Talk of the Town
Gulf Breeze Optimists reach out to area youth

The Gulf Breeze Optimist Club is continually helping the young people of the community. They presented a an hour program on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 8 and 9, entitled "Choices" to eighth grade students at Gulf Breeze Middle School and provided a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, April 12, for the 5k Run at Woodlawn Beach Middle School.

The program was designed to help eighth grade students make responsible, productive and positive decisions about their future. The focal point of the Choices message, as presented by the Optimist Club members, is that "You're responsible for YOU."

John Berti, chairman of the program, says, "It is important for middle school students who are ready and able to make life determining choices now."

Dick Snyder, optimist member and UWF professor, began the Choices workshop on Tuesday morning with emphasizing the balance of body, mind and spirit as the foundation of health and success. He urged students to explore, seek the best teachers and resources for learning on your own. Chuck Porter, former navy fighter pilot, shared his own experience of bad choices in his Tuesday morning talk. Students nodded understanding as he told of dropping out of college after two semesters but finding opportunity with the navy to complete his education. Even bad choices offer chances to learn. Nevin Schaffer, patent attorney, said, "Figure out something you love to do," in his Wednesday morning session. He emphasized that school decisions have career consequences and said, "I am not what happened to me. I am what I chose to become." Each student received a yellow key ring as a souvenir of the program and a reminder that the key to success is self-discipline. Gulf Breeze Optimists who also presented the program include Ralph Gaither, Lane Gilchrist, Dan Wells and Don Needle. Assisting them in their presentations were Pete Della Ratta, John Berti, Peter Stroux, Nat Harris, Charles Gray, Tom Naile, Jack Voisinet, Ed Sarrat and Mary Ann and Jim Napoleone.

Gulf Breeze Optimists provided a pancake breakfast for the 5K Run at Woodlawn Beach Middle School, Saturday morning, April 12. Pete Della Ratta Jr., the Woodlawn Beach physical education teacher, organized and coordinated the event. Pete Della Ratta Sr., Gulf Breeze Optimist member and chairman of the Junior Optimist Clubs, organized the club's participation.

Submitted photo Gulf Breeze Optimist Chuck Porter (center) speaks to eighth grade students Gulf Breeze Middle School and presents a program called "Choices." The program was designed to help eighth grade students make responsible, productive and positive decisions about their future.

Chefs Ray Shane, Tom Naile, Bob Willice, Randy Sharp, Leo Ginn, Jim Cibula and David Purdon worked with Woodlawn Chief Cook Linda Colvin to reward returning runners with a plate of tasty pancakes. The early hour, 5 a.m. to be exact, may have accounted for several missteps in making the batter. Bob Willice noted his first egg landed on the floor instead of in the bowl while Randy Sharp sailed his into the wastebasket. Chief Cook Colvin, no doubt, had her doubts about this crew. In spite of the mishaps the breakfast was a great success.

The two events, the Choices workshop and the breakfast for the 5K Run, are just a couple of examples of the Gulf Breeze Optimists Club's activities with the young people of the Gulf Breeze community.

Pensacola Quilt Guild

The Pensacola Quilt Guild is a non-profit group of approximately 250 members that enjoy quilting, and are always looking for new members to share the love of quilting, the excitement of new techniques and projects, and the joy of fellowship with other artisans. They have both a day meeting and an evening meeting each month to include all who are interested in quilting.

The day meeting for this month will be today at Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 519 North Palafox St. in Pensacola and will begin at 9 a.m. The program is titled "What We Can Learn From A Quilt Show" and features several members who participated in the recent quilt show sharing their insight and experiences. A slide show will accompany their remarks. The 2008 quilt challenge and the 2008 mystery quilt will be presented.

The night meeting will be held on Monday, April 28 at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 9888 Palafox St. at 6 p.m. The program for the night meeting is a lecture presented by Ingrid Whitcher entitled "Layers and Textures."

The 2008 quilt challenge will also be announced. Anyone interested in the art or history of quilting is invited to attend and share. For questions, contact Betsy at 850- 916-9828.

Bud 'n Bloom Garden Club

Bud 'n Bloom Garden Club members will celebrate their 50th anniversary on April 26 by taking a tour of Barbara and Chuck Stander's rose garden and then retreating to O'Brien's for lunch. They are meeting at the Stander's garden at 10:30 a.m. and O'Brien's at 12 p.m. Several women have been members for 45 to 50 years and some will recount their special years with the club. Call Lou Jones at 850- 932-9272 for more information.

The Women's Board of Baptist Health Care Foundation

The Women's Board of Baptist Health Care Foundation will host their annual "Silver Sale" on April 28 in the Azalea Room at Baptist Medical Park on 9 Mile Road from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The sale will continue on April 29 and 30 in the Heritage Room at Baptist Hospital from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Over 15,000 pieces of hand crafted sterling silver jewelry will be available with free engraving done on site. All items sold will support the women's board and its programs. Cash, checks and all major credit cards will be accepted. For more information, contact the women's board at 850-469-2248. Emerald Coast Bead Society/Friends of the Library

The Emerald Coast Bead Society members will present their Annual Spring Show at the First United Methodist Church, located at 80 East Wright Street in Pensacola on May 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Friends of the Library are also having their annual book sale to benefit local libraries. View the exciting new works from their talented members and visit the book sale in the gymnasium after enjoying the bead show. There will be live entertainment by local musicians. For more information, contact Mary Jordan at 850-455-6109 or email Nona2kylie@cox.net.

Santa Rosa Woman's Club

The Santa Rosa Woman's Club (SRWC) met at Hunt Hall on Pensacola Beach on April l for their Spring Boutique and interesting reports. The Spring Boutique raised $ 339.30 and the money will be used for a fundraiser called Dollars for Delegates. The delegates to the spring convention will be Carolyn Pfeiffer, Mary Eder, Shirley Gaddis, Kay Craven and Barbara Gonshor.

Reports from the officers and chairpersons revealed the generosity of the club the 2007-2008 year. Shari Fulford from the Education Department reported that they had supported Leslie Jolly's third-grade class. She said the Sports Abilities Games at Navarre High School were a success with approximately 250 children participating. Fulford reported that with the budgeted $500 and a $500 grant from Wal- Mart will be used for the special needs class at Gulf Breeze Middle School. Since SRWC member Mary Woodward donated a stationary bike, the monies were used as follows: SRWC partnered with Rotary to get a treadmill, $300 was given to the class to buy a junior bike and $215 was used for a tent and umbrella. Of the $ 551.29 remaining, $100 was be given to the high school Science Olympiad club to help with their trip to Washington, D.C. and $100 to the Jazzy Jelly Fish project at the elementary school. The rest of the money will be given to the special needs class to help with special equipment.

Other activities of club include the home life department's face painting at the Sports Abilities Games, buying new bingo cards and chips to be used at Bay Breeze Retirement Center and contributing to the FFWC President's Project by selling chances to win a painting by club member Annette Brinkman at Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts.