2017 News from the West Tacoma Optimist Club

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Vol. 59 Week 7 3 JAN 2017

Opening the Meeting

Tom Kryger, January President-of-the-Month, returned to his presiding position behind the podium after meeting and greeting members as they entered. At exactly 7:15 AM Tom declared the meeting open with a rap of the gavel. He directed the Bulletin shall list the opening at 7:15 AM for 7 members, 1 guest and the Speaker-of-the-Day. An additional few minutes was allowed for breakfast completion and needed fellowship.
Flag salute: President Tom Kryer
Invocation: Bob Speicher
Toast to Canada: President Tom Kryger
Optimist Creed: Everyone

Guest or Guests

Linda Disney was a very special guest of husband, Dick.

Please bring a guest or three....Guests become new members...New Members are required to make HONOR CLUB!

Happy Dollars

$ Devena Thomsen reminded all, "we have grandchildren and think they are the best. My grandsons, Pete 24 and Sam 20 came down so I could take them to lunch. They took marvelous care of me. Especially since I paid the bill."
$ Dick Driskell said he was just happy we made it through the holidays. On Sunday they had 12 for lunch and 8 for dinner.
$ Roger Davidson explained they had Christmas on Christmas Eve Day. New Years was celebrated in Oregon. They really enjoyed the drive home since there was just enough snow ans sun to create a spectacular scenes along the route.
$ Bob Speicher and family had no snow on Fox Island but there was some in Gig Harbor.
$ Linda Disney was happy to announce she has a new title this year, chauffeur!
$ John Hickman is preparing for future Christmas. His the mother-in-law has had knee surgery. So, 16 went to Capital Place for Christmas, visiting and prime rib.
$ Dick Disney paused and stated, "Happier than Punch to be here,"
$ Tom Kryger explained, "Gina and I went to Victoria instead of attending the annual Club Christmas Party. We went to get into the car to find the battery was dead. The car interior light had been left on. Gina managed to come down with a cold. Eleven days later TOM got it."

BOARD MEETING CHANGED

Tom Kryger as January President declared the monthly Board of Directors Meeting be change to immediately after the West Tacoma regular meeting on Tuesday, January 17th.

Announcements

Scout Troop 248 Robbed

Dick Driskell announced a scout troop we have assisted in the past had been robbed. Their equipment that was stored was taken. He and Jim Ferris will get the details and this may be an item for the Board Meeting.

Unpaid Dues

Treasurer John Hickman report all but 3 members have paid their 2016-17 Optimist Club of West Tacoma dues.

2016-2017 Program Chair Schedule

NOV- Dick Driskell DEC - Roger Davidson
JAN- Dick Disney FEB - Shirley Zurfluh
MAR-Jeanne Kussman APR - Jim Ferris
MAY - Jerry Bergstrom JUN - Bob Speicher
JUL - Tom Kryger AUG - Hank Hibbard
SEP - Ron Thompson OCT - Mike Flynn

President of the Month Schedule

Dick Driskell - OCT, APR, AUG
Roger Davidson - DEC, MAY, SEP
Tom Kryger - JAN, MAR, JUL
Bob Speicher - NOV, FEB, JUN

Program

Dick Disney

Dick Disney, January Program Chairman, stated, "Today it is my pleasure to introduce the speaker-of-the-day as my next to best friend...my self. Having had the opportunity to think privately at length lately it became apparent that the celebration of Christmas greatly change during my life."
Highlights of Dick's presentation follow:
Earliest Christmas memories:
* My dad and mother moved from South Prarie and Orting, Washington to Twin Lakes, Washington on the Colville Indian Reservation. They built 16 cabins, a store, house, wood shed, two ice houses an out houses all of logs. in addition dad built a dock and some 30 boats for fishermen
to rent along with their cabin.
* I do not remember the first couple of years Christmas celebration. We lived in the first cabin built. I've been told we had a small tree.
* About 3 years later we had moved into the new house. My sister celebrated her 2nd year holiday there. There was a tree about 6 to 7 feet tall fully decorated with a few ornaments, lead icing, a colored string of garland and some strategically placed pin on candle ornaments. Since we had no electricity until a number of years later the candles provided the needed light. They were lit for a short period two or three times since my dad was not going to have the house burn down.
* Originally Christmas was celebrated Christmas morning near the fireplace that my parents had lit earlier. The heatilator warmed most of the house. Presents were opened. My sister received a doll among her presents. I received a pair of bib overalls just like my dads and wagon used to pull my sister around in. My grandmother would always provide sample tooth paste, tooth brush, wash cloth and a bar of soap. Presents were something you needed. Real toys came in later years after moving to Buckley, Washington during World War II. After the war we moved to Spokane where we Christmas got bigger and better with real trees that had electric lights, nice ornaments and of course our reusable lead ice cycles. Presents got bigger and better also including erector set, electric train set, a Schwin bicycle and clothing.
IN 1944 I received a crystal set on which I heard the announcement that the war ended with Japan.

A short period of sharing other members memories were enjoyed.

What's this?

Mark Twain quotes from John Hickman:
* A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
* Be good and you will be lonesome.
* Honor is a harder master than the law.

A teenager who had just gotten her learner's permit offered to drive her parents to church. After a hair-raising ride, they reached their destination.
The mother climbed out of the car and exclaimed, 'Thank you!"
"Anytime," her daughter replied.
"I wasn't talking to you," her mother said as she slammed the door. "I was talking to God."

Keep the dream alive. Hit the snooze button.

An older man not in the best physical condition asked a trainer at the gym, "I want to impress a beautiful girl. Which machine should I use?"
The trainer replied, "The ATM outside."

Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7:15 a.m.
Narrows Glenn
8201 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406
www.tacomaoptimistclub.org
F acebook

Officers

President
Dick Driskell 253.564.1374
Roger Davidson 253.879.1102
Tom Kryger 253.752.3041
Bob Speicher 253.549.2212
President-elect
Open
Vice President
Devena Thomsen 253.564.9419
Secretary/Treasurer
John Hickman 253.564.3245
Immediate Past President
Jim Ferris 253.565.53797
Board of Directors
Dick Driskell 253.564.1374
Bob Speicher 253.549.2212
Hank Hibbard 253.241.3950
Dick Disney 253.564.8119
Bulletin Editor
Dick Disney 253.564.8119

Coming Events

Meetings:

JAN 17 TUE
West Tacoma Optimist Club Meeting, 7:15 AM sharp (Morning) at Narrows Glen
17 JAN 2017 TUE
West Tacoma Optimist Club Board Meeting - following regular meeting at Narrows Glen
7 FEB 2017 TUE
West Tacoma Optimist Club Meeting, 7:15 AM sharp (Morning) at Narrows Glen
7 FEB 2017 TUE
West Tacoma Optimist Club Board Meeting - following regular meeting at Narrows Glen
9 FEB 2017 THUR
REPACK! 9:00 AM to about noon at Emergency Food Network, 3318 92nd St, Lakewood
21 FEB 2017 TUE
West Tacoma Optimist Club Meeting, 7:15 AM sharp (Morning) at Narrows Glen

Programs:
January Programs By Dick Disney

17 JAN 2017
Optimist International, Pacific Northwest District and West Tacoma Club update discussion.

February Programs Chairperson: Shirley Zurfluh

Optimist Creed

Promise yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.