 November
22- December 19, 2009 Eden Prairie Optimist Holiday Tree Lot -
From the Eden Prairie News
The Eden Prairie Optimists are holding their annual
Christmas tree sale fund-raiser again this year. The tree lot, which is located in the North East corner
of Round Lake Park near the intersection of Eden Prairie Road and Valley View Road, will open for business on Sunday, November
22nd at 9:00AM. The Optimists will be selling a large supply of premium quality Christmas trees and are specializing in fraser
firs, ranging from 6 to 12 feet, and in balsam firs. Other varieties available are spruce, and eastern
balsams. Disposable tree bags and wreaths, sizes 24”, 36”, 48” and 60" will also
be sold.
Tree lot hours will be
from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, and from 4:00 to 8:00 PM during the week. The Christmas
tree fund-raiser is chaired by Optimists Gary Lambert, Bruce Balfanz and Jim Allen. According to
Lambert, the sale price for trees this year will remain comparable to those of last year, and are competitive with commercial
tree lots. Lambert also stated that the
Optimists’ annual tree sale is the Optimists’ only fundraiser. Funding for all of the Optimists’
youth programs in Eden Prairie depend entirely on the profits raised through their tree sales. The proceeds of this nonprofit fund-raiser provide all of
the financial support for the Optimist’s youth oriented programs. These community service programs
include the “Hooked on Fishing” competition, Youth Appreciation scholarships, Valley Fair trip for School Patrols,
Eden Prairie Center Halloween Party, Essay and Oratorical contests, DNR Gun Safety classes, and the Counter Act and Project
Northlands drug prevention programs. The funds raised are also used to make annual donations to PROP, ABC Foundation,
Crime Prevention Fund, Prairie-Fest, and Optimist International Childhood Cancer Campaign. The Optimist Club is a
civic organization with an emphasis on programs that benefit and recognize the youth of Eden Prairie. The
club meets at 6:30 PM on the second Monday of each month at the Chanhassen American Legion, 290 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen.
Visitors are always welcome. For more information about the Optimists, contact President Jim Allen
at 952-949-4969 or JAllen@comcast.net, or visit www.EdenPrairieOptimists.org.
A Better Chance Foundation Video View
a YouTube video of Optimist member Gardner Gay. Gardner discusses the Eden Prairie based A Better Chance Foundation,
a program that the Optimist Club advocates. The mission of Eden Prairie A Better Chance Foundation is to provide a safe and
nurturing home and learning environment for academically high-achieving minority high school students, coming from economically
and educationally distressed situations. We do this by housing and supporting them while they are attending Eden Prairie High
School. This allows them "a better chance" of achieving their full potential. **to view the video please
click the image below*  November 14-15, 2009 Optimist Club Supports Prairie Fest The Eden Prairie Optimist Club is proud to support Prairie Fest 2009. Prairie Fest is specifically
designed for 7th and 8th graders, Prairie Fest is a collaborative effort by the Eden Prairie Schools Community Education, City of Eden Prairie, YMCA, Eden Prairie churches, and businesses that want to encourage students
to make healthy choices and build leadership skills. For more information click on the Prairie Fest image below.
October
12, 2009 Jim
Allen Elected Optimist Club President The
Optimist Club of Eden Prairie has named Jim Allen president for the 2009-2010 year. Allen succeeds Bruce Balfanz,
who has served the past two years. Other officers elected include vice presidents Ryan Affolter and Michelle Wallin, secretary
Rocky Lhotka and treasurer Gary Lambert. Installation of officers was held at a special dinner at Camp Eden Wood, Eden Prairie
and officiated by former governor Jim Myers. Allen joined the Optimists in 2007 and has served as leader on many
committees, most notably the annual Christmas Tree Lot, the clubs most notable fundraiser. Allen's background in construction
management has helped the club efficiently save time, space and money in the lot construction and take-down. The
Optimist Club is a civic organization with an emphasis on programs that benefit and recognize the youth of Eden Prairie. The
group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the Chanhassen American Legion, 290 Lake Drive E. Visitors are
welcome. For more information please follow the "Contact Us" page form on this website. From EdenPrairieNews.com
- http://www.edenprairienews.com/allen-elected-optimist-president-110
 January 24, 2009
Optimist International Essay Contest now Closed! The
2009 Optimist International Essay Contest is now Closed! Students in grades 4 through 12 entered the 2009 Optimist International Essay Contest. The Overall Winner’s essay will
be entered in the “Optimist International District Essay Contest” for a chance to win a college scholarship up to $6000. 2009 Essay
Topic: “The Power of Youth” Stay tuned soon for our 2009 winners.
