Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
1 Thessalonians 2:8 states, “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.”
Our life stories and perspectives shape the way we live, speak, work, and fellowship with our neighbors. Yet so often we are hesitant to share pieces of ourselves with others. We hide those pieces like skeletons in our closets. God, lead us to be authentic in who we are, in the struggles we have and are facing, the battles we have won, and to the realization that through it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly, we are wholly yours.
Amen.
Announcements
- Kristin Marks, chair of the Essay contest, announced that the four judges will submit their scores for the nine essays by February 15, 2023. The top three contestants will be invited to attend the CNO meeting on March 7, 2023, to read their essays.
- Ellie Parker, chair of the Photography Contest, announced that the contest is now open. Let High School students know they can enter from the CNO website.
Social Events
Euchre Party on Friday 2/24/2023 at 6 PM, get details and signup online here.
Margaret Barclay Memorial 2023 Optimist Oratorical Contest
Ron Thompson. the chair of the Margaret Barclay Memorial Oratorical Contest, introduced the participating students and described this annual event. The co-chair of the event is Megan Dalton.
The prompt for this year’s Oratorical Contest is, “Discovering the Optimist Within Me.”
Speaker A, 7th Grade Girl from Magsig Middle School
Excerpts of ideas from her speech follow:
- Isaac Newton discovered gravity; it was always there.
- Optimism is inside of each of us. you just have to discover it.
- No matter what happens today, be hopeful everyday about tomorrow.
- Set a goal and work for it. There will be curveballs in your way. During these times you need an anchor like optimism.
- The movie Annie is about an orphan living a hard knock life. The song Tomorrow has the lyric, “the Sun will come out tomorrow.” Its profound meaning is to keep holding on to the hope of tomorrow.
Speaker B, 7th Grade Girl from Magsig Middle School
Excerpts of ideas from her speech follow:
- You can’t just find Optimism, you need to discover it.
- Remembering scents or experiences on a beach can bring you peace.
- Optimism gives us balance and relaxation.
- The four seasons and the changes they bring give us something to look forward to like singing birds in the spring.
- Optimism gives contentment and satisfaction. It provides a simple perspective on living a good life.
- Optimism can be found by being the best version of yourself.
- Optimism is the belief that things will get better, no matter how bad things are.
Speaker C, 7th Grade Girl from Watts Middle School
Excerpts of ideas from her speech follow:
- I like the topic because staying optimistic is something I struggle with.
- It is OK to mess up. Admit it when it happens and figure out how to make it better.
- On the soccer field is where I am the hardest on myself. I work on getting better and leave the match’s struggles on the field.
- In school if you don’t stay optimistic you can’t concentrate on schoolwork.
- Choose an optimistic mindset. An optimistic mindset is what you need to get rid of a negative mindset.
- You can come back from a low with Optimism.
- Positive thinking can help you recover from health events such as a stroke. A negative mindset can reduce your lifetime.
Congratulations to the Contestants
We congratulate and thank each one of these students for having the courage to speak to us today.
As for the importance of public speaking – 70% of those in leadership roles say it is an essential skill for success. Ron Thompson said, “I want to emphasize to all of today’s contestants, there are no losers here. All of you have gained valuable experience.”
Each participant received a certificate of participation.
And the Winner Is…
Speaker A will go on to the zone level from today’s contest. She received a medal and a check from Roy Barclay.
Thank You
Ron Thompson said, “We get great support from the principals at all three Centerville middle schools, and I thank them for promoting this contest to their students.”
He said thanks to those who helped today:
- Megan Dalton, the co-chair
- Liz Fultz, the immediate past co-chair who continues to provide valuable assistance
- Diane Arehart, who helped publicize the contest
- Jim Mogan, Terry Lewis and Andy Higgins. who served as judges and Larry Lynde, who served as the timekeeper.
About the Oratorical Contest
Since it was established in 1928, the Oratorical Contest has become the longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International.
Our contest is named in honor of former Optimist member Margaret Barclay. Margaret chaired this committee for many years. She cared deeply about bringing out the best in kids and in living the Optimist Creed. She was a most beloved member of our club, a past president and lived a life dedicated to helping others. Margaret’s accomplishments were vast, including 40 years in public education, the last 27 in the Centerville Schools. She retired in 2000 as Principal at Magsig Middle School. While Margaret passed away in 2010, it is a pleasure to see her memory being recognized in this way.
Mr. Roy Barclay, husband of Margaret, supports the Oratorical contest by making an annual donation. Thank you, Roy, for your ongoing contributions and support of this contest.
Details about the contest for participants.
You can view the flyer here.
About Optimist International
The rest of the article is from Ron Thompson
The speakers today are sharing their perspectives on “Discovering the Optimism Within Me.” As an organization, we have defined the Purposes of Optimism to be:
- To develop Optimism as a philosophy of life utilizing the tenets of the Optimist Creed
- To promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs
- To inspire respect for Law
- To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people
- To aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of oneself in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world
Club members have the responsibility to not only fulfill these Purposes of Optimism, but also be active and involved. Attendance at meetings, participation in committees, projects, and fellowship activities, and providing leadership all contributes to the success of our club. There are plenty of opportunities to be as involved as you wish, and everyone’s contribution makes the club more meaningful and assures continued growth.
