Henderson Optimist Club

2009-2010 Optimist President Jon Dorsey. To read a message of greeting from Jon, click on his picture.

u Click here to read the 2006-2007 North Carolina East Winning Essay by Henderson's own Kathleen Carswell. You will need Adobe Acrobat to open the document.

u You can also to the "Calendar" page on our Henderson Web site. Click Here. (The Summer conference information will come later.) It is suggested that you go through Thurman Murphy to
book your accommodations and registrations.

u Go to an Optimist International Convention! Applications are available at www.Optimist.org. Below are the dates and places of up-coming Optimist International Conventions:

u About the Henderson Optimist Club & "Bringing out
the Best in Kids": Would you like to learn more about the Henderson Optimist Club? Click here to read about the officers, the history, and other useful information. Click here to send us an email: Contact Us.

u Contact Us: If you would like to submit an item for our calendar, please click here to Contact Us.

u Meetings: Regular club meetings take place on
the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at the Henderson Country Club at the end of Country Club Drive.

The Executive Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m., In a month with five Tuesdays, a Social is held. It may or may not take place on that fifth Tuesday.

Trish Verne, NC East District Childhood Cancer Campaign Chair,presented a the "Kisses for Cancer" program that began in the Chapel Hill Optimist Club and is spreading across Optimist clubs in Eastern North Carolina. Optimist and JOOI club members solicit funds at grocery stores and department stores in exchange for Hersey's candy kisses. Chapel Hill takes a business approach to the effort. Records are kept by the location, weather, and the shifts on which money is collected. They have developed strategies for location and advertising as well as methods for encouraging appropriate contributions. Chapel Hill and other clubs have raised thousands of dollars with this initiative.

Our Henderson Childhood Cancer Committee has secured the vests and other equipment needed for the effort an plan to try out the program in the near future. We thank Trish and Bob for their informative and inspirational program.

Thank you letter addressed to Secretary/Treasurer
Thurman Murphy for our contribution to
Duke Medical Center for Childhood Cancer

I want to formally express my thanks for your recent generous
contribution from the Optimist Club of Henderson to the Road
to Life Fund of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
at Duke Children's Hospital. It is truly gratifying to know that there
is such dedication in our community and State in support of our
efforts to provide outstanding care to children with cancer and blood disorders. Your generosity reinforces our daily efforts on behalf
of our patients. I would be delighted to speak with you more
about our efforts, to show you and around Duke Children's
Hospital, or to come speak to your group. Please do not hesitate
to contact me at any time to set something up.

I can assure you that we will put your contribution to good
use, helping our patients and their families endure their
difficult journeys towards a cure. On behalf of my colleagues,
thank you again for your thoughtfulness and continued support.

Best Regards,

Dan Wechsler, MD, PhD
Chair, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Associate Professor of
Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center

Optimists arrive in high style in Williamsburg

Northern Vance Wins Optimist Bowl

President Eric Pierce presented the Optimist Bowl Trophy and wisely stepped out of the way. Northern Vance, breaking a long drought, won the game 42 to 0.

Leslie Carswell introduces our guest speaker, Dr. David Mack.

Dr. David Mack

Dr. David Mack is a Medical Oncologist who works from
Duke University through Maria Parham Medical Center. He
presented a well-received program on all phases of adult cancer
with expert knowledge and layman's language. Clearly an optimist
at heart, Dr. Mack was drawn to his field by the opportunity to be
a positive and reinforcing force in people's lives.

Dr. Mack presented a broad picture of cancer in general and often
filled in the details with reference to both research and personal
experiences from his patients. He stressed the environmental
influences that make us prone to get cancers while acknowledging
the hereditary contributions. His optimism shown through as he
highlighted the ever-growing survival and even cure-rate that
has been going on for the last 30-40 years. Finally, he stressed
the that we need to attend to the potential of getting cancer by
looking for signs of cancer early and often in our lives. The earlier
the detection of a cancer generally the greater the opportunity for
survival and/or cure.

We thank Dr. Mack for a thoroughly professional yet easily
understood presentation on the current status of cancer in
our society and lives.

Optimists given award for service to our friends from Oxford

Carol Dorsey & Kay Ayscue receive award.

Gary Morgan presents program on Initiatives
by the Gateway Rural Development Corporation
to improve housing in local communities

Mr. Morgan told of his "conversion" to religions and civil service after an extensive and successful career in private business and educational administrative positions. He outlined his commitment to improving the substandard housing situations of many of our area's citizens. He explained various plans the USDA Rural Development Housing Repairs Program. The program invites individual citizens, civic groups, and churches to link their efforts to his organization's goals and efforts. To contact him call 252-492-6298, fax him at 252-492-9088, or come by the headquarters at 314 S. Garnett Street in Henderson.

The Henderson Optimist Club appreciates this fine presentation and wishes Gary well in his efforts to make our community a better place to work and live.

Optimist Faces in the Crowd
at Durham Bulls' Game in June
courtesy of B&B Productions

Ed White accepts Recognition
for Optimist Attend & Win and
Read & Win Programs at Aycock Elementary

A "standing room only" audience honored the achievements
of all Aycock Elemetary Students on June 9, 2009

In the pictures above Aycock Principal Laura Rigsby presents Ed White with a recognition packet honoring the club's year-long support of students who have excellent attendance and outstanding reading.
A drawing was held among those students in the lower and upper grades who had perfect attendance and no tardies for the entire year. Ed presented the bicycles and received an unexpected 'THANK YOU" from one of the students.

Above is the Chowan-Edenton Optimist Club performing one of its many, many service projects. This one was at the fantastic "2009 Pilgrimage of Homes" in its community. Among its efforts are providing fireworks for the Fourth of July and supporting local youth sports. Way to go guys. Theirs is one more local Optimist Club "Bringing out the Best in Kids."

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Spouses' Night & ELVIS IS IN THE HOUSE!

Woody Caudle introduces "The King!"

Every king has an entourage & Elvis's was beautiful and spirited!
For more pictures of the evening with Elvis, Click Here.

Author and Educator Addresses Club

Beth C. Carroll spoke to the club on her latest book. She explained the process she follows to write and prepare the elements and action in the work. She gave tips and suggestions on writing and publishing. Beth is the daughter of Optimist member John Capps pictured above at the right. Club president Jon Dorsey stands at Beth's left.

Academic Awards at Eaton Johnson Middle School

Principal and Optimist Member Larry Webb leads the Awards Assembly
in which several Optimist Attendance Awards were presented.
For more pictures, Click Here.

Halloween is Optimist Party Time!

More Gouls and Optimists: Click Here.