Optimist Club of Jasper set to celebrate 50th anniversary
The Optimist Club of Jasper is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a public dinner and party on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center Atrium.
The club received its charter with 58 members on Jan. 6, 1976, and has since grown to 134 members.
The event, called ‘Half a Century of Hope, A Future Full of Promise’, will celebrate the civic organization’s dreams and future endeavors as it enters the next century of service to the Jasper community.
The event will feature the 2025-26 President of Optimist International, Tom Kendo from Ohio, who will share his thoughts on “Be the Change”. To understand OI President Tom, you first need to understand his boundless energy. Described by his wife, Jennifer, as the “loud, gregarious life of the party,” Tom brings a powerful enthusiasm to everything he does, fueled by a genuine love for people and a deeply held belief in the power of Optimism. It’s this combination of personality and principle that he plans to harness as he leads the organization into its next chapter.
Tom became Governor of the Ohio District for the 2017-2018 term, leading the district to Distinguished and Outstanding honors. As a husband, father, and now grandfather to baby Elliott, Tom’s life has always been about bringing out the best in others. He brings that same spirit to his presidency, driven by the understanding that “Our youth need us now more than ever.” He calls on fellow members to embrace the core mission: “We as Optimists need to bring out the best in our youth, our communities, and ourselves.”
His leadership embodies the conviction that by working together, embracing necessary change, and leading with a positive vision, Optimists can ensure a vibrant and impactful future for generations to come.
“The future of Optimism is in our hands,” President Tom says, “so let’s get to work. Let’s have fun. and Let’s be the change!”
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with social time and a cash bar, giving attendees a chance to browse memorabilia and catch up with others. Dinner, catered by Oink Inc., starts at 7 p.m. and includes pecan chicken and pork chops, hash-brown casserole, green beans, poppy seed salad, and dessert.
A program highlighting the past 50 years and the club’s future begins at 7:40 p.m. Dancing follows at 8:45 p.m., featuring a group participation activity called SYOM (Select Your Own Music), where guests choose the songs played.
Tickets are $20 per person, which includes everything except for the cash bar. The event is open to the public, and organizers are encouraging past members, community leaders and anyone interested in optimism to attend.
“We are especially proud of the way we have faithfully served our community for fifty years,” organizers said in the invitation. “We hope this evening will be one you’ll remember and never forget.”
The Optimist Club of Jasper is part of Optimist International, which was founded over 100 years ago.
Attendees can RSVP using a form or register online at the Optimist Club of Jasper 50th Anniversary Celebration website. The Thyen-Clark Cultural Center Atrium is located at 100 Third Ave., Jasper, IN 47546.
We encourage past members, community leaders, and anyone interested in Optimism to join us. This celebration is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Invite others to join you and CELEBRATE!
Register here. https://www.optimistclubjasper.org/c50
Past Presidents of the Optimist Club of Jasper
| YEAR | PRESIDENT |
|---|---|
| 1976-77 | Bob Boyles |
| 1977-78 | Bill Schuler |
| 1978-79 | Paul Seidl |
| 1979-80 | Norm Kempf |
| 1980-81 | Steve Schuler |
| 1981-82 | Dr. Greg Berger |
| 1982-83 | Dale Voigt |
| 1983-84 | Tom Foisy |
| 1984-85 | Tom Krodel |
| 1985-86 | Rich Slayton |
| 1986-87 | Ken Sendelweck |
| 1987-88 | Larry Clem |
| 1988-89 | Stan Stewart |
| 1989-90 | Dan Mundy |
| 1990-91 | Dr. Greg Berger |
| 1991-92 | Kent Reyling |
| 1992-93 | Larry Streicher |
| 1993-94 | Ron Steffe |
| 1994-95 | Marty Keller |
| 1995-96 | Roger Messmer |
| 1996-97 | Vic Jeter |
| 1997-98 | Dean Frick |
| 1998-99 | Bob Kluemper |
| 1999-00 | Leona Streicher |
| 2000-01 | Myron Foster |
| 2001-02 | Jennifer Streicher |
| 2002-03 | Kent Reyling |
| 2003-04 | Mike Sheppard |
| 2004-05 | Mike Sheppard |
| 2005-06 | Melissa Eckert |
| 2006-07 | Ryan Ruxer |
| 2007-08 | Jay Baker |
| 2008-09 | Board |
| 2009-10 | Drew Englert |
| 2010-11 | Merrill Osterman |
| 2011-12 | Jessica Mehringer |
| 2012-13 | Jessica Mehringer |
| 2013-14 | Kurt Heise |
| 2014-15 | Kurt Heise |
| 2015-16 | Paula Reyling |
| 2016-17 | Melissa Eckert |
| 2017-18 | Melissa Eckert |
| 2018-19 | Neil Broeker |
| 2019-20 | David Hubster |
| 2020-21 | Austin Budell |
| 2021-22 | Melissa Eckert |
| 2022-23 | Neil Broeker and Melissa Eckert |
| 2023-24 | Karlie Goller and Melissa Eckert |
| 2024-25 | Paul Eckert |
| 2025-26 | Paul Eckert |
