Fly-by-morning Optimists celebrate anniversary

Optimist Club pancake breakfast at the airport a Blueberry Festival staple

PLYMOUTH — While its origin is apparently lost to the haze of history, the group that sponsors one of the staple events of the Marshall County Blueberry Festival is celebrating a milestone anniversary.

The Plymouth Optimist Club, which sponsors the annual fly-in pancake breakfast at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, is celebrating the national club’s 100th anniversary.

Tiffany Harrell, the Plymouth Optimist Club’s newest member, recently chatted with the Pilot News about the organization, why it was formed, how it is impacting the city and Marshall County and why the group remains relevant.

Harrell, a 2006 LaVille High School grad and current Indiana University South Bend student, has been a retirement plan consultant with Latitude Retirement in Plymouth for five years.

And while the national Optimist Club organization is celebrating 100 years in existence, the local club is marking its 46th anniversary.

The interview with Harrell is in question-and-answer format.

Pilot News: What’s your title with the Optimist Club?

Tiffany Harrell: I’m their newest member! My official induction is the first Tuesday in August. I joined at the beginning of June.

PN: Why was the Optimist Club formed?

TH: Back in 1973, there was a small group of former Junior Chamber (of commerce) members that met regularly for breakfast once a week. This group of Junior Commerce members were kicked out of the JC at age 35, but continued to meet for breakfast weekly.

One of those members was friends with the Optimist Club leader in Warsaw.

The leader from Warsaw suggested that Plymouth form their own chapter. The members decided it would be nice to start meeting with a purpose, thus the Optimist Club was formed.

Plymouth Optimist Club by the numbers for the annual fly-in breakfast:

– 110 pounds of blueberries – 65 gallons of pancake batter – 160 pounds of sausage

Source: Plymouth Optimists Club

PN: What’s the purpose of the Optimist Club today?

TH: The purpose of the club is servicing the community with a smile on our faces. We specifically focus on doing things for and with the youth to help them have a little fun and get them involved.

PN: Are there any other Optimist Clubs in Marshall County currently?

TH: We are not aware of another club in Marshall County. Although we call ourselves the Optimist Club of Plymouth, there are no designated boundaries for our members.

PN: Why is the Optimist Club still important?

TH: The Optimist Club is still important because its members believe it is and believe in bringing the community upward. In the short time I’ve spent getting to know the other members, their dedication is unparalleled.

PN: What are some of the things the Optimist Club does in Marshall County currently?

TH: Rewards one collegebound teen with a four-year renewable, $1,000 scholarship (up from $750). The club puts on a youth tennis tournament. It plants flowers downtown in front of businesses. It keeps time at events and provides shirts to the high school cross country team.

PN: How many members are there in the Optimist Club?

TH: There are 16, which is down from 35. We would love more.

PN: Are there any current prominent members in the Optimist Club?

TH: I’m not sure how to answer this because, in my opinion, the majority of the members are prominent.

I tried to present this question to the group, but they are humble in nature and enjoy being recognized as a group.

Everyone did agree, though, that they are extremely grateful for the below members: Tom Blackburn, owner of Ponderosa in Plymouth. Tom graciously provides us with a meeting space as well as breakfast every Tuesday morning.

Tim Quick, owner of Quick’s Lanes, Plymouth, happily provides a home at the bowling alley for the pancake batter, syrup, butter, and blueberries before the pancake breakfast.

Being business owners, Blackburn and Quick are a huge asset to ordering all the food for the pancake breakfasts as well.

PN: When was the first fly-in pancake breakfast done and why?

TH: No one remembers! The fly-in pancake breakfast used to be hosted by a flying club that met at the airport. The original Optimists volunteered to help with the breakfast and eventually inherited it as the members in the flying club dwindled.

PN: Why is the Optimist Club important to the community?

TH: We provide services and things to community youth they may not otherwise have, such as the scholarship.

Five years ago we started doing a second pancake breakfast toward the beginning of summer at the Farmer’s Market in River Park Square. The additional breakfast was to further supplement the scholarship fund and how we were able to up it from $750 to $1000.

PN: Why is the Optimist Club important to you?

TH: The Optimist Club is important to me because I enjoy being involved with the community and wanted a way to connect more with our local youth.

I love that our purpose is just to make a positive difference in the lives of others, no matter how big or small.

Being a club member is rewarding and fulfilling and I look forward to many more years as a member.

PN: Here’s the big question: How many people usually attend the fly-in pancake breakfast?

TH: Around 1,000!

PHOTO PROVIDED This photo of the Plymouth Optimist’s Club appeared in the July 24, 1974: “With 35 charter members, the Plymouth Optimist Club held an organizational meeting Tuesday evening. The Optimist Club is a community service group affiliated with Optimists International. The club will have a breakfast meeting every Tuesday. Members of the board of directors included (seated from left) Rev. Thomas Bump, Don Towle, Earl Weidner and Larry Lewallen and (standing, from left) vice president Frank Howard, President E. N. Chipman and vice president Ed DeMont.