2017 -2018 Optimist Year, October 1, 2017 through September 31, 2018
 | • Latest Announcements: • September 27 (Thur.): 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble • No Meeting on October 2 • October 4: Dayton Presidents Club Legion of Honor Luncheon • No Meeting on October 9 • October 11: Cargill Chili Cook-off event • October 16: First meeting of 2018-2019 Optimist year |
Update of September 25:
| Current Club Schedule: Meetings on Tuesdays at Noon, held at Brixx Ice Co., 500 E. 1st St., Dayton, Ohio 45402, unless otherwise indicated. Please check club website bulletin board weekly for updates. |  |
| • September 27: 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble • October 2: NO MEETING (due to Presidents Club event) • October 4 (Thursday): Presidents Club Citizens Legion of Honor • October 9: NO MEETING (due to Cargill Chili Cook-off event) • October 11 (Thursday): Cargill Chili Cook-off • October 16: First meeting of 2018-2019 Optimist year, Induction of Club Officers and review of golf outing • October 23: Open • October 30: Open • November 6: Open • November 13: Open |  Registration materials are available for the 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble golf outing. Go to the event page for more information by clicking the above image. |
Update of September 20:
35th Annual Scholarship Scramble:
| • This fundraising event is coming up on Thursday, September 27 at Miami Valley Golf Club. The event supports scholarships and other youth activities for Northridge area youths. The scholarships are administered through The Optimist Club of Dayton-Northridge Scholarship Fund, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. • CLICK HERE to go to the event page for more information, or see the "Update of September 6" bulletin board entry below. |  |
Meeting of September 11:
• The speaker at the September 11 meeting was Brooks Hall, the Liaison/Case Manager for Agape for Youth's "Bridges" program, which prepares youths in transitioning from foster care to independence.
• Bridges was made possible by Gov. Kasich’s signing of Substitute House Bill 50 in 2016, and was implemented by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and and the Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio in February of this year. The Collaborative works in partnership with local service-providing agencies, such as Agape for Youth, to help participants develop goals, learn skills and access services related to everything from employment and education to health care and household maintenance.
• Bridges was made possible by Gov. Kasich’s signing of Substitute House Bill 50 in 2016, and was implemented by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and and the Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio in February of this year. The Collaborative works in partnership with local service-providing agencies, such as Agape for Youth, to help participants develop goals, learn skills and access services related to everything from employment and education to health care and household maintenance.
| • Brooks provided a thorough overview of the program, and emphasized how important it is in helping the young people going out on their own after foster care. Brooks told the group about some of his background in foster care agencies and social services that led to his position with Agape. Brooks was a Flyer basketball standout at UD in the early 2000's, and shared some stories of his basketball career with the members, • For more information about the Bridges program, visit bridgestosuccess.jfs.ohio.gov and for information about Agape for Youth visit www.agapeforyouth.com |  |
Update of September 6:
35th Annual Scholarship Scramble:
| Time is getting short for golfing sign-ups and sponsorship opportunities! • This fundraising event is coming up on Thursday, September 27 at Miami Valley Golf Club. Your participation, as a golfer, sponsor, or donor will help support scholarships for Northridge area youths. The scholarships are administered through The Optimist Club of Dayton-Northridge Scholarship Fund, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. Sponsors and donors will have their names listed in the event program, and on signs placed around the course. Sponsorship and donation information must be received no later than Sept. 20 in order to be recognized in the program or with hole signs. • Play at a PGA championship course and enjoy a prime rib dinner in the MVGC dining room, with prizes and drawings! • Registration forms are available for downloading: CLICK HERE to go to the event page for download links. The registration form also has information for sponsorships and donations. There is also a link on the event page for a report on last year's event, and a copy of last year's Event Program to show how sponsor names are recognized. |  |
Update of August 29:
 | • At the Ohio District Conference on the weekend of Aug.18, the Optimist Kids Day at the Park was selected by the President of Optimist International as this year's first place event in Ohio. This August 4 event, organized by the Dor-Wood Optimist Club and the Kettering Noon Optimist Club, was an effort by over a dozen Optimist Clubs in the Dayton area. It speaks well for area clubs to have this distinction from the OI President, and Northridge Optimist Club is proud of our participation. (See below, in the update of August 10, for photos and video links from the event). |
Update of August 17:
