The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #13 12-31-25

VOLUME 2026   DECEMBER 31   NUMBER 13

The Manhattan Optimist Club met at R.C. McGraw’s at 7AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. President Kelly Karl gave a reflection which was followed by the flag salute.

Mark Locke introduced his daughter, Charlene, who is visiting from Gardner, Kansas.

The club wished Jim Franke a happy birthday!

Kelly announced that Gary Lloyd will be on the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (GMCF) radio hour to talk about the Manhattan Optimist Club in February. Gary is looking for another member who is familiar with club history and projects to go with him.

Shout Out to Greg Wurtz! He recommended that we purchase yard signs to give to our Youth of the Month honorees. The board approved and signs have been ordered.

Jim Franke gave an update on the tree lot. [Steve Boeckman is the head of the tree lot committee, but he is under the weather, so he asked Jim to give the presentation.] This was our club’s 67th tree lot season. Sixty eight percent of sales happened during the first weekend. We ordered 763 trees: 693 were sold and 70 trees remained at the end of the season. The remaining trees were moved outside the gate at Optimist Park. Twenty three of them were taken by community members: 47 were taken to Long’s Park to be recycled. We plan to cut back on trees ordered next year from 763 to 698. We will reduce the number of Doug firs, which replaced the Scotch pines that are no longer available. We used to sell many more trees (around 1800) and have slowly reduced the number over time as fewer people put up real trees. Total sales amounted to $63,722.63. The net income from sales is approximately $19,500 with total net income of ~$23,000 when you factor in donations.

Many thanks to parents of our fastpitch players who helped with tree sales, especially during the first weekend and the Moxie 18U team that helped us load the lot and price the trees on the day before Thanksgiving.

 

President Kelly then discussed some club business. He provided a list of board members and club officers and encouraged members to reach out to the board with any suggestions or concerns. A list of board members and officer can be found at this link: Officers & Committees | Manhattan Optimists Club. He also provided a list of our committees and who leads each one. That information is also available at the link provided above.

Kelly encouraged members to sign up for the Dillons Rewards Program so our club can earn a percentage of our purchases – free money! He also discussed upcoming social opportunities: the social committee did a survey and have planned tentative events for 2026. The social committee is planning “opportunities” (social opportunities that club members pay for themselves if they participate) and “club sponsored events” that are funded by the club. Tentative events for 2026 include the Museum of Art & Light, a KSU baseball game with tailgate party, a tour of the football facility followed by happy hour, bowling, picnic at Optimist Park, Liquid Art happy hour and more!

Kelly mentioned that Optimist merchandise is available through NZone. There is a laminated QR code with links to where merch can be ordered at the welcome table.

The meeting was closed with the Optimist Creed.

JANUARY 7 - MORNING MEETING: Program: Dave Casper, Waterfowl Hunter Extraordinaire, Topic: “Waterfowl Hunting in the Central Flyway”

JANUARY 14 – NOON MEETING: Program: Marcia Rozell, Director Visit Manhattan, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce: Topic: “America 250: Celebration of USA”

JANUARY 21 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Youth of the Month – Marlatt/Oliver Brown Elementary

JANUARY 28 – NOON MEETING: Program: Sharolyn Jackson, Kansas State University Extension Specialist, Topic: “Stay Strong – Stay Healthy Program”