We love stories about your Optimist Club. Please tell us one and we'll add it to the website.
Click here, email, or post to Facebook. Thank you!
Showing posts with label festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label festival. Show all posts

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Promise to live the Creed 1.11

He lives at the North Pole. That in itself is enough to declare he is an optimist, but to top it all off, he spends all year-round watching out for good little girls and boys and helping the elves make toys to delight the good children on Christmas morn.

Who are we talking about?

Santa Claus, of course, a.k.a. Kris Kringle.

During a recent conversation, Kris told me that he lives by the tenets of the Optimist Creed. Here's what he said:

"Every day I wake up strong. Nothing disturbs my peace of mind.

Every day I greet Mrs. Claus with positive words. We only speak of health, happiness and prosperity.

When I see the elves, I applaud their work. I like everyone in the toy shop to feel happy.

Of course I always looks at the sunny side of everything. That's how I make my optimism come true.

When I make my list, I think only of the best, work only for the best and expect only the best. I want more children on the nice list than on the naughty one.

When the elves develop a new toy or a new manufacturing process I delight in their success.

I never think about the time that Rudolph and I took the wrong turn in the snowstorm. Instead, I press on to the greater achievements of the future. We have a lot of miles to cover one day a year!

If you've ever seen me, you know I'm always wearing a smile.

It's hard to critical when you think of Christmas year-round. I work hard on my holiday attitude and physique throughout the year.

I am too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. It's just who I am."

You can be like Santa. Just choose to live the Optimist Creed.

Merry Christmas to all!




Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Albany Optimist Club promotes patriotism

It has been a long-standing tradition in Albany, Oregon that the community celebrates Veterans Day with a parade. Nearly as long, the Optimist Club has joined in the tradition with the annual Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast.

Yes, it is a fundraiser; but more importantly, it is an opportunity for members to serve their community and show respect for the men and women who have served our country. Bringing people together to celebrate memorials is a way to display gratitude and teach respect. One of the purposes of Optimist International and thereby its clubs is to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people. Another is to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs.

The Albany Optimist Club is living the purposes of Optimist International and from the looks of the pictures, the members are having a lot of fun, too.


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Middleton Area Optimists on parade

Kim Boguslawski, one of the Middleton Area Optimist Club's biggest cheerleaders, wrote in with news of the Middleton, Idaho Christmas Parade. "We took first place!" exclaimed Kim and it is easy to see why.

With the theme, Christmas Toyland, club members created a Christmas morning scene sure to delight big and little children alike. This was the 15th year that the Middleton Chamber of Commerce coordinated the Middleton Christmas Parade and the third entry for the Optimist Club. Earlier entries garnered third and second place finishes, but this time, according to Kim and others, the club members really pulled together in the last two weeks to make the float special.

The creation of the float highlighted the social activity that makes an Optimist Club special. Mike and Joan Walker, newer members of the club, remarked, "Glad to be a part of a great club. Way to pull it together in awesome fashion." And that, my friends, is what being an Optimist Club member is all about.

Check out the Middleton Area Optimist Club's float entry in the parade.



First Place 2015!Photos by Kim Jeanotte Hall-Boguslawski
Posted by Middleton Area Optimist Club on Saturday, December 12, 2015

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Bring in the New Year with your Optimist Club friends

The Optimist Club of Albany, Oregon is hosting a new fundraising event this year: a New Year's Eve Party!

It will take place at Wheelhouse, 421 NE Water Avenue, Albany, Oregon, December 31, 2014, 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

For only $50 per person, you'll receive 2 drink tickets and appetizers and dessert bar plus live music from the 70s and 80s by Mach Six.

Click here to purchase your tickets online: www.nodinx.com/new-years-eve-cocktail-celebration.



Thursday, June 20, 2013

Coquitlam Optimist Club kicks off Daisy Day with free pancakes


Saturday, June 22, 2013 is Daisy Day in Coquitlam, British Columbia.  Kicking off the event will be the Pancake Breakfast, brought to you by none other than the Coquitlam Optimist Club. Kilt-wearing Mayor Stewart showed his flapjack-flipping prowess at last year's event. The only question I have is for the Optimists: Where are your kilts? We want to see them...pictures, please.

Daisy Day is  hosted by the Austin Heights Business Improvement District. The festival introduces families to the shopping district and builds awareness for shopping locally. As a family friendly activity, the festival brings  all ages outside for free breakfast, live entertainment and lots of activities for the kids. Area merchants also feature special promotions. Find a full schedule for Daisy Day 2013 here.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Some days, life is a parade


Shelton, Washington held its annual weekend celebration of Forest Festival May 30 through June 2, 2013. Of course the Mason County Optimist Club was right there in the midst of the fun.