Sunday, November 23,
2008 Round Lake Park, Eden Prairie Christmas Tree Fundraiser Kick Off
Christmas Tree
sales profits help fund a majority of the youth projects, fundraisers and programs the Eden Prairie Optimist Club supports.
The Eden Prairie Optimist Club tree lot is on the northeast corner of Round Lake Park near the intersection of Eden Prairie
Road and Valley View Road. It opened Nov. 23. The Optimists are specializing in Fraser firs. Other varieties available are
spruce and eastern balsams. Disposable tree bags and wreaths will also be sold. Tree lot hours will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and 4-8 p.m. weekdays. For information, contact President Bruce Balfanz at 952-941-5740.
Monday, November 11, 2008 Chanhassen American Legion Make A Wish Foundation Presentation Barbara Koch, from the Make-A-Wish Foundation presented to Eden Prairie Optimist Club members the Foundations
background, principles, programs and support it provides terminally ill children. A child facing a life-threatening or critical
illness needs many things. A loving family. Excellent medical services. An extended community of supportive, loyal friends,
teachers, and people who care. They also need times of hope and laughter and fun. Time to be who they are...children. They
are children who want to think about something other than their illness, who want to imagine a future with better days and
dreams that come true. That’s where the Make-A-Wish Foundation® comes in. http://minnesota.wish.org
Saturday, June 14, 2008 Round
Lake Park
Annual All American Fishing Derby
The
18th Annual All American Fishing Derby! was held Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Round Lake Park. The Optimist
Club of Eden Prairie and several EP Youth came out for this exciting competition! The registration was open to youth
ages 15 and under, accompanied by a parent or guardian, and there were prizes for everyone. Trophies and fishing prizes were awarded
to largest catch and smallest catch for varying age brackets. Seventy six young anglers took part in the Eden Prairie Optimists'
18th annual All-American Fishing Derby. Winners for the largest fish caught are as follows:
Age 4 and Under:
1st Place: Nicholas Lindquist
2nd Place: Mikaela Kram
3rd Place: (tie) Kallie Kram and Dylan O'Dea
Age 5 to 8:
1st Place: Jeffery Tia
2nd Place: Cloie Moore
3rd Place: Daniel Stoffer
Age 9 to 11:
1st Place: (tie) Lexi Reed, Julia Jia, Jeff Fadlovich and Danika Kurisko
Age
12 to 15:
1st Place: Rory Cummings
2nd Place: Justin Jachim
3rd Place: (tie) Chris Becker and Surahvirint
Scuyine
Largest Fish:
Largest fish caught during the tournament was a 3 lb. 6 oz bass by
Rory Cummings.
May 15, 2008 Eden Prairie News
Optimists Honor CMS Students
The Eden Prairie
Optimists have selected eight grade students Parker O'Brien and Michaela Sir as their 2007 - 2008 Youth Appreciation Representatives
from Eden Prairie Central Middle School. O'Brien is the son of Jay and Leann O'Brien of Eden Prairie. Sir is
the daughter of Michael Sir, also of Eden Prairie. The students were selected based on civic contributions, leadership abilities,
and school community involvement, according to Optimist Committee Chair, Don Affolter. Selection was made following interviews
with Optimists Affolter, Jean Myers and Karla Wennerstrom. Semi-finalists nominated by the Central Middle School faculty
and staff included Lauren Deanes, Alvaro Ortiz-Vazquez, Eric Turner and Quinn Vatland. All students nominated have been recognized
and presented with educational reference awards during the CMS year end awards ceremonies. The Optimists' Youth Appreciation
activities include programs that promote the positive accomplishments of youth.
