Santa House December 13th...

Saturday, December 13th, proved to be a very windy day. Even with temps fair, it was windy all day and keeping it from going airborne was challenging. Dr. Chris Small and the two elves helped with the crowd as we had over 20 kids in 40 minutes. We had 86 kids by the end of the day. By the time Carol got there we were ready for her. Jim played Santa with John taking pictures. I know it is cold and windy but I do thank the young ones that came to help, again I fed them and gave them plenty to drink (hot chocolate). Thank you boys. Nick and Jesse with Santa

Carol taking a short break reading the paper

Chris holding down the tarp as the gust of wind would come through every now and them but at the bottom right is the heater, that is real reason for sitting down at the corner.

Santa Chuck, 12-7-08 2nd day for House.....

Santa House 2-7-08
Santa Chuck with Elves....


On Sunday, the second day of the Santa House, it started off a little busy and then slow and then picked up again. Here Santa took a picture with our Jr Optimists who were on hand to help us out. Today all of the members who attended dressed in some sort of Christmas outfit. We had 2 elves, 2 reindeer and two of the girls dress in Christmas colors with Neri wearing the Christmas Stocking with little characters on her toes. Had a total of 5 workers through out the day. Neri worked the desk checking in little kids to see Santa while the others monitored the doors. Again, they seemed to enjoy themselves and as long as I gave them hot chocolate, candy pretzels and some popcorn, they were happy. Again we are so happy to have them helping out. Kathy and Erma Doty worked the first shift and Carol and Carl came and worked the second shift. Even though the kids do most of the work, having the adults there for support and help where is needed, I appreciate all that they do. Bob Morse stopped by for a few minutes and Dave Eames came in to make a nut/candy and popcorn purchased and stayed around long enough for us to close for the day/weekend. It was a cool day but warmer than Saturday and better than we had last year. We will see what the other days bring. Enjoy some of the pictures below.

Another picture of the elves with Santa

These three dogs are precious, they are show dogs and the owner was on her way back from a show and decided to ask if they could take a picture with Santa.

Nick, Jim and Jessica

Jim checking on the JR's.

Erma staying warm

Santa takes time for a picture

Doing a kick dance

Enjoying themselves and waving to the crowd

posing for a picture.

Saturday 12-6-2008... 1st Day of Santa House

Santa Jim and Jr Optimist members



Saturday, 12-06-08 was opening day at the Santa House and Jim Brown did the honors of playing our man in the Red Suit. Along with him, we had 5 of the Jr Optimist members as well. Kristy and Jeannette were our members who worked the inside of the tent while these young Jr's had a ball working outside. They helped by keeping the kids in order and stood by the curb and danced sang and waved the crowd. Our great moments where when a small child truly believed Meredith was really an elf and Nick was a reindeer. The kids did a great job. I am very pleased some of them were able to get dressed and enjoy themselves. We welcome them anytime.
The following are some pictures we took through out the day. Pam Coon and husband from PC Photography stopped by and took some pictures to give to The Pointe. Thank you Pam, we always love taking pictures. The day started off rough and got better within time. The pole we were to use went out and this is the first time we started the House without power, the first arrivals were good about it and we opened the curtains to let the light in until the Arnold's came to the rescue with their generator. Thank you Dale, Sheila and Danni. Without this it would of been a very disappointing day.

Another picture with Jr. Optimist. left to right:Neri, Santa Jim, Missy, Cody, down in front, Elf Meredith and Reindeer Nick.

Santa with one of the small children.

This lady came from a different country and had never seen a Santa Claus, the family she was with brought her to visit and see her first Santa Claus, she spoke no English and she was just as excited as any child.

Nick had antlers on and a small child wanted to see our reindeer and we told him that one of them grew legs so he could help with the Santa house and they believed us. These kids were great entertainment for those who came to see us.

One of our first visitors.

Kristy and Jeannette signing in kids for their pictures.

Here the 5 kids were having fun dancing and singing in between visitors. Nice way to keep warm.

Our sign was posted outside the tented area.

Our two workers Jeannette and Kristy take time for a picture.

Club members get Santa House ready for opening..

