Tara McNamara (seen in photo above, flanked by Monthly Program Chair Mic Goulet on the left and Club President Rich Lewis on the right) spoke to the Club this morning. Although she is an area real estate agent, she wanted to inform us about two other “passions” that keep her very busy:
- Upward Sports is a widely distributed and well-respected development program for basketball and cheerleading. It gives play, social, technical, and social opportunities to kids from approximately 5 to 12 years of age (K-6). Several levels of sponsorship and some family contributions (kept as low as possible) support the weekly teams, games, volunteer staffing, and community recognition and pride in the youth, as well as familiarity with sponsor organizations and community investment. The organization motto – “Every child plays. Every child learns. Every child is a winner.” – fits very well with our Optimist mission.
- The American Dream TV show (airing on the Travel Channel and major digital streaming networks nationwide) is a professionally produced 30-minute show every 3 months that emphasizes positive aspects, organizations, stories, and ventures that characterize constructive values in our communities and culture. Emmy-nominated and hosted by Tara, the program can highlight “business, philanthropy, or local impact” to help get important information to a broad audience and engage interest or support, including through social media content. (Interested persons can contact Tara using information in the photo below.)
In other matters-
- Greg Hilliker announced an upcoming concert featuring Daniel Schmit (Click here for sample of his keyboard skill), Michael Hilliker (Click here & scroll down for his info), Melanie Rea, & Tara Philip (Click here for a sample of three of the performers on one of their recordings). Here is a link to the Facebook page/poster for the event at Holy Redeemer Church on March 27th at 7 p.m..
- Jeff Dennings and Matt Strnad initiated an enthusiastic review of their recent participation in a “Camel Race” fundraiser, the details of which were reviewed and possibilities for our application and participation suggested (Reverse Raffle, building or accessing materials and equipment, etc.) – more detailed discussion, proposals, and commitments likely to follow.
- Jeff Gauger celebrated Club support and participation in recent “Build” and “Assembly” opportunities for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, talked of possible participation in the “National 24-Hour Build” in North Carolina in April. (Click HERE for some info on last year’s event.)
- This afternoon’s “Stammtisch” will be at Madison’s on Main in Flushing at 3:30 p.m.. (Late update: 9 members were able to show in the afternoon!)
- Fines passed against Steve Schlott for “jumpstarting the meeting, against Jeff Dennings for confounding “K of C” (Knights of Columbus Camel Race sponsors) with “KFC” (national vendor of chicken parts), against John McNally for “thinking that the Pledge of Allegiance starts with ‘Sure!’”, and against Jack Proffitt “for doing his best Jim Reigle impersonation and trying to fly under the radar” in the fine activity. Mic Goulet was fined for “trying to avoid fines by hiding behind the Guest Speaker while sitting at the head table, Jeff Dennings paid one for making a “bad roll” of the giant dice to lose the Camel Race, and Matt Strnad paid a fine for failing to let Tom Yeager know how important it is to shake hands with all members on arrival.
- The $802 “50/50 Progressive Pot” continues to grow since the Queen of Hearts dodged another draw!
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”
