Optimists would want to go to the next event.  The cost for the tour bus would be about $6,000.00 (may only be about $50-$100/member who travels to the event).  It is on a Saturday. So travel would begin from Columbia about 4:00 p.m. on the prior Friday, participate in the event on scheduled Saturday, and then leave back for Columbia about 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Arrival would be in early morning Sunday.  It is a little over a 10-hour drive.
• C.O. Scheffer gave an update on Christmas tree purchase planning. The tree shipping lists have been received.  He is looking at the shipping cost and other information to figure out what to price the trees.  Tree tags will also be ordered.  Waiting to hear from the MU Baseball Players for their assistance.
• Jim Murphy stated a clean-up day at the clubhouse grounds in preparation for Christmas tree sales on Saturday, 10/27/18.  It starts at 9:00 a.m. and should only last 1-2 hours.
• Steve Winters reminded members of the upcoming Shrimp Dinner on Tuesday, 10/30/18.  Larry Fick indicated 8 people have paid so far.  Cost is $10/person.
• Steve Winters also mentioned the Koeze Nuts and Restaurant Gift Certificates sales season under way.  Orders due 10/24/18; 11/7/18; and 11/28/18.
• Carl Scott announced some upcoming community events.  On 10/6/18 the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture is having their annual Harvest Hootenanny at the Urban Farm here in Columbia.  There will be music, and there will be meals prepared by Columbia Career Center. Carl also mentioned on 10/10/18 from 5:50 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the Columbia Parks and Recreation will have a Neighborhood Park Day at the Columbia Downtown Optimist Park.  He asked if a few representatives from Downtown Optimists could be present for the event.  Carl also stated on 10/13/18 children and their families will meet at Food Bank to prepare Buddy Packs.

 

Today’s Speaker

Randy Kiser, State Health Insurance Assistance Program

Mr. Kiser gave an overview of the CLAIM, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program.  CLAIM is part of a nationwide network created by Congress to help meet the needs of the persons accessing Medicare.  CLAIM is a federally funded, not-for-profit entity.  Funding is administered through the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration (DIFP). This service is provided through the Primaris Foundation, the entity that has been awarded the service contract through DIFP since 1993. Mr. Kiser is one of about 300 volunteers state-wide in Missouri who provides free education and assistance to Missourians about Medicare.  Today Mr. Kiser overviewed Medicare topics including description of what is covered under Medicare Parts A-D, benefits eligibility, enrollment, and benefits periods.  Additionally an overview of such topics as Medigap and supplemental insurance, and prescription drug plans were covered.  You can reach Mr. Kiser if you have Medicare questions toll-free at (800) 390-3330.  His email address is jkiser@Primaris.org.  The website for CLAIM is www.missouriclaim.org.

 

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

Monday, October 8 – Sue and Bob Moore – talking about Documentary Big Sonia

Monday, October 15 – Mariquet Klein – Autism RBHS

Monday, October 22 – Heather Dimitt-Fletcher and Drew Bennet – Big Brothers and Big Sisters

Monday, October 29 – NO Meeting (Social is on Tuesday, October 30)

Monday, November – Janet Godon, City of Columbia Parks and Recreation – Bike Coop and Youth Bike Program

Adjourn with the Creed: 1:00 p.m.

Optimistically Yours,

 

Ron Berg

Downtown Optimist Club Member