Centerville Noon Optimists believe that “As a friend of youth, our mission is to provide positive programs and activities to benefit youth in the local and surrounding communities to help them grow and prosper as future leaders.”
In 1911, local Optimist clubs began as a grass roots effort. As industrialization and urbanization brought many new problems to society, citizens began forming voluntary organizations to address the needs of their communities. In some areas, groups took the name “optimist club” to express their desire for a positive outlook in the face of all these problems. The first official Optimist Club was formed in Buffalo, New York.
The impetus for a nationwide Optimist movement began when the Optimist Club of Indianapolis was formed in May 1916. Envisioning a nationwide organization, founders of the Indianapolis club moved ahead in the summer of 1916 to start Optimist Clubs in many other major cities.
These clubs quickly grew to more than 100 members each. As a result, a national conference of the American clubs took place in 1917 in Indianapolis.
In 1919, times were good. World War I had been fought and won, and spirits were high in America. It was an ideal time for the birth of Optimism. The association of clubs that is known today as Optimist International was formed on June 19, 1919, with representatives of 11 clubs. During this convention, William Henry Harrison, a descendent of the ninth president of the United States bearing the same name, was also elected the first International President of Optimist International.
In 1923, the Optimist’s motto was Friend of the Delinquent Boy. In 1924, it progressed to Friend of the Boy, and in 1972, the motto Friend of Youth was adopted.
In 1922, the Optimist Creed, which is recited at the end of every meeting, was adopted as the official creed of the organization. Written by Christian Larson, the creed was originally published under the title “Promise Yourself” in 1912. The wife of Los Angeles Optimist James V. Westervelt saw the item in a newspaper and clipped it for her husband. After publishing it in his club’s bulletin, Westervelt and other Los Angeles Optimists encouraged other California clubs to use the creed. Optimists in California found the Optimist spirit well-expressed in the 10-line statement and pushed to have it adopted organization-wide. Soon after, the creed’s popularity grew.
Also, in this year the first official emblem of Optimist International was developed and adopted. The emblem consisted of a child with a smiling face, the words “International Optimist Club,” and a sun in its center with the words “Friendship, Sociability, Loyalty, Reciprocity” around it as a border.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Carly Hanity | Rick Hartley |
| Fran Sheehan | Mike Bevis |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Fran Sheehan | Mike Bevis | 1st Reading |
| Cadance Lowell | Bill Williams | 2nd Reading |
| Mindy Hoffbauer | Debe Dockins | 3rd Reading |
| Greg Hoffbauer | Debe Dockins | 3rd Reading |
| Stephanie Llacuna | Mike Bevis | 3rd Reading |
| Glen Brendel | Erin Laurito Staugler | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Debe Dockins | Bill and Kelly Stone for flying her to visit the Toledo Optimist club and watching seven young men compete in the Oratorical contest. Afterwards they toured a homeless shelter. |
| Bill Stone | The Toledo club has an energetic new president that is re-invigorating their club and held their Oratorical contest for the first time in ten years. |
| Karl Frydryk for Gail Aiken | Gail Aiken’s son-in-law, Jeff Dice, becoming the new WinSupply president. |
| Mike Creech | Since he is a stockholder in WinSupply, he is happy for Gail Aiken’s son-in-law, Jeff Dice, becoming the new WinSupply president. |
| Deb Graham | The great performances of today’s oratorical contestants. |
| Gary Smiga | Ellie Parker eating his Brussel sprouts. |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Beth Duncan | Not paying to retrieve the bell and gavel each week during the reign of the previous sergeants. |
| Paul Boeckman and Dick Stevens | Not charging Beth for the retrieval of bell and gavel each week. |
| Glen Brendel | Congratulations on being inducted today and now you have your first fine. |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Ellie Parker | February 8, 2011 | 12 |
| Anna Bargmeyer | February 9, 2022 | 1 |
| Ray Huss | February 12, 2019 | 4 |
| June Bosworth | February 13, 2018 | 5 |
| Clint Freese | February 13, 2018 | 5 |
| Brian Nolan | February 13, 2018 | 5 |
| Brent Richburg | February 13, 2018 | 5 |
| Suzanne Werts | February 13, 2018 | 5 |
| Jon Werts | February 13, 2018 | 5 |
| Laurie Westheimer | February 13, 2018 | 5 |
Birthdays
| Don Kelley | February 8 |
| Mariah Vogelgesang | February 8 |
| Michelle Tagliamonte | February 9 |
| Mary Ann MacKenzie | February 11 |
| Ron Tinnerman | February 11 |
| John Horner | February 12 |
| Dan Samiec | February 12 |
| Monty Zinck | February 13 |
CNO Donations – 2013 through December 2022
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
Due to Oratorical Contest this Week – no time for Thank You Notes