OPTIMIST FREE SKATE FEATURES PANCAKES MARCH 07

February 27, 2010

OSHAWA, Mar. 07: The annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members FREE public skate has a new twist for their Sun. Mar. 07 outing.  A special prepared Opti-Pancake buffet is  being offered by Optimist members.

At present, this venue the  longest standing arena in Oshawa being constructed  in the 1950’s after the old Hambley Arena burnt  in Sept. 1953. We choose the Children’s venue that works in conjuction with the Optimist mandate of being a “Friend Of Youth” Optimist serve our youth and community’aid the 29th president Stephen Hambley..that’s what the Optimist are all about’ continued Hambley. It is general knowledge that this facility has  the best ice surface in the city.

Each month the Optimist Club of Oshawa select a community event to operate.  In February two varsity Durham College  athletic students  Courtney Small (Basketball) and Jordan Sutherland (Soccer) received $1,000.00 in scholarship funding in memory of deceased Optimist members Thomas A. Scero and Sydney H. Breland.

Future planned community events are the Durham Region Community Contest for the Death & Hard of Hearing (C.C.D.H.H.) in April foloowed by the 19th annual N.A.S.C. Blast Ball-’T'Ball tournament for youngsters ages 3 to 9. Other events include the Wado Kai Karate turnament and the popular Christmas Family Food Hampers and Toy deliveries each December.

Skating will commence at 12 noon and runs until 1:45 pm. The cost for skating will be a donation of a non-perishable food item(s) for the Salvation Food Bank.  In return the patrons will receive a FREE family skate and a special prepared Pancake Buffet to be served from 11:30 am till 1.30 pm.

In previous years, this public community event has been very successful.

Breland & Scero Burseries Awarded

February 15, 2010

Oshawa Febuary 12, 2010 – The 9th annual Sydney H. Breland & Thomas A. Scero Athletic Optimist Memorial Scholarship Awards to Courtney Small (Varsity Basketball) and to Jordan Sutherland (Varsity Soccer). Each student received their final cheque’s for $250.00 each to complete our 2010 obligations. President Elect Sybil Dewhurst made a small speech representing our organization between the double-header featuring the schools varsity Women’s and Men’s game during intermission against the St. Lawrence Lancers. Since this are partnership with Durham College Althetic Department  started the Optimist club has donated over $14,000.00. Last November our club presented Small and Sutherland with their initial cheques.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY OSHAWA OPTIMIST CLUB FEB 07TH

January 27, 2010

OSHAWA, Feb 7th; You can circle Sun. Feb 7th on your Optimist Calendar of Events that’s a must. It’s the 44th annual Super Bowl for the National Football Championship and the Optimist Super Bowl Party is a go.  Doors will open at 4:00 pm sharp.  Two of the best team ever are pitted against each other - New Orleans Saints playing the Indianapolis Colts. It’s should be great game and your attendance will make it even better.

We’ve chosen one of Oshawa’s favourite eating establishments Johnny’s Original Eatery 850 King St. West located in Oshawa within the King/Thornton Plaza.

Excitement will prevail with all proceeds going directly to the 27th Annual Christmas Food Hampers and Toy deliveries to needy Oshawa families chosen by the Salvation Army.

A special prepared hot buffet meal has been authorized by restaurant owner Johnny Milosh who is a strong supporter of Optimist programs over the years.  Special prizes, a $500.00 OHL Box at the GM Centre featuring the Major Junior “A” game between the Kitchener Rangers and the hometown Oshawa Generals on Feb. 21st is up for grabs. Cash  prizes will be awarded after each quarter and at half time. Door prizes are also available.

A nammoth 60″ TV screen along with 3 others are available for viewing.

Tickets go on sale this Fri. Jan 29th from any member at Johnny’s Eatery or from an Optimist Club of Oshawa member or be calling with 905-576-7748 or Optimist headquarters 905-576-6919 for reserved seating.  Admission prize is $25.00

IS ‘BROOKER’ REGAINING HIS OLD FORM AT OPTIMIST MONDAY NITE EUCHRE

January 19, 2010

OSHAWA, Jan 18th: Is veteran Optimist Monday Nite Euchre player John  “Brooke’  getting set for a late season end rush to become the top Euchre player for 2010? It certainly looks so. Buried in the doldrums the first have of the seasons, “Brooker” as he his known to fellow players seems to have kick started his comeback efforts.

