By Ryan Palencer
AVON — The Avon Optimist Club is this month celebrating 50 years of community service.
“It is fantastic (to be celebrating the 50-year anniversary),” said Paul Grant, club president and a 35-year member.
The club was chartered in September 1959. Grant, who has served three terms as president, said the purpose of Avon Optimist Club is to “bring out the best in kids.”
Although the club has seen a number changes over the years, Grant said many things — including some of the members — have remained the same.
“We actually have a charter member who is still in the club from 1959,” he said. “He joined when he was 20. His name is Rex McClain.”
McClain still attends meetings and says he has fond memories of many of the club’s past events.
“We also had an Optimist Bicycle Safety Day and Rodeo back then,” he said. “In fact, one Sunday following the bicycle rodeo, I was on the cover of the Sunday Indianapolis Times with a few other club members.”
For several years, the club sold Christmas trees and conducted raffles. It started hosting the Avon Optimist Fish Fry in the late 1960s or early ‘70s, which went on to become a town tradition. The fish fry began in the old Monty’s grocery store parking lot. It was later moved to school property and then to the Washington Township Park. When parking became a big problem at the park, it was moved to the lot in front of Walmart where it has been for the past several years.
Some of the accomplishments of the local service club include starting the Avon Junior Athletic Association and the Avon Soccer Association.
A foundation was started in honor of one of the charter members — Charles Schoen. That foundation annually awards a $1,200 scholarship to a high school senior from Washington Township who will be attending a two-year post-secondary/vocational school.
Youth and community activities are the main purpose of the Avon Optimist Club. Some of the programs the club continues to sponsor include the Oratorical Contest, Math Bee, Avon Junior Miss, Easter Egg Hunt, Kids’ Fishing Derby, Avon Heritage Festival, Haunted Trail, Optimist Youth Golf, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, Handicapable Camp, Avon High School Band, Avon Aerial Orioles, Project A.N.G.E.L., and Sheltering Wings.
In celebration of the club’s milestone, members are hosting a 50th anniversary Gala Banquet Sunday at Avon United Methodist Church, next to the McDonald’s restaurant on U.S. 36. Fellowship will begin at 4 p.m., with a dinner to follow. Entertainment will be provided by the Hendricks Symphonic Society Barbershop Chorus.
All area Optimist Club members, current and past, are encouraged to attend.
The club meets at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday at the Avon IHOP restaurant on Rockville Road.
For more information about the club or for tickets to the gala, call Grant at 809-0633 or e-mail to Optimist@fastmail.fm.
ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com
