Minutes from the August meeting of the Optimist Club

The Choctaw Ridge Optimist Club met for its regularly scheduled meeting at noon on Tuesday, August 12, at the Bluebird Café.

Daryl Stuckenhorst, treasurer, reported that $11.56 was raised at the annual Fourth of July BBQ fundraiser, a figure attributable to the flash flood that swept through Carroll County that day. A total of $6,350.14 was spent from the club’s treasury on meat, salads, desserts and equipment rental. Despite a valiant effort by members of the BBQ committee, none of the foodstuffs could be salvaged for donation to local charities due to the prolonged power outage resulting from the flood.

Marvin Raines, youth chairman, reported that word has been received from the Piranha region of Brazil that Jesus, the orphan the Club has sponsored for the last 11 years, passed away on March 29 from a snake bite. Marvin has asked the foundation through which the club found Jesus to submit photos of new orphans from which one will be selected for sponsorship at next month’s meeting.

Roger Applebee, who was chosen to represent the Club at the District Regional Convention in Petersburg last month, reported the event was canceled after a car crashed through the picture window of the Ramada Inn lounge where the welcome cocktail reception was being held, injuring nineteen delegates including the Regional Vice President who was supposed to preside.

Chapter President George Rudd announced his resignation due to the closing of the plant where he has worked since 1978, which has been relocated by its parent company to Mexico. George said he regrets he is unable to commit the time needed to fulfill his duties owing to the fact he has accepted a position with 7-Eleven where he will be working the night shift. Vice President Jack Hemphill will assume the chapter presidency provided the search party looking for his plane locates it and he is able to serve. 

Members voted to send a sympathy card to the family of Billy Joe McAllister, Jr., son of longtime member Billy Joe, Sr., who drowned tragically following a fall.   

Wanda Jane Stafford, owner of the Bluebird Café where our meetings have been held since the Choctaw Ridge chapter was founded, announced that with the closing of the plant, she will be shuttering her restaurant effective immediately and suggested members appoint a committee to search for a new venue.

There being no more business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:14 p.m.

Lunch was not served due to Wanda Jane’s cook being in jail. Wanda Jane said she was sorry but she wouldn’t be able to refund the money Club members had paid in advance for the meal because he stole it from a locked drawer in her office, the reason she had his sorry ass locked up in the first place.

Next month's meeting will be held at a place TBD.

Submitted in the spirit of Optimism by:

Ralph A. Jones
Recording Secretary