The retired Durham Catholic School board custodian scored a 82 point effort- 39 points more than his Jan. 11th effort to state that’s back into the hunt. As a results his splendid showing gained him $20.00 of Opti-Cash. It was a superb showing scoring four lone hands and a trio of double digit wins while toiling along side his father and mentor Ralph “Red”, Jan “Hon’ Lynch and Ruth Bell. Affectionly known as Brooker, he now has 22 lone hands on the year plus a respectable percentage average of 68.00%. Right behind Brooks were Optimist president Stephen Hambley and his dad Red Brooks each with 78 points.

BABA JOINS BATMAN IN 1k CIRCLE

Pat ‘Baba” Passfield has joined Ron Hele in the Century mark in points this season. She now has 1,010 points compared to the first place holder Hele at 1,063.  Expected this select group shorter are Bob ‘Dirt’ Burtinsky, Gloria Logan and Jimmie Durval. This trio could accomplish this as early as next Monday.

LEGROS GEORGE TAKES HOME 50/50 WINNINGS

Meanwhile David Conway has reclaimed first place in the all important percentage leadership board. Conway a former Oshawa Councillor boast a 72.00% compared to last week’s Dave Stoliker. Less than one percentage point separates the two. Stoliker is behind by 0.75% for his presitigious award. Other contenders are Bob Burtinsky, Jim Brooks, Bob Blair, Ron Hele, Peter Pniauskas, Jim Durval and the only female highly touted Gloria Logan.

OSHAWAOPTIMIST FINISH ‘09 FUNDRAISERS IN A FLOURISH

December 30, 2009

OSHAWA, Dec. 30: It seems in less than a year the Optimist Club of Oshawa have solve the finaniciall woes.

Last January 31st, the Oshawa’s club main fund raiser outlet – Bingo’s at the Hideaway Hall in Whitby closed it’s doors. This announcement seemed to be letdown for the Oshawa membership who struggled with the important closures after nearly 30 years.  “The Hideaway profits paid our bills”  quipped incoming president Stephen Hambley. The outlook that prevailed with a cloudy forecast for the future.

Now eleven months have passed and the Optimist Club of Oshawa are back on right side of finanicial ledger. It’s taken a lot of  loyal work from our membership. “If  we hadn’t receive support from  the Optimist Monday Nite Euchre Club,  we could have easily  folded” said Hambley with a stern look on his face.

Next scheduled fundriasing bingo is set for Tuesday, Jan 19th, 2010.

Weekly Monday Nite Oshawa Progressive Euchre remains another fundraiser mainstays. Action resumes again on January 04th, 2010 at Johnny’s Originial Eatery located at 850 King St. West The first of ten games is scheduled at 7 pm sharp.

Every member accepted the challenge and committed themselves to work every weekend  since Victoria Day in mid-May accumulating over 10,000 manhours . The committment to honor to support Oshawa’s youth has been amazing.

Now the Optimist have volunteers wishing to join our club. Cenon  Governor Tom McNaugbht stated publicly the Oshawa Optimist demonstrated determination by  operating a car raffle with no guarantees.  As it turned the community rallied around the local service club. This was demonstrated at the 26th annual Toy and Food Hamper deliveries to needy Oshawa families as selected by the Salvation Army . Over 150 volunteer elves work collectively on December 20th to make this happen being lead from the calvacade by Oshawa Mayor John Gray and Governor McNaught.

The Oshawa members showed their appreciation as they are now back in the Bingo business at the Red Barn in Oshawa after six month layoff with no income. Instead of weekly events the Optimist operate late night monthly   events to insure the club remains solvent. The Dec. 30th bingo was an  extra allotment to the schedule a  mid-afternoon session..

Hambley his side kick Jim Shaw and the spark-plug  Crosbie  husband wife team of Elizabeth and Sandy worked the bingo. Infact the Crosbie’s are giving strong consideration of accept to become co-bingo chaie’a  ship effective the first of the year.

The other December bingo, was held on December 22th with Hambley leading the his troops again. Helpers included Jordan Quellette, Ruth Lelone, Marjorie Ogden and the for mention Crosbie’s – Elizabeth and Sandy.

