Optimist Meeting Feb 25

Hello Friends and Optimist,

Have you every wonder how Smoky knows where to point to the fire danger on the Forest? There is actually quite a bit of science that goes into it. Tomorrow morning at the Alpine Pantry, Francis Russo will speak about the science of determining wildfire danger and will give us a current synopsis on the seasonal outlook. Francis is the Fire Intel Coordinator at the Payette Forest Dispatch office. His perspective on the Forest's wildfire trends has developed for the past 29 years working for the Payette National Forest with 14 years as a Smokejumper. He has discovered some interesting connections between the weather and the snow packwhich he will share with us. Come check out this very informative slide show presentation, tomorrow morning, 7am. Alpine Pantry.

Tom Crawford, secretary
Promise Yourself....... To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble

Optimist meeting February 18

Hello McCall Optimist and Friends.

Tuesday's meeting at Alpine Pantry, Mallory Getto from the Shepherd’s Home will come and tell us about the Home and her job as the Administrator. Here is some history from the website:

The idea for the Shepherd’s Home was born in the home and hearts of Bill and Dottie Basye. The Basyes, working closely with the Department of Health and Welfare, sought a way to overcome the lack of adequate foster care available to children in central Idaho. To provide for the many children in crisis who needed a safe and loving home, they created a community initiative which quickly gathered support and momentum. The Shepherd’s Home was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1996 and opened its doors, fully operational, in the spring of 1998. During the brief interim between dream and reality, several donations of local money, time, and professional labor made the building of the Home possible. The local Lutheran church donated an acre of land and several large foundation grants were used to build the Home and hire the Home’s first staff. Community members provided enormous support and established fundraising events to support the new Home. Since that time the Shepherd’s Home has grown into a cherished and highly-regarded regional resource, providing not only a loving home for children in crisis but also providing additional programs for its residents and for community members to support the prevention of child abuse.

I believe Paul was the winner of the free breakfast this week.


Tom Crawford, secretary

Promise Yourself....... To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble

Women in the military at Optimist Meeting - Feb 11

Hello Friends and Optimist,

Tomorrow's meeting, Alpine Pantry, 0700, Retired Colonel Cece Tyler will speak about women in the military. Colonel Tyler is a decorated veteran with over 30 years of active duty in the Army. She will share her unique perspective on how our military has evolved with diversity.

Remember the new venue at Alpine Pantry just east of the bridge near Shore Lodge and across the street from Rotary Park. It will work best if you order your breakfast or get a coffee mug before the meeting starts. They make a delicious omelet, but also offer breakfast burritos and sandwiches among many other tasty things.

Mike Kohout was the winner of a the free breakfast drawing. Congratulations Mike.

Tom Crawford, Optimist Secretary
Promise Yourself,
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

Meeting Reminder, Tomorrow, New Location! - Wilderness Talk, Sally Fergusoon

Hello Friends and Optimist,

Tomorrow's Optimist meeting will be held at the Alpine Pantry at 7:00 a.m. The Alpine Pantry is located at 324 Lake Street, immediately to the east of the bridge next to Shore Lodge and across the street from Rotary Park. Come try out an"Optimist breakfast" deal.

Sally Ferguson, the Executive Director of the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation, SBFCF, will give us a slide presentation about the organization. The foundation's motto is: "No Politics, No Advocacy, Just Boots-On-The-Ground Work".

Sally Ferguson just was recently name Executive Director of the Foundation. Sally brings over 15 years of experience in non-profit management, conservation advocacy, and organizational development to the SBFC. Sally is coming to SBFC from several years with the Student Conservation Association, where she worked closely with wilderness and trails managers on forests across USFS Regions 1, 2, 3 and 4 to create conservation internships. She was the founding president of the Idaho Trails Association and remains an active board member.

The SBFC Foundation raises private money and employs crews and volunteers to provide maintenance for trails and bridges. It recently replaced the boat ramp at Indian Creek on the Middle Fork, which was rapidly becoming a hazard for boaters. The Foundation has contributed nearly a million dollars in improvements and maintenance; noxious weed abatement; plus keeping public sites open, such as the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station near Wilderness Gateway Campground, which was slated to close due to lack of funding. Information about the Foundation can be found at the Foundation website: http://www.selwaybitterroot.org/

Jim Thackeray was the winner of our free breakfast drawing this week. Check out Alpine Pantry’s website, http://alpinepantry.com/ and come try Alpine’s fresh, delicious breakfast and cozy atmosphere. Invite a friend!

Tom Crawford, secretary
Promise Yourself....... To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.