1. Downtown Optimist Club
A periodic newsletter of the
A periodic newsletter of the
St. Petersburg -- Downtown Optimist Club
St. Petersburg Downtown Optimist Club
North Florida District, Zone 9, Club #60447
North Florida District, Zone 9, Club #60447
May 4, 2010
May 4, 2010
Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm
Tick Tock Restaurant 8123 Fourth Street North, St. Petersburg (727) 498-8563
Editor: E. Gardner Harshman, telephone 727-592-0243 or email: gharshman@tampabay.rr.com
Interim Editor: Sharon Dennany, telephone 919-274-1311 or email: shar1558denn@yahoo.com
Today’
Today’s meeting at Tick Tock…we had 13 members and 7
guests. Our seven guests were the Downtown and Breakfast Clubs
Oratorical contest winners Saagar (Rico) Gupta and his 3 guests and
Sabrina Schmidt and her 2 guests. We celebrated Viki Pena’s 42nd
birthday with a cake. You can’t beat those Publix cakes with cream
frosting, they are the best! Jean gave us an overview of what she does
for the poster contest. This years theme is “Slam the Door on Drugs.”
She passed around posters from Sexton Elementary for the members to
look at. It’s amazing some of the detail that was in some of the posters.
Jean is still waiting for two more schools, Maderia Beach and Frontier
Elementary, to submit their posters. The judging will be held at the
Jacksonville Conference, next weekend. The winner will receive savings
bonds. Vi would like to encourage everyone to attend the conference.
She indicated there were still plenty of rooms and it’s a great hotel. So
far it looks like about 8 members are definitely going. Our next meeting is
May 18th and our guest speaker is Bob Lasher with the Pinellas Suncoast
Transit Authority (PSTA).
House…
Ronald McDonald House around 12-18 members were on hand
to help out at dinner. Although the RMCH wasn’t a full, there was plenty
of food for everyone…ham, fried chicken, salads, veggies, cookies,
cakes, beverages. Gardner thanked to Judy for her wonderful ham. New
member, Joann, brought a dish even though she had another event to
attend. Thanks to all who worked and brought food to this great cause!
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2. Meeting…
Zone 9 District Meeting All of the clubs were except St. Pete
was represented. Lt. Gov. Jim announced that Jean will be presented at
the conference as next year’s Lt. Governor for Zone 9. There were
reports on all of the zone activities since the last zone meeting.
Breakfast member Frank R. won the door prize and Lt. Gov. Jim drew his
own number for the three massages (donated by member Jennifer).
Members were encouraged to attend the upcoming district conference in
Jacksonville May 12th – 14th. Vi announced that she and Gov. Ric were
working on a new club in the Palmetto area and asked that anyone
having friends or relatives in that area please let them know. Lt. Gov.
Jim was well organized and held a good meeting making sure that the
Ray’s fans got out early to watch most of the game…which we won!
Be who you are an
d say what you fe
because those who el,
mind don’t matter
n’
and those who matt
er don’t mind.
n’
-Theodor Gielsel ak
a Dr. Seuss
It’
It’s My Anniversary!
May 5 - Henry Goodyard
May 8 – Gov. Ric Carvalis
May 15 - Carol Sirrianna
Page 2

3. Oratorical Contest…at
Contest this evenings meeting we
had the opportunity to hear Zone 9 Oratorical winners,
Saagar (Rico) Gupta (Downtown) and Sabrina Schmidt
(Breakfast). Both are 8th grade students from Bay Point
Middle School. Both speeches “Cyber Communication: Progress or
Problem” were excellent. Rico’s family, Father Manoj, Mother Jyoti,
sister Shiv and cousin Paul, were there to support him. Jerry Ashton,
Sabrina’s father, was there to support her. After Rico and Sabrina gave
their speech both Gardner and Lee gave them pointers to prepare them
for the competition this Saturday, May 8th at 1:00 pm, at the Tampa
Library. Congratulations to Lee and Rick for doing such a great job!
50/50 Drawing is up to $598
Thanks to
One of our Oratorical the following
contest winners, Saagar, contributors
pulled Rick Rutan’s ticket; Gardner Harshman
however luck wasn’t with Vi Hayworth
Rick tonight. He picked Rick Rutan
the 10 of Spades.
Maxine’
Maxine’s Corner
"Do you realize that in about forty
years, we'll have millions of old
ladies running around with tattoos
and pierced navels?"
"Take every birthday with a grain of salt.
This works much better if the salt accompanies a Margarita."
Page 3

4. It’
It’s My Birthday!
(correction from last newsletter)
April 16 – Roseanne Costa instead of LeAnne Costa (sorry!)
May 3 – Viki Pena
May 21 – Jerri Paul
May 23 – Jennifer Maldonado
May 31 – Laura Morris
Our guest speaker is Judge Irene Sullivan. She has
served since 2002 as a juvenile Judge in
Clearwater. Prior to that, she was a family court
judge and practiced law as a general partner with
Harris, Barrett, Mann & Dew in St. Petersburg.
