CLICK HERE to see the photos taken at the Holiday Party
Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
We are gathered this evening in celebration of the holiday season. Whether we are preparing for Christmas and the birth of the baby Jesus, for Hanukkah – the celebration in remembrance of the miracle in which a lantern, with only enough oil for one night, blazed for eight, or any of the many other holidays observed during this time of year, we all chose to take time during this busy season to spend with our Optimist family and friends.
Lord, help us to take time this season to give the gifts that truly matter:
- the gift of gratitude: for the people in our lives and the blessings they bring us.
- the gift of our attention: to be present in the moment free of distraction.
- the gifts of grace, forgiveness, and non-judgment: for we are all human and make mistakes.
- the gift of a compliment: for we never know how much a kind word can mean to someone.
- the gift of time: to be with and serve those with needs both big and small; and
- the gift of love: a true and unconditional love, for people as You created them, not as we wish for them to be.
Amen.
President Sarah Umbreit’s Holiday Remarks
President Sarah Umbreit welcomed everyone to the Holiday Dinner and thanked members for their support, enthusiasm, and dedication throughout 2025. She noted how much the club accomplished this year and emphasized the meaningful impact members continue to make on youth in the community.
After dinner, Sarah Umbreit thanked Connie Risch for her work planning the holiday dinner at Sycamore Creek Country Club. Connie thanked Beth Duncan for her guidance and noted that Heather from Sycamore provided exceptional support. Greg Griffin handled the printing of the programs.
Sarah reflected on what makes CNO unique. Members bring positivity, kindness, and a spirit of service to everything they do. She said Optimists do not only find silver linings but also help others shine theirs. She praised the club’s sense of gratitude, giving, and togetherness, encouraging everyone to carry that spirit into the new year.
Introduction of Entertainment
Sarah introduced Moses and Xavier Mabarak, talented young musicians from Alter High School who play multiple instruments and perform throughout the community, including at the Paragon Supper Club. She thanked them for sharing their music and being examples of youth making a positive impact.
Christian D. Larson Awards
As is the CNO custom, the previous year’s recipients introduce this year’s recipients of the Christian D. Larson award. Last year’s recipients were Greg Griffin, Mike Brubaker and Paul Stuff.
From Greg Griffin, “Good evening. Last year, Mike, Paul, and I were honored to receive the Christian D. Larson award. Tonight, we have the honor to introduce this year’s recipients, our “Class of 2025,” into this elite fraternity.”
Near the bottom of this article, you will find details about the Christian D. Larson award.
Val Huff, Christian D. Larson Award Recipient 2025
Paul Stull, a 2024 recipient, said tonight’s first winner has been:
- A member for 21 years
- A member of the Golf Committee for 20 years
- Worked consistently on the Christmas Tree Lot, Easter Egg Hunt, Haunted Trail, Build-a-Bear
- Worked on Avenue of Flags
- Has served on the Club’s Board of Directors
- Served as Chair for the Optimist Ohio District Convention when it was held in Cincinnati
- Outside the club, this person has served on Montgomery County’s Long Range Planning Committee as well as on the PTO Board for Centerville Schools and Pleasant Hill Church
- Served as a Member of Philanthropic Education Organization
- Served as a PEO Member
- Served on DCH Twigs
Please help me welcome and congratulate our first Award Winner this evening – Val Huff.
Val Huff said, “Thank you all so much it is appreciated and totally unexpected.”
Val Huff joined CNO on October 7, 2004.
Sue Brubaker, Christian D. Larson Award Recipient 2025
Greg Griffin, a 2024 recipient said tonight’s second winner has:
- Been a member for 17 years
- Shopped for, delivered and worked in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles on Build-a-Bear for many years
- Worked on the Tom Frazier Tee Off for Youth in a variety of roles including Auction Gift Baskets, solicited donations, helped prepare raffle baskets and again served in many behind the scenes tasks for the fundraiser
- Served as a CNO Board Member – 2010 – 2012
- Co-Chaired the Got-Talent Contest
- Cashiered at the Christmas Tree Lot
- Worked with the Social Committee on the Holiday Party
- Stuffed Easter Eggs
- Worked on the 75th Optimist Ohio District Convention
- Worked for several years on Optimist Kids Day in the Park
Please help me welcome and congratulate our second Award Winner this evening – Sue Brubaker.
