Services Events : Past Events
Optimist Awards Banquet
September 21st, 2007
There were 18 people in attendance at the banquet. Our two guests from Brandon were Kim and Doug Haddow. Kim is our new Lt. Governor, and she performed the induction ceremony for the new officers. Outgoing President Melanie gave an overall report on activities, projects, and fundraisers throughout the year. She thanked all the officers for their service and for the upcoming people who had agreed to serve. She also handed out tokens of her appreciation.
Karla Lonning was chosen as the 2006-2007 Optimist of the Year. She spearheaded the Respect for Law Luncheon and did something new. She invited a panel of students from the Criminal Justice class at Minot High to ask questions of a panel of law enforcement officers. She also stepped in and presided at meetings when Melanie was unable to be there and a Vice-President was also unable to be there. Then most recently she agreed to co-chair the Halloween party with Carol Gefre. Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work Karla!
A special presentation was given from Melanie to Evelyn Klimpel for being such a dedicated secretary for the Optimist Club. In addition to her secretarial work, she answered many questions and had helpful hints, ideas, etc. She was awarded a clock that included her name, Dedicated Optimist Secretary 2006-07, and the OI logo. Thanks Evelyn!
Gail gave a brief speech and was wondering what the situation was with the purple flamingo during Al’s year as president. Hmmmm…..there may be a return!
Optimists Ring that Bell
Ten Optimists headed to the mall on November 28th, 2007 to help the Salvation Army ring that bell. Some of the members were surprised by how many people stopped in a one-hour span. It seemed like the kids had the best time giving. This is the second year the Optimist Club of Minot has helped in doing this.
Captain Joseph McFee actually started this tradition in San Francisco in 1891, and by 1897 it became a nationwide effort. Money collected through the red kettles are used to help the needy, the sick, the aged and other less fortunate individuals, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. They say Christmas is about sharing and giving. Regardless of religion, there are many different organizations, activities and ways to help those in need, the Salvation Army is one of them, and the Optimists have been proud to help.
Essay Contest
March 19th, 2008
The Minot Optimist Club annouces that Kaisa Moilan, a senior at Our Redeemer's Christian School, recently won the essay contest based on the theme:
"Today's Choices Shape My Future"
Winners include:
1st Place Kaisa Moilan, Our Redeemer’s Christian School - $200.00 Savings Bond
2nd Place Jessica Ringuette, Our Redeemer’s Christian School - $100.00 Savings Bond
3rd Place Kelsey Beck, Our Redeemer’s Christian School - $100.00 Savings Bond
Thank you to these Minot businesses for donating the 2nd and 3rd place prizes.
First Western Bank and Trust
Town and Country Credit Union
The program is part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2008. The Optimists' goal is to encourage students to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.
For more information, or contact Kelani Welstad
Local Optimist Club to Sponsor Essay Contest for Students
January 19, 2009
The Optimist Club of Minot is encouraging area students to expound on the phrase “The Power of Youth” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2009.
The Optimist Club will judge the local students’ essays, based on the theme of “The Power of Youth,” and determine the top winners. Winners will receive scholarships and the winning essays will be sent to the district level. Essays will be judged at the district level, and each district will send top entries to the international level. College scholarships are available for top winners at the district and international levels.
“Young students today have so many fresh ideas about the world and their future,” Club President Orleen Orem said. “As Optimists, it is our goal to encourage them and do what we can to bring out the best in each of them. This gives them a wonderful opportunity to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.”
The Optimist Club of Minot has been participating in the Optimist Essay Contest for several years and has been active in the community since 1978. Other programs and service projects that the Club is involved in include the Optimist Halloween Party at the dome, fundraising for Companions for Children, and cancer for kids through Optimist International.
Students wishing to participate in the essay contest can find out more about the contest by contacting the club at 701.852.6850.
Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations with 120,000 adult and youth members in 3,800 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Kids,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International, please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.
