CLUB HISTORY

The Beginning of the Club:

May 22, 1985 

• The Chillicothe Optimist Club was officially organized with 40 men as Charter Members.  The Club was sponsored by The Noon Optimist Club of Peoria

May 25, 1985 

• The Chillicothe Optimist Club was affiliated with Optimist International and the Illinois District.  We will be operating under the slogan “Friend of Youth.”

July 13, 1985 

• The Chillicothe Optimist Club held its Charter Banquet at Arrowhead County Club with approximately 100 in attendance.

Fundraisers and Activities:

Aug. 1985 

• Worked the concession stand at the air show.

• Held a Bicycle Safety Clinic for kids and adults at Shore Acres Park.  This program was held for several years.

Nov. 1985

• Installed new Optimist Club Signs at the north and south entrances to Chillicothe.

• Had entries in the Santa Parade to advertise our club and our motto.

July 1987

• The Optimist International Convention was held and members voted to allow women to join the local Optimist Clubs for the first time.

Aug. 1987

• Marian Crull was the 1st woman to join the Chillicothe Optimist Club, and also the 1st in the Illinois District to join the ranks.  Loretta Davis joined in October 1987 and the rest is history!

Sept. 1987

• Had a boneless rib sandwich stand for fundraiser at the Chillicothe Days Celebration.

Oct. 1987

• Marian Crull took over the duties of Optimist Bulletin Editor.

Nov. 1987

• Chillicothe Optimist Club and Constable Camera (Gary Fyke) sponsored a “Picture Your Child with Santa” fundraiser.  We took over 40 pictures and made $75.00.

• The Chillicothe Optimist Club voted to “Adopt” the IVC Support Group – (The positive growth of Chillicothe Area Youth).  We donated $500.00 to help finance the group’s “Life Saver Weekend Retreat” on Nov. 20-22, 1987.  Mrs. Margaurite Admire, Chairman, Brian Cluskey, Billy Galindo and Mike Hutchings were some of the Adult Leaders.  This program was continued for several years at IVC.

April 1989

• We established the 1st Annual “Student Optimist of the Year Award” to be given to a senior student who has met a criteria of our club.  This award continues thru today.  Eric Mercer was our 1st winner, receiving a $50.00 U.S. Savings Bond and a bronze plaque of the Optimist Creed.

June 1989

• After several club members helped with the Valley Community YMCA’s River run for 2-3 years, we took over the race as a fund raiser for our club.  This race was started in 1980 by the YMCA and we have continued this race thru the present time.  Our main sponsor is Proctor Hospital.

July 1989

• The Optimist International Convention was held in Indianapolis and was attended by Harry & Marian Crull.  Harry attended the Lieutenant Governor-Elect training session as he served as Lieutenant Governor for our zone during 1989-90.

• Club vests were ordered by many of the members to be worn at fund raisers and other club functions.

Sept. 1989

• Chillicothe Days – our club held a raffle, a community auction and manned a food trailer for the 2nd year and decided this was the last for this event (too many other events in the area).

Oct. 1989

• Landscaping around the north “Welcome to Chillicothe” sign was completed.  A rock garden with 9 briar berry bushes was installed by 9 club members and volunteers.

Dec. 1989

• Club members volunteered to help paint, repair, or whatever needs to be done to help renovate Pearce Community Center.  The work was done in March 1990.

• The Christmas Lighting Contest was held in Chillicothe, sponsored by our club and the Chillicothe Bulletin.  It was a huge success for the second year.  Our club furnished $200.00 of the $300.00 given as prizes.

• Our club received “Honor Club” status for the 1st time for year 1988-1989.

Sept. 1991

• Prepared a Spaghetti Dinner at the IVC High School kitchen to serve to the voyageurs who were camped at Shore Acres Park for several days.  They shared with everyone the importance of our heritage on the Illinois River.

• Many of our club members took a tour of the St. Jude’s Midwest Affiliate at Methodist Medical Center.  We were given the tour by Marsha Swardenski, the Executive Director of St. Jude’s Midwest Affiliate.  We learned a lot about pediatric cancer.  There weren’t any patients there on weekends.