The big event for the Optimist Club is the Kiddie and Pet Parade, a pre-show for the bigger than life Paul Bunyan parade that follows later in the day. The kids and pets dress up for the occasion and some snagged some whimsical prizes like the best junior Paul Bunyan award and the best Fairy Tale costume award, among others. And the pirate family shown below...they are none other than one of our favorite Mason County Optimist Club members Lorraine Coots's family.

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Lorraine! Click to check out more shots on Facebook.







Sunday, April 28, 2013

Pioneer Family Festival returns to Oregon City

The Oregon City Optimist Club will present the annual celebration of Family Fun Days May 3-5, 2013. This event brings the community together in Clackamette Park for carnival rides, BMX and skate competition, vendor and food booths, and the very popular Teddy Bear Parade.

The Teddy Beary Parade begins at 10:30 a.m., May 4, on Main Street and marches to the park ending at the main stage.

There is also continuous music at the Main Stage throughout the weekend.

There is a historical component to the celebration including a Ghost Tour and town walkabouts several times every afternoon.  The Clackamas County Fire and Sheriff Departments will also host the Unveil Your Life Self Protection area.

The Oregon City Optimist Club invites you to join all of the fun.

Go to Pioneer Family Festival to download a schedule and to learn more about the history of the festival. Enjoy! The carnival season begins. That must mean summer can't be too far behind.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Children are the unsung heroes of the future

"Children: America's Unsung Heroes of our Future" - It's a simple statement that says so much about why Optimist Clubs and their members do what they do every day to bring out the best in children. 

Children are unsung heroes today. They persist through the challenges of childhood, frustrate us as teens and always make us smile.

Children are also the unsung heroes of our future for they will grow up to be our first responders, our physicians, accountants, educators, politicians, community builders, soldiers, small business owners, thought leaders, mothers, fathers and friends. Yes, hopefully, they will also grow up to be good citizens and Optimist Club members.

Middleton Optimist Club unsung heroes
"Children: America's Unsung Heroes of our Future" is the theme for
the Middleton Area Optimist Club 4th of July Parade float

Thanks to club member Brooke Winston for designing, building and so aptly naming the Middleton Area Optimist Club float for the community's 4th of July Parade and celebration. We can't wait to see the finished product, adorned with kiddos, in the parade.

Find out more about the festival coordinated by the Middleton, Idaho Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Teddy Bears take center stage in Coquitlam, BC


The Evening Optimist Club of Coquitlam, BC is an annual sponsor for the Festival Coquitlam, a reflection of spirit and pride. Members claim that their participation in this is event is one of their favorite activities of the year.

What is it? The Teddy Bear Picnic!

The Teddy Bear Picnic is a culmination of all good things for Teddy Bears and their companions. There is a parade, a concert, and then a picnic with a variety of entertainers for the families, owners and lovers of Teddy Bears.

The mission of Festival Coquitlam is, "To host a series of quality family entertainment experiences which will reflect the spirit and pride of our community." Sounds like a perfect connection to share with an Optimist Club!


Monday, May 23, 2011

The Vikings are coming!

Please click to enlarge and print.
Every year, the Abbotsford Optimist Club hosts Family Fun Days, a free activity for all ages that includes food, refreshments and entertainment. This year, the club is pleased to announce that the Vikings are returning to "Abbot's Fjord" to reclaim the land they first set foot upon last year.

These fun-loving Norsemen will initiate a friendly raid at the Trethewey House, 2313 Ware Street, Abbotsford, June 11, 2011, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm. As part of the Reik Felag (travelling fellowship), they will demonstrate weapons and armour, weaving, music, food, naalbinding, metalworks and other arts and crafts and spin stories of their travels, Norse myths, and Viking tales.

Children and their parents will also enjoy treasure hunts, puzzle contests and a coloring contest.

To learn more about the Vikings, please visit www.reikfelag.org.

To see past Family Fun Day photos, please click here.


LOOK ->>> Coloring Contest!! <<<-
In preparation for this year's festival, children ages 3-10 are invited to enter a coloring contest. Prizes will be given to top artists in categories 3-5 and 6-10. Click here to download the entry form and coloring page. 

Thanks to Gerry Morrison, Secretary, Optimist Club of Abbotsford, for the story.

Popular Posts