East coast supplies of shrimp and oysters will soon diminish as the time for Gettysburg’s most anticipated feast approaches.

The Annual Gettysburg Optimist Oyster and Shrimp Feed has been scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2016 between noon and 3 pm. This year the popular event is at the Gettysburg Fire Hall located at 35 North Stratton Street, in Gettysburg.

The annual All U Can Eat Oyster & Shrimp Feed includes oysters (raw, steamed, stewed, and fried), steamed shrimp, ham, steak fries, beverages, and desserts for a donation of $35 per person!

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg invites the local community to join us for the afternoon. Although we come from all walks of life, Optimist Club Members share in the goal to make a difference in the lives of others, especially youth in our region.  The Optimist Oyster & Shrimp Feed is one of several fund raising projects the local club conducts in order to support more than 19 youth related programs throughout the Gettysburg area. “The Oyster & Shrimp Feed is an opportunity for the community to gather and support the youth in our community.  We have been hosting the Oyster & Shrimp Feed for over thirty-five years, allowing our organization to further the Optimist’s mission of Bringing out the best in Kids” said Wayne Hill, Oyster & Shrimp Feed Chair, of the Optimist Club of Gettysburg.  Fundraisers such as this one are essential to putting all of our plans into action,”  Wayne continued.  “With this fundraiser, we hope to be able to bring more projects to the children of the community who need it most.”

This is your opportunity to join the “Friends of Youth” in supporting programs including; Optimist Youth Basketball, Youth Appreciation, Respect for Law, Reading is Fundamental, S.T.A.R.S., GHS Outdoor Education, Gettysburg Community Theater (GCT), Holiday Family Outreach, GHS Musical Ensemble, Dollars for Scholars, Food Kitchen Meals and More, GHS Football, The Gettysburg Arts Council and more.  We need the support of the Gettysburg community to continue a fifty-six year tradition of providing these programs to our local youth! Member preparation will begin Friday, March 18 at 6:00 pm. Member tickets are available from Stacey or Wayne.

For questions or to purchase tickets for the 2016 Oyster & Shrimp Feed, please contact the club.  Tickets are limited.  So order yours today!

President Bruce Bradshaw convened the January 6,2016 meeting of the Gettysburg Optimist Club, calling the meeting to order at 6:36pm. He welcomed everyone and opened with the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by another delicious dinner provided by Stacey Green and her staff.

1. Recognition – Two guests joined the meeting and our featured speaker, John Johnston, was introduced.

2. Guest Speaker – The speaker for the evening was John Johnston, former Princeton wrestling coach (1964-1993) and the NCAA wrestling champion at PSU in the late fifties. He spoke about drug testing in sports, covering the history of drug testing beginning in 1936. John discussed the regulations and laws regarding drug testing and his involvement in it. He finished by answering some questions from club members about this topic.

3. President’s Report – Bruce spoke about December club activities and plans for the coming year.

4. Secretary’s Report- The Club Roster will be sent to all members, and everyone is asked to review their information, forwarding any corrections, etc. to Fred Darling. An updated roster will then be sent to all members in the near future.

5. Treasurer’s Report- No report.

6. Magic Show- Doug reported that the Magic Show was performed on December 18,7:00pm,at Lincoln Elementary School. He said that the show was excellent and everyone had a great time.

7. Basketball – This Saturday, January 9,will be the first Youth Basketball Games at Gettysburg M.S.,9-1. There are about 110- 120 signed up. Joe encouraged everyone to come out and have a great time.

8. Oyster Feed- Plans are well underway for the feed, March 19,according to Wayne and Stacey. Stacey asked those who plan to sell tickets to contact her. Tickets are $35 per person. Bruce asked members to consider having the regular meeting on March 19 at the fire house, since the regular scheduled meeting (March 16)is so close to the Oyster Feed.

9. Golf Tourney- Frank Negro has been contacting businesses for possible sponsors, and plans are well underway- May 19.

10. Soccer Parking-The location of the club parking area is somewhat undecided due to litigation involving the soccer teams. But we are assured that there will be a parking area for the Optimist Club – May and August.

Member Remarks- Joe mentioned that people who do business with Thrivent can apply for $250 seed money for
community projects twice a year. They can go online and look up “action teams”. Joe said that both he and Daryl Aurand have gotten projects approved for Optimist needs.

Bruce called for everyone to recite the Optimist Creed and ended the meeting at 8:05pm.

Submitted by Fred Darling

The popular youth program begins Saturday, January 09, 2016 at the Gettysburg Area Middle School.

Age groups are scheduled as follows:

  • 9 a.m. Boys 1st through 3rd grade
  • 10 a.m. Girls 1st through 3rd grade
  • 11 a.m. Boys 4th through 6th grade
  • 12 p.m. Girls 4th through 6th grade

We look forward to seeing everyone Saturday!

The season begins on Saturday, January 09, 2016 and runs through March 05, 2016 at the Gettysburg Area Middle School, Lefever Street in Gettysburg. February 06 will be held at Lincoln Elementary school.

Couldn’t make the advanced registration? Complete the online registration form and email it to [email protected].   Optimist Youth Basketball Registration Form

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Greetings and Happy New Year Optimist Club Members !

Looking for a good start to your new Year? Consider attending the Gettysburg Optimist Club Meeting on Wednesday, January 6 at 6:00pm in the Refectory. Hope to see all of you for good food, good conversation, and a great speaker.

Our featured speaker will be John Johnston, the former Princeton wrestling coach (1964-1993) and the NCAA wrestling champion at PSU in the late fifties. He will speak about his involvement in athletic drug testing and how the testing is spreading to High Schools.

Please let Fred know or RSVP at [email protected] if you are attending the meeting in order to get a count for dinner.  Thanks!