OSHAWA, May 02

Oshawa Optimist Club members Elizabeth and Sandy Crosbie are spearheaded this month’s end showcase. The Crosbie native “Scots” themselves have been close friends of the Alexander Brothers for decades. “There doing the shows as a personal favour to us” remarked Elizabeth who is predicting a complete sell-out for both performance.

The local Optimist Club of Oshawa are the prime sponsors and are footing the bill for the air travel fare, accommodations and meals during there stay. A reduced performance price has been secured between the Optimist and the two brothers Tom and Jack.

Any entertainment fan will enjoy their two hour non-stop performance. “There professionals right from the get-go” smiled Sandy who can’t wait to renew the Crosbie’s long standing friendship. Prior to this official announcement, the Optimist Club of Oshawa and it’s members have been fielding ticket request at a rapid pace. Tickets will go on sale May 6th.

The brothers first professional appearance occurred at the Webster Theatre in Arbroath, Scotland. Ross Bowie became their manager and relationship surviving for 35 years.A major break-through occurred in 1962 when songwriter Tony Hatch heard them. Hatch brought them to London and recorded their first Album “Highland Fling” which turned into a massive seller. A single recorded song became a instant hit in 1964 called. “Nobody’s Child” . At that point the Boys where outselling the Beattles.

They operated a TV series and appeared at the world famous and legendary London Palladium during prime Sunday evenings. During their outstanding five decade plus career they’ve appeared at all the top world’s top theatre’s including New York City’s Carnegie Hall and the world famous Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Born in Cambusnethan near Wishaw, their father Jimmy, was a steel worker and the driving force behind the family. Blessed with natural musical talent their mother Helen sang and played the piano.Tom originally started to learn the accordion and in 1952 at the age of 9 won the Classical Open solo at the Glasgow, NOAOF.championships. Jack is an accomplished piano player. By the age of 11 he had secured several diplomas.

After leaving school, the Alexander Brothers gained valuable experience playing before live audiences winning every contest they entered during at six year period from 1950-thru-1956. After a stint in the National Service they turned professional and developed a repertoire of Scottish material.

Tom and Jack have recorded over 30 albums and countless singles of the ‘Pye’ and ‘RCA’ labels.

Flooded with radio/television offers they co-starred with Shirley Bassey in 1967 during the famous London Palladium show. For years they received top ratings while hosting shows for STV.

Their achievements and success has been well documented at major venues within the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada. Now it’s Oshawa’s turn to roll out the welcome carpet and enjoy to celebrating their incredible career.

Senior tickets to be discounted…

Oshawa Optimist 29th president Stephen Hambley call this tour appearance as a “Windfall” for his club. By bringing the Alexander Brothers to Oshawa it’s another way we are serving our mandate supporting the Youth and Community’ “We are very fortunate”remarked Hambley to secure the Alexander Brothers,they are world famous entertainers” He continued to say,”thank god the long standing relationship between the Alexander Brothers and the Crosbie’s, this will translate into profits which will go directly to our 27th Annual Christmas Food Hamper & Toy Deliveries scheduled for Dec. 19, 2010′

Each festive season, the Optimist purchase than deliver Xmas Food Hampers & Toys to needy local families selected and screened by the Salvation Army. ‘Last year the club conducted a Car Raffle to fund the project’ said Hambley. This project has $25,000.00 fee to operate.

“Keeping in focus of serving the community, the event sponsor are offering discounting tickets for Seniors and complete table group purchases’ commented a confident Hambley. Sales will commence on Thursday, May 6th with seats and tables sold will come on a first come first served basis.

Tickets will be available on line from ticketweb.ca via tele – at 1-888-222.6608,

and from local business outlets including

Wilson & Lee Music Store 87 Simcoe St. N, Oshawa 905-725-4706,
the UK Shoppe 91 George St. in Peterborough 1-705-745-0085,
the White Heather Scottish Bakery 209 Dundas St. Whitby 905-666-4827,
Isle Skye Gifts & Highland Dancing 373 Wilson S. Oshawa,
the Wee Tartan Shop 177 Queen St. Port Perry 905-985-6573,
the But’N'Ben Scottish Bakery in Pickering located at 619 Kingston Road 905-420-6200 and their Scarborough venue 1509 Ellesmere Avenue location 1-416-438-4214.

Ticket prices have been established at $29.99 (Scottish Discount) for individuals, seniors admission is set for $25.00 while groups of 10 for a table will receive a special Optimist 10% discount.

Included in the price each ticket sold includes a lunch comprised those famous Scottish meat pies with peas, coffee and tea for each performance. A cash bar is available.

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.

‘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

Car raffle chair Jim Shaw says it’s about time. Every member have  been taxed to limit yet never complain as a group they support this mighty project with zealous and committment. With four busy weeks ahead  our team requires a needy break away from selling.  On the weekend Fri, Nov 20 and Sat. sales amounted to $1,350.00 at the 24 hour Metro Food Store in Bowmanville.

Hats off to Fay and Kenny Graves, Stephen Hambley, Eric Goodwin, Tyler MacDonald and Jimmy Shaw for a job well done in producing another $1K plus week of sales.

