Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Heavenly Creator,
Our lives are journeys filled with travel to many destinations along the way. Some trips are delightful, with beautiful destinations, luxurious accommodations, and the best company. Others are headaches, filled with turbulence, less than desirable accommodations, and people we frankly cannot wait to get away from. Regardless of the trip we are taking, help us to make the best of each journey and find beauty in each stop along the way.
Amen.
Announcements
Complimentary Headshots from Julie Walling Noeth
Julie Walling Noeth of Walling Photography LLC will offer complimentary headshots for anyone who wants to update their photo for the annual CNO directory. Headshots will be available on August 5th and 19th from 11:30 to 11:45 AM and again from 1:00 to 1:30 PM. Quick, window-light portraits will be taken before and after the meetings. Simply line up, sign the list with your name as you’d like it to appear in the CNO directory, and provide your email address so you can receive the image for your personal use.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – NOT!
Greg Griffin announced, while it was 95 degrees outside, that it is just 122 days until the tree lot opens.
Optimist Magazine Article about CNO
Paul Boeckman encourages you to read the great article in the July 2025 Optimist Magazine about CNO.
Happy Birthday Dan Beck
Today was Dan Beck’s birthday. A Centerville Noon Optimist since December 1, 1981, Dan got the full birthday treatment as Bob Duffy led us in our signature off-key serenade. I want to say it was Hi-Fi, but let’s be honest, it was more Why-Try. At least it was sung with love (I think).
Someone really should give Tim Clemmer a microphone during his traditional screech. I want to see a microphone explode.
Have another great year, Dan!
Jim Mogan’s Life as a Tour Manager
Paul Boeckman introduced Jim Mogan, a Centerville Noon Optimist since 2016, who shared stories from his eventful career as a tour manager and travel agent. His presentation covered decades of baseball trips, international travel, and unexpected moments along the way.
Getting Started in Travel
Jim’s path to the travel industry began in childhood. After his father passed away when he and his twin brother were just four years old, a neighbor named Barney Rapp took them under his wing. Barney, a well-known Cincinnati band leader and travel promoter, organized large trips to baseball games and introduced the twins to the world of group travel.
At age 14, Jim served beer on a bus to St. Louis. On a later trip to California, he and his brother shared one ticket and dodged the conductor with help from friendly passengers. These early experiences set the stage for a lifetime in the travel business.
Taking Over the Business
When Barney died unexpectedly in 1970, Jim was just 26 and working as a teacher in Dayton. He stepped in to run the business, starting with a 600-person spring training trip to Tampa that involved three hotels and a lot of nerves. That event launched a career that would eventually include hundreds of group tours across the United States and around the world.
Baseball Trips and the Unexpected
Jim organized trips to many major league cities, including Chicago, where he once had to bribe local police to secure bus parking during a Cubs game. On that same trip, he was arrested for selling $10 tickets for $5 and spent time in a jail cell with a scary looking man and a bench hanging from chains, just like in the movies.
He also led trips to Cooperstown for Hall of Fame inductions, starting in 1989 when Johnny Bench was inducted. These trips required careful logistics, including prepaying a gas station owner for full use of their lot and arranging boxed lunches for hundreds, although one person called later to complain that her “box lunch” was served in a bag.
He led trips for other Hall of Fame inductees including Joe Morgan (1990), Tony Perez, Sparky Anderson, Marty Brennaman (2000), and Barry Larkin (2012).
Cruises and International Travel
Jim has led 121 cruises, including the All-Star Baseball Cruise for 41 years. While active players no longer participate, many past Reds greats like Marty Brennaman, Jim Maloney, and Doug Flynn have joined the trips.
Beyond baseball, Jim has traveled extensively. He has taken groups to Ireland 36 times, Hawaii 14 times, Alaska 13 times, Branson 13 times, Nashville 12 times, New England 32 times, and Cruises 121 times. In Egypt, he recalled that while camel rides were offered freely, you had to tip to be allowed back off the camel. In Bangkok, diners had to choose which side of the restaurant to sit on, fish or chicken. In Honolulu, a misunderstanding with a chef wielding a cleaver encouraged Jim to leave the kitchen quickly.
Unusual Moments and Emergencies
Traveling with large groups can lead to unexpected situations. Jim has dealt with medical emergencies in cities from Tampa to Vienna. Once, on the Mississippi Queen riverboat, he missed the departure while helping a guest and had to jump a railing to reboard.
There were also plenty of humorous situations. A traveler named Sarah once got wedged between a mattress and a duvet and was missing long enough that her husband couldn’t find her. On another trip, a woman named Virginia missed her ferry in Norway while her husband calmly finished his meal.
Jim’s colleagues once tricked him into wearing shorts and stepping into the ocean, two things he avoids. They then printed a cutout of the moment and placed it on everyone’s desk.
Still Going Strong
Jim just returned from his most recent All-Star Baseball Cruise and continues to book new adventures. Whether helping fans meet their baseball heroes or guiding travelers through unfamiliar countries, Jim has built a career full of memorable stories and meaningful connections.
Slides
You can view the slide deck of the presentation here.
Thank You
Thank you, Jim, for sharing your life on the road.
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is mere tenacity.” -Amelia Earhart
New Member Readings and Inductions
- Tony Feldkamp, First Reading, Sponsored by Larry Lynde
- Carrie Thompson, Second Reading, Sponsored by Tom Conroy
- Geoff Darr, Third Reading, Sponsored by Tom Novak
Happy Bucks
- No time
Sergeants at Arms Fines
No Time
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Christian Peters | Jim Mogan |
| Mary Lynn Mogan | Jim Mogan |
| Mark Kennard | Melissa Deeter |
| John Zipoy | Fran Sheehan |
| Al Miner | Fran Sheehan |
| Mike Donohoe | Jim Mogan |
| Marien Donohoe | Jim Mogan |
| Kimberly Donohoe | Jim Mogan |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Christina Clemmer | July 30, 2023 | 2 |
| Alice Onady | July 30, 2023 | 2 |
| Julie Woodruff | July 30, 2023 | 2 |
| Myron Rheaume | August 1, 1987 | 38 |
Birthdays
| Dan Beck | July 29 |
| Steve Linder | July 30 |
| Todd Muckerheide | July 30 |
| John Powell | July 30 |
| Jeff Mogg | July 31 |
| Melissa Deeter | August 3 |
| Andrew Cain | August 4 |
| Andrew Nathan | August 4 |
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 Slides from this week’s meeting