The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" #33 : 5-17-23

VOLUME 2023          May 17, 2023         NUMBER 33

President Thad Hall welcomed the membership, followed by the Flag Salute.

Program Introduction:

Todd Chyba introduced Daniel Fallin, Tuttle Creek State Park Ranger.  Daniel was born in 1984 in Lafayette, Louisiana.  His family moved to Manhattan, Kansas in August of 1988, where both of his parents accepted teaching positions at Kansas State.  After attending Manhattan schools, he graduated from Manhattan High School in 2003, and received his bachelors in Park Management and Conservation with Law Enforcement Ranger Specialization from K-State in 2008.  He spent five years in the oilfield doing directional drilling in the Appalachian basin and in the Midcontinent of the United States with a few jobs in the Rocky Mountains, Louisiana, and east Texas.  After working several years in sales and trades, he was hired as the Assistant State Park Manager at Tuttle Creek State Park in November of 2021.  He is married to Jennifer and has a daughter Lillian.

Tuttle Creek Reservoir was initially authorized in 1938.  There were many delays, including incredible resistance by residents of the valley.  Construction began on October 7, 1952, and was considered complete on July 1, 1962.  The dam and lake were formally dedicated on July 1, 1963.  The River Pond area opened approximately the same time.  For more information lookup You Tube Kansas Memory Channel or Kevin Larson, a retired history teacher, who has done a lot of research on Tuttle Creek Reservoir history. 

The Tuttle Creek Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znIPU2Q0A_g  

The Battle at Tuttle Creek

https://fountaincityfrequency.com/archiverpodcast/2016/9/29/the-battle-of-tuttle-creek#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Tuttle%20Creek%20Story%E2%80%9D%20is%20an%20amazing%20bit,now%20the%20second%20biggest%20artificial%20lake%20in%20Kansas.

The facility operates with six full time staff; three are law enforcement staff, two are maintenance staff, and one is an administrative specialist.  There is also an AmeriCorps Action Team which fluctuates, but averages four to six members.  In addition, there are seasonal staff and camp hosts.

Tuttle Creek State Park is 1,250 acres comprising four units, River Pond, Cedar Ridge, Fancy Creek, and North, and South Randolph, spread across 30 miles.  Kansas State Parks do not receive tax dollars but are funded through user fees.

There are many amenities at Tuttle Creek State Park.  Eleven cabins are available for reservation; seven are in the River Pond area and four are in the Cedar Ridge area.  The park has eight full hookup sites for RVs which include electricity, water and sewer.  RV water and electric hookup are available at 159 sites.  Forty-four RV sites only include electric service.  Several hundred primitive tent camping sites are available.  A camp store is located in the River Pond area and a marina and courtesy dock is located in the Cedar Ridge area.  Tuttle Creek State Park includes Disc Golf courses in the River Pond and Fancy Creek areas.  There are over three miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of equestrian trails, which can also be used for hiking.  The Fancy Creek Mountain Bike Trails are comprised of over eight miles of interconnected challenging biking trails.  The Luke Nihart Memorial Archery Range is located in the River Pond area.

Kayaking, canoeing, and other paddle sports are popular at Tuttle Creek State Park.  The Wildcat Marina, located in Cedar Ridge, provides for boaters’ needs.  Fancy Creek has a shooting range, with a grand reopening scheduled for June 3rd.  The Friends of Tuttle Creek State Park host an OK Kids Day on the last Saturday in August.  Fishing areas are available on the 12,000 acres of water and over 100 miles of shoreline; hunting areas include 17,800 acres of wildlife area and 490 acres of managed wetlands. 

Guests:

Thad Hall recognized our guest speaker, Daniel Fallin, Tuttle Creek State Park Ranger, and guests Michael O’Conner and David Kreller.

Club Stuff/Announcements:

The New Member Dinner was held on May 11th, and it went well.  Special thanks to Jim Franke for organizing it and creating the slide show.

The Optimist Board meeting was held on May 16th; there was nothing major to report.

Gary Lloyd announced the Thundering Cats Big Band concert would be held on May 19th at 7:30 pm at McCain Auditorium.  The cost is $10, tickets can be purchased at the door, and proceeds help support the Youth Education Program at McCain Auditorium.  Gary will be participating in the concert.  Gary also announced a free Manhattan Orchestra inaugural concert on the lawn in front of Anderson Hall at 7:00 PM on May 21st.

Sign-up sheets to help with the Bill Snyder Half Marathon May 27th, 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM were on the tables.

Manhattan is hosting the Kansas District Optimist Meeting on August 18th and 19th. 

Next Week’s Program – Wednesday May 24th at 7:00 AM:

Christine Nolte, Executive Director, Good Shepard Hospice House.

Adjourned with the Optimist Creed