Another year gone by for the men of Monaco South! Service to the community for more than 47 years. Still one of the strongest clubs in the Colorado/Wyoming District and with a number of new, enthusiastic members ready to take on future club activities, we look forward to 2025! Shown here, Greg Holt and Don Roth eagerly wait to greet all comers. Patrick Morgan reads the invocation including the last line, "Please guide and direct our activities in the new year so that we may     make a significant difference in our lives as well and  those we love and those we serve."

 

President Harry Fegley is back from his travels, but not feeling 100%, so... reliable VP, Andy Towt, kicks off the meeting announcing that today is the 49th anniversary of his marriage to Anita. Congratulations to both! (The traditional gift for the 49 Year Anniversary is copper, atomic number 29. Copper represents the great fortune you've had in finding your partner and the good luck that carries you forward in marriage.)

Andy also says that the Super Citizen program at Most Precious Blood School was a great success and reminds us that The Dime-a-Day program is a continuing effort to support the OI Foundation. Last, Andy asks us to clean out our closets and bring gently used shoes starting with next weeks meeting, They will be refurbished and recycled.

Greg Holt reports the tree lot had a very successful season and that, thanks to volunteers who put in some extra duty, only seven lonely trees are left on the lot and that they will be gone by the end of today, turning the Tree Lot back into a Parking Lot. Greg says we will not have a final accounting for the lot until all the bills are paid, but that it was a successful year, with sale of 1300+ trees having been sold.

Jim Easton presented Gary Jerman with the 2024 Ron Cisco Memorial Chili Cookoff trophy, which he took from last year's winner, Larry Pulaski. by one vote.  Other participants were Tom Kramis and Matt Dollarhide

 

    Greg Holt - Dumpster Commander                                              The Last Tree 

Michael Chavez gave a final report on the Christmas Baskets delivery on December 21. A total of 53 baskets were delivered. Michael especially thanked Tom Mauro and his family for participating in all the activities involved in organizing and getting toys for kids, packing food and delivering to those in need. Tom and his entire family have been participating this activity for many years.

 

Jake Baker reported that he was still collecting clothes for families at Hamilton Middle School. Jake said they needed clothing for adults, as well as for children. Check your closets and see bring any donations to Jake at the next meeting.

Jake took a show of hands to see how many would like to have a Monaco South baseball cap. With a good affirmative showing, Jake said he would check into vendors and costs and get back to the group.

 

 

As there was no speaker today, we had a good time sharing with each other the holiday happenings.

Bryce Slaby suggested that, when traveling to foreign places, it is interesting to ask about the customs of the people. (He had an Icelandic figurine of Santa Claus that he was given when he asked about the Christmas customs in Iceland.  Tom Mauro shared the story Santa Lucia, who was a murdered by the Romans for helping Christians who were living in the catacombs of Italy to avoid persecution by the Romans. Bob Avery said he was glad to have the opportunity to share Hanukkah  and Christmas experiences with fellow Optimists.

 

The pot continues to grow! Dr Bob announces that "We have a drawing" and that the card to draw is the Ten of Diamonds (if you wanna win $140!) Only Phil Perington and Tom Glazier are gutsy enough to go for the big money, but neither is successful. Pat Bush is wearing his nametag so he gets a shot at picking the Ten but, he too fails. Remember, you can't win if you don't buy a ticket. With a "Happy New Year" to everyone, Larry Pulaski leads us in the Optimist Creed.