Bob Burkman’s Prayer
Gracious God,
Proverbs 16:24 reminds us: “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Thank You for the gift of joy and the power of kind words. You’ve shown us that gracious speech is like honey.
As Optimists, we see the good You’ve planted in the world. Help us speak words that enhance that good, that lift up and encourage others. Let our voices soothe and bring comfort those around us.
Let every word we speak be seasoned with grace and let us talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person we meet.
Amen
Announcements
Youth Volunteer Recognition
Gary Anderson announced that today marks the final round of recognitions for our Junior Optimist Clubs. Earlier, we treated the Centerville High School Octagon Club to a lunch from City Barbeque to thank them, especially members of the track and field team, for their help with recent flag placements. Special thanks to Ellen and the rest of the team!
We’ve already recognized the Junior Optimist Clubs at Incarnation, Magsig, and Watts Middle School. This afternoon, we’ll be hosting the final celebration with the Tower Heights Junior Optimist Club, complete with some delicious pizza.
It’s been great to see the positive response from the students at each school. Thank you to everyone who helped make these events happen!
Safety On Wheels – Bike Rodeo Recap
Paul Boeckman announced that last Sunday, CNO held the annual Bike Rodeo, and once again, Steve Mays did a fantastic job running the event. This was his second year in charge.
Steve shared some impressive stats: we had 83 kids from 58 families, ranging in age from 1 to 13, with an average age of 5½. About 47% were from Centerville and Washington Township. According to Steve’s calculations, we were moving a child through the course every 90 seconds! That’s efficiency.
Steve always brings an analytical approach and tracks everything. Paul said when he used to run the events, he just measured success by how many Bill’s Donuts were left!
Thanks to everyone who helped make it a great day for the kids.
Fishing Derby – June 7, 2025
Bob Lawson said to get ready for the annual Fishing Derby on June 7! There are plenty of volunteer roles available — and most don’t require handling fish. It’s a great way to support a fun event for local youth. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Summer Reading Club Kickoff – Saturday, May 31, 2025 (1–4 PM)
Join us at the library’s Summer Reading Club Kickoff at Sinclair College in Centerville! Enjoy exciting performances by the Cincinnati Circus Company, plus fun activities for kids and opportunities to learn more about the library.
The library needs more CNO volunteers for the 2:30 PM to 4 PM Slot. CNO will provide activities between performances. This event is a great chance to share what the Centerville Noon Optimist Club is all about. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Youth Recognition Night – June 12, 2025, at 7 PM
Mike Creech invited members to celebrate the outstanding youth in our community! Winners of scholarships, awards and contests from the past year will be honored during Youth Recognition Night with a dessert/appetizer reception.
CNO members are encouraged to attend this inspiring event. Please sign up through the Member Calendar.
Avenue of Flags
Tom Novak announced that the Avenue of Flags program is always in need of volunteers. Whether you’re delivering or picking up flags, we can use your help. You do not have to deliver for every flag holiday. Help as often as you are able.
If you’re new, don’t worry, you’ll be teamed up with an experienced volunteer. Have a truck, SUV, or van? Even better, those vehicles make the job easier. But if not, no problem, we’ll make sure you’re paired with someone who does. Contact Tom Novak if you are interested in helping or sign up through the Member Calendar.
CHS Seniors Thank CNO for Support
Gail Aiken brought two friends of her grandsons, Seth Perry and Barrett LeMaster. to this week’s meeting. Both are graduating from Centerville High School this month. They took a moment to thank the Centerville Noon Optimist Club for the generous donation that helped fund their recent trip to Orlando. The trip was part of a national business competition featuring participants from all 50 states and several countries, including South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Canada. As a bonus, they also got to visit Disney World. They expressed their sincere appreciation for the support that made the experience possible.
Help Needed for Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth Golf Classic – July 14, 2025
Steve Rau made several announcements about the Golf Fundraiser.
- They need sponsors and golfers for our annual golf fundraiser.
- Contact Vida McDowell if you have any donations for the gift baskets in the silent auction.
- They need people for a lot of different tasks and for varying amounts of time. For more details and to sign up, use the Member Calendar.
- They need someone with a full-size pickup truck to pick up the grill from the rental place near the event.
Additionally, Ellie Parker announced that there is a need for items for the Goodie Bags for the golf outing. You need 150 items that will be put in the golfer’s goodie bags.
Americana Booth
Karen Charnesky, the chair of the Americana booth, needs volunteers. At Americana this year, there will be two CNO booths side by side — one for the Youth Mental Health Initiative and one for the main club. She needs fifteen volunteers to share information at Americana about CNO and to sign up people for Avenue of Flags. Please sign up using the Member Calendar. They will be handing out flags.
