VOL. 59, No. 33, Jun 16, 2005
President Alberto Duarte gaveled our business meeting to order today at the Optimist Park promptly at 11:45. It was reported that Hershel wasn't feeling well, Will Sanderson had been moved to a nursing facility and Duane Williamson continued to improve. In Hershel's absence, Nate Showers led the invocation, prayed for our comrades, and led the club in the pledge of allegiance. We were privileged to have an article in front of us as we arrived showing our own Alberto continuing the great tradition of NASA. Connie Gibson provided one of the most scrumptious meals in Optimist Club history with her Cajun flare. It was delicious Connie! When do you want to volunteer for food again?

During today's "Moment of History" Alberto recalled the birthdays of Washington Post Publisher Katherine Graham, Igor Stravanski, Entertainer Dean Martin, Singer Barry Manilow and Comedian Joe Piscopo. Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963. In 1972, four men that worked for the committee to re-elect Richard Nixon were caught breaking into the Watergate office of the Democratic National Committee. In 1992, for U.S. Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger was indicted on felony charges in the Iran-Contra affair and in 1999 Al Gore announced his nomination for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2000.

The board meeting was held on June 7th and not many attended. We need to have participation at these meetings and be apart of our activities. The next board meeting is scheduled for July 5th at Gay's bank. Alberto will be out of town next week so Will Dawes has the duty of presiding. We have been invited to be represented at the Huntsville Boys and Girls Club luncheon on June 24th. Will and Al Castelli will attend the luncheon at the VBC. Duane Plank has our programs for the month of July. We look forward to a month full of great programs.

We then got down to the nitty-gritty of the meeting. James Overbeek reported for the Band Committee's working on minor issues with the log in form for the band instruments. Community Service Committee chairman Clyde Nevins said he has six more checks to deliver by the end of June. Ralph Caneer is working on getting him the checks. The Fund Raising Committee is planning a quarterly pancake breakfast to raise money for our club. The first one is set for August 27th. More to come on these events that should get the club some notoriety and raise money for a good cause all at the same time. The Marketing and Advertising Committee chairs, George Ferrell and Carl Winkler, will find a way to get the article on Alberto off to Optimist International for recognition.

Remember our website that Tom Casteel does such a tremendous job keeping up to date. (huntsville.alms-optimists.org)

Our meeting next week will be back at the Holiday Inn. We recited the creed and were adjourned.

Kurt

CALENDAR

June 23		Thursday		11:45 am		Holiday Inn Select		Leadership Huntsville
June 30		Thursday		11:45 am		Holiday Inn Select		Sam Sandlin - Flint River
July 5		Tuesday		4:00 pm		First Commercial Bank		Board Meeting
August 27		Saturday		TBD		First Presbyterian Church		>Pancake Breakfast