Bob Burkman’s Prayer
Gracious God,
We come to You today bundled up in coats, scarves and with an attitude of humble negotiation.
Just a few months ago, during those long sweaty summer days, we gathered in this very place and politely asked for cooler weather. You have delivered abundantly, generously and possibly in bulk.
Today we return, not to complain; because Optimists rarely complain, but to revise our request. We’d love to exchange a little of this cold for something milder. Nothing fancy, just enough warmth to remind us that spring is right around the corner and that our faces can feel normal sensation again.
Father, help us remember that whether we’re sweating or shivering, we are grateful. Grateful for Your love, for this club, for our fellowship and for the opportunity to serve the children and community we care so much about.
And Lord, if You choose not to adjust the thermostat just yet, grant us strong hot coffee, warm gloves and the good humor to laugh at our own prayers.
We ask all this with optimism, gratitude and a hopeful eye on the weather forecast.
Amen.
Get to Know a Member – Nancy Lehren
President Sarah Umbreit interviewed Nancy Lehren for this week’s “Get to Know a Member.”
- If Nancy could be one character, she picked Minnie Mouse, mainly because her grandkids love her. She also gave Minnie bonus points for always being happy and for the outfits, calling her a fashion icon (bows included).
- When asked about a favorite snack to splurge on, Nancy chose Disney Mickey Mouse ice cream bars.
- For a favorite winter activity growing up, she said she did not get into winter activities until later, but then landed on snow days, playing in the snow, building forts, and making snowmen.
- Nancy also mentioned she is going to Disney in February.
Nancy Lehren joined CNO on November 17, 1994, and was sponsored by Margaret Barclay.
Happy Birthday Myron Rheaume
Today is Myron Rheaume’s 82nd birthday.
Before attempting to conduct the room, our long-time and self-appointed choir director Bob Duffy kicked things off by singing the Indiana Hoosiers fight song to celebrate their 2026 win the night before. Bob surprised everyone by proving he can, in fact, sing. Unfortunately, this discovery did nothing to improve our collective ability to follow him.
Myron marked his birthday by presenting President Sarah Umbreit with a remarkable piece of Disney history: a pair of socks he received at the very first Disneyland Christmas Parade in 1955. Earlier that same year, Myron was also among the first visitors when Disneyland opened, making the socks older than most of us and in better condition.
After the final notes faded, Myron suggested that several of us may already qualify as members of the Centerville High School Alumni Choir, whether the school knows it or not.
Myron Rheaume joined CNO on August 1st, 1987, and was sponsored by Gary Aiken.
Announcements
Will Cale Memorial Scholarship Mentors
Joan Cordonnier announced that Will Cale Memorial Scholarship applications have been distributed to high school counselors. She is looking for CNO members willing to serve as mentors. Interested members should contact Joan. She is hoping for 10 more mentors and the number of mentors determines the number of students that can participate.
Got Talent Contest
Erin Laurito announced that the Got Talent Show will soon be open for audition video submission. Students in kindergarten through high school who live in Centerville or Washington Township (or attend Centerville schools) are eligible. Judges will select ten finalists for a live show on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Centerville High School. Erin also announced a format change: this year the contest will have two age groups, 12-and-under and 13-and-over. More details are available here.
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.
Winterfest Volunteers Needed
Andy Higgins announced that volunteers are needed for the Winter Carnival at Primary Village North and Winterfest at Primary Village South on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9 AM to 2 PM. They need volunteers to assist children with a snowman clothespin activity while sharing information related to youth well-being. You can work anywhere between one and three hours. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Chuck Dickerson Memorial Scholarship
Mike Thonnerieux announced that the Chuck Dickerson Memorial Scholarship deadline is 4 PM, March 13, 2026. Students must be the child or grandchild of a current or past member of the Centerville Noon Optimists, a graduating high school senior, be accepted to a two- or four-year college or university and demonstrate a commitment to community service. Students can learn details for the $1000 scholarship at the Dayton Foundation using this link. Mike also noted that students can apply for over 300 Dayton Foundation scholarship opportunities. Most of these scholarships are open exclusively to students who reside in the Greater Dayton region of Ohio.
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.”
Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth Golf Classic
Steve Rau 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.
Centerville High School Band Program
Introduction and Program Overview
Chris McAlpine introduced Brandon Barrometti, band director at Centerville High School. Barrometti has taught at CHS for 19 years and opened his presentation, “A Brief Look at Centerville Band,” by outlining the size and scope of the band program and its impact on students.
At the core of the program are three concert bands that meet daily as part of the school schedule: Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band. Together, these ensembles serve roughly 160 students each day. Beyond the core concert bands, students can participate in marching band, pep band, jazz ensembles, winter guard, winter percussion, solo and ensemble events, as well as jazz improvisation and music theory classes.
The Centerville Jazz Band (Marching Band)
Barrometti explained that the marching band, known as the Centerville Jazz Band, is the most visible part of the program and has carried that name for more than 40 years due to its jazz-based musical style. Participation typically ranges from 130 to 180 students, and enrollment is trending upward after a post-COVID low.
He described the Centerville Jazz Band as ambassadors for Centerville High School, the city, and the state of Ohio. The band performs annually at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2021, and travels to Walt Disney World every four years.
