Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Lord our God,
On this Election Day, help us to hear your voice as we visit the polls and cast our ballots and to remember the values and freedoms our country was founded on. Let us honor you, our ancestors, and our children. Help us to speak with voices filled with civility and respect; to listen with open minds and hearts; to think about what honors you and our community; and to remember, regardless of the outcome, you are in control.
Amen.
Get to Know a Member – Fred Polizzi
President Sarah Umbreit interviewed Fred Polizzi for this week’s “Get to Know a Member.”
- Fred’s best advice is to keep your answers short and simple.
- When asked to choose between the beach or another getaway, Fred chose the beach.
- A recent bucket list item Fred checked off was taking his grandson to Switzerland recently.
Fred Polizzi joined CNO on August 9, 2005 and was sponsored by Art Hung.
Announcements
Top Optimist Poinsettia Sale
Evelyn Griffin announced that the Top Optimist Poinsettia Sale is underway, with a delivery date of December 2. They have 100 poinsettias to support the Top Optimist program. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Practical AI Presentation by Patrick Arehart for November CNO 2.0 Meeting
Diane Arehart announced that the next CNO 2.0 meeting will be held on November 20 at 5:30 PM at Heavier Than Air Brewing Company. Patrick Arehart will present Practical AI, an overview of how artificial intelligence can be used in everyday work and personal projects. This is NOT a technical presentation, but rather how you can take advantage of AI right now for free.
USO Children’s Christmas Party
Denise O’Neil shared that the club will again support the USO Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 13. This event happens every three years, and volunteers with access to the Hope Hotel or the base are especially needed. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Adopt-a-Family Program
Chris Gariety announced that the Adopt-a-Family program is underway for the holiday season. Members can choose to shop for a child, with a spending guideline of $80 to $95, or donate cash, check or food to support the program. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Soup for the Tree Lot
Beth Duncan reminded members to sign up to bring soup in a crockpot for the Christmas Tree volunteers for delivery day on November 22, 2025. Soups should arrive hot at the trailer between 8 and 9 a.m. Please sign up using the Member Calendar.
Mental Health Book Challenge
Andy Higgins, from the Mental Health Committee, shared details about a friendly competition based on the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. It will be Tree Lot Team versus Tree Lot Team, with points for reading sections of the book and attending committee meetings. The winning team will create a TikTok video. Details about the competition are available in the meeting slides, which can be accessed using the link at the bottom of this article.
Dayton International Airport Update with Melissa Riley Patsiavos
Debe Dockins introduced Melissa Riley Patsiavos, Director of Marketing and Air Service Development at the Dayton International Airport. The airport is owned by the City of Dayton, which also operates a downtown helipad and the Wright Brothers Airport in Miamisburg, home to Wright State University’s flight training program.
Riley Patsiavos said that DAY continues to expand service and passenger volume, with enplanements up 3.5 percent in 2025 and more than one million passengers each year. United Airlines recently upgraded its Dayton service with mainline flights to Chicago (ORD) and Denver (DEN), while Delta continues six daily flights to Atlanta and American provides frequent service to Chicago and Washington. Altogether, DAY now offers nonstop flights to 11 airports and about 60,000 departing seats per month.
Competition and Catchment
The airport’s catchment area includes about 1.5 million people within a 60-minute drive, but many still use Cincinnati (CVG) or Columbus (CMH). To recapture travelers, Dayton is highlighting its convenience and affordability including parking directly in front of the terminal, short TSA lines under five minutes, and “easy to and through” service. The ongoing reconstruction of the Brent Spence Bridge could also encourage travelers south of Dayton to reconsider flying from DAY. Meanwhile, CMH’s new terminal project will raise their costs and parking congestion, potentially benefiting Dayton.
Airline Partnerships and Growth Strategy
Airline expansion depends on data. “Every time you fly out of another airport, you tell the airlines you’re okay with that,” she said. To attract new routes, DAY partners with Jobs Ohio, which matches local funds at a four-to-one ratio, turning $200,000 raised into $1 million for route incentives. That program helped secure United’s Denver service, and airport leaders hope it will bring new low-cost carriers in 2026 to increase competition and lower fares.
Economic Impact and Development
Riley Patsiavos reported that Dayton International Airport generates about $5 billion in economic development. The airport area is growing as a logistics and manufacturing hub with companies like Amazon, Chewy, and Kraft. A major new initiative, the North Defense and Aerospace Campus, has received $78 million in state funding to upgrade airfields and infrastructure for defense-industry use.
One of the most exciting projects is Joby Aviation, which will produce electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVOLT) aircraft in Dayton. The facility is expected to create 2,000 high-paying jobs averaging over $100,000, strengthening local partnerships with Wright State University and Sinclair College.
