Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway” – John Wayne
Lord,
We give you thanks for our first responders; the men and women who serve and protect us by running towards danger, into burning buildings, and to accident scenes to help those in need. Walk alongside them on every call and during every split-second decision. Shield them with your protection, enlighten them with your wisdom, provide them with composure, and surround them with your everlasting love.
Amen.
Doug Orff – Get to Know a Member
- Hobbies: Pickleball. He went on to say how he plays it often, at least 4 times a week. And golf!
- Biggest fear: Getting hit in the head again with a golf ball. This happened fairly recently, and he did get himself checked out and had no concussion or other injuries.
- What do you like best about Tuesday lunches: He likes the camaraderie and gathering with others who like helping children in our community.
Announcements
Practical AI Presentation by Patrick Arehart for November CNO 2.0 Meeting
Sarah Umbreit 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.
Tree Lot Opens Soon
Greg Griffin announced that the tree lot opens in 45 days, the day after Thanksgiving. He reminded members that with a few people no longer able to help, it is especially important for everyone who is scheduled to work to show up. The goal remains to sell one thousand trees in two weeks.
The Anxious Generation Book Club
Joan Cordonnier spoke about The Anxious Generation and encouraged as many people as possible to read it. For background, see the earlier article from the CNO 2.0 meeting where Andy Higgins discussed the book. Joan will host a book club meeting at her home on November 4, 2025, with additional gatherings on December 2, 2025, and in January 2026. Anyone interested should contact her directly.
Social Committee
Connie Risch introduced herself as the new Social Committee Chair.
Connie asked that you contact her to share ideas or to join the Social Committee. If you don’t have a recent Member Handbook use this form for her contact information.
Happy Birthday Sue Jessee
Today is Sue Jessee’s birthday! Bob Duffy conducted the Optimist Choir, and we gave Sue a performance that only True Optimism could call “music.”
Sue Jessee joined CNO on July 18, 2018, and was sponsored by Ellie Parker.
Robert J. O’Toole EMT/Firefighter of the Year Award
Sarah Umbreit introduced Gary Anderson and Bob Burkman who have jointly chaired the EMT/Firefighter of the Year Award for several years.
This annual EMT/Firefighter Award honors those individuals serving in the Washington Township Fire Department “for dedication and service to others and fostering fire safety awareness.”
The following is from Bob Burkman:
Twenty-seven years ago, in the early morning hours of January 12, 1998, Centerville Police Officer John Kalaman, age 29, and Washington Township Firefighter Robert O’Toole, age 25 and Firefighter Chuck Arnold, responded to a single car accident on I-675 at Wilmington Pike. After the passenger in the accident was put in a transport vehicle, Bob O’Toole, his partner Chuck Arnold, and John Kalaman returned to the crash vehicle to disconnect the battery.
Another vehicle lost control on the black iced highway, crossed the median, and struck the three men. John Kalaman, a five-year Centerville Police Department veteran was killed instantly. Bob O’Toole, who had been with the Township Fire Department for four years, and his partner, Charles Arnold, were Care Flighted to Miami Valley Hospital.
Bob O’Toole died in the Emergency Room. His partner, Chuck Arnold, luckily survived, but with severe injuries.
John Kalaman was the first police officer Centerville had lost in the line of duty and the Washington Township Fire Department had not lost a firefighter since 1955.
Each year since 1998, the Centerville Noon Optimists have awarded the Robert J. O’Toole EMT/Firefighter of the Year Award to “honor those in our community who unselfishly give of themselves in service of others.”
The Trifold on your table tells you something of Bob’s life. It describes the event, lists the past honorees, gives a short bio of this year’s honoree Kyle Vincent and credits the late Optimist Terry Blair’s influence in establishing this award.
Click to view the Tri-Fold Brochure of the 2025 Robert O’Toole EMT/Firefighter of the Year Award.
This is the 28th time CNO has presented this award.