 May 8, 2008 Eden Prairie News
Flight of The Kites
The Eden Prairie Optimist Club with the City of Eden Prairie hosted the annual
Kite Fest, Sunday, May 4 at Round Lake Park. The Club helped participents select kite designs, building materials and
assisting in putting them together. Kids then flew the kites on the softball fields with the Minnesota Kite Society and
entertainment of the Teddy Bear Band. Photos courtesy of the Eden Prairie News.
April 21, 2008 Eden Prairie News
Optimist Oratorical Winners Announced
Natalie Wilson, 13, of Chanhassen and Parker Breza, 11,
of Victoria, were the first place winners in the annual oratorical contest conducted April 5th by the Eden
Prairie Optimists. Natalie is an eighth-grade student at Chaska Middle School West. Parker is a fifth-grade
student at St. Hubert’s School in Chanhassen. The oratorical contest winners were selected based on their four-
to five-minute oral presentation on the topic “Why Me? Why Not?”
Speeches were made by a total of
13 boys and girls ages 15 and under. The second and third place winners in the girl’s contest
were Ryan Kinsella, 10, of Chanhassen, and Anna Zumwinkle, 10, of Excelsior. Second and third place winners in the boy’s
contest were Jack Ryan, 12, of Eden Prairie, and Spencer Stewart-Hester, 10, of Chanhassen. Medallions
and book store gift cards were presented to the first, second and third place contestants at the contest. Other
students taking part in the contest were Kalie Winters, 10, and Tess Ryan, 10, both of Eden Prairie; Cassandra Breza, 9, of
Victoria; Sofia Poinar, 10, and Maria Westerhaus,10, both of Chanhassen; Cortney Buesgens, 9, of Chaska and Brendan Lee-Gilligan,
age 11 of Minnetonka. The winners advance to zone competition against other Optimist Club winners from
the South-West suburban area, which will be on April 19 in Bloomington.
March 13, 2008 Eden Prairie News
Optimist Essay Contest Winners Announced
Winners of this year’s Optimist International Essay contest, which was co-sponsored by the Eden Prairie Optimists
and Friends of the Eden Prairie Library were announced March 4. The first-, second- and third-place finishers received Barnes
& Noble gift cards. First-place essays are found by following this link http://www.edenprairienews.com/news/announcements/optimist-club-announces-essay-winners-4627 All essays were written on the topic, “Today’s choices shape my future.”
In the category for
grades four to six, winners were: Andrew Salmon, a fifth-grader at the International School of Minnesota – first place;
Priyanka Shetty, a fifth-grader at Oak Point Intermediate – second place; Hannah Schmit, a fourth-grader at Our Lady
of Perpetual Help – third place. Winners in the grades seven to nine category were: Michelle Wu, a ninth-grader
at Eden Prairie High School – first place; Sarah Schmit, a seventh-grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help – second
place; Caroline Krause, an eighth-grade home schooled student – third place. Winners in the grades 10 – 12 category
were: Svetlana Adusheva, a junior at Eden Prairie High School – first place; Peter Krause, a senior home schooled student
– second place; Marta Krause, a sophomore home schooled student – third place.
All winning essays
were authored by students that reside in Eden Prairie. The essay written by Svetlana Adusheva also qualified for entry in
the Optimist International District Essay Contest, according to a news release from the club. Her essay will be judged along
with winners from other Optimist clubs in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Manitoba Canada, for an opportunity to
win a college scholarship. This is the second year the Eden Prairie Optimists and Friends of the Library have co-sponsored
the Optimist International Essay Contest in Eden Prairie. The Eden Prairie Optimists conduct programs and activities that
primarily benefit the youth of Eden Prairie and neighboring communities. The Friends of the Eden Prairie Library sponsor activities
and conduct fundraisers for the benefit of the Eden Prairie public library.
| Click Here for Optimist Essay Contest Rules |
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January 9, 2008 Eden Prairie News The Optimist Club of Eden Prairie is inviting area students to write on the topic, “I Want to Make A Difference
Because …” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2007. This essay contest is co-sponsored by
the Eden Prairie Optimists and the Friends of the Eden Prairie Library. Students under age 19 as of Dec.
31, 2006, can enter the contest by writing 400 to 500 words on the topic. The deadline for submitting the essays is Feb. 9.
