Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
April brings spring rains, budding flowers, and Autism Awareness Month.
Lord,
Give us the patience and desire to open our eyes to the beauty in the unique abilities, gifts, and views of the world our autistic siblings possess. Help us to encourage and champion their caregivers who work tirelessly to advocate on their behalf. May we offer blessings of grace in moments of struggle, receive mercy when we fail to understand or fall short, and share love for one another as we celebrate the ways in which you made each of us special.
Amen.
Announcements
Build-a-Bear Volunteer Opportunity – April 16
Carol Smerz is organizing a Build-a-Bear event at the YWCA on Wednesday, April 16, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Volunteers are needed to help serve both adults and children, all victims of domestic violence. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Anxious Generation Community Read & Youth Mental Health Initiative
Andy Higgins shared an initiative around the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Discussions are underway with local educators and libraries to build community engagement on the topic, possibly culminating in an event next February.
In the meantime, there are 13 upcoming events between local schools and CNO. All involve activities that support community well-being. Volunteers are needed to help set up tables and distribute literature.
Regional Oratorical Contest – April 22
Debe Dockins announced that the Regional Oratorical Contest for our region will take place on Tuesday, April 22, at 5:30 PM at the Centerville Police Department.
Our local winner, Navia Garr, will be competing—let’s show up and support her!
Owen Brockman at Levitt Pavilion – June 20, 2025
Debe Dockins asked us to mark our calendars! Owen Brockman, winner of our very first “Got Talent” contest, will be performing on June 20, 2025, at the Levitt Pavilion—opening for a major act on the main stage. This is a big opportunity for Owen and a proud moment for our club.
Choices in Community Living – Fundraiser Raffle
Myron Rheaume spoke on behalf of Choices in Community Living, an organization providing homes for adults with developmental disabilities. His son, Scott, lives in one of their group homes.
While Medicaid and Social Security cover basic needs, personal items and experiences—like a new mattress or a trip to Kings Island—are not funded.
To help, they are running a Bunny Bucks Raffle:
- 🎟️ Tickets: $50 each
- 🧾 Only 500 tickets will be sold
- 💰 Grand Prize: $10,000
Funds will go directly toward unmet personal needs for the residents. Brochures are available if you’re interested in supporting the cause.
You can enter the Bunny Bucks raffle online using this link.
CNO Board Member Spotlights
At today’s meeting, four of our current board members introduced themselves and shared their stories—offering a glimpse into their backgrounds, careers, and the paths that led them to serve in leadership. Their journeys reflect dedication, service, and a strong commitment to the values of our club.
Sarah Umbreit – President-Elect, 2024–2025
“I do like talking, but I don’t love talking about myself,” Sarah joked as she introduced herself with a photo timeline. Born and raised in Kettering, she graduated from Kettering Fairmont High School in 1989. She supported herself through Wright State University, earning a degree in accounting and finance in 1994, and later a master’s in project management in 2000. “Funny thing is, I’ve never worked in project management—but I love telling project managers what they can and can’t do with their money,” she said.
Sarah met her husband Jeff, also a CNO member, during their senior year at Wright State. Their first date was on Jeff’s birthday, and just three weeks later, they were engaged. A year after graduation, they were married and working full-time. They’ll celebrate their 30th anniversary in May, 2025.
The couple built their first home at the top of Umbreit Court in Miamisburg—named after Jeff’s family—and later built a second home on the same street before moving to Washington Township in 2010.
Sarah joined the Centerville Noon Optimist Club in 2016. Her sponsors were her aunt and uncle by marriage, Sue and Mike Brubaker. “They knew what I needed,” she said. As her sons approached high school graduation, her long-standing involvement in their school and sports activities was winding down. Sue and Mike encouraged her to find a new outlet for service—and CNO became just that.
Now, Sarah enjoys a full family life with her two grown sons, her dog Mushu, and her oldest son’s fiancée. When not working or volunteering, she’s likely at Disney World. “Mainly to visit the main mouse that runs the place—he’s my favorite,” she said, noting they’ve made more than 50 trips.
She currently works in accounting and finance at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and has held several leadership positions in CNO, including VP, committee chair, and board member. “We do great things, and I love being a part of the service,” she said. “Serving on the board helped me understand how decisions are made and why we do what we do. The thought-provoking conversations at CNO gatherings are amazing.”
