The Optimist Club of Gettysburg will once again sponsor a youth basketball program for boys and girls in grades K-6. The seven week program which takes place on Saturdays will begin in January. Come sign-up your child at the Gettysburg Middle School Cafeteria on Saturday, December 6th or 13th from 9-11am . We look forward to seeing you on the court!
President Kris called the meeting to order and introduced guests for the evening:
Lt. Governor Dallas Smith
Special Olympics guests, Ms. Terry Sickles, Program Director, Alex Harner, and Ms. Bailey.
Invocation: Sam Isenberger
There are 150 athletes involved in the Special Olympics program in Adams County (40% under age 18).The mission is year around sports training for those who are intellectually impaired (not necessarily physically impaired). All activities of the participants choosing are free. However, the Special Olympics Organization pays the fees, transportation, lodging (if they go onto state, national , world events). There is an obvious need for funding.
There will be a Specal Olympics “golf challenge” at the Bridges golf course in the Spring. There will be a need for sponsors, golfers, and volunteers.
Benefits: Encourages independence building, self confidence, gives families a support network, gives athelete and parents a respite from relationship which is of value to both. There are 12 sports available. Bowling, swimming, golf,kayaking, bocci, volleyball to name a few. Coaches are needed – even with minimal experience.
Summer games are at Penn State, Fall games at Villanova, Winter games in Johnstown. States are at Penn State.
Alex Harner, Special Olympian, spoke about his experiences since age 8 (now 23). Social developement and making friends is a great benefit. He attended World Games in Greece – a life long memory. We sang happy Birthday to Ms. Bailey and gave her a small cake and candle.
Lt. Gov. Dallas Smith from the East York Club (all York clubs have merged) commended Gettysburg for its great programs. A framed print was presented to President Kris for Club support of the Optimist Foundation ($500/yr for about 10 years). The next Zone meeting will be Monday Nov. 24th at Alexander’s restaurant at 6:30.
Reports:
Treasurer – General Fund $425.17; Activities Fund $10,330.93 Tom has taken care of tax preparation for this year. The Magic Show is doing well and is exceeding expectations. At special thank you goes to the Eagles Club for their $500. donation.
Bruce Bradshaw had his knee surgery and is at home and doing well. Send him an email!
Magic Show – Dec. 12, 7PM at Lincoln Elementary. Thanks for your good work Doug!
Mindy reports basketball sign ups will be December 7th and 14th from 9-11 AM at the Gettysburg Middle School cafeteria. The season will be 7 weeks long with no practice on Jan 31st.
Oyster Feed will be Saturday Feb.28th with prep Friday nt, at 6PM at the Firehall.
Optimist Christmas Party will be December 10th at 6:30PM at the Refectory. Members and guests are $25. each, and children under ten are free. BYOB. Presents “from Santa” should be brought by parents and placed under the tree. Mindy may have a photo op for children in antler ears, Santa’s cap, etc. Good Fun!
No regular meetings in December!!
Recorded by Walt Jones
Fellow Optimists,
We meet tonight, 6:30 PM, at Mama Ventura’s. THIS IS OUR LAST REGULER MEETING OF THE YEAR.
We sincerely hope you can come. Come early for some fellowship! We’ll have two special guests also.
See you there.
Fellow Optimists,
Our Lt. Govenor , Dallas Smith, will be a special guest at our Wednesday meeting. Please try and attend this important event.
IMPORTANT: Please let Kris Accardi know if you will attend so we can give Mama Ventra’s a count. Thanks, see you there.
President Kris opened the meeting after a good fellowship session as many members arrived early. There were 17 members present including two new members and two guest speakers from the Salvation Army.
After dinner Jane Scott reviewed the history of the bell ringers and donation pot and thanked the club for its continuing support. The donation pot began in Los Angeles. Pots were often placed at Ferry landing docks for passengers to drop in their change to help the poor. Salvation Army captain Joseph McFee was looking for a way to fund Christmas dinner for the poor. Remembering the dock pots, he placed one at the Oakland Ferry Landing in 1891. He soon had enough money to provide the dinners. The method and Christmas tradition continued and grew and spread across the nationwide organization and around the world.
Today this tradition is in our hands. All Salvation members in Adams county are volunteers. 95% or more of all collections remain in our county. About $40,000. is collected annually and is distributed to needy families and children’s school supplies.
Kris reported that speakers from the Special Olympics will be at our November 19 meeting.
The annual family Christmas Party will be held December 10, 6PM, at the Refectory. Children are free. Adults pay $25.00. Please RSVP Stacey Green for reservations.
January 21st Alex Hayes of the Gettysburg Times will be our speaker.
We are pleased to have Dan Mattern back with us. Dan is a long time member who took a few years away from us. Welcome Dan!
New member Bob Dicken was present. Welcome to the club Bob! Kris called upon us to keep up our efforts to increase our membership.
