Opti-News
Volume 29 #2 Chilton Optimist Newsletter Oct. 9, 2013
Members 26 0Guest
PROGRAM
Our guest speakers on October 9, 2013 were Polly Roland and Gary Juckem. Polly and hubby, Gary, purchased the 125 year- old Juckem family farm several years ago. Their business, which we know today as Polly’s Pumpkin Patch, began with just selling pumpkins off the front lawn, with a tin can to collect money. Later they tore down an old shed and decided to build a 2500 square foot building to sell their pumpkins. They now sell an abundance of veggies and fruit, as well as the pumpkins. They also added three greenhouses in order to be able to sell vegetables during the year. The latest addition was two, 15-acre corn mazes, which began three years ago. The corn maze was designed by a company from Missouri, using a GPS system, and has a Packer football design. The corn is planted north and south as well as east and west, to make it thick. Then, around the 4th of July, the company comes in and cuts four foot paths in the corn field. Visitors to the corn maze read a story and then find their way through the maze with clues received by answering various questions relating to the story. This year they have added a family fun center with a straw bale maze for the little ones; duck races; hillbilly downs bouncy horses; pumpkin bowling;a rope maze and corn canons. A kitchen was also added where they can their own salsa, pickles and other items for sale in the shop. You will also find snacks, jams, jellies and bulk foods for sale. If you want a delicious pie – head to Polly’s, where they are freshly made each day. Blueberries are one of their big sellers. This summer they went through 5600 pounds! As far as staff is concerned, they have three ladies who work in the shop and employ 8-10 high school students during summer. Our own Sarah Buelke works for Polly and does a great job. Children visiting Polly’s can also make friends with the farm animals. For more information, see Polly’s website, Our thanks to Polly and Gary for taking time out of their busy day to meet with us. We are very lucky to have such a great business so close to home!
THINKING OF YOU!
We were missing a friendly face at our meeting this week. Pat Miller was laying low at home, with an infection. We wish you well, Pat, and hope to have you back with us soon.
YOUNG’ENS
We congratulate Alice Connors on the birth of a great granddaughter. Alice, are you really old enough to be a great grandmother!! We also congratulate Randy Darnell, who just met his out-of-state, baby granddaughter for the first time.
ZONE MEETING
Our club will be hosting the first Zone Meeting of the year on October 16, 2013, at Cheers. A social will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Ham or turkey wraps, along with chips and cold slaw, will be available for $10/person. This includes tax and tip. Per Greg Goodchild, Lt. Gov. Zone 8, each club is asked to bring questions about what the two zones need and wish to accomplish for the coming year. There will be a round-table discussion between the clubs with respect to sharing ideas and perhaps answering or giving insight to the other clubs concerns. Present will be both Lt. Gov. and officers from WINNUM District to facilitate the discussion and to answer questions. This is an opportunity to meet your fellow Optimists and to share what works and, perhaps, whatdoesn't. Please join us!
THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
Our guest speaker this week will be Kate Suttner. You will recall that Kate was with us a short time ago to discuss Obamacare and its implications. This week she is going to update us on the Aquatics Club. We set aside money each year in our budget to help support the club.
OCTOBER 23RD MEETING
There will be no morning meeting on October 23. Instead we will have a field trip that evening to tour Paul Gehl’s unique building,just north of Hilbert. We will gather there at 5:30 p.m. for the tour and will arrange a meal to follow, in Hilbert. Please mark this change on your calendar.
TRICK OR TREAT
Trick or Treat at Chilton Care Center will be held Sunday, October 27, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. For new members, our club purchases candy for the residents to hand out to the little ones who proceed through the facility in costume. The residents love it and so do we! Pat Oaks and Rose Brunner are chairing this activity and will be looking for approximately seven members to assist. Costumes are optional! Workers are asked to report to the facility by 1:40 p.m., that day.
FOOTBALL FRENZY REPORT
We received a check from the Wausau Optimist Club in the amount of $1572 for tickets sold for the Football Frenzy raffle. We had anotherwinner this past week too. Pat Miller won $20 for taking 7th highest place. That makes three winners so far from tickets sold by our club. Three out of five is not bad!
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Oct. 16 – Program – Kate Suttner, Aquatics Program
Oct. 16 – Zone Meeting, Cheers
Oct. 23 – Evening Meeting – Tour of Paul Gehl’s “barn”
Oct. 27 – Trick or Treat at Chilton Care Center
Oct. 30 – Program – Cast of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (tentative)
BIRTHDAYS
Oct. 20 – Ray Mueller
ANNIVERSARIES
Oct. 17 – Colleen & Dennis Schnell
RAFFLE
$14 or $355.50
Kathleen Deleveauxhad the lucky ticket, but no joker.
ATTENDANCE – Ken Weber I– Present.
Congratulations Ken!