Governor Designate (for just a few more days till her year starts as governor) Carla Gries has been a member since 2005 for Omaha Miracle Hills, 2010 - 2017 for Southwest Omaha and 2019 for Southwest Omaha, again. Her favorite line of the Creed is to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble because these are characteristics that frequently hold a person back from being happy and successful and at points in Carla's lifetime, they have held her back from being happy and successful. A little known fact about Carla is that she sang the US National Anthem and Canadian National Anthem at the Phoenix International Speedway in Arizona. Carla has been very active in our District and is looking forward to her year as our District Governor. She is a retired educator and administrator for Omaha Public Schools, when she retired she was a vice principal for Benson High School.

Marge Melroy has been an Optimist member of Holdrege for 29 years although she was helping with activities about 10 years before becoming an official "member". Marge has served in various capacities - including Secretary, Treasurer, President, Board Member, Lt. Governor, Governor and numerous other District positions. Her favorite project is Toys for Tots which is a program where Holdrege provides Christmas presents to children from birth to 16 years old, who otherwise might not receive a gift. They have also implemented that each of these children will receive free underwear and socks. They serve approximately 130+ children each year in Phelps County. This is only possible due to the generosity of the community either by donating a "requested item" or donating monetarily. She has worked on this project for over 40 years because it is very satisfying to know that you have helped a child have a "brighter Christmas". Marge’s favorite line of the Creed is To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile because a simple "smile" can make someone's day - after all we do not know what they are going through or experiencing in their life - a smile goes a long way! A little known fact about Marge is that she attended a "one room" K-8 school until 5th grade, with no indoor bathroom - there were two other girls in her class for a total of 3. She has worked in a Veterans Service Office for over 36 years - working with Veterans - a profession that she truly loves - so it's not really a "job".

Standford “Stan” Darling has been an Optimist member of Fremont Noon for 30 years and is a life member. His favorite project is the Brad Bruner Fishing Derby. Bob was a long-time member that members that have been in the District a while might remember. Bob gathered fishing supplies each year and gave them away during this Club event to inspire youth to take up the life long sport of fishing. Stan’s favorite line of the Creed is To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. A little known fact about Stan is that he is also a Master Mason and Tangier Shriner. He is a commercial lender for Pinnacle Bank with 41 years of banking experience.

May 29, 1941 - October 5, 2021 “Community builder” may best describe the late David Catalan, whose commitment to improving Omaha was all the more impressive given he made this his adopted hometown.

Catalan arrived in 1980 as a Union Pacific manager. He immersed himself in community affairs and public service the next four decades — a far cry from his earlier, rootless life.

“My whole life had been like a gypsy,” he told a reporter in 2017. “I was a vagabond traveling from place to place and never really having a fixed home — until I came to Omaha. I chose to stay even after I left U.P. because I really felt at home here … after all those years wandering around.”

Catalan grew up in a Tucson, Arizona, barrio after World War II. His father worked in the copper mines. As a young teen, he and his family made the migrant worker circuit, leaving each spring-summer for California.

He finished high school in Merced and earned a scholarship to UCLA, becoming the first in his family to obtain a diploma or degree.

A U.S. Army stint brought him to Paris, where a love of the arts was sparked. Back in the States, he joined Union Pacific, which paid for MBA studies at Pepperdine University.

Once he got settled in Omaha, Catalan said, “doing community service, being on nonprofit boards became an identity for myself.”

Catalan later worked at Metropolitan Community College, in the cabinet of Mayor Hal Daub and as executive director of the Omaha Press Club and the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. He was president of the South Omaha Business Association and the South Omaha Optimist Club.

He consulted nonprofits and small businesses.

The arts champion and published poet served on the Opera Omaha, Omaha Symphony and Nebraska Arts Council boards, cofounded SNAP! Productions and helped start El Museo Latino. He supported projects by local artists, some of whom commemorated his passing in original new works."

