Shakespeare Optimist Club’s Family Day event a great success

Kids of all ages enjoyed skating and taking part in the “Chuck-a-Puck” activity at the Shakespeare Pavilion on Family Day. In the background are Shakespeare Optimist Club members Orval Gerber, Jim Radar and Richard Smelski. Gary West photo

By Diane Danen

Once again, the Shakespeare Optimist Club brought the community together for its annual Family Day celebration at the Shakespeare Hall on Monday, Feb. 16.

An estimated 175 people attended the event. Club president Jeremy Witzel said he was pleased with the strong turnout.

“Our Family Day event was well attended and provided great community engagement,” he said.

Families took part in a wide range of activities at the event. Outdoors, kids and parents enjoyed tobogganing on the hill beside the hall, while others hit the ice for skating and a lively game of “Chuck-a-Puck” at the pavilion. Players tried to shoot their pucks through a small hole cut into a sheet of plywood attached to a hockey net. Participants were rewarded with a coupon for a free ice cream cone, generously provided by Moo’s Ice Cream Shop in Shakespeare.

Inside the hall, there were many activities including pickleball, floor hockey and craft tables where children made crystal prism suncatchers and perler bead creations, the classic beads that melt together with an iron.

Guests warmed up with hot chocolate and coffee and enjoyed hotdogs prepared by Optimist members. A sweet treat of maple syrup toffee was made using syrup donated by Carmen Wettlaufer of Tavistock.

Before heading home, families received swag bags filled with dental supplies including toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss generously provided by Tavistock Family Dentistry.

Through events like the Family Day celebration, the Shakespeare Optimist Club continues to live out its motto, “Optimists – Friends of Youth,” working to bring out the best in young people, the community and themselves.

The Shakespeare Optimist Club is always happy to welcome new members. Anyone interested in joining and making a positive difference for youth in the community can email shakespeareoptimist@hotmail.com for more information.