 Board President Margie Lairson (left) and Optimist Club President Chris Young (right) The Northridge Board of Education honored The Northridge Optimist Club at a recognition ceremony at the school board meeting on Monday, August 13. Several club members were present, as School Board President Margie Lairson presented an Outstanding Service Award certificate to club president Chris Young in thanks for the services that our club provides for the schools and the kids of the Northridge community. |  |
Update of August 10:
Optimist Kids Day in the Park Concluded:
| Thanks to all members and helpers who pitched in with the Northridge Optimist Club activity at the August 4th Optimist Kids Day in the Park. The kids seemed glad to see the rockets again this year, and they all had a good time. See the YouTube links below for some drone videos showing the rocket launching area from above. A slide show of stil photos is shown on the right. | |
Update of July 31:
Optimist Kids Day in the Park is Saturday, Aug. 4:
| • The "Optimist Kid's Day in the Park" is this coming Saturday, August 4, 2018. The program, sponsored by Kettering Noon Optimist Club, presents a day with a multitude of fun activities for kids, Kindergarten to 8th Grade, held annually at Delco Park at 1700 Delco Park Drive, in Kettering. Over a dozen Optimist clubs will participate by each setting up their own event for kids to enjoy. Northridge Optimist Club will be participating, and our members provided an air rocket launching activity for the kids. • Promotional flyers, with details, can be downloaded for printing or emailing: CLICK HERE for a full page version, or CLICK HERE for a version with four smaller flyers per page. Pass the information along to families with K to 8 kids, so they can join in the free fun. |  |
Update of July 26:
Meeting of July 24:
• The Lt. Governor for Ohio Optimist District, Zone 11, Judy Martinson, visited our club at the July 24 meeting. Judy is a member of both East Dayton Optimist, and Kettering Noon Optimists. She brought information on the Ohio Optimist District Convention, and invited President Elect Mike Gorman and club leaders to attend. The convention is on August 16-18 at the Holiday Inn in Fairborn. She also handed out some Optimist International membership invitation brochures and Optimist Creed cards to the members. Judy will be the new District Essay Contest Chairperson for the 2018-2019 year, and she gave a copy of the upcoming Essay Contest rule changes to the club chairperson. She will visit with our club again at the Optimist Kids Day event in August. Club President Chris Young, and the club members, all thank Judy for her support during the past year. Judy's successor as Lt. Governor will be our own club member Ann Morrissey, beginning October 1.
Update of July 17:
35th Annual Scholarship Scramble Update:
| Visit the 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble event page for information on the September 27, 2018 golf outing which is back at Miami Valley Gold Club again this year. Last year was our first year to hold the event at Miami Valley Golf Club, and it was a hit with the participants, who enjoyed the beautiful course, followed by a prime rib buffet in the MVGC dining room, plus drawings and many prizes (CLICK HERE to see a report on the 2017 event - with a downloadable 2017 event program). There will be a 1:00PM shotgun start, with sign-in at Noon. The $120 green fee includes golf and the buffet dinner after the round. In addition to the golfing, there are sponsorship and donor opportunities. The event is our club fund raiser for Youth Activities and Scholarships for Northridge area youths. The scholarships are administered through The Optimist Club of Dayton-Northridge Scholarship Fund, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. Registration forms are available for downloading. CLICK HERE to go to the event page for download links. |  |
Update of July 11:
 | • The Presidents Club of Dayton is hosting the annual Citizen Legion of Honor Luncheon on October 4, 2018. This year's honoree is Jenell Ross, president of Bob Ross Auto Group, a second-generation leader of the area’s 44-year business. The Citizen Legion of Honor award is the oldest and most continuous recognition of volunteer servant leadership in the Dayton region. More details on the event, and on the Presidents Club can be seen on their website at http://presidentsclubdayton.org/index.php/component/users/?view=reset&Itemid=10 |
Update of July 6:
Optimist Kids Day in the Park:
| • Saturday, August 4, 2018 is the date for "Optimist Kid's Day in the Park" this year. This is a program, sponsored by Kettering Noon Optimist Club, which presents a day with a multitude of fun activities for kids, Kindergarten to 8th Grade, held annually at Delco Park at 1700 Delco Park Drive, in Kettering. Over a dozen Optimist clubs will participate by each setting up their own event for kids to enjoy. Last year was the first year for Northridge Optimist Club participation, and our members provided an air rocket launching activity for the kids. We will be back again this year with the rocket acitivity.
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• Promotional flyers, with details, can be downloaded for printing or emailing: CLICK HERE for a full page version, or CLICK HERE for a version with four smaller flyers per page. Pass the information along to families with K to 8 kids, so they can join in the free fun.
Update of June 26:
Happy Fourth of July!
