OPTIMIST CLUB  of  NOR'WEST LONDON

"Friend  of  Youth"

Welcome to our website!  Members will find information on all Club activities listed here.  A Club Calendar is located atop the Meetings/Events page of our website.

Anyone interested in joining our Club will find plenty of information. Please take a few minutes to explore the site and consider the benefits of becoming an Optimist!   If you don't already have a Sponsoring Member, contact us anyway.  We'll be happy to talk to you and you'll get to know us better!

Our website is always a  'work in progress' so  please check in with us again!

Click here: Brochure/Application

To view a copies of our CLUB BYLAWS, NEWSLETTERS, click on 'About Nor'West' (top menu).

Important for Everyone:  Optimist Gani Braimoh provided this update on the newest indicator of stroke.   This is information  which could save a life, including yours!  Please take a moment to read this update.

Click on: Stroke Update

Congratulations to Banting Secondary School Students

Julia Edwards, recipient of the 2009 Nor'West Optimist Citizenship Award

Beejay Jeng, recipient of the Optimist Ron Kilgour Award of Excellence in a Technological Subject

Srinitya Gannavarapu, recipient of the Optimist Bob Worthy Award for Academic Achievement

Nor'West Optimist Bike Rodeo (May 9, 2010)

Despite the cool weather, we had a good turnout for this year's event at Medway Arena.  It was also our first time indoors at Medway and it was an excellent location!   Expect another Bike Rodeo there in 2011.  Pictures are now posted on our website. Many Thanks to NW Optimists Lisa Topp (Event Organizer), Jamie Topp , Paula Greenberg, Burke & Mary Denison, Bruce Johnson,  Greg and Anette Holdsworth, Mike and Devon Dumont, Abe vandermark, Jim Nother, and Brahma Ishaya (who brought some Youth Volunteers to assist).  Addtional thanks to Mrs. Topp (Jamie's Mom) and Janet Johnson for their help.  

Optimist Youth in Education Program- April 2009

Many Thanks t0 NW Optimist Brahma Ishaya for representing our Club on the organizing committee for this city-wide event.   NW Optimist  Paula Greenberg contributed as Principal of Banting Secondary School, host of the event.  The Guest Speaker this year was Dr. David Woodman, who shared  his Arctic experiences investigating the Frankin Expedition.  He presented to an audience of  Seconday School students in the morning and Elementary in the afternoon.  Carling Hts. Optimist Don McLeod reminded everyone that Dr. Woodman's  presentation was also being webcast to a much larger audience of students in cyberspace.  Pictures of the event are posted  on our website gallery page.   

Medway Valley Cleanup with 68th Scout Group (April 17, 2010):  Thanks to Optimists Burke Denison, Anette & Greg Holdsworth, and Liz Hoellstern for helping to BBQ feed the many Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and  parents who participated this year.  What a turnout by the 68th on such a cold - and snowy -  day!!!  Mother Nature salutes you!!!

Many Thanks to the Optimist Club of Carling Heights for hosting an Inter Club Dinner Meeting at their Clubhouse on Tuesday, March 16, 2010.  Also invited were Members of the Optimist Club of Southwest London.   A 'rogues gallery' of pictures from the evening can be viewed in our website Photo Gallery.  

Congratulations to Nor'West Optimist Denise Thompson,  recipient of the Bishop Townshend Award for Teaching Excellence.   A photo of Optimist Denise with husband Optimist Ron Kilgour at the February 25th Awards Banquet is now posted on our website Photo Gallery page.

'Swimathon' at Memorial Boys and Girls Club (Feb.19/'10)

Some Nor'West Optimists got more than their feet wet helping to raise funds for the Memorial Boys & Girls Club of London on Friday, February 19th.  Optimists Gabriel Pavez, Tom Wey, Shayne Johnston, Burke & Mary Denison, and Devon Dumont did their best Olympic competitive swimmer imitations contributing to the cause!   Devon was accompanied by 2 young "Minnows" and Gabriel managed to swim in a straight line thanks to family members who joined him in the pool.   Optimist Tom Wey's daughter Laura swam in support of her Dad,  who watched with  Optimists Jamie and Lisa Topp poolside.    Thanks to Optimist Mary for organizing this.  It all  went "swimmingly "well !

Northwest London Diversity Network 'Family Fun Day' at Medway Arena (Feb.14) 

MANY THANKS to  Club members who asssted with our display at this event on Valentine's Day.  There was a great attendance by the public, thanks largely to the free public skating scheduled as part of the event.  It promoted the Club and its activities to considerable advantage.   Optimist Tom 'Don Cherry' Wey supervised the kids enjoying our 'Hockey Game'.  It was a very popular attraction!  Optimist Anette Holdsworth  made an appearance to help with the display, and Optimist Gabriel Pavez kindly assisted with the transportation and setup.