Gary Anderson Remembers Robert J. O’Toole
The following is from Gary Anderson about Bobby O’Toole:
- Bobby was a special little boy who I and others couldn’t help but love. I had the good fortune of being Bobby’s principal K-4; and again 9-12
- Bobby was born March 2, 1972 in Teaneck, New Jersey to parents John and Ruth
- 2 brothers and 2 sisters
- Started Kindergarten at Village South on August 30, 1977
- K-4 at VS; 5th grade at Stingley August 31, 1982
- Tower Heights Middle School
- CHS West Unit Freshman in August 1986; graduated June 2, 1990
- Bob was identified with a learning disability after being referred by his first-grade teacher
- Like so many students identified with a learning disability, Bobby had above average intelligence on School Ability Tests given in 2nd and 5th grades
- His first-grade teacher once commented “Bob is very shy around strangers, is anxious to read, and reads a lot at home. Because of his short attention span he does not complete most assignments.”
- His 4th grade teacher once wrote on his report card “Robert needs to pay more attention in class and keep up with his daily assignments. I feel he is much more capable than his work indicates. Bob does not do daily assignments and does not know his multiplication tables. Needs to use class time wisely.”
- In November, 1986 Bob took the Ohio Interest Survey Profile which showed his best liked career interest was humanitarian/caretaking; favorite subject was Social Studies.
- Bobby O’Toole gave his life in the line of duty doing what he loved and wanted to do on January 12, 1998
Fire Chief Nick Bergman Presents the Robert O’Toole Award
Gary Anderson introduced Fire Chief and past EMT Award recipient Nick Bergman, who presented this year’s Robert O’Toole Award to Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Vincent.
Bergman thanked the Centerville Noon Optimists for supporting the award and said it keeps Bob O’Toole’s story alive as the last of those who worked with him near retirement. “Ruth, please know that his heroic efforts will never be forgotten,” he said.
He described the O’Toole Award as the department’s most meaningful honor because it reflects O’Toole’s integrity, dedication, and service.
This year’s recipient, Kyle Vincent, joined Washington Township Fire Department as a part-timer in 2013, left for Miami Valley Fire District in 2016, and returned full-time in 2021. He also served in Xenia, Sugarcreek Township, and Spring Valley Township. Vincent has earned multiple honors, including Rookie of the Year and Firefighter of the Year in 2024.
Coworkers describe him as a quiet leader who stays calm in high-stress situations and helps keep others focused and safe. Beyond emergency calls, he maintains the community AED program and trains new recruits at the department’s tower.
Recently promoted to acting Lieutenant, Vincent continues advanced training in structural collapse, trench rescue, and water rescue.
“Kyle embodies what it means to be a Washington Township firefighter: dependable, skilled, and passionate about serving the community,” Bergman said. “He’s the kind of firefighter every chief wants on their team.”
He concluded by thanking the Optimists for helping preserve Firefighter O’Toole’s spirit and congratulating Kyle Vincent as the 2025 Robert O’Toole Award recipient.
Kyle Vincent
Gary Anderson Presented Kyle Vincent with a plaque. Kyle is the 26th individual recipient of this award.
Kyle Vincent said, “Thank you for this; it means a lot. Thanks to the department for the opportunities. Thank you to the citizens of Washington Township and Centerville. Thank you to my wife Allison for all her support.”
Kyle was joined at lunch today by:
- Allison Vincent, Kyle’s wife
- Ruth O’Toole, Robert O’Toole’s mother
- Nick Bergman, Fire Chief
- Troy Bonfield, Deputy Chief
- Jason Hartley, Deputy Chief
- Josh Augustine, Battalion Chief
- Patrick Powell, Lieutenant
- Mike Thonnerieux, Washington Township Administrator
- Gary Smiga, Washington Township Fiscal Officer
Thanks from Ruth O’Toole
Ruth O’Toole thanked everyone at CNO for keeping this award going, and it is heartwarming that CNO does this.
Gary Anderson’s Final Remarks
It is even more important moving forward to honor Robert O’Toole, member of the department few now remember.