Muse Machine Notes:
 | • Muse Machine presents a summer performance on Wednesday, July 18 at The Loft theatre (126 N Main St, Dayton OH 45402). The performances are at 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM. World-class musicians and vocalists from Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Jazz Power Initiative in NYC – and other special guests – team up with Muse Machine singers, dancers and musicians to heat things up this July. Join an evening of music, song and dance that hit notes from New Orleans to New York to Latin America, from Joplin to Ellington – The Joint Is Jumpin’ is truth in advertising! See the Muse Machine website for information and to order tickets: http://musemachine.com/info-muse-productions/ |
| • Congratulations to Michael Lippert, the Muse Machine's Director of Elementary Programs and Program Artist, for being named as an inductee in the 2018 Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame. Michael has spoken at our club meetings in the past, and Northridge Optimist Club has supported some of the programs that he conducted in Northridge elementary schools. The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves to the theatre arts in Dayton, and to acknowledge people whose life-long participation, innovation and creativity have influenced the Dayton arts culture. |  |
Update of June 13:
Northridge School District Receives Education Grant:
Northridge was among 44 schools/consortiums in the state that received a Striving Readers Grant through the Ohio Department of Education in May. The school is working in a consortium with Milton Union and Bradford schools.
Laura Inkrott, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Northridge Schools describes the program and the benefits that it will provide to Northridge as follows:
"Through the grant, we are going to be able to implement Academic Parent-Teacher Teams for all teachers grades K-5, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling for K-5 reading teachers, and Orton Gillingham training for K-5 reading teachers. We will also be hiring a reading coach that will work with teachers to provide on-going learning with these new initiatives. Working with Milton Union and Bradord schools will also provide us with a new way of collaborating with teachers. Now we are not only learning along side our colleagues, but with teachers from across the area.
We are putting the time and energy into our youngest Northridge learners to provide them the foundation needed to be lifelong readers. Our teachers are excited, and have already started the trainings for these new additions to our district during their summer break. It shows just how devoted our administrators, teachers, and staff are to the learning of our Northridge students".
The Northridge Optimist Club congratulates Northridge Schools for providing this opportunity to the students.
Laura Inkrott, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Northridge Schools describes the program and the benefits that it will provide to Northridge as follows:
"Through the grant, we are going to be able to implement Academic Parent-Teacher Teams for all teachers grades K-5, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling for K-5 reading teachers, and Orton Gillingham training for K-5 reading teachers. We will also be hiring a reading coach that will work with teachers to provide on-going learning with these new initiatives. Working with Milton Union and Bradord schools will also provide us with a new way of collaborating with teachers. Now we are not only learning along side our colleagues, but with teachers from across the area.
We are putting the time and energy into our youngest Northridge learners to provide them the foundation needed to be lifelong readers. Our teachers are excited, and have already started the trainings for these new additions to our district during their summer break. It shows just how devoted our administrators, teachers, and staff are to the learning of our Northridge students".
The Northridge Optimist Club congratulates Northridge Schools for providing this opportunity to the students.
Update of June 6:
| • At the June 5 meeting, Mike Gorman reported on his presentation of the latest batch of Polar Bear Fund grants, totalling about $3200, at the school board meeting on the evening of Tuesday, May 29. The Polar Bear Fund was started by Northridge Local Schools as an endowment with The Dayton Foundation for funding school related programs that were not covered by school district budgets. Donations from the Northridge Optimist Club have been the primary source of the funds. See the Polar Bear Fund page for more information on this endowment. |  |
Update of June 1:
 • At the May 29 meeting Randy Zuercher made a presentation on UAV's. A UAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone. He showed the DJI Mavic Pro model, and gave club members an insight into drone technology, and some of the regulations on their use. |  • On Wednesday evening, May 30, Club Secretary Diana Schaefer, and Scholarship Chairperson Jim Orill, were on hand to give out the Northridge Optimist scholarships, and Sharron Braun/Cargill scholarships to students at the Northridge H.S. awards ceremony. The amount of the combined Northridge Optimist Club and Sharron Braun/Cargill scholarships totalled $10,400 divided among ten students. |
Update of May 25:
