1. Downtown Optimist Club
A periodic newsletter of the
A periodic newsletter of the
St. Petersburg -- Downtown Optimist Club
St. Petersburg Downtown Optimist Club
North Florida District, Zone 9, Club #60447
North Florida District, Zone 9, Club #60447
February 12, 2011
Editor: Sharon Dennany, telephone 919-274-1311 or email: skdennany@gmail.com
Scott Kaplan – President
7360 Ulmerton Rd. #21D, Largo, FL 33771
Zone 9 Lt. Governor – Jean Rutan
North Florida District Governor – Daniel Rich
February 1st meeting at Tick Tock
There were 16 members present. President Scott discussed upcoming
events, including the 2nd quarter conference in Panama City Beach next
week end. It appears that the following members will be making that 7 hour
journey….Scott, new member Sue Foster, Chuck & Vi, Rick & Jean, Jim &
Jane, and possibly Gardner (depending on Moonie’s knee surgery). Vi &
Chuck will continue on to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi on Sunday. They will not
make the meeting on the 15th.
The zone yard sale was a big success. The following clubs participated:
Breakfast, Sunset, St. Petersburg and our JOOI club. Our new members,
Della and Mitch Shuler, along with club advisors, Lee and Gardner and our
own Scott were there to help the JOOI Club. The clubs netted a little over
$1,000.00. Not too shabby for the small items that we had. It was a fun time
for all, and a gorgeous day.
Vi inducted our new member, Sue Foster. Sue is a long time friend of
President Scott. She is a local teacher. In fact, she taught Scott at one point.
The club welcomed Sue and she gave us a little background on herself. She
has been a very busy lady, and we are lucky to have her join us….Welcome
Sue! We have three new members who have not been inducted yet but we
hope to do so soon. They are Della and Mitch Shuler and C.J. Morris,
Laura’s husband. Welcome Della, Mitch and C.J.!
Chuck’s number was drawn for the 50/50 but unfortunately the joker didn’t
show his face. He drew the 5 of spades. The pot continues to grow.
We thought we were losing our favorite server at the Tick Tock, but we got
lucky….she’s still there. She does such a great job taking care of us.

2. February 1st meeting at Tick Tock cont’d
cont’
Lt. Gov. Jean gave an update on the Essay and Poster Contests.
Lee gave an update on CCDHH and Oratorical. The CCDHH contest had 20
contestants from three different schools. We selected a winner from the
middle school and the high school. The two winners will represent zone 9 in
Panama City. All our clubs have donated monies to help the families of our
winners get to Panama City. Both our winners have a great chance of
winning the $2500 scholarship. Our JOOI club made $210 at the yard sale
and are planning a St. Patrick's dance at their school to raise money for
school computers. They will also be selling newspapers at a Rays game on
April 16.
First Friday was a great success with a large crowd. The Bayside Club
worked the beer booth and had a big night. The PBA police group sold t-
shirts for the fallen officers* and also had a big night.
*Two St. Petersburg police officers were killed Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, while serving a
warrant at a home on 28th Avenue South.
According to police reports, Officer Jeff Yaslowitz, 39, and Sergeant Thomas Baitinger, 48,
went to the home to serve Hydra Lacy Jr. with a warrant for his arrest. Lacy was wanted on
charges of aggravated battery stemming from domestic violence.
The officers, along with a U.S. Marshal, were shot by Lacy, who was hiding in his attic,
police said.
Lacy was also killed, although police have not yet said whether he died as a result of officer
gunfire or if he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
http://www.baynews9.com/sppd-shooting
The Breakfast club fish-a-thon registration list is now open
Ages 4-13 only please
Include name of child and name of adult sponsor
We are topping out at 70 kids with 15 slots held for underprivileged children.
Charlie’s Dock at Gators on John’s Pass
Sunday April 3rd
8:30 am - 12:30 pm

3. Valentine’
Monday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day.
Here is a little trivia to pass on to your sweetheart.
The Rose
Heart
From time immemorial,
beloveds have been
compared to roses. If we
It was formerly believed juggle the letters of the
word ROSE we get
that the heart was the
EROS, who is the God of
seat of all human emotions. Accordingly,
Love. Rose has thus
the gifting of a heart signified the selfless act
been the traditional
of giving everything to someone you love.
choice of lovers around
Though the ancients were not aware that the
the world. The color red
heart was responsible for pumping blood though
is associated with strong
the circulatory system, yet they knew one thing
emotions.
for sure that the heart was the center of all
feelings. This ancient belief has lingered
on through the ages.
Ribbons, Laces and Frills
Ribbons and laces have been associated with love and romance
since the days when a knight used to ride into a battle
sporting the scarf or handkerchief presented to
him by his ladylove. In the bygone times, laces
were used making women's handkerchiefs. It was
also usual for a lady to drop her handkerchief in the
path of the man whose attention she wished to draw.

