Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
We are likely familiar with Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”, yet we fail to live out this scripture in our lives. We are a people constantly on the go, overloaded with responsibilities, wanting to be in control, and carrying the weight of our troubles with us.
Lord,
Help us to remember you are God, and we are not. You are in control, and we are not. Even you paused and took a day of rest. May we take time to be still, let you help carry our burdens, and allow you to guide us.
Amen.
Announcements
Annual Officer Installation Dinner – Register Now!
Beth Duncan announced that the Annual Officer Installation Dinner will be on September 30, 2025. Gary Smiga will be the emcee for the evening. Register online using the Member Calendar. The last day to sign up is 9/23/2025.
John and Paula Kalaman Receive Optimist International Humanitarian Award
President Paul Boeckman announced that during last Friday’s Annual John Kalaman Memorial Golf Outing, eight CNO members participated and helped make a special presentation.
In recognition of their extraordinary service to the community, John and Paula Kalaman were honored with the Optimist International Humanitarian Award. The award highlighted their contributions to the Centerville Noon Optimist Club and their dedication to the Centerville Police Department and the wider community.
The presentation was a complete surprise to John and Paula, who were delighted by the recognition.
Board-Approved Grants – September 9, 2025
President Paul Boeckman shared that the board approved $3,500 in donations at its monthly meeting:
- $500 to the CHS Octagon Club for supplies, dues and fees.
- $500 to the TOP Optimist Club for operations of the club, including snacks and supplies
- $2,500 to Therapeutic Riding Institute to provide needs-based scholarships for Centerville and Washington Township youth to participate in TRI’s programs.
Optimist International Foundation Pins
Bill Stone, the CNO OI Foundation representative, handed out pins earned in the last year for Dime-a-Day and the President’s Club. He thanked them all for their support of the foundation.
Dime-a-Day Pins
Patrick Arehart, Diane Arehart, Jerry Stahley, Wayne Christie, Stan Fronzaglia, Vida McDowell, Dick Stevens, Sandy Stevens, Ron Tinnerman, Sue Brubaker, Charlie Goodwin, Debe Dockins, David Ladd, Rachael Goetz, Katie Calloway, Greg Hoffbauer, Mindy Hoffbauer, and Byron Wade
President’s Club
Dick Stevens. Sandy Stevens, Charlie Goodwin
State of the Club
President Paul Boeckman opened today’s meeting by declaring it Club Day. The focus was on the current state of the Centerville Noon Optimist Club, with updates on leadership, membership, programs, fundraising, and the year ahead.
Leadership and Membership
Paul introduced the current officers and the incoming team.
Officers
- 2024–25: President Paul Boeckman, Vice Presidents Mike Creech and Denise O’Neil, Secretary Jean Pummill, Treasurer Roland Rapp, Immediate Past President Joan Cordonnier, Past Presidents’ Representative Karl Frydryk
- 2025–26: President Sarah Umbreit, Vice Presidents Andy Higgins and Jane Fiehrer, Secretary Jean Pummill, Treasurer Roland Rapp, Immediate Past President Paul Boeckman, Past Presidents’ Representative Greg Griffin
Directors
- 2024–25: Karen Charnesky, Dennis Dockins, Jim Mogan, Steve Rau, Deb Saunders, Andy Higgins, Greg Hoffbauer, Erin Laurito, Bob Myers, Paul Stull
- 2025–26: Greg Hoffbauer, Erin Laurito, Bob Myers, Paul Stull, Liz Fultz, Kristen Passidomo, Sam Pfabe, Stephanie Llacuna, Don Stafford, Cameron Langer
Membership remains strong, with steady attendance at weekly lunches and continued interest in joining the club.
Programs and Impact
The club supports more than 25 youth and community activities each year. Highlights from 2024–25 include:
- Haunted Trail, drawing about 1,700 participants over two nights
- Kids Day in the Park with 360 participants
- Fishing Derby with 125 young anglers
- Youth Volunteer Appreciation, where 130 student volunteers were recognized with lunch and appreciation for helping with CNO activities
- Additional events such as the Bike Rodeo, Oratorical and Essay Contests, Tri-Star Soccer, Family Adventure Day, and the Big Backyard Party
Together, these programs touched the lives of thousands of young people in Centerville and Washington Township.
