Eagle Optimist Club Presents Essay Contest Award

Essay Committee Contest Chair Mike Harris presents the award to this year's winner Chas Baines at today's luncheon meeting.

North Boise Little League T-Ball Mariners in Action

North Boise Little League

The Eagle Optimist Club is sponsoring a team in the North Boise Little League. They are The Mariners and they play in the T-Ball Division for five and six year-old boys and girls. Their remaining schedule is posted here.

Eagle Optimist Club Sponsors Nakahi Rugby Club

The Eagle Optimist Club is sponsoring the Nakahi Rugby Club which consists of high school boys from Eagle and Rocky Mountain High Schools. They play in Rugby Idaho's High School division consisting of teams from all over Idaho including The Treasure Valley, Mountain Home, Blackfoot and Pocatello to name a few. Nakahi finished their regular season 6 and 1 and won their first playoff game against Mountain View. They are scheduled to play in a semi-final game on Saturday, May 12 at Fairmont Jr. High School on Cole Road in Boise at 2:00pm.

2nd Annual Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) Held

The Eagle Optimist Club held its 2nd Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) on April 19 at The Eagle Public Library. This year's topic was "How My
Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles". Each participant had the option to present their speech either orally or by American Sign Language. The top three winners received medals. The top four contestants are eligible to participate at this year's Pacific Northwest District Competition to be held at the District meeting the weekend of May 18 in Newport, Oregon. The winner of the District Competition will received a $2500 scholarship. (The top three pictures are of contestants. The bottom picture is of the winners with club President Ben Gard and Contest Chair Myrna Harris)

Eagle Optimist Club Announces Essay Contest Winner

The Eagle Optimist Club held its annual Essay Contest earlier this year. This year's winner is Chas Baines from Meridian. Chas' winning Essay was forwarded to the Pacific Northwest (PNW) District Contest with a chance to win a $2500 scholarship. The winner will be announced at the next PNW District Convention to be held in Newport, Oregon the weekend of May 18.

Eagle Optimist Club 2nd Annual Oratorical Contest Held

The Eagle Optimist Club held its 2nd Annual Oratorical Contest on March 21, 2012 at Arts West High School. Each of the contestants gave a five minute speech on the topic of "How My Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles". The winners advance to the Zone 7 contest on May 5 in Meridian, Idaho and compete against other area contest winners. The winners of the Zone contest can then advance to the Optimists' Pacific Northwest District Contest held May 19 in Newport, Oregon. The winner of that contest will receive a $2500 scholarship. (pictured l-r, 3rd place winner Aubrey Deeble, teacher Brendan Earle, 1st place winner Alexa Barnett and 2nd place winner Sam Exline)

Optimists Sponsor Eagle PD Bowling Team

The Eagle Optimist Club has donated $100 to the Eagle Police Department to help sponsor their team in the 2012 Bowl for Kids' Sake Fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club. For more information on the Fundraiser: http://www.bbbsidaho.org/site/c.6pIKI2MBJiJ0H/b.6420273/k.959/2012_Bowl_for_Kids_Sake.htm

Project for PATH Idaho

The Eagle Optimist Club is currently preparing a "Welcome Basket" donation to PATH Idaho. PATH is a private non-profit organization that has provided treatment foster care and child and family services since 1972. During the 2010-2011 Christmas Season Eagle Optimists donated a Christmas tree and dinner to a foster family. This year PATH had a different need. They have a young lady that is 18 years old and preparing to leave foster care and move out on her own. They requested a "Welcome Basket" To help with her transition into independent living, PATH has developed a project that seeks “sponsors” to fill laundry baskets with basic household items a young person needs as they move out on their own and are welcomed to adulthood. We are planning on presenting the donation at our February 28th luncheon meeting.

Sharing stories with peers

President Ben Gard led the Eagle Optimist Club members at the recent PNW District regional meeting in Twin Falls, Idaho. He is shown here making a report to the group of approximately 80 Idaho Optimist Club members where he described our Christmas Tree sales fundraiser, Coats for Kids, the Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and membership recruitment efforts, among other things.