“D” DAY ARRIVES FOR OSHAWA OPTIMIST CAR RAFFLE SELLERS AFTER EIGHT MONTHS AND 10,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS

December 19, 2009

DECEMBER THE BUSIEST OPTIMIST MONTH OF THE YEAR

December 16, 2009

OSHAWA,Dec 06: Certainly December is the busiest month in 2009 for our overworked dedicated Optimist Club of Oshawa members and volunteers. We’re selling raffle tickets on a GM Pontiac Vibe which includes $1,500.00 in Walmart Groceries. We’re saluating two important events the Durham College Athletic Scholarship bursaries, the Wado Kai Karate Optimist Tournament for over 500 youths. To go with this we’ve inducted our 2010 executive. Monday Nite Euchre continues plus we’ve added Breakfast with Santa for 108 youth in North Oshawa.

HAMPER/TOY UPDATE.

December 20th is “D” day for the 26th annual Chrstmas Food Hamper and Toy deliveries for needy Oshawa families as selected and screened by the Salvation Army. The “Armys” staff head have supplied us with the official list of families who be receiving the Hampers/Toys.  Sales where conducted at Sobey’s Food (Wilson & Taunton Rd) on Dec. 5 & 6th. A profit of $1,042.00 was banked. Optimist volunteers included Eric Goodwin, Brian Tremblay, Marg Ross, Neil Metcalf, Elizabeth and Sandy Crosbie, Cybil Dewhurst, Brian Tremblay and raffle coordinator Jim Shaw..

MONDAY NITE OPTIMIST EUCHRE

Peter Pniuskas captured week 12 recording the most points accumulated with 83. He just returned from a well deserved two week golfing vacation in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Newcomer Andrew Wood placed second with 80 points. Jimmy Duval was third – 78 points. He and his lovely wife Sandi will be enjoying a spiral ham for the top prize reward. Gloria Logan won the official coin flip for the most lone hands for the evening outdwelling Optiist Jim Shaw. Logan took home the bottle of Opti-Napa Valley wine.

Bob ‘Dirt’ Burtinsky continues to dominate all percentage players with a nifty 70:18% mark. He’s immedately folowed by James Brooks at 69:80

DURHAM COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP BURSARY

A huge crowd attended the 9th annual Optimist/Durham College atheltic scholarships buseries in memory of deceased Thomas A. Scero and Sydney H. Breland . Students receiving this presitigious  honour was Courtney Small )Varsity Basetball) and Courtney Small (Varsity Soccer). Both the players, their families and close friends where in attendance.  Soccer coaching legend at the college Stan Bombino received a special award for his longivity and dedication to the sport of soccer.

INDUCTIONS CERMONIES

Former Cenon Zone 8 Lt. Governor James ‘Jimmy D’ Dimitroff sworm in the 2010 Oshawa executive. Stephen Hambley will be our new president, president elect is Cybil Dewhurst. Treasurer will be Marjorie Ogden and veteran Jim Shaw takes over as secretary and special events. Ken “Story’ Ferrill did a superb job as MC.

OPTIMIST BREAKFAST WITH SANTA.

A last minute decison to the host a Optimist Breakfast with Santa Claus for 108 youths was a tremendous success. Working with Brenda Danson – pancakes, juice boxes, fruit, was served and enjoyed by the hungry kids from the North Oshawa area. It was a a special days for the youngsters. Jim Shaw was the liassion official for this event.

OPTIMIST WADO KAI KARATE TOURNAMENT

The largest attended crowd in the 19 year history of the Optimist Club of Oshawa-wado Kai Karate attended at the Y.W.C.A. Auditorum Dec. 5. Sixty four indiviudal trophies where donated by the Optimist Club plus bargian value Opti- hot-dogs and soda.

Special acknowledgement were presented by the Optiimist to Theresa Virgin, susan Kucakowaki, Kim Ellias and John ‘Janusz’ Galant for their longivity and loyal service to the Wado Kai Club.

Ronald ‘Batman’ Hele, Lori Hambley, Peter Pniauska, and Jim Shaw represented the Optimist club.