Nor'West Optimist 'Free' Skate (Sunday, Dec. 6/'09)

Our annual combination of  public skating, hot drinks, cookies and cake at Medway Arena was once again a great success.  The City of London also asked us to participate in the 'official' reopening of the upgraded Medway facility.  We were among a number of community groups acknowledged for our input at public planning meetings.  Our principal contribution was the donation of funds for the purchase of all the major appliances in the new Community Room kitchen.  Overall, the upgrades throughout the facility were truly 'on the mark'!   It's also something of a Homecoming for our Club, as we were among the variious community groups who had helped raise funds for the original construction of the building many years ago.  How appropriate that kids are the ice there this winter for the first time with the Nor'West Optimist Hockey Development Program!  Medway Arena is no longer simply located at the geographic centre of the community we serve.   It now has a very practical role in our programming for Youth.

MANY THANKS to Optimists Mary &  Burke Denison, who once again shouldered the 'lion's share'  of the preparation  for this event.   Thanks also to Optimists Anette Holdsworth,  Abe Vandermark , and Kevin Jacques for their help, plus those family members who came with them to help.   

Hyde Park Lions Santa Claus Parade (Sat. Nov.28/'09)

MANY THANKS to all those who participated in the planning, assembly, and presentation of our float entry in the inaugural edition of this parade.   Everyone there was impressed by the number of groups marching in the parade (approximately 30) and the large crowd lining the route.  Early signs inidicate that there will be  repeat next year.   We ran out of candy canes for the kids in the crowd very quickly (NOTE TO US: order more next year!).  A special thanks to the Youth representing our Hockey and Soccer programs, and the 68th London Scout Group (Nor'West W Optimist sponsored), who distributed the candy canes on our behalf.   Thanks as well to the adult volunteers who supervised them along the route.   Nor'West Optimists Lisa Topp, Bruce Johnson, Mike Dumont , Kevin Jacques, and Anette Holdsworth  offered their  assistance at various  stages of the entire operation.  AND a very special 'THANKS' to Optimist VP  Jamie Topp, who 'grabbed the reindeer by the antlers'   when he first heard about the   parade  and volunteered to  fill the role of 'Fearless Leader Elf'   for this event!   Santa's so proud that he got it done so very well!!!  Rumour has it that Jamie will finally find that red Ferrari under the Christmas tree this year.

MANY THANKS  to the Nor'West Optimist Men's "Oldtimers" Hockey Team for their generous donation of $300.00 to Nor'West Optimist Hockey!  These funds will be used to sponsor the registrations for 6 young 'Hockey Heroes' in Nor'West Optimist Hockey's September, 2009 Hockey Development Program at Thompson Arena, UWO.

Your contribution will help our Club further serve the Youth of Northwest London and across the City.  Thanks for your support!!!

Nor'West Optimist Hockey's 'September 2009 Hockey Development Program'  at Thompson Arena was a great success for a  4th consecutive year.   100+ young Hockey Heroes'  (Ages 5-12) participated in 5  sessions, including one  for Goalies.   Thanks to Optimists Annette Holdsworth, Burke Denison, Jamie Topp, Lisa Topp,  Tony Geraci, Abe Vandermark,  Pat Laskey, and Steve Thomson (Head Coach) plus many other community volunteers for their help on and off ice!   Check the Nor'West Optimist Hockey website for a full report (www.norwesthockey.ca ).

Coach Brent and Novice 'Hockey Heroes'

The Optimist Club of Nor'West London is pleased to provide financial  support for the Hockey Canada Skills Academy at Banting Secondary School .  Club funding is directed towards the purchase of equipment for the program.  Principal Tony Jones and Banting teacher Todd Sargeant are congratulated for their success in bringing the Academy to northwest London.   .  Go to the Hockey Canada website (www.hockeycanada.ca) and click on 'Minor Hockey', then go to the 'Other Programs'  box  for more information about the Academy.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN for:

Nor'West Optimist Soccer  (www.norwestsoccer.com)

Registration for 2010 Outdoor House League  begins Feb. 1, 2010

Nor'West Optimist Hockey (www.norwesthockey.ca )

Our September Hockey Development Program (5th Year) returns for 4 Saturdays at Thompson Arena, UWO, starting September 11. 2010.  Watch for more information here and at the Nor'West Optimist Hockey website.   Sessions for Initiation (Ages 5-6), Novice (Ages 7-8), Atom (Ages 9-10), PeeWee (Ages 11-12) and Goalies (Ages 7-12).   For a printable copy of our September 2010 Registration Form click here: REGFORM  

Nor'West Optimist Hockey thanks the Optimist Clubs of Carling Heights, Fanshawe, and North London for their financial support of our Hockey Development Programs!!!   The Carling Heights and Fanshawe Clubs have sponsored players in our February 2010 Goal Scoring and September 2010 Hockey Development Programs.  The North London Optimists have contributed with direct funding that helps us keep our program registration fees low throughout the year.  Altogether, this means lots of hockey fun and  instruction for more kids!!!