The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin": Vol. 2025 #20: 3-12-25
VOLUME 2025 MARCH 12, 2025 NUMBER 20
President Greg McCune welcomed the membership and guests, followed by the flag salute.
Mike Fincham introduced Jennifer Elliot, Marketing Director for the Midwest Dream Car Collection here in Manhattan. Mike thanked Jennifer for switching to a 7:00 am meeting from a cancelled noon meeting, as she lives 40 miles away and had a very early start this morning. Jennifer has a BS degree in communication from KSU and has over 25 years of marketing and communications experience. She has been with the museum since November of 2024. Jennifer and her husband have two boys, Drew, a senior at Chapman High School and Eli, a 6th grader. Jennifer spends her free time chasing her boys’ sporting events and enjoys camping and hiking.
They have a large event space with garage doors opening into the car display space they rent out for hosting meetings and events. Three audio tours explain the exhibits. One is geared towards someone interested in the cars’ mechanics, a second is geared toward learning more about the cars’ history and culture, and the third is geared toward children under 12. They have a commercial kitchen for catering services to come into the facility to provide food for groups. A list of ten preferred caterers, who are familiar with the facility, is available to clients to choose their preference. A new addition, the Kids Zone and play area, provides play space for youngsters. The kids’ car, a donated real antique automobile, is the only car anyone can get into and pretend to drive. A boardroom is also available for rent and a gift shop provides a place to purchase memorabilia.
New for 2025 is space for non-profits, civic groups, educational groups, and car clubs to meet at no cost. They also host “Tread Talk,” educational programs about the cars the first Saturday of every month at 11:00 am. On the same day, they have “Cars and Coffee” in their parking lot at 9:00 am; they provide free coffee and donuts, and local car owners bring their cars to the parking lot for display. “Open Hood Sunday” allows visitors to see inside the hood of the cars on the last Sunday of every month. November is Military Month” where military vehicles are displayed at the museum. During the Christmas season they host “Santa Saturday.”
Their collection spans 135 years, beginning with an 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen to a 2020 Corvette and a Cybertruck. One of the most famous and most valuable cars is a 1948 Tucker; only 48 were made and theirs is number 17. Other interesting cars are their 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300-SL Gullwing Coupe, a 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec, Sonny and Cher’s pair of 1966 Custom Mustangs, a 1927 Chevrolet Fire Engine, a 1966 Amphicar (an amphibious car they take onto Tuttle Creek once per year), and two Lamborghinis, one a 2014 Aventador and the second a 1964 1R Tractor (Lamborghini started out making tractors first). Of course there are more Corvettes, including a 1953 Vette. They also have cars on loan, such as the 1962 Imperial.
Their goal for 2025 is to support the Museum and increase its reach. They are always looking for volunteers. One can also adopt a car and help fund its maintenance. Becoming a member also supports the museum. Hours vary by season; soon their hours will change to summer hours. For the latest information, follow them on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and at their website.
Midwest Dream Car Collection Website: Midwest Dream Car Collection
Greg McCune acknowledged our presenter, Jennifer Elliot, Marketing Director for the Midwest Dream Car Collection. Gary Lloyd introduced Andrew Kvasnica, Wildcat Vet Service.
Jim Franke announced preparations for the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser are moving along and it will be held two weeks from this Saturday. Staffing is pretty well set. We need more people to donate cookies for desert. Jim has posters if someone has a place to display them. Additional tickets are available, and Jim would like to have the ticket money next week if possible. Lisa Brummett also noted the Silent Auction and requested members contribute items. Donations can be brought to a meeting or brought in the night of the event.
Lisa also announced a meeting on Thursday night at La Festa at 5:30 pm to discuss revitalizing the Boy Scout Troop charted by the Optimist. The older scouts have aged out and their parents were not going to continue to lead the troop. Anyone interested in generating ideas for revitalizing that troop is welcome to come.
Gary Lloyd announced a new program recently approved by the Manhattan Optimist board of directors. After brainstorming ideas for new projects that would benefit area youth, a need was identified for getting affordable instruments into the hands of students who could not afford them. A lot of children are not able to participate in band or orchestra because their family cannot afford the cost to buy or rent the instruments. After talking to band directors, Gary felt there was a need for a program to support these students in our community. Gary has also talked to an instrument repair expert who would be interested in working with “apprentice” repair trainees to repair the instruments. There is also a New Program Grant from Optimist International that may provide some matching funding.
For complete information on the primere collector's edition with pictures of Trailer Woes follow this link: TRAILER WOES - VOLUME 2025 - MARCH 11, 2025 - NUMBER 1
For complete information on the Manhattan Optimist - Riley County Extension Lawn Mower Clinic follow this link: THE GRASS GAZETTE - VOLUME 2025 - MARCH 11, 2025 - NUMBER 1
SAVE THESE DATES: Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction March 29th.
Adjourned with the Optimist Creed
MARCH 19 – MORNING MEETING: Terry Phannenstiel, KSU Psychologist: Topic: “Challenges of Parenting”
MARCH 26 – NOON MEETING: Brad Streeter, Owner, Vista Drive-In: Topic: “The History of Vista Drive-In”
