April 4, 2011
April Meetings – Tom Wigley, Chairman:
Apr. 8 – Marsha Pope – The Topeka Community Foundation
Apr. 15 – Gary Blitsch, Framewoods - Funding Arts in Kansas
Apr. 22 – Phil Oliver – The Capper Foundation
Apr. 29 –Ralph Hipp – Autographed Books From Famous People
CURRENT NEWS:
Good news! Nancy Foster has announced that she will be a candidate for Lt. Governor for Zone 3 next year. We know she will make an excellent officer if she is elected.
The results are in – Secretary-Treasurer Rod Obermeier reports that we will clear about $1,700.00 from the Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale held on March 19. Included in that total was $150.25 from the Bake Sale. Thanks are due to all members who helped to make this event worthwhile for our Youth Activities. A highlight of the morning was to have Bob Holmes attend. We look forward to Bob’s return to Friday meetings. Now, get ready for the next Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale on June 18.
President Ron Brown is seeking ideas from Club Members as to what additional Youth Activities we might undertake. Some thoughts have been received. For example, it has been suggested that we might volunteer at the new Discovery Center in Gage Park .If you have additional ideas, please contact Ron.
There is still time to bring items for Camp Quality to Club on April 8. Hopefully, you still have the list of things that are needed. If not, contact Rod Obermeier.
Happy to report that Bill Kastens is recovering from pneumonia, after spending time in the hospital. Sad to say, some of us didn’t even know about his illness. But he says he is recovering slowly, but surely. He was present for the April 1 meeting.
Once again, Mike Akulow has updated the badge box. A number of changes have been made in badge numbers. So check the list to see what your badge number might be.
Meeting of March 25, 2011:
Our speaker was Susan Mahoney, the Director of Downtown Topeka, Inc. Susan graduated from Seaman High School, and has held this position for several years. Her main objective, of course, is to work for the improvement of all aspects of downtown Topeka. One major development has been the formation of the Visioning Project two years ago. The project includes a broad segment of Topeka residents who work on activities to attract more people to visit downtown.
Although some 35,000 people work daily in the downtown area, Downtown Topeka, Inc, which was formed in 1964 and currently has a budget of about $230,000.00, continues to look for activities to bring people downtown in the evenings and on week-ends. A number of events have been held in the past, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mardi-Gras and the creation of the Farmer’s Market. Still Susan and Downtown Topeka, Inc. have plans for additional activities.
Four special events have been planned for the near future:
The Farmers’ Market will open in April and will be open on Wednesday and Friday mornings
On May 5 special entertainment is planned and downtown merchants will remain open that night
On May 7 there will be a Cruise Night downtown
During the month of August special emphasis on all downtown restaurants (at least 40) will take place
Other developments in which Downtown Topeka, Inc. has been involved include the relocation of Highway I-70 through downtown Topeka, and the River Front Authority. DTI also works with the Parks and Recreation and Legal Departments in any effort which will affect downtown. Susan noted that downtown merchants on Kansas Avenue are planting tulips and will soon have a “Tulip Time” for all to come downtown to view. She said that DTI intends to concentrate on more activities for young professionals in order to interest them in downtown Topeka. One major project for downtown has been the Ice Skating Rink, but a major sponsor has had to withdraw and thus the entire project is on hold, but still a possibility. Also a fund raising campaign to revitalize the Jayhawk Theatre will soon be held. She mentioned that Youth Art Shows are now being held at the Theater.
In response to Susan’s request for additional projects, the following were offered by our members:
Hold more Cruise Nights
Consider moving the Farmers’ Market closer to Kansas Avenue
Would it be possible for the Downtown Optimist Club and Downtown Topeka, Inc. to partner on some projects?
We had two guests - Pastor Rob Winger, Nancy Foster’s pastor and her guest; and David Brown the son of Margaret and Ron Brown. Jokes were told by Jerry Bessette and Leland Kimball; and a number of March birthdays were noted: Jim Shannon on the 19th, Suzi Obermeier on the 22nd, Rose Lee on the 23rd, Marilyn Meyer on the 26th and Dean Landman on the 30th.
By golly, your Newsletter Editor broke that “certain table’s” streak and actually won the drawing to share $20.00 with OI International. But Clyde Kensinger was not present to win one of the “to be determined” prized for having his badge number drawn; and Tom Wigleywon the President’s Prize.
Meeting of April 1, 2011:
We reported the winners of the recent Oratorical and Essay contests in the March 21 Newsletter. For the program today we were pleased to hear from three of the winners. The topic for the Oratorical contest was: “If I Were Leadrer of the Free World, the First Issue I Would Address Would Be”. First place winner, Ron Coyle was present and gave his Oration.
For the Essay Contest the subject was: “How My Education Is The Key To a Successful Future”. The first place winner was Mollyanne Gibson (for the second time) and her sister, Lydia Gibson, finished in second place. Both Mollyanne and Lydia read their essays to those present at the meeting.
It was obvious that each presentation was well thought out and were appreciated by our Members. At the conclusion of each presentation, President Ron Brown presented each with their prizes.
Ron Coyle attends Topeka High School and both Mollyanne, a senior and Lydia, a sophomore, are home schooled
We had two visitors: Edna Coyle, Ron Coyles Mother; and Rebecca Gibson, the Mother of Mollyanne and Lydia. The jokes were offered by Nancy Foster, Art Lancaster and Ron Brown. This afternoon belonged to Mike Akulow. First his number was drawn to share $22.00 with the OI Foundation, and then he was the winner of the President’s Prize. Jim Shannon’s badge number was drawn and he joined those waiting for the “prize to be determined”.