| The speaker at the May 22 meeting was Randy Boadway of eRockets and Wright Stuff Rocketeers. He spoke about the hobby of rocketry, and what it has to offer in the way of family fun and entertainment. eRockets, has products to meet every need in rocketry, from starter kits for kids, to rockets, parts, and supplies for serious hobbyists. They offer a large supply of rockets, all built in their operation here in Dayton. He showed samples of inexpensive starter kits for kids, with some rockets costing less than $10. They offer a large supply of rockets, all built in their local operation at 2790 Thunderhawk Ct, Dayton 45414. The "Wright Stuff Rocketeers" (NAR section 703) are a club operation in Southwest Ohio with a dedication to growing the hobby through outreach and camaraderie. They hold many demonstrations and participatory activities, such as a weekly "build night" and frequent launches. Call 616-460-2678 for information, or see their websites at www.wsr703.org and www.eRockets.biz. Their outreach services include helping groups, especially various youth groups, to build and fly model rockets. | 
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Update of May 18:
 Ann Morrissey (left) presents a Certificate of Thanks to Suzy Harris of Clothes that Work (right) . | The speaker at the May 15 meeting was Suzy Harris, Director of Operations for Clothes that Work. The organization empowers clients to secure and maintain employment by providing interview and workplace appropriate clothing, confidence building education, and coaching services. There are opportunities for volunteers to help, plus donations of money or clothing are needed. There is a need for clean, professional, modern workplace attire for their clients. See the website for monetary donations and for a clothing donation guide: http://www.clothesthatwork.org.  |
Update of May 11:
| The Northridge Optimist Club annually recognizes two outstanding Miami Valley Career Technology Center students whose home school is Northridge, and presents them with scholarship awards. MVCTC hosted the awards luncheon on Friday, April 27 at the school. The recipients were Chloe Baker and Cody Wright, pictured on the right. Congratulations to Chloe and Cody, and many thanks to the MVCTC school and staff for their hospitality and for hosting the luncheon.  |  Scholarship recipients Chloe Baker and Cody Wright |
Update of April 30:
Meeting of May 1:
The speaker at the May 1 meeting will be Jeff Lisath, boys basketball coach at Northridge High School.
The speaker at the May 1 meeting will be Jeff Lisath, boys basketball coach at Northridge High School.
Northridge High School Scholarship Awards:
The 2018 Northridge High School Scholarship Awards will be held in the high school auditorium at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 30.
The 2018 Northridge High School Scholarship Awards will be held in the high school auditorium at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 30.
Update of April 17:
Next Meeting: No Tuesday Meeting on April 24,
Instead, the club meeting will be held at MVCTC for the scholarship luncheon on Friday, April 27, at 11:30 AM
Instead, the club meeting will be held at MVCTC for the scholarship luncheon on Friday, April 27, at 11:30 AM
Meeting of April 17:
| • Ken Ford was the speaker at the April 17 meeting. Ken is the coach of the Northridge High School girls basketball and girls volley ball teams. Ken talked about these Northridge programs, and the opportunities that they provide for the students. There is a need for programs in these sports at the elementary level to encourage more participation at the high school level. When the new facilities are completed for the 2019 year, with three gymnasiums, it will make more court time available to accommodate practice time and encourage more participation. • Ken has supported our club's Pass/Shoot/Dribble contest, and we discussed the limited attendance at this year's event. One suggestion was to hold it a bit later than the 9:00AM starting time. Ken indicated that this could be arranged when booking the event. Ken also related that he participated in Pass/Shoot/Dribble contest sponsored by our neighboring Northmont Optimist Club when he was in elementary school, and he still has his trophy. |  Club Secretary Diana Schaefer (left) presents a Certificate of Thanks to Coach Ken Ford (right) |
Update of April 3:
 | The annual club meeting at Miami Valley Career Technology Center for the scholarship luncheon will be held on Friday, April 27, at 11:30 AM. The club will present scholarships to two outstanding MVCTC students whose home school is Northridge. The meeting will be held at the school at 6800 Hoke Road, on the mezzanine level of the Student Activity Center. (There will not be a Tuesday meeting that week). |
Update of March 29:
| • The speaker at the meeting was Chris Corba, Director of Development at We Care Arts. She presented a thorough story about this non-profit organization which serves persons with varying levels of cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities. The program uses art to teach and reinforce life skills, and offers the opportunity for participants to profit from the work they produce. The teaching staff works with participants in several creative areas, such as drawing, painting, and ceramics. The act of creating art compliments medical therapies, and promotes personal growth, with increased job, life, and socialization skills. The artists can earn commissions from the sale of their artworks, which We Care Arts markets for them. • Fundraising events include a Spring Auction in March, and Evening at the Races event on May 11, and an Arts & Drafts function on August 4. Visit the We Care Arts website to learn more about the organization, its events, and opportunities to donate or volunteer: http://www.wecarearts.org/index.php |  Club President Chris Young (left) presents a certificate of thanks to Chris Corba of We Care Arts (right)  |
