Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
The singer Pink was quoted during her acceptance speech when receiving the 2023 iHeart Radio Icon Award as saying, “Vulnerability means the ability to be wounded. I have decided to make vulnerability my life’s work […] some of you find what I do annoying, and some of you find it brave, and I just find it necessary.”
Lord,
It is hard to be vulnerable. Hard to open ourselves up to the potential of being wounded. Hard to be honest with ourselves and those around us.
Help us to lead by example. To find strength in being vulnerable and in showing our whole selves, even though the parts that we feel are not so pretty.
Amen.
Announcements
- Beth Duncan announced that the 105th Optimist International Convention will be July 2-5, 2023, and be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport in Arlington Virginia.
- Debe Dockins announced that the wine and beer tasting party last weekend at Diane and Patrick Arehart’s home was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who came.
- Debe Dockins announced that there will be a Kentucky Derby Party on May 6th, 2023. Signups will be available soon online and the cost will be $20. There will be games of chance at the event. Bring food to share and enjoy the fellowship.
- Tom Novak announced that AOF is heading into the final phase of the renewal process. For the next phase of renewals, Tom asked that you contact him if you are willing to help call subscribers that have not yet renewed. There is a script to read when you call.
- Gary Hansen announced that the Youth Recognition event will be held on June 13, 2023, at Yankee Trace to recognize all of the kids that won contests in the last year. He is looking for a couple more members for the committee.
- Greg Griffin announced the Easter Egg Hunt will be held April 8, 2023, at 10 AM. Volunteers are needed at 8:30 AM on the event day. Sign up on the website here.
- Jane Fiehrer asked for members to encourage kids to enter the Visual Arts Contest. Kids can submit pictures of their art online. Submissions are due by April 15, 2023.
- Bob Lawson announced that he needs volunteers for Family Adventure Day at the RecPlex that will be held on April 29, 2023. He needs volunteers that know how to fish and are willing to bait hooks and remove fish from hooks. Sign up on the website here.
- Bob Lawson announced that the Fishing Derby will be held on June 3, 2023. There are several jobs and some jobs that do not require fishing skills. Sign up on the website here.
- Bob Lawson announced that he needs a co-chair for Optimist Kid’s Day in the Park on August 9, 2023.
Good Works Farm, Marie Canaday
Good Works Farm, Inc. is an inclusive community and farm-based recreational and vocational program located in Waynesville, Ohio. The farm provides a supportive environment for children and adults with special needs. Kristen Marks introduced Marie Canaday, the Development Coordinator of Good Works Farm, who introduced the farm’s mission and shared her personal experience with special needs children.
You can view the slide deck here.
Here is a good video about the camp, https://www.goodworksfarm.org/services/summer-day-camps.
Mission
Our mission is to enthusiastically empower differently-abled individuals to reach their fullest potential in supportive and meaningful environments.
Vision
The vision of Good Works Farm is to be a robust farmstead community of diverse individuals of all abilities who use their distinctive talents and abilities to support and encourage one another to reach their fullest potential in a place of safety, acceptance, peace, and well-being.
Presentation
Marie Canaday said that the original speaker was Nancy Bernotaitis, the Co-Founder and Director of Operations of Good Works Farm. Unfortunately, Nancy could not be present because she had to stay home with a sick child. Marie continued the presentation by asking the audience how many of them knew someone with Autism. Many in the audience said yes, highlighting the prevalence of Autism in our society.
Marie Canaday herself is a mother of four children, ages 3-10, with one of them having Autism. As a parent of a special needs child, Marie is part of a support group for mothers. She expressed how difficult it can be for parents of special needs children to think about who will take care of their child when they are gone. Marie shared that Nancy Bernotaitis, the founder of Good Works Farm, started the farm because she did not know what would happen to her son who is Autistic. Nancy’s son Sam has Autism and Epilepsy, and Nancy has written a book that is very funny. Good Works Farm is a reflection of Nancy’s passion to provide a safe and supportive environment for children and adults with special needs.
Marie Canaday also shared her personal experience with Good Works Farm. She learned about the farm through JustServe.org and matched with Good Works Farm as a volunteer. Marie’s children have attended the summer camp at Good Works Farm for the past two summers.
Marie shared that up to 26% of adults in the United States have some type of disability according to the CDC. Good Works Farm serves both children and adults with special needs, providing a supportive environment for participants to learn and grow. The farm takes siblings of kids with special needs, making it much easier for the parents to transport their kids to camps.
Activities
The farm offers a wide range of activities for participants, including feeding and playing with animals. The stations are run by volunteers. In 2019, Good Works Farm moved from Bellbrook to Waynesville, and in March 2021, they received grants for 2 full-sized vans. This allows them to take participants to other activities. On April 1, 2021, the farm introduced Adult Day Habilitation. During the winter, participants have different lessons and they do community service. They currently have 18 adult clients, and one of their first DayHab clients, Grant, said about the farm, “This is where my future begins.” Jessica, another participant, loves reading and wants to work in a bookstore and open her own bookstore one day.
Volunteers
Good Works Farm is always looking for volunteers. They are looking for volunteers for each of the two camps they will have this year, one in June and one in August. The farm also offers vocational habilitation, teaching participants how to prepare for an interview and other skills for obtaining a job.
Future
In the future, Good Works Farm would like to have its own space. Currently, they borrow space from a nearby church. They want to be able to add more slots for children and adults, providing more opportunities for participants to learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment.
