Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo

06/19/2026

A few weeks ago, Greg from West Hills Athletic Club came to a morning meeting to give us an Introduction to Pickleball. Before leaving he invited anyone that wanted first hand experience to come in for instruction. A few of us took him up on his offer this evening. Thanks, Greg!

06/18/2026

This morning Terri tested our sports knowledge - see answers in comments.

UPCOMING:

June 25 - Evening Meeting - BOCK Feud Part 2
July 02 NO MEETING - Happy early Independence Day
July 7 Book Club
July 9 - Morning Meeting - New event center - Tim Rayman from Greenleaf Hospitality
July 16 - Morning Meeting - Presentation
July 23 - Evening Meeting - OIF Auction
July 26 - Barn Theater
July 30 - Morning Meeting - Presentation

06/11/2026

Today’s speakers were Matt Kakabeeke and Frank Noonan from Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association (KOHA)

They work with children as young as 4 all the way up to 18.

--- New/updated announcements—

If you are interested in learning Pickle Ball, please let Terri N know. She is coordinating a date and time for us to do it as a group.

Next month’s evening meeting (July 23) will be out OI Auction (white elephant)

SAVE THE DATES
Wednesday, Aug 5 - volunteer opportunity Family & Children Services Fair 5-8 pm

Saturday, Aug 22 - Picnic at the Myers’ in South Haven

Saturday, Sept 12 Golf Outing at Olde Mills - Fundraiser for Bronson Pediatric Hematology Oncology

--- Past announcements - ongoing/future events–
June 18 - Morning Meeting - Game Day, please wear you favorite team
June 25 - Evening Meeting - BOCK Feud Part 2
July 02 NO MEETING - Happy early Independence Day
July 7 Book Club
July 9 - Morning Meeting - New event center - Tim Rayman from Greenleaf Hospitality
July 14 - Board Meeting @ Family & Children Services
July 16 - Morning Meeting - Presentation
July 23 - Evening Meeting - OIF Auction
July 26 - Barn Theater
July 30 - Morning Meeting - Presentation

06/10/2026

Trying to figure what to get the Graduate in your life, or you dad for Fathers Day? BOCK can help. As fundraisers, we are selling Super Books for $40 and Drive & Shine $25 washes for $20. Let us know if you would like to purchase anything.

Send a message to learn more

06/04/2026

Today we had Greg Root from West Hills Athletic Club speaking give us an Introduction to Pickleball. We also had special guest, Danielle, contributing.

Greg has offered to have a hands on course of Intro to Pickleball for our members. A 90 minute course, for $5 each. Terri will be coordinating this outing.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 near Seattle, when dads went into the garage to find something for their bored children, and they came out with a badminton net, wiffle ball and table tennis paddles.

Pickleball has been growing rather quickly. In 2019 there were 3.5 million players, and in 2025 there were over 25.3 million.

--- New/updated announcements—

Bruce, Linda, Diane and Carmen helped out at the craft table while volunteering for Comstock Elementary’s Field Day for OWLS

--- Past announcements - ongoing/future events–
June 9 - Board Meeting @ Family & Children Services -
June 11 - Morning Meeting - Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association - Matt Kakabeeke and Frank Noonan
June 18 - Morning Meeting - Gathering
June 25 - Evening Meeting - BOCK Feud Part 2
July 02 NO MEETING - Happy early Independence Day
July 7 Book Club
July 9 - Morning Meeting - New event center - Tim Rayman from Greenleaf Hospitality
July 14 - Board Meeting @ Family & Children Services
July 16 - Morning Meeting - Presentation
July 23 - Evening Meeting - OIF Auction
July 26 - Barn Theater
July 30 - Morning Meeting - Presentation

05/29/2026

Tonight's speaker was Hannah Lehker from Rx Kids.

Rx Kids started in Flint in 2024 and in Kalamazoo in 2025

This program allows for moms to receive $1,500 during pregnancy, and babies receive $500 a month for a designated length of time that varies between 6 – 12 months. Money is unrestricted.0

The program was very interesting to our members leading to a great Q & A..

--- New/updated announcements—

Right Start Campaign is fast approaching. The campaign is planned to run from mid-June to mid-July.

A tree has been purchased in memory of Bob B. It will be planted at Red Arrow Golf Course.

Aug 5 there will be a fair at Family & Children Services. Volunteers sign-ups will be coming soon.

No idea what to get the recent graduates in your life or for dad? Consider purchasing a Super Book or Deive & Shine certificates to give as gifts. Contact Bruce for details.

--- Past announcements - ongoing/future events–
June 2 - Book Club - Twice by Mitch Albom
June 4 - AM meeting - Introduction to Pickleball - Greg Root from West Hills Athletic Club
June 9 - Board meeting
June 11 - AM meeting - Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association - Matt Kakabeeke and Frank Noonan
June 18 - AM meeting - gathering
June 25 - PM meeting - BOCK Feud

05/26/2026

Answers for 11, 12 and 13.

That's it until the rest are revealed at our June 15th meeting.

Thanks again for all those that participated!

05/25/2026

05/24/2026

Questions #9 & #10
Out of the first half of the questions, the question about the sound in the night had the most variety of answers - 28 of them.

05/21/2026

We had a packed room for this morning's meeting. Our top three placements from the Oratorical Contest come and delivered their speeches to the club. Thank you, Anna, Emily, Clare!