Hays Optimists distributing dictionaries to 6th graders for 31st year

Hays Optimist Club members will give 333 dictionaries to Ellis County sixth-graders this year.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It’s not unusual for Hays Optimist Club members to hear stories from young adults who say “I still have my sixth grade dictionary you gave me.”

For the 31st year, the Optimists will distribute paperback dictionaries to all Ellis County sixth grade students and their teachers Monday, Nov. 2.

“We’ll be busy giving out 333 Merriam Webster dictionaries,” said project chairman Gary Wentling.

More than 11,400 dictionaries have been handed over to the students since 1984, according to Wentling. The reference books are given to sixth graders at Hays Middle School and Holy Family Elementary School, Victoria Grade School, and Washington and St. Mary’s schools in Ellis.

Monday’s dictionary distribution schedule:
8:00 a.m.–Hays Middle School
8:15 a.m.–Washington Grade School-Ellis
8:30 a.m.–Victoria Grade School
8:45 a.m.–St. Mary’s-Ellis
9:30 a.m.–Holy Family Elementary-Hays

Balsam Firs, Douglas Firs, Fraser Firs and Scotch Pines available at Optimist Christmas Tree Lot. — Balsam Firs, Douglas Firs, Fraser Firs and Scotch Pines were sold at the Optimist Christmas Tree lot last year.

“This project is made possible from the annual sales of natural Christmas trees by the Optimist Club,” Wentling said.

The Optimist Christmas Tree lot will open Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, in the Hays Wal-Mart parking lot.