VOL. 60, No. 42, August 24, 2006

Pres. Will appeared briefly today, but turned the meeting over to President - Elect Sidney Sandridge. Sidney called on Glen Smith for the prayer before the meal and to lead the pledge of allegiance. Sidney appealed to the membership to make a special effort to increase our membership by 7 before Sept. 30. This is what it will take to gain Honor Club status under Pres. Will's leadership. We had only one guest today, Mike Carson (I believe), introduced by Sidney as a potential addition to the mafia crowd.

Alabama/ Mississippi District Governor Tom Casteel reported on the District Convention held in Montgomery. Tom was proud of the fact that there were more members attending from our club than any other club in the district, including the host Montgomery club. Tom informed us that Alberto Duarte was elected and installed as our zone's Lieutenant Governor. CONGRATULATIONS TOM AND ALBERTO!

Alberto plans to invite the officers of the ROC (Randolph Optimist Club - really Jr. OC), to one of our meetings soon. Furthermore, Alberto is determined to organize another Jr. Club at Sparkman High School during his tenure as Lt. - Gov. He put out a challenge to the Harvest mafia to make that community an offer they can't refuse!

Duane introduced our speaker for today, Jerry Thomas, a member of the board of AIDB (Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind). Jerry has an engineering background and Duane went over many of his achievements and earned honors. AIDB is the world's foremost institution of its kind and is located right here in Talladega, AL. Jerry related many interesting school - related episodes, going back to its pre - Civil War beginning. Duane has become so dedicated to working with these students that he has already volunteered to head up an Optimist - sanctioned oratorical contest for the deaf or hard of hearing next year.

Plan to participate in the pancake breakfast Sat., Sept. 16.-Tickets should be available at our next meeting for members to sell. Harold Wright won the drawing.   Who has the programs for 9/7 and 9/14? This week our speaker will be Brian Le Comple.

CALENDAR

Aug 31		Thursday		11:45 am		Downtown Holiday Inn		Brian LeComple - Fair Tax Act
Sep 5		Tuesday		4:00 pm		1st Commercial Bank		Board Meeting
Sep 16		Saturday		7:30 to 11:30 am		Central Presbyterian Church		Pancake Breakfast
Sep 21		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting
Sep 28		Thursday		6:30 pm		Optimist Recreation Center		Installation of Officers
Carl W.