OTM Flower Sales Hope to Offset Cost of Competition

With Mom's day here, the Muskego-Norway School Odyssey of the Mind teams that are looking toward competing in Maryland over Memorial Day Weekend took advantage by selling flowers at various locations in the city.

At Sindic Motors, the kids tried to draw attention by dancing with their signs held over their heads, with mom and dad manning the 'store.'  Randy and Penny Yerke, whose sons Sam and Adam attend Tess Corners Elementary, were just a couple of the volunteers on hand Friday and Saturday selling hanging baskets and pots for $25-$35 each.

"It's a huge opportunity to go to world, but it's also a huge commitment," said Randy.  "Each team has to pay a registration fee of $2,500, and with travel expenses for at least three days, it's easily around $10,000 in total cost."

While the competition takes place in Baltimore, MD on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend, the draw is global.

"When they say 'world,' they mean it," Randy said.

"The kids have an amazing opportunity to meet other kids from China, Europe - everywhere - and the big thing is to trade pins," explained Penny.  The pins represent each teams' state and the goal is to collect as many as possible.

An additional flower 'booth' was also spotted at the Jetz station at the corner of Janesville and Moorland Roads.  The sale began Friday from 2-6 p.m. and continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.