The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #17 1-28-26
VOLUME 2026 JANUARY 28 NUMBER 17
President Kelly Karl welcomed the membership and guests and Bill Wisdom presented a reflection. The flag salute followed.
Mike Fincham introduced Sharolyn Jackson. Sharolyn is an Extension Specialist and program leader in Family and Consumer Sciences at Kansas State University. Sharolyn grew up on a dairy farm between Goessel and Hillsboro. She graduated from Bethel College with a degree in Home Economics and a minor in music. After graduation, she lived in Chataqua County and worked with the 4H. In 1989, she moved to Manhattan. She has a masters degree from KSU. She spoke on the extension program “Stay Strong, Stay Healthy.”
The Stay Strong Stay Healthy program offers strength training opportunities for older adults. Sessions are held twice per week for eight weeks. A pre and post fitness assessment divides participants into level 1 and level 2 fitness levels. The program is based on research and work of Dr. Miriam Nelson, author of Strong Women and then expanded to include men which was developed by the University of Missouri. The program is taught by certified instructors who are extension agents across the state. The purpose is to 1) increase overall fitness, flexibility and balance; 2) build muscle; 3) increase bone density; 4) prevent falls; and 5) meet new people and expand social connections.
In 2015, 57 extension agents were trained in certification classes in Salina, Great Bend, and Parsons. Level 1 and 2 certification and recertification training is offered yearly and many others have been trained since then. In 2018 the program in Kansas and Missouri was awarded second in the nation for the Excellence in Multi-State Collaboration Award by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Sharolyn was trained as a Master Trainer for Kansas in 2019 and in 2026 there were 46 certified instructors across the state.
The program’s goal is to improve health and quality of life. The hour long sessions meet twice each week, usually in churches or senior centers, and sometimes by zoom. They include warm-up exercises, strengthening exercises, with or without weights, and cool-down stretches. Participants are also encouraged to do the exercises on their own once more during the week. Over the eight weeks, participants learn the exercises and begin to improve strength and balance.
She shared examples of sarcopenia, muscle loss, and osteoporosis, bone loss, in older people, which can be slowed or eliminated with strength training. Good posture can also be maintained or improved and arthritis symptoms can be slowed or improved with strength training.
The typical Stay Strong Stay Healthy class starts with a warm up of moving around the room and dynamic stretching. Strengthening exercises follow with ankle and hand weights to increase resistance and repetitions. After exercise, is a cool down period of static stretching and deep breathing. Level 2 sessions follow the same format as level 1, but at higher level with different exercises.
The benefits of strength training include:
- Improved balance and flexibility
- Decrease in arthritis symptoms
- Improved sleep
- More energy
- Maintain healthy weight
- Improves social connectedness; lift depression
- Reduces risk of heart disease
- Helps manage diabetes
- Increase confidence and independence, and
- Improved quality of life.
Many individuals have expressed improvements in their flexibility and strength in their everyday-life movements. Currently, there no classes held in Riley County, but a similar exercise program is held at the senior center and Meadowlark has one for its residents.
https://www.k-state.edu/staystrong/
GUESTS: Sharolyn Jackson, our speaker.
President Kell Karl made several announcemts:
February 5th International Optimist Day -wear your shirts and proudly represent our organization. We are researching a new vender for our Optimist apparal, meantime apparal can be obtained at:
https://www.companycasuals.com/ManhattanOptimistClub/start.jsp
February 7th Community Non-Profit Fair at Manhattan Town Center; we will have a table.
February 7th Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake (Reach out to Ashley if you are interested)
February 11-14 Early Expressions Art displayed at the Beach Museum. A couple of people are needed to help with the Early Expressions Art reception at the Beach Museum on Saturday February 14th at 1:30 pm. Contact Kory Klingenberg if you can help. kk@icon-structures.com
February 19th Museum of Art & Light – social opportunity:
We are holding our first social opportunity of the year on Thursday, February 19th at 3:00 pm at the Museum of Art and Light. Afterwards we’ll head over to Aggieville Brewing for a Happy Hour (feel free to join us if you can’t make it to MoA+L).
This is a “social opportunity” so members will pay for themselves. However, due to the potential of having over 10 people show, we’ve booked a group time. This knocks $5 off ticket price, but due to their pay system we will need all attendees to bring cash!
- $16 for those 65+
- $21 for those 18-64
With this, instead of a sign-up genius, we are encouraging those who plan on attending to email Ashey at ashley@curains.com or text her at 785-249-8188 so she can track attendees and payment.
About MoA+L:
We will meet in the front foyer and move into one of their classrooms for a quick introduction of the museum.
The first and third floors will be open to us that day. The second floor will be closed.
If you have any sensory, balance or seizure issues, their “Mez” (first floor digital display) exhibit can be disorienting and cause issues. You may want to skip this, have someone assist you through in case you do experience issues.
It takes most people 1hr 20mins to 2 hours+ to get through both exhibits.
Please reach out to Ashley if you anticipate joining and with any questions!
February 26th HYPE Non-Profit Event: we will have a table and have three volunteers.
March 2nd GMCF Radio Hour – Gary Lloyd and Brad Claussen
March 10th Lawn Mower Clinic 4:30-6:00. More information later
March 20th & 21st Special Olympics Basketball
March 22nd Grow Green Match Day
Ed Klimek updated the group on Hoop Holler'N Shoot. They recently recognized Darcy Kump, winner of the girl's Hoop, Holler'N and Shoot free throw shooting contest at an all school assembly. A recognition is also planned for Wesley Johnson, winner of the boy's Hoop, Holler'N and Shoot free throw contest at his school.
Ed also announced the schedule for the Interpersonal Skills Class Essay Contest. The IPS class at Manhattan High School includes senior students from and students with disabilities. For the essay contest, they are paired to write the essay. Essays are judged by a committee of Optimists.
February 17th Ed and Sharon will visit the IPS class and introduce students to the essay writing event
March 3rd Essays are due from students and Greg McCune distributes essays to the judges (Optimist members).
April 14th Winning teams are announced before the IPS class by Ed and Greg, then a class celebration.
May 13th The four winning teams, parents/guardians and IPS teachers are hosted at the Optimist Club meeting and the students will read the essays.
Ed also mentioned the KSU Track team and their facility. KSU is hosting a meet on Friday January 30 and Saturday January 31. Admission is free.
Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.
October 24th Chili Crawl
FEBRUARY 4 - MORNING MEETING: Program: Youth of the Month Presentations - “Woodrow Wilson & Frank Bergman Elementary”
FEBRUARY 11 – NOON MEETING: Program: Optimist Park Preservation Committee
FEBRUARY 18 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Josh Cook, KSU Professor in charge of Band Instrument Repair: Topic: “KSU Band Instrument Repair Program”
FEBRUARY 25 – NOON MEETING: Program: MHS Student of the Month and Melissa Colby, Program Director, Girls on the Run: Topic: “Girls on the Run Program”
