It's 2015, let the BINGO FRIENDZY begin!

Hey friends! It's time to start the BINGO season. This Saturday, January 3, 2015, we'll kick off the new year with a FRIENDZY.

Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your daubers and let's BINGO!

Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; early bird games start at 5:30 p.m.; regular games start at 6:00 p.m.

You must be 18 or older to attend.

Come hungry! Our concession stand will be open. All money raised at the concessions and bingo support projects in Middleton, Idaho.

Our Frozen Float

The Middleton Area Optimist Club was part of the Middleton Christmas Parade on December 13, 2014. We had so much fun building the float and participating in the festivities and were especially honored to have been given second place for our entry "Frozen."

Thanks to Optimist Club member Kris Branner for the photos. If you would like to join the Middleton Area Optimist Club, let us know! We welcome new members, energy and ideas every day.  Thanks. 

Ugly Christmas Sweater Bingo on December 6

Put on your ugly Christmas sweater (or make one!) and join us for Ugly Christmas Sweater Bingo at the Middleton Rural Fire District on December 6, 2014.

Hot ball is nearly $500.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m., early bird games at 5:30 p.m., regular games begin at 6:00 p.m.

Minimum buy-in is $10. Must be 18 years or older.

Concessions are available.

'Tis the season to wear your ugly Christmas Sweater. You might win a prize at theme night BINGO with the Optimist Club!

Get your 2015 Middleton Area Community Calendar before it's too late!

Jennifer and Taylor Dingman

The Middleton Area Optimist Club was at Ridley's Saturday with the Middleton Area Community Calendar. Sales were brisk, but don't worry; you can still get yours.

At only $5, it's a perfect stocking stuffer - send a note to reserve yours now.  Please include your name, address and phone number and we will contact you to arrange pickup.

Mail orders will be charged an additional $3.00 for mailing. Offer is good while supplies last.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Bingo on December 6

Ugly Christmas Sweater Bingo returns to the Middleton Rural Fire District on December 6, 2014. It's your first chance of the season to show off your gaudiest sweater to all of your bingo friends. You might win a prize if yours is the ugliest!

As always, doors open at 5:00 p.m., early bird games start at 5:30 p.m. and regular games start at 6:00 p.m. Bring your friends because the prizes go up when more people are there to play.

Must be 18 or older. Concessions are available.

I'm thankful for BINGO

Halloween will barely be behind us when we gather for our next BINGO fund raiser for the Middleton Area Optimist Club and our community. Please join us on Saturday, November 1, 2014. Wear a theme-based costume and you might win a prize!

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Early-bird games start at 5:30 p.m. and regular games start at 6:00 p.m.

Concessions are available. Everyone must be 18 or over to attend.

We can't wait to see you at the Middleton Rural Fire District.

Bingo on October 4, 2014

Hey bingo friends! It's time to play Boo Bingo - this Saturday, October 4, 2014 at the Middleton Rural Fire District.

As always, doors will open at 5:00 p.m.(we try to open earlier when possible), early bird games begin at 5:30 p.m. and regular games start at 6:00 p.m.

The Halloween theme means that you should come in costume! We always give a prize for the best theme apparel; however, you are certainly welcome to come just as you are.

Concessions are available and you must be 18 years or older. See you there!

Crystal Walker wins ping pong ball drop

Congratulations to Crystal Walker, winner of the ping pong ball drop at the 2014 Harvest Festival.

Shown presenting her winnings, $500, is Middleton Area Optimist Club president Russ Nelson.

Win $500 at Foote Park

Join us at Foote Park on Saturday, September 20, 2014. It's Harvest Fest and we're having a ping pong ball drop.

For only $5, you might win $500. Stop by and find out more.

We're also hosting pumpkin races and so much more. See you there, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Free pizza, plus FROZEN on the big screen in Middleton

The Middleton Area Optimist Club is celebrating its 4th anniversary and we invite you and your kiddos to the party!

Join us at the Optimist Family Fun Fair on Saturday, September 13, 2014, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. followed by the movie "Frozen" at dusk.

There will be a Disney Open Mike where children can perform their favorite Disney song; a photo booth where you can have your picture taken with Olaf (bring your camera!); and other fun games to play and entertain the whole family.

In honor of our 4th Anniversary, we're serving a free slice of pizza from Garbanzo's to everyone, while 100 pizzas last.

