Watch for exciting new Euchre, Great Prizes and Great Fun at our exciting NEW LOCATION

After the negative forecasts of former Optimist executives willing to cancel the concerts and accept a loss of $3200.  President Steve Hambley and President Elect Sybil Dewhurst pushed the event to a profitable end.

VILLAGE UNION AFTER SCHOOL BARBEQUE AND FUNDRAISER.  Optimist President Steve Hambley and Director Elizabeth Crosbie along with volunteers Andrea and Patricia served Hot Dogs and Pop at the event.  A Big Thank you to the Salvation Army for providing their vehicle to cook and serve the Hot Dogs.

Our next event is the Optimist Bingo, Tuesday at 10:15 at the Red Barn.

We are pleased to announce that Marjorie Ogden has accepted the position as Treasurer as many of you know she held this position earlier in the year, we are very happy to have her back.

Our club is growing in the last few weeks a number of new people and old friends, even former life members are coming back into the fold.

FYI the current executive of the Oshawa Optimist Club is as follows:

President:                      Steve Hambley

President Elect              Sybil Dewhurst

Treasurer                      Marjorie Ogden

Director (Bingo Chair) Sandy Crosbie

Director                         Elizabeth Crosbie

Director                         Greg Bamber

Acting Secretary           Sybil Dewhurst

Oshawa May 29

The day prior confermation was recieved by Mr. Ouellette’s office conerming the 9:00 am pickup of the students. Paul Barta was bitterly disappointed informing the Optimist Chair Person Sybil Dewhurst of the disappointed of the bus companies error. Barta further stated that this was the first time in the history of this event that this ever happend.

The largest attendance ever was posted by the particiapating organizations. The Oshawa group head the largest number of particiapance for this years event. The Optimist were forced to hire another bus to deliver the students to their destination arriving just in time for Lunch. Limited fishing was available as the general public had the use of the pond. Which was stocked with over 500 trout.

Photos of this event can be found on our site @ www.oshawaoptimist.ca/nggallery/page-319/album-8/gallery-87/

“It’s a great experience for everyone” remarked Optimist president elect and event chairperson Sybil Dewhurst. She continued saying ‘the kids will never forget this outing’ The Optimist bus departs Village Union Elementary school at 9:00 am.  Each Youth will receive an “ID” Optimist “T” Shirt. a fishing rod and reel, bait etc.  ”This way we can identify our KIDS  quickly ” said school principal John Love, after all will don’t want to lose anyone.  Expert ‘on hands’ assistance is being provided for the kids. A dedicated committee has been established by event coordinator Paul Barta supplying instructions, of how to bait, cast,clean the fish.  This is another opportunity for the Optimist Club of Oshawa to serve their mandate being a “Friend of Youth & Serving our Community” On Friday, the pond will be stocked with over 500 trout, thus insuring the kids of a “catch”

This marks the initial event for the Optimist members to celebrate this prestigious event. The arrangements where established and in the making a  few years back due to the lifetime friendship between Oshawa MPP Jerry Ouellette the former fisheries minister of Ontario and veteran Optimist member Jim Shaw. It now has finally became a reality. In recent years, the Optimist Club of Oshawa has suffered from the lack of funds. Their main raiser was drained with the lost of Bingo revenue when the Hideaway Bingo Auditorium went into receivership. The Oshawa club had operated successful Bingo’s for 27 years serving as the main fundraiser. Without money available it was difficult to participate and in any community event. The Optimist have rebounded conducting a successful  2009 car raffle. and  now have secured a new Bingo venue hosting monthly sessions at the Red Barn Auditorium.

The Optimist have joined  forces with other community minded groups including the South Lake Ontario Conversation group, Ducks Unlimited Durham , Calvary Baptist Church, Regional Police DRPS, Emm’s Sporting Goods, Eastview Boys and Girls club, Halliburton Highland Outdoor  Association, Hawg Town Bassmasters, Lindsay Trappers Council, Muskies Canade, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Zone E, Ontario Deer Hound Association, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Ontario Power Generation, Ontario Sporting Dog Association, Oshawa Community Health, Optimist Club of Oshawa, Pickering Rod & Gun Club, Since Hall Settlement House, South Central, Ontario Fish & Wildlife Association, South Oshawa Teen Council, Toronto Argonauts Football Club, Toronto Sportsmen Show, Val-Mart Lindsay, Westmount Kiwanis Club.