Nov. 1991

• Donated $1,000.00 to Dan Dietrich, Director of the IVC Marching Band at IVC.

April 1993

• Respect for Law Dinner was held at Dock Side Restaurant, sponsored by our club, several other organizations and the City of Chillicothe.  We honored retiring Police Officer Bob Munk.  A plaque and pin were presented to Bob who had served our town for many years.

May 1993

• We entered our float in the Claud-Elen Days Parade.  Our float entitled “Children Are the Flowers of our Lives” won 1st place.  A check for $200.00 was received.

June 1993

• Held another entertaining Kiddie Parade during the River Road Days.

Aug 1993

• Held our 2nd cookout/swimming party at Arrowhead for the Little League.

Sept. 1993

• Presented our 2nd Annual “Friend of Youth” Award to Chillicothe Police Officer Rick Mark who is the D.A.R.E. Officer for area schools.

Dec. 1993

• Our Optimist Club took over the program of providing “Gifts for Youth” to be distributed with the food baskets given by the Community Needs Agency.  The Kiwanis Club had previously taken care of this program but their club had folded.

Mar. 1995

• Our club sponsored and chaperoned a St. Patrick’s Day Dance for 149 5th, 6th and 7th graders at Pearce Community Center.  Entertainment included a D.J., a magician, dancing, snacks and door prizes.

July 1995

• Our club co-sponsored the 2nd annual “Chilli Cruise-In” at Pearce.  This was an all day event with all proceeds going to Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of Central Illinois.

• Many of our club members and families attended “Optimist Night with the Chiefs” – free tickets provided with donations from six area Optimist Clubs.  Each club, including ours, donated $175.00.

• Our club celebrated 10 years of serving the Youth of Chillicothe by having a picnic in the backyard of Dennis and Kathy McLaughlin’s home.  Over 40 were in attendance, which included members of the Peoria Noon Club, which was our sponsor when our club was formed 10 years ago.

Sept. 1995

• Many of our club members helped dismantle and remove the playground equipment from the former North School *(now the Chillicothe Bible Church).  Our plan was to reinstall this equipment at Shore Acres Park but current rules and regulations on used equipment prevented us from completing this project.

• Max Bundy received our 4th Annual “Friend of Youth” Award for his dedication to Children through his work in the Little League and Basketball Programs.  Marian Crull received the 2nd Annual President’s Appreciation Award.

Oct. 1995

• Our Optimist Club took care of the children’s program during the 1st Quarter District Meeting held at the Hotel Pere Marquette in Peoria.  The child care was for 4 years and up, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  They enjoyed rolls and juice and then a trip to Pearce Community Center for swimming, basketball, games and crafts as well as lunch.  The evening consisted of a pizza party and a movie.  It was a fun day for all.

• First Female President - Pat Heiden

Nov. 1995

• An article about our club was written for the new Chillicothe Historical book put out by the Chillicothe Historical Society.

Jan. 1997

• Chillicothe Optimist Club was an Honor Club during the 1995-06 club year.  This was recognized at the 2nd Quarter Meeting in the Illinois District.

Mar 1997

• The Club took ownership of the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. It was held in City Park.

May 1997

• There were 265 entries in the 17th Annual 5K River Run for Wellness.

July 1997

• The 3rd Annual Chilli Fest was held sponsored by the Chillicothe Chamber.  Our club sponsored a free Bicycle Safety Program in Cutright Park, we also coordinated the Fun-Zee Olympic Games.  The unconventional “Olympic” games included boxing (building a tower with boxes), fencing (building a fence), field-hockey (tossing a cow-chip for distance), and a 3K Run, where three people with the letter “K” in their alias run a short distance while tied together.  Entry fee was $1.00 each per child.

Aug. 1997

• Chillicothe Summer Theatre presented “Music Man” and our club manned the concession stand making a profit of about $500.00.

Sept. 1997

• The Kelly-Miller Circus came to town sponsored by the Chillicothe Optimist Club and the Chillicothe Lions Club.  The profits were split between our two clubs.

