Austintown Optimists celebrate anniversary

Special to The Vindicator OPTIMISTIC: The 50th anniversary of Austintown Optimist Club was celebrated Sept. 11 at the Fifth Season Banquet Center in Mineral Ridge. The club had 60 members when it was chartered on Dec. 16, 1958, as the 65th Optimist Club in Ohio. Among those attending the celebration was 50-year member and Charter President Earl Yost. Pictured above are the current club officers, from left, Dean Ferris, secretary; Darlene Schaefer, sergeant-at-arms; Lynn Larson, president; and Joe Zemko, treasurer. Past presidents of Austintown Optimist Club are pictured below during the festivity. They are, from left seated, Dick Stoy, Ferris, Joann Sulenski, Yost, Larson, Nancy Stoy and Tim Tryon, and standing, Zemko, Joe Leonard, Bill Sulenski, Lt. Gov. Floyd Barger, Pete Fraser, Ikram Khawaja and Bill Davis. The club, which is known for its distinguished history, is especially proud of its positive impact on the youth of the community. Prospective members are invited to attend meetings at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Saxon Club on Meridian Road.