Gift certificates of $50 and $25 will be awarded to the first- and second-place winners in each of these categories: fourth
to sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade and ninth to 12th grade. The overall winner’s essay will be sent to the Optimist
International District Essay Contest for an opportunity to win a $650 college scholarship.
November 15, 2007 Eden Prairie News The Eden Prairie Optimists
Club tree lot is in Round Lake Park, near the intersection of Eden Prairie Road and Valley View Road. It is open from 4-8
p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The lot is open beginning
Nov. 18. Fraser firs, ranging from 6-12 feet, balsam firs, spruce
and eastern balsams will be featured as well as wreaths and hanging baskets. This
is the only fundraiser for the group, which supports programs for children, including scholarships, essay contest, oratorical
contest, DNR gun safety classes, kids “Hooked on Fishing” event, youth appreciation awards, Kite Fest, school
patrol trip to Valleyfair and Halloween on the Mall. Annual donations are also made to PROP, ABC Foundation, Crime Prevention
Fund and Prairie-Fest. Optimist Gary Lambert said, “All the funds
that are raised are put back into the community for kids.”
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| 2007-08 President Bruce Balfanz |
October 3, 2007 Eden
Prairie News
The Optimist Club of Eden Prairie has elected
Bruce Balfanz as its president for the 2007-2008 year. Balfanz succeeds Don Affolter, the
Optimists’ current president and began his one-year term on Oct. 1. Other officers elected were Vice President Jim Markham of Excelsior, Secretary
Rocky Lhotka of Eden Prairie, and Treasurer Gary Lambert of Chanhassen, formerly of Eden
Prairie.
Installation of the Eden Prairie Optimist
officers and directors for the 2007-2008 year will be conducted on Monday, Oct. 8, to be held at their Installation Dinner
at Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie.
Balfanz and his wife Martha have been residents of Eden Prairie for 28 years. Balfanz
has worked for the auto service department at Walser Buick & GMC in Bloomington for 29 years.
Balfanz joined the
Eden Prairie Optimists in 2005 and has been an active member of the Optimists since then. He has served as a director and
is active on the Hooked on Fishing, DNR Gun Safety Class, and Christmas tree fundraiser committees. Some of the accomplishments Balfanz hopes to achieve while president are to increase the membership
size to give more people the opportunity to become involved in the Optimist youth programs that put smiles on the faces of
our children, according to a news release from the group.
The Optimist Club is a civic organization with an emphasis
on programs that benefit and recognize the youth of Eden Prairie. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each
month at the Chanhassen American Legion, 290 Lake Drive E., Chanhassen. Visitors are always welcome. Men and women interested
in serving their community through the Optimist Club can call Balfanz at 952-941-5740, or e-mail him at Babalfanz@msn.com.
   
June 14, 2007 Eden Prairie News
Isaiah Baker, 10, of Eden Prairie, and Clare
Hagen, 10, of Chanhassen, were the first-place winners in the annual Oratorical Contest conducted by the Eden Prairie
Optimists.
By winning the Eden Prairie Optimist contest, Baker and Hagen competed at the Optimist District contest
in St. Paul Minnesota against winners from other Optimist clubs in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Manitoba, Canada.
At the St. Paul contest, Hagen was the winner of the girl’s contest and was awarded a college scholarship of $1,500. Baker,
a fifth-grader at Oak Point Intermediate School in Eden Prairie, is the son of Peggy and Andrew Baker. Hagen, a fourth-grade
home-educated student, is the daughter of Bret and Mary Hagen. The Oratorical Contest winners were selected based on their
four- to five-minute oral presentation on the topic “My Biggest Challenge Is …” Speeches were judged on
their content and presentation. Placing
second and third respectively in the Eden Prairie girl’s contest were Tianna Cummings, 14, of Coon
Rapids, and Erin Olejnik, 10, of Eden Prairie. Medallions and store gift cards were presented to contestants
finishing first, second and third.
June 10, 2007 Eden Prairie News
The Eden Prairie Optimists' 17th annual All-American Fishing Derby drew a myriad
of hopeful anglers to Round Lake Saturday morning. In all, 62 kids and teens participated, the same number of participants
as last year.
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