Community and Passenger Experience
The airport continues to build connections with the community through programs like Honor Flight, therapy-dog visits, and six annual aviation camps for students. The Business Travelers Center, run through the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, provides free workspaces and amenities for business travelers. Riley Patsiavos also announced that Runway Fest will return at Wright Brothers Airport in August 2026 as a free family event.
Technology and amenities are improving as well. Dayton launched a new AI-based parking system that scans license plates for automatic payment, making it one of the first airports in the country to adopt this system. New restaurants coming in 2026 include Warped Wing, Buckeye Pizza, and an expanded Dunkin’ Donuts.
How the Community Can Help
Riley Patsiavos closed by urging local travelers to fly Dayton whenever possible, leave positive Google and social media reviews, and tell others about their experiences. “The airlines are data-driven,” she said. “When you fly from DAY, it shows demand and tells them you value your hometown airport.”
Thank You
Thank you, Melissa Riley Patsiavos, for updating us on developments at Dayton International Airport and showing how community support directly affects our region’s air service and growth.
Slides
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
What do you know about CNO from Sarah Umbreit
The club was founded on March 19, 1968, sponsored by the Dor-Wood Optimist Club. One of the founding leaders was Dr. Tom Frazier, and the annual Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth golf outing is named in his honor.
CNO began this Optimist year with 316 members, maintaining its distinction as the largest Optimist Club in Ohio. The club has also earned Optimist International Club of the Year honors in 2017, 2021, and 2024.
For anyone interested in learning more about the broader Optimist movement, Sarah mentioned a short history available on the club’s website titled Of Dreams and Deeds. The 54-page booklet tells the story of the founding and growth of Optimist International and includes a list of past international presidents.
In 1970, the Optimist International theme was “Mission Improvement,” a simple reminder that continual progress has always been at the heart of optimism.
New Member Readings and Inductions
- Bill Johnson, First Reading, Sponsored by Erin Laurito
- Daniel France, Third Reading, Sponsored by Tony Danial
Happy Bucks
- Andy Higgins shared that 25 years ago his daughter Elyse became part of his family, marking a meaningful milestone they continue to celebrate.
- Gail Aiken and Karl Frydryk were both happy to be heading out of town the next morning, flying from Dayton International Airport and taking advantage of the convenience that Melissa Riley Patsiavos had just described.
- Tom Novak was happy about the perfect weather forecast of 67 degrees for the upcoming Avenue of Flags installations.
- Jim Mogan proudly announced that his granddaughter received a $20,000 Governor’s Scholarship, which grants her automatic admission to any state university in Ohio.
- Sergeant Mike Creech was happy that the fines and Happy Bucks portion finished on time.
- Greg Hoffbauer announced that he and his wife Mindy are celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary.
Sergeants-at-Arms Fines – Bob Myers and Mike Creech
- Beth Duncan was fined for appearing in a photo with creative framing without her Optimist pin.
- Jim Mogan was fined for being caught in a Halloween photo dressed as a leprechaun while out trick-or-treating. His festive spirit made him an easy target for the sergeant.
- Patrick Arehart was actually being thanked by Sergeant Bob Myers for helping with computer work and investment discussions that made Bob some money. But before the moment could settle, Sergeant Mike Creech swooped in and fined Patrick anyway. If Sergeants Bob and Mike can’t get on the same page, it could be a long quarter for the membership.
- Sarah Umbreit was fined for her comments about the new sergeants in her president’s notes.
- Wayne Christie paid up after losing his name badge that he later found in his coat pocket. Denise O’Neil, Sue Jessee, and Chris McAlpine also joined the list for missing badges.
- Paul Stull was fined for impersonating a sergeant by helping to set up before the meeting.
- Larry Lynde and Debe Dockins were fined for debating over who would introduce the day’s speaker.
- Sergeants Bob Myers and Mike Creech recalled that the last time they served in this role, Karl Frydryk convinced Mike Creech to deputize him as a sergeant and then immediately fined Mike Creech. Karl was fined for this past incident.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Melissa Riley Patsiavos | Speaker |
| Bill Johnson | Erin Laurito |
| Dan France | Tony Danial |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Bob Vogt | November 8, 2005 | 20 |
Birthdays
| Donna Kastner | November 4 |
| Judy McFadden | November 6 |
| Drew Mckenzie | November 6 |
| Charlie Tapp | November 6 |
| Nancy Henson | November 7 |
| JoAnne Rau | November 7 |
| Ken Irwin | November 9 |
| Dean Heyne | November 10 |
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