VOL. 60, No. 5, November 3, 2005




After going through the Holiday Inn -- Select buffet line Pres. Will Dawes called us to order. He noted that Kurt Leopard was back today after missing several meetings. Will inquired about his son. Kurt said he would be operated on again soon. Dave Schultz reported on his visit to Will Sanderson. Will was glad to be remembered. Alberto Duarte asked Pres. Dawes about his sister. Will said she is having a rough time, and he appreciates our concern.

In the absence of Chaplain Bingham, who is on assignment in Arkansas, Will asked Kurt to give the invocation and lead the pledge of allegiance to our flag. We had about 25 in attendance today, but no guests except for the speaker. Alberto has arranged for Lorrie Jones, Director of the Child Development Center to be our speaker on Nov. 10. Looking further out Jeff Klimek is planning our programs for Dec. Will asked our telephone committee to get active to improve attendance.

Al Castelli introduced today's speaker, Jim Larkin, manager of Huntsville's Holiday Inn - Select hotel. Jim has only been on the job a few weeks, but has 40 years of hotel/motel experience in several states. He's optimistic about Huntsville's future, especially with the completion of the Embassy Suites hotel across the street. Rather than looking on them as competition he sees them as partners in attracting larger conventions to our city.

Mr. Larkin asked our members if they had any remarks or suggestions of how he could better serve us -- and we were ready! After complimenting him on the hotel food and service we said we would like a drapery that could be drawn across the large windowed wall when we needed to darken the room to accommodate the use of a projector. Furthermore, we requested that the hotel install a microphone system to be used by our speakers. Jim agreed to do all he could to improve our meeting room. Dr. Joe Pullen was in attendance today, and Mr. Larkin noted that in his review of the recent past and the projected future that Martha Pullen was one of the hotel's best customers with her seminars. In light of this I feel we can expect the hotel to follow through and meet our needs. Dave Schultz won the attendance prize.

CALENDAR

Nov 10 Thursday 11:45 am Holiday Inn Select Lorrie Jones
Nov 16 Wednesday 4:00 pm Regions Trust Department Optimist Foundation
Nov 17 Thursday 11:45 am Optimist Recreation Center Business Meeting
Nov 24 Thursday NO MEETING Thanksgiving
Carl W.