Henderson Optimist Club
Rated highly in District in 2nd Quarter

Kay Ayscue accepts 1st place award for Zone 5

Kay stands represents Henderson to take the fourth
place ranking the all of NC East Optimist District.

Mark a trip to "Raleighwood" off
your "Bucket List."

Thanks Woody for the bus, thanks Teresa for the safe driving, and thanks Social Committee for another innovative and fun Optimist evening!

Rollins Elementary School Announces its
Read and Win & Attend and Win Students
for the Third Grading Period

Mrs. Aniekwensi's repeat 1st Grade
Attendance Winners. This class has all three
grading periods of this school year! (4/23/08)

Miss Jessica Brown's 5th grade
Attendance Winners (4/23/08)

Rollins  3rd - 5th Grade Reading Scholars (4-25-08)

Rollins  K-2nd Grade Reading Scholars (4-25-08)

Representative Jimmy Crawford
addresses Club on current
governmental issues (04-22-08)

Jimmy Crawford reminisced about coaching Jon Dorsey a long time ago and then covered a wide range of important issues facing state and local governments. He touched on:
(1) Juvenile Crime (Lots of programs, but "fractured" in their coordination.) 
(2) Finances (Though revenues dropped significantly last month North Carolina is in "fantastic shape" compared to many other states.)
(3) Mental Health (NC adopted a new program without putting "in place" local structures to care for individuals released from state-staffed locations. NC is in the process of rebuilding a coherent state structure under the  leadership of a new and "fantastic administrator.")
(4) Education (Always the number one priority. The NC Lottery has not provided the income that it seemed to promise for education, only about 1%. It will help especially with scholarships. It is not true that the Lottery has been substituted for established funding for education. It supplements it.)
(5) Health Care (Funding for this is the biggest problem for the future. People want the best care and medicine and treatment, but it costs more and more to keep up with these needs and desires.)
(6) Area Outlook (The Hub area of Vance, Warren, Franklin and Granville counties should benefit from the overflow of industry and investment in RTP. We are the "First Circle" outside RTP. Required revenue sharing among the governments in the Hub should fulfill the old saying that "a rising tide floats all boats."
(7) Highways (Funding continues to be a problem here because of out-of-date calculation of highway taxes. However, there has been progress in important highways in our area.)
(8) Water and Sewer (Kerr Lake has the most water in one place of any area in North Carolina. With proper planning it should provide for our area for 50 or more years. As out west, water is power, or at least should be. However, he noted in Q&A segment, there are many who would like to "stick their straw in our lake.")

After comprehensively covering these and other pertinent topics Mr. Crawford answered many questions offered by Gene Ayscue, Ron Dorsey, Ed White, Woody Caudle and others. In all Representative Crawford's handling of the topics and the questions were knowledgeable, well-informed, brief and frank. He treated us to a fine presentation.

Fund Raiser at the Duke University Reunion: Saturday, April 12, 2008

 Optimists worked on another great opportunity to fund the club's coffers for youth projects. Eight members led by president Eric Pierce and Bob Gorham served bever-ages to two class reunions at Duke University. In all $612.00 was raised. The additional $12.00 was raised in Leonard Hight's "Tip Jar!"

Aycock Elementary School Announces its
Read and Win & Attend and Win Students
for the Third Grading Period

Ms. Hall's First Grade Attend and Win Class (4/15/08)

Mrs. Wilson's Fourth Grade Attend and Win Class (4/15/08)

Aycock Read and Win Scholars Grades 3-5 (4/15/08)

Aycock Read and Win Scholars Grades Pre-K to
2nd Grades (4/15/08)

Copper Rain introduces
Henderson Disc Golf to club
Tuesday April 9, 2008

Representing the Henderson Recreation and Parks Commission, Cooper introduced the new program and demonstrated how to play the game. She did a fine job of pointing out the fun and health benefits of the sport which is growing rapidly all over the country. She urged the club to get involved. Copper can be reached at her web site at www.quixote@rain2earth.com.

 Several members took a shot. See below.

Thurman shoots/Angie admires


Angie flings/Ricky admires


Tommy spins with the upmost concentration!

New Members Inducted
Tuesday March 25, 2008

Pictured above in the middle are Joyce Parker and
Jerry Delbridge with their sponsors Kay Ayscue
(standing in for Cindy Harris) and T. W. Floyd.

Another Wonderful and Loving
Optimist Valentine's Celebration

Super Sales Ladies

Is anyone safe from SF?

Great Food, Great Music, Great Companions,
and $300 dollars! What could be better?

