Thank You letter from Marshall Optimist Club...

Today at our meeting, February 17, 2007, Jan brought in a letter that she received from the Optimist Club of Grain Valley. Please read.

The Optimist Club of Marshall
We would like to thank the Optimist Club of Grain valley for once again participation in the annual Popcorn program. We had the best year ever thanks to your hard work. This project helps both our clubs raise funds for activities to "Bring Out The Best In Kids".
Thanks for your support.
Jim Johnson and Elsie Desmond, Co-Chairmans.

General ideas from Jan Reding.....

I have included some general ideas from Jan Reding and thought I would include them here. Please read what she has to say:
Things to remember --
l. If you find some plastic easter eggs at a reasonable price, please get some for the stuffing meeting on March 24th at the Ad Building on Pink Hill. Save your receipts as Chris Davis keeps track of our expenses.
2. Keep saving your grocery receipts from Patricia's (the one with all the items and prices printed on them), and bring to the meeting or mail to one of the members, or take to the Chamber Office. Sharon has gotten our first check for Optimist.
3. We spent our Pairing with Optimists money for shoes for about 19-20 kids today - which means we need to replenish this fund for the next trip to the shoe store. Anyone desiring to contribute to this project, please send your money to the Club treasurer - Shelia Arnold, 31603 E. Ryan Rd., Grain Valley, MO 64029. Make checks payable to Optimist Club of Grain Valley. This would make a fun "family" community service project - cover a jar or coffee can with pictures of shoes and name it "Silver for Shoes". It wouldn't take long throwing your pocket change in the jar.
Nice article Jan.

Optimist Member has interesting job...

Laura Powell

Optimist member

Radio City Christmas Show

Wardrobe Supervisor

Chicago/Boston

Laura Powell join the Optimist Club this last year and was sponsored by Kristi Caley. When speaking to Laura we found she had an interesting job that keeps her moving from October to January. I asked her to give us an article with possibly a picture of some of her fantastic work. I can see why she was able to help us with some of our ideas for the float and other items. Great job Laura and welcome back. Please read her interesting project.

My name is Laura Powell, also know as Lola. Annually I spend Oct-Jan traveling as wardrobe supervisor for one of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes which tours outside of NYC. Each year all 4 companies meet in Myrtle Beach and we rehearse in an abandoned outlet mall. It is during October that we do fittings and alterations. I also order laundry and shoes for my cast of 40 performers. We then spend Nov-Dec traveling and performing in two cities.
This year I was in Chicago and Boston which was my 10th season. My day exists of arriving to the theatre 2 hours before the show and overseeing a 16 person wardrobe crew. It is during that time that we maintain the costumes, do repairs, iron the famous starched Soldier Pants, and begin the daily laundry. We perform up to 4 shows a day totaling 12 to 16 shows a week. Our cast consists of Rockettes, Santa and Mrs. C, Elves, Ensemble, Clara, 2 Camels, 4 Sheep, and a Donkey. I do provide costumes for the 2 animal handlers and caprisans, the drapes, for the Camels. This year we did several Toys for Tots events with the Marines, a local WGN sports segment with Chicago Bear Robbie Gould, and we kicked off the Girl Scout Cookie Drive.
I am home now where I do whatever finds me, which does not take long. My calendar is filling up quickly. I enjoy being an Optimist, volunteering at school and church and working local theatre gigs. I try real hard to fit some form of exercise into my day either on the treadmill, Pilates, or Tae Kwon Do. On the home front, I am married to Kevin and have a son, Justin in the 3rd grade. We are in the process of moving down the road to Lone Jack where we will have an adorable house and 13 acres to entertain us. Life is good.
Laura (Lola) Powell
Radio City Christmas Show Wardrobe Supervisor
Chicago/Boston
(816) 820-2591 cell

Pillar of the Community

CAROL BARNES

Optimist Club Pillar member for 2007

Carol Barnes was our selection this year for the Pillar of the community. Below is the information that was shared during the evening event. It may be a little lengthy but it is a good bio. Enjoy and Carol thanks and congratulations.