This coming weekend we make our final appearance at Price Chopper located on the corner of Wentworth and Cedar Streets starting Fri. Nov 27th, Sat. Nov 28 from 11 am to 6 pm and Sun. Nov 29 from 11 am till 5 pm.  To complete the hectic 31 consecutive weeks of raffle sales we will be employing the following location before the 2009 GM Vibe loaded down with $1,500.00 in grocery  is drawn on December 20th.

On Dec. 4-5-6 it’s our final appearance at Sobey’s Food North on Wilson & Taunton, Week 30 we will appear at Metro Bowmaville Foods on Dec. 11,12,13 for the final time than wrap out scheduled showcasing ourselves at Walmart SuperCentre from Dec 17,18, 19th. As it now stands we start and finish our sales from the Walmart location located on the corner of Laval and Stevenson Road just moment from the MacDonald/Chartier (401) Freewa. Shaw plans to have  Scott Dairge and his D.R.P.S. rock band in attendance plus numerous clowns, the lolly pop singers and naturdally  Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus.

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Now comes the next hard part raising enough funds for the food and toys.  The estimated cost for this project has a retail value of $40,000.00.  Last year marked our 25th anniversary aiding 108 families.

On the weekend we produced gross sales covering four days. We operated three separate three outlets. From Thursday to Saturday. Our volunteers covered Oshawa’s North End the  LCBO outlet,   three  more  days at the Walmart Super Centre in South Oshawa and two days at our sponsored Mush-Ball “T”Ball,Blast Ball tournament in Central Oshawa.

Weekend gross sales of $2,580.00.  Our biggest day occured on Sat. Aug 8 with $1,410.00 being collected while operating three different events.

Hats  Off – for a “Job Well Done” we salute our volunteers Tyler MacDonald, Marilyn and Don Richarsdson, Johnny Zarowny, Gus Gordon, Ronald Hele, Ruth Leone, Thelma Owen, Eric Goodwin, Vera Menzie,  Billy Boyce, Joe Dryson, Trevor Snell, Kenny Ferrill,  Neil Metcalf, Bill Hambly, Cathy Kehoe, Marjorie Ogden, Stephen Hambly and Jim Shaw.

This weekend (Fri,Sat,Sun) our volunteer gang will be operating a trio of dates at the Cobourg Walmart while president Petrina Perrineau, Matthew Dykstra and Jim Shaw will be attending the 4th quarter conventions selling tickets to fellow Optimist Cenon members within the Best Western Hotel in Orangeville.

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With the Oshawa area hit hard but slipping ecomony failure many families are in dire need of staple food for the kitchen table.

It certainly was a rewarding experience.

Optimist bingo players John Brooks and Johnny Milosh filled a pickup full of donated food bags  while Kenny “Story Teller” Ferrill  another Optimist Euchre player feels he and his  student volunteers collected over 1,000 pounds in his GMC oversized truck.  Other Optimist Euchre players who helped where Rhonda Comeau, Miles Richardson, Jackie/Greg Bamber, Peter Pnauskas, Gus Gordon and Jim Shaw.

Another Food Drive is scheduled for this autumn.

The Optimist 26th Annual Christmas Food Hamper & Toy deliveries are scheduled for Sun.  Dec 20th, 2009.

Optimist spokesperson Jim Shaw stated it great to have a cross reference of cooperation with the Kiwanis Club and their worthy community operations.

Local O.H.L. fans still  attempting to get over the departure of team leader and  captain John Travaras who was dealt to the London Knights Thursday in a mammoth nine player swap.  Travaras will  probably be the N.H.L.’s first draft selection this spring

Winning ticket holder Sue Kuczkowski and her immediate family comprises of  husband Dan, daughter Kathryn and son Michael  backed off on game day.The Kuckowski had just  returned from their annual  Dominican Republic vacation  Saturday. They  had a family crisis as one of their favourite pets had to be put to sleep. At a special family meeting the group collectively they decided not to attend. The  entire family was upset over the bad news.

The quartet was replaced by Michael Garcia, Victor Kobic, Brock Buntsma  and Adam Przybyiski. Mrs. Kuczkowski officially apologized for her family’s absence stating “if the circumstances were different we would have attended, but life plays it’s funny hand”. Oddity was whenthe winning ticket was announced on December 21st, 2008 at the 25th annual Optimist Food Hamper/Toys Deliveries for 100 needy local families she missed that announcement. After delivering her alloted hampers, her husband Dan was dispatched to emergency suffering servere pain that  required immediately medicial attention.

Included for this special occassion package were long time friend Kim Ellis, Alex Munr0, Keith Munro, Jose Carlos Garcia, Myrna Garcia and the Virgin family Theresa, Ted and Jennifer.

Prior to the game, the group was treated to a special pre-game dinner at Johnny’s Orginal Eatery. Oshawa Optimist Club reresentives where immediate past president Stephen Hambley, the director of ticket sales Greg Bamber and Jim Shaw.

The tickets were donated by Peggy Kohls representing the City of Oshawa Community Service department. Profits from the raffle went directly the 2008 Christmas Food Hampers/Toy deliveries. A profit of $1,200,00 was raised after expenses.