She closed her introduction with humor: “As I was preparing this, I felt like all of this information should’ve been shared with the group before I was nominated for President. Any objections now?” (None heard.) When someone pointed out that the president-elect role comes with early duties, she smiled and admitted, “I wasn’t quite aware how many duties start the year before—but I’ve quickly found out that’s true.”
Editor’s Note: please view the meeting’s slide deck at the bottom of this article. Sarah created a slide shown today that shows her in fantastic photographs at numerous points in her life.
Jim Mogan – Board Member
“I’m Jim Mogan. Not Morgan. But I get called Morgan all the time,” he began, already anticipating the confusion that comes with having an identical twin brother named Joe. “We’ve been Joe Morgan for most of our lives.”
Jim grew up in Cincinnati and attended Purcell High School—back when it was still an all-boys school. He shares bragging rights with a notable classmate: NFL Hall-of-Famer Roger Staubach. “Fine young man then, and still is,” Jim said.
His father made grocery history as the first Kroger store manager when the chain began operating self-service supermarkets. Sadly, his father passed away when Jim and Joe were just four years old. Their mother, left to raise four children, stayed in Cincinnati and returned to school—earning her teaching degree the same day Jim’s sister graduated from high school. “As a kid, you don’t realize what your parents sacrifice. You just think they’re doing what moms do.”
A priest counselor once told his mother that her boys “weren’t college material.” Jim and Joe both went on to earn master’s degrees and became school principals. “So, you know… thanks for the vote of confidence, Father,” he quipped.
Jim’s professional journey started at Dayton Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, where he met his wife, Mary Lynn. He later taught in Dayton Public Schools, eventually becoming an assistant principal then principal.
His career in the travel business began even earlier—at age 14, when he started working for Barney Rapp Travel, conveniently located across the street from his childhood home. “My first job? Serving beer on a bus trip to St. Louis. Different times, right?”
In the summers, he continued working travel gigs, helping organize baseball trips across the country. After Barney Rapp passed away in 1970, Jim took over the agency. He pitched the idea to Barney’s widow, Ruby Wright—a local TV performer known from the Bob Braun and Ruth Lyons shows. One of his boldest moves came when he chartered a 206-seat plane to Hawaii… and oversold it by 45 passengers. “We split them up—some went commercial. Looking back, it could’ve bankrupted us, but hey, they all made it, and the stories were fantastic.”
Jim and Mary Lynn were frequent regulars at Yankee Trace Golf Club, where she worked in the pro shop for 19 years and later on the golf course. “She knew everybody,” Jim said. “They all knew her by name—and I was just ‘Mary Lynn’s husband.’”
Because he traveled frequently—over 100 nights a year—Jim didn’t know many people locally until he was brought into CNO by Gary Aiken. “It was the best thing that happened to me,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of great people. Most of them are very nice,” he added with a grin.
Since joining, Jim has stayed busy with club activities. He’s a key part of the Avenue of Flags crew and a standout at the Easter Egg Hunt. “I’m really good at throwing eggs. I had outstanding training,” he joked. “I just try not to hit the kids.”
With his dry humor, warm storytelling, and long history of service in both education and community life, Jim is a valued member of CNO’s leadership—and one of the best people to sit next to if you’re looking for a good story (or travel advice).
Dr. Bob Myers – Board Member
Born and raised in Dayton, Dr. Bob Myers is a proud product of local schools, having attended Holy Angels School and Alter High School. He completed his undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Cincinnati, where he played trumpet in the marching band for three years before becoming the school mascot in 1976—an experience he recalls with great enthusiasm. “I’d still do it today if they’d let me,” he said with a smile.
After a brief stint working in industry, Bob earned his medical degree from Ohio University. He completed his internship at Grandview Hospital in Dayton and then went on to complete a pediatric residency at Doctors Hospital in Columbus. He spent most of his career as a general pediatrician at Contemporary Pediatrics, Inc., and achieved board certification in pediatrics. His contributions to the medical field include a published article on Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy—a rare and serious form of abuse where a caregiver fabricates illness in a child to gain attention.