Optimist will be supplying the adult supervision to maintain safety during the day. They will follow-up on June 3rd with a monster school fun/community day all sponsored by the membership of the local service club.

Another solid late night crowd witnessed the Optimist members operated  their norman  professional style operating under the leadership of co-event chairs Sandy & Elizabeth Crosbie. Elizabeth was celebrating her 65th . She claims being a volunteer at  bingo is  the place she wanted to be,  working beside friends whose mandate is serving the Oshawa Community and Youth.

Profits from the monthly showcase is directed to-wards the 27th annual Christmas Food Hamper & Toy Delveries set for Sun. Dec. 19th this year.

Helper working the  bingo included president elect Sybil Dewhurst, treasurer Gord Johnson, directors Eric Goodwin, Peter Pniauskas and club secretary Jim Shaw.

Next scheduled bingo is set for Tues. June 15th. Volunteers wishing to help should  contact either Elizabeth or Sandy Crosbie at 289-240-6399 or email scandec@hotmail.com , It’s a rewarding experience besides being a lot of fun.

OSHAWA, May 02

Oshawa Optimist Club members Elizabeth and Sandy Crosbie are spearheaded this month’s end showcase. The Crosbie native “Scots” themselves have been close friends of the Alexander Brothers for decades. “There doing the shows as a personal favour to us” remarked Elizabeth who is predicting a complete sell-out for both performance.

The local Optimist Club of Oshawa are the prime sponsors and are footing the bill for the air travel fare, accommodations and meals during there stay. A reduced performance price has been secured between the Optimist and the two brothers Tom and Jack.

Any entertainment fan will enjoy their two hour non-stop performance. “There professionals right from the get-go” smiled Sandy who can’t wait to renew the Crosbie’s long standing friendship. Prior to this official announcement, the Optimist Club of Oshawa and it’s members have been fielding ticket request at a rapid pace. Tickets will go on sale May 6th.

The brothers first professional appearance occurred at the Webster Theatre in Arbroath, Scotland. Ross Bowie became their manager and relationship surviving for 35 years.A major break-through occurred in 1962 when songwriter Tony Hatch heard them. Hatch brought them to London and recorded their first Album “Highland Fling” which turned into a massive seller. A single recorded song became a instant hit in 1964 called. “Nobody’s Child” . At that point the Boys where outselling the Beattles.

They operated a TV series and appeared at the world famous and legendary London Palladium during prime Sunday evenings. During their outstanding five decade plus career they’ve appeared at all the top world’s top theatre’s including New York City’s Carnegie Hall and the world famous Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Born in Cambusnethan near Wishaw, their father Jimmy, was a steel worker and the driving force behind the family. Blessed with natural musical talent their mother Helen sang and played the piano.Tom originally started to learn the accordion and in 1952 at the age of 9 won the Classical Open solo at the Glasgow, NOAOF.championships. Jack is an accomplished piano player. By the age of 11 he had secured several diplomas.

After leaving school, the Alexander Brothers gained valuable experience playing before live audiences winning every contest they entered during at six year period from 1950-thru-1956. After a stint in the National Service they turned professional and developed a repertoire of Scottish material.

Tom and Jack have recorded over 30 albums and countless singles of the ‘Pye’ and ‘RCA’ labels.

Flooded with radio/television offers they co-starred with Shirley Bassey in 1967 during the famous London Palladium show. For years they received top ratings while hosting shows for STV.

Their achievements and success has been well documented at major venues within the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada. Now it’s Oshawa’s turn to roll out the welcome carpet and enjoy to celebrating their incredible career.

