ARCOLA - It was an evening of celebration, as members from local and surrounding clubs and organizations gathered with the Arcola Optimist Club at the Arcola Optimist-Legion Hall on March 20 for the 31st annual snowmobile rally banquet.
This is a time when the club rewards the organizations for the work, they did in selling raffle tickets.
Over 70 people attended a roast beef supper prepared by Steve and Allison’s Catering from Lampman.
Optimist president Blake Brownridge welcomed everyone to the evening and was excited to have the International Optimist president Tracy Huxley in attendance. It is not often that the small towns receive such an honoured guest at their events, and Brownridge said this was truly an evening to remember.
Huxley, who hails from Ontario, is the fourth woman to become president but is the first Canadian woman. She was to attend a youth band festival in Regina, but the event was cancelled, and she wanted to find something else to do.
Regina Downtowner’s Optimist Club sponsored the Arcola chapter when it started, and they decided to load up to vehicles and come to join in the festivities.
Ten people came to Arcola from the Regina club which included lieutenant governor for Zone 8 Charlotte Harris.
Once the meal was cleared, Brownridge took to the podium once more and thanked the caterers for the delicious meal. Brownridge also thanked all the volunteers for their work and the sponsors for their contributions over the years.
This year's recipients were:
•The Arcola-Kisbey 4-H Club received $500;
•Moose Mountain Jumpers Gymnastics received $1,136;
•The Arcola Curling Club was awarded $1,520;
•The Storm Volleyball Club received $2,240;
•The Arcola Figure Skating Club got $3,280;
•The Moose Mountain Snowmobile Club was given $3,888;
•The Arcola Daycare received $4,320;
•The Viper Volleyball Club’s grand total was $5,440;
•The Arcola Rodeo Committee and Moose Mountain Wildlife Federation each received $1,312; and
•Arcola Minor Hockey, the Lampman branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Moose Mountain Karate Club and Arcola Travel Club each received $1,600.
At the end of the evening, Brownridge welcomed everyone to stay for a social.
Geordan Workman said it was fun year, and he was happy with the event. He feels they had a great turnout and support was terrific, and he hopes to do it all again next year.
Huxley said that the optimists are in 28 countries, and this is the 106th year. She spoke about the Optimist Creed, the need to be true to one's self and always do our best.
Optimists are the friends of youth and feel supporting them is the future.