Fundraising
The Avenue of Flags, Christmas Tree Lot, and Golf Outing remain the club’s major fundraisers. These events provide the resources that allow CNO to fund scholarships, youth recognition, and community programs throughout the year.
Finance Committee
Treasurer Roland Rapp shared that the Finance Committee reviews the club’s accounts every month and assists with preparing the annual budget. The committee is chaired each year by the president elect.
The current members of the Finance Committee are: Dr. Bob Myers, Sam Pfabe, Mitch Bodenmiller, Greg Hoffbrauer, Jeff Umbreit and Patrick Arehart.
This dedicated team ensures that the club’s funds are managed responsibly in support of its mission.
Community Partnerships
CNO is proud to support many organizations in the community. In recent years, the club has partnered with or provided funding to groups such as Food2Go, Crayons to Classrooms, Hannah’s Treasure Chest, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Centerville Education Foundation, Therapeutic Riding Institute, South Community Behavioral Health, TJ’s Place of Hope, the WPAFB USO, and the CHS Spirit Chain. These partnerships expand the club’s impact well beyond its own programs.
Looking Ahead
President Elect Sarah Umbreit shared priorities for the coming year. The board will continue to strengthen fundraising, ensure programs have meaningful impact, and keep members engaged. A new focus on program accountability reporting will help measure the outcomes of events and track how many youth are served each year.
Sarah also noted that certain long-standing traditions will be discontinued, such as end-of-year gifts for committee chairs and board members, monthly birthday table treats, and lifetime memberships for past presidents. Redirecting these funds will allow more resources to be dedicated directly to youth and community programs.
Sarah emphasized that the club is in a strong position to continue serving the youth of Centerville and Washington Township while building on decades of tradition and community support.
Invitation to Board Meetings
Members were reminded that all are welcome at board meetings held on the Monday of each month at Woodbourne Library.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell
New Member Readings and Inductions
- Laraine Butkus, Third Reading, Sponsored by Jean Pummill
Happy Bucks
- Don Stafford‘s 12-year-old grandson just joined the Junior Optimists.
- Blanca Criner said that over the weekend and Monday she completed her CTI through The Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute.
- Don Kelley and his wife Sandra are celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary.
- Jeff Busch said his son Hunter is part of the Centerville High School Jazz Band that won best in class and were the champions in the competition two weekends ago.
- Jeff Busch, his nephew, is now cancer-free.
- Gail Aiken said she has been involved in running the Kalaman golf committee since the beginning.
- Sam Routsong is happy to be married and to have made the 30-day being married milestone, which means he has passed the return window.
- Tom Conroy gave $5 Happy Bucks for the 316-yard drive by his golf teammate Bob Myers at the Kalaman Golf Outing. Bob had paid $20 for the entire foursome to enter the longest drive contest, and he was the only one who won. Refusing repayment from his teammates, Bob als donated his winnings back to the outing.
Sergeants at Arms Fines – Dave Kay and Denise Green
- Gary Smiga had two photographs in the township newsletter wearing his Washington Township pin instead of an Optimist pin.
- Diane Arehart received the Random Fine of the Week.
- Gary Smiga was chosen by the Wheel of Misfortune.
- Sandy Stevens won the new Lucky Lady Wheel contest. Fifteen people signed up as they picked up their name badges. Sandy won a prize from the basket, and the two members seated on either side of her spot were fined.
- Evelyn Griffin‘s card was drawn by a new card game and was fined.
- Everyone fined at the table of all men.
- Everyone fined at the table of all women.
- Mike Bevis did notbring a guest today. He really should have since no one else did.
- Carrie Thomson wore a shirt with a My Favorite Muffin logo, an obvious shameless self-promotion.
- Paul Boeckman won $25 for closest to the pin at the Kalaman Golf Outing. Time to share the wealth — fine is $2.
Welcome Guests
No Guests this Week.
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Katy Barker | September 16, 2020 | 5 |
| Denny Cottle | September 20, 2015 | 10 |
| Bill Williams | September 20, 1993 | 32 |
Birthdays
| Jan Gerber | September 16 |
| Harry Bossey | September 22 |
| Carol Smerz | September 22 |
| Jon Werts | September 22 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received this Week
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes received this week
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slide Deck from this week’s meeting