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

OPTIMIST HONOUR SCERO-BRELAND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS & INDUCT 2010 EXECUTIVE

December 6, 2009

CAR RAFFLE SALES STAFF FINALLY RECEIVE A SUNDAY OFF

November 21, 2009

OSHAWA, Nov 22; Finally the hard working Optimist Club of Oshawa sales team has been granted a Sunday off from their gruing sales schedule. Since mid-May our crack sales team has clocked every  Friday, Saturday and Sunday raising important funds for the 26th annual Optimist Christmas Food Hamper and Toys deliveries on Sunday, December 20th.

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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2010 EXECUTIVE INDUCTION NITE DEC. 02 – HAMBLEY RETURNS AS PRESIDENT

November 21, 2009

OSHAWA, Nov 19th – Stephen Hambley will commence his 3rd term as president of the Optimist Club of Oshawa Inc effective January lst, 2010. He and his new board will officially be inducted on Wednesday, December 02nd at Optimist Headquarters – Johnny’s Original Eatery located within the King/Thornton Plaza 850 King St. West. Hambley now ties Donald Webb who sat in president’s post for a trio of separate terms. Hambley replaces Petrina Perrineau who has step down from her one year term for health reasons and her busy and demanding  work schedule.

Joining the “Hambley Team” will be president elect Sybil Dewhurst,new treasurer Marjorie Ogden and secretary Jim Shaw.

In asccepting another engagement as president he stated ‘Our club was on the verge of  folding as  the lack of funds was drying up to  support our community and youth projects. The Oshawa’s club  main fundraiser since they where  founded on July 22nd, 1982  was Bingo . The Whitby based bingo hall closed it’s doors on January 31st,2009 going into receivership.  Hambley continued to say, with no revenue in-coming in  and with prior committment expenses directed towards  to our youth and  community plus a reduced membership to  seven the outlook forcast looked glime at best.

Our city suffering from finanical woes due to General Motors and their feeder plants occuring heavy layof eliminations of jobs, early retirements The outlook seemed impossible to repair.

Employing an  Optimistic outlook,  Hambley using strong support from our Monday Nite euchre volunteer support group started with  $2.86 in their bank account. It  now appears the Hambley group are on thr rack track to recovery. His new 2010 executive members will include president elect Sybil Dewhurst a Optimist veteran who has joined the Oshawa organization serving for years in the Caribean, treasurer Marjorie Ogden and secretary Jim Shaw.

James Dimitroff a former Cenon Lt. Governor will officially welcome the new exeuctive on board.

OSHAWA OPTIMIST ANNOUNCED 2010 DURHAM COLLEGE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS

November 6, 2009

OSHAWA, Nov 8th: The annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members Athletic Scholarship bursary awards in memory of deceased Oshawa members Thomas A. Scero and Sydney H. Breland for 2010 waa officially announced to-day. Name to received this presitigius aware are varsity athletic students Courtney Small (basketball) and Jordan Sutherland (soccer). Both are Oshawa highschool graduates. Small attended Eastdale CI and iss enrolled in the music program at Durham College. He plays guard for coach Desmond Rawley and is 6′2″, Sutherland checks in a 5′8″ attended Paul Dwyer and is a midfielder playing under coaching legen Stan Bambino. He’s a Business management student.

Both student/platers will be officially honoured on Wednesday, Decemeber 02th at Optimist headquarters – Johnny’s Original Eatery located within the King/Thornton Plazz 850 King St. W in Oshawa 905-579-7748 commencing at 6:30 pm sharp. A special meet and greet has been established for 6:15 pm

The Optimist will be presenting each athletic/student with a $500.00  cheque each. Both must maintain a high standard in both education and athletics. The revenue is divided into two equal payments with the initial payment on December 02nd followed by the balance happenig on May lst 2010.

Award winners’ are selected, screened and chosen by a special established committee by OUiT/Durham College athletic director Ken Babcock and his knowledgeable committee.

The Breland/Scero awarded was established by Jackie and Marcel Boullon both former club president’s. The recommonded the Optimist club make this award annual in memory of their long time friends and fellow Optimist who years in promoting the motto “Friend Of Youth”

Athletic officier Karen Richards is organization the Durham College representives for this event. Included are the immedate family members of the  Small and Sutherland families. The head coaches and guest Stan Bambino, Desmond Rawley,athletic director Ken Babcock and Richards.The local print/electonic media have been dispatched invitation to attend.