Zone 9
The Downtown Club honoree this year is an officer May 7th
with the Pinellas Park Police Department. 6:00 pm
Piccadilly Cafeteria
1900 34th Street North
The clubs participating this year are Downtown, St. Petersburg
Breakfast, Sunset and Sunday Brunch. See you
there!
Correction…
New Officers Correction I got my V’s mixed up. Vi and Viki were
reversed last month. Here’s the corrected officer list.
Scott Kaplan – President
Vi Hayworth– 1st Vice President
Viki Pena – 2nd Vice President
Rick Rutan – 1 Year Board Member
Jean Rutan – 1 Year Board Member
Judy Warnock – 1 Year Board Member
Sharon Dennany – 2 year Board Member
Gardner Harshman – 2 year Board Member
Moonie Harshman – 2 Year Board Member
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5. 9’ Club…
Zone 9’s Newest JOOI Club is getting ready to make their trip to
Canada on bicycles. Yes…that’s right, they are bicycling all the way to
Canada. This is the dance group that we converted to a JOOI Club.
Being dancers, they are in excellent condition. Even so, I can’t even
begin to imagine such an undertaking, makes me tired trying to imagine
this happening.
At any rate, they are planning to depart on May 1st. These are home-
schooled kids of different ages. They have been doing various fund
raisers, but I was informed that they are a bit short of funds to cover the
entire trip.
If any of the Zone 9 clubs have a few bucks in their treasury, the kids
would be happy to have any and all donations. Anyone wishing to help
the kids may contact me, either by phone or email. They asked that I
express their gratitude.
Optimistically,
Vi
Students Will Ride Bikes and
Dance on 2,500 Journey
BAY AREA (Bay News 9) -- A unique
lesson for some local students involves
taking to the road and dance floor for a
school project.
A group of homeschooled students from Pinellas and Pasco counties are participating
in something called the Ballroom Bicycle Brigade, a 4-H program which combines
dance and bicycling.
Instructor Gina Hunter says it's an experience that the students can't learn from
cracking open a book.
"We are traveling and learning all about our American history," says Hunter. "The
black American history -- what happened as the slaves escaped from the south."
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6. Students Will Ride Bikes continued…Students like Dakota Hunter and Laura
Williams will pack up their bikes, tents, and sleeping bags to embark on an
Underground Railroad bicycle route which stretches all the way to Canada.
"We're going to ride 2,500 miles," says Dakota Hunter.
"We're going to be biking almost every day to get to the places that we're dancing,"
says Williams.
During the bicycle trip, the group will perform at least 12 dance shows in several
states in order to train and raise money for their trip.
"I want to see how people live and see the world," says Williams.
The students will also be trying out their photography, journalism, and mapping skills
along the way to earn academic credits in subjects like history, geography, and
health.
"I hope I can come home with a new attitude on how I live my own life and how I see
other people, and hopefully get a better understanding of how different people are,"
says Williams.
The Ballroom Bicycle Brigade is scheduled to begin the journey on Sunday,
May 2, with a return sometime in mid-August.
Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path and
leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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7. As I Look Back...
As I look back on m
y life
I find myself wonde
ring...
Did I remember to th
ank you
for all that you have
done for me?
For all of the times
you were by my side
to help me celebrate
my successes
and accept my defeat
s?
Or for teaching me
the value of hard w
good judgment, cour ork,
age, and honesty?
I wonder if I've ever
thanked you
for the simple things
...
The laughter, smiles,
and quiet times
we've shared?
If I have forgotten
to express my gratit
For any of these th ude
ings,
I am thanking you
now...
and I am hoping th
at you've known al
how very much you l along,
are loved and apprec
iated.
- Author Unknown
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8. Downtown Optimist Club of St. Petersburg
3558 100th Terrace
Pinellas Park, FL 33782-4100
The 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.
CLUB OFFICERS DIRECTORS
President Gardner Harshman. . . . . . . . . . . 592-0243 Jim Sirrianna (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392-2718
Vice Pres. Scott Kaplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535-6939 Viki Pena (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421-3721
Vice Pres. Vi Hayworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527-2656 Chuck Hayworth (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .527-2656
Sec/Treas. Lee Warnock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577-7159 Jean Rutan (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522-6143
Sgt-At-Arms Jim Sirrianna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392-2718 Rick Rutan (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522-6143
Chaplain Rick Rutan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .522-6143 Judy Warnock (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458-8278
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Oratorical Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lee Warnock
Essay Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jean Rutan
Programs/Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Rutan
Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vi Hayworth/Viki Pena
Poster Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jean Rutan
O.I. Foundation Rep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Ridings
Respect for Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gardner Harshman
Youth Appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lee Warnock
New Community Dev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
Get Away Raffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Easter Egg Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott Kaplan
Bell Ringing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
First Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Warnock
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