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February 2003 Meeting notes
February 28, 2003 Meeting Notes
Speaker: Stan Reeves and David Sconce
Stan Reeves
Peter Hairston introduced Stan Reeves who was representing Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes. The Georgia Sheriffs' youth homes does not work with adjudicated youth, they work with neglected and abused children ages 6-16 years of age who are referred by the sheriffs in the counties they come from. They can not take all of the children that are referred so they work with other agencies to place children with the appropriate agency. They also assist parents when possible.
They work within a group home structure with house parents and no more than 10 children per cottage and 50 per campus. They started in 1959 with their first campus, four hundred acres of land hear Hahira, GA. They have grown to six locations all over Georgia from Hahira near Valdosta to Camp Cherokee just outside of Dalton. Most of the land was acquired through donations from private estates. Camp Whitley near Six Flags over GA was seized in a drug bust and is now serving the youth groups from around the north Georgia area as a camping facility. They provide a total family environment for the children, including medical, dental, educational, religious and life skills training.
Their funding comes from stipends from the state for the children who come from the Department of Children and Family Services, and private donations for those who come from private placements.
David Sconce
David Sconce, a guest of Ann Kirk, told us of his Eagle Scout Project to rehabilitate the Senior Center nature area on Windy Hill Road. He is putting in walking trails, bird houses, and benches to make the area more enjoyable and easy to use. He is doing the work on Sundays between 11:00am and 2:00pm and welcomes anyone who wishes to help.
The Meeting
There were 61 members and 4 guests. Betty Turley brought her new grandson, 5 month old Donnie Sadler, getting him started early as an optimist. Dennis Harding brought Harlan Luke for his first visit. The membership passed a dues increase of $5/quarter by voice vote.
February 21, 2003 Meeting Notes
Speaker: Henning von Schmeling of Chattahoochee Nature Center
The Nature Center's Director of Operations was Friday's speaker. Henning has been with the nature center since 1985 and has held various positions since then. Henning encourages everyone to visit the center again. There is a new director, Amy Burstrom, a new wetlands area, a new aviary, a butterfly garden and a nearly finished eagle aviary complete with a new male bald eagle. The Center is looking for scholarships to help school children attend their programs. Henning brought a yellow rat snake with him and spent time answering various questions.
The Meeting
There were 50 members and 3 guests present. The Fellowship Pot rolled over. Deborah Ross was guest of Susan Pearson. District Governor Gay Lowry addressed the club and presented a special award from the Savannah District Meeting to Phyllis Stockfisch for all of her efforts in starting the club's Flipping for Kids fund raiser. This was one of several awards won by our club which were presented in Savannah. Awards were Community Service Involvement, Friend of Youth, Leadership in Culture and Education, and Partner in Education. Patches were won by gaining three members before December 31 and for the Story Board prepared by Nancy Cummings. Gary Hill received an award for bringing Steve Clair into the club. Dennis Harding accepted awards as last year's secretary for the Smyrna Club's being named an Honorable Club.
The father -in-law of Doug Pharr passed away. The club extends sympathy to Doug and Bobbie.
Upcoming Club Events
The speaker for Feb. 28 will be Stan Reaves, the Director of Development of the Sheriff's Youth Homes. There will also be a vote on an increase in quarterly dues by $5. March 1 will be the Oratorical Contest at 9:00 in the upstairs classroom of the Community Center. Observers and an audience is desired. The speaker for March 7 will be the Chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, Sam Olens.
February 14, 2003 Meeting Notes
Speakers: Phil Gingrey and Ann Harris
Phil Gingrey
Harold Smith introduced "Dr. Phil." He spoke of his induction this year into the U.S. Congress. As a freshman congressman he has spend much of his time getting acquainted with the opertaion of the house of representatvies. He remarked that he thought that his medical practice as an OB-GYN was good training for the irregular and long hours required to do his new job. He said that the larning curve to get up to speed was very steep.
Congressman Gingrey was appointed to two very timely and important committees. With the war on terrorism and the Space SHuttle disaster, the Armed Services, and the Science Committees. He stated that even though his district was drawn very awkward and covered a diverse area of Georgia that he did not foresee it being changed and that he looked forward to serving all of his consituents.
Ann Harris
Ann spoke on bealf of a committe that had been formed to find us a new meeting place, including herself, Phyllis Stockfisch, Steve Wilson, Rodney Hogue, R. J. McCurry, and Ken Kincaid. Our current location has become too small and also the cost ($100/wk) stretches our operating budget to the limit. The committee was bound by several ground rules: they could not change the day of the meeting since people have been planning around Fridays for years and the desire to keep the meeting place central to the heart of Smyrna. After considering many options the only one that could satisfy all of our needs was the American Legion Post on Legion Drive in Smyrna. The target date for the move is March 7, 2003.
Along with the change of meeting place is also a change of our cook for breakfast. Rosa, who is the cook at Smyrnaa First Methodist Church will be our new cook. There is also a proposal to increase the quarterly dues by $5, making the dues $80 for three months. This change will be voted on by the membership at the February 28th meeting.
The Meeting
There were 52 members and two guests present. Ed Camp treated his wife to a Valentine Breakfast. Better luck next time Teresa.
Our condolences to Aaron Morris on the passing of his father.
It was nice to see Bob Jackson at the meeting come back and see us again.
The Club Grows
Rodney Hogue inducted Rev. Joey Hatchell in to the club. Joey was sponsored by Ken Kincaid.
February 7, 2003 Meeting Notes
Speaker: Melissa Lawrence of Girls State
Peggy Lattanzi introduced Melissa Lawrence of Campbell High School
who spoke of her experiences at Girls State this last summer, where she
was elected governor. Peggy and Betty Turley are club members active with Girls
State through the American Legion Auxiliary. The Smyrna Optimist Club helped
sponsor 40 young people to attend both Boys State and Girls State. The week long program is designed to improve citizenship and learn the workings
of government. During the week the participants hear from local and state politicians
about the workings of government. Secretary of State Cathy Cox was keynote speaker
this year.
The Meeting
There were 59 members and 3 guests present. Melissa's father Mike Lawrence attended and Ken Kincaid's guest, Rev. Joey Hatchell has submitted his membership.
Adopt-a-Mile was Feb. 1. Thanks to Stephen Daniel, Dennis Harding, Chuck Hoskins, Larry Gresham, Mike McNabb and son Jeff, George Davis, Suzanne Lynn and Ed Camp.
Chuck Hoskins received plant donations for the Adopt-a-Trail, and a team planted them on Feb. 1.
Ed Forscher has organized the Optimist Club of Smyrna Foundation, a tax free 501C3 organization. Thanks to Al Cochran for the legal work and to Ed for the accounting. An initial donation came from Mike Kidd from the auction of a painting
for $250 and Ed's donation of $50.
Tri-Star baseball skills will be held this next week at Brinkly
Field.
Upcoming Events
The oratorical contest will be March 1 and is chaired by Ann Kirk
, she is looking for additional help. There are 14 participants.
Alton Curtis
is chairing the essay contest and has enough help.
The speaker for February 21
will be from the Chattahoochee Nature Center.
The Optimist Zone Meeting will be
Feb. 21.
February Birthdays
Joe Meeler 2/2; Ana Stokes 2/8; Brett Tessier 2/10; Phyllis Stockfisch
2/10; Betty Turley 2/12.
February Club Anniversaries
Mike Sewell 1978; Bob Jackson 1981; Eddie Lummus 1997; Wayne Shutt
1998.
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