On March 24, 1947 in Ashland, Kansas, Carol Ann Stewart was born. She is the second daughter of four children born to Robert and Dorothy Stewart who lived on a ranch ten miles from Oklahoma. Carol shares her birthday with some other Grain Valley residents, Chris Davis and Lewis Maxon. Carol’s school days started at Wilmore Grade School. When she started fifth grade, her parents moved the children to the neighboring town of Coldwater which had an accredited high school. For twelve years, Carol’s mother rented a house in Coldwater and worked at an insurance agency until all four children had graduated from high school. This was done so the children could attend college if they so desired. On weekends, holidays and during the summer, the family stayed on the farm. During high school, Carol was active in band playing the flute. She also sang in the school choir and was a member of a show choir called The Epitomes. She was active in the Sunny Valley 4-H club and Job’s Daughters where she advanced to the station of Honored Queen. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was honored with the John Phillip Sousa Award for musical achievement. She continued her education at Fort Hays State where she earned a Bachelors degree in Math Education and was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.
Carol moved to the Kansas City area in 1969 where she started work for American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) as a computer programmer building on the computer courses she took in college. She worked for AT&T for over 26 years before retiring in 1997. During that time, Carol met Allen Barnes. They were married on January 29, 1972. They joined the Mid America Corvette Club in Kansas City and the National Council of Corvette Clubs after they bought a 1971 yellow corvette. They enjoyed amateur racing in an eight state area for many years. Carol was rated top woman driver in west Missouri for several years. In 1986, Carol and Allen moved to Grain Valley, sold their corvette and started a family. Katie Barnes was born on a beautiful sunny day on March 20, 1988 at Research Hospital.
When Katie started school, Carol joined the Grain Valley PTA and is still a member today. She served on the board of directors for eight years in various positions. Carol was asked to become a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee where she served one term. While Katie was in middle school, Carol was a member of the Principal’s Advisory Committee. Carol was invited to join the Optimist Club of Grain Valley in 1996 where she enjoys many hours of fun and friendship. She continues to be an active member having served on the board, served 3 terms as secretary and one term as president.
When Carol retired from AT&T, she worked part time for Country Florist in Grain Valley delivering flowers. While working there, she learned floral design. When not working at the flower shop, Carol volunteered her time in the Matthews Elementary library. This led to her accepting a teacher’s aide position in 1998 in the Matthew computer lab where she still works today.
Today, Carol divides her time between family, her work for the school district, the Grain Valley Assistance Council where she’s a member of the Board of Directors and her many friends and activities with the Optimist Club.

A Club recognition....

I would like to take the time on behalf of the club and say thank you to Sam Packham for his outstanding work with Pairing with Optimist. Sam has done another great job with gathering contributions for the event and we would like to say to Sam: thank you for all of the work that you have put into this event. Just like other years, you have done an exceptional job with getting contributions to a very important event that the club sponsors. You have made this another successful year and we are proud to have a member with your dedication and drive in our club.
Thanks for everything.

Let's help the Grain Valley Show Choir

A Poster was brought to the meeting stating the Grain Valley Choir was having "A Night of Food, Friendship and Fundraising" at Zio's Italian Kitchen. This is to help raise funds for the Grain Valley Show Choir. Jerry Vaughn will be sending out an e-mail with the flyer that is required in effort for 20% of the funds raised that day will be given to the GV Show Choir. Hope all can go out and enjoy a dinner but also support the event. If you do not get an e-mail from Jerry, please give him a call at the Chamber.
The date is Wednesday February 7th from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
3901 Bolger Drive, Independence, MO 64055.

Coming up events...........

In todays meeting, February 3rd, we had a lot to discuss. We covered all of our upcoming events and touched a little on all of them. Please read below and see what was discussed.

• Pairing with Optimist event will be on February 10th.
• District Conference will start on February 16th, anyone wanting to go must contact Sheila Arnold before the 10th.
• Easter Egg Event, eggs being cleaned currently, park reserved, small gifts coming in and egg stuffing will be March 24th at Admin office located on Pink Hill. Egg hunt on March 31st at 10:00 AM. Flyers will be available in early March.
• Substance Abuse Posters will be in the month of March.
• Oratorical will be the month of March.
• Plant Sale, Ann and Jan are working on this and normally is the Friday and Saturday of Mother's Day weekend and that is the 11th & 12th of May.
• Golf Tournament is set for June 7th. Jerry Vaughn is currently working on this.
• Bike Safety will be in the month of June.
• Relay for Life was brought up and is early June. Date will be confirmed.
• Respect for Law event, Kristi Caley and Nancy Myers worked last year and asked Kristi to get back with us on this.