The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #7 11-12-25

VOLUME 2026 NOVEMBER 12 NUMBER 7

President Kelly Karl welcomed the membership and guests and Gary Lloyd presented a reflection. The flag salute followed.

Kelly Karl outlined the Optimist's Manhattan High School Student of the Month Program. The program recognizes Manhattan High School seniors who make a difference in their community through volunteerism and leadership of activities that have a positive impact on the MHS or Manhattan community. The goal of the program is to inspire and encourage youth to get involved in their community in an effort to benefit others. We recognize six Students of the Month throughout the year. Applicants submit a résumé and are judged by a committee of Optimists. Recipients receive $100 to donate to the organization of their choice and are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship as the overall yearly winner. Brady Durtschi was introduced as the Optimist's Manhattan High School Student of the Month. Brady has a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.33 weighted GPA. He is taking an number of advanced and AP classes. He recently received his new ACT score of 35.

Brady thanked the Optimist for having him and for selecting him as Student of the Month.

Brady introduced his father, Jared and his mother, Angela. He has an older brother and a younger sister. They live on a 20 acre farm where they have a dog, horses, cows, goats, and chickens. He started football when he was in 7th grade and now he is a senior captain at MHS and plays safety and linebacker. The team is doing well this year and is the quarter finals this week. He also runs track and his favorite event is the triple jump, and has been since 7th grade; he has won 1st in this event at many meets, including state. He has been recruited by some Divison I schools. He also plays volleyball with a league in Kansas City. He loves just about everything outdoors. His family goes to Colorado frequently he loves to snowboard as well as hike and backpack.

He has had a number of random jobs over the years including mowing lawns early on, then with a lawn mowing company. Later he worked for a carpet cleaning company, and an event planning company setting up for weddings etc. The last couple of years he has been working for his uncle helping to remodle homes.

His goals for the future include going on a mission for his church; his brother is currently on a two-year mission in Estonia. After his mission, he plans to attend BYU where he wants to major in exercise science, then go into med school. His mother passed away from cancer in 2018 and he would like to become an oncologist.

He plans to give his $100 from the Optimist to the Flint Hills Breadbasket.

Steve Boeckman shared information on the setup of the Optimist Christmas Tree Lot. The tree racks and the netters are set up as well as lights and speakers. Jim Franke set the lights up on building three. Additional setup work remains. We are looking for help on the shifts, especially the weekend of Thanksgiving which is our biggest sales weekend. If you don't feel you can move trees, there are some shifts in Santa's Workshop. The Optimist meeting on November 26th will be lunch at the tree lot. We will unwrap and setup the trees in the display racks and tag them with prices starting at 10:00 am. Lunch, at approximately 11:30, will be provided. Even if you are not helping with moving the trees you are welcome at the meeting and lunch. There were also fliers for helping fund giveaways and military discounts on the tables. Trees are tentatively to arrive Saturday, November 22. We will have a definite day and time later. Lisa Brummett will contact volunteers when information is available.

This is the 67th year of tree sales. The fundraiser began in 1958 by selling Christmas trees from a flatbed trailer. The tree lot was at Long's Park from many years and was then moved to Optimist Park.

Major milestones include Bruce ordering 763 trees in March; we are unable to purchase any additional trees due to limits of our supplier. Wreaths, swags, and garlands, as well as other inside inventory has been ordered. Brad Horchem and Bryan Joy helped repair the stanchions. Bruce and Jim have completed winterizing the park. The softball coaches were able to help take the nets down and store them. The lights still need to be put up. The netters and the stanchions are up and they are still working on the inside sales area. Marlene Franke, Pat Bidwell, and Jean Klassen will set up Santa's Workshop on the 18th. 

We are trying to get staffing for the early shifts on Thanksgiving weekend and then go to regular shifts for two weeks after that. WE ESPECIALLY NEED EXTRA HELP ON THANKSGIVING WEEKEND WHEN WE WILL SELL 70% OF OUR INVENTORY. IT IS A VERY BUSY WEEKEND.

The next steps will be the arrival of the trees. Lisa will contact volunteers when arrival information is available. Then we will do the unwrapping and setup of about 50% of the trees on Wednesday, November 26th. There are fliers out to make donations to the military discount and Santa's Workshop for gifts to children.