The North Omaha Optimist Club would like to recognize their Secretary Felicia Carroll. She has been a member for 4 years (since 2019) and has been an active and valuable member of the Club. Felicia has been going to school to be in the nursing field if memory serves. She will be moving before the end of the year to continue her education and will be missed greatly by the Club. Thanks for all you do Felicia and we hope that you will remain an Optimist and join a Club where ever you end up!

Brad Stauffer has been an Optimist member of Gretna Optimist club for 26 years. His favorite project is the Gretna Optimist Angel Tree for several reasons. The Angel tree helps some of the most vulnerable children in our society. Brad has always loved Christmas so it makes him happy to be a part of making sure that children who are struggling get a Christmas and get to have those memories. It also makes him happy to see so many of our local citizens rally to help and make sure that no child is left out at Christmas time. Brad’s favorite line of the Creed is To think only the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best because he feels like so much of our life is influenced by our thoughts and our expectations. As his daughter enters the work world he has told her many times that if you expect to be successful and work hard you will, if you think you will fail at something it is very likely that will happen. Brad has been amazed over the years how much your thoughts and attitude affect your effort and outcomes. If you want to be successful in life you must work hard and expect that you will have a great outcome. A little known fact about Brad is that while he is in healthcare now he actually started his working life working for theatres. Brad started working at the Norfolk Drive-In at age 16, worked at the Drive-In and Norfolk Cinema Theatre throughout high school, and was managing that Drive-In by Age 19. In college he went to work as Assistant Manager with United Artist Theatres in Lincoln and worked in various management roles for them throughout college. Brad learned much of what he knows about dealing with people from working in that industry and some great bosses he had along the way. Brad’s occupation today is a chiropractor.

Melisa Williams is a member of the Lincoln Evening Optimist Club however she started as a Junior Optimist member in sixth grade. She then joined our high school club that was called Difference Makers. She went to college at Wayne State and joined the Wayne Optimist Club as a college student and then joined the Lincoln Evening Optimist Club. Melissa's favorite club project is Homer’s Heroes. She loves seeing the kids each week and the excitement they bring to the field. They are all so positive, excited and amazing team players. The season always flies by! Her favorite line in the creed is “To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.” because she loves sharing with my friends all the great qualities they share and bring to our community. Melissa is a toddler, preschool, pre-k coach at the UNL Children's Center.

Also in the picture is, Jeremy Williams, her husband and member of the Optimist Club of Lincoln.

Anna joined the Optimist Club of David City in October 2019 and has been a member for 2.5 years. Her favorite Optimist Club activity is providing refreshments for the youth and adults at the Butler County Arts Council Art Day Camp. Her favorite line of the Optimist Creed is To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile because it reminds her of her students who told her that they felt better after seeing her smiling face. A little known fact about Anna is that she has lived from the coast of California to the east coast of Newfoundland via New Mexico before arriving in Nebraska. Anna retired from teaching fulltime in 1997 but continues to volunteer to teach in advanced biology and sponsor a service club at the high school. Now she and her husband Allen volunteer at the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art and for many other community groups and events.

She has been an Optimist member of the Optimist Club of South Sioux City for 33 years. Her favorite projects are the essay and oratorical contests because it's a chance to connect with the young people who take part and give them a chance at a sizable scholarship for further education. Ardel really thinks the entire Optimist Creed is a masterpiece but when pressed to choose a favorite line it is to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own because it validates others' accomplishments; so much of today's world is "me" centered, we should be reaching out to others and making them feel special which is very gratifying. A little known fact is that she was an accomplished marathoner for many years. Ardel completed 19 of them including Boston and London which was a special time for her. She is a retired teacher. One last note from Ardel “Thank you for honoring me with this. I certainly was not expecting it.”

He has been an Optimist member of Kearney for 36 years. His favorite project is the Punt Pass & Kick (PPK) contest because it is great fun working with the kids and seeing them compete. It’s super fun to hand out the awards to them and great to see the smiles on kids' faces.. Jeff’s favorite line of the Optimist Creed is to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet because we can spread our Optimism by talking this way to our friends and neighbors. It can be contagious! A little known fact is that he gave up a career in retail to go back to school at age 30 and get my law degree. Jeff is an attorney in private practice.

