Downtown Optimist Club of Columbia

In Person/ Zoom Meeting

Monday, March 11th, 2024 at the Optimist Clubhouse

Meeting began at 12:00 noon

Members in attendance: President Mike Hachett, Ed Musterman, Rick McKernan, Carl Scott, Jerry Sullivan, Daryl Stockstill, Larry Fick, Trevor Harris, Alan Bunch, Charlie Langreder, Tony Parisio, Kelly Schilling, Ken Oster, Kelly Schilling, NadiRyakmyatulliov, Deborah Swanegan, Pat Kelly, and Mary Dewey

Special Guests: Ed Musterman friend Bob Slemmons, Ken’s wife Beverly

Larry Fick 3 hours volunteer hours at the Central Missouri Food Bank 

Invocation: Deborah Swanegan

Pledge of Allegiance:  Mary Dewey

Birthdays/Anniversaries: Mike Hatchett birthday will be this Saturday, Steve Klein birthday is on Thursday, March 14.

Pay the pig (Money goes to the OIF Children Cancer):  Carl Scott paid $1.00 for the great job did Rick McKernan did for our Oratorical Contest on Sunday, March 10 and the Rockbridge High School making it State basketball this weekend. 

With the help of Ed Musterman, Mike Hachett inducted our new member Alan Bunch. He was given his membership package, his pin and name tag.  Welcome Alan Bunch to our club. 

Weekly Drawing: Kelly Schilling

Kelly Schilling has club t-shirt for sale for $13 for member and free for new members

Rick McKernan talked about the Oratorical Contest that was held on Sunday, March 10 here at the clubhouse. We had 4 students who took part in this contest. The essay contest is due by Friday, March 15. 

Jerry Sullivan Let us know that we will hosting a Pickleball Tournament on April 6th from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Columbia Fieldhouse Sports Center. We will need about 5 to 6 club members to help with this event. We are looking for Sponsors to help with prizes for the winner and other prizes we would like to hand out that day. Please let Jerry know if you can help with this event. Currently 19 teams

Rick McKernan talked about the Bill of Right Geo Cashing event that will be hosting this in the month of March. We will be put out the cartons on February 29th in 10 different parks through out Columbia Parks, They will need to take a selfie of themselves reading the Bill of Right that they find in that park. After they find all the parts of the Bill of Right they will send them into us and we will pick the winner. He has heard back from Battle High School Social Studies teacher. They said “We are working on the Bill of Rights in the month April.”

Mary Dewey will also be putting together a table for the Kids 1st Optimist Trivia night that will take place on March 9 door open at 5:00 pm. Chili Cook off will start at 6:00 pm and trivia will start at 7:00 pm. The cost will be $25.00 a person for a table spot.  Please Mary know if you want to be part of her trivia table. 

Mary Dewey has signed up the Downtown Optimist Club with the other clubs in Columbia for Columbia Parks and Recreation Family Fun Fest. The dates are Wednesday, May 15: Bee Kind to Your Mind at COSMO Park, Thursday, June 20th: JunteenthJamboree at COSMO Park, Wednesday, July 17:  Healthy Habits at Albert-Oakland Park, Wednesday, August 21:  Be Prepared at Albert-Oakland, and Wednesday, September 18: Creative Kids at Albert Oakland Park. The events start at 6 and will end at 8 pm. Set up stars at 5 pm. C.O. Scheffer will be sending out sign up Genies for this event please sign up to help. 

Mary Dewey also has our annual Bike Safety Rodeo set for Saturday, April 20 from 9:30 to 11:30 am at Karis Church parking lot. C.O. Scheffer will be sending out sign up Genies for this event please sign up to help. 

If you are interested in going to a St. Louis Baseball game please see the attachment to this email for more information.

Our guest speaker: Member Spotlight with Trevor Harris (Missouri River Relief) the slide show will be coming later. 

Optimist Creed was recited and meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm 

Mike Hachett, President

Bringing Out The Best In Kids Since 1936