Bob Burkman’s Prayer
Dear Lord,
You gave us a fashion sense. So, we designed long underwear, knit hats and parkas for these sub-zero temperatures. Yet, some of us, when bundled up, resemble the Michelin Tire Man. That fashion sense didn’t reach us all.
Still, we are grateful, our noses for ultra soft facial tissues, our arms for frozen windshields that improve our reach, our feet for icy sidewalks that improve our balance and for hot coffee that seems like a miracle on days like today.
May this chill strengthen our resolve, our friendships and our belief that warmer weather is only a few optimistic thoughts away.
Amen
Get to Know a Member – Charlie Tapp
President Sarah Umbreit interviewed Charlie Tapp for this week’s “Get to Know a Member.”
When asked about the coldest place he has ever visited, Charlie said it was skiing in Colorado, with temperatures around zero degrees, about 30 years ago.
If he could meet any living person for a meal, Charlie picked Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. He would like to ask what it is going to take to put together a winning season.
For his favorite local restaurant, Charlie said Paragon.
Announcements
Visual Arts Contest 2026
Jane Fiehrer, co-chair of the Visual Arts Contest with Rachel Goetz, announced that the annual Visual Arts contest is now open. Paintings or drawings must be submitted online by February 22, 2026. Here is the link to the contest. Children in two age groups (7 & under and 8–11) can submit drawings or paintings for cash prizes. This year’s theme is “Be Bold – Be The Change.”
Escape Room Social Activity
Sarah Umbreit, on behalf of Connie Risch, shared that the next social event is an Escape Room on Thursday, February 26 at 6 PM. Afterwards you can head to Bock Family Brewing. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Avenue of Flags
Tom Novak shared an update on the Avenue of Flags subscription renewals. The renewal team sent out approximately 2,600 emails this weekend, even with snow keeping many people at home, and about 900 renewals have already been received.
Tom thanked Mike Brubaker for supporting the renewal process and Diane Arehart for adding a new optional donation field to the subscription form, which has already generated $1100 in additional support. Members of the renewal team were recognized for keeping the program moving during the winter months.
Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth Golf Classic
Don Stafford shared that planning is underway for the annual golf fundraiser on Monday, July 13, 2026. He said that the committee would like to add a few more members. To join, please get in touch with Steve Rau or Don Stafford.
CNO 2.0
Sarah Umbreit announced upcoming CNO 2.0 meetings. The February gathering will be held on February 19 at Zink’s with a wine tasting. On March 19, they will meet at Underground Chuck’s, a new restaurant near the Dayton Mall. The guest speaker will be Monnie Bush, Founder and CEO of the Victory Project.
Sharing Stories from the Blizzard of 1978
With today’s scheduled speaker unable to attend, President Sarah Umbreit pivoted the meeting to something that fit the moment. With snow still fresh in everyone’s minds, she invited members to share memories of the Blizzard of 1978. What followed was a wide range of stories, from childhood fun to serious work obligations and travel challenges.
Sarah Umbreit recalled missing an entire week of school during the blizzard. The real hardship, she said, came later when students were required to make up the lost days by going to school on a Saturday. For kids, it meant losing a morning normally reserved for cartoons and cereal.
Charlie Tapp shared one of the more adventurous memories. A neighbor with a four-wheel-drive vehicle tied a rope to the bumper and pulled kids on sleds through the neighborhood. What started in a cul-de-sac quickly turned into sled rides around nearby streets.
Jim Mogan remembered driving a Volkswagen during the storm, while still being expected to come in as a school principal. The conditions made even short trips challenging.
Charlie Goodwin spoke about having to make medical rounds for people despite the weather. While many were home enjoying snow days, others were still responsible for essential care and had to find ways to get where they were needed.
Bob Duffy was away on a trip to Las Vegas when the blizzard hit, creating its own set of complications as travel shut down back home.
Jeff Busch, who was working for the Centerville Police at the time, had worked the night before the storm. When he finally returned to work after the shutdown, his first days back were spent patrolling in a snowplow.
Jane Fiehrer shared a very different kind of memory. While stuck at home, she and her best friend pierced each other’s ears and managed to do something she said she has never done before or since. They finished an entire game of Monopoly.
Steve Rau recalled living near Town and Country; the front door of the house faced west and was poorly sealed. In the morning, they found a two- to three-foot snowdrift in the living room, up against the front door.
