Celebrating success and hard work was the theme in Arcola on March 23rd, when the Arcola Optimist Club held their annual cheque presentation. The Arcola Optimist Legion, where the event was held, was a buzz of activity from 6:30 p.m. onwards. The evening began with cocktails and continued into the evening with supper served at 7 p.m. and a cheque presentation that followed. Musical entertainment provided by Tim and Donna Chicago from Forget took place throughout the night and the smell of home cooking catered by local ladies had the taste buds salivating and stomachs full. Laughter and banter between attendees showed the enjoyment had by all, which continued well into the evening.
The focus of the evening was to celebrate the hard work of five service groups and the success of the Optimist Club of Arcola 18th Annual Snowmobile Rally held on January 29th. The event saw over 500 snowmobile entrants from all over southeastern Saskatchewan and riders from Manitoba and Regina as well. Over 2,300 tickets were sold for the lottery with over 300 people in attendance for the evening dance.
With an increase in both rider registrants and lottery ticket sales from last year, the Optimist Club handed out $18,500 to the five service groups during the evening. The money was distributed to the organizations based on the number of tickets each individual group sold for the event.
Hilarie Jochems accepted a cheque for $6,600 on behalf of the Arcola Daycare. The money raised will be used to cover operating costs and possibly for the purchase of new equipment for three infant spaces that have been opened within the last six months.
Darcy Singleton, Chairman of the Prairie Place Complex accepted a cheque for $4,700. This is the eighth year for the complex and the money raised will be used for upgrading and necessary repairs requiring attention within the complex. Singleton stated that "with the high expenses of running a rink, the money helps to keep the facility in great working order. It keeps it open for the community and the public, and is another facility for kids to use." The Prairie Place Complex acts as home to a variety of community activities including minor hockey, figure skating, high school curling, gymnastics, senior hockey and rec hockey teams.
On behalf of the Arcola Curling Club, Terri-Lee Lees accepted a cheque for $3,500. Curling takes place in Arcola Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in addition to bonspiels held throughout the year.
Clay Chapman of Moose Mountain Wildlife accepted a cheque for $2,700.
Chair of the Carlyle and District Food Bank, Mavis James, accepted a cheque of $1,000 on behalf of the organization. The $1,000 was raised by a 50/50 draw that took place on the day of the rally.
Glen Lawson, president of the Optimist Club for the past four years, said "I think tonight is to celebrate a successful rally and spread some money around, and have a night to enjoy all of the hard work that was put into the event and celebrate it."
The Arcola optimist club has 33 members and are active within the community.