Join us for the fun! Bring a sweatshirt and a blanket and stay for the movie. See you there!

It's BINGO Kick-off time

The kids are back in school. The Broncos are back on the blue. It must be time to kick-off the fall season of Middleton Area Optimist Club Bingo! 

Join us on Saturday, September 6, 2014 for some football-themed fun. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Early bird games start at 5:30 p.m. and remember, when you bring your friends it's more fun AND our cash prizes GROW. 

See you soon! 

Free Movie August 16, 2014: Smurfs 2

Join us at Foote Park on Saturday August 16, 2014 for "Smurfs 2." It's so much fun to bring your friends, family and a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars on the big screen.

Arrive at 8:00 p.m. for the music and concessions. Movie starts at dusk. See you there!

Kickballers

The Middleton Area Optimist Club hosted the first-ever Kickball Tournament on August 7, 2014. Becky O'Meara of the Middleton Gazette caught this shot of a great look group of players. Fun was had by all, and pledges were made to practice-up before the next 2nd Annual Kickball Tournament in 2015.

Click to enlarge the photo and you'll see the los bomberos (firemen) are pretty proud to be number 1.

Movie Time: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Please join us at Foote Park for a free movie on the big screen this Saturday, August 2, 2014. The movie starts at dusk. Grab a blanket, a lawn chair and your family and friends and have fun at home in Middleton, Idaho.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 

Keep calm and play kickball

It's time to get registered for KICKBALL.

It's mostly for fun, but everyone likes a little competition so there will be two brackets to choose from in the first-ever Middleton Kickball Tournament:

Competitive - Must be over 10 years old, no age limit
Family - Teams with players under 10 years old

Click here to register now. 

Movie Time: Saturday, July 19, dusk

Be a minion! It's the optimistic thing to do. Bring your blanket, your family and your friends and make your debut at Free Movies in the Park!

Date: July 19, 2014
Time: Dusk
Location: Foote Park

Showing: Despicable Me 2

Let's play kickball!

Please join the Middleton Area Optimist Club for the first annual Kickball Tournament!
Date: August 7, 2014
Location: Hawthorne Park
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

We invite you to register your team today. Choose between the competitive or family/recreational bracket. The registration fee is $5 per player. Each team must have at least 10 but no more than 12 players. In order to participate in the competitive bracket, each player must be over 10 years of age.

Find out more by clicking on the picture to enlarge and download.

Register with the form below or click here to print and mail a registration form now.

Watch for more information on Facebook.




 

Monsters University in Foote Park

Saturday, June 21, 2014 is a Free Movie in the Park Night. We sure hope to see you at dusk at Foote Park. Come on down for Monsters University on the big screen!

Bring your lawn chair, blanket and the whole family! We've got the popcorn, soda, and more at the concession stand. Hope to see you there!

Shop at the Idaho Youth Ranch on Thursday, June 19, 2014

Go shopping at the Idaho Youth Ranch on Thursday, June 19, 2014 and your purchases will earn money for the Middleton Area Optimist Club. It's the Idaho Youth Ranch's way of saying thank you to the community on its first anniversary in Middleton.

We say congratulations! We're happy you're here. 

Summer fun with the Optimist Club

The Middleton Area Optimist Club will be around town this summer helping with different events like Block Day, among others, with the Middleton Public Library. We'll be hosting five more Free Movies in the Park on June 21, July 19, August 2, August 16 and September 13. We'll top off the final movie with an Optimist Family Fair so be sure to watch for details. And of course, we'll play BINGO! Bingo games are scheduled for July 12, August 9 and August 23.

But that's not all, folks! We're proud to announce the first Optimist Club Kickball Tournament on August 7. Watch for details here and on Facebook! Put together your team! It will be fun!

BINGO for Doug

In June, the Middleton Area Optimist Club offers its support to a local individual who is suffering from a cancer diagnosis. This year, proceeds from the Pink Out BINGO will go to Doug Corta. Doug is fighting brain cancer.

 All house rules remain the same. You must be 18 or over to participate. There is a $10 minimum buy-in and cash prizes increase when there are more players. 

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. (we try to open earlier), early-bird games begin at 5:30 p.m. and regular games start at 6:00 p.m. Come on down to the Middleton Rural Fire District on June 7, 2014 and support Doug and the Corta family. Thank you.

