Prior Lake-Savage Optimist Club Prior Lake, MN 55372

May 2021

2021 Officers President Kathy Dawson 1st Vice President Linda Ringstad General Secretary Needed Treasurer Maria Belden Board Secretary Andrea Steger  Past President Beth Clark  Board of Directors Scott Carlson, Beth Clark, Anita Drentlaw, Michael Lorinser, Mary Nagarajan, Jenny Nagy, Shawn Richey, Linda Ringstad, Steve Schmid, Les Sonnabend, Jim Speiker Jr., Dan Steger

Meeting Schedule From now until further notice all General Meetings will be held at Noon via Zoom. May 12 - noon - via Zoom. Together We Can, May 26 - noon. At Lakefront Park Pavilion EXCEL celebration picnic. Will need to RSVP for lunch - stay tuned for more information. June 7 - Board meeting - 12:30 pm. Lakefront Park June 9 - noon. Location TBD Senior Scholarship Banquet. RSVP will be needed. June 23 - Afternoon Happy Hour - Details to follow.

Latest News and Updates

GET INVOLVED! Please consider volunteering for one of these roles within the Club. We need members to step in, learn the responsibilities and take a more active role. None of these positions require much time – promise! If at all curious – ask – please! URGENT NEED!! This cannot wait. We welcome ideas on how to recruit and interest members in taking a leadership role. 2nd VP – becomes President in 1 year We need a Secretary for General meetings.

Meetings for the 2021 Prior Lake – Savage Year Due to the rise in COVID numbers and to follow CDC guidelines all general membership meetings will be on Zoom until further notice. At this time, in person social events will be postponed. The Board will continue to evaluate this plan for the safety of all members. If you have ideas for speakers or a social gathering please submit suggestions to plsoptimistclub@gmail.com.

Senior Scholarship Winners Senior Scholarship Winners will again be announced via video this year.  There is a collaborative effort with Kathy Dawson, Dan Steger, Maria Belden, and Anita Drentlaw to create the presentation video.  Thank you!

EXCEL Program 9 students will qualify for scholarships this year.  Thank you Anita and all the mentors for the time spent with these students. You have made a difference in a young person’s life!  The last meeting of this school year is May 5. The picnic honoring the EXCEL students is scheduled for May 26th at noon. Please contact Anita with any questions on the program. adrentlaw@newmarketbank.com

Junior Optimist Program The Club is meeting virtually and is very active. These young people continue to volunteer and coordinate activities to be involved in the community. Thank you Dan Steger and Maria Belden for your dedication to these students. Junior Optimist in Middle Schools The Club will be forming a Junior Optimist Club in the Middle schools. Jim Speiker has expressed interest in being one of the mentors. He could use a partner. If interested please contact Jim: jspeiker2@gmail.com, Maria: mariaesbelden@gmail.com, or Dan: dpsteger@gmail.com. Over the summer plans will be made to start this club. Stay tuned!

PLHS Art Show Winners to be announced!

PLSOC Book Club   Next meeting - June 3 at 5:30 pm at Lakefront Park. Bring your drink of choice and an appetizer to share. The book is: Nomadland by Jessica Bruder  . There is a list of books for future meetings on Goodreads.com. Sign up and go to: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/724068-optimist-book-club You can add books that you are interested in to the list

Committee Meetings

Social Committee Stay tuned: Outdoor, socially distanced activity to be announced!   If you have any ideas for an activity please send the suggestion to plsoptimistclub@gmail.com Club Meetings

Group Projects

Please note: Fill The Bowl – This event has been postponed.  Please support R.O.C.K. with donations.

Announcement

Announcement** Don’t forget!! Put on your thinking caps. We need leadership. There is a lot of support for anyone who chooses a leadership role in the PLSOC. It is fun and rewarding. The Club really needs to fill positions. These can be shared between a couple people as well. If interested please reach out to any of past position holders.

Gambling Funds

April Approved Darby Dancers - $1000 Young Life - $1000 PLSAS Community Ed - summer programs - $2500 Senior Art Recognition - $550 PLHS NHS, Stride for Students - $150 sponsorship St. John’s Jubilee - $500 PL Fire Dept - Fire Safety Education - $200 May Proposed Prior Lake Parks & Rec for scholarships - $2000 Junior Optimist Club end of year banquet - up to $500 Note: In February the Club approved $1200 to Smoke Signals. Smoke Signals will no longer be using the money donated by the Optimist Club, the Lions Club and the VFW. Suggestions have been made to have Smoke Signals donate these funds to R.O.C.K. Foundation Bank Balance $330,565  Old National $1,104 A Board meeting will be scheduled in May - meeting at Lakefront Park. Date and time TBA. Seeking new officers. All are invited to attend.

Support our Club These establishments are BACK!   And continue to order carry-out to support these businesses: Extra Innings Boathouse Brothers Brewery Lakers Tavern & Pizza

Local Events

Please note:  When referring anyone to the PLSOC please use this email instead of personal emails. plsoptimistclub@gmail.com . This email is monitored daily.

Parting Comments :) April showers are bringing May flowers. Things are opening up.  Get out and enjoy the weather. Enjoy seeing friends and family again. Stay safe!

Please note: To contact the Optimist Club, click the link to the right or email: plsoptimistclub@gmail.com (This email is monitored daily)

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