Essay Contest
March 3, 2009
The Minot Optimist Club annouces that Kelsey Wagner, a senior at Minot High School, recently won the essay contest based on the theme:
"Power of Youth"
Winners include:
1st Place Kelsey Wagner, - $200.00 Savings Bond
2nd Place Elizabeth Burckhard, - $100.00 Savings Bond
3rd Place Abe Moilan, - $100.00 Savings Bond
Thank you to these Minot businesses for donating the 2nd and 3rd place prizes.
First Western Bank and Trust
Town and Country Credit Union
The program is part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2009. The Optimists' goal is to encourage students to tap into their creativity and pursue possible scholarships at the same time.
For more information, or contact Kelani Welstad.
Respect for Law
June 18, 2009
The Optimist Club of Minot had their annual “Respect for Law” luncheon on Wednesday, June 17 at Minot State University. Members from several law enforcement agencies were represented: the Minot Police Department, North Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Ward County Sheriff’s Office. Chaplain DeVawn Beckman did the invocation.
Chair Person, Karla Lonning reported that 32 Optimist members and guests were present at the luncheon; to honor Lieutenant Rob White from the Minot Police Department as the Minot Optimist Club’s 2009 Law Enforcement Officer of the year.
Master of Ceremony, Captain Al Hanson did a wonderful job as usual. Speaker Gloria Maragos from the Ward County Juvenile Court paid tribute to the wonderful job all our law enforcement personnel do for our community.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT!
The first ever Minot Optimist Club Youth Golf Classic, sponsored by Murphy Motors Next to New and KMOT was held Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the Jack Hoeven Wee Links Golf Course.
Children from ages four to fourteen participated in a nine-hole golf scramble. It was a fabulous day out on the course as little golfers hit the links to learn more about the game of golf. Parents walked with their children, along with an Optimist Club representative. Even grandparents spent the day walking along with the teams, enjoying the sunny day.
All children received a t-shirt and certificate for participation and prizes were randomly drawn for items such as flat screen tv's, Wii game systems, laptops, golf balls and bags, and various other items. Morelli's Distributing provided water, Wee Links provided pizza and Pepsi kept the coolers plentiful with soda for all! Parents were even put into a drawing for a driver provided by the Minot Country Club.
Optimist Club event co-chair Candace Brekke was excited about the great turn-out.
"It was our first year for the event, and the support we've received from local businesses and the community has been great! We're so happy to provide a great day of family fun, regardless if the kids are familiar with the game or not," she said.
The tournament had a limit of 72 entrants and filled up a few weeks before the event. Participants came from Minot and the surrounding region, including Velva, Burlington, New Town, Max and Devils Lake. Skill level varied from kids who play the game often to those that had never golfed before. Optimists encouraged the kids to just have fun, but hoped they learned a little about golf at the same time.
"We've got such a great opportunity in Minot to use the Wee Links Course. Hopefully they can take what they've learned here and use it when they get older," said Jason Soine, Chair of the event.
Soine added, "We couldn't have done it without the parents' participation and encouragement. Hopefully next year we can build on it and possibly even hold two rounds for more players."
The Minot Optimist Club provides youth opportunities throughout the year and build on the club's motto, "Bringing Out the Best in Kids."
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!!
Tourney Sponsors
Optimist Club of Minot, Murphy Motors Next To New, KMOT
Hole Sponsors
Dr. Tifany Burckhard-Teets, Town and Country Credit Union, Cell Solutions.com, Caribbean Color, Bremer Bank, Jost Construction, Minot Country club
Half Hole Sponsor
1st Western Bank and Trust, United Blood Service, Tires Plus/Jerome's Collision Center, Integrity Viking funds, Thomas Family Funeral Home
Sponsors
Pepsi, Jack Hoeven Wee Links Golf Course, Morelli's Distributing, Prairie Federal Credit Union, SRT, Prudential Preferred Properties, Farmers Union Insurance, Linda Luedke, Holiday Inn Riverside, Paradise Spas, Gate City Bank, Scheels All Sport, K-mart, Dr Bob Nyre, M & I Dealer Finance, American Financial Services, Teri Tingley/Avon
If you are interested in donating to this event next year, please contact
Jason Soine: 838-2222 or
Candace Brekke: 857-7205
Follow our event page on Facebook for updated information!
View the KMOT coverage here.
