The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #19 2-11-26

Posted February 11, 2026

VOLUME 2026   FEBRUARY 11   NUMBER 19

SPECIAL NOTE: the March 18th morning meeting will be held at the Riley County Police Department, 1001 S Seth Child Rd, and breakfast will be catered there.

President Kelly Karl welcomed the membership and guests, and Mike Fincham presented a reflection. The flag salute followed.

PROGRAM:

Kelly Karl introduced Optimist member Steve Boeckman, who presented a program on The Future of Optimist Park which has seen 60 years of service, and Mark Knackendoffel who spoke on fundraising mechanisms.

Steve Boeckman

During the beginning years 1965 to 1980 these events occurred.
  • The Manhattan Mutual Life Insurance Company donated 15.22 acres of land.
  • Brummett Field, the maroon shed and the parking lot were constructed.
  • The Manhattan Optimist Fast Pitch Association was founded in 1975
  • The Manhattan Optimist Foundation -503 C(3) was created.
The first expansion occurred during years 1994-2005.
  • The Optimist Field Complex was added in 1994, including a new field and batting cage #1. Jessica pitching practice area, and a planter.
  • Bidwell T-Ball Field was built in 1994.
  • The Optimist Creed Garden was built in 2003.
  • The two story garage was built in 2005 as a project by Manhattan Area Technical College.
  • Tree Lot sales were moved from Long's Park to Optimist Park in 2008.
Expansion continued with added acreage and buildings 2008-2014.
  • Amherst Industrial Park donated 3.49 acres on the west corner of the property in 2010.
  • Jessica Field Complex was built in 2009 and included:
    • New Field
    • Storage Shed
    • Pitching Lanes
    • Two Batting Cages
    • Planter
  • The Franke Field Complex was built in 2009.
  • Donations were received from the Doug Madsen family and other private donors.
  • The former Big Brothers/Big Sisters Building, partially owned by the Optimist Club, was sold.
  • The complex was designed by Tom Bennett, a former long time member, who has since passed.
More recent improvements have been made 2017 to 2026.
  • The inside of the two story garage was renovated in 2017 to include:
    • Heat
    • The walls and ceiling were sheetrocked.
    • Garage door windows were added.
    • Shelving was installed.
  • The Bidwell Field Planter was added in 2018.
  • The Memorial Garden was dedicated in 2020.
  • Brummett outfield fencing was replaced in 2022.
Current renovations include:
  • The backstop was moved and new fabric installed.
  • The netting on batting cage #1 was replaced.
  • Outfield fencing remains to be completed.
  • The Brummett Field backstop is being replaced.

Following the extensive history, Steve Boeckman addressed the future of Optimist Park. The current system of maintenance is not sustainable for the crew who has largely been responsible for the park. Everyone is getting older and less able to complete the extensive necessary maintenance.

A model for the next five to ten years continues to use a membership maintenance model, however the number of regular volunteers needs to increase. Twenty to Twenty-five volunteers are needed on a regular basis to accomplish the following tasks:

  • Push Mowers Weekly in Season
  • Riding Mowers Weekly in Season
  • String Trimmers Monthly in Season
  • Planter Gardeners Monthly in Season
  • Field Weeders Weekly in Season
  • Park Supervisors Daily/Evenings Usually in Season
  • Trash and Recyclables Weekly in Season
  • Restroom Maintenance Weekly in Season
  • Special Projects As Needed

To make this work, a commitment of the membership will be necessary. A survey will be sent out later to explore the membership's preferences. Details and sign up will come later.

A new model of subcontracting some or all of this work is possible and would include:
  • A salaried park manager
  • Financed by Endowment
  • Requires raising an estimated $1,000,000
  • Some lead gifts are already identified
  • A fundraising campaign will be necessary to raise the funds.

Mark Knackendoffel
Mark Knackendoffel then spoke on possible fundraising mechanisms and methods for the endowment and how members can assist in raising money from other organizations and individuals.

Mark Knackendoffel's Comments

Special thanks to Bruce Bidwell for putting together a detailed history of Optimist Park. Click on this link to view the history.   OPTIMIST PARK HISTORY

GUESTS: Pat Bidwell

CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:

President Kell Karl made several announcemts:

Cliff Spaeth is in the Good Shephard Hospice House.

We are researching a new vender in Wamego for our Optimist apparal and will meet with them next week.

The Optimist Team of Tim Fairbanks, Cathy Fairbanks, Cindy Joy, Brian Joy, and Thad Hall.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake was held on February 7th. The Optimist Team of Brian Joy, Cindy Joy, Thad Hall, Cathy Fairbanks, and Tim Fairbanks recorded 1,781 pins over three games and was presented with the Best Bowler's trophy from Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Thanks also to Jim Franke, Julie Brummett, Tom Hawk, Dan O'Neil, Bill Wisdom, Mark Locke, Jerry Banaka, Thad Hall, Tim Fairbanks, and Bryan Joy for a donation of $500 that was made on behalf of the Manhattan Optimists Club. Additional donations can be made until March 1st. For more information, contact Bryan Joy.

February 11-14 Early Expressions Art displayed at the Beach Museum. The Early Expressions Art reception at the Beach Museum is on Saturday February 14th at 1:30 pm.

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. Heather and Sophie are managing our participation.

March 2nd GMCF Radio Hour – Gary Lloyd and Brad Claussen

March 10th Lawn Mower Clinic 4:30-6:00. More information later

March 18th the morning meeting will be held at the Riley County Police Department, 1001 S Seth Child Rd, and breakfast will be catered there.

March 20th & 21st Special Olympics Basketball: signup can be done online or at a signup sheet at our meetings.

April 22nd Grow Green Match Day

May 13th IPS Essays Presentations.

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

SAVE THE DATE:

February 19th Museum of Art & Light – social opportunity

March 18th the morning meeting will be held at the Riley County Police Department and breakfast will be catered there.

March 28th Annual Spaghetti Dinner

October 24th Chili Crawl

NEXT WEEKS’S MEETING:

FEBRUARY 18 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Josh Cook, KSU Professor in charge of Band Instrument Repair: Topic: “KSU Band Instrument Repair Program”

FEBRUARY MEETINGS

FEBRUARY 25 – NOON MEETING: Program: Melissa Colby, Program Director, Girls on the Run: Topic: “Girls on the Run Program”