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Havre Parks and Recreation Director Chris Inman, left from front, Havre Optimist Club members Bryon Ophus, Lisa Ophus and Hank Tweeten along with right from front, Anthony Common, Brad Baldwin and Mason Sheppard high-five Kaden Lodgepole, Elijdah Frickel, Daniel Sanchez and Tristen Friede as they come down the slide at Optimist Park in Havre.
Coming off a major upgrade to their park in Highland Park, the Havre Optimists Club is continuing to work to support young people in the community.
Echoing the motto of Optimist International, Havre club treasurer Byron Ophus said Friday, "Our focus is supporting youth."
Optimist International has 2,900 service clubs comprising almost 87,000 members in more than 35 countries throughout the world, and a small number, about 15 of those members, are in Havre's chapter.
Among the activities Optimist sponsors are youth soccer and baseball teams, as well as Boy Scouts like Johh Dolph, whose Eagle Scout project was to clean up the Eagles Park and reconstruct the derelict sign that greets park goers. Optimists helped him with the project by providing resources for some of the materials he needed.
Optimists have also contributed to projects at S-Curve Park and the trail across from Montana State University-Northern.
The Havre Optimist chapter was started more than 40 years ago, Ophus said. The big club fundraiser happens during the Great Northern Fair where the Optimist concession stand sells one of fairgoers' favorites, pig on a pole. Optimists concessions, usually run by youth, also sells bratwurst.
Optimists also clean up a stretch of the highway near Sandy Creek west of town, Ophus said. That event is coming up soon.
Thanks to city officials and money, Optimist Park got a big boost this summer when the playground was exponentially upgraded. Armed with two tall slides, multiple climbing apparatuses for all ages and many other bells and whistles, the new version of park has become the go-to park for many parents and grandparents to bring the young ones in their lives.
Optimists will decorate a tree and supply it with gifts at the upcoming Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.
Other future club activities include a dinner where new club president Hank Tweeten will be swore in.
The club is looking for and needs local partners always, Ophus said.
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