The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #46 8-19-26

VOLUME 2026   AUGUST 19   NUMBER 46

President Kelly Karl welcomed everyone, Bruce McMillan gave us a couple reflections this morning, followed by the flag salute.

ACHES & PAINS: Please keep the family of Mike Oppy in your thoughts and prayers.

PROGRAM: Bruce McMillan introduced Todd Holmberg, Executive Director of McCain Auditorium Performance Series. Todd received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Trumpet Performance degree from the University of North Texas where he served as a trumpet teaching fellow. After playing trumpet professionally and touring nationally for many years, he began his arts administration career by serving as Director of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Summer Arts Festival before being awarded the position of Production Manager for the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Recital Series in Fort Worth Texas. He then served as Executive Director of the Corpus Christi Symphony before his current position at K-State as the Director of McCain Auditorium, a position he has held since 2007.

A recipient of the Department of the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for his work in using the arts to positively impact resiliency issues facing soldiers, veterans and their families as they deal with the effects of war, Holmberg has twice served on the State of Kansas Governor’s Arts Award judge’ panel and is the Past-President of Plains Presenters, a consortium of arts presenter from a five-state region. He served on the Manhattan Kansas Convention and Visitors Bureau Steering Committee and was a founding member of the Arts and Humanities Advisory Board for the City of Manhattan and served for one term on the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Military Relations Committee. Todd has served as an arts grant panelist for the Nebraska Arts Council and the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, served on the board of directors for the Flint Hills Children’s Choir and several committees at Kansas State University. He is a regular presenter at arts conferences across the United States.

Today, Mr. Holmberg will be sharing with us the upcoming McCain Performance Season! First, the Mission of the McCain Performance Series is to serve the university and surrounding communities by presenting professional live performing arts programs and engagement activities that connect artists and audiences.

The Vision of the McCain Performance Series is to ensure that live performing arts experiences enhance and become integral to the lives of everyone we serve.

The line-up of performances is wonderful, a little something for everyone. We were given a little taste of them today, and they will not disappoint.

2026-2027 McCain Performance Series

LIVE LINKS IN BLUE

7:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 24, 2026

7:30 p.m. Tues., Sept. 29, 2026

7:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 2, 2026

7:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 9, 2026

7:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 28, 2026

7:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 9, 2026

7:30 p.m. Thur., Dec. 3, 2026

7:30 p.m. Fri. Dec. 18, 2026

7:30 p.m. Sun., Jan. 31, 2027

7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 5, 2027

7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 12, 2027

7:30 p.m. Mon., Feb. 15, 2027

7:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 21, 2027

7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 24, 2027

6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Fri., March 5, 2027

7:30 p.m. Thur., March 11, 2027

7:30 p.m. Tues., April 6, 2027

7:30 p.m. Fri., April 16, 2027

The McCain Performance Series is funded entirely by revenue generated from ticket income, grants and contributions. In fact, ticket sales typically fund less than 50% of the cost of presenting shows. You can make a difference in the cultural future of Manhattan and Kansas State University by becoming a member of the Friends of McCain. For more information on becoming a Friend of McCain, call 785-532-6425, email mccain@k-state.edu or you can ask Todd for more information regarding special event sponsorship opportunities and even volunteer opportunities.

Save the date: Aug 20th, Trap Shoot Park – RSVP to Brad Claussen

Save the date: Sept 5th, Parking at CNB for the first KSU Football game

Save the date: Sept 20th, Annual Picnic at Optimist Park with more information to come.

Save the date: Oct 24th, Annual Chili Crawl (see Bill Wisdom for more information)

Save the date: Nov 7th, Parking at the Fire Dept for the KSU Football Game

Former member Shelley Aistrup and her husband will be in town from Alabama. Doug Jardine and a few other members will be joining them for dinner and to catch up.

GUESTS: No additional guests were present this morning.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed

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

SEPTEMBER 2 - MORNING MEETING: Program: Elizabeth Wright, Ag Marketing Coordinator, Land of Kansas: Topic: “Land of Kansas Marketing”

SEPTEMBER 9 – NOON MEETING: Program: Tim Gregory/Tonya Roberts, Dance Studio Owner/Instructor: Topic: “Ballroom Dancing”

SEPTEMBER 16 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Kayla Hagemeister, Director – Flint Hills Breadbasket: Topic: “Food Insecurity”

SEPTEMBER 23 – NOON MEETING: Program: Stephanie Peterson, Dir. Manhattan Planning & Development: Topic: “Master Plan Development for Manhattan”

SEPTEMBER 30 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Outgoing Presidential Farewell Address: Topic: “Outgoing President Address & Member Recognition”