EXCELSIOR CLUB IN CAPE FAIRLY YOUNG

The Excelsior Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau is the second youngest club in the area, having joined the ranks of local Optimism in 1988. Sponsored by the Breakfast Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau, the Excelsior club was chartered with 52 members.

The club's biggest endeavor of late has been the co-sponsorship of a girl's basketball league. The league's eight-week season was capped off with a weekend tournament, run solely by the Excelsior Optimists, who kept the scorebook, ran the scoreboard and kept the time for all games.

The club also sponsor many other programs, such as Bike Safety Week, oratorical and essay contests, a Girl Scout troop, a teen dance and Youth Appreciation Week. Their contributions to the community have included donations of cash and time to the Women's Safe House in Cape Girardeau and the Safety Village.

The group sells cheesecake at Riverfest and pecans for holiday baking and holds chicken and dumpling dinners to raise money for its projects. The club recently compiled a cookbook to add to its fundraising efforts.

The club last year reached Distinguished status. Factors in that accomplishment were the sponsorship of a new club in Farmington, increasing membership to an all-time high of 76 and starting several new projects.

To the current 75 members of the Excelsior club, being Optimists give them more than the satisfaction of being Friends of Youth. Excelsior President Kelly Faircloth said the club offers its members leadership potential.

"This club has given women opportunities in service leadership that they otherwise may not have had," Faircloth said. "We really have a great membership, and I'm happy that our members are afforded the chance to get involved in leadership roles."

Other officers of the club are vice presidents Cheryl Holmes and Karen Rigdon, secretary Lori Trepasso and treasurer Kandee Metje. The club meets at noon on Wednesdays at the Cape Girardeau Holiday Inn.