Ashland Optimist Bulletin October 19, 2024
Breakfast team: Oct. 26- Leigh Kottwitz, Chris Felmlee, and Loren Plank
Program- Kelley Upham- Sleep in Heavenly Peace update
Please bring donations of new pillows, sheets, blankets, or bedspreads for twin size beds to next week's meeting to support their program
We will host our annual Spooktacular at our building again this year on Thursday, Oct. 31st from 5:00-7:00. We need people to assist with parking, judging the booths, and greeting guests. Please contact Leigh Kottwitz at leighkottwitz@gmail.com if you are interested in helping. Members, their families, or businesses can also host a trunk or treat by registering here. This will be held outside, weather permitting! Because this would be the night before our first Bingo in November, games will be moved to the second and fourth Fridays (Nov. 8 & 22).
Our next Eastern District meeting for Optimists will be held in Jackson, MO on Nov. 8 and 9th. The club will pay for your attendance, if you are interested in attending, but you will need to let Barrett Glascock know soon, since early bird registration is past.
We hosted Bingo on Friday, Oct. 18 for a $1,199 night, with 140 players. The floor brought in $2,100 and the kitchen had plenty of help, with a deposit of $877. Thank you to everyone who helped!
Because the special breakfast that Bern Bonderer and Robert Blake made for us this morning took longer than they expected, we allowed our speaker, Emilee Lenz with the Southern Boone PTA, to go before breakfast was served. Emilee moved to the area last year and wanted to get involved with PTA, because she has a number of family members who have been involved with PTA in the past. She volunteered to be Treasurer because they needed a treasurer before they could offer any services or do any fundraising. Southern Boone PTA services all four buildings, which means the few volunteers they have are stretched thin. When Emilee originally joined, there were normally only 5-6 members at meetings, with 74 dues paying members. The PTA started this year with 22 dues paying members, but through a membership drive competition, they now have 131 members. They still need to fill several of the Officer and Committee Chair positions, but realize that it is hard for people to add things to our schedules. Meetings are normally on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Primary building, with dues only $10 for the year.
Most of their money goes toward the Teacher's Wish List program in October, which gives teachers up to $150 toward reusable classroom supplies, such as rugs, books, and STEM kits and the Teacher Appreciation Lunch, which is normally provided in May. Last year, Chicken Salad Chick provided all of the meals at their cost. They also send all of the PreK and ESL students to Lloyd's (which cost $550 but is greatly enjoyed by the students). This year, because of the issues that closed the campus for two days, the PTA (with financial assistance of $450 from Carrie Mertensmeyer, Troy Lowry, and Ashley Davis) provided doughnuts, fruit, and other morning pick-me-ups the morning after school resumed.
Among their fundraisers are the Food Truck Frenzy in the parking lanes at the Primary School from 5-8, which they receive 10% of what is made, and Southern Boone Spiritware from Free Range Designs, which is available through SpiritShop on-line (https://www.spiritshop.com/school/missouri/ashland). They did a family movie night this year, which was free for students and only cost $5 for adults, plus have provided a talent show for the past three years and a Boots & Bows dance.
When Emilee was finished with her presentation and answering questions just as breakfast finished cooking, she drew for the Attendance drawing. Jennifer Lawson, Sam Gunter, and Kyle Baker had their chance at riches, but since they didn't make it this morning, the pot will continue to grow. Then we had time to enjoy the incredible breakfast and conversation before we needed to leave.
Dues statements are going out and can be paid online through our website (ashlandoptimist.org), in person at a 7:30 breakfast meeting, or through the mail at P.O. Box 201, Ashland MO 65010.
Pat Brauner and the Fulton Breakfast Optimist Club will have their Fish Fry on Nov. 1st at the Fulton High School from 11-1 and 4-6. The menu is Swai fish, cole slaw, baked beans, cornbread, and drinks. Adult tickets are $15 and kids, aged 6-12, are $5 at the door. Pre-event adult tickets are available to Optimist members for $13. Please let me know if you are interested in attending so that I can contact Pat for discounted tickets.
Letitia DenHartog
ashlandoptimist.org