4. Ann Cannon, longtime member of Breakfast Optimist
Club (aunt of Optimist John Cannon and sister-in-law
Ann Canno
of Optimist Carrie Cannon) is recuperating from a fall. n
Room 26A
Shore Acre
Ann is at Shore Acres Nursing Home. She’d love to s Rehabilit
and Nursin ation
get a card from you. 4500 Indian g Center
apolis Stre
St. Petersb et NE
Send up a little prayer for her, too, please. urg FL 337
03
Ric and Betty Jo,
What a great pair of Optimists we have in you. You were out there early
setting up for the yard sale, opening your place of business for us to
use the restroom (and get warm early in the a.m.). And that parking lot is
a great place for a yard sale.
On behalf of Zone 9 and all the Optimists who worked, looked, bought,
helped and just generally mingled, THANK YOU once again for your
giving, loving spirit.
Optimistically, and with love,
Lt. Gov. Jean
It’
It’s My
Birthday!
Sharon Dennany
February 15
Judy Warnock
February 25

5. Raffle tickets will be sold during the dinner. The fish fry always features
two kinds of fish, great hush puppies and soft drinks. Advance tickets are
available now from all Breakfast members. Invite your friends to come dine
with us. We need new and lightly used items for the raffles.

6. It’
It’s My Rick, Vi and
Anniversary! Lee thank
you for your
items to post
in the
newsletter!
Carol & Howard
Andorfer
February 25
Hi’ya Rick & Gov. Jean,
Plezzzzzzzzz let everyone know that it
was our pleasure to let the clubs use
our parking lot for the yard sale. The
property is available for any club
(Optimist, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.,) to use
anytime to help a club make money to
support the youth we service.
We are just fortunate that we have the
property and we would like to pass our
good fortune on for the good of
Optimism and all the awesome
members of the GREAT zone 9.
Chuck is at it again!
As of September 30, 2010 the North Florida
District came in 6th for Average Contribution Per
Member at $20.56 and 9th for Total Contributions
at $29,369.85.
Keep up the good work Chuck!

7. Governor Ric's Team Got It Done!
Have you heard the news?
Optimist International has released the official Awards Hotline & the North Florida District
hit the ball out of the park! Not only that, but our success propelled our Optimist Region
to the top, too. Without further delay, the results....
Gov. Ric Carvalis - Distinguished & Outstanding!!!
Ric's new club building skills and your hard work bringing in members put the North
Florida District on top of our region. In addition, all those months of hard work drove our
district to the number 2 spot in all of Optimist International! Way to go!!!
Distinguished Lt. Governor
Congratulations to Zone 9 Lt. Governor Jim Ridings! Zone 9 ended the year with a net
46% growth - WOW!
Distinguished Clubs - Distinguished Presidents
These clubs and club presidents really went above and beyond the call of duty. They
fulfilled all the requirements for Honor Club and then proceeded to either grow their club
by at least 25 members, or they built a brand new club. This is excellence in service and
leadership. Our hats are off to all of you for your achievements!
Altamonte Springs-So. Seminole - Mike Spalding (Membership)
Fernandina Beach - John Crow (Membership)
Sunday Brunch - Ric Carvalis (New Club - Bayside)
Sunset Pinellas County - Rick Borsick (New Club - Sunday Brunch)
Honor Clubs - Honor Presidents
An Honor Club is one that has grown its membership, excelled in service and has reached
higher than required. The president of an Honor Club had encouraged, pushed and
coached their club's membership. Congratulations on your achievement.
Cocoa Beach - Robert Bevis
Old River - Past Gov. Chuck Krieger
St. Petersburg-Downtown - Past Gov. Gardner Harshman
Tri-County - Kathy Cayer
Thank you, Governor Ric and team. We have all benefitted from your sacrifice and hard
work. You have set the bar high, but I know we can reach that bar and we will honor you
by pushing past it. Together we are a force for the good of kids everywhere.
Yours in Optimism,
Daniel Rich, Governor
North Florida District - Optimist International

8. The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself -
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the
presence of trouble.
CLUB OFFICERS DIRECTORS
President Scott Kaplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .535-6939 Jean Rutan (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522-6143
7360 Ulmerton Rd. #21D, Largo, FL 33771 Rick Rutan (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522-6143
1st Vice Pres. Vi Hayworth . . . . . . . . . . . . 527-2656 Judy Warnock (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 458-8278
2nd Vice Pres. Viki Pena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421-3721 Sharon Dennany (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . ..919-274-1311
Sec/Treas. Lee Warnock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577-7159 Gardner Harshman (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .592-0243
Sgt-At-Arms/Gardner Harshman. . . . . . . . 592-0243 Moonyeene Harshman (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . 592-0243
Chaplain Rick Rutan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .522-6143
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Oratorical Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lee Warnock
Essay Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jean Rutan
Programs/Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Rutan
Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vi Hayworth/Viki Pena
Poster Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jean Rutan
O.I. Foundation Rep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Ridings
Respect for Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gardner Harshman
Youth Appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lee Warnock
New Community Dev. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
Raffles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lee Warnock
Easter Egg Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Viki Pena
Bell Ringing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vi Hayworth
First Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Warnock