Kris is working on lining up arrangements for Optimist basketball. January 10th is the proposed starting date.
The social gathering at Battlefield Brewworks was held last Sunday with 10 people attending – a good start for such events.
The trivia winners selected “Ruth’s Harvest” for a $500. donation.
Tom reported our Activities fund contains $11,867.50. The general fund contains $284.70.
Money from the Christmas Magic Show is coming in. Nearly $3000. has been received so far. The show is Dec. 12, 7PM, at Lincoln Elementary. Members are invited to attend and help (no charge).
Bruce reported that about $9000. was made at last year’s golf tournament. The only ways to increase this amount are to get a major sponsor, add additional tee and hole sponsors, and to bring our foursome numbers to 36. November is our key month for soliciting sponsors! Budgets are being prepared for next year and we want to be a part of many new budgets. More info and literature will follow.
Wayne reports the Oyster Feed will be February 28th at the firehall. Mark your calendars!
Daryl thanked all who participated in the Halloween parade. Seems two Gettysped carts were seen racing up Baltimore street, both heavily laden, at speeds exceeding 1mph! NASCAR is considering sanctions.
Next meeting is November 19th. Dinner is 6:30. Come early! Chat and have a beverage of your choice.
Recorded by Joe MacDowell
Please mark your calendars for these important events:
TONIGHT! (Sunday Nov 2nd) Ravens Steelers Game at Battlefield Brewworks – 8PM Join us!
Nov. 5th Regular Meeting Mama Ventura’s 6:30 PM (Come early – enjoy a beverage/brew)
Nov. 19th – Regular Meeting Mama Ventura’s 6:30PM
December 3rd – NO MEETING
December 10th – Family Christmas Dinner with special visitor! at the Refectory 6PM – Please reserve your space(s) with Stacey Green
December 12th – Annual Optimist Christmas Magic Show – Place and time to be announced
December 17th – NO MEETING Merry Christmas!
Our regular Wednesday evening meeting will be at Mama Ventura’s November 5th at 6:30PM. Come early and enjoy some good company and a beverage! See you there.
Gettysburg Optimist Club
Are you a Ravens fan? A Steelers fan? Or just an Optimist?
The Optimist Club of Gettysburg is hosting a social event on Sunday, November 2nd at 8pm at the Battlefield Brew Works (248 Hunterstown Rd Gettysburg, PA). This is a perfect opportunity to learn more about your local Optimists. So come enjoy the game, some tasty beverages, and a lot of great people. The first round is on us!
Thank you to all the volunteers who planned to walk/ride with the Optimists tonight at the annual Gettysburg Halloween Parade. Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating and the parade has been postponed until 10/28/14 with the same start times.
Guest speaker: John Blasius, the Senior Executive of the New Birth of Freedom Council of Boy Scouts presented a lot of great information about the local troops. More than 11,000 youth are served per year by this council which is the 4th largest in the state. John focused on the Battlefield District which encompasses Southwestern York and Adams Counties. The Boy Scouts allow those in grades 1-12 to participate. There are also adventure posts for girls and boys to enjoy. The local Boy Scouts have donated more than 6700 volunteer hours through blood drives, shelter drives, and battlefield restoration. An amazing 28 scouts earned the elite, Eagle Scout status. Nationally, the Boys Scouts of America are growing. They have increased by 9000 and are also growing locally. The Boy Scouts are once again appreciative of the donation received from the Optimist Club of Gettysburg.
President Report: Kris hopes that everyone enjoyed the Installation Banquet. He is excited to start another great year with the newly elected officers. For the meetings this year he would like to have speakers in addition to the guests who are receiving donations from the club. If you have any suggestions please let Kris know. There were 3 potential new members at this meeting. They all seemed to enjoy the evening and look forward to meeting more Optimist members at upcoming meetings.
Treasurer Report: The club is already having a successful campaign of raising money from the Magic Show. We will be sending out a copy of the approved budget to members. This year’s dues have gone down to $200 per year. Members who attend the meetings at Mamma’s will be asked to give $5 towards the cost of their meal. There will be no additional fee for those attending the outdoor summer meetings.
Halloween Parade: The Optimists will once again be participating in the Gettysburg Halloween Parade. We have contacted Big Brothers Big Sisters to walk with us. Some members will also be riding scooters which were generously donated by Getty Peds. We will be passing out candy that has the Optimist logo. Members who are walking can meet at 6:30pm on Lefever Street. Those who are riding should be at Getty Peds by 6pm. Please contact Daryl if you have any questions.
Christmas Party: Mark your calendars for the annual Christmas party! It has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 10th at the Refectory. Members and guests will pay $25 per person. There will be no cost for children 12 and under.
Upcoming Events:
Halloween Parade: Tuesday, October 21st meet at 6:30pm on Lefever Street (6pm at Gettys Peds if you will be driving)
Next Optimist Meetings: Wednesday, November 5th at 6:30pm at Mamma Ventura’s.
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