Optimist members met for their weekly meeting at 6:15 a.m. May 6 at the Country Cooker Restaurant. Tom Tully led the Pledge and Ken Rushton provided the prayer. 

Kevin Stone bragged about having four other family members complete the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon May 3. This was Kevin’s 26th year to run the Mini and he ran it with his son Matt while wife Becky and daughter-in-law walked. Kevin’s brother-in-law was the fifth member of the family to participate. Congratulations to all who participated and finished!

Shirley Biehl bragged that she and husband Don participated in the Hamilton County March of Dimes March for Babies May 4 to support granddaughter Elizabeth (who was a preemie almost eight years ago) and her family.

Tom Tully bragged about having been nominated for Faculty Staff of the year at Ivy Tech in Richmond. He also mentioned he was soon to complete his classes for spring term.  

Members congratulated Raleigh Cox for celebrating another anniversary with wife Mahila on May 8. Raleigh will celebrate a birthday on May 10 and Sarah Medd will celebrate a birthday this week.

Shirley also provided the Joke for the Day with a story about a high school reunion and a long-term celebration.  

The Scholarship Committee was happy to report they had all read the eight applications and provided their selections for the winner. Last year’s scholarship winner, Keith Brashaber, has had a great freshman year at Purdue University. This year’s winner will be announced at the Honors Day Program on May 15 at Memorial Gym.

Jim Wilkinson and Pam Mull are still contacting Optimist members to compile a new slate of officers for the next Optimist year.

Erik Sowder was guest speaker for the day and joined Optimist members for breakfast. Erik shared some of his experiences he has had since joining Crusade for Christ at Purdue University. He currently is busy making contacts with local friends to help obtain necessary funds for a Crusade for Christ missionary trip to Berlin, Germany in June. Erik explained that the 15 students plan to visit three different universities in the city of Berlin. They will be seeking opportunities to share their knowledge of Christianity with English speaking students. Erik and his fellow students will be in Berlin for a total of five weeks. If anyone would like to contact Erik for additional information he may be reached by calling 765-561-1377. 

Next week’s program will be Sue Otte from the Rushville Public Library, and on May 20 Faith Mock and Cheryl Miller will be sharing Pure F.U.N. information.

Come join the Optimist members at 6:15 a.m. any Tuesday at the Country Cooker.