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

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!

Christmas trees for a cause

The Eagle Optimist Club Christmas Tree lot will return to historic downtown Eagle, at the corner of old State Street and N. Eagle Road on November 26.

Proceeds will benefit community and youth service projects including, among other things, scholarships for public speaking and essay writing and a special project for deaf and hard of hearing students.

The lot will be open every day:
Weekdays 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Experience Optimism: When the temperatures drop

Experience Optimism: When the temperatures drop: We woke up to temperatures in the low 20s today. That means that fall is here and winter can't be too far behind.

Please click on the link to learn how Optimist Clubs help children with Coats for Kids programs in Idaho.

Ben Gard inducted as president of the Eagle Optimist Club

Ben Gard, Gretchen Brown and Mike Harris (l-r)

On October 8, Ben Gard took the oath of office to become the second president of the Eagle Optimist Club following co-presidents Mike Harris and Gretchen Brown.

Looking forward to the year ahead, Ben said he hopes to add more active members beginning with a membership meet and greet on October 18 and to continue to improve services for children and adults in the Eagle community.

Find out how you can get involved with the Eagle Optimist Club by emailing Ben today.

Eagle Optimist Club announces Essay Contest

Are you a positive person? Do people call you an optimist? Are you 18 years old or younger?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you must tell us all about your optimism during the annual Optimist International Essay Contest sponsored by the Eagle Optimist Club.

Students can earn a $2,500 scholarship by participating. To enter, they must write a 700-800 word essay on the official topic: "How my Positive Outlook Benefits my Community."

Please click on the flyer to learn more and download the entry blank to get started.

Time to celebrate another year!

The Eagle Optimist Club is preparing for the new Optimist Club year. Please join us for the club installation banquet on Saturday, October 8 where you'll enjoy some Mickey Ray's BBQ and the fellowship of your Eagle Optimist friends.

Please RSVP as soon as possible.  Thanks!

Activities to help keep our kids safe

The Eagle Optimist Club is helping children in our community get ready to enjoy a safe summer.

On Saturday, June 11, Optimist Club members will assist Washington Trust Bank at the first family fun area at Eagle Fun Days. Stop by and say hello, and let the kids run in this safe area while you take a break. We'll be there from 10 am to 8 pm, in the exhibit area near City Hall. 

Next week, please join us for the second annual Child Safety Day. We want kids to be safe at home, on their bikes and will teach them some personal safety tips too. Please click and print the flyer for full details.  

Optimist Club recognizes ArtsWest students

Allison and Chas, Regional Winners,
PNW District Optimist Oratorical Contest

A nice group was on hand on May 31 congratulate the Regional winners of the Pacific Northwest District Optimist Oratorical Contest for 2011. Chas Baines captured first place and Allison Smith, second. Both are students at ArtsWest School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Eagle, Idaho.

Dan Critell served as the first chairperson for this activity. Please click on the pictures to enlarge. Photo credit: Myrna Harris.

Dan Critell, Club Oratorical Contest Chair  

Club members chat with the ArtsWest  Group

Feel the optimism!

Myrna Harris invites you to sample what it's like to be an Optimist Club member with a slideshow. Hint: it's amazing!

This slideshow was created from pictures of the PNW District Communications Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Cassidy Flake, Jessica Guttierez and Ricky Clark represented the Eagle Optimist Club.

Headlines!

The Eagle Optimist Club made news today. Twice.

First, we were on the front page of the Valley Times newspaper for our Arbor Day tree planting with the City of Eagle.

Next, we were part of Kevin Miller's video on YouTube promoting "Letters from Home" in conjunction with his planned trip to Iraq.

Enjoy.

City of Eagle to celebrate Arbor Day with the Optimist Club

Press Release

April 25, 2011 - the City of Eagle: The City of Eagle recently received notification that it had earned national designation as a Tree City USA for the 19th consecutive year!

In celebration the City of Eagle, in conjunction with Eagle Optimist Club, will be holding a tree planting ceremony on April 28, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. Members of Eagle Optimist Club generously donated a tree for the ceremony, and will be present for the event. Please join Mayor Jim Reynolds on Second Street between State Street and Idaho Street for the planting of a new street tree.

