Basketball Sign Up December 14, 10 AM- 1 PM GAMS

It’s that time of year. The weather is changing and the Gettysburg Optimist Club is getting in gear for Optimist Basketball.  Registration is OPEN online.  Youth in grades 1-6 are welcome to participate in this free basketball program. Sessions begin January 4th at the Gettysburg Middle School gym and will occur every Saturday through the end of February.  Children can be registered by the following:

1) Fill out the Sign Up form online (One child per form submittal please)
2) Complete a printed registration form and mail it to PO Box 3035 Gettysburg, PA 17325.
3) Attend a Sign Up Session December 14 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Gettysburg Middle School to fill out the required paperwork.

Spread the word to make this another great basketball season!

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2019 Holiday Dinner Reservations

No Optimist meeting this week.

The annual Gettysburg Optimist Christmas Dinner will be Wednesday December 11, 2019 at the Gettysburg Seminary Refectory. Social at 6 PM with dinner 6:30 PM. Calling all members to not miss out on this gala evening and all children and grandchildren are invited. President Marci has been told we may have a special jolly guest join us for the evening. Be on your best behavior!

Please RSVP Tom Barako with your reservation for the evening. 

Other dates to mark in your calendar for the month of December are :
(1) Thursday, December 12 Bell Ringing
(2) Friday, December 13 Optimist Magic Show 6:30 PM @ Lincoln Elementary
(3) Saturday December 14 Optimist basketball signup 9AM – 1PM @ Gettysburg Area Middle School cafeteria.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Daryl Aurand, Secretary

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Giving Tuesday 2019 – A Global Day of Giving

In November, we have three days dedicated to shopping; Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.

On Tuesday, December 03, 2019, people around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community.  Please consider the Gettysburg Optimist in your giving this year! All money donated is returned to the youth activities in the local community. Help Bring out the Best in Kids through a donation via a secure link at paypal. Thank you!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

“An attitude of gratitude brings great things.” – Yogi Bhajan

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Reminder

No Optimist Meeting this Wednesday November 20, 2019.

Our next meeting is our Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 @ the Refectory.

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2019 Magic Show Announcement

Mark your calendars! The annual Optimist Magic Show has been scheduled for December 13 at 6:30 PM at Lincoln Elementary School.

Promising to entertain audiences of all ages, they have designed a show with a mix of amazing stage illusions, entertaining and skillful escapes, audience participation and exciting music that gives you more ‘bang for your buck’ than any other magic or illusion show out there!

Certainly not your everyday ‘magic’ act… forget all you know and prepare to be amazed by Extreme Illusions & Escapes starring Josh Knotts & Lea.

Phone solicitations for donations have begun.

We THANK YOU in advance for donating to continue this tradition which allows ALL Children to attend for free. Tickets will soon be available for distribution.

Donations may also be sent to PO BOX 3035, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or through Paypal and credit card where 100% of the money collected is used for other Gettysburg Optimist Club activities. This allows programs like the Optimist Basketball, Reading is Fundamental, and Outdoor education to remain FREE to all students of Gettysburg and surrounding areas.  As a 501c3 Organization, your direct donation is tax deductible.

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November 6, 2019 Meeting Minutes

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg met on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Deatrick Community Center. President Marci Cropp welcomed 15 members. Marci opened the evening by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Brent Smith gave the invocation. A delicious chicken and meatball dinner was prepared by Cropp Catering. Also, included was a very tasty crab salsa from Marci’s shop, Rosie’s.

Program:

No program this evening.

Business Meeting:

  1. Secretary’s report was approved.
  2. Treasure’s report was approved.
  3. President’s report:

New Business

  1. Thank you notes were circulated from Ad. Co. Head Start and Ad. Co. Arts Council.
  2. Fred Darling was sworn in as a board member by VP Brian Skidmore.
  3. Brian Skidmore received a plaque in honor of the 2018 year he served as president of the club.
  4. Sam and Brian volunteered to prepare the meals for March 18th and April 15th

Old Business

  1. Please contact Marci ASAP if you have not yet signed up to help with Bell Ringing on December 12th. (Sign-up sheet attached)
  2. Club members brainstormed many ideas for recruiting new members:
  3. Don Davis suggested that a club brochure be given to people moving into the area via Welcome Wagon and Ginny.
  4. Presentations given to local businesses that might be willing to pay for employee’s membership in the club.
  5. Display of a “join” banner and forms at all Optimist events.
  6. Members present at all events that would personally invite people to join.

Discussion will continue later.

Committee/Task Force Reports:

Amphitheater Task Force

The Adams County Tech Prep Program students and teacher, Dave Snyder, continue renovations that may be completed in November. A picture and article appeared in the Gettysburg Times on November 4th during a Pizza Thank You lunch provided for students by Optimist Club members Marci, Tom, Daryl, Dan, Brian, Mark, and Wayne. Tom reported that a nail gun will be donated to the Adams County Tech Prep Program (Gettysburg, Fairfield, Littlestown, Conewago Valley, and Bermudian Springs Schools).

Christmas Magic Show Committee

Marci reported for Doug that the event will be held December 13, 2019 at 6:30 PM at Lincoln Elementary School. Please contact Doug ASAP if you are able to help.

Basketball Program Committee

Marci reported for Chris that club members are needed to help with participant registration at the Gettysburg Middle School cafeteria on December 14, 2019 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Please contact Chris ASAP.

