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Welcome to 2014 Optimists!  During our first meeting of the new year we caught up on a lot of old and new business.

Before getting down to business, the club had a moment of remembrance for Ron Heiges.  Ron was a cherished member, friend, and mentor who recently passed away.   Several members recounted Ron’s kindness, generosity, and good humor.  He will be greatly missed.

Guest: Ruth Topper made a presentation to the club about the STARS (success through academic recognition of students) program.  Each quarter teachers select students for three different awards, including the Shining Star award which goes to a student at the top of the class.  The Rising Star award which goes to a student who is making great improvement and the North Star award which goes to a student who goes above and beyond expectations. The Optimist Club of Gettysburg will be sponsoring the 2^nd Quarter award winners for Gettysburg Area High School.  Students, teachers, parents, and grandparents are invited to attend the breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, January 29^th at 8 a.m.  Last quarter, 75 students received awards along with a small gift.

***If any Optimist member would like to attend as a representative of the club, please contact Kris ([email protected]) so that he can notify Ruth.  Last year, we had a few members present at the ceremony and we were able to take pictures of the award recipients which was really nice for the students, so please consider attending.

Recognition: Former President, Craig Sweet honored Sam Isenberger for his support and service to the club by inducting him as our newest Life Member.  Sam has been an active member of the club since April 8^th, 1991.  Sam expressed his gratitude for being chosen.

Secretary Report: The 1^st Quarter A&A report was submitted. Some members have asked to update their contact information.  I will be sending out a new roster soon with everyone’s contact information.  If you would like to change any of your information, please submit the changes to [email protected] by February 1^st.

Treasurer report: Tom has completed the taxes for the club.  There are still a few members who owe payment for the Holiday party.  Tom will be in touch with those who owe.

Dues: As previously discussed, the club has not increased membership dues for several years.  As a result of rising costs, a dues increase is necessary to help maintain our current budget.  The board of directors took into account all of the clubs recommendations and outlined a proposal as follows for 2014 which should meet our financial goals as outlined by the approved budget:

1)      eliminate  the $10 member discount for paying dues early in full

2)      eliminate the $8 life member discount (sorry Sam!)

3)      members/guests will pay their way for special events (i.e. installation banquet/holiday party)

4)      dues will increase from $190 per year to $210 per year

5)      members will be encouraged to participate in other fundraisers (i.e. Hoss’s Night)

6)      the board will reassess the budget in 6 months’ time and address is deficit at that time

The club members present unanimously accepted this proposal.  See Congress it’s not that hard!

Old business: The Magic Show drew a great crowd.  The children who won the bikes were very excited!  The Club expects to surpass its fundraising goal for this event.

Everyone seemed to really enjoy the Christmas party.  There was great food, company, and optimism abound.  Santa was a big hit and he plans to return next year!

Basketball: The first week of this 8 week basketball program was a great success.  More than 120 area boys and girls in grades 1-6 participated.  Interested students are still welcome to join in the fun.  We will be at the Gettysburg Middle School gym this Saturday.  The schedule is as follows:

Boys 1^st-3^rd grades: 9-10am

Girls 1^st-3^rd grades: 10-11am

Boys 4^th-6^th: 11-12pm

Girls 4^th-6^th: 12-pm

The club is looking for additional members to help coach, take pictures, ect.  All ability levels are welcome for both players and coaches!

Other Fundraising: There are 3 Hoss’s Community Nights scheduled.  With a voucher, twenty percent of each bill will be donated to the club.  The dates are: Friday 2/7/14, Saturday 3/15/14, and Saturday 5/24/14.  We will look into scheduling with Ruby Tuesdays as well.  Members are strongly encouraged to attend these events and to ask friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to attend as well.  Flyers will be emailed to members and some flyers will be printed and passed out at the Basketball program.

Oyster/Shrimp Feed:  The date is set for Saturday, March 8^th from noon until 3pm at the Gettysburg Fire Department.  Tickets are $35 per person for all-you-can-eat steamed, raw, stewed, and fried oysters, steamed shrimp, ham, steak fries, and beverages.  Please work on selling your tickets and contact Wayne ([email protected]) if you need more.

Golf tournament:  The count down is on!  Put May 22^nd on your calendar for this event.  We look to maximize foursomes and sponsors in order to continue to support all of our current projects for the youth in the area.  Bruce will be sending out a notice shortly inviting members to a Golf Tournament Planning session.  Keep your eyes out for the email!

New membership: The club is looking to make a strong push for new members this year.  The Membership committee is interested in sponsoring a specific event for potential new members.  Please think of a person that you can identify who would make a great Optimist member.  If you can bring their name and contact information to the next meeting or send to [email protected].  The event is still in the planning stages, but formal invites will be sent once the details are ironed out.  Members are still welcome to bring any potential new guest to any regular business meeting.

Next meeting: Wednesday, February 5^th at 6:30pm at Mamma Ventura’s.

The Gettysburg Optimist Club is ready to get back to business in 2014.  We will be meeting on Wednesday, January 15th at 6:30pm at Mamma Ventura’s on Chambersburg Street.  There will be a presentation about the STARS program and we will also be discussing club dues for the year.  Tom will be more than happy to accept dues at that time.

We regret to inform our members and loyal Optimist Club of Gettysburg supporters that Ronald Heiges, a long time member of the Club, passed away on Friday, January 4, 2014.  Ron was an active Optimist Club member for nearly than 52 years, having joined the Optimist Club of Gettysburg on March 1, 1962.  He led this club and his community in many worthy projects and causes and was the driving force in the building of the Optimist of Gettysburg Amphitheater located at the Gettysburg Recreation Park.  He was active in the Recreation Park for many years and was dedicated to the Optimist mission and a familiar and valued “Friend of Youth”.

In addition to his overt support of the Gettysburg Optimist Club and his community, Ron was well known for his generous sense of humor, welcoming demeanor to all and love of a good time with good friends.  He was a positive and supportive mentor to many of us who were fortunate enough to be a fellow Optimist member and friend.  Our thoughts and prayers are offered to his family on his passing. Ron is survived by his wife Jean, a daughter, Dawn Heiges Hoffman and husband Adam of Gettysburg, three sons, Doug Heiges of Gettysburg, David Heiges and wife Wendy of Gettysburg, and Darryl Heiges and wife Shawn of Arendtsville and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. from St. James Lutheran Church, 109 York Street, Gettysburg, with the Rev. Michael Allwein, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. A private interment with full military honors provided by the Adams County Allied Veterans will be held in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg.  The family suggests memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas.

We will be at the Gettysburg Middle School Cafeteria on Saturday, December 14th from 9-11am for Optimist Basketball sign-ups.  All children in grades 1-6 are welcome to participate.  There is no fee for this program.  Basketball sessions will be on Saturdays from 9am-1pm beginning January 11th.  Groups will be divided by age and gender.