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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST

     The club held its Fifty-Fifth Annual Christmas Breakfast on the morning of December 14.  This year's event was organized by Gordon Ball assisted by Tom White and Larry Hynson.

         The program began with an invocation by Major Earl Fitzgerald of the Salvation Army.  Optimist President Walt Petersen then welcomed the everyone and introduced the guests which included representatives of Arlington's government include police and courts as well as U.S. Representative Jim Moran.   He also presented the Salvation Army with the Optimist annual donation to their work.

         The Optimists and their guests were entertained with Christmas carols sung by the Chamber Singers of H.B. Woodlawn Secondary School.  Jeffery Benson is the Director of the group.

         The keynote speaker was Pastor William Smith of Memorial Baptist Church who talked about Optimism.  In an inspiring presentation, Pastor Smith used Hellen Keller as an example of true optimism.

       Prior to Mjaor Fitzgerald's benediction, the group joined in a songfest of some Christmas Carols.  Chris Cole played the piano as Pat Echols, joined by Tricia O'Hara and Barbara Nicastro, led the Optimist in song.

CHRISTMAS TREE SALES

       Continuing a 38 year tradition, the club is again selling Christmas trees on the lot of Wachovia Bank at the intersection of Lee Highway and North Glebe Road.  The Optimist goal for this year is 2,000 trees.

       Available are Frasier Firs, Colorado Blue Spruces, Douglas Firs, Canaan Firs, and Scotch Pines.  The trees come in sizes from 5 feet to 14 feet.  In other words, we have a tree for you.

       In addition to trees, we carry wreaths and roping in various sizes.

       The proceeds from the annual Christmas Tree sales are a major source of funding for the many Optimist sponsored programs which directly impact over 2,000 kids in Arlington each year.  These include academic, civic, and sports program.

      Come by the lot and say hello.  We are always happy to have the company.

2005 ORATORICAL CONTEST

           The Optimist Club's 2005 Oratorical Contest for middle school students attracted almost eighty students from Bishop O'Connell, Kenmore, Swanson, and Williamsburg schools.  The Club awarded a total of $2,000 in scholarships to the competitors.   For the 2005 contest the students were required to write and deliver a 4-5 minute speech on the topic of "My Hero Is..."

           In the girls competition Murial MacDonald of Swanson Middle School won with Whitney Armstrong as the first runner-up and Ashlay Kallarakai as the second runner-up.

           In the boys competition Emani Fenton of Bishop O'Connell School won while David Wu finished as first runner-up and Michael Ronayne won the second runner-up slot.

          Murial MacDonald and Emani Fenton each went on to win the District's Zone 4 competition earning them the right to represent the Zone at the Capital-Virginia District competition in Harrisonburg.  At that level, Murial finished second among the girls, and Emani finished second among the boys.

           Richard Knight was again the contest coordinator for the Club.

(Upper picture: Finalists in the Arlington Optimist Oratorical Contest with Contest Coordinator Richard Knight; lower picture: Past President Eugene Iwanciw, Emani Fenton, District Governor John Loshkreff, and Murial MacDonald at the District Competition)

OPTIMISTS THROW OUT FIRST PITCH

          On April 9 throughout Arlington County, Optimists were throwing out the first pitch at dozens of games inaugurating the 2005 season for the Arlington Optimist Babe Ruth Baseball League.  The club has sponsored youth baseball in the county for over fifty years.  This year, Babe Ruth Baseball attracted over 1,400 children between the ages of 4 and 12.  The organization has 11 leagues and divisions meeting the needs of all ages and all skill levels.

(Pictured: Optimist Lloyd Hicks throwing out the first pitch in an April 9 game.)

OPTIMISTS SUPPORT GIRLS SOFTBALL

           The Arlington Optimist Club continued its support for the Arlington Girls Softball Association (AGSA).  For the spring of 2005, the Club sponsored two teams: the Zingers, a member of the Ponytail League-Cat Osterman Division; and the Shooting Stars, a member of the Underwood League-Cat Osterman Division.  At a luncheon meeting of the Optimists, Robin Rudensky of the AGSA gave a preview of the 2005 season and a status report on the Association.  Dr. Larry Gaydos, Optimist Treasurer, presented s. Rudensky with a check covering the team sponsorships.

Archives 2003-2004 (part 2)

Archives 2003-2004 (part 1)