Ways to Get Involved
- Stay updated via email. Very simple for with only name and email needed: https://www.goodworksfarm.org/join-us/join-our-mailing-list
- Attend the fundraiser: https://www.goodworksfarm.org/support-us/fundraisers
- Donate: https://www.goodworksfarm.org/donate-now
- Volunteer for summer camp: https://www.goodworksfarm.org/services/summer-day-camps/camp-volunteers
- Find us on Facebook: Good Works Farm, Inc. | Waynesville OH | Facebook
Contact
Marie Canaday can be reached at 541-690-9584, [email protected]. She said she is happy to talk to anyone that wants to connect with her.
Thank You
Thank you, Marie Canaday, for educating us about the services of Good Works Farm, Inc.
2023-2024 Officers and Board of Directors Nominations for CNO
Jean Pummill, CNO Secretary, reported that the nomination committee of the Centerville Noon Optimist Club, comprised of past presidents, the current president and incoming president have nominated the following members for the Optimist Year 2023-2024:
- President Elect: Paul Boeckman
- Vice Presidents: Katie Calloway and Evelyn Griffin
- Board of Directors for 2-year terms: Mike Creech, Dennis Dockins, Jim Mogan, Steve Rau, Deb Saunders
- Board Members with 1 year left to serve: Mitch Bodenmiller, Andy Dickerson, Rachel Goetz, Art Hung, Carol Smerz
- Past president representative: Nancy Lehren
- Beth Duncan will serve as the Immediate Past President
- The incoming president chooses the Treasurer and Secretary. Roland Rapp has been chosen for Treasurer and Jean Pummill for Secretary. They are both currently serving in those positions.
We will hear from each of the nominated board members and officers over the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Paul Boeckman, Nominated for President Elect
Paul has been a member of CNO since 12/9/1994.
Paul spoke:
Thanks Jean, for the introduction. As promised, I will keep my remarks to no more than 45 minutes.
Four score minus seventeen years ago my father and mother brought forth on this continent a new child, conceived in optimism, and dedicated to the proposition that all Optimist members are friends of youth. Wait……wrong speech.
I have been a member of the CNOC since 1994 having been sponsored by Tom Riley back in days of landline telephones. I have lots of experience selling trees and planting flags as well as chairing the Bike Rodeo since the late 1990’s. I am an expert at eating donuts at Tri-Star basketball and can certainly get a group of kids lost at the Haunted Trail. And my TOP Soccer coaching skills include superb Snack Scheduling.
I’ve been serving as a VP of the CNOC and many moons ago was President and Secretary/Treasurer of the old Salem Mall Optimist Club. I like to think that my involvement with that club did not lead to the demise of the Salem Mall…
I am truly amazed at the impact our club makes in the community and the commitment of our members to carry out that mission. The many folks who have led this club as President have set the bar extremely high. Their dedication and passion to serving the youth in our community have yielded huge results…and frankly big shoes to fill.
With my retirement two years ago, I now have the time to become more deeply involved in the Club and help out where I can. I would be delighted to serve as a President-elect next year and help continue making our Optimism come true.
Thank you!
Katie Calloway, Nominated for Vice-President
Katie has been a member of CNO since 2/19/2019.
Katie spoke:
I have been a member for 4 years. I’m co-chair of the Social Media Committee with Diane Arehart. I am happy to be the chair for Safetyville Square . I have sold trees. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be vice-president after finishing my 2-year term as a board member.
Evelyn Griffin, Nominated for Vice-President
Evelyn has been a member of CNO since 10/21/2015.
Evelyn spoke:
I am humbled o be asked to be vice-president and will do my best.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Rod Bluhm | Bob Collins |
| Marie Canaday | Speaker |
| Jan Hamilton | Mike Bevis |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Karen Charnesky | Suzanne Werts | 1st Reading |
| Sam Routsong | Scott Langer | 2nd Reading |
| Ginger Ross | Stan Fronzaglia | 2nd Reading |
| Mike Thonnerieux | Gary Smiga | 3rd Reading |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Scott Langer | First grandson was born a few days ago |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Joe Madden | Showed up at today’s meeting |
| Bob Duffy | Picture at a grocery with interesting items in his cart |
| Katie Calloway | Left a stop sign from Safetyville Square last week at Yankee Trace |
| Judy Johnson | Stole Scott Langer’s seat |
| Patrick Arehart | Knocked potatoes off of the serving spoon Sergeant Scott Langer was using to put them on his plate |
| Debe Dockins | Did not mention to bring a hearty appetizer to the Derby Party during her announcement |
| Paul Boeckman | Gave a long (but funny) speech even though he is running unopposed for president elect |
| Joe Madden | Besmirching future president Paul Boeckman during his announcement |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Dav Bremer | March 31, 2001 | 22 |
| Rob Jones | March 31, 2001 | 22 |
| Don Kelley | April 1, 1983 | 40 |
| Cindy Harris | April 2, 2018 | 5 |
| Nick Tarkany | April 2, 2018 | 5 |
| Greg Fay | April 3, 2014 | 9 |
| Greg Griffin | April 3, 2014 | 9 |
Birthdays
| Bob Crawford | March 28 |
| Mike Creech | March 28 |
| Andy Higgins | March 30 |
| Glen Brendel | March 31 |
| Maha Kashani | March 31 |
CNO Donations – 2013 through February 2023
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes we received this week.