She has been an Optimist member of North Platte Optimist Club for 15 years. Her favorite projects are their tree lot and fireworks. Jennifer's favorite line of the Optimist Creed is to think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best because She likes to look for and strive for only the sunny side and positiveness. She is a farm girl with four brothers. Jennifer is a high school and college music teacher.

He has been an Optimist member for 4 years with Omaha Breakfast Optimist Club and joined North Omaha Optimist Club 6 months ago. He is being recognized as Omaha Breakfast’s Optimist of the Year last year. His favorite project is when the Clubs collaborate to provide fun and educational summer outings for the youth of The Hope Center for Kids. Ivan's favorite line of the Optimist Creed is to make all your friends feel that there is something in them because “there is something valuable in everyone. Everyone has the power to affect positive change and realize their greatness.” He worked for State Farm Insurance Company before he retired. A little known fact about Ivan is that he attended elementary school in Bangkok, Thailand.

My name is Linda Leatherman and I joined the Lincoln West Optimist Club in 2002. In 2018 I looked into starting a club in Hickman, Ne. We Charted the Hickman Optimist Club in January, 2019 with 30 Charted members. The most rewarding project with Lincoln West club was Homers Hero’s, baseball teams, ages 6-19, consisting of Special Needs Students. The enthusiasm these students have was heart warming. They would see you in a grocery store and always had a big smile and would call you by name. The most rewarding project with the Hickman club was the Punt, Pass and Kick contest. With 70 participants the first year it was held, confirmed the need for a club in the community. As I say the Optimist creed, the line that always stands out for me is, Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. If we could all live by these words, imagine the growth and impact we would have on our communities. Very few people know that I received the Betty Crocker All-American Homemaker of Tomorrow Scholarship from Washington State as a Senior in High School.

He has been a member of the Optimist Club of Aurora Nebraska/USA for 33 years. His favorite club project is their soccer program because he enjoys seeing how many kids they are serving and family involvement! Knowing that they are helping the kids to slearn sportsmanship and be the best that they can be. His favorite line of the Creed is To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best because he enjoys helping kids by mentoring them to be the best that they can be. A little known fact about him is that he is of Czech heritage. He is a retired auto mechanic/technician earning mini awards from the Ford Motor Company on training excellene from 1962 - 2007 (47 years). Additionally the Aurora Club wanted to recognize him because he has been Club President 4 or 5 times and he is always giving of himself for the Club and the kids that they serve. They know that Ron will be at every meeting, every fundraiser, every event! Ron ‘s character serves as a great reminder to all of us how we should be good humans and serve others with a servants heart! Ron is also a military veteran and serves on different boards for that as well! We are blessed to have Ron as a part of the Optimist club of Aurora.

He has been an Optimist member for 48 years and was a Charter member Gretna and Wayne Optimist Clubs. He is being recognized as the last remaining charter member for the Wayne Optimist Club. His favorite project is Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) becuase it is fulfilling to see so many kids put their heart, soul and foot into competing. This event inspired his sone, Chuck, to become a kick for the Wyoming Cowboys. Bill's favorite line of the Optimist Creed is to make all your friends to feel that there is something in them which goes hand in hand with always wearing a cheerful countenance and giving EVERY living creature a smile. He is a retired Pastor who continues to do supply preaching where needed. His favorite hobby is clarinet playing which roles into his little known fact that he is sometimes asked to play a clarinet solo when he is asked to preach.

He has been a member of the Lexington Optimist Club for 12 years. His favorite club project is Operation Santa Claus because of “being able to give back to the community and seeing the smiles on the kids and parents faces as well as being able to make the holiday feel like a normal holiday for everyone”. His favorite line of the Creed is To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. A little known fact about him is that he can juggle. He is a pharmacist.