Bill Stone – Optimist International Foundation Representative – Awards Presented
Bill Stone, the Optimist International Foundation Representative for the Ohio District and for CNO, presented several recognition pins. The Dime-a-Day pins were awarded to those who donated at least $36.50 in the last year:
- Bob Duffy
- Don Kelley
- Art Hung
- Carol Smerz
Terry Schalnat, the Governor of the Great Ohio District, was also in attendance. During the meeting, Bill presented her with two special pins:
- The President’s Club Pin
- The Benefactor pin, awarded to individuals who have contributed $1,000 or more in lifetime giving to the Foundation.
The Optimist International Foundation (OIF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1971 to support the charitable, literary, and educational purposes of Optimist International. It funds programs such as scholarships, youth leadership development, and health initiatives, serving approximately 1.5 million children annually.
It’s important to note that none of our club dues go to the Foundation. All contributions to OIF are used exclusively to support its charitable programs.
Bill reminded us that supporting the Foundation is easy. Donations can be made online at the Optimist International Foundation website.
Distinguished Guests in Attendance
We were honored to be joined by Optimist International President Jan Oord Graves and her husband, Ron. Also in attendance were President-Elect Tom Kendo and OI Foundation Board Member Jennifer Kendo. Representing the Great Ohio District, Governor Terry Schalnat was with us as well.
Optimist International President Jan Oord Graves Visits CNO
Jan Oord Graves spoke at our meeting today. She and her husband Ron made the trip from the St. Louis area, where they are in the process of relocating to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Jan was invited back in January by CNO President Paul Boeckman, and she made sure to fit the visit into her schedule. She said she was thrilled to be with us and praised the energy, optimism, and camaraderie of our club.
Jan shared a bit of her background. She grew up on a dairy farm near Los Angeles. Her parents immigrated to the U.S. from the Netherlands and eventually established a dairy farm in the Artesia area. When the land was later sold for housing developments and shopping centers, the family relocated to Ontario, California, and later to Michigan. She eventually met her husband Ron through Optimist Club activities, and they married 14 years ago.
Jan emphasized how impressed she was with CNO’s consistency and community impact. She specifically thanked Patrick and Diane Arehart for keeping the club’s website and social media so current and engaging, which allowed her to learn so much about us before visiting. She said it’s no wonder we have 329 members—the size of our club reflects the meaningful work we do.
She noted many of our projects that align with Optimist International’s signature programs, such as the Essay Contest, Respect for Law, and the golf qualifier. But what impressed her just as much were the fun, community-focused events we organize, like the Fishing Derby, which she saw promoted around the room and the Got Talent Contest.
Jan closed by thanking the club for our service to youth and the community and shared her theme for the year, “Bringing Out the Best,” taken directly from the Optimist International mission statement:
“By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.”
She stressed that “Bringing out the Best in ourselves” is something we too often forget. Supporting one another and staying positive helps us better serve others.
Jan also offered “Bringing Out the Best” pins to new members and invited them to see her after the meeting. Of course, she made sure to take some photos to share on social media.
Larry Hansgen Shares Stories and Concerns About the Changing Landscape of College Sports
Karl Frydryk introduced radio personality Larry Hansgen, the longtime voice of the University of Dayton Flyers. Larry brought humor, nostalgia, and insight into how college athletics and his own industry have changed over the years.
Karl kicked things off with a little humor of his own:
Larry is a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians and a devoted supporter of the Cleveland Browns, which is the third-best football team in Ohio, right behind the Bengals and Ohio State.
There’s even talk of an open tryout next week for the Browns quarterback spot, so stay tuned.
After high school, Larry followed the advice of a wise writer, not Mark Twain, but someone equally mysterious, and enrolled at Bowling Green University.
Six years later, diploma in hand, he headed south on I-75 in search of his dream job in Florida. But fate, and an empty gas tank stranded him in Dayton. With no money to his name, he’s been here ever since.
And lucky for us because he has a voice and a face made for radio.
Path to a Life on Radio
Larry grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where his father made a habit of waking the family up early on Saturday mornings with the Ohio State marching band blaring from a record player. He recalled one memorable father-son trip to Ann Arbor for the OSU–Michigan game. He went primarily for the food, but his dad made him wait—until they crossed back into Ohio late that night. His dad did not want to spend any money in Michigan.
Larry earned a Bachelor of Arts in German from Bowling Green State University and got his first full-time radio job in Bryan, Ohio. Larry shared how a twist of fate jumpstarted his broadcasting career: a co-worker was fired after a questionable off-air comment accidentally made it to listeners through a scanner, and Larry was hired in his place. During commercials, their microphones were still transmitting on channels that scanners can receive.