Sue Brubaker said, “Thank so very much and this is the best club in the world. Kudos to my husband Mike for keeping it a secret!”
Sue Brubaker joined CNO on September 23, 2008.
Evelyn Griffin, Christian D. Larson Award Recipient 2025
Mike Brubaker, a 2024 recipient said tonight’s third winner:
- Has been a member for 10 years
- Served as a AOF Renewal Team and HQ Team Member
- Founding Co-Chair of Skilled Trades Scholarship Program
- Served as Christmas Tree Lot Team Captain and in many behind the scenes support roles for that fundraiser
- Served in many Ohio District roles such as conference/convention photographer, Memorial Service Coordinator
- Has served as a Club Board Member and Vice President
- Has been an Optimist of the Year Recipient
- Serves as Club Meetings Photographer
- In the community, serves as a USO Volunteer at WPAFB
- Serves as a Board Member and Volunteer for Friends of the Washington-Centerville Public Library
Please help me welcome and congratulate our third Award Winner this evening – Evelyn Griffin.
Evelyn Griffin said, “Thank you, and I am so grateful.”
Evelyn Griffin joined CNO on October 21, 2015.
Closing the Awards Presentation
From Mike Brubaker:
On behalf of Paul, Greg, and I – we congratulate our latest Christian D. Larson Recipients – our “Class of 2025” – and sincerely thank each of them for their combined 48 years of service to Youth in our club – as well as countless years of service to the community.
Val and Sue and Evelyn epitomize what it is to be an Optimist and to live by the tenants of our Optimist Creed – penned 113 years ago by Christian D Larson.
Closing the Party
Sarah closed by wishing everyone a joyful holiday season, reminding members to take photos by the tree, and inviting all to stand for the Creed.
About the Christian D. Larson Award
The Christian D. Larson award is Optimist International’s most prestigious award. This award is a lifetime achievement recognition given to a person who has exemplified outstanding service to both our community as a whole and The Centerville Noon Optimist Club in particular.
The award was named in honor of Mr. Larson because he was the author of the well-known Optimist Creed, which was written in 1912 and is what we Optimists live by every day. In the one hundred years of Optimist International, with hundreds of thousands of members, less than 800 individuals worldwide have been accorded this honor
Each year, our club donates half the proceeds of the tickets purchased for the 50/50 drawing along with all the money raised through the Sergeant at Arms fines and Happy Bucks during our Noon meetings. This money goes to the Optimist International Foundation for the purpose of supporting its charitable, literary, and educational activities. In return, for each one thousand dollars donated, the Optimist International Foundation grants our club the privilege of presenting a Christian D. Larson Award.
In 2007 our Board of Directors voted to present the Christian D. Larson award to our club members in order to recognize their positive contributions over a long period of time. Our Optimist Board had selected all the recipients from 2007 – 2012. In 2013, they decided that going forward it would best be decided by our growing group of past Larson Award recipients.
Each new honoree must have a minimum of ten years in the club, have held leadership positions, contributed greatly to both the community and our club, exhibited a positive optimistic attitude, and volunteered consistently over many years actively enhancing the club’s formula for success.
All CNO Members Who Have Received the Christian D. Larson Award
- Steve Fisher
- Margaret Barclay
- Phil Robinson
- Joe Madden
- Jerry Stahley
- Chuck Dickerson
- Jim Hawley
- Bill Stone
- Gary Aiken
- Judy DeMarco
- Dan Beck
- Gary Smiga
- Kelly Stone
- Mike Bevis
- Tom Novak
- Gary Anderson
- Will Cale
- Don Kelley
- Charlie Tapp
- Bob Burkman
- Nancy Lehren
- Pat Behn
- Mary Madden
- Myron Rheaume
- Tom Frazier
- Stan Fronzaglia
- Karl Frydryk
- Joan Cordonnier
- Gail Aiken
- Roy Barclay
- Barbara Santo
- Vida McDowell
- Larry Lynde
- Craig Dring
- Chris McAlpine
- Don Wildenhaus
- Debe Dockins
- Bob Glavin
- Greg Wasmund
- Gary Hansen
- Jean Pummill
- Roland Rapp
- Mike Brubaker
- Greg Griffin
- Paul Stull
- Val Huff
- Sue Brubaker
- Evelyn Griffin