Apr. 1999

• The Teacher’s Station was purchased and installed in the computer lab.  A large bronze plaque of the Optimist Creed was also donated to be hung in the Computer Lab.  Optimist Club members were present for the dedication and to try out the computers.

May 1999

• 252 runners and walkers participated in the 9th Annual River run for Wellness

Aug. 1999

• The 2nd Annual Chillicothe Decoy and Outdoor Collectible Show was held at Three sisters Park sponsored only by the Chillicothe Optimist Club.

• Chillicothe Summer Theatre presented “The Wizard of Oz” and the concessions were handled by the Optimist Club.

Oct. 1999

• Bette Gibbs, a kindergarten teacher for 42 years at Chillicothe was our 8th Annual “Friend of Youth” award winner at the Installation of Officers Banquet at Three Sisters Park.

• Spider Hill Halloween attraction opened at Three Sisters Park.  Our club was co-sponsor of this month long event held each weekend in October.  Our first year attendance was 8,000 and our share of the profit was over $18,000.00, which was given back to youth programs through mini grants.

Jan. 2001

• We held out annual Christmas party for our Club members with a breakfast (prepared by several club member ladies) and a white elephant gift exchange for fun.  After the breakfast party we set up for our 2nd Annual Spider Hill Thank You Party that was held later in the evening.  About 150 people attended the Thank You party co-hosted by the Chillicothe Optimist Club and Three Sisters Park.  Lots of food, pizza, music for dancing, and karaoke was enjoyed by the adults and kids.  Everyone also received thank you gifts.

• A contest was held for the name of our monthly newsletters, and Dick Howarth was the winner with “Optimistically Speaking.”

• Information was sent out for local youth groups to apply to our club for mini grants for funds for their youth programs.  This was the 2nd year we had funds available from Spider Hill to disperse back into the community.  Thirteen grant applications were received.

• New club polo shirts were ordered from Parr Silkscreen.  Many club members ordered shirts with our without a pocket and in various colors.

Feb. 2001

• The 2nd Quarter District Meeting was held in Glenview, IL.  Lt. Gary Fyke and Harry and Marian Crull attended.  We were asked in advance to talk about Spider Hill in the Fund Raising Session at the meeting.  We took scrapbooks, flyers for Spider Hill and Three Sisters Park, and several posters for Show and Tell.  The attendees were very interested in our presentation and asked many questions.

• Plans were made for our 4th Social Event to attend the River Valley Player’s Dinner Theatre in Henry, IL.  The play is “Forty Second Street” to be presented in April.  Two of our local high school students will sing and dance in the show.

Mar. 2001

• One of our local high school girls (Jamie Yarger) was killed in a tragic car accident.  As a club, we were asked to help furnish food for the funeral luncheon.  Thirty five club members donated covered dishes, desserts and $129.25 (for the family).

• Seventeen club members attended the Youth Dance at Pearce at their invitation so they could express their thanks for our donation last fall for lighting, music, etc.  The evening was enjoyable.

April 2001

• We presented ten checks totaling $15,500.00 from the Spider Hill profits to the grant applicants who were chosen.

• The Drug Prevention Poster Contest was held for 3rd, 4th and 5thgrade school students.  The winning posters by a boy and a girl will be taken to the District Meeting in May to be judged with the others from around the state.

• The Easter Egg Hunt was moved to Three Sisters Park this year.  Games, face painting and story telling were some of the activities planned.  We also spend $135.00 for a new and larger Easter Bunny costume.

• We sponsored a boys team for the Chillicothe Summer Youth Program.

May 2001

• Starting in May, Spider Hill work nights were set up for every Thursday evening all summer.  Two volunteers from our club will furnish a light supper at 6:00 p.m. each evening.

• Respect for Law Week was observed at our club meeting by three of our club members – Attorneys Chris Cassidy, Mike Mahoney and Police Officer Gary Fyke.  This program is an annual Optimist International program to be held each year in May.

• The 21st Spring Run for Wellness was held in spite of the rain, with over 215 runners.  Steve Wilson, Director of Marketing at Proctor Hospital was on hand to pass out the trophies.  He was also responsible for getting a $2,500.00 donation for our club each year.