He has been a member of Ogallala Optimist Club and Paxton Optimist Club . He was with Ogallala for 5 years sometime before the Paxton Club was formed. He is a charter member of the Paxton Optimist Club which means that he has been a member of Paxton for 50 years this March. His favorite club project is when the Paxton Club cleaned the Paxton Cemetery. The project took 2 years to complete and required the use of heavy equipment to remove the over growth of trees and beautify the cemetery. His favorite line of the Creed is to give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. In talking with Mark there were several things that he mentioned that as possible little known facts. As he is not known by many members, why not share multiple facts. He is a beef man but will eat chicken; he is not yet retired; he is pretty open as a person; he first joined Optimist International because of the bank he was working at asked it of him. He is currently a farmer/feeder.

He has been a member of the Optimist Club Columbus for 56 years. His favorite club project is their Easter Egg hunt (“We started out boiling the eggs and then get together and dye them for the hunt. Later years we went with plastic eggs and candy. I was the Easter Bunny for several years and enjoyed the children and parents coming up and taking pictures of the bunny and their children.”). His favorite line of the Creed is To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile because “When you see someone meet you with a smile it always cheers you up, so I try to do this all the time”. A little known fact about him is that he was the District Secretary/Treasurer for Past Governor Bill Sherman and that Larry and his wife have enjoyed square dancing since 2004. He was a Human Resource Manager for a Manufacturing Company for many years, but he currently works part time at a funeral home.

Today we are meeting Mary Sanders. She has been a member of the Lincoln West Optimist Club for 5 years. Her favorite club project is the Branched Oak Halloween Haunt because it is a blast to get together with her fellow Optimists and give the kids a scare as they drive by on the hayrack ride, of course there is also candy (or toothbrush) tossing.. Her favorite line of the Creed is To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile because a smile costs nothing to give but can really make someone's day!. A little known fact about her is that she loves 80's Big Hair Bands. She works for UNL Dental College.

Liz Brueggemann has been a member of the Optimist-Auburn Chapter for about 3 years and is currently serving as their Club Vice President. Her favorite club project is Spookfest because it is the first project that she chaired. Her favorite line of the Creed is To be just as enthusiastic about the success of your others as you are about you own. A little known fact about her is that Liz worked for the Salvation Army in the summers as a High School Student in Beatrice, NE. She is a crop insurance agent.

Jordan Rishel has been a member of the Blair Optimist International Club for about 9 years. Her favorite club project is "Our First Responder Appreciation Cookout because we are very blessed in our Community to have wonderful volunteer fire, rescue & ems and Different law enforcement agencies. I have enjoyed being a part of creating this event and watching it grow each year. The amount of people in the community that want to be a part of it so that we can try to thank our First Responders is just awesome." Her favorite line of the Creed is To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others because "I feel like we can always be learning, always be working to be stronger or better and we do not know what others have gone through. We don’t know where others are in their personal journey so we have no right to judge them." She also admitted that it was tough to choose just one because she loves every line. A little known fact about her is that she is from Upstate New York and was an ice skating and ice hockey coach. She is the Director for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Sharon Brooks has been a member of the Optimist Club of Lincoln for 22 years. Her favorite project is Toss box a clothes collection project because “it provides a means of financial support for the club along with a way to assist the needy”. Her favorite line of the Creed is To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile because “it expresses a friendly greeting to those you meet along with a smile to add sincerity to the gesture”. A little known fact about Sharon is that she is a long time motorcycle rider and that she was married for 35 years before her husband Ron passed away in 1995. Before retiring, Sharon was an accountant for the State of Nebraska.

Today we are meeting John "Jack" Vincent. He has been a member of the York Optimist Club for 31 years. His favorite club project is the York Optimist Baseball Program and working with the kids. His favorite line of the Creed is To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. A little known fact about him is that he was on active duty for the US Army for 22 years (before retiring in 1987) and met his wife from Nebraska while he was teaching ROTC at UNL in 1976. While he is retired, he considers is job now to be a community volunteer in many areas.