That break led to a 44-year career at WHIO Radio, where he has covered everything from high school basketball to Dayton Flyers basketball and football. He noted that WHIO has been on the air for 90 years, and if he works two more, he will have been there for more than half of its existence. Among his early colleagues were radio and TV legends like Gil Whitney, Lou Emm, and Cheryl McHenry—whose final newscast was scheduled for May 21, 2025. Larry praised Cheryl as even more remarkable in person than she appears on air.
It’s About the People
Larry emphasized that he doesn’t measure his career by awards or accolades but by people and relationships. He recalled taking a photo at a UD football picture day of four current players—whose fathers he had also covered when they played for the Flyers. He believes the University of Dayton develops not just athletes, but leaders, and he’s proud to have seen multiple generations come through the programs.
College Athletics in Crisis
While optimistic about the upcoming football and basketball seasons, Larry expressed concern about the direction of college athletics. The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy, he said, started with good intentions—to fairly compensate players whose jerseys or likenesses were being sold—but quickly turned into a free-for-all. Some athletes are now earning more in college than they ever will professionally.
Even more troubling to Larry are the new roster limits being implemented by the NCAA. While scholarship caps are being raised (e.g., FBS football going from 85 to 105 scholarships), total roster limits are being enforced. This means coaches must cut current, non-scholarship players—teammates with uniforms, lockers, and relationships—to make room. Larry noted that this could result in 14,000 student athletes losing their place on college teams across all sports.
Dayton Flyers Outlook
Larry shared insight into the Flyers’ basketball program under Coach Anthony Grant. Last year’s team, he said, may have overachieved despite losing talent and scrambling after DaRon Holmes II left for the NBA. That departure tied up NIL funds and made recruiting difficult. Some new players, he felt, lacked the team first, grit and humility Dayton values. The players thought they were doing the team a favor by being there. Still, he’s encouraged by the incoming talent and expects better alignment with the team’s identity this year.
Larry’s favorite advice from Coach Grant? “Be great at what you’re good at”—a philosophy that applies far beyond the basketball court.
Giving Back
Larry closed by discussing his commitment to community service. He serves on the board of Choices in Community Living, which supports and provides housing for adults with developmental disabilities. He emphasized the importance of giving back without expecting anything in return—calling it an obligation, not a favor.
Thank You
Thank you, Larry Hansgen, for your heartfelt stories and perspective on broadcasting, UD athletics, and the importance of staying connected to people.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of a mistake.” – Meg Whitman
Volunteer and Social Event Signups Available Online with the Virtual Clipboard
Did you know you can now sign up to volunteer or participate in social events using a simple online registration form from your phone or PC? The Member Calendar has a complete list of upcoming volunteer opportunities and social events.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Ashley Campbell | Maha Kashani |
| Barrett LeMaster | Gail Aiken |
| Clarissa Blatnik | Stan Fronzaglia |
| Jan Oord Graves | Optimist International |
| Jennifer Kendo | Optimist International |
| Jim Smerz | Carol Smerz |
| Kadijah Taylor | Roberta Taylor |
| Larry Hansgen | Speaker |
| Lisa Tooson | Ashley Holmes |
| Max Valentine | Stan Fronzaglia |
| MIchael Horton | In Readings |
| Ron Graves | Optimist International |
| Sasha Craver | Ashley Holmes |
| Seth Perry | Gail Aiken |
| Teri Herbstreit | Debe Dockins |
| Terry Schalnat | Optimist International |
| Tom Kendo | Optimist International |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Michael Horton | Teresa Nichols | 1st Reading |
| Donna Kastner | Mike Bevis | Induction |
| Ashley Holmes | Art Hung | Induction |
Happy Bucks
No time this week.
Sergeants at Arms – Gary Anderson and Maha Kashani
No time this week.
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Kelly George | May 20, 2015 | 10 |
| Mary Ann MacKenzie | May 23, 2019 | 6 |
| Paulette Novak | May 25, 2005 | 20 |
| Amy Barker | May 26, 2008 | 17 |
| Debe Dockins | May 26, 2009 | 16 |
| Doug Orf | May 29, 2024 | 1 |
| Virginia Tangeman | May 29, 2024 | 1 |
| Marilyn Nagle | May 29, 2024 | 1 |
| Bob Burkman | May 31, 2003 | 22 |
| Carol Burkman | May 31, 2003 | 22 |
| Wayne Christie | June 1, 1988 | 37 |
Birthdays
| Jim Marker | May 23 |
| Mindy Hoffbauer | May 24 |
| Claire Kerr | May 26 |
| Vicki Thompson | May 29 |
| Cameron Langer | June 1 |
| Kristen Marks | June 2 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
No Thank You Notes received this week
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slides from this week’s meeting