The month of July can be a sluggish time in the news business as we hardened community journalists often stretch our imagination in search of a good story to share with readers.
July is when most people find time to enjoy vacations while many businesses and organizations reduce hours and staffing (and productivity, perhaps). Things will ratchet up soon, however, with a couple traditional events that Yukon has become renowned for.
Few can claim the Yukon business and civic communities aren’t usually “over the top” in their support for our schools and educators. We have outstanding public and private schools that are preparing our children and grandchildren to take over their world.
The Yukon Chamber of Commerce will have the annual New Teacher Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Events at 10 West Main. PLEASE NOTE IT WILL BE TUESDAY!
This luncheon is for all NEW Yukon educators – not just in Yukon Public Schools, but also St. John Nepomuk Catholic School, Southwest Covenant Schools, and Canadian Valley Technology Center.
About 150 teachers and administrators will be feted at this annual right-of-passage, a true highlight of orientation week for the newly hired school personnel.
And what New Teacher Luncheon would be complete without the presentation of those cherished “goodie bags” to each lucky new hire? Time is running out for businesses and organizations that want to help promote themselves while proclaiming “thank you” by donating items for these treat-filled bags. Get your goodies to Ashley at the Yukon Chamber office (354-3567) by next Tuesday, July 30. The clock is ticking. Don’t be left out in the cold; you might regret it!
Cherie Logan and D’Lynne McDaniel are due hearty praise for their efforts planning the New Teacher Luncheon for the Yukon Chamber. My proverbial “hat’s off” to these ladies and fellow committee volunteers. I’ve even volunteered to stuff goodie bags, so I guess I’m thanking myself.
Not to be outdone, YPS will present its Annual Employee Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12 at the Yukon High School Gym, 1777 S Yukon Parkway.
This back-to-school breakfast has been around nearly 20 years, brought to Yukon by Pam Shelton. Yet, people still confuse it with the New Teacher Luncheon.
The uber-special YPS Employee Breakfast isn’t just for newly hired Yukon educators; it’s for ALL Yukon school district employees. That includes cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance staff, and other support personnel, along with all classroom teachers, principals and district administrators. Each will attest they look forward in great anticipation, I’m certain.
What makes the Annual YPS Employee Breakfast so unique are the impressive (and incredible) table decorations provided by Yukon businesses and groups. Some sponsors often spend many hundreds of dollars sprucing up tables and offering small gifts for an appreciative group of YPS employees.
As a past sponsor, I can tell you how nice it is to receive thank-you cards afterward from school employees who sit at your table.
What a great way to start the new school year in style! You can support this back-to-school breakfast by calling D’Lynne at YPS Community Engagement, 354-2579.
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Yukon’s Carolyn Terrel called to let us know about a great event happening this Saturday in Yukon. Her organization Shoes For Kids will host its 8th shoe distribution from 9-11 a.m. July 27 inside Yukon Public Schools’ administration building, 600 Maple.
About 200 local youth have been selected to pick out free new shoes at the distribution effort. It should be noted these students already have been chosen after a screening process, so no more will be accepted this Saturday.
Carolyn and her merry band of volunteers work hard to ensure that children who really need help receive brand new shoes.
This effort first started eight years ago and has grown with the support of not only Carolyn’s church, Canadian Hills First Church of the Nazarene; but other churches and organizations.
Less fortunate families are usually the ones most grateful for such gifts. Carolyn shared a heart-warming story about a previous year’s distribution day. She had forgotten to remove price tags on the new shoes and one child had grown anxious when going to pick out a pair.
The child told her, “My mom can’t afford any of those shoes.” Once Carolyn said the shoes were free, the child was able to select a pair to wear for the new school year.
“It is really neat that we get to see some of the same families that originally started with us,” she says. “I get to watch the children grow up!”
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It’s almost time to “Rock the Route” again … thanks to the City of Yukon with support from YNB (Your Neighborhood Bank).
Yukon’s Main Street between Fourth and Fifth streets will be rocking again Thursday, Aug. 29. Music lovers will be treated to an evening of live entertainment featuring Pat Green with special guest Read Southall Band. Opening act is the Wight Lighters.
This show – from 6-11 p.m. on a Thursday night – will be a great family event.
