Ashland Optimist Bulletin January 4, 2024
Breakfast: Jan. 11- Dana Cafourek, Letitia & Tabi DenHartog
Program- Joy Shawley- Road to Recovery
The Ashland Optimist Board will meet Jan. 9th at 7:00 in the Boardroom at our Optimist building. If you are on the Board, please try to be there. If you have anything to add to the agenda, please contact Barrett Glascock by Tues. Jan. 7th.
We had Bingo on Friday. Jan. 3rd with 158 players. They bought twelve extra games and spent close to twice as much as last Bingo. Thanks to everyone who came, brought desserts, and helped!
Starting Jan. 11th- Feb. 15th, there will be basketball games at the middle school and primary buildings. Help is needed on Jan. 11th since Madeline will not be available. Here is the link to volunteer:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w4JWpm71-cgSESc2UmmJ3jaoaHZjbNZpXmc4hEqBJ4w/edit.
Lunch for the referees and timekeepers will restart January 11-Feb. 15. Lunch for 4-6 people should be dropped off at the score table in the middle school gym between 11:00-11:30, if possible. If you are interested, you can sign up at
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-g3SqJ_Sav3PeLgpINzz4h8MAibIT2tttfIb4hHZXqY/edit.
Bernie Bartel and Donna Wobbe provided a delicious breakfast this morning, including Bernie's famous apple cake. We had seven guests today, including a friend of Barrett's, George Carney who recently moved back to the area, and the folks that were here to provide our program, including Joe & Rachel Kinney (President Ken Bishop's daughter and son-in-law) and their daughters Ayla and Brooklyn, plus trainer Allison Cantrell and fellow horse rider Makayla Jones.
After we finished eating, Allison led the program by talking about High Spirits Farm, a state-of-the-art equine facility north of Ashland where the girls ride. High Spirits has been in the area for over twenty years, specializing in producing and competing with American Saddlebreds and Hackney ponies. Allison has been a trainer there since 2017, along with Jim and Fay Lowry. In addition to lessons, summer camps are provided, as well as a recent New Year's sleepover in the arena.
Each girl was given the opportunity to share how long they had been riding, a high point of the time riding, and what they appreciated about their trainer and the program. In addition, videos of their competitions were shown. The girls compete in tournaments from March to November in Kansas City, St. Louis, Sedalia, Stephens College, and William Woods.
After Allison answered the plethora of questions, each of the young ladies drew for the Attendance drawing. Nancy Nickolaus and Cameron Burns had their chance at riches, but Tabi DenHartog was thrilled to say, "It pays to attend!" when her number was drawn.
Letitia DenHartog
ashlandoptimist.org
