01-18-24 Meeting

14 in IHOP and 1 online. Very good presentation about fall prevention “A Matter of Balance.” Kathy Norris and Mary Peshka discussed statistics on falls and educated us that they can be prevented with some training.

The Hobbs family was there making sure we could not stay on our 2024 diet resolutions by selling us Girl Scout cookies.

Optimist of the Decade

We also discussed a bit that our own Jack Barclay is soon going to move back east to be with his son and family. We are thinking of a dinner social on the evening of Feb. 15th to celebrate his very long time with the club and wish him well on the move. Here is a flashback video from 2011 with Jack and George Pintar, link to video, and a link to the article in The Las Cruces Bulletin: Optimist of the Decade

12-28-23 Meeting

Andrea and Grace Holguin, gave us an update on Everyone Rides with Grace (https://www.velocruces.org/ride-with-grace and https://www.facebook.com/EBRWG and https://www.gofundme.com/f/pay-it-forward-with-grace). They are still doing great things by raising money for adaptive bicycles and connecting them to kids in need. Andrea noted that while bicycles are an incredible tool for helping the kids and families cope with their special needs, the bicycles are not considered a medical device and so no insurance will cover the cost. They also discussed the 1st “Reducing the Carbon Footprint” event. That was very successful (pictures way below) and there will be another on Oct. 5th. Andrea also talked about a new non-profit service her daughter has started called “Love from Eve.” This initiative is to help elderly and help with loneliness. We’ll hopefully learn more about this later. Note, I think Andrea mentioned an upcoming fundraiser (a brisket dinner?). Andrea will get us tickets to buy, or you can contact here at ridewgrace@gmail.com (575-635-2231).

12-14-13 Meeting

We had a good meeting with a great speaker brought in by Mike and his wife. Dr. Elaine Hampton discussed her research and volunteer efforts in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico to help woman learn to fend off sexual abuse. Elaine started a non-profit called “Grains of Love” (Granos de Amor, https://granosdeamor.com) to educate women and also to provide scholarships. It is small, but growing and vital effort in a country working to be more enlightened. The stories she told were sad, but there have been successes too from her efforts. She published a book of her research called Anay’s Will to Learn (https://www.amazon.com/Anays-Will-Learn-Education-Maquiladoras/dp/0292761996). A few of us bought a copy from her and can share if you want to read. It was a really touching discussion.

12-06-23 Dinner Social

Our fearless leader Len organized a social event. After considerable cajoling, he scrapped together several members and spouses to celebrate the season and talk about things other than the Optimist Club. Thank you Len, and based on the picture, everyone had a good time, especially Rachel and Billy, who were great to see!

10-26-23 Meeting

Had a jolly time going over the many Club activities, including Nov. District meeting, how the handball event went, and Tommy gave a great review of his very active JOI Club. He also discussed Scouts. Len had Scott give an update on the Spaceport.
Oh, and sell more poinsettias.

10-19-23 Meeting

Discussed Veteran’s Parade. And then had very good discussion of Dyslexia Institute (https://www.facebook.com/p/Dyslexia-Institute-of-Southern-New-Mexico-Inc-100057450617878). Jayleen Reyes, a student there, gave us a good talk about what it is like to deal with dyslexia and how the Institute helped her overcome some of the issues.

10-12-23 Meeting

Speaker today was Veronica Medina, the Mayors Top Teen Committee Chair (https://mayorstopteens.com). Head of a non-profit that gives scholarships to high school students who normally do not receive recognition and who overcome hardships in life. She received a 500 dollar check from our club today.