Creativity abounds at first Chalk Art Funtest

The first annual Chalk Art Funtest was just as promised: FUN! We had a good number of entries and children and adults enjoyed the morning as they shared their creative juices with each other.

Every piece of artwork was amazing and we thank everyone for participating.

Those who went home with trophies are:

(3-6) Claire Allen, 1st; Reece Biorn, 2nd
(7-12) Taylor Dingman, 1st; Sumsion kids, 2nd
(13-17) Kaytlynn Boguslawski & Jordan LaBarbera, 1st; Alex Moore, 2nd
(over 18) Kim Powelson, 1st; Melissa Biorn, 2nd

Not all winners were present for the photo. Congratulations to all!

Please visit the @MidOptimist Facebook page to enjoy all of the photos of the day. 

Thanks to the Greater Middleton Parks & Recreation District for being our partner.

Idaho Summer - Chalk Art Funtest

We're looking for artists of all ages and skill levels to compete in the first-ever CHALK ART FUNTEST!

When: May 31, 2014 - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Foote Park - Middleton, Idaho
Sponsored by: Middleton Area Optimist Club 
Chairperson: Jennifer Dingman 
Theme: Idaho Summer 

Get your friends and sign up now. 

"Planes" will fly this Saturday, May 17, Foote Park

The world of "Cars" takes to the sky with the first Free Movies in the Park for 2014.

Come enjoy Disney's "Planes" on Saturday, May 17, 2014. We can't wait to see you!

Movies start at dusk in Foote Park.

Introducing the Chalk Art Funtest

Optimist Club member Jennifer Dingman is leading the Optimist Club on a new adventure: The first Middleton Area Optimist Club Chalk Art Funtest! The Chalk Art Funtest will take place at Foote Park on Saturday, May 31, 2014, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The theme is Idaho Summer and the rules are pretty simple: draw!

Okay, there are a couple more rules than that, but they are pretty simple. Read all about them here and here.

The Chalk Art Funtest is open to individuals of all ages and teams of 3 persons. Contestants must sign the release that they have read and will abide by the rules in the above link. Additionally, we ask that you register to participate and submit your $5 entry fee to the Greater Middleton Parks & Recreation District.

The Optimist Club will provide an assortment of chalk, but artists may bring their own supplies as well. Only non-oil based soft chalk may be used.

Each space will be 4'9" x 5'. Assignments are made on entry. Read all about this fun new contest and get involved!

Free Movies return to Foote Park

It's hard to believe that we're about to kick-off the third season of Free Movies in the Park, but it's true! And we're excited to invite you to join us on May 17, 2014 as we get started.

The first family-friendly movie of the season is "Planes."

Returning movie sponsors are:

• Burgess Pump
• Larry Blackburn Insurance
• Pioneer Family Credit Union
• State Farm - Jim Dingman, Agent
• Eagle Land Surveying, LLC

The movies are coordinated by the Middleton Area Optimist Club and the Greater Middleton Parks & Recreation District.

Mark your calendars now and don't miss an opportunity to watch a movie with community at Free Movies in the Park.

If you are interested in supporting your community with theater screen advertising, please complete and return this form. 

Who is ready to bingo?

One of our favorite bingo celebrations will take place on May 3, 2014. That's when we come together for Fiesta Bingo! We serve the best street tacos at our concession stand for this once a year event. 

As always, doors open at 5:00 (we'll try to be open earlier!) and early bird games start at 5:30 p.m. 

No one under 18 is allowed as this is a gambling event. See you soon!

Oh, did I mention? Hot ball is over $500! 

Family Game Night a success!

The Middleton Area Optimist Club held Family Game Night on April 19. As part of Middleton Unplugged, it offered a free evening for families to get out of the house and have some fun.

Kids and adults were treated to hot dogs, popcorn and bingo and all that entered had the opportunity to win fabulous baskets donated by a team of Optimist Club and Middleton Area supporters. Many thanks to our donors:

• Middleton Public Library
• State Farm Insurance
• Mayor's Youth Council
• Middleton Gazette
• Park & Rec District
• IdaDiv Credit Union
• Middleton Rural Fire Dept (x3)
• Canyon Springs Christian Church
• Canyon County Paramedics
• Middleton Fitness Center
• Middleton Optimist Club (x2)

A little over 200 people were on hand for the fun and games and joining them were an assortment of pretty princesses and superheroes. Be sure to visit our Facebook page for more pictures. 

