-We had a wonderful presentation about Alex’s Lemonade Stand by two local youth, Caton Raffensberger and Jared Herr.   They told us how the organization began in 2000 as a dream from 4 year old Alex Scott who was suffering from a form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma.  Her wish was to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer.  Overall, this organization has raised more than $60 million towards cancer research.  Caton and Jared have been manning a stand in Gettysburg for the last eight years.   They personally have raised more than $27,000 for this amazing cause.  They plan on having their stand over the 4^th of July weekend at 429 Baltimore St.  For convenient service, they offer curb-side lemonade pick up! Re-enactors are welcome, and don’t worry they serve both sides!

-Al shared his Optimist moment.  He has been a big supporter of the Optimist Basketball program over the years.   On one particular Saturday he was asked to do some creative and optimistic thinking by running the practice without basketballs!  Apparently, the kids learned several new stretches and showed great shooting form until the balls finally arrived.  He also looks forward to seeing three generations of his family participating in the program for the first time this weekend as he and his son will help coach and his grandson will be playing ball.

-The Annual All-Star Magic Show had another successful year.  We raised $500 more than our goal which will go to support numerous local youth programs.

-Members who pay their dues in full by the end of the month will receive a $10 discount.  You can contact Tom to arrange payment.

-We received a Thank-you note from the James Gettys PTO for our support of the Reading is Fundamental program.  With the help of our donation, the children met their goal of reading more than 2000 books between Thanksgiving and the first week of January.

–Optimist Basketball continues this Saturday from 9-11:45.  For the remainder of the season the boys will be in the Gettysburg Middle School and the girls will play at Lincoln Elementary.  Please see the schedule for specific times by age group.

-The planning for the Golf Tournament is in full swing.  We are actively looking for sponsorship.  Now is the time for members to start making contact with potential sponsors.  Be on the lookout for an email detailing ways you can help the club make this another successful year or click the above link to find registration forms and information.

-Details have been confirmed for the All you can eat Oyster and Shrimp Feed.  This year will bring a new location.  The event will be held at the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg from noon until 3pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013.  Along with the typical raw, stewed, fried, and steamed oysters there will also be steamed shrimp featured this year!  Members are encouraged to help with prep on Friday evening and Saturday morning.   Please contact Stacey ([email protected]) if you would like to help.  In order to track ticket sales please keep Wayne ([email protected]) up-to-date with tickets sold or if you need more.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday February 6^th at 6:30pm at the Seminary Refectory.

East coast supplies of shrimp and oysters will soon diminish as the time for Gettysburg’s most anticipated feasts approaches.  The Annual Gettysburg Optimist Oyster and Shrimp Feed has been scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2013 between noon and 3 pm.

This year the popular event moves to the 1863 Inn of Gettysburg located at 516 Baltimore Street, in Gettysburg.  The annual All-U-Can Eat Oyster & Shrimp Feed includes oysters (raw, steamed, stewed, and fried), steamed shrimp, ham, sides, beverage, and dessert for a donation of $30 per person!  This year we welcome a new addition to the menu; All U Can Eat steamed shrimp.

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 twenty 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.

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, Adams County School for Musical Theater, 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 50 year tradition of providing these programs to our local youth!

For questions or to purchase tickets for the 2013 Oyster & Shrimp Feed, please contact the club at (717) 220-3416, at [email protected] or visit our website at, www.gettysburgoptimist.com.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg will be conducting their January 16, 2013 regular membership meeting at a different location.  The move is necessary due to a scheduling conflict at the Lutheran Seminary Refectory.  For this one evening the Club will meet at the Deatrick Village Community Center located at 56 Winding Drive in Gettysburg.  Biggerstaff’s Catering will provide the meal and on February 6, the meetings will move back to the Refectory.

Young people representing Alex’s Lemonade Stand will be the feature presentation on January 16, the meeting will get underway at 6:30 pm.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg will get back to the business of Optimism on Wednesday, January 2, at the clubs first meeting of the new year.  The club will be wrapping up the final fund raising project of 2012 with a report on the Optimist Magic Show.   Members have not met in a regular business meeting since November, having focused on the Optimist Family Holiday Party and the registration for the Clubs Youth Basketball Program in the month of December.

A busy winter season awaits Club members.  The Optimist Youth Basketball Program begins at 9:00 am on Saturday, January 12.  Chairman, Matt Sheads and his corps of supporters are planning for another successful year and, while early registration has come to a close, youngsters can still sign up for a season of fun filled Saturday mornings.  Those who wish to join the others may still register via the Optimist Club website at  http://gettysburgoptimist.org,  click on “News” and select the 2013 Optimist Youth Basketball page to reveal the registration form and project information.  Completed forms can be returned via email on the website contact page or delivered on the first day of the event.

The Optimist Annual Oyster and Shrimp Feed will be a topic of discussion at this week’s meeting.  The Project Chairman, Wayne Hill, is making final arrangements for this popular, long running project.  He and Stacey Green will be looking for members ideas and suggestions on the details of the project.  Some significant changes and improvements are on the horizon for 2013, so don’t miss this opportunity to advance your Optimistic opinion.

President Craig is putting together a busy meeting schedule for the club and is looking for the support of all members as he continues with his administrative year of Optimist serving the youth of Gettysburg.  The meeting will be held at the Lutheran Theological Seminary Refectory on Wednesday, January 2, beginning at 6:30 pm.  The meal will be prepared by Biggerstaff’s Catering.

Come on out and join us in serving our community as “Friends of Youth”.