VOL. 60, No. 28, May 11, 2006

Today's meeting was held at the Downtown Holiday Inn with about 30 in attendance. Pres. Will Dawes called on chaplain John Burns to get things started with a prayer followed the pledge of allegiance to our flag. It was good to have Jerry Shoemaker visiting from Orange Beach. Gay Pepper's husband met with us today and Sidney Sandridge had a guest from the Harvest community - Keith Lowe.

Gay introduced our luncheon speaker, Terry Davis, candidate for Superintendent of Madison County schools - the position currently held by one of our own members, Ray Swaim, who is stepping down. Terry said his first priority will be student safety to be followed closely by teaching excellence. One of the county school system's biggest challenges is to provide for a steady increase of about 500 kids per year. This number is expected to increase substantially as BRAC families start moving into our area in the near future. Davis pledges to do all he can to keep our current No. 1 rating among all Alabama county school systems.

Next week we'll be eating at at Carlton Cove. Here's how you get there. Traveling south on Memorial Parkway make a right turn just past the Radisson Hotel. Stay on this road for about a quarter of a mile to the Carlton Cove guard house. On the way you'll pass the Hampton Inn on your right and then Heartstone Assisted Living on your left. Spouses of members may be interested in hearing about what Carlton Cove offers. Please call Gay if you plan to bring a guest so she can give them an estimate of how many to expect.

Al Renz reported briefly of the District Board Meeting he and Duane attended recently. Apparently there is a proposed major reorganization of Optimist International under consideration. Pres Will said our club will discuss the options so that our delegate to the International Convention can vote in accordance with our members choices.

Jerry Shoemaker won the attendance prize. He enjoyed it so much that he plans to go for 2 in a row next week. Buddy Beck said the fishing rodeo is scheduled for Saturday June 3 at Braham Springs. Volunteers are needed starting at 7:30 am and throughout the morning.

CALENDAR

May 17		Wednesday		4:00 pm		Regions Trust Department		Optimist Foundation
May 18		Thursday		11:45 am		Carleton Cove		Facility Description
May 25		Thursday		11:45 am		Optimist Recreation Center		Business Meeting

CONCERTS

SCHOOL		DATE		TIME		PLACE		OPTIMIST OFFICIAL
Whitesburg Middle School		MAY 15		7:00		Grissom High School		John Shirey
Liberty Middle School		MAY 16		6:00		Bob Jones High School		Carl Winkler/Al Renz
Sparkman Middle School		MAY 16		6:00		Sparkman Middle School		Sidney Sandridge/Clyde Nevins
Carl W.