Today we are meeting John Grimes. He has been a member of Norfolk Noon for 26 years. His favorite Club project is Project Christmas Tree Delivery which is a project where they deliver Christmas trees to families that may not have a tree otherwise along with stuff to decorate them. He enjoys it because "It's sad to see the environment that some children live in, but they are so thankful when we deliver their tree and decorations! Their smiles are precious". His favorite line of the Creed is To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others because "There's always time to criticize others😀, however the only person we can truly control is ourselves. Spend your efforts improving yourself, and lifting others up". A little known fact about John is that he has been married to his wife, Mechele, for 22 years. They have 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He is a retired safety/security manager, and now spends his time serving as a church worship leader/administrator. He also supports other safety professions through training, inspections, consultations, etc.

Maureen "Mo" Hunsberger has been a member of the Broken Bow Optimist Club for 19 years. Her favorite club project is soccer because "we provide a soccer program for children preschool thru 6th grade. It's just amazing to see Melham Park full of people enjoying the sport even though we do not have a high school program. It brings so many people together and there is always lots of smiles and laughter". Her favorite line of the Creed is To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true because "This line always makes me smile because we have a member that emphasizes this line when we read the creed at our meetings. Also, it pops in my mind when things are not going well to take a step back and take a different look". A little known fact about Mo is that she participated in Punt, Pass & Kick (PPK) when she was young (which was in the 1970's). She owns her own business as a broker of Ideal Realty, LLC.

Kendall Hickman has been a member of the Ogallala Optimist Club on and off for 25 years. While he enjoys all of the projects, his favorite Club Project is the Humphrey pond because "of all the use it gets from young, old and families". His favorite line of the Creed is To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet because "I like the complete optimist creed they are great words to live by if everyone would structure there life around them this world would be a better place. I’m in the hotel business there’s a lot of helping people with minor troubles, car-luggage and personal problems also there’s a lot of responsibility on keeping everything clean and tidy."

Zone 7 Lieutenant Governor Wendy Townley is a member of the Optimist Club of Omaha and has been an Optimist member for 5 years. Her favorite Club Project is Student of the Month because "It's a wonderful opportunity to recognize local elementary, middle, and high school students. It also serves as a great reminder of our youth-focused mission". Her favorite line of the Creed is To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble because "This is a much-needed reminder I need to hear throughout my day, and it's a great message that I can share with others. We're in this together!". An unknown fact about her is that she loves to craft. She is a novice when it comes to knitting and sewing, but she enjoys card making and other papercrafts. She is the Executive Director of the Omaha Public Library Foundation.

Zone 6 Lieutenant Governor Linda Wheeler is a member of the Blair Optimist International Club and Optimist Club of David City, NE and has been an Optimist member for 25 years. Her favorite Club Project is the Christmas Toy project for Washington County done by the Blair Club. Her favorite line of the Creed is To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future because it "makes me remember tomorrow can always be better". An unknown fact about her is that she loves to travel and read. She is a retired nurse.

Zone 5 Lieutenant Governor Margaret "Peg" Reynolds has been a member of the Lincoln West Optimist Club for 13 but was a member for a few months a few years before that. Her favorite Club project is Foster Care/Cedars Children home Movie Day in the spring. Her favorite line of the Creed is To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile because "it may bring sunshine and delight to someone who may really need it". We do not have a little known or unknown fact about Peg. She is an Ag Customer Support Specialist.

Zone 4 Lieutenant Governor Judith Conway Kluge is not sure how many years she has been an Optimist but is a member of 3 Clubs - David City, Hickman & Denton (Upon looking her up on Optimist Leaders, it was discovered that she has been a member of 6 Clubs in her 19 years of membership even though she has been around since before women were able to be members). Her favorite all time Club Project is T-Rx Meds Disposal program because it "brings awareness to all ages about the dangers of inappropriate disposal of medications, it potentially saves lives of all ages. Infants and toddlers from accidental ingestion/poisoning, elementary and teenagers from acquiring and potentially using or overdosing, adults and geriatrics from taking prescriptions which have been compromised by expired shelf life, sun and humidity. It is educational. And the huge blue dinosaur makes it fun." Her favorite line of the Creed is To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others because "what a wonderful world, if everyone believed and lived that philosophy, bullies would not exist, children would learn kindness and tolerance". An unknown fact about her is that "I was a featured baton twirler for the local high school for seven years. (first appearance at age 4). Was not allowed to perform as a high school student since a baton was not considered an instrument, and playing an instrument was a perequisite to join marching band. Coached three daughters to several Twirling Championships". Her most important occupation is being a homemaker.