UNBELIEVABLE – 869 NEW TOYS DONATED TO 26th ANNUAL OPTIMIST FOOD HAMPER/TOY DELIVERIES FOR DEC 26

December 16, 2009

OSHAWA, Dec 14th: Another giant step to-wards success for the 26th annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members Foor  Hampers and Toys deliveries was accomplished to-day.  Thanks to the generousity from the clients and patients from Lakeridge Health (Oshawa General Hosiptal 4th Floor Nurses) and the Martin Chiropractic Clinic 869 new toys will a retail value price of $43,450.00 was donated to th Oshawa Optimist club. The Optimist in turn turned the collected toys over to the Salvation Army who will carefully bag them, sorting by gender and age for delivery by the 150 Optimist volunteers this Sunday.

‘This is another part of the festive puzzle solved’ remarked incoming president Stephen Hambley. Both outlets have been strong supporters of community affairs he continued. The Martin clinic has been involved for 19 years and the OGH nurse six years. Lakeridge Health collected 192 new toys and the Martin Clinic the balance of 677 by coming from the Martin Clinic clients.

On Dec. 19th Greg Martin the Clinic co-owner and Ivan Downey, director  of family services were interviewed by local radio morning host Terry Johnston on 107.7 FM and 1580 CKDO-AM. over host

FOOD HAMPERS ARE NEXT

This Sun. Dec. 20th Optimist volunteer team gets into high gear. Hampers are being packed into four separate large boxes containing two boxes of staple foods, a meat box including the all important festive turkey and another box continaining fruit.

Over 150 volunteers will gather at noon to delivery the product to needy Oshawa families as selected and screen by the Salvation Army This calvacade of vehicles will be lead by Oshawa Mayor John Gray and Optimist Cenon Governor Tom McNaught.

Funds for this important local community project came from the selling raffle tickets on a GM produced Pontiac Vibe. The Oshawa Optimist have been selling tickets since early May. Over 10,000 manhours have gone into this project. Kasey McBride 19  a graduate from local 1913 Cadet corp and now a private first class in the Canadian Army will make the winning ticket draw. He’ll be marched into the R.S.McLaughlin Armories by 1913 Cadet band prior. He was recommonded for this honor by Cathy Kehoe whose deceased husband Jerry tutoured him during his cadet days. He became an Oshawa cadet at age 12.

Overall cost for this event is estimated at $60,000.00

Anyone wishing to delivery hampers may containing any Optimist member or email info@oshawaoptimist.ca

2009 Optimist Christmas Hampers & Toy Drive

December 7, 2009

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MAYOR JOHN GRAY & OPTIMIST GOVERNOR TOM McNAUGHT TO LEAD 26th ANNUAL XMAS FOOD HAMPER & TOY CAVALCADE

December 7, 2009

OSHAWA, Dec 6th: An all-star cavalcade featuring over 100 vehicles will be lead by Oshawa Mayor John Gray and Cenon Optimist Govenor Tom McNaught from Oakville at the 26th annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members sponsored Christmas Food Hamper and Toy deliveries on December 20th. The local Oshawa club where formed and chartered on July 22nd, 1982.

The Oshawa nearly folded this past spring due to lack of funds to operate. Their main fund raiser weekly Bingo’s ceased on January 31st in Whitby when the business went into receivership. The Oshawa club was the mainstay for Zone 8 (Durham Region) with clubs operating in Ajax, Brooklin, Uxbridge and Whitby. When the local ecomony suffering a severe downfall from the closures of the GM giant auto plant closures, layoffs and forced retirements the future was bleak at best for a Optimist recovery.

Starting with a lowly bank balance of $2.86 and a commented budgeted items the membership decided to roll the dice for a comeback. Using the recycled fund raiser the group decided to raffle off a 2009 General Motors produced Pontiac Vibe commencing sales last spring in mid-May during Victoria Day weekend as first prize. Wal*Mart SuperCentre added to the first price take donating $1,500.00 in groceries to the winning ticket holder. Despite unwanted problems and growing pains this project has seen a new attitude develop, has incourage new members in supporting the Optimist mandate of being a “Friend Of Youth and our Community”