Update of March 21:
Meeting of March 20:
 Dylan Melling, the District Director of Miami Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, spoke at the club meeting on March 20. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Miami Valley Council, and Dylan presented information on the history of Scouting, the programs that it provides, and the benefits for youth. Scouting seeks to prepare young people to make moral and ethical choices throughout their lifetime, and instills in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The Miami Valley Council serves about 5,000 youths, with over 2,200 adult volunteers. In April, Scouts are holding their annual Scouting for Food drive, which collects food donations to provide to local food banks. See the Miami Valley Council website at http://www.miamivalleybsa.org for more info on Scouting for Food, and many other Scouting programs. |   President Chris presents Dylan Melling with a certificate of thanks after the presentation |
Update of March 14:
| Essay Contest Awards Meeting: Students from the Northridge High School ninth grade honors English class recently completed entries in the Optimist International Essay Contest, sponsored by Northridge Optimist Club. The topic of this year’s contest was “Can Society Function without Respect?”. An awards ceremony was held during a pizza luncheon at the high school for the Tuesday, March 13 club meeting. Congratulations to the students for their fine work! CLICK HERE for a full report on the contest and the awards meeting, with photos. |  |
Pass/Shoot/Dribble Basketball Skills Contest Report:
On Saturday, March 10, 2018 annual Pass/Shoot/Dribble basketball skills contest for kids ages 8 to 13 was hosted by Northridge Optimist Club at Northridge High School. The contest consisted of dribbling through a course of safety cones (a timed event), shooting from various spots on the floor. The turnout was lower than expected, but the kids all had fun and showed some good basketball skills. A special guest was there to help. Member Derrick Freeman brought his nephew Chunky Clements, to help with the event. Chunky, an NFL player with the Houston Texans helped with he skills events, met with the kids as the awards were announced, and signed autographs for them. Each contestant received a souvenir drawstring backpack. The new backpacks were great looking, and a big hit with the kids. (The trophies for the winners in each age group arrived too late to hand out at the event, and are being sent to winners). CLICK HERE to see the event page with a slide show of more photos.
| Thanks to all who came out to support the event - Northridge High School & staff, High School coaches & players, parents, club members and guests. And thanks to the kids for putting on a great show of basketball skill. |  |
Update of March 9:
Pass/Shoot/Dribble Basketball Skills Contest for Kids:
 Saturday, March 10 | The date for our annual Pass/Shoot/Dribble basketball skills contest for kids 8 to 13 is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2018. It will be held at the Northridge High School gym beginning at 9:00 AM. Registration materials are being distributed in the Northridge elementary schools. Registration materials are also available for downloading by clicking on the button at the left, or from the 2018 Pass/Shoot/Dribble page under the Activities menu tab. Photos from last year's event can also be see on that page. It's free! |
Meeting of March 6:
| • Katherine Klain, the Development Manager for The Glen at St. Joseph spoke at the March 6 meeting. She presented a thorough and informative look at this organization which was founded in 2006 to provide a safe and secure environment for single mothers raising children on their own. Designed to keep mothers and children together, the Glen is meant to be a two generation program focused on the education of both mothers and children. Mothers are given the chance to select a field of study that will fulfill them in many areas of their lives, including economically. Children receive an individualized curriculum to expand their natural curiosity. By offering a two-generation program that recognizes the multi-generational, multi-dimensional aspects of poverty for single women and their children, The Glen aims to improve the women’s access to education, economic supports and social capital and the children’s access to high-quality early childhood education. • The Glen at St. Joseph has an interesting history, as it is located on the grounds of the former St. Joseph Orphans Home, which was established in 1849. For more information, and for donation opportunities, see their website at https://www.glenatstjoseph.org. |   Club President Chris Young (left) presents a Certificate of Thanks to Katie Klain (right) |
Essay Contest Awards Luncheon:
 | Optimist International Essay Contest - The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship. Optimist International assigns a new topic each year and provides the rules and guidelines for holding this essay contest for students. The Northridge Optimist Club club conducts a local level of the contest in conjunction with Northridge schools. The winning contestant’s essay is then eligible to compete for scholarship awards with other student essays at the Optimist District (state) level. |
Awards Luncheon - The 2017-2018 club level contest has been completed, and the winners will be announced at the March 13 club meeting, and presented with their awards. The meeting will be held at 11:00 AM, at Northridge High School. (There is no meeting at Brixx that week). Watch this Bulletin Board page in coming weeks for a report on the event.