Zone 3 Lieutenant Governor Jessica M. Von Fange is an 11 year member of the Wayne Optimist Club (although her first year and a half was as a Junior Optimist Member and she has been around the organization for more than half of her life). Her favorite club project is their Halloween Optimaze - "It was a cardboard box maze that kids crawled through and it was so much fun to see their faces when I would surprise them while taking pictures from somewhere in the maze" - unfortunately the club has lost the location and has retired this project. Her favorite line of the creed is PROMISE YOURSELF - "Because it reminds us that this is something we are striving for everyday and that I need to work to better myself". A little known fact about her is that she has been to 35 states and 2 Canadian Provinces - "More states than I am old and all but AZ have been visited going to or from Optimist Events". She is a substitute teacher for the South Sioux City Schools.

Zone 2 Lieutenant Governor David "Dave" Thelen is a 37 year member of the North Platte Optimist Club. His favorite club project is their Fishing Derby. His favorite line of the creed is To think only the best to work only for the best and to expect only the best "because it promotes never stoping always striving to accomplish more". A little known fact about him is that he sang at Carniege Hall in New York. He is a retired music teacher.

Zone 1 Lieutenant Governor Shelly Witt is a 4 year member of the Ogallala Optimist Club. Her favorite club project is Development of Beach Volleyball Complex. "This is a current project that we have partnered with our local NE West Volleyball Club to develop. It fits our motto of 'Friends of Youth' as it will benefit youth clubs across the region as well as local youth and families." Her favorite line of the creed is To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet because "being happy and smiling is contagious, what easier way to brighten another’s day than smiling!" A little known fact about her is that she has worked on a Hallmark movie set with Jessica Lange and Josh Hamilton - as a cat wrangler. Her occupation is Social Work.

Today we are meeting JOI Governor Alexis. She is a 7 year member of the Norfolk JOI Clubs with her current Club being the Norfolk Panther Octagon Club. Her favorite club project is Teens in the Driver Seat where "we alert teenagers the dangers and risks of distracted driving. I enjoy helping out with the activities we do for it because I feel it makes a change for a lot of people and may actually save some lives". Her favorite line of the creed is To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet because "People should refrain from talking negatively to each other as much as possible, I believe that every individual initially deserves respect, because we do not know what they are going through in their lives". A little known fact about her is that she is ambidextrous. She hopes to become a Crime Scene Investigator after college.

This year we will be doing Meet a Member Mondays. Today we are meeting JOI Governor Pareena. She is an 8 year member of the Norfolk JOI Clubs with her current Club being the Norfolk Panther Octagon Club. Her favorite club project is Zink the Zebra which is a project where the JOI members go into the local Elementary Schools and teach the students about accepting differences. It is based on a book about a spotted zebra. Her favorite line of the creed is To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. A little known fact about her is that she has never broken or sprained a bone in her body. She plans on going to college with an undecided major..

This year we will be doing Meet a Member Mondays, while today is not a Monday we are going to kick off the year by meeting Governor Cindy Von Fange. She is a 21 year member of the Wayne Optimist Club. Her favorite club project is Crafts for Kids because "it allows for us to experience the diversity and unique artistic talents of youth. We are working on reimagining it and updating it." Her favorite line of the creed is To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best "because the author of our Creed said it best in that the true optimist expects the best to happen but works to make the best happen". A little known fact about her is that she was born in a hospital that was also a nursing home. Cindy’s occupation is maintenance manager for Wriedt Properties.