Bob Burkman’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of love and hope, lifting up our dear friend Gary Hansen, who is entering hospice care. Lord, we know that You are the source of all comfort and, at this moment of transition, we ask for Your gentle presence to surround him.
Grant Gary peace that surpasses all understanding. May he feel Your love embracing him, holding him in safety and warmth. Help him to know that he is never alone, for You walk beside him every step of the way.
We ask for your strength to be poured out over his body, mind and sprit. Provide comfort for his pain, calm for his fears and reassurance that You are with him now and always.
Lord, we also pray for the loved ones gathered around him. Fill them with Your compassion, wisdom and patience, so they may offer the care and support that brings comfort and peace. May they find solace in your presence, knowing that You are holding all things in Your hands.
Finally, we pray for moments of joy, laughter and love to surround this time. May Your grace shine brightly lighting Gary’s path through the days ahead.
In Your name we pray.
Amen
Announcements
Family Adventure Day – Volunteers Needed
Bob Lawson announced that CNO will host a casting station during Family Adventure Day at the RecPlex on April 26, 2025. Volunteers are needed— please sign up to help using the Member Calendar. Volunteers do not need any fishing experience; the ponds are not ready yet so no actual fishing will occur.
Golf Outing – 100 Days Away
Mike Bevis reminded everyone that the Golf Outing is just 100 days away. The committee welcomes new members and encourages everyone to help recruit golfers and sponsors. Volunteers are also needed for the day of the event.
Avenue of Flags Phone Call Campaign
Tom Novak announced that phone call renewal requests will begin soon. Contact Tom if you’re interested in helping with calls.
TOP Optimist Club Supports Local Programs
Greg Griffin shared that he, Evelyn Griffin, Craig Dring, Dana Dring, and Andy Higgins are active members of the TOP Optimist Club. Thanks to their winter poinsettia fundraiser, the club recently donated $500 to TOP Soccer and $500 to the Therapeutic Riding Institute. TOP members were thrilled to support these programs.
Donation Requests Approved at the March 2025 Board Meeting
Paul Boeckman announced the donation requests granted at the March 2025 CNO Board meeting. The Board approved $4502 in grants:
- $2002 to Daybreak to assist the homeless
- $500 to CHS Care Team for a Pizza Party
- $2000 to Ohio District Junior Optimists to send members to the St Louis Convention this year
Washington-Centerville Public Library Update from Liz Fultz
Gary Smiga introduced Liz Fultz, Director of the Washington-Centerville Public Library. Liz began her career with the library in 1996 and held several roles before becoming director in 2019.
Contributions to the Library
Throughout her tenure, Liz has been involved in many important initiatives. She helped shape the library’s mission, vision, and values, participated in strategic planning efforts, and played a key role in the renovation and expansion of the Woodbourne Library, which reopened as a more modern and welcoming space.
Education and Community Involvement
Liz holds a Master of Library Science from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Morehead State University. She is an active Centerville Noon Optimist Club member and lives in Washington Township with her husband, Mark.
About the Washington-Centerville Public Library System
Liz Fultz educated us about the library system and shared details about renovations at the Centerville Library on Spring Valley Road.
The Centerville Library, often referred to as the “new” library, is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. Built in 1995, much of the carpet and furniture is original. Renovation work began last week and includes updates to the restrooms, new meeting rooms, a new teen space, and an expanded makerspace. The library reassures patrons there will still be plenty of books.
Full details about the renovations can be found here.
The makerspace, also known as Creativity Commons, is located inside RecPlex East in what was formerly the babysitting area. It offers 3D printers, a mug press, a large-format printer, electronics for checkout, and more. Despite being only 780 square feet and open 30 hours a week, it had 22,246 visitors in 2024.
Liz conducted a fun quiz to test our knowledge of the library, with the winning table receiving custom Creativity Commons travel mugs filled with candy. Here are the quiz questions and answers—see how many you know:
How Well Do You Know Your Library?
- Within two years, when was the Centerville Library on Spring Valley built?
Answer: 1995 - How many locations does the Washington-Centerville Public Library have?
Answer: Four – Centerville Library, Woodbourne Library, Creativity Commons at RecPlex East, and the Legacy Administrative Building (purchased in 2022) - Where is the Library’s makerspace located?
Answer: Washington Township RecPlex East - Within 200, how many visitors went to Creativity Commons in 2024?
Answer: 22,246 - Which of these can you borrow at the library?
Answer: All of the above – Guitar, bike repair kit, cornhole game, cake-decorating kit, board game, power washer.
(And much more – tools, musical instruments, crafting supplies, culture passes, etc.) - Within 100, how many digital magazines were checked out in 2024?