Ben says he didn't mean to be funny, but he made the group laugh - good heartedly -  anyway. That's optimism!

Linda Jackson, Myrna Harris and Mike Harris look on as
Ben Gard reports on some activities of the Eagle Optimist Club

Enter now for $2,500 scholarship opportunities

Updated Feb 29 - new date for CCDHH

Calling all students!

You are invited to participate in an Optimist International Scholarship Contest through the Eagle Optimist Club. It's easy-to-do and you can earn cash, maybe a trip to the Oregon Coast and ultimately a $2,500 scholarship.

Whether you write or speak (or both!), there is a contest for you. Click on the flyer to enlarge and print. Follow the links to the official entry forms here:

Essay Contest - Due February 14 

Oratorical Contest - Due March 21 

Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Due April 20

We look forward to hearing what you have to say about optimism in your life.

Optimists learn about mobile meth labs

Sgt. Jake Vogt

A curious crowd gathered today at the Eagle Optimist Club meeting to learn how to cook meth. "Cook" is a euphemism for the process of manufacturing the highly addictive, illicit drug methamphetamine, because of the flammable materials and high heat used in processing.

Sgt. Vogt demonstrates
the meth-making process

Ada County Sheriff Sgt. Jake Vogt provided the demonstration via the department's mobile meth lab. Carried around in Rubbermaid totes, it's easy to see how drug dealing criminals can move around quickly. What's not so clear, is why anyone would go to the extremely dangerous and time consuming process of manufacturing meth. No, it's not that hard, and although the police monitor purchases, most materials are available over-the-counter in any grocery store, drug store, or similar outlet; but the process requires patience as the drugs are separated from their bonding agents and then remixed in the form known as meth. That question is unfortunately answered: most meth is manufactured south of the border and trafficked throughout Idaho and the US.

As Optimist Club members, we promise to provide a positive influence on youth and others in our communities. Being aware of the signs of meth labs, meth use and drug abuse in general will help develop programs to combat this crime. Especially interested in today's program was a team from PATH Idaho. PATH provides treatment foster care for children and resources for foster families in Idaho.

Member (2nd from right) Bobbi Geiger and the
PATH Idaho team

Welcome new members!

Earlier this year, the Eagle Optimist Club held a NOW (New Optimists Welcome) reception to tell the community about the club and invite individuals to join in the fun, fellowship and service.

Four individuals said, "Yes!" and they were officially installed as new Optimist Club members at the luncheon meeting on January 17.

Joining the Eagle Optimist Club (top to bottom) are Patrick Stromer, D.C., Shari Doke, SLP, Paulette Esposito and Rocky Jackson. They are all shown with President Ben Gard.

You can get involved with our projects too! Contact Ben Gard, President, to learn more.

Refugees discover warmth of Eagle Optimist Club

The Eagle Optimist Club conducted the third annual Coats for Kids drive in November and December collecting more than 150 new and gently used coats and redistributing them in the community through The Landing Community Center.

Chairperson Brandy Ethridge placed donation boxes in local schools and businesses participated in the collection including, among others, Bank of the Cascades, Syringa Bank, and Washington Trust Bank.

All gently used donations received complimentary cleaning courtesy of Custom Care Cleaners, 228 E. Plaza St. Eagle.

A major beneficiary of this year's drive was the St. Alphonsus Family C.A.R.E Maternal/Child Health Clinic. With a specific goal of helping refugees adapt to life in the United States and Ada County, Idaho, the clinic provides health care, social and community assistance to women and families from many different countries and continents.

Shown in the picture are refugees, St. Alphonsus Family C.A.R.E Maternal/Child Health Clinic Staff and Eagle Optimist Club members Myrna Harris and Mike Harris.

The Eagle Optimist Club sincerely appreciates the kind donations from the community. Thank you!