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November/December 2004 Meeting notes
December 10, 2004 Meeting Notes
Speaker: Harold Smith
Taylor-Brawner Plans on Drawing Board
While the plan for the Taylor-Brawner House and Hospital are still on the drawing board, this
much is certain: They will be preserved.
Harold Smith related the significance of the Taylors' retirement farm to Smyrna's history in
remarks today.
As the story goes, in the early 1900s, the Taylors' son from Spokane, Washington sent a bag of jonquil bulbs, which were planted at
the home place. The bulbs, being prolific, multiplied and were shared with others in the town.
Eventually, the city's garden clubs promoted Smyrna as the "Jonquil City of the South."
Harold told of days when jonquils from the home of Mrs. Rice, which stood where Carmichael
Funeral Home is now, were sold for 10 cents a dozen at the roadside.
In the early 1900s, Dr. James Newton Brawner Sr. purchased the four-room Taylor house and
80 acres for $7,000. There, Dr. Brawner established a research and treatment facility, which
existed at the site until 1965. The facility had 25 beds around 1910, when a semi-private
room rented for $7/night.
The Property, which was purchased by Smyrna for $3 million, is to be used for recreational
purposes. The project is expected to be presented in a March referendum, to be funded with
development bonds.
'Nutcracker' stirs to life for Belmont Hills students
When 425 students and 60 staff members at Belmont Hills look back on the 2004 holiday season,
they will remember it as the season in which the Nutcracker came to life.
Students and staff will travel to the Fox Theater for a performance of "The Nutcracker" on
December 16, thanks to club support.
In preparation for the event, students have been learning the story of "The Nutcracker" and
have participated in answering daily trivia questions. (Each winner takes home a nutcracker.)
This is all possible because of your generous and heartfelt contribution," said Terry Floyd,
principal at the school. "I was honored and overwhelmed when I heard of your interest in
helping the school."
Ms. Floyd presented the club with a framed card bearing an image created by a fifth grade
student to commemorate the event. The image has been reproduced and is on display in the
school's lobby. The club's copy is on display at the Santa House.
Santa House Update
You never know what obstacles Santa has to overcome. When the Santa House opened at Aunt
Fannie's Cabin on Friday, Dec. 3, the burglar alarm went off. The following date, there was a power
failure. Despite these setbacks, santa has been back by the railroad tracks, making notes in
preparation for his annual flight on December 24.
'Christmas for Children' Slated for Sunday Dec. 19
Christmas will come early for the children of Calvary Children's Home, as we celebrate the season
with them on Sunday, December 19, at 3 p.m. At that appointed time, the club will host
"Christmas for the Children" at the children's home, located at 1430 Lost Mountain Road.
According to coordinator Ann Harris, santa would like a good turnout. The children will
receive stockings with cash during the party. Please bring a dessert to share.
Meeting
At today's meeting, there were 51 members and one guest.
Don't forget your empty printer cartridges for Easter Seals.
November 19, 2004 Meeting Notes
High-Profile Trials: A Judge's Perspective
What do Fred Tokars, Lynn Turner and Ray Brent Marsh have in common with Cobb Superior Court Judge James
Bodiford? Answer: Tokars, Turner and March were criminal defendants whose cases were
before Judge Bodiford.
At Friday's meeting, the judge discussed the high-profile nature of cases and answered common
questions on high-profile trials in general.
Q:As a judge, how do you know when you have a high-profile trial?
A:In the case of the Susan Smith trial in South carolina, the judge knew it when he
scheduled a case six months in advance in a small jurisdiction, but failed to make his own hotel
reservations before announcing the trial. The result? his hotel was more than 60 miles
from the courthouse.
Maybe you know it because the President of the Unites States attends the trial as a witness.
Or maybe, you know it when your picture appears in the Globe tabloid, as happened to Judge Bodiford
in the Turner case.
Q:What makes a high-profile case?
A:In the Tokars case, it was a beautiful mother who was the victim of a horrific crime and a
defendant who was a successful lawyer and CPA. In the Turner case (a.k.a., the "antifreeze case"),
it was an attractive defendant, a police officer husband who died mysteriously and the fact that the
defendant's boyfriend, also a law enforcement officer, also died of mysterious causes.
In the Marsh case, which was decided when March pled guilty Friday to failing to dispose of bodies
he was to have cremated, Judge Bodiford would learn firsthand that the "crematorium case" was news
in Estonia and Bosnia.
Q:What is typical about a high-profile case?
A:Nothing. For starters, high-profile cases are normally moved from the place where the crime
occurred. In the Tokars case, that meant 59 days and nights in Walker County.
Q:What kind of preparation is needed for a high-profile case?
A:It's preparation, preparation, and more preparation. As a judge, when you wake up at
5 a.m. and read about the case in the headlines, you know you need preparation. Part of that
preparation is an acknowledgment that the media are part of the case. If the media are permitted
access to and allowed to report on the trial, then "they get it better." An awareness of the
media's presence in such cases tends to bring home the point that if a judge makes a mistake,
he or she will make it in front of the nation.