Join us for a Middleton Unplugged event

The Middleton Area Optimist Club is hosting Family Night Bingo this Saturday, April 19, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Fire Station. This is a FREE evening and kiddos and their parents will have the opportunity to play bingo for fun and prizes. We'll also have free hot dogs while they last. 

Luau Bingo on April 5, 2014

Sun, sand, surf - well, maybe not, but we'll have lots of fun anyway at Luau Bingo. Put on your favorite Hawaiian shirt and join us Saturday, April 5, 5:00 p.m. at the Middleton Rural Fire District.

As always, the doors open at 4:00 p.m. Must be 18 years or older to attend. For planning purposes, please know that the minimum buy-in is  $10 and most people choose the $20 package that gives them cards in every game. Concessions will be available with our famous baked potato bar.

Dodgeball!

It's spring break in Middleton and in other parts of Idaho and beyond. That means that students get to fill up one week with fun.

In order to facilitate a fun and raise a little money, the Mayor's Youth Council is coordinating a Dodgeball Tournament. It's for kids and adults - they will play in age-appropriate categories - and the Middleton Area Optimist Club will be there in full force.

The Optimists have put together two teams for the fun of it and they are looking forward to ducking, diving, dipping and dodging tonight, March 25, 2014 at the Middle School Gym.

Come check it out at 6:30. Games start at 6:45 p.m.

Good luck Optimists!

The greatest thing about being an Optimist is

What's the greatest thing about belonging to an Optimist Club?

We were asked this question last week at the regional meeting for Optimist Clubs in Idaho. There were a great number of answers that included the opportunity to be a part of a great group of people, gain leadership skills, serve the community and help kids.

We put some of the answers together in a video for the #reeloptimism video contest sponsored by Optimist International. While we don't expect our videography to win any awards, we hope that our testimonies win some hearts. Enjoy.

The Greatest Thing About Being an Optimist is...


 

Middleton Area Optimist Club is in the top 100 of all Optimist Clubs

The Middleton Area Optimist Club was honored by Optimist International at a regional meeting of the Pacific Northwest District on March 8, 2014.

Noting excellence in community service and membership growth, the club was named a Distinguished Optimist Club. President Russ Nelson received special honors for leading the club to a stellar year. In accepting his award, Russ said that it was only possible because of all of the club members. He explained that they pull together like family and accomplish what they set their minds on as a group.

Kim Boguslawski and Becky O'Meara were also honored for their service as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

The Distinguished Optimist Club award goes to less than 5% of all Optimist Clubs around the world. In raw numbers, the recognition places the Middleton Area Optimist Club in the top 100. There are 2,800 Optimist Clubs affiliated with the organization.

Kim Boguslawski named Optimist of the Year

We are excited to announce that Kim Boguslawski has been named Optimist of the Year by the Middleton Area Optimist Club. The honor was bestowed upon her during the bingo fundraiser on March 1, 2014.

According to President Russ Nelson, Kim is the Optimist version of the Energizer Bunny. She's involved in every event and her commitment to bingo every month makes it easier for everyone to participate. Congratulations Kim! We salute you.

Save the date, all ye leprechauns

Last year, our March Bingo was one of the best attended. Let's break our record and get 200 people in the big bay of the Middleton Rural Fire District, March 1, 2014. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

It's a date!

Make it a date! Bring your friends, bring your sweetie, bring yourself to Date Night Bingo on February 1, 2014. As always, doors open at 5:00 p.m. at the Middleton Rural Fire District.

For this special bingo, we're serving lasagna at the concession stand. Bring your appetite and have fun. 

Remember all money raised with concessions and card sales benefit community service projects in the Middleton Area including Free Movies in the Park.

Buy a community calendar now!

Have you bought your community calendar for 2014? 

You don't want to miss out on this opportunity. For only $15, you and your family can be connected to all that happens in the Middleton Community throughout the year. From bingo to baseball, movies and more, we've compiled everything you need to know to acclimate to the Middleton area and become an active and involved citizen. Click the link to order yours today and it will be delivered right to your door.

BUY A COMMUNITY CALENDAR NOW

All money raised in the community calendar program is dedicated to the Farmstead playground at Foote Park.

If $15 seems a little high, please know that your donation is serving an excellent cause, one that will brighten the days of youngsters for many years to come. We thank you for your contribution.