Bob also held numerous leadership roles at Dayton Children’s Hospital, including Chair of Medicine, Chief of Staff, and Chair of the Credentials Committee. He served on the hospital’s board for eight years and was instrumental in advocating for expanded pediatric mental health services. He also helped select Deb Feldman as CEO, praising her ongoing impact on children’s healthcare in the region.
In addition to his clinical work, Bob has been active in academic medicine, teaching students and residents from Ohio State, Wright State, and Ohio University. His students included medical, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant trainees—many of whom benefited from his decades of experience.
Bob has also had a colorful history in entertainment. During his college years, he was part of a swing band at Kings Island and performed as a singer, trumpet player, dancer, and even a costumed parrot character. He shared a memorable story about performing a jitterbug dance routine with a woman from Kings Island’s guest relations department—Karen, who would later become his wife.
Bob and Karen married in 1979, the same year he was accepted into medical school, and she began law school. Together they raised three children:
- Kevin, their oldest, passed away eight years ago due to complications from Type 1 diabetes. His life and memory remain a strong influence on the family’s continued advocacy with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
- Brynn holds a master’s degree in education and works in the field of public education. She is married and has two children. Like her parents, Brynn is deeply committed to learning and community service.
- John followed closely in his father’s footsteps—he, too, was the mascot at the University of Cincinnati. John earned a master’s degree in architecture and currently works as an architect for Chipotle, helping design and oversee store development. He is married and has three children. He and his family now live in the home Bob and Karen once owned.
Bob retired from pediatric practice in 2022 but remains highly active in the community. He helped administer thousands of COVID-19 vaccines as a volunteer with the Montgomery County Health Department. He has also supported JDRF efforts—helping organize ten galas alongside his wife Karen during her tenure as executive director.
He participates in several Centerville Noon Optimist Club programs, including Avenue of Flags, Safetyville, Tri-Star Basketball, the Fishing Derby, the Easter Egg Hunt, and the Finance Committee.
Joan Cordonnier – Immediate Past President
Joan kept her spotlight brief but enthusiastic. “I loved being president—loved, loved, loved it,” she said. “I would highly recommend it to anybody.” Now, she enjoys watching President Paul Boeckman lead the club and staying involved with a long list of activities.
She co-chairs the Will Cale Scholarship with her husband Mike, serves as Junior Optimist advisor at Watts Middle School, and co-leads the club’s Youth Mental Health Initiative (YMHI). Born in Cincinnati, she shared a few light-hearted connections with her fellow speakers. “Jim and I were both born in Cincinnati,” she said, “and my husband Mike was in Gary Smiga’s first class at Weller Elementary.”
Joan’s message was simple: “This is the best club ever. The more you get involved, the more you’ll get out of it. I truly enjoy still making an impact.”
Thank You
Thank you to Sarah Umbreit, Jim Mogan, Dr. Bob Myers, and Joan Cordonnier for sharing your stories and for your continued leadership and service to the Centerville Noon Optimist Club.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you.” -Margaret Thatcher
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 |
| Donna Kastner | Mike Bevis |
| Olga Simon | Ron Thompson |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Olga Simon | Ron Thompson | 1st Reading |
| Teresa Nichols | Jane Fiehrer | 1st Reading |
| Ashley Holmes | Art Hung | 2nd Reading |
Happy Bucks
No time for Happy Bucks this week.
Sergeants at Arms – Steve Rau and Don Stafford
No time for Sergeants this week.
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Don Kelley | April 1, 1983 | 42 |
| Cindy Harris | April 2, 2018 | 7 |
| Greg Fay | April 3, 2014 | 11 |
| Greg Griffin | April 3, 2014 | 11 |
| Sam Routsong | April 4, 2023 | 2 |
| Mike Thonnerieux | April 4, 2023 | 2 |
| Ginger Ross | April 4, 2023 | 2 |
| Lyla Ward | April 4, 2023 | 2 |
| Ira Thomsen | April 5, 1991 | 34 |
| Vince Reidy | April 5, 2016 | 9 |
| Dan Samiec | April 6, 2010 | 15 |
Birthdays
| Ira Thomsen | April 5 |
| Roland Rapp | April 5 |
| Andy Harmon | April 6 |
| Mike Thonnerieux | April 6 |
| Scott Hertenstein | April 7 |
| Mike Newkirk | April 7 |
| McKenzie Morin | April 7 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see this week’s Thank You Notes
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slides from this week’s meeting