Eric and Rita Pierce Greet NC East Governor,
Dan Durham and wife Barbara

For more Valentine's pictures, Click on: Photo Gallery 5.

Click on Thumbnail image(s) to view larger photo.

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Read  President Eric Pierce's Greeting and Goals for 2007-2008, Click on his photograph to view it.

The 2008 Henderson Optimist Scholarship Application deadline is over. Check back next year.  
If you do not have Adobe Reader on your
computer, click on the "Get Adobe Reader logo above to
download a free copy. Once you reach the Adobe web site,
click on the "Continue" section on the right-hand side of the
page that opens and follow their directions to download the
program. 

To read the current Henderson Optimist Newsletter:
Click here.

UP-COMING EVENTS

1)  District Convention coming in August. Officer training, Christmas in August, and a Woman-less Beauty pageant ... What more could you want? How about free baby tending, tours of Beaufort, and a Governor's Banquet and Ball! See Thurman for details. Registration and Hotel information below.

2) The club had a Burger King Night on Thursday, March 13th at the Burger King on Ruin Creek Road.  It was a great success. Writes Kay Ayscue:

3)  Basketball Concession Schedule for 2008:
Click here.

4) Jerold Murdock Childhood Cancer Campaign
was held on Saturday, March 15th.   We would like to especially thank Gene Ayscue for his efforts. He did a wonderful job.  We raised around $1,800.  With this and other projects we have $2,160.90 in the childhood cancer fund. BUT, See next:

5) The CCC Kisses for Cancer Campaign took in $575.00 to which Marie Murdock graciously added another $100.00. So far this year our CCC committee has taken in approximately $2,835.00.
For Photos of last years'  Yard Sale, Click on the picture below:

6) Optimist Junior Golf Tournament announced:
Ken Dixon, Tournament Chairman has set the NC East Junior Golf Tournament for Saturday and Sunday, April 26 & 27, 2008, at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek, NC.  Call Yancey Hines at 492-4376. Get more information from www.nceast-optimist.org.

7) NC East District Meeting in Roanoke Rapids, Friday and Saturday, May 9-10, 2008. Contact Thurman for registration and lodging.

8) Want to learn to LINE DANCE? Why get left on the
sidelines when the group is hopping, turning and shuffling in the middle of the dance floor!  Contact Angie Vaughan and/or Kay Ayscue.

9) Boys and Girls Home Visit -- Saturday, June 14, 2008. More details later.

If you do not have Adobe Reader on your
computer, click on the Get Adobe Reader logo above to
download a free copy. Once you reach the Adobe web site,
click on the "Continue" section on the right-hand side of
the page that opens and follow their directions to
download the program. 

1) NC East District Meetings: 2007-2008. Click here for all information on dates and registration for District Events. (
You will need Adobe Reader to open this document.)

For Registration forms for NC East District Meetings:
   2nd Quarter Meeting (February-Greenville): Click here.
   3rd Quarter Meeting (May-Roanoke Rapids): Click here.  
(The Summer conference information will come later.)

It is suggested that you go through Thurman Murphy to
book your accommodations and registrations.

2) Need to access the Members' Directory? The user
name is "Optimist" and the password is the one-word,
 lowercase name of our first president. (seven letters in all.)

3)  For Photos on this year's Valentine Party, Click on:
Photo Gallery 5.

4)  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.

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

6)  Meetings: Regular club meetings take place on
the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m.
at the Wildflower Cafe at 200 South Garnett Street in
downtown Henderson.  The Executive Board meets the
third Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m., also at the
Wildflower.  In a month with five Tuesdays, a Social is held.
It may or may not take place on that fifth Tuesday.

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Click on Thumbnail image(s) to view larger photo.

JOOI Club Installs President and
 New Board of Directors for 2007-2008

Optimist Install New Board of Directors
& President for 2007-2008

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Optimists and Guests take annual
fun-filled trip to Myrtle Beach
for sun, shopping and the show!




Great Photographs courtesy of Ron Dorsey
For More images from Myrtle beach, Click here.

Optimists celebrate
Halloween at the Wildflower

To see fun images from a night of fun and Cindy "humor," Click here.

Trish and Bob Verne Present
"Kisses for Cancer Program"

Trish gives Thurman a "Kiss."

Past NC East Governor Bob Verne holds
Dottie's hand and gives her a kiss also.

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.

Our Local Wendy's Manager Supports
the Optimist Read and Win Program at
Aycock and Rollins Elementary Schools.

Pictured above is Laura Mims receiving congratulations
from Optimist Ed White. Ms. Mims and Wendys donated gift certificates to reading scholars in all grades. The generous support from Wendys helped recognize outstanding readers and their diligence and achievement