Senior tickets to be discounted…

Oshawa Optimist 29th president Stephen Hambley call this tour appearance as a “Windfall” for his club. By bringing the Alexander Brothers to Oshawa it’s another way we are serving our mandate supporting the Youth and Community’ “We are very fortunate”remarked Hambley to secure the Alexander Brothers,they are world famous entertainers” He continued to say,”thank god the long standing relationship between the Alexander Brothers and the Crosbie’s, this will translate into profits which will go directly to our 27th Annual Christmas Food Hamper & Toy Deliveries scheduled for Dec. 19, 2010′

Each festive season, the Optimist purchase than deliver Xmas Food Hampers & Toys to needy local families selected and screened by the Salvation Army. ‘Last year the club conducted a Car Raffle to fund the project’ said Hambley. This project has $25,000.00 fee to operate.

“Keeping in focus of serving the community, the event sponsor are offering discounting tickets for Seniors and complete table group purchases’ commented a confident Hambley. Sales will commence on Thursday, May 6th with seats and tables sold will come on a first come first served basis.

Tickets will be available on line from ticketweb.ca via tele – at 1-888-222.6608,

and from local business outlets including

Wilson & Lee Music Store 87 Simcoe St. N, Oshawa 905-725-4706,
the UK Shoppe 91 George St. in Peterborough 1-705-745-0085,
the White Heather Scottish Bakery 209 Dundas St. Whitby 905-666-4827,
Isle Skye Gifts & Highland Dancing 373 Wilson S. Oshawa,
the Wee Tartan Shop 177 Queen St. Port Perry 905-985-6573,
the But’N'Ben Scottish Bakery in Pickering located at 619 Kingston Road 905-420-6200 and their Scarborough venue 1509 Ellesmere Avenue location 1-416-438-4214.

Ticket prices have been established at $29.99 (Scottish Discount) for individuals, seniors admission is set for $25.00 while groups of 10 for a table will receive a special Optimist 10% discount.

Included in the price each ticket sold includes a lunch comprised those famous Scottish meat pies with peas, coffee and tea for each performance. A cash bar is available.

Oshawa: May o1; The Optimist Club of Oshawa Inc have joined the Kid’s Fishing Derby 2010 team operated by popular Oshawa MPP Jerry Ouellette. It’s the 10th anniversary for this prestigious event.The annual derby will be held at the Heber Downs Conservation Area on Sat. May 29th.

For years Ouellette has proposed a partnership with the Oshawa Optimist to join the family-fun-filled day.”Optimist Jim Shaw and I have been friends for decades” remarked Ouellette who made the official announcement to-day.

Shaw stated “as a organization we a proud to join the other community minded groups in helping the kids which serves our mandate of being a “Friend Of Youth”.

Mr.Ouellette is the former Minister of Fisheries for the province.

In the past few years,the Optimist where forced to cut-back or eliminate Youth related community events due to lack of funds.For over 25 years the Optimist Club of Oshawa main fund raiser weekly bingo’s at Whitby’s Hideaway Auditorium was closed Jan. 31,2009 going into receivership. With no incoming in,the Optimist where forced to cut-back or eliminate projects .

The Optimist have rebounded conducting a successfull car from May to December 2009 and have secured a new bingo venue at the Red Barn Auditorium in Oshawa last July. To-day they’re back on the right side of the financial ledger. For six months funds where non existent.

President elect Sybil Dewhurts who takes over the top position effective Oct. lst, 2010 is the driving force behind the fishing derby. She stated “this fishing derby is helping to-day’s youth and getting involved with the community is what the Optimist club is all about.

Her plans are the transport 50 students from the Village Union Eliminatory School to the Herber Downs site. The majority of the kids have never fished before. This experience will served as a liftime of memories.

Besides the enjoyment of fishing the kids will enjoy a BBQ lunch a variety of assorted treats while enjoying the benifits of being outdoors. Countless support groups like the Optimist will be displaying their individual programs ie-teaching how to bait the fishing rods, proper use of conversation,community health, face painting, lure making, casting procedure, instructions of the how to clean the fish, Even the CFL Toronto Argos will have a display and instructions on how to catch and throw a football.