• May 23rd, IVC Senior Honors Night was held at IVC.  President Marian Crull presented the Annual Student Optimist of the Year Award to two seniors this year as there was a tie.  Adam Frank and Katie O’Brian were the winners.  Each received a check for $100.00 in a graduation card from the club and a copy of our Optimist Creed on a desk plaque.

June 2001

• The Annual Junior Golf Tournament was held at Arrowhead Country Club.  About 20 boys and girls were expected to participate from IVC and area schools.  A record 33 boys and one girl turned out.

• Dan Donnelly was Chairman of the Annual Flag Day Project.

July 2001

• The July 21st Meeting was held at Crossword Case to view the building and hear of their plans.  We had donated $5,000.00 from Spider Hill profits to help them get started.

• We donated funds for the Bicycle Rack that was installed on the west end of the Chillicothe River Corridor Park Walkway.

Aug. 2001

• The 4th Annual Chillicothe Decoy and Wildlife Show was held at Three Sisters Park.  We sponsored this show and 270 people attended along with 59 tables reserved by exhibitors.

Sept. 2001

• The Installation of Officers and Directors Banquet was held at Three Sisters Park.  Dr. Dave Kinney received our Friend of Youth Award.  The 1st Annual Optimist of the Year Award was given to Gary Fyke.

• The Chillicothe Optimist Club purchased the new scoreboard for the Chillicothe Junior Football League’s multi-purpose field at IVC High School.  This project was three years in the making and the dedication was held in September 2001.

Oct. 2001

• New President Marilyn DeVoss and Vice President Dick Howarth attended the 1st Quarter District Meeting in Peoria.  They learned that the CPA Book that was done on our East Egg Hunt was the winner at the Illinois State level and was sent on to Optimist International for further judging.  It did not win at that level.  Marian Crull prepared the book.

• This was our 3rd year co-sponsoring Spider Hill.  The new storage building/Haunted House has been completed and is ready to be used during our weekend shows this month.

Nov. 2001

• Youth Appreciation Week was observed at our club meeting.  Six students from local schools and their parents were our guests for breakfast.  They each received an Optimist Coaster, Appreciation Certificate and a $25.00 gift certificate for the Book Emporium.

Dec. 2001

• We rang the bell for the Salvation Army and also took care of the toy program for the Community Needs Agency Food Basket Program for the needy.

• The Optimist Club and the Chillicothe Wrestling Club provided the funds for a new wrestling mat purchased by IVC.  A dedication was held on Dec. 11, 2001, at Pack the Gym Night.  Some of our club members were on hand for the dedication.

Jan. 2003

• The annual Club Christmas Party was held at the Chillicothe Historical Society.

Apr. 2003

• The Annual Easter Egg Hunt was held at Three Sisters Park with hundreds of children participating.

May 2003

• The Drug Poster Contest was held for all 4th graders at local schools.  The theme this year was “The Joy of Being Drug Free”.  The two local winning students each won a $50.00 savings bond from Associated Bank in Chillicothe.  Trish Westerman-Connor was chairman this year.

• The 23rd Annual 5K River Run for Wellness was held.  Many runners turned out for this event.

• Over $16,000.00 was donated back into the community through mini grants provided with our Spider Hill profits.

June 2003

• The Junior World of Golf Tournament was held.

• The Flag Day give away was held.

• Our “Relay for Life” team this year was the “Butt Stompers”.  Our goal was to stomp out cigarette smoking.  A fun-filled night was enjoyed by all who participated.

Aug. 2003

• The annual Decoy Show was enjoyed by over 250 people.

Sept. 2003

• Our annual Installation of Officers and Directors Banquet was held at Grecian Gardens.  The mystery event that was announced was where we had to go in order to present our “Friend of Youth” Award.  Many of our members went to Taylor Field at IVC where a football game was being played.  At half-time, the IVC Band performed and then we walked onto the track to present Dan Dietrich, the Band Director, with our award.  He was very surprised.