In concluding, Judge Bodiford characterized high-profile trials as "more exiting, but
not more important" than other trials. he expressed his appreciation for the
confidence shown in our system. "We must have you believe in our system for it to work."
Here Comes Santa!
Santa will arrive in Smyrna on Tuesday, November 30, for the tree lighting on the green. He will move
inside the Community Center for photos with children from about 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
For the remainder of the season, santa and the Optimists will greet children and their parents
at the Welcome Center on Atlanta Road. The city has requested this move take place as a way to introduce
more folks to the Welcome Center and a way to grow the Santa project. To allay our concerns about
not being in the flow of traffic generated by the Christmas lights on the Green, the city
has agreed to produce and place lighted signage advertising Santa as well as placing information
regarding the schedule in various places in the city.
The new location will provide more reliable electricity than we have had in the past (a
necessity with the printer) and it will be heated. It is also more handicap accessible than our
little house. The city has suggested that it may be possible to have hot cider and
cookies available as well. In addition , we may be able to use the increased space to
spread the word about club activities and opportunities for service.
The Board has decided to drop the $5 picture fee this year and make the pictures more
available to all children. Although we have always taken pictures of many children
without charge, there will no longer be decisions regarding affordability for any parent to make.
We will provide an opportunity for anyone who wishes to make a donation t help defray
costs, but his will be a sign an basket (or boot or some such) rather than an exchange of
funds with one of us. As we announced at a meeting earlier this month, a digital camera
and printer have been purchased to help reduce our overall costs.
Today's Meeting
There were 57 members and 1 guest present. Fred Daley was inducted as a new member.
The Club won a first place achievement award for the quarter at the District Conference.
to great speakers.
Got News?
E-mail Deborah Dance at: maplenews@aol.com
November 5, 2004 Meeting Notes
Boy & Girls State: A Practical Exercise in Government
Campbell High School students expressed their appreciation for the support of the American legion and
Optimist Clubs in permitting them to participate in the Boys State and Girls State sessions
last June.
Calling the program "a practical exercise in government," Keith Hardman, American Legion Commander, described the agenda for
the weeklong citizenship exercises held at Georgia Southern University at Statesboro.
After their arrival, the student citizens began establishing governments at the city and county
levels. Thereafter, they held a primary and general election for members of the House and Senate and
the Governor. Secretary of State Cathy Cox was present for the Governor's inauguration.
Altogether, 440 boys and 250 girls participated in the exercises. Two students from each state
will progress to Boys Nation and Girls Nation, held in Washington, D.C.
Betty Turley, a staff member and counselor at Girls State, introduced four students from
Campbell High School who attended the Boys/Girls State programs who were present at today's meeting:
Senior Laura Waldrep expressed her appreciation for the club's generous support of a "good cause."
Laura commented on her respect for the flag and the citizenship and leadership skills she gained.
"We are the future leaders of tomorrow, and it is never too early to learn," she said. "This is my
hometown, and I am proud to be one of the young citizens in a community that cares."
Senior Austin Tulldiscussed the government simulation and election of officials, expressing his appreciation
for a first-hand experience with a governmental process.
For Austin, the experience afforded him the opportunity to meet other boys in the state who are "interested
in government and care about their communities." (Austin is Optimist Steve Wilson's stepson.)
Brandon Thompson, son of Optimist Otis Thompson, found Boys state to be an enjoyable
experience. Brandon said he found it interesting to spend a week with people he had never met before
and have fun. He said he would encourage others to take part in the "fabulous opportunity."
Calling Boys State a "great experience," Charles Welshsaid he "never realized how much work officials
do at the Capitol."
Charles said the experience enabled him to "understand that politics is actually one way to get things
done to help people. They are not all bad guys," he joked.
Charles said he also appreciated being introduced to different people and cultures.
Wrapping up the program, Hardman invited club members to visit Boys State and/or Girls State,
hed the week before Father's Day each year at Georgia Southern. He also expressed his appreciation
for the club's support of the program.
New Member
Rebecca Johnson was inducted as a new member. Rebecca is the faculty sponsor of the
Optimist Club at Campbell High School, where she teaches freshman and senior English. Rebecca is
originally from the Midwest and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Today's Meeting
There were 53 members and 12 guests present.
District Program Set for November 13 & 14
Lt. Cov. Scott Lehmann, Zone 11, attended today's meeting encouraging members to attend the upcoming
district program to be held Saturday and Sunday, November 13 and 14, at the Atlanta
Northwest Marriott. The sessions get under way at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Lehmann said the sessions will give Optimists the opportunity to observe what other clubs
have undertaken by viewing their storybooks and project details. In addition, the program offers
educational and training opportunities on subjects such as club building, leadership, and
communication. And, there will be opportunities for fellowship and listening to great speakers.
Got News?
E-mail Deborah Dance at: maplenews@aol.com
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