Durham College are celebrating their 40th year of operation.

DAVID CONWAY SETS THE BENCH MARK FOR OTHERS SCORING 100 POINTS AT OPIMIST EUCHRE

September 29, 2009

Oshawa,Sept 28: Hail the champion and record breaker. Yep it’s four year veteran David Conway who was the first to crack the 100 point plateau. This historic event occured at the weekly Monday Euchre Party held at Johnny’s Original Eatery on Monday. Being the first,  the four year veteran of Optimist Euchre he continues his early pace setting output during the early stages of the 2009-2010 campaign. For his splendid effort he’s able to pocket a crisp $20.00 bill.

A former City of Oshawa councillor, now heads the Y.T.D. total point leadership with 224 points. That’s twelve points ahead of runnerup Jim Brooks at 212 and fesky Thelma Owen who stands at 211 points. Furthermore Conway, share a 5th place tie with 7 lone hands YTD with Patricia Gunter and Johnny Milosh. Newcomer Gerry Korstanjc and Pat ‘Baba’ Passfield share the top rung with 9 lone hands each while Bob Burtinsky and Neil Metcalfe share third overall deadlocked with 8 LH’ eachin this tight race.

He had himself an amazing round scoring 23 points with Patrica Gunter. His double magic worked miracles with 14 with Francis Hirst as his partner while 10 point showing occured with Jim Shaw, Gord Johnson and Mike Horner as his partners creating those impressive double digit victories.

NEW FACES CONTINUE TO GROW.

We continue to welcome new players weekly. Latest to appear Monday where Kelly Boone, David Debrosy, Jim Durval, Shirley Robinson, David Stoliker and Joan Smith.  Back in the fold where Steve Street, Stephen Hambley just off his night shift duties at General Motors, Francis Hirst, Pauline Richardson. Meanwhile John ‘Brooker’ Brooks and lovely wife Pat are back enjoying a September vacation in Europe. A open hug for Audrey and John Thompson from Newfoundland. They departed the ‘Rock’ on Sunday morning and arrived in time to play. Mr. Thompson is hear to visit various physican within the GTA and hopes to remain until at least Christmas.

MIA’s are veterans Frank Kavanagh Jr. Optimist president Petrina Perrineau, Ruth Bell the care giver for her partner and defending champion George Hagerty who is recovering from his summer operation while Isle Gilchrist and Bob Blair remain in Germany on an extended well deserved vacation. Unable ti attebded due to heavy individual work loads are Marjorie Ogden, Miles Richardson and Jim McFater who is opening up a new business. Meanwhile the Fossum’s Gary and his lovely wife Mary are still suffering from severe blood problems.

Action resumes next Monday, Oct 5th at Johnny’s at 7:00 pm.

OPTIMIST PROGRESSIVE EUCHRE SEASON OPENS FOR ‘09-’10 HORNER PLAYS HERO

September 16, 2009

OSHAWA, Sept 14: Veteran Optimist Progressive Euchre player Mike Horner has served noticed “He wants be number ONE’. entering his his 4th year of play at the  Monday Night Euchre showcase he demonstrated his uncanny skills nailing down first place scoring  a total point score of 91 including five lone hands as the ‘08-’09 campaign kicked off for another year.

He has never been the “Top-Dog” before establishing his first top ranking. He was brilliant. Following close behind was a another veteran Donna Flammino with 86 points, Gerry Korstajw 82 points, the pesky Thelma Owen 81 points and the quiet man Kenny Graves scored 79th points.

Horner a Lasco Steel employee misses about half the games due to his shift work employment. He teamed up with with newcomer Dawn Evans, Donna Flammino and Greg Brooks recording double digit victories produced over half of his overall point total of 91.

It took a coin flip to break the Lone Hand leadership decison. Gerry Korstanje came out on top taking home a fresh bottle of Opti-Napa Valley white wine.

Six new playters where welcomed to the fold for the ‘09-’10 season. Dawn Evans Ellen Unknown, Gord Johnson, Irene and Gerry Korstaje, Pauline Kisoloski joined our group for another season of FUN. They all seems great people with the proper attitude about Euchre – HAVING FUN FIRST.

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