Alberta Boys Win OI U18 Curling Championships

Representing Alberta, team Vavrek of the Dawson Creek Curling Club is the 2011 Optimist International U18 Curling Champions. Top curling teams under 18 years of age from across Canada, the United States and Japan participated in the Championships that were held in Ontario, March 31 – April 4.

After completing the round robin portion of play with a record of 4 wins and 1 loss, the Alberta team advanced to face Washington in the semi-final. A five-ender secured the victory and a date with Ontario in the final.

The final was a close. The Alberta team entered the 8th and final end down 2 points with the hammer. When the last rock attempt at freeze by Ontario chipped off and sat open, Vavrek had an open hit for 5 and the win by a score of 7 - 4.

Congratulations go to Team Alberta, composed of: Skip Daylan Vavrek, third Jason Ginter, second Tristan Steinke, lead Sanjay Bowry, and coach Jeff Ginter.  Extended thanks go to the home community of Dawson Creek and the Alberta Optimist Clubs who contributed to the success.

Taking Steps Toward a Cure - Get Moving for the CCC

Optimist International will be hosting an organization-wide walk to promote childhood cancer awareness and raise much needed funds. All Clubs are asked to sponsor a CCC Walk during June, Optimist International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This show of unified support will demonstrate the organization's mission to "be the leading force to rid the world of childhood cancer."

June is a short two months away. Has your Club started to plan your CCC Walk? "Have a heart, do your part!" Start organizing your Club's walk to raise awareness and funds for a good cause. For information visit the CCC Walk section of the Optimist website.

2011 Alberta Optimist Juvenile Curling Results

Overall, the Alberta Optimist Juvenile Curling Championship tournament in Coaldale was a great event!  It exceeded all expectations --- and required two sets of extra bleachers to accommodate the crowd.

District Governor Tim Bell made it down for the opening Banquet and did a great job of welcoming the teams and discussing the objectives of Optimist International and how Optimists tie into working with groups like the Juvenile curlers.

 

Unfortunately, Bill Cummer was ill and could not attend the event. But he phoned Roger Hohm, the tournament coordinator, and went over the message he wanted to present at the Closing Ceremonies.  Roger was kind enough to present this message at the Closing, speaking on behalf of the Optimists. 

The banners of several Optimist Clubs were displayed throughout the event.

The winning Juvenile Men’s Team was the Daylan Vavrek rink from the Dawson Creek Curling Club, who beat the S. Smith rink from the Garrison CC in Calgary 4-3 in the final game.

The winning Juvenile Women’s Team was the Kelsey Rocque rink from the Granite Curling Club in Edmonton; who beat the K. Brown rink from the Airdrie CC 4-2 in the final game.

 

Both the Daylan Vavrek rink and the Kelsey Rocque rink will now move on to play in the Optimist International U-18 (Juvenile) Curling Championships, March 31 through April 4, at the St. George’s GC in Etobicoke, Ontario; which is about 20 minutes from the Toronto Pearson Airport. This year, participants from 8 Canadian Provinces and 2 Canadian Territories, plus 8 States from the United States, and the country of Japan, will compete in the OI tournament.

For complete information about the OI U-18 Curling tournament, check the following website: www.u18curling.ca

Originally submitted by Opt Mike DeNicola

90 Days Until the Annual OI Conventionin Baltimore

Hello Optimists,

Can you believe it?  The Optimist International Convention begins in Baltimore on Sunday, July 3, 2011, just three (3) months or ninety (90) days from today.  Optimists in the Maryland/South Delaware District are looking forward to seeing you and are busy preparing for your visit.

This message includes a few reminders, the April edition of the Baltimore Buzz, and a few ideas of what to see and do while in the Baltimore area.  Please share it will the Optimists in your District.

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The Visit Baltimore web site, www.baltimore.org, offers lots of information about Baltimore.  It's definitely a good idea to visit the site before your visit.  You'll be surprised that Baltimore has so much to offer.  You can order a free copy of the Visit Baltimore magazine on their site.  The Summer edition should be out soon.

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Here are some online links where you can find additional information:

• OI Convention Webpage
• OI Convention Facebook Page

Important Notes:

Hotel Reservations:  Ronda Vaughn, OI's Director of Meeting Services, reports that the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel is filling up fast and that there are less that 40 rooms left in the OI Convention block.  There are still rooms available at the Renaissance.  If you haven't made your  hotel reservations yet, now would be a good time to go to www.optimist.org , go the OI Convention page, and make your hotel reservation.

Convention Registration:  The early bird registration deadline is Sunday, May 1, 2011, just 29 days away.  If you haven't registered yet, you can save some money by registering by May 1.

Transportation to Baltimore:  If you are flying your destination airport is the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport--or BWI.  It's a short shuttle ride from BWI to the hotel.  If you are coming by train the train station at which you will arrive is Penn Station in Baltimore.  It is a 10 minute cab ride to the hotel

Pre-Convention Baseball Game:  We have already received several ticket orders for the Baltimore Orioles vs. St. Louis Cardinals baseball game on Thursday, June 30, 2011.  A copy of the ticket order form is attached to this message and is also available on the OI web site.  If you have questions about the game, contact Optimist Mary Lu at baseballtix@yahoo.com.  Tickets are $20 US and payment is due by Tuesday, May 31, 2011.  See "Pre Convention Baseball Game" for more details.

It will be a fun evening.

Opportunity for Support:  Thank you to all of the individuals and Clubs who have offered support to the Host Committee.  We really appreciate it.  There is still an opportunity to offer financial support and to have your name and/or Club's name listed in the Convention program as a Host Committee Sponsor.  Everyone who makes a donation of $25 or more will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and all Clubs that make a donation of $50 or more will receive a banner patch. See attached Opportunity for Support form for additional information.See "OI Convention 2011 Host Area Opportunity for Support" for more details.

Appreciation Luncheon Table Hosts/Hostesses:  If you purchase a ticket to the Luncheon you have the opportunity to volunteer to be a Table Host or Hostess.   If you would like to be a Table Host or Hostess, please contact Past MDSD District Governor, Mickey Price at pawsprice@gmail.comfor information and to be added to the list of volunteers.

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Some Historical Sites in the Inner Harbor Area:

 Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic shrine-- Birthplace of the USA National Anthem

O! say can you see, by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."  It's a short Water Taxi ride from the hotel.  They just opened a new Visitor & Education Center.

Historic Ships in Baltimore

Maritime history unfolds on the decks of USS Constellation, USCG Cutter Taney, Lightship Chesapeake and USS Torsk.

The USS Constellation, the last Civil War vessel afloat, was built in 1854 and is the last all-sail warship built by the US Navy. You can visit the museum and tour the ship.

The USS Torsk, launched in 1944, is a World War II era submarine docked near the National Aquarium at Baltimore.  The Torsk is open for tours.

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There's Something New in the Baltimore Inner Harbor--Seadog Cruises--Baltimore's newest, most exciting excursion! You'll learn about all of the historic sights with a fun, amusing narration, plus enjoy a thrilling speed boat ride.  They just announced that they will have two boats in the Harbor this summer.

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As mentioned above go the the Visit Baltimore web site, www.baltimore.org, for much more information about attractions and things to do in Baltimore.

If you have questions about Baltimore, "Just Ask" and we'll our best to answer them for you. If you have questions about the Convention activities you can check out the Convention information at www.optimist.org or  contact Ronda Vaugh or Sharon Parton at OI--800-500-8130.

All for now! Have a GRREEAATT and Optimistic April!

Dennis Lane, Host Area Committee Chair

2011 OI Convetion in Baltimore

 410-592-2574, 410-592-7067, djlane@juno.com