Program for: Program for: Stephanie Kreilein, President of the U.S.I. Optimist Club showing their new T-Shirt they designed and created to wear at their events helping kids. We sponsored their club. Our speaker on Wednesday, January 25th was Joe Kiefer. Mr. Kiefer presented remarks concerning the State of the County.   He was recently appointed to the Vanderburgh County Commission Board replacing recently elected Mayor, Lloyd Winnecke. He is finding his County Commission experience to be very helpful in his present role. Budgetary restraints are presenting obstacles to giving city employees raises, and dealing with health insurance issues. He sees some positive improvement in income taxes through the issuance of more building permits. He has concerns about what will happen if the City and County governments are combined. He hopes to help the jobs issue in the community by making it easier to start new businesses by reducing or eliminating as much “red tape” as possible. He hopes to get the various entities that issue permits to “work with customers” and try to find ways to “make it work,” instead of blindly following “the rules,” which prevent many new businesses from forming. - Don Julian   Great speakers, Food, Fun, Fellowship...and... We Help Kids!!  Come Join US!! The Downtown Optimist Club of Evansville Indiana , Inc., celebrated   our 90th Anniversary on May 13, 2011.    We are now in 90 years old and still going and growing strong.  We have sponsored several clubs throughout our 90 year history including the Evansville Westside and Eastside Clubs and a club in Santa Claus, Indiana and most recently, the University of Southern Indiana college club comprised of students.  Be sure to see the photos of the anniversary celebration on our Photos page.   Danny Rogers, International President of Optimist, sent a Tribute Certificate to our club which was read at our anniversary on May 14th by Indiana South Governor, Kathy Underwood. Our club was Chartered on Friday, May 13,1921 and was the second club chartered in Indiana and the 15th in the world. There were eighty-six charter members. Our club is a member of Optimist International, a worldwide organization, whose purpose is to serve the youth in our communitys.  Currently, we have approximately 50 members. We are members of the Indiana South District which is associated with Optimist International.  What differentiates Optimist Clubs from any other volunteer opportunity is simple -- OPTIMISM.  Optimists take their upbeat approach and work every day to make a difference for themselves and for the people around them. Optimists are people who believe that through positive action in their communities they can create a better tomorrow.   Our Mission Statement:   By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids. Our Vision Statement:  Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.     February 8 -  Shaun Angel - FLEX 151 Fitness February 22 - Ingel Trust Distributions   July 27, 2011 at Camp Carson. Members pose at the Disc Golf Course 18th hole and sign honoring our club for our donation to pay for the equipment.         2nd and 4th Wednesdays - 11:45 am