Other wise it not just a fun day it serves as a education tool for unlimited appreciated of the outdoors.

All youngster will be supplied fishing poles with bait including professional and safety instruction will be provided. Over 750 will be stocked in advance for the event.

OSHAWA, April 20th

Under the direction of Alexandra ‘Sandy’ Crosbie the Optimist Bingo chair, he operated with strong group of volunteers comprised of Peter Pniauskas, Eric Goodwin, Sybil Dewhurst, club president Stephen Hambley and Jim Shaw. After her night shift nursing duties Crosbie’s wife Elizabeth appear relieving home bound helpers.

Crosbie announced the bingo record keeping balanced 100%.

Profits from this importantr fundraiser goes directly the Youth and Community Events. Future projects into the “Kids Fishing Derby’ followed by the 19th annual Blast Ball Tournaments for Youth ages 3 to 9 years.

The Red Barn Charity Association have announced the summer month assigned bingo’s for the Oshawa Optimist. Dates include May 18, June 15, July 13 and Aug 17. Volunteers are request to report by 9 pm for the card count and job related assignments.

Volunteer help is always required.
Helpers are always required for bingo nights. .

OSHAWA, April 19th

Master of Ceremonies Ken ‘Story Teller’ Ferrill saluted those in attendance, said without the Euchre club a spin off of Optimist movement the Optimist club would have folded last spring.

At that point, the local service club had only $2.86 in the bank The future was gloomy with the lost of their bingo at the Hideaway Hall in Whitby and with no apparent means of fundraising. Our city was hit by hard times with massive layoffs, plant closures effecting the mainstream economy.

Founded in Oshawa on July 22, 1982 the Optimist vaulted back ‘taking a chance’ operating a first time car raffle. Working in harmony with the local business, the print and electronic media the Oshawa club has turned the corner eliminating the troublesome times and appear are back on solid footing again.

‘Everyone should be honoured’ quipped Stephen Hambley who engineered the overhaul comeback.He engineering the turn around by accepting his 3rd term president. Without his leadership and positive attitude towards our Oshawa Youth and Community requirements. Now the local club has a new sense of acceptance of accomplishment.Membership was reduced to five members mow has tripled. Volunteers in the last eight months have arose from the woodwork of new found supporters. They now consider the Optimist movement as the place to contributed their volunteer hours.

Worth-while programs that had been eliminated of reduced are now back.

The club operates one major community or youth event monthly. Last week-end was a perfect example of improvement. Ten members aided the Kiwanis club in their 12th Annual Kiwanis Spring Food Drive for needy Oshawa families. This group collecting a record smashing 58,000 pounds.

Back on track,is the re-invention of the Wado Kai Karate Club tournament, the spring break Family Skate & Pancake breakfast, the Community Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) and the always popular 26th annual Optimist Christmas Food & Toy deliveries held Dec. 20th. The Optimist calendar year runs from October till September.

Now everything remains positive. Our membership are having fun,enjoying themselves to the fullest while helping our community. The Optimist are working like well oiled machine jellying as a team serving their mandate of being a “Friend of Youth”.

Last night (April 19) marked another comeback effort. The 4 year old Monday Nite Euchre club closed it’s doors recording another outstanding year in fundraising. Closed for the summer, recording at 15% increase in attendance for 2009-2010 in attendance. It was just four years earlier the Monday nite euchre started with two tables compared the 16 tables operated last night. Certainly everything has flourished as the games are geared to have fun.

Local business merchants supporters of the car raffle sales, the print and elected media ,Ivan Downey and Lori Armstrong representing the Salvation Army and the winner of the General Motors produced “Vibe” Paula Wineck from Whitby enjoyed a 3 course sit-down dinner creating an atmosphere of bonding enjoyment.

This charismatic atmosphere was unbelievable.

After the awards presentations everyone stayed for a night of Progressive Euchre while enjoying the music supplied by a three piece sing-a-long Newfie band who called themselves Peter, Paul and Marion. This hootany style of singing worked majic for the Optimist and their friends.

