10/20/2026
Frankenmuth Jaycees Monthly Minute
October 2026 | Pumpkins and Plenty of Jaycee Shenanigans
October brought cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, pumpkin everything, and another Frankenmuth Jaycees meeting packed with community service, upcoming events, and just enough chaos to remind us why we love this organization.
On October 12, the Jaycees gathered at the Jaycee Pavilion for our monthly General Membership Meeting, where members enjoyed a little pumpkin decorating! A big thank you to Gugel Pumpkin Patch and fellow Jaycee Eric MacKinnon for providing the pumpkins and helping us get into the fall spirit.
Members also faced one of the season's most controversial questions during roll call: Pumpkin or apple?
Somehow, despite our differences, we managed to remain united.
We welcomed 17 members, two Roosters, and some very special guests, Calvin, Lorelei, and Scarecrow the dog. Honestly, Scarecrow may have been the best-behaved attendee, although the official minutes are inconclusive.
$25,000 Reasons to Love the Jaycees
The biggest news of the evening came from our Volksläufe donation slate!
Our membership unanimously approved $25,000 in donations from the proceeds of our beloved annual race.
That's $25,000 heading back into the community, supporting organizations, programs, and projects that make Frankenmuth such a wonderful place to call home.
If you've ever wondered why our members spend the Fourth of July weekend directing traffic, handing out water, and waking up at hours no reasonable person should be awake, this is why.
Well, this and the shirts.
The Giving Doesn't Stop There!
Apparently, once we started approving donations, we just couldn't help ourselves.
The membership also unanimously approved:
$1,000 for Toys for Tots, helping bring a little Christmas magic to local children.
$500 for the Frankenmuth Historical Association Auction, supporting the preservation of our community's history.
$200 for the Morning Rotary Christmastown Fun Run, because we appreciate another organization willing to convince people that running is fun.
That's another $1,700 in community support, bringing the evening's approved donations to $26,700!
We're Kind of a Big Deal... in the Newspaper
President Olivia shared another installment of Jaycees in the News and Town Happenings, and once again, our members managed to find themselves scattered throughout the local headlines.
The Frankenmuth Credit Union Sports Complex celebrated its groundbreaking on October 1, with several Jaycees in attendance! As a major sponsor, we're especially proud to help bring this community project to life.
Our upcoming After Dark: A Spooky Night Out fundraiser also received some well-deserved newspaper attention, including a quote from Andrew Richard. Look at us, having a celebrity spokesperson!
The proposed Frankenmuth dog park made the news, too, alongside a throwback to the original dog park's tenth-anniversary leash-cutting ceremony.
And in perhaps the most important piece of local journalism, the Frankenmuth Fire Department used a drone to locate a missing cow.
We have questions. Several questions.
Our Calendar Has Officially Lost Control
Management VP Skylar Ley shared updates on three of our biggest annual events.
Winterläufe: Jeremy Mossner is stepping up as chair, with Julie serving as co-chair! Their first committee meeting is October 28, as preparations begin for the February 13, 2027 race.
World Expo of B**r: Doyle Webb is taking the reins as chair for WEB 2027, scheduled for May 21–22.
Volksläufe: With the 2026 donations approved, we're already looking toward July 3, 2027.
Membership, Kickball, and Christmas Caroling
Membership VP Andrew Richard and Director Audrey Blegen shared updates on their efforts to keep our chapter growing.
Another membership gathering is being considered for November 4, potentially at St. Julian Winery or a corn maze.
Our kickball season also wrapped up, and we gained a new member through the experience! A special shoutout to Matt Kidd, proving that sometimes all it takes to recruit someone is a recreational sports league and a questionable amount of competitive spirit.
Perhaps the most exciting membership announcement of the evening was our upcoming December 11 Christmas caroling adventure!
With any luck, we'll sound like a choir. Realistically, we'll sound like a group of Jaycees who have had a wonderful evening.
Either way, it's going to be festive.
Hund Platz: The Dogs Are Ready, Mother Nature Isn't
Our Hund Platz Dog Park Committee continues working toward bringing a new dog park to Frankenmuth.
Doyle has been leading efforts to develop a proposed budget, an important step before moving forward with grant opportunities.
Unfortunately, our Paws for a Cause event has faced another weather-related postponement since our October meeting.
At this point, we're beginning to suspect Mother Nature is a cat person.
The committee will continue planning through the colder months, with the next meeting scheduled for November 18.
Community Service Never Takes a Holiday
Community VP Paige Hollerback and Director Doyle Webb reminded everyone that the upcoming months offer plenty of opportunities to get involved.
We're looking ahead to Toys for Tots, the Snowfest Food Booth, the Christmastown Fun Run, and our Chili Cook-Off, with Luke McClure serving as chair.
Things Are Getting Spooky
Our upcoming Frankenmuth Jaycees Presents: After Dark, A Spooky Night Out fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant!
We're looking forward to an evening of costumes, spooky fun, food, drinks, and fundraising.
It's a chance for the Jaycees to get dressed up, enjoy a night out, and prove that we're capable of attending an event without immediately volunteering to run registration.
Probably.
Elections Are Coming!
With the end of the year approaching, we're also beginning preparations for our 2027 Board of Directors.
President Olivia encouraged members interested in leadership positions to reach out and get involved.
Whether you're a longtime member or someone who just joined and still isn't entirely sure what a Rooster is, there is a place for you in Jaycee leadership.
Experience is wonderful, but enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and the ability to answer group messages are also excellent qualifications.
Until Next Month!
As we head into the final months of 2026, our chapter has plenty to be proud of.
We've committed thousands of dollars to our community, supported exciting local developments, welcomed new members, decorated a few pumpkins, and continued planning events that bring people together.
But more importantly, we've continued showing up for one another and for Frankenmuth.
And whether you're chairing a major fundraiser, serving on a committee, attending your first meeting, or simply trying to figure out where we're supposed to be meeting this month, you are part of what makes this organization special.
Happy Halloween, Jaycees! Here's to more service, more memories, and hopefully fewer meetings that require us to choose between pumpkin and apple.
Because service to humanity is the best work of life!