Santa House 2008

On Saturday November 22, 2008 a group of club members got together to start decorating the house for our annual Talk To Santa weekends. We have three weekends in which we will be open Saturday and Sunday. Starting December 6 & 7, the 13 & 14 and finishing with 20 & 21. We will have 4 Santa's this year, one of them being a new Santa for us and hopefully we can get him to join up for future events.
Jim Brown will open with Chuck Johnston following the next day. The next week it will be Jim Brown again and John Davis following on Sunday. The last weekend we will have Kevin Edwards and then John Davis closing for the year. It may vary if there should be some issues in which we need to change the Santa's around. We want the kids to enjoy their visits. We will be selling nuts, candies and popcorn on site and if you want to order any, you need to get your orders to Jan Reding by no later than 12-13 as that is the last day she will take orders for the year.
Look at the pictures below as we started to clean and set up.

Our North Pole sign on the outside of the house needed to be updated as it was weather cracked and needed a paint job. We had a person who was going to work on it but ran out of time and John took back the sign and the wooden letters that were to be used and painted and mounted them. These came out very good, nice job John.

Another picture of the sign John worked on.
Finished he proudly held it up for a picture.

Here is where we will get power from this year, so naturally members has to check it out.

Jim working on setting up lights and in the back ground, Dave E. and John are plugging cable to see if lights work.

Jim and John working on the outside.

Meanwhile, the ladies are working in the inside. They cleaned the windows on the outside and now setting up wreath and tree.

Here Ann and Annette are working on the tree.

Standing back waiting to see if the lights are going to work are Annette and Danni.

A finished tree with the new little fireplace that was given to us from Sam Packham to use.

ladies take a picture after they are done. Left to right (standing) Annette, Ann and Sheila, (in front) Carol and Danni.

Guys, left to right, John, Jim and Dave.

Thanks for all of your help. We look forward to those who will be helping during opened hours, please get with Chris Davis if you have not signed up.

Speaker for Optimist Club meeting.... 11-22-08

Darren Hawkins

Our speaker for the 11-22-08 meeting changed at the last minute. Darren Hawkins from Edward Jones came and spoke to the group about the firms Investment perspective. We thank Darren for coming and sharing with us and he also provided breakfast. Thanks again Darren and feel free to come and visit again.

If you want more information you can call him him or visit him in Grain Valley.

Old Towne Marketplace

203 B SW Eagle Pkwy (AA Hwy)

Grain Valley, MO 64029

darren.hawkins@edwardjones.com

816-847-1950

New member Guest speaker at meeting

Jennifer Bailey

The Optimist Club officially has a new member and her name is Jennifer Bailey. Jennifer is an Independent Jewelry Consultant as well as a full time Student. Living here in Grain Valley, she heard about the club from member Jim Meyer and Jim sponsored her to into the club. We are glad to have her on board.

On November 8th, she was the club's speaker and went on to tell about herself and her job as a consultant. She left flyer's for members to attend an open house on that same day. Her Jewelry line is "Cookie Lee Jewelry" and if anyone wants to know more about this, then give her a call at 816-847-2504. Celebrate the season with Holiday Jewelry. Sorry I didn't attend the meeting and just following up with an article for her. Please join us and welcoming Jennifer into the club.

Santa House is our next project....

Hello, can you believe it is almost here again? Yes, the Talk to Santa project is coming up soon. Both John and I are looking forward to the helpers who come out and weather the weather with us. We have our Santa's in place and at the last meeting John sent around a sheet for sign ups to help set up and work the 4 hours we are open. This will probably be our last year with the Polaroid pictures and then it will give us 12 months to figure out how we will approach this next year. Jan is currently taking orders for Popcorn, nuts and candies so if you did not get a form, give her a call.
We are almost all set for the first day of opening. We have plenty of Candy Canes, we will have popcorn ordered as well as nuts and candies for us to sell on sight. We are hoping for good weather but more likely will be faced with some challenges. The Jr Optimist's will be coming out to help us and that is great. We can always use some of the helpers. Carl Condra will be moving the house and once moved then we will start to clean and set up the inside. More information to follow on the date for this. John has finished the sign for the house and has been put back upon the house. He did a nice job with it and when you pass by, take a look at it. So bundle up, it looks like another year of cold weather.