United Sound Program
One of the highlights of the presentation was the United Sound program, a weekly class where band students serve as peer mentors, teaching students with special needs how to play musical instruments. Barrometti described United Sound as the best day of the week in the band room, noting the energy and joy it brings to both the mentors and the new musicians.
Band Boosters and Program Support
A significant portion of the presentation focused on the Centerville Band Boosters, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports all band programs at both the middle school and high school levels, serving approximately 650 students.
The Band Boosters operate with an annual budget of about $450,000, with roughly $250,000 supporting the marching band alone. Expenses include staffing for band camp and show production, transportation, equipment, uniforms, competitions, scholarships, and insurance. Barrometti noted that the marching band operation relies on a support team of about 30 staff members.
Fundraising and Financial Challenges
Fundraising is essential to sustaining the band program. Major efforts include the Fan Pledge campaign, basketball concessions, spring flower and poinsettia sales, calendar sales, and other events, along with participation fees paid by students.
Barrometti also addressed the recent loss of Soaring Sounds, an independently run summer drum corps event that Centerville hosted continuously since 1980. The event generated between $15,000 and $20,000 annually and is unlikely to return, creating a meaningful funding gap for the program.
District Support
The school district provides limited but important financial support. This includes approximately $10,000 annually for new instrument purchases, about $3,000 for instrument repairs, and roughly $800 per year for music purchases. All other program needs are covered through Band Booster funding and fundraising efforts.
Instrument Replacement Plan and Community Support
Barrometti concluded by outlining an upcoming instrument replacement plan. The immediate priority is purchasing a full line of trombones that can be used across both marching band and concert ensembles. Sixteen intermediate-level trombones are planned, with funding coming from multiple partners, including the Centerville Band Boosters, the school district, and community organizations.
He specifically expressed appreciation for the Centerville Noon Optimist Club for its financial contribution and continued support of the Centerville High School band program.
Thank You
Thank you, Brandon Barrometti, for explaining the scope of the Centerville High School band program and the support that makes it possible.
Brandon Barrometti’s Slides
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
New Member Readings and Inductions
No readings or inductions this week.
Happy Bucks
- Mike Creech gave $10 to celebrate the Indiana Hoosier win last night to become the CFP 2026 National Champions!
- Geoff Darr is also happy about the Indiana Hoosiers!
- Tom Conroy gave $2, one for each of the out-of-town grandchildren he saw last week.
- Julie Walling Noeth gave a Happy Buck for spending an overnight visit with all three of her grandsons, including seeing the older two attend a basketball clinic together.
- Tim Mach, on behalf of Paul Boeckman, said Paul’s daughter is a teacher at Incarnation School and that the school is looking for volunteers to serve as judges for its upcoming science fair. The science fair will be held on February 5, with judging running from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
- Karl Frydryk celebrated Miami University’s basketball team being ranked 25th in the nation, joking that the last time this happened Bob Burkman was going through puberty. And he is referring to the real Miami located in Oxford, Ohio.
- Myron Rheaume said that he turned 82 today and was happy that he could cut his own food.
- Myron Rheaume had Patrick Arehart stand up and then told everyone that Patrick could win first place in an Albert Einstein lookalike contest.
- Elyse Higgins said she would like to become a member of CNO.
Sergeants-at-Arms Fines – Bob Myers and Mike Creech
- Jerry Stahley was fined because he found Gail Aiken’s name badge in his truck.
- Tom Conroy left the last meeting early then his ticket won the 50/50 raffle so this week he can share the wealth.
- Cris Peterson was fined for losing her name badge, briefly searching for it, and then finding it in her purse.
- At the recent Euchre tournament social, these three placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd and were made to share the wealth through fine: Sue Brubaker, Vida McDowell, Greg Hoffbauer.
- Scott Langer and Cameron Langer were fined for shameless self-promotion after both wore company-branded shirts. Scott complained about it, so sergeant Mike Creech doubled his fine.
- Steve Kohls was fined for failing to help his wife find her name badge in the badge case.
- Kristin Passidomo was fined for not wearing her name badge.
- Myron Rheaume was fined for sucking up to President Sarah Umbreit with the valuable Disney collector socks.
- Sergeant Mike Creech fined everyone in attendance, reminding the club that recruiting new members is the lifeblood of CNO. With no new member readings or inductions that day, the entire room paid up.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Amelia Rone | MIke Bevis |
| Brandon Barrometti | Sepeaker |
| Elyse Higgins | Member |
| Jim Dennedy | Mike Thonnerieux |
| Nancy Freking | Steve Kohls |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Gary DeMarco | January 20, 2016 | 10 |
| Casey Dixon | January 20, 2021 | 5 |
| Jeff Kujawa | January 22, 2015 | 11 |
| Mike Yoder | January 22, 2014 | 12 |
| Kristen Marks | January 23, 2020 | 6 |
| Debbie Parks | January 23, 2020 | 6 |
| Julie Shisler | January 23, 2020 | 6 |
| John Thompson | January 23, 2018 | 8 |
| Greg Wasmund | January 25, 2007 | 19 |
Birthdays
| Myron Rheaume | January 20 |
| Gary Smiga | January 21 |
| Mark Metzger | January 22 |
| Connie Risch | January 22 |
| Dr. Dan Passidomo | January 26 |
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