Golf Tournament Fundraiser Committee

Daryl reported that the Golf Fundraiser date is set for May 21, 2020 at the Links. Co-chairpersons are Tom Barako and Daryl Aurand. Committee members are needed, so please contact Tom or Daryl ASAP.

Oyster/Shrimp Fundraiser Committee:

Wayne reported the oyster event date of March 28, 2020. Tickets may be available for the Holiday Dinner on December 11th. The members discussed selling tickets at the Christmas Magic Show and Basketball Registration in December. The Key Club will help throughout the event. Members discussed the possible creation of a sign-up work schedule so there are enough members throughout the event for all necessary details from padding to clean-up. Stacy and Wayne will make final decisions. More information will be given at a later date.

  1. The meeting ended with the recitation of the Optimist Creed.

Upcoming Dates:

  • 12/11/19 Optimist Holiday Dinner @ Gettysburg Seminary Refectory
  • 12/12/19 Salvation Army Bell Ringing on Thursday.
  • 12/13/19 Christmas Magic Show, 6:30 PM @ Lincoln Elementary School
  • 12/14/19 Optimist Basketball 2019 – 2020, registration @ Middle School Cafeteria and on our website.
  • 1/13/20 Board of Director meeting
  • 1/15/20 Next Meeting
  • 3/28/20 Oyster/Shrimp Fundraiser @ Gettysburg Fire Hall
  • 5/21/20 Golf Tournament @ Links at Gettysburg

Respectfully Submitted,

Daryl Aurand, Secretary

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Renovations to the Gettysburg Recreation Park Amphitheater

Nearly thirty-five years has passed since the Optimist Club of Gettysburg (Optimist) volunteered to build the Amphitheater at the Gettysburg Recreation Park. Over the decades since it was first opened to the public, thousands of Gettysburg area residents have migrated to the amphitheater to enjoy a variety of entertainment offerings.

Originally many local contractors and businesses joined forces to lend their specific skill-sets to construct the Amphitheater and that tradition of community service and support continues. As with all things, the years have a way of taking a toll on a structure and local club members have once again brought together volunteers and local businesses to repair or replace much of the original structure. This month the local club over saw the renovations to the outdoor theater that has become a local landmark at the Gettysburg Recreation Park.

The Adams County Tech-Prep Building Trades Program, are providing painting and construction labor to install new facia and roofing. A number of local businesses stepped up to offer their expertise and assistance with materials needed to complete the project. Optimist members volunteered their time, efforts and equipment to power-wash the structure and prepare it for new paint which was donated by Sherwin Williams of Gettysburg. Len Dick Signs will lend their artistic efforts for a new sign which will adorn the Theater in coming weeks. The Optimists provided all the necessary funding for materials and oversight for the work.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg is a volunteer organization (501C-3) dedicated to sponsoring more than 15 ongoing youth related programs throughout the year in Gettysburg. The funds needed to support their programs include: The Oyster and Shrimp Feed, The Annual Gettysburg Optimist Golf Tournament, Adams County Chamber of Commerce Wine and Music Festival parking services and the Optimist Christmas Magic Show.

“Membership in the Club is open for all men and women 18 years of age and older who want to help with our mission to ‘Bring Out the Best in Kids’. The Optimist Club of Gettysburg was founded in 1958 and has been continuously sustained for more than 65 years,” says Marci Cropp, this year’s Gettysburg Optimist Club President. “With the continued support of our members, local businesses and the residents of the Gettysburg area community, it is our goal to continue the Optimist legacy onto future generations.”

For more information on the Club and how you can join or donate support for our efforts, click on https://gettysburgoptimist.com/ today or call a member at 717.220.3416.

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November 6, 2019 Meeting Announcements

We will have a board meeting this Wednesday 11/6/2019 @ 5 PM before our regular meeting. This meeting is at Deatrick Village Community Center.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg membership will meet this Wednesday, November 6th @ the “Deatrick Village Community Center” 6 PM social and 6:30 PM dinner and meeting.

See you then!

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2019 Reading Is Fundamental Program

For Immediate Release:

2019 Gettysburg Optimist RIF Program

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg held its annual Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) dinner meeting on October 16, 2019. Each year the Optimist Club of Gettysburg supports more than 19 youth related programs throughout the Gettysburg area that “Bring Out The Best In Kids.” The RIF program, known by different names at each school, is one of those programs and provides books to approximately 1,700 students in the Gettysburg community.

Representatives from Franklin Township Elementary (Ashley Kunkel), Lincoln Elementary (Valerie Stone), James Gettys Elementary (Allison Symmes & Jennie Harrison), Head Start (Jennifer Nelson), Vida Charter School (Belinda Ray), and St. Francis Xavier School (Jennifer Fleming & Mandy Willard) attended this year’s dinner meeting and gave presentations of their respective book distribution programs. The presentations included the wonderful different ways each school distributed books to their students and provided activities associated with their respective programs for their students.

Throughout the year, the Optimist RIF Committee Chairperson, Lyne Aurand, attended programs at the schools. Each school was presented with a check to help purchase a book for every student in their schools.  $5,000 was distributed from Optimist donations.

About the Gettysburg Optimist Club
 The Optimist Club of Gettysburg was chartered in 1958 and continues to be dedicated to providing young people with positive activities and learning opportunities. Club members are men and women who come from all walks of life and who are united in an effort, “To Bring out the Best in Kids!” To learn more about the Optimist Club of Gettysburg and their many programs, activities and a membership opportunity, visit https://gettysburgoptimist.com/, visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OptimistClubofGettysburg?ref=hl or call 717-220-3416.

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