The newsletter summarizes recent and upcoming activities of the St. Petersburg - Downtown Optimist Club. It discusses a skating party the club sponsored for local youth groups, recognizing top students at a local elementary school, and a meeting where a guest speaker discussed internet safety. Upcoming activities include volunteer opportunities and meetings.

1. Downtown Optimist Club Newsletter
A periodic Newsletter of the St. Petersburg - Downtown Optimist Club
North Florida District, Zone 9, Club #60447
January 19, 2010
Editor: E. Gardner Harshman, telephone 592-0243 or email: gharshman@tampabay.rr.com
Let’s go skating....
On Saturday the 16th, Downtown and Breakfast Clubs sponsored a skating party
for the E3 J.O.O.I. Club and the kids from Salvation Army foster home at the Astro
Skating Rink in Pinellas Park. We saw Moses, the recipient of our Youth Appreciation
Award last year. According to house parents he is doing well. Had twenty-four from
Salvation Army and six from the J.O.O.I. Club.
Pictured, at the left, primarily, are kids from the
J.O.O.I. Club. In the lower right hand corner is Mrs.
Della Shula, teacher sponsor of the club.
Many thanks to Lee Warnock for setting up the event. All the kids had a
great time although this event doesn’t give them the opportunity to inter
mingle as does bowling. The foster kids wanted a change and they got it.
Judy Warnock, Quincey and Frank from the Breakfast Club were also there
to chaperone and monitor activities.
Student of the Month....
Ever had a chance to meet with Lee for one of his visits to Sexton Elementary School and assist
in presenting Student of the Month materials? It’s an experience not to be missed. All these kids tromping into
the library to have their picture taken and to receive a pin, certificate of accomplishment, and a bumper sticker for
their parents to display with pride on their vehicles. From tiny little kids (lst grade I assume) through 5th grade,
each class is represented with the Student of the Month selected/recommended by their teacher. They are
precious. They are the future of our community. They are America in progress! Lee Warnock deserves a lot of
credit for his dedication in making these presentations each and every month of the school year. THANK YOU,
LEE! The teacher at Sexton heading up this effort on that end is a former member of Downtown Club. In fact,
she is a past president. Commitment to her family and teaching keeps her from membership — but she is one
terrific Optimist!!!
Having had this experience, I’m proud that Downtown participates to this extent, and I’m ecstatic that we
voted to provide materials for another 2- ½ years to continue the program.
Today’s meeting at Tick Tock ...
Wow. We were blown away! Nineteen members and guests for the meeting, meal and program. Count
two more for a drop in and a hello from member Governor Ric and Betty Jo. Amongst the crowd we found Sue
Lewis of the St. Petersburg Club, Sharon Dennahy, a former member and now our newest member, and our
speaker Terry Pendleton, also of the St. Petersburg Club. Our previous new member Tio Maldanado was also in
attendance.
Yard Sale Following discussion it was the consensus that Downtown should continue on with its’ scheduled
yard sale on March 13th.
Zone Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing scheduled for Friday, January 29th
at Pinellas Park High School. Lee asked that we bring (donate) large bottles of soft drinks, chips (snacks), etc.
for the kids. Also, bring yourselves and enjoy this annual project. Scholarships will be given for high school and
middle schools (if I got that right). Past Gov. Bob Thompson from St. Augustine is expected to attend.

2. Essay Contest. Jean Rutan reported that entries are coming in hot and heavy from all around via internet. She
needs clubs to sponsor these contestants.
Jean also reported that the poster contest which comes later, has the theme, “Slam the door on drugs.” For this,
she needs schools with 4th and 5th graders to participate. If you know a contact in a school that could be involved,
please give her a ring up.
Sharon Dennahy Tio Maldanado
Guest Speaker Terry Pendleton of the St. Petersburg Club gave a presentation on
Internet Safety. This is the new program started this year by Optimist International
and Int’l. President Mark Shriver gives an introduction to the program on DVD.
Terry had all the paraphernalia there and quickly ran through three DVD’s for three different presentations, adult
to children. Terry will be handling the coordination of Internet Safety Programs for Zone 9 and is looking for
volunteers from the various clubs to recruit schools or other gatherings for the presentation.
Sue Lewis, President of St. Pete Club, described their clubs’ participation in running a concession booth
at Ray’s games in the Dome. Their club is small and they recently lost two working members. They are offering
to let Downtown assist St. Pete Club and earn money for Downtowns’ treasury. Somewhere in the neighborhood
of six to seven hands were raised to join St. Pete in their endeavor. (We need the money) Lee Warnock offered
to be the liaison and work with Sue on the scheduling.
Upcoming Activities ... Birthdays ...
January 21 6:30 PM Zone meeting at None shown until
Gigi’s Restaurant in February 25th — Judy Warnock
South Pasadena
January 26 4:15 PM J.O.O.I.. meeting at
Morgan Fitzgerald
School
January 29 10:00 AM Communication 50/50 drawing is now up to
Contest for the $176.50 for the winner. Scott is
Deaf and Hard of doing his best but hasn’t drawn the
Hearing (CCDHH) Joker yet. He did win the drawing
Pinellas Park High AGAIN but drew the 10 of clubs.
February 2 6:30 PM Regular meeting at
Tick Tock
February 5 - 7 — 2nd Quarter February 2nd Meeting at Tick Tock
Conference in
Jacksonville Speaker Sgt. Tracey Schofield of
the Pinellas Park Police Dept. will
talk about his walk across Florida
and his next project.

4. Downtown Optimist Club
of St. Petersburg
th
3558 100 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 Vice Pres. Scott Kaplan . . . . . . . 535-6939
President Gardner Harshman . . 592-0243 Vice Pres. Vi Hayworth . . . . . . . 527-2656
Sec/Treas. Lee Warnock . . . . . . 577-7159 Poster Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . Jean Rutan
Sgt-At-Arms Jim Sirrianna . . . . 392-2718 O.I. Foundation Rep . . . . . . . Jane Ridings
Chaplin Rick Rutan . . . . . . . . . 522-6143 Respect for Law . . . . . . Gardner Harshman
Youth Appreciation . . . . . . . . Lee Warnock
Directors New Community Dev. . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
Jim Sirrianna (1) . . . . . . . . . . . 392-2718 Get Away Raffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viki Pena (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421-3721 Easter Egg Hunt . . . . . . . . . . Scott Kaplan
Chuck Hayworth (1) . . . . . . . . . 527-2656 Bell Ringing . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
Jean Rutan (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522-6143 First Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Warnock
Rick Rutan (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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