T
he Noon Optimist Club of Marshall met on September 18 at Hutchins Hall in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, coinciding with National Cheeseburger Day. The club enjoyed What-a-Burger cheeseburgers and fries, courtesy of Optimists Le Ila and Charles Dixon, who also provided ice cream and pumpkin spice cookie crunch topping for dessert.

    President Julie Brock led the meeting, starting with an opening prayer by Rusty Rustenhaven and the pledge to the flag and Optimist Creed. Ben Dickson introduced Marlene Cooper, a candidate for House District 7 of the Texas Legislature. A Jefferson native, Marlene emphasized her commitment to representing East Texas, focusing on women's rights, rural healthcare, and public education.

    When asked about improving broadband internet access, Marlene replied that it was an urgent issue, with no current solutions in place. She highlighted the importance of internet access for growing businesses, personal use, and students who receive tablets at school but lack home internet connectivity.

    Le Ila introduced Diane Seal as the day's speaker, a real estate agent who had sold many members their homes over the years. Diane shared her experience as a teacher-turned-realtor, noting that teachers make good Realtors due to their discipline and work ethic. She discussed the changes in the real estate industry, including increased paperwork and formalization of relationships.

    Diane emphasized the importance of engaging a knowledgeable local realtor, particularly one familiar with Marshall area schools and boundaries. She also highlighted the current low availability of homes for sale, especially in the middle price bracket, due to pandemic-related fluctuations.

    The club thanked Diane for her informative presentation, and President Julie presented her with a pot of fall mums as a token of appreciation.