Devoted volunteers and members have logged over 9,000 hours in making this turn-a-about possible. Certainly a Cinderella Story” with a anticipated happy ending. Newly elected Optimist president Stephen Hambley said “our volunteers have been remarkable, when we originally printed 10,000 tickets it seemed receiving that figure was only a dream”. Local citizens have responded to the marketing strategy making believers  in purchasing of tickets at $5.00 each or the bargin basement price of 5 tickets for $20.00. Many business firms and fellow Ontario Optimist Club purchased $100.00 packages in boosting  ticket sold to  12,000.With two weeks remaining to the December 20th draw date 15,000 tickets seemed to be a reachable amount. This weekend our raffle gang are selling tickets in Bowmanville at the Metro Food Store on Dec 11,12,13 from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm The final sales weekend will be held at the Wal*Mart SuperCentre on Dec 17,18,19 from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm.

Optimist ticket sellers have been pro-active with in high traffic chain stores plus the Oshawa Centre, Auto Fest, Downtown Oshawa Sidewalk sale and the Five Points Mall.  The bulk of sales conducted every weekend for the past 31 weeks. The largest ever one day sale was conducted in Cobourg during the summer securing $1,700.00 in sales.

On Dec. 20th after the hampers/toys have been delivered a special cermony will be conducted within the R.S.McLaughlin Oshawa Armouries located at 53 Simcoe St. N. To-date over 9,000 volunteer hours have been accumulated by the Optimist and volunteers.  The volunteers are deeply committed. On numerous occassions tickets have been sold at three different locations on the same day. No one is paid for their efforts with all profits going to help the needy families and other Oshawa Optimist Youth events during the calendar year.

GENERALS SHUTOUT THE OPTIMIST

Originally it was felt – the announcement of winning ticket holder would be conducted at the multi-million GM Centre build by citizen of Oshawa. The Optimist where in contract with OHL club in early June and their management seemed very interesting in out suggestion in our face to face meeting. After 18 telephone calls/emails with no reply’s afterwards the anticipated love affair never happened. The “GO turn into a NO GO” for this no-brainer community project. The OHL Generals rent the GM Centre from the City of Oshawa. High profile individuals including elected City of Oshawa elected officials, Chambers and Commerce, GM Centre management and even super fan himself Terry Kelly a mainstay in the errection of the Civic Auditorium couldn’t convince the Generals Management team permitting the announcment. Plans called for a local soldier who served in Afghanistan to draw the winning ticket. The Optimist club wanted to saluate our armforces serving to protect our freedom for Canada. The Optimist membership offered to fill the unsold GM Centre  tickets and donating them to Oshawa’s youth for the Owen Sound vs Oshawa Generals game on Dec. 20th. Again the Generals never responded.

Jim Shaw – Car Raffle coordinator is disappointed with Oshawa Generals. A noted sports broadcaster, reporter he has aided the Generals for over 40 years however with new management they seemed non-interested in local community efforts.

As it now stands, the Optimist will employ the R.S.McLaughlin Armouries located at 53 Simcoe St. North for their Dec. 20th showcase.

Upwards to 150 volunteers will meet within the north parking lot north of armouries (off Richmond St) at 12 noon for  deliver for the 26th consecutive year of Food Hampers/Toys. Each vehicle are requested to deliver to two families each.

Each family will be supplied for two weeks (14 days) of groceries containing two boxes of staple food, one box of meats including a 15 pound average festive turkey with the fourth box jammed full or produce products Family members will be allotted three new toys each for children ages 14 and under. Toys are supplied by the Martin Chiropractic Clinic (19th year) and the Nursing Staff located on the 4th main floor at Lakeridge Health at OGH. The toys are sorted by gender and age for Optimist delivery. Last year the outlets collected 1,208 toys including 108 build a bears.

Kasey McBride 19 a Oshawa Cadet graduate will make the draw. He joined the arm forces this past spring . Prior he trained under deceased Jerry Kehoe whose wife is a super active volunteer with the Optimist Club. He be escorted by the Oshawa 1933 Cadet Band to make the official announcement.

The winning ticket holder name will be published in the local media, advise via telephone or email and his/her name will be published on the Optimist web site www.oshawaoptimist.ca

Anyone wishing to help delivery can contact Optimist event coordinator Jim Shaw at 905-576-6919 or via email at jimshaw15@rogers.com

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