"Optimist Club of Rondeau" Service Club Historic First... Posted on 2007-04-27 16:51:22 History was made on Tuesday April 24, 2007 when local community members chartered the first service club in the Rondeau area. Formation of the club was an idea of Yvon and Dava Robichaud, operators of Dove’s Bayside Bistro Restaurant just outside of Rondeau Provincial Park. After a series of organizational meetings in March and April and aided by sponsoring clubs in Ridgetown and Wallacetown, community interest had grown to 37 charter members (12 more than is required) when the club held its charter night. Most members hail from the nearby Bates Sandytown and Rondeau Bay Estates subdivisions, as well as several cottagers from inside Rondeau Provincial Park. The Optimist Club of Rondeau is affiliated with Optimist International, one of the world’s largest and most active service club organizations, providing a wide range of service projects reaching over six million young people each year. Locally, sister clubs in Blenheim and Ridgetown are acknowledged for their highly successful youth soccer programs, collectively providing organized access to over 500 area kids at a very reasonable rate. The Rondeau club looks forward to working with sister clubs in southern Chatham-Kent on future projects. A long list of possible projects includes working with the Rondeau Yacht Club on youth programs, Rondeau Bay or beach clean-ups, bike rodeo and safety program, a photography contest and even a Christmas party for local seniors. Charter night elections saw Yvon Robichaud installed as President, Evan Johnston and Craig Green as Vice-Presidents, Ross Goldhawk as Secretary-Treasurer and six directors, including Erick Nooyen, Dave French, Jennifer Johns, Mary Lynn Smith, Dava Robichaud and John Price, who was also appointed Publicity Chair. The new club plans meetings the first Tuesday of the month, tentatively at the Rondeau Yacht Club in the summer season (May-Sept.), and at Dove’s Bistro the remainder of the year. The meetings start at 7 pm, and new members are always welcome. A charter party is being planned in the near future for the fledgling club. For more information, call John Price at 674-5819 or Yvon and Dava Robichaud at 674-3888. back to main