La Grange Optimist Club Begins 40th Year of Service
The La Grange Optimist Club is beginning its 40th year as a service organization in La Grange.
That 40th year began in a special way Saturday Sept. 26 as the officers for the new year were sworn in at the first meeting of the club at their new home, the old AMEN food pantry at 805 Mode Lane.
AMEN’s move to their new food pantry on Reynolds St. opened up the Mode Lane facility and the City of La Grange worked with the Optimist Club on a long-term lease for use of the facility.
For decades the club had been meeting at the fairgrounds.
The incoming officers for the 2020-2021 year are as follows: President Quincy Hutchison, President-Elect Ryan Steele, Vice President Jeff Kelly, Vice President Tim Hutchison, Secretary/Treasurer Misty Touchet, Director 1 Jasmine Calvert, Director 1 Eddie Naumann, Director 1 Christie Steele, Director 2 Ryan Steele, Director 2 Joanne Patterson, Director 2 Jeff Wick, and Immediate Past President Duston Wolfe.
As part of the induction banquet the Optimist of the Year Award was presented. This year that award went to Quincy Hutchison, who is also the club’s incoming president.
The La Grange Optimist Club sponsors youth leagues for volleyball, soccer, basketball and flag football. They also sponsor an annual essay contest, Male Athlete of the Year Award at La Grange High School, and award more than $10,000 annually in scholarships to Fayette County graduating seniors.
The primary fundraiser for the Optimist Club is beer sales at the Fayette County Fair.
The core motto for the Optimist Club can be found in the Optimist Creed which is recited at all monthly meetings:
Promise Yourself ...
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Anyone interested in joining the Optimist Club can contact secretary/treasurer Misty Touchet at 979-639-1551
Here is a list of the past president of the La Grange Optimist Club, which was chartered 40 years ago:
La Grange Optimist
Club Past Presidents
2019-2020 Duston Wolfe
2018-2019 Duston Wolfe
2017-2018 Zach Peter
2016-2017 Zach Peter
2015-2016 Jeff Wick
2014-2015 Misty Touchet
2013-2014 Misty Touchet
2012-2013 Randy Boyd
2011-2012 Bevereley Blakleye
2010-2011 Bevereley Blakleye
2009-2010 Jeff Kelly Jr.
2008-2009 Brookshire Outland
2007-2008 J. Carroll Rogers
2005-2006 Randy Boyd
2004-2005 Calvin Dockery
2003-2004 Bevereley Blakleye
2002-2003 Rhonda Hentschel
2001-2002 Margaret Dockery
2000-2001 Jeff Kelly Jr.
1999-2000 Wayne Otto
1998-1999 Robert Hentschel Jr.
1997-1998 David Dockery
1996-1997 David Dockery
1995-1996 Walter Thomson
1994-1995 Gary Whitt
1993-1994 Doug Pickle
1992-1993 Johnny Koopmann
1991-1992 Harvey Pauler
1990-1991 Calvin Dockery
1988-1989 Wayne Richter
1987-1988 Rick Taylor
1986-1987 Guy Abbey Jr.
1985-1986 Bill Livingston
1984-1985 Brian Sergeant
1983-1984 Billy Peel
1982-1983 Lloyd Paulsen
1981-1982 Charles Heintz
1980-1981 Russell Fisbeck