Tree Project Update

A note from Vice President and Christmas Tree Sales Chairman Ben Gard

I wanted to give everyone an update on our tree project. I came up with the idea of donating a tree to the City of Eagle during the Christmas Tree sale as a way of thanking everyone, especially The Goldman Family, for helping us out. I've been in contact with City of Eagle and they would like make our tree donation part of their Arbor Day celebration. So we get to kill two birds with one stone (or tree as the case may be.) The planting ceremony will be on Thursday, April 28 (That is actually the day before Arbor Day) at 1:30pm at the Eagle Senior Center, 312 E. State Street. There will be a ceremony with the mayor presiding. I hope that every member that has the opportunity can make the ceremony.

Thank you,
Ben

Happy to meet you!

Self-introductions at the Eagle Optimist Club luncheon

Today we welcomed guests Jodie Correa and Joyce Little to our Optimist Club luncheon. Unfortunately our guest speaker, Kevin Miller from KIDO, was a no-show and our program instead celebrated the success of the club level  Oratorical Contests.

Three contestants will be traveling to Salem, Oregon to participate in the District competition for the Communications Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.  The students, Cassidy Flake, Jessica Gutierrrez, and Ricky Clark will be joined by instructor Jana Dunagan and Optimist Club members Mike Harris, Myrna Harris and Linda Jackson.

In other business, Ben Gard updated us on the purchase of a tree to recognize the Goldman family who graciously donated their property for our 2010 Christmas Tree Sales. Working with the City of Eagle, Ben has arranged for an Arbor Day planting of a Chanticleer Pear Tree.

Mr. Miller promises to reschedule soon so he can talk of his plans to travel to Afghanistan with the 116th guard unit from Idaho.

It was a great meeting today. Why not visit us soon?

Photo by Myrna Harris.

Watching the Decorah Eagles in Eagle, Idaho

This isn't about an Optimist Club or Eagle, Idaho, but it is about Eagles ... plus, it is really cool.  Please enjoy the live stream to the Decorah Eagles, a live broadcast from the Raptor Resource Project in Decorah, Iowa.


Live Videos by Ustream

Oratorical Contest a success!

The Eagle Optimist Club hosted their first Oratorical Scholarship Contest on Wednesday evening, March 23, at ArtsWest School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Optimist Club members, family, friends, and faculty gathered and watched nine talented young adults deliver their speeches on “"If I Were Leader of the Free World, the First Issue I Would Address Would be ... " the topic for the national program this year. This year the students were all from ArtsWest School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Eagle.

 Contest winners were Chas Baines, a Junior at ArtsWest, 1^st place; Courtney Stennett, a Senior at ArtsWest, 2^nd place; and Allison Smith, a Junior at ArtsWest, 3^rd place.

The local winners won medallions and cash prizes for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd places. The top two winners now have the opportunity to compete against students from Idaho, Washington and Oregon at the Zone level. The winners at the Zone contest will advance to District and compete for two $2,500 college scholarships.

First conducted in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International Program. Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year. The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives youngsters the chance to speak to the world. More than $150,000 in college scholarships funded by the Optimist International Foundations is awarded annually from this program.

Optimist Clubs are dedicated to "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" and do their part through community service projects. Since each Club is autonomous and run by members in their community, Optimists have the unique flexibility to serve the youth of their area in any way they see fit. Optimist Clubs see a need in their community and react to it. Optimists strive to live up to their name and maintain an upbeat attitude, which they try to pass along to the children they serve.

ArtsWest is Idaho's only private arts school and is located in Eagle, Idaho. Artistic focuses include theater, visual arts, contemporary and classical instrumental, songwriting, dance, photography, jazz, voice and more. ArtsWest is a member of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools and 95% of overall graduates are awarded artistic or academic college scholarships.

Story by Mike Harris. 

Photos by Myrna Harris.

Get published!

The Eagle Optimist Club is looking for guest bloggers to write about activities in the club and how we can and do make a difference in the Eagle community.

Optimist Club members are encouraged to volunteer to be part of the communications team. Your responsibility: Make one post to the club blog at least once per month.

We are also looking for positive news and inspirational stories from our members and others in the community.

Please email Linda Jackson for details.

PNW Optimist Clubs: Larry Blackburn shares his enthusiasm

We had a great visit from Zone 7 Lt. Governor Larry Blackburn on Tuesday.  Please click on the link to read all about generating excitement for Optimist Club projects in Eagle.

PNW Optimist Clubs: Larry Blackburn shares his enthusiasm