The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #42 7-22-26

Posted July 22, 2026

VOLUME 2026   JULY 22   NUMBER 42

President Kelly Karl welcomed everyone, then gave the reflection, followed by the flag salute.

PROGRAM:

Craig Cox introduced Anne Smith, Executive Director, Flint Hills Area Transportation Authority. Anne has been with the ATA for 25 years, beginning as a bus driver. She became Executive Director in 2007. The ATA Bus is celebrating 50 years of service in 2026. Since the start of fixed route services in 2012, ATA Bus has provided over one million bus rides.

Anne Smith, Executive Director, Flint Hills Area Transportation Authority
The agency was founded in 1976 by a group of county residents concerned about the lack of public transportation. ATA provides safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation as a 501c3 private, non-profit organization. ATA plans, manages, and operates public transportation services within the Manhattan urbanized area, Junction City, Riley County, and Geary County. Their mission is to provide and promote the highest quality transit services to the Flint Hills communities.

ATA provides:
  • Manhattan and Junction City routes with fixed schedule and pick-up locations
  • Demand response curb-to-curb service for seniors, disabled, and those who live far from a bus stop
  • Regional service along the K-18 connector and service to additional communities
  • All ATA bus vehicles are 100% ADA accessible

Ridership has positively increased every month of FY2026, with a total of 154,584 rides, up 15%. Since implementing regional route expansion in January of 2026, ridership has continued to increase to 113%. This is highly attributed to workforce and healthcare access.

From grants from governmental agencies, ATA has contributed to the Poyntz Avenue and Fremont Street improvements and will contribute $300,000 to the 5th and Leavenworth project. A total of $1,229,597 will be contributed to these projects since 2023. Funding comes from federal sources 50%, state sources 20%, and must be matched locally with 30% of the funds.

Anne credited Optimist member Craig Cox with being instrumental in getting $2,000,000 grant from the state to build a facility to house ATA at the Riley County complex on west highway 24, northwest of Manhattan.

ATA also intends to modernize its dispatching software, update their aging fleet of vehicles, improve their bus stops to better serve the community, and continue to develop their community partnerships.

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sharon Fincham shared 13 attended the bowling social event at the KSU Union on July 15th comprised of members and family.
Bowlers included:
  • Steve Boeckman
  • Sharon and Mike Fincham
  • Gerit Garman and his three children
  • Karen Hawes
  • Greg Wurst
  • Jim Blanton
Cheerleaders and Supports included:
  • Bill Wisdom
  • Michele Blanton
  • Adrian Wurst

Through the efforts of Optimist member Jean Klassen, Blueville Nursery donated six trees to Optimist Park. See below for all the information on the project.

The August 12th meeting will have Krystin Guggisberg, Co-founder, Laundry Love, as speaker. Round up your quarters and bring them to donate to their charity.

President Karl reminded everyone a trap shoot is scheduled for August 20th at the Tuttle Creek Shooting Park, 6364 Tuttle Creek Blvd., Manhattan, KS 66503. Bring your own gun; if you do not have one, a loaner is available. Ammunition can be purchased at the shooting range, as it is specialized.

September 5th the Optimist will again manage the parking and receive the revenue for parking at Central National Bank for the KSU Football game. Help will be need to park the cars.

On November 7th the Optimist will be able to manage the parking at the fire station on Denison and receive the revenue. Volunteers will be needed to park cars for that event.

The annual Optimist picnic is September 20th is at Optimist Park from 4:00-7:00 pm.

Clyde announced the raffle for the dinner at Wine Dive generated $238 in revenue.

Heater Peterson announced she has enough volunteers for Just Tri It on August 1st at City Park, but the Just Tri It organization could use some additional volunteers to manage traffic and participants. Just Tri It

GUESTS: Gerit Garman's children, Alec, Ella, and Lilly.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

SAVE THE DATES:
  • September 20th is the Optimist picnic at Optimist Park from 4:00-7:00 pm.
  • October 24th is our 24th annual Chili Crawl.

NEXT WEEKS’S MEETING:

JULY 29 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Joshua Gering, Riley County EMS Services: Topic: “Update on Riley County EMS”

AUGUST MEETINGS

AUGUST 5 - MORNING MEETING: Program: Dr. Aliah Mestrovich-Seay, Execuitive Director, UFM Community Learning Center: Topic: “Creating Learning Opportunities - Meeting Community Needs”

AUGUST 12 – NOON MEETING: Program: Krystin Guggisberg, Co-founder, Laundry Love: Topic: “Laundry Love Program”

AUGUST 19 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Tom Holmberg, Director McCain Auditorium Performance Series: Topic: “Upcoming McCain Performance Season”

AUGUST 26 – NOON MEETING: Program: Dr. Alex Wimmer, KSU Director of Bands: Topic: “Moving Forward with KSU Bands”

Tree Planting