He closed with a quote from Walt Disney:
“Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” -Walt Disney.
About the Green and Red Jackets – CNO Tradition
Sarah Umbreit explained the meaning behind the red and green jackets worn by some members. The green jackets are worn by those who have served as Governor of the Ohio District of Optimist International, while the red jackets signify members who serve as district officers such as Secretary, Treasurer, or Sergeant.
New Member Readings and Inductions
- Daniel France, First Reading, Sponsored by Tony Danial
- Steve Kelzer, Second Reading, Sponsored by Mike Creech
- Kay Scarpino, Third Reading, Sponsored by Carol Smerz – her induction will occur at St Leonard
Happy Bucks
- Bob Myers said the sergeants seemed to be targeting his table and joked that he must have been labeled a troubled child at the trouble table.
- Candace Lowell shared that her son, Parker Williams, placed 25th out of 188 runners in the 9th Annual Canal Corridor 100, a 100-mile race that circles Akron three times. Parker completed the race in 21 hours, averaging about 12 minutes per mile.
- Michael Horton celebrated the team of 13-year-olds he coaches for basketball earned their 13th consecutive championship win and added that Baker Mayfield’s Buccaneers won again.
- Carol Smerz thanked everyone for supporting her as Optimist of the Year.
- Gail Aiken said she is happy not to be running the Haunted Trail this year. She has been involved with it since 1990 and knows it will be fabulous under the new leadership.
Sergeants-at-Arms Fines – Denise Green and Beth Duncan
- The hot potato ball game added a new layer of fun. Each table tossed a ball while music played, and whoever was holding it when the music stopped was fined.
- Gary Smiga was fined five dollars after giving an unsolicited autograph to Sergeants Denise Green and Beth Duncan.
- Scott Langer arrived late and simply handed over his dollar without argument.
- Sue Brubaker was fined for whispering to others to watch out for Beth Duncan, warning them not to talk to her because she was serving as sergeant.
- Sarah Umbreit mixed up the order when introducing Bob Burkman and Gary Anderson, whose shirts looked almost identical.
- Paul Boeckman admitted he wasn’t exactly sure why he was fined. He said, “Somehow it was about the bell, and then I kind of changed the subject, and it still cost me a buck.” Sergeant Beth said they miss getting his dollar bills each week.
- Connie Risch put sheets on the tables to gather ideas and recruit for the Social Committee, but forgot to provide pens for anyone to write with.
- Michael Horton turned himself in for a mystery offense, paid his dollar, and said it would remain a secret forever.
- Sarah Umbreit’s name was selected by the Random Fine of the Week.
- Table 10 was chosen by the Unlucky Wheel, and everyone at the table paid a dollar.
- The same wheel was spun again as the Lucky Wheel, rewarding that table with candy treats.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Allison Vincent | Program |
| Battalion Chief Josh Augustine | Program |
| Deputy Chief Jason Hartley | Program |
| Deputy Chief Troy Bonfield | Program |
| Sister Claret Diala | Carolyn Taylor |
| Daniel France | Jean Pummill |
| Kyle Vincent | Program |
| Lieutenant Patrick Powell | Program |
| Chief Nick Bergman | Program |
| Ruth O’Toole | Program |
| Ruthie DeVan | Program |
| Steve Kelzer | Mike Creech |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Anne Kohls | October 16, 2021 | 4 |
| Keith Meyer | October 16, 2013 | 12 |
| McKenzie Morin | October 16, 2021 | 4 |
| Jean Pummill | October 17, 2012 | 13 |
| Tom Henderson | October 20, 2009 | 16 |
| Aaron Campbell | October 20, 2009 | 16 |
| Steve Campbell | October 20, 2009 | 16 |
Birthdays
| Sue Jessee | October 14 |
| Donna Robinson | October 14 |
| Wes Cleaves | October 15 |
| Craig Dring | October 16 |
| Carol Mays | October 18 |
| Greg Griffin | October 19 |
| Gary Anderson | October 20 |
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