The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #20 2-18-26

VOLUME 2026   FEBRUARY 18   NUMBER 20

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 everyone, Bruce McMillin gave us our optimistic morning reflection and that was followed by the flag salute.

ACHES & PAINS: Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Cliff Spaeth.

PROGRAM: Gary Lloyd introduced us to Curt Herrman, State School Board President, Joel Gittle, MHS Director of Bands, who will be retiring this year after 40 years, and our guest speaker this morning, Joshua Cook, KSU Band Instrument Repair instructor. Joshua Cook attended Kansas State University and Emporia State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in music education. A well-known instrument repair technician in the region with 15 years of experience in band instrument repair; he has worked at Ernie Williamson Music, formerly Flint Hills Music, since 2016. As Head Technician and Repair Shop Manager at Flint Hills Music, he specialized in brass instrument repair and doubling in general woodwind repair. Additionally, he served as an Ed-Rep, personally servicing multiple schools each week, and taught private trumpet lessons. He frequently gives presentations, clinics bands, and attends many band events to provide on-site repairs across the state. In 2019, he began working directly with Kansas State University as the primary on-site repair technician for the K-State Bands through Flint Hills Music.

Band of Angels Instrument Service Day!

Joshua Cook, Instructor; Band Instrument Repair, and band instrument repair students Chase Wassom, and Kylee Gardner took a trip out to Overland Park on Saturday to repair and service instruments for Band of Angels, as part of the Sawin Arts Extension Program. These instruments were donated to Band of Angels and the repair team volunteered time and tools to help make the dream of playing in band possible for students who can’t afford their own instrument. The repair team was able to repair a number of instruments on site, as well as bring some back to campus to work on, outside of class time! 

Band of Angels is a charity that addresses financial barriers students face by providing band and orchestra instruments and music camp scholarships to children in need.

Although rising cost of repairs continues to increase, Josh has a true passion for repairing and cleaning instruments for those families and students who may not be able to buy a brand-new instrument and judging by the instruments we saw, you could not tell if some of these instruments were ever tarnished or damaged. Thank you, Josh, for all your hard work. Thank you for working with Manhattan Optimist, Gary Lloyd and all of those helping with our instrument drive.

MHK IPS CLASS – Ed Klimek will speak at our next meeting

Save the date: Feb 19th or Feb 26th Museum of Art & Light – social opportunity, please let Ashley know if you will be attending.

Save the date: Feb 26th HYPE Non-Profit Event – Looking for additional volunteers

Save the date: Mar 2nd GMCF Radio Hour-Gary Lloyd and Brad Claussen will speak (others welcome to join)

March 20th and 21st Special Olympics Basketball event, there are signup sheets on tables. Opportunities to volunteer as scorekeepers and many other opportunities go to www.givepulse.com/event/723136 to sign up as well, if you do sign up, please let Bill Wisdom now as well.

Save the date: Mar 22nd, Grow Green Match Day – with more information to come.

Save the date: Mar 28th, Annual Spaghetti Dinner

GUESTS: Curt Herrman and Joel Gittle were both here in support of our guest speaker and Tom Hintz introduced his guest, Gary Lynn. (Hopeful new member!)

Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.

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”

 

Beach Museum Early Expressions art exibition and reception: