February 1st, 2001

President: Helen Burch

The meeting was opened by President Helen Burch.   Jack Whitman led us in
the pledge and Marianna offered a prayer.

Members present- Joan Newcomb, Jack Whitman, Judy Pece, Gene Morgan, Connie
Minnes, Bob and Eleanor Hutchens, Marianna and Melvin Janssen, Don
Chenoweth, Bill and Ellen Fondren, Shirley Furtney, and Helen Burch.

Program
Helen and Connie brought mementos of WWII to share with other members.
Connie's father was a POW and she showed pictures of his B17 propeller,
which was recovered after the war and eventually ended up in the family
yard.  It is now on permanent display at Wright Patterson AF Museum in
Dayton, Ohio.  Helen shared pins she has collected and some of special
mention to Champaign County.  She plans to donate some to the Champaign
County Museum in Mahomet eventually.  Melvin, and Bob shared first hand
experiences of WWII.  Other members shared memories of growing up in the
war era and the many sacrifices families made at that time.

Special Invitation
Congratulations to Connie Minnes.  She is one of three women to be
honored as Women of Distinction by the Green Meadows Girl Scouts Council.
The awards presentation will be made Tuesday, March 20 at the Holiday Inn,
Urbana.  The award,A Legacy of Leadership, is given to women who show
sustained community leadership.  Connie has served twice as our club
president and the C-U Optimist Club supported her nomination.  All members
are invited to the dinner  at 5:30 pm - $30 or just the honors program at
8:00 pm- free!

Business
Thank you from Champaign Park District for the yearly donation.Do
we want signs up at the entrance to town?  YES!
Joan and Helen are going to the District meeting in Glenview in
February.  The OI Foundation Auction will be held at that meeting.  If you
can make something or buy a nice gift that will be auctioned off, it will
benefit the Foundation.  Bring it to the next meeting.  The function of the
Foundation is to provide funding especially scholarship money, for Essay,
Oratorical, Junior Golf, Tri Star Sports and other International OI
programs.
The High School Scholarships were discussed with recommendations
that we study the contest being county wide next year and that we give four
at large scholarships, rather than three for the three local high schools.
This year the applications will be in schools by February 8th with a March
23rd submission deadline.

Archery will begin Sunday, January 28 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm at the
auction building in St. Joseph.  It will continue for ten weeks.
Erick will link the state golf site to our web site.  We are getting so
many hits on the internet due to the fact that only two clubs have linked
to the OI site.  The other site is a junior club.

Joan will host our Sweetheart dinner and gift exchange at a later
date.  Keep your gifts to exchange.

New Members
How did you become an Optimist?  You were invited!  Please invite your
friends to become Optimists.  How about a contest with $1000 going to the
member getting the most new club members during one year?

Please check out the updated club website:
http://cuoptimist.bizland.com

February Birthdays

Upcoming Events

Next Meeting