Update of February 22:
President's Club Announcement:
| • The 38th Annual Bob Chiles Golf Classic will be held on Friday, May 11, 2018. This is presented by the Presidents Club of Dayton in conjunction with The Miami Valley Military Affairs Association. The event is a fundraiser for the WPAFB Fisher/Nightingale House. It will be held at Twin Base Golf Club with check in time at 8:15AM, and tee off at 9:00AM. The cost is $100 per golfer, and includes greens fee, cart, & dinner. Registration deadline is April 28. For registration information and sponsorship opportunities CLICK HERE to download a brochure or contact Holly Beard at 937-572-3409. |  |
 | • More information on Presidents Club events, and events of other area service clubs, can be seen on their newsletter, which can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.presidentsclubdayton.org/index.php/media-archive/current-newsletter. |
Optimist Kids Day in the Park:
| Saturday, August 4, 2018 has been announced as the date for "Optimist Kid's Day in the Park" this year. This is a program, sponsored by Kettering Noon Optimist Club, which presents a day with a multitude of fun activities for kids, Kindergarten to 8th Grade, held annually at Delco Park at 1700 Delco Park Drive, in Kettering. Over a dozen Optimist clubs will participate by each setting up their own event for kids to enjoy. Last year was the first year for Northridge Optimist Club participation, and members are looking forward to joining in again this year. |  |
Update of February 8:
Meeting of February 6:
 • The speaker at the February 6 meeting was Joe Hogue, the Behavioral Based Safety Facilitator at Cargill. He explained the thorough procedures that the company uses to insure a safe environment for all employees. It is a comprehensive approach, that analyzes the precursors of actions that can lead to accidents. By observing the workplace, and documenting behaviors and ergonomics, safety risks are minimized. The priority of safety is part of the company culture, and is stressed as a state of safety awareness for employees, whether at work or at home. |  President Chris (left) presents Joe Hogue with a certificate of thanks. |
 | • A thank you note from The Dayton Foundation was read at the meeting. The "thank you" was in response to the club's recent donation of $5000 to the Polar Bear Fund. The Northridge Optimist Club has provided a total of $21,000 to the fund since its inception. The Polar Bear Fund is used for school related programs that are not covered by school district budgets, and is administered by The Dayton Foundation through grant applications. |
| Update of January 31: | |
Community Links:
 | Northridge Alumni website: Some links of interest to the Northridge area are posted in the panel at the right (see the red buttons under "Other Northridge Links"). They are for The Northidge Alumni Bear Facts website, the Northridge Schools website, and the Northridge Schools facebook page. One good way to show support of the community is to patronize the alumni businesses that are listed on the alumni website: http://www.northridgealumni.org/id11.html. |
Update of January 9:
Save the Date for the 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble:
| The date is set for the 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble golf outing. It will be Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Miami Valley Golf Club. There will be a 1:00PM shotgun start, with sign-in at Noon. Watch this website for announcements of registration materials, sponsorship info, and entry fees. The event is our club fund raiser for Youth Activities and Scholarships for Northridge area youths. The scholarships are administered through The Optimist Club of Dayton-Northridge Scholarship Fund, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. Last year was our first year to hold the event at Miami Valley Golf Club, and it was a hit with the participants, who enjoyed the beautiful course, followed by a prime rib buffet in the MVGC dining room, plus drawings and many prizes (CLICK HERE to see a report on the 2017 event - with a downloadable 2017 event program). CLICK THE PICTURE AT THE RIGHT to download a printable "save the date" flyer, or CLICK HERE to go to the 2018 Scholarship Scramble webpage. |  |
Update of December 20:
  | Our 32nd annual Christmas giving event, the 2017 Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program, was held on Saturday, December 16. Club members, family members, and many other volunteers shopped for groceries that they then delivered to 20 families for the holidays. See the Christmas Sharing page under "Activities" for the full story and more photos from the event. Many thanks to all who came to help out!
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Update of December 6:
Northridge Club Visit to Dayton Crayons to Classrooms:
Northridge Optimist Club members visited the new facility of Dayton Crayons to Classrooms at 1750 Woodman Drive on Tuesday, December 5. Dayton Crayons to Classrooms (DC2C) is a free store for teachers from under-funded K-12 schools that serve children living in poverty in the Greater Dayton region. DC2C provides basic school supplies that are essential to academic success, at no cost to the children's teachers, families, or schools. It is funded and operates in partnership with local businesses, individual donors, and community volunteers. Club members were given a tour of the facility by DC2C Executive Director Steve Rubenstein and Operations Manager Dave Hargrove. The club presented a donation of $500 to DC2C. See photos of the visit in the slideshow below.
For the full story on DC2C, and for donation information for this very worthy cause see http://dc2c.org.
For the full story on DC2C, and for donation information for this very worthy cause see http://dc2c.org.
