Phather Phil’s Prayer
| Heavenly Father life is similar to gathering black berries. When there is something we want there is always some sticky deterrent. Some will plunge right in, while others decline because it’s too much trouble. Attitude in our search for anything is paramount to our success and Optimism is the fuel that spurs us on. Attitude and Optimism helps bring out the best in kids. Lord help us double our pleasure and find the best blackberries and bring out the best in kids. Amen! |
Today’s Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Arnie Biondo | Speaker |
| Ally DeShurko | Speaker |
| Carrie Dittman | Speaker |
| Dave Gould | Chris McAlpine |
| Jeff Kaercher | Mike Yoder |
| Sherri Montgomery | Mike Bevis |
| Melanie Powderly | Deb Ulrich |
| Kat Wright | Brandon Barrett |
All Photos from the Meeting are Here
Thank you notes received
Donna Huss mentioned that we received a thank you note from Alter High School for our $500 donation for their after prom. One of the teachers thanked us for the recognition at the CNO 2.0 event last month.
Upcoming Social Events
- 5/4/2019, Kentucky Derby Party at Remodeling Designs Miamisburg
- 5/11/2019, Dayton Dragons with a Luxury Box. Use the sign-up sheet at lunch or email [email protected]
Committee Announcements
Pat Behn gave everyone more information about the Easter Egg hunt. We need volunteers to help stuff 6000 plastic eggs with candy on April 13, 2019 at 9 AM at St. Leonard’s. It sounds like a lot of eggs, but the work is spread out and takes a little over an hour. Please sign up or show up. There will be coffee and donuts for volunteers!
The Easter Egg hunt will be at 10 AM on April 20, 2019, also at St. Leonard’s. Volunteers should show up at 8:30 to help spread the eggs in the grass for the kids to find at 10 AM. Coffee and donuts will be provided for volunteers!
Bob Lawson announced that the fishing Derby will be on June 1, 2019. Let those planning on attend know they need to fill out the registration form and bring it to the derby. Spread the word on Facebook! Registration is between 8:00 – 9:00AM. The Fishing Derby starts at 9AM and lasts until 11:30AM. We supply free worms however you are permitted to bring your own bait and lures. We stock the ponds with approximately 400 pounds of Catfish for the Derby. There are other fish also in the ponds – mainly Bluegills. Prizes and trophies for all. Children ages 5-15 are encouraged to participate and try this event. The event is held at Washington Township Rec Center, in two ponds. Click here for registration form.
Judy DeMarco announced that on Friday, May 10th, the Childhood Cancer Committee will be holding a Build-A-Bear event at Children’s Medical Center. Each child present will receive a stuffed animal and an outfit of their choice along with other festivities. Members are invited to sponsor a child at the Build-a-Bear for $25. Each sponsor will receive a picture of the child you sponsored holding their new stuffed animal. To sponsor a bear, mail your check payable to Centerville Noon Optimist, c/o Nancy Lehren, 6857 Cedar Cove Dr., Centerville, OH 45459.
Jerry Stahley is selling raffle tickets for OI Junior Golf Championship. The price is 6 Tickets for $5 and the prize is a case of wine. Tickets will be available for the next few weeks.
Centerville-Washington Park District
Gary Smiga introduced Arnie Biondo the Director of Administration at the Centerville-Washington Park District. The district’s slogan is “Explore your community’s BIG BACKYARD! Fun, healthy, outstanding park experiences connecting the community with the outdoors.”
Arnie discussed what to expect in 2019. A new trail at Pleasant Hill Park (on the previous Zengel property) is opening and so far is about a three quarters of a mile long. Oak Grove Park is getting restrooms. St. Leonard/Bill Yeck Park has received a conservation easement.
Arnie introduced Carrie Dittman, the Marketing and Communications Supervisor.
Carrie first discussed the feedback she has received about Forest Field Park and the playground we donated last year. She is the person that receives firsthand the online reviews and statements about this state-of-the-art park. It is almost all 5-Star reviews and thank you notes about how much families like the park.
You can view the full slide deck here.
The Centerville-Washington Park District (CWPD) is a National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Finalist. To help them win, the CWPD had a video made. We were shown this video. The video mentions that the parks help to get kids away from the video games and out into the sunshine for some exercise.
CWPD does a lot of surveys and focus groups to fine tune the programming and features at the parks. In the past 4 years they have had 2 major surveys. In 2018 there were 7 public meetings. Topics for the surveys include Athletic field ratings and park program participant feedback.
CWPD makes use of social media channels. They have 5000 followers on Facebook. They also have Instagram and Twitter channels.
Carrie introduced Ally DeShurko, the Recreation Coordinator/Summer Recreation Program Coordinator. Ally discussed new programs created based on feedback from the community.
- Adapted Action Day will be on Saturday June 22, 2019 at Oak Grove Park.
- Respondents said they want more Summer camps. Camps include Sugar Valley Camp, Nature Art Camp, Youth Archery Camp and additional weeks of Hidden Meadows Day Camp
- Teen Games and Bonfire will be every Friday this summer for children aged 11-15. They will play dodge ball type games and then have a bonfire cookout.
Others news from CWPD programming included: School outreach, Adventure backpacks, Self-guided interpretive nature hikes and pop-up dog parks.
CWPD is now hiring for summer. Positions include full-time and part-time. Almost all positions are outdoor.
CWPD Upcoming Events
- Spring Stargazing will be on 4/13/2019 at Bill Yeck Park.
- The Garlic Mustard Pull information session will be 4/15/2019 at Bill Yeck Park at the Smith house. These weeds need to be removed or they will take over. So far, over 1500 pounds have been removed.
- World Tai Chi Day is on 4/27/2019 at Grant Park, Kennard Nature Nook.
- Big Rig Gig is on 5/11/2019 at Oak Grove Park. Over 500 kids will show up at this event.
Birthdays
| Member | Birthday |
| Daniel Koons | April 5 |
| Ira Thomsen | April 05 |
| Jim Rumford | April 05 |
| Roland Rapp | April 05 |
| Andy Harmon | April 6 |
| Jeff Rolf | April 06 |
| Bob Clements | April 07 |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Month | Day | Joined | # Years |
| Cindy Harris | April | 2 | 4/2/2018 | 1 |
| Nick Tarkany | April | 2 | 4/2/2018 | 1 |
| Greg Fay | April | 3 | 4/3/2014 | 5 |
| Greg Griffin | April | 3 | 4/3/2014 | 5 |
| Ira Thomsen | April | 5 | 4/5/1991 | 28 |
| Vince Reidy | April | 5 | 4/5/2016 | 3 |
| Dan Samiec | April | 6 | 4/6/2010 | 9 |
| Molly Petsch | April | 6 | 4/6/2004 | 15 |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Amy Blakeman | Ron Tinnerman | Induction |
| William Pace | Evelyn Griffin | 3rd Reading |
| Pam Truitt | Donna Huss | 1st Reading |
| Judy McFadden | Donna Huss | 1st Reading |
Sergeants at Arms
No time for sergeants this week.
Happy Bucks!
| Member | Reason |
| Dave Kay | Michigan State is in final four. |
| Melissa DeShurko | Thanks to the park district and her daughter Ally DeShurko for being part of the presentation. |
| Joan Cordonnier | Thanks to the park district for their presentation. |
| Charlie Goodwin | Paul Stull is a new member of The Explorers Club. This prestigious organization is headquartered in New York City. |
| Joe Madden | Mary Madden will be happy today because it is their 26th wedding anniversary. |