Card results saw Frances Hirst deposited her four lone hands into a 89 points and was declared the nite’s champion.Top male player was Bob ‘Dirt’ Burtinsky with 81 points . The 2009-2010 lone hands champion with 70 chipped chipped in with 4 LH’s this time.

Among the guest Shelda Woods ,Discount Car Rentals General Manager crushed her opposition scoring 72 points while Mike Kalynko president of the annual Auto Fest show recorded 50 points. Despite his low effort was the important thing….he had FUN. Kalynko is running this autumn for local council. CKDO-am Morning host Terry Johnston couldn’t believe the excitement that prevailed and enjoyed the evening.This trioka even inquired about jointing the Optimist movement.

Monday Nite Euchre players saluted the individual award winners. Dave Conway was named the ‘Best of the Best’ capturing the prestigious percentage award with an average with 69.79 average. To quality a player must appear in 75% of the 2009-2010 scheduled games. This allows for a player to be absent for winter vacation, illness etc. He basically lead from ‘wire to wire’ proving to be the steadiest player. Bob ‘Dirt’ Burtinsky was crowned the lone hands title holder with 70 while Jim Duval collected the season overall most points with 1,811. Likeable Kenny Graves was presented the Jim Shaw “Goof Ball” Award for being named incorrectly the percentage leader earlier.

Five ladies received special flowers from the Optimist Euchre Club. Accepting where Marg Ross who travels weekly from Pontypool to serve as special host and greater, Fay Graves elimates her work schedule taking time off work on Monday’s to help Ross.Audrey Thompson a native of Newfoundland spends her eight weeks vacation in Ontario working Optimist Euchre. Marg Conway and Pat ‘Baba’ Passfield supply the weekly home made deserts. This time it was strawberry short cake from ‘Baba’s kitchen while Conway’s favourite is butter tarts.

To conclude the success evening special lucky draw prizes where awarded in lieu of the weekly 50/50 draw. Winners where Sandy Crosbie receiver of the donated $300.00 sculpture from fellow player David Buchan-Terrill. Bob Blair won the $125.00 Mirco Wave Oven, Brian Tremblay went home a six piece $500.00 Patio set that included the table, four chairs and umbrella, Greg Brooks will enjoy a 25 box of hand woven cigars from the Dominican Republic,Those are worth $18.00 per. Elizabeth Crosbie is now a proud owner of 50,000 Watt $500.00 BBQ, while Mike Logan will be peddling his legs around town in $400.00 mountain bike.

The euchre season is over. Action resumes on Sept 13th at Johnny’s Original Eatery. Meanwhile the Optimist events continued with the “Kids Fishing Derby’ and the 19th annual Youth Blast Ball tournament for youngsters age 3 to 9, scheduled plus a just announced four day series of concerts by the touring Alexandra Brothers from Scotland. They are celebrating their 50th anniversary in show business from May 26 to the 30th. The Oshawa Optimist are the backers for this show. Location will be announced within a week. Oshawa Optimist Alexandra (Sandy) Crosbie and his wife also an Optimist Elizabeth are the promotors .

OSHAWA, April 17

On Saturday, seven members supported the 12th annual Kiwanis Spring Food drive pickups for needy local families. Operated by the three Oshawa Kiwanis Clubs- Westmount, sydenham and Oshawa AM seven Optimist donated time from their busy individual schedules to help pick up groceries from the neighbourhoods in support of the Simcoe Hall Settlement House.

Chair Rick Brooks from the Kiwanis stated he required 200 volunteers to help make the weekend event a complete success. The Kiwanis where seeking 50,000 pounds of food in support of their cornerstone motto mission statement of ‘Serving the Children of the World’ He continued saying ‘without the cooperation from the Oshawa Optimist this venture wouldn’t have happened’ The Optimist mandate is being a “Friend of Youth & Community”.

Securing reliable volunteers seems to have become obsolete.

Greg Bamber,Jackie Norman Bamber, Fay & Ken Graves, Ken ‘Story Teller’Ferrill, Cathy Kehoe and Jim Shaw represented the Optimist.