DONATIONS

Advertising will begin soon on KMAN and Eagle radio as well as Facebook and our website. Information will go out to grant awardees, Manhattan Optimist Fastpitch Association, and loyal customers. Posters are also available to place in businesses.

TREE LOT POSTER

Staffing issues is a reoccurring theme as this is a very labor intensive fundraiser.

Lists of tree unloaders will be out next week to verify information.

Tree sales are high both Thanksgiving weekend (70%) and the weekend after Thanksgiving (24%).

Members are encouraged to work more than one shift Thanksgiving weekend.

Our tree inventory has changed this year as we will receive no Scotch Pines. We will receive 303 Fraser Firs, 200 sheared Douglas Fir, 80 Black Hills Spruce, 15 Blue Spruce, 30 White Pines, and 135 Balsam Fir. We have a limited amount of trees over 8', but we are unable to get any additional ones. Miscellaneous items include garlands, door swags, wreaths, and, new this year, sugar pine cones.

Sales associated reminders include:

• They wish to support our programs
• They like the service we provide
• They are returning customers

• Tree locations, sizes, and prices
• Greenery and inside inventory
• Programs we support

• Approach all customers
• Hold trees if allowed
• Offer fresh cut, indicate need to get the tree in water within two hours
• Mention that you will net it

• Straighten trees as time allows
• Be qualified on the chain saw
• Get a sub if unable to work your shift
• Don't drag the trees on the gravel

• Prune before netting
• Pull netting around the trunk before you pull the tree through the netter

• Preform tie-downs in the tie-down area
• Tie-downs should be done with no more than two workers
• Maintain the loading traffic flow while doing tie-downs

• Make the fresh cut before netting the tree; this keeps the netting from becoming entangled in the chain
• Cut close to the chain saw housing, not at the tip of the blade
• Cut with the housing towards the bottom/trunk
• Get chain up to speed before touching the blade to the tree.

GUESTS: Our student of the Month, Brady Durtschi, his father Jared and his mother Angela.

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:

Chuck and Melody Sexton, last week's presentors, were welcomed as new Manhattan Optimist Club members.

Dues were due October 3rd. There is an option to pay by qr code. This option will be available for other payments in the future.

We’re excited to share that you can now pay for your weekly meal, breakfast, or club dues using a QR code conveniently located at the front desk! See information below after the birthday list.

President Karl also announced that business cards with optimist information would be available at the next meeting for members who might want to share information with a prospective member. Email Kelly Karl to get the business cards.

Thanks to those who set up racks at Optimist Park on Saturday, November 8th.

Last night a Hoop, Holler 'N Shoot was held at Manhattan Christian College. Thad appreciates everyone who signed up. Six winners of the 550 students who tried out will be at the finals at Bramlage in the next few weeks for the 26th year of Hoop, Holler 'N Shoot.

Early expressions art judging is coming up on December 5th and help is needed to pick up art work from the schools before the judging, help is also need during the judging to lay out artwork for judging and pick it up and organize it by school. And finally, help is needed to return the artwork to the schools at the end of the day.

He also reminded the group about the Dime-a-Day program. If you sign up for Dime-a-Day between now and December 31, you are entered in a raffle for the June I70 series on June 17th for the Royals vs Cardinals for two tickets and a parking pass. Bill Wisdom has forms.

The Optimist Club meeting on November 26th will be at Optimist Park. Lunch will be catered and will follow the unwrapping and loading the Christmas trees onto the sales racks for display.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

SAVE THE DATE: Optimist Tree Lot opens Thanksgiving Day, November 27th.

NOVEMBER 19 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Youth of the Month – Ogden/Manhattan Catholic

NOVEMBER 26 – NOON MEETING: Program: Christmas Tree Lot Preparation – Catered Lunch at Optimist Park: Topic: “Preparation for Tree Lot Opening”

 

QR CODE INFORMATION

We’re excited to share that you can now pay for your weekly meal, breakfast, or club dues using a QR code conveniently located at the front desk!

Here’s how it works: 

 Step 1: Open your smartphone’s camera app or QR code scanner.

 Step 2: Point your camera at the QR code displayed at the front desk.

 Step 3: Tap the link that appears on your screen to open our secure payment page.

 Step 4: Use the drop-down menu to select what you’re paying for — Breakfast, Lunch, or Dues.

Link Below:

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/CVKHPQTWV4XBU