Answer: 45,139
(Total digital circulation in 2024, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming media, exceeded 500,000 items.) - Within two, how many Optimist-related meetings were held at WCPL in 2024?
Answer: 19
(The library hosted over 5,400 meetings total in 2024.) - Within 100, how many cardholders does the Library have?
Answer: 61,707
(This exceeds the population of Centerville/Washington Township due to state funding requirements to serve people outside the district.) - Within 100, how many people attended a library program during 2024?
Answer: 109,932 - What is the name of the stack of books sculpture outside Centerville Library?
Answer: The Record
(Installed in 1997 as part of Centerville’s bicentennial celebration. It represents the knowledge settlers brought to the area.) - What is the name of the storytime monkey?
Answer: Bobo
Tiebreaker: In what year were library services established in Centerville/Washington Township?
Answer: 1810
(The Washington Social Library was based on the subscription library system developed by Benjamin Franklin. Public library service began in 1930, and the 100th anniversary will be celebrated in 2030. Minnie Neel was the first librarian.)
Slides for the Quiz
You can view the Quiz she showed here.
Thank You
Thank you, Liz Fultz, for educating us about the Washington-Centerville Public Library system and the renovations at the Centerville Library. We also appreciated the fun and engaging quiz—what a great way to learn while enjoying our time together!
President Paul’s Quote of the Week
“90% of the game is half mental.” -Yogi Berra
Volunteer and Social Event Signups Available Online with the Virtual Clipboard
Did you know you can now sign up to volunteer or participate in social events using a simple online registration form from your phone or PC? The Member Calendar has a complete list of upcoming volunteer opportunities and social events.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Ashley Holmes | Art Hung |
| Jill Weaver | Mike Bevis |
| Olga Pravin | Ron Thompson |
| Sarah Mraz | Christy Gariety |
| Tom Routsong | Sam Routsong |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Ashley Holmes | Art Hung | 1st Reading |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Mike Creech | $10 for three Happy Bucks. Grandson Noah Creech was awarded “Most Improved Swimmer” and “High Point Winner” for his Mason Middle School swim team. |
| Mike Creech | Granddaughter Sophia Creech cut 17 seconds off her 500 freestyle to finish first at the Fred Cooper swim meet and earned her varsity letter at Mason High School. |
| Mike Creech | Daughter Julie Creech-Organ, who is expecting her first baby in about a week, was recently named “Physician of the Year” for the United States Air Force. |
| Stephanie Llacuna | Thank you to the TOP Optimist Club for the $500 donation to TRI. It will provide a full scholarship for someone with special needs to use TRI services. |
| Stephanie Llacuna | TRI is having a bourbon raffle fundraiser. Check out the website for details and to enter. |
| Jane Fiehrer | Check out the Woodbourne library for a display of the art from the visual arts contest. |
| Julie Walling Noeth | To all UD Alumni: Today is the first day to start registering for the UD Reunion, which is June 6-8! |
| Carol Smerz | Thank you, Kelly Kempton, for allowing us to use Hannah’s Treasure Chest for the Childhood Health and Wellness meeting and giving us a tour. |
| Beth Duncan | Thank you to Diane and Patrick Arehart for hosting the wine and bourbon party last Saturday. It was a blast. |
| Andy Higgins | He is thankful for the wonderful library system we have and thanks to Liz for presenting. |
| Don Stafford | He and his wife just welcomed a new granddaughter. |
Sergeants at Arms – Steve Rau and Don Stafford
| Member | Infraction |
| Karl Frydryk, Mike Creech, Roland Rapp, Bob Myers, Larry Lynde and others | Their table was way too rowdy during the meeting today. |
| Liz Fultz | She had too many trick questions in her library quiz |
| Bob Duffy | He sat at the birthday table last week when it was not his birthday month. |
| Gary Smiga and Bob Lawson | Not wearing their CNO pin in pictures of them in the latest Washington Township Quarterly magazine. |
Club Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Charla Rheaume | March 26, 2008 | 17 |
| Bob Crawford | March 26, 2019 | 6 |
| Scott Rheaume | March 26, 2008 | 17 |
| Brandon Barrett | March 26, 2019 | 6 |
| Dav Bremer | March 31, 2001 | 24 |
| Rob Jones | March 31, 2001 | 24 |
Birthdays
| John Kalaman | March 25 |
| Kate Trangenstein | March 26 |
| Jane Fiehrer | March 27 |
| Bob Crawford | March 28 |
| Mike Creech | March 28 |
| Andy Higgins | March 30 |
| Maha Kashani | March 31 |
| Glen Brendel | March 31 |
CNO Donations – Since 2013
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see this week’s Thank You Notes
Links to PowerPoint and Pictures
CLICK HERE to see the PowerPoint Slides from this week’s meeting