Optimist Chris Bilodeau, left, from Gamache and Lessard Inc., is pictured presenting the Optimist Creed to guest speaker Michael Desplaines, executive director of McLaughlin Garden, South Paris, who addressed the meeting. Desplaines presented the history and operation of the garden, which is open daily at no charge. The Optimist Club is a local service club that strives to bring out the best in kids. For more information on the garden, visit www.mclaughlingarden.org. and for the Optimist Club, visit www.optimist.org.