Mike Bevis was traveling for work and found himself in Houston as the blizzard shut down Ohio. He repeatedly tried calling his wife at work with no answer, only to later learn how severe conditions were back home. With Dayton inaccessible, he rerouted to Florida to attend sales conventions and was eventually told by his wife not to come home yet because highways were still closed.
Ray Daley remembered living in New York at the time, near Albany. Snowmobiles were used to reach grocery stores, as normal automobile travel was impossible for days.
Val Huff, working as a nurse, recalled having to get insulin to patients during the storm. She was driving a Chevy Vega and said the conditions made even essential trips difficult.
Bob Collins remembered dealing primarily with freezing rain rather than snow. His car was parked on an incline, and the icy conditions caused it to slide down the driveway.
Joan Cordonnier described snow piled up to the roof. As a kid, she loved it. They built igloos and were even able to ice skate around the block.
Carol Smerz shared memories from living in Cleveland, where snowdrifts were especially deep. Her family tried to take a friend to the airport, but her father slid directly into a snowdrift, completely burying the car. An uncle eventually pulled it out, and afterward the kids played in what had become a ready-made igloo.
Nancy Lehren recalled living on Bigger Road when a man became stranded during the storm. He ended up staying with her and her family for three days while his car sat abandoned in the street.
Bob Lawson remembered living in Columbus, where many roads were not cleared at all. He recalled seeing a license plate stuck on a stop sign, a detail that captured just how chaotic conditions were. Upon closer investigation, he realized the license plate was his.
Bob Burkman was teaching at Talawanda High School in Oxford, Ohio at the time and confirmed that Saturday make-up school was no more popular with teachers than it was with students. He also noted that Carol Burkman, working at Miami University, got a rare surprise. Miami closed for weather, giving her a couple of unexpected days off.
Paul Stull summed up the storm in the simplest way possible. He said he woke up the morning of the blizzard, looked out the window, and went right back to bed.
What Do You Know About CNO: Impact Forms
Sarah Umbreit said that some members are receiving Impact Forms as part of a new request from Optimist International. Clubs are being asked to enter basic event information into a database, including what the event was, estimated number of kids impacted, number of volunteers, and approximate cost.
Evelyn Griffin is collecting the information from event leads. Only President Sarah Umbreit and Secretary Jean Pummill can enter the data. Sarah is also tracking this information in a club spreadsheet to help summarize the Centerville Noon Optimist Club’s overall impact each year.
Happy Bucks
- Joan Cordonnier reminded members about the Centerville High School theater production King Kirby, running Thursday (January 29, 2026) through Saturday.
- Hunter Busch is happy for the two snow days so far this school year.
- Ray Daley is happy for his new snowblower and for being able to help neighbors after the recent snowfall.
- Tim Mach shared that with all the snow he was happy to be at lunch today after his wife was able to fly into Columbus, avoiding a long drive to and from Chicago.
Sergeants-at-Arms Fines – Bob Myers and Mike Creech
- Sarah Umbreit was fined for losing the bell and gavel.
- Ron Kuker was fined after coming in last week in a sharp suit and this week arriving with a lanyard that already had his name on it.
- Andy Higgins was asked if he had ever been fined before. When the answer was yes, he was fined again.
- Byron Wade was also asked if he had ever been fined. After confirming that he had, he was fined again.
- Art Hung was fined for not sitting at his usual table.
- Tony Danial, who will be serving as a Sergeant next week, was fined simply as an example of how the role works.
- Jeff Busch was fined for bringing his son, Hunter Busch, to the meeting on a school snow day.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Jack Pan | Jane Weikel |
| Shauna Marshall | Kristen Marks |
| Hunter Busch | Jeff Busch |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Cadance Lowell | January 27, 2023 | 3 |
| Chris McAlpine | January 27, 2009 | 17 |
| Kathy Rearick | January 27, 2023 | 3 |
| Ron Rearick | January 27, 2023 | 3 |
| Mike Bevis | January 31, 2002 | 24 |
| Rachel Goetz | January 31, 2013 | 13 |
Birthdays
| Scott Langer | January 29 |
| Bob Myers | January 30 |
| Karen Sirmans | January 31 |
| David Ladd | February 1 |
| Zachary Winning | February 2 |
Thank You Notes Received this Week
No Thank You Notes received this week
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slide Deck from this week’s meeting