• A new project was undertaken, that being offering the Peoria Dining Tour Coupon Books for sale to our members and friends for $30.00 each.  Each club member received $5.00 credit toward their dues for each book sold.

Oct. 2003

• Spider Hill was again a huge success and the attendance keeps going up each year.  A blood drive was also held the first night.

Dec. 2003

• The toy drive was held again along with the Christmas Basket distribution through the Community Needs Agency.

April 2005

• Our Optimist Club gave out over $23,000.00 in funds raised through Spider Hill and other fund raisers.  Twenty-one different youth related groups received various amounts.

May 2005

• The Chillicothe Optimist Club received the 2005 Pride and Performance Award from the IVC High School Band Director, Dan Dietrich.  The award is given annually to a person or group which has contributed outstanding support to the IVC Band Program.  President Jerry Anderson accepted the award.  Our name is engraved on a large plaque which hangs in the commons area at IVC.

• The Chillicothe Optimist Club celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a banquet at Shore Acres Club House on May 12, 2005.  Special guests were Illinois Optimist International Governor, Dr. Jerry Wolf and his wife Margaret.  Nine of our past presidents were present.  Charter President, Harry and Marian Crull were each presented an Optimist of the Year Award plaque for their support of this club’s efforts.

• A donation of $500.00 was given to the IVC Key Club for Habitat for their Humanity Fund.

• The 25th Anniversary of the River Run for Wellness was held with a very good turnout of runners.

June 2005

• 15 boys and girls participated in the Junior Golf Tournament at the Leo Donovan Golf Course in Peoria.

Sept. 2005

• The Installation of Officers and Directors for 2005-2006 Banquet was held at Shore Acres Club House.  The annual “Friend of Youth” award was presented to John Heffron, Director of Crossword Cafe.

Dec. 2005

• The annual Toy Program was held in conjunction with the Christmas Basket Program for the less fortunate in our community.

Jan. 2007

• The Spider Hill Committee distributed over $26,000.00 to area groups who had volunteered to help put on the 2006 shows.  A part of this distribution was $10,000.00 that was returned to the Optimist Club.  This was seed money that was used to help get Spider Hill started in 1999. The partnership with Three Sisters and Spider Hill ended.

April 2007

• The annual Easter Egg Hunt was held at Shore Acres Park for the first time, and it proved to be a great place for this event.

• The annual Drug Free Poster Contest was held.  The theme was “Joys of Living Drug Free”.  Our two local winners received $50.00 savings bonds from First National Bank and South Side Bank.  The local winning posters were sent on to the State level where Colton Colwell’s poster won 1st Place and he received a $100.00 savings bond and Megan Westerman-Connor’s poster won 2nd place.  She received a $50.00 savings bond.

• The Club hosted a NOW (New Optimist Members Wanted) dinner at Grecian Gardens on April 25th.  Our featured speaker was Illinois Optimist Governor, Jerry Emery.  Six guests, along with club members and spouses attended the dinner.  Several of the guests planned to join our club.

May 2007

• A check for $500.00 was donated to the Camp Invention Program.  Jennie Hawkey accepted the check and explained to the members how the money would be used.

• A check for $1,000.00 was presented to Laini Greenstein, Children’s Librarian at the Chillicothe Public Library for the summer reading program.

• John Heffron, Director of Crossword Café accepted a check for $500.00 from our club for youth activities at the Cafe.

• The 27th annual River Run for Wellness 5K Race was held with 150 runners participating.  Two new course records were set.  The men’s new record was set at 15:35, and the women’s new record was 18:45.

• Ben Gauwitz, an IVC Senior, was awarded our Student Optimist of the Year Award.  He was presented with a $500.00 scholarship.

Aug. 2007

• The club prepared and served lunch at Shore Acres Park for the Chief Gomo Gathering & Rendezvous.

Mar. 2009

• A $1,000.00 donation was presented to Gail Hintze, the Children’s Librarian at the Chillicothe Public Library, for the summer reading program.

• Five area students were each presented a $50.00 gift certificate as they were honored during our Youth Appreciation Week.