Update of November 29:
Christmas Sharing Program:
The date for our 32nd annual Christmas giving event, the 2017 Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program is set for Saturday, December 16. See the Christmas Sharing page under "Activities" for information on the event. CLICK HERE to download the 2017 event flyer, with more information. It was announced at the November 28 meeting that Cargill has donated $2000 to the Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing fund. Twenty three Cargill employees are also volunteering for the day of the event. Many thanks to Cargill for their generous support of this community service.
Update of November 22:
Visit to Riverdale for Thanksgiving Week:
• For the November 21 meeting, Northridge Optimist Club members visited the Riverdale Optimist Club for their annual Thanksgiving Week meeting. The meeting was held at the Masonic Center.
• In attendance were Ohio District Governor Tom Kendo and his wife Jennifer, Zone 11 Lt. Governor Judy Martinson, and Past District Governor Brian McCormick, plus the Riverdale Members and guests, and eleven representatives of the Northridge club.
| • The featured program was a fascinating presentation by naturalist Tom Hissong (standing in the photo on the right) on his Alaskan cruises, via the Inside Passage. His captivating narrative was enriched by an impressive photographic slideshow of beautiful Alaskan landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, and panoramas. It was a display of truly great nature photography. |  |
 | • Many thanks to Riverdale for their hospitality in hosting this fine event, and for the invitation to Northridge.  |
Update of November 15:
Meeting of November 14:
| Laura Inkrott and Kim Harnett of Northridge Local Schools were guests at the November 14 meeting. Laura is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Kim is District Testing Coordinator/Curriculum Coach. They are seeking ways to increase community engagement, and wish to act as a liaison between the school system and Northridge Optimist Club. The club is always interested in finding new ways to benefit Northridge students, and their support is greatly appreciated. The main area of business at the meeting was evaluating several Polar Bear Fund grant applications, and thanks to valuable input from Laura and Kim, the club was able to process most of the applications. Laura and Kim have both joined as members of the Northridge |  Polar Bear Fund |
| Update of October 27: |  | Happy Halloween! |
34th Annual Scholarship Scramble Report:
| The 2017 event was held at Miami Valley Golf Club on Thursday, September 28. See the 2017 Scholarship Scramble page for a report on the event, with pictures, and a list of the many sponsors and donors for this year's event. Many thanks to the golfers, sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made this possible and have helped make it possible to provide more scholarships for Northridge students. Also see the listings under the "Activities" menu above for more about the scholarships and youth projects that this event benefits. |  Click the button on the left to see the Scholarship Scramble page. |
2017-2018 Club Schedule (including past dates, in gray)
• October 10: first meeting of 2017-2018 Optimist Year
• October 17: club business
• October 24: Budget Discussion
• October 31: Budget Discussion
• November 7: Open
• November 14: Laura Inkrott, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Northridge Schools, will be visiting
• November 21: Visit to Riverdale Optimist Club; 11:30AM (no meeting at Brixx)
• November 28: Open
• December 5: Vistit to the new Dayton Crayons to Classrooms, 11:30AM (No meeting at Brixx that week)
• December 12: Open
• December 16 (Saturday): Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program
• December 19: Open
• December 26: NO MEETING; HOLIDAY BREAK
• January 2: NO MEETING; HOLIDAY BREAK
• January 9: Open
• January 16: Budget Meeting
• January 23: Review of Polar Bear Fund grant applications
• January 30: Finalize Review of Polar Bear Fund grant applications
• February 6: Speaker - Joe Hogue, Cargill
• February 13: Elizabeth Horner and Nan-C Vann, The Dayton Foundation
• February 20: Club Business
• February 27: Club Business
• March 6: Speaker - Katie Klain, The Glen at St. Joseph
• March 7 (Wed.): Muse Machine at Morrison Elementary 10:30AM
• March 8 (Thursday): Meeting of Ohio District Zone 11
• March 10 (Saturday): Pass/Shoot/Dribble Contest-School Gym
• March 13: Essay Contest Awards Luncheon (at NHS) 11:00 AM
• March 20: Dylan Melling, District Director, Miami Valley Council, BSA
