Optimists
The Flint Hills Optimist Club made plans for its annual Christmas Tree fundraiser, with trees to be set up Nov. 18 at the Flinthills Mall parking lot southwest corner. It was announced that Northern Heights High School now has a new risograph machine because of the club’s donation. Members also discussed the fireworks displays at other events.
Speakers have been Duane Dreiling, executive director of the United Way; Tracey Graham, who thanked members for the financial donation to help with the Zoo Safari in October; and Betsy Yanik, who also thanked members for their financial contribution for the Cajun Jubilation Feast fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief. The club also received a thank-you from Becky Smith, manager of the Town Crier bookstore, for the club’s donation to the William Allen White Book Awards event.
Sertoma
The Sertoma Club of Emporia gave $800 to the Peter Pan Park Playground Committee at a recent meeting. This money included a matching gift from the Sertoma Foundation. It was announced that recipients of the Sertoma scholarships at the Flint Hills Technical College have been selected and will be guests at a future meeting. Guest speaker Jim Ludwig, director of regulatory and public affairs for Westar Energy, told members about the generating plant scheduled to be built in northeast Lyon County. He was introduced by Warren Brown.