April 2009

• A donation of $300.00 was presented to Lisa Hammer of the Rome Youth Activities, to sponsor a team.  The Optimist Club will have a banner with our logo placed on the fence at the Gotch Ball Diamond.

May 2009

• A check for $500.00 was presented to Sandi Level to help send the Hair Company Kids to a dance competition in Wisconsin Dells.

• The 29th River Run for Wellness 5K Race was held.  One of the runners, Rob Fennell, ran the 3.1 mile course barefooted.  He appreciated the fact that the edges of the street and the driveways had been swept before the race.

June 2009

• The annual Junior Golf Tournament was held at Leo Donovan Golf Course in Peoria.  Since 1978, Optimist-sponsored golf tournaments have served as a springboard for many of golf’s greatest players.  Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are two players who found their beginnings with the Optimists.

• The annual Poster Contest was held and the boy and girl winners of the local contest each received a $50.00 savings bond and several gift certificates.  The theme this year was “Say No to Drugs”.

Sept. 2009

• The 25th Annual Installation of Officers and Directors was held at our regular Saturday morning meeting on September 19th.  Our speaker was Stephanie Farris, who was also presented our “Friend of Youth” award.  Irv Latta received the Optimist of the Year award.

• President Mike Mahoney called a special meeting to consider the Town Theatre proposal on Thursday, September 24th at Grecian Gardens.  A very good presentation was prepared and presented to the club members.  A very good turnout of club members and spouses attended this meeting.  A silent vote was taken after the presentation and the vote was 36-2 in favor of moving forward with the purchase of the Town Theatre.

Oct. 2009

• The 2nd annual Art Auction for Youth was held at Pearce Community Center on October 17th.

• Excitement has risen in the community as word about the pending purchase of the Town Theatre has spread.  A committee of Optimist Club members has been formed to oversee this project.  Donations have started coming in many amounts of up to $1,000.00.  This will help to pay off the mortgage and the renovations to update the theatre.  The City of Chillicothe has offered to reimburse the club up to $50,000.00 for all new seats and some renovations.

Nov. 2009

• Our club put together a float for the Christmas Parade advertising our purchase of the Town Theatre.  Many dressed up in their favorite movie costumes.

• The closing was held on November 30th for the purchase of the Town Theatre from Vern Reynolds of Reynolds Theatres for $200,000.00.  Two loans were made available from the Chillicothe Development Foundation.  One of the loans was for $40,000.00, for 90 days, and was paid off in 60 days, thanks to the many donations that were received from the community.

Dec. 2009

• A movie premiere night was held on Dec. 10th to celebrate the 60thAnniversary of the Town Theatre.  Over 100 tickets were sold for $75.00 each.  A reception of champagne and finger foods was served to the attendees, and then they moved across the street to view a movie.

• The annual Toy Program in conjunction with the Christmas Baskets was held again.  Approximately 150 children received toys.

2011

• The first annual “Kids Count Night” was held Feb 22nd. Sixteen groups received a portion of $10,000 profit from the theatre.

• 300 runners and walkers participated in the 31st annual 5K River Run and Walk.

• Flag Day donations reached a record high of $2,260.

• Our club voted to donate $6,000 over a four-year period to purchase 2 SMART boards for the IVC school District.

• A Junior Optimist club was formed at IVC high school with about 75 students, sponsored by our club.

 2016 

• The club’s 1st annual Chili Supper/Cruise-In was held at Shore Acres.  This is a club event to help with club expenses throughout the year. Chairman was Pat Willard.

• A check was delivered to the city council for the last 2 payments owed on our 5 year loan. It was paid off in 3 years.

• NOW meeting was held at an Evening meeting

2018 

• The club voted to give the Easter Egg Hunt to Shirley Loser and the downtown merchants effective 2019 and voted to keep the Spring Craft show.

• Kids Count nite was held at the Town Theater.  Fifty-four youth groups shared $15,000.

• IVC Junior Optimist will collect for UNICEF

• Annual Club Chili Supper has a new Chairman – Thresa Mister along with Bob Close (profits were down due to the rainy weather).

• Christmas Baskets