• March 27: Speaker - Chris Corba from We Care Arts
• April 3: Speaker - Randy Boadway, eRockets (postponed to May 22)
• April 10: Open
• April 17: Speaker - Ken Ford, girls basketball coach at NHS
• April 24: NO MEETING (meeting date moved to Apr. 27 at MVCTC)
• April 27: Meeting at MVCTC for scholarship luncheon
• May 1: Speaker - Jeff Lisath, boys basketball coach at NHS
• May 8: Open
• May 11 (Fri.): Bob Chiles Golf Classic
• May 15: Speaker - Suzie Harris, Clothes that Work
• May 22: Speaker -Randy Boadway, eRockets
• May 29: Open
• May 30 (Wed.): Northridge High School Scholarship Awards, NHS Auditorium
• June 5: Open
• June 12: Open
• June 19: Open
• June 26: Open
• July 3: Open
• July 10: Open
• July 17: Open
• July 24: Open
• July 31: Open
• August 4 (Sat.): Optimist Kids Day in the Park
• August 7: Open
• August 13 (Monday): Northridge Board of Education Meeting
• August 14: Open
• August 21: Open
• August 28: Open
• September 4: Open
• September 11: Program - Speaker, Brooks Hall
• September 18: Meeting at MVGC - no meeting at Brixx
• September 25: Last meeting of the 2017-2018 Optimist year
• September 27: 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble
• October 2: NO MEETING (due to Presidents Club event)
• October 4 (Thursday): Presidents Club Citizens Legion of Honor
- October 9: NO MEETING (due to Cargill event)
• October 11: Cargill Chili Cook-off event
• October 16: First meeting of 2018-2019 Optimist year
• October 23: Open
• October 30: Open
• November 6: Open
• November 13: Open
• October 17: club business
• October 24: Budget Discussion
• October 31: Budget Discussion
• November 7: Open
• November 14: Laura Inkrott, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Northridge Schools, will be visiting
• November 21: Visit to Riverdale Optimist Club; 11:30AM (no meeting at Brixx)
• November 28: Open
• December 5: Vistit to the new Dayton Crayons to Classrooms, 11:30AM (No meeting at Brixx that week)
• December 12: Open
• December 16 (Saturday): Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program
• December 19: Open
• December 26: NO MEETING; HOLIDAY BREAK
• January 2: NO MEETING; HOLIDAY BREAK
• January 9: Open
• January 16: Budget Meeting
• January 23: Review of Polar Bear Fund grant applications
• January 30: Finalize Review of Polar Bear Fund grant applications
• February 6: Speaker - Joe Hogue, Cargill
• February 13: Elizabeth Horner and Nan-C Vann, The Dayton Foundation
• February 20: Club Business
• February 27: Club Business
• March 6: Speaker - Katie Klain, The Glen at St. Joseph
• March 7 (Wed.): Muse Machine at Morrison Elementary 10:30AM
• March 8 (Thursday): Meeting of Ohio District Zone 11
• March 10 (Saturday): Pass/Shoot/Dribble Contest-School Gym
• March 13: Essay Contest Awards Luncheon (at NHS) 11:00 AM
• March 20: Dylan Melling, District Director, Miami Valley Council, BSA
• March 27: Speaker - Chris Corba from We Care Arts
• April 3: Speaker - Randy Boadway, eRockets (postponed to May 22)
• April 10: Open
• April 17: Speaker - Ken Ford, girls basketball coach at NHS
• April 24: NO MEETING (meeting date moved to Apr. 27 at MVCTC)
• April 27: Meeting at MVCTC for scholarship luncheon
• May 1: Speaker - Jeff Lisath, boys basketball coach at NHS
• May 8: Open
• May 11 (Fri.): Bob Chiles Golf Classic
• May 15: Speaker - Suzie Harris, Clothes that Work
• May 22: Speaker -Randy Boadway, eRockets
• May 29: Open
• May 30 (Wed.): Northridge High School Scholarship Awards, NHS Auditorium
• June 5: Open
• June 12: Open
• June 19: Open
• June 26: Open
• July 3: Open
• July 10: Open
• July 17: Open
• July 24: Open
• July 31: Open
• August 4 (Sat.): Optimist Kids Day in the Park
• August 7: Open
• August 13 (Monday): Northridge Board of Education Meeting
• August 14: Open
• August 21: Open
• August 28: Open
• September 4: Open
• September 11: Program - Speaker, Brooks Hall
• September 18: Meeting at MVGC - no meeting at Brixx
• September 25: Last meeting of the 2017-2018 Optimist year
• September 27: 35th Annual Scholarship Scramble
• October 2: NO MEETING (due to Presidents Club event)
• October 4 (Thursday): Presidents Club Citizens Legion of Honor
- October 9: NO MEETING (due to Cargill event)
• October 11: Cargill Chili Cook-off event
• October 16: First meeting of 2018-2019 Optimist year
• October 23: Open
• October 30: Open
• November 6: Open
• November 13: Open
Previous Bulletins:
To review some of the club events and activities from the 2016-2017 year, click on the "PREVIOUS" button at the bottom of this page.
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