Mission Statement. By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.
Vision Statement. Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.
St Paddy’s Day is alive and filled with good natured blarney and laughter Everyone waited in great anticipation for the arrival of Corned beef pancakes and green syrup on the breakfast table. Greg Young and Greg Hurd were merrily greeting the greensters dressed in their finest St. Patrick outfits and accoutrements.
Gary Strowbridge, Ed Collins and Tom Hoch(the three leprechaun amigos) added a touch of magic with their St. Paddy tuxedo coats and headwear. Past President and Morning Guide Jim Easton, was dressed magnificently in a tartan green kilt and matching outerwear. It was truly a sight to behold. Newest members John Van Ness and David Guentert were heartily celebrating their first Monaco South St Paddy breakfast with their pal Chris Dunfey. Russ Paul was back in action after his stay at the VA and shared animated conversation with Joe O’Marci and Bud Olsen. President in waiting Casey O’Funk and Bob Avery O’kay, were smartly recording the attendance, notating Mike McMahon had acquired a high and mighty green striped Dr. Seuss hat for the occasion.
Leprechaun Tom Hoch
Jim Easton
Mike White Ed Collins
Gary Strowbridge
Stand in President Jim Easton opened the morning with gusto and presented a fine Irish Optimist Invocation… “As an Optimist, I invite you all to join me in celebrating the life and legacy of St. Patrick, a symbol of hope , resilience and renewal. Let us be grateful for our many blessings, cherishing our friends, respecting our neighbors, embracing strangers and sharing the diversity of cultures, dreams and aspirations, one to another at all times. Let kindness, love and forgiveness be with us always. Let us raise our hearts and toast each another in faith, hope and clarity for a better tomorrow.” The Pledge of Allegiance followed with a determined cheer of “PLAY BALL!” Irish jokes and riddles followed. A good time was had by all.
NOSTALGIA
We were then treated to a video of past member and friend Cy Regan singing- When Irish Eyes are Smiling , My Wild Irish Rose and Danny Boy (a classic song about a man and his beloved horse). It was a tremendously touching moment, with everyone joining in a chorus of Irish Eyes. We all miss Cy and were reminded how his spirit lives on. Editor's Note: Pulled from GUMS files by Dr. Bob:
Eagle Scout and BSA award winning Alan Magnuson was introduced by Bob Avery. He shared that he was an active optimist club member in the 1980’s and went on to thank Donlie Smith for his visionary creation of the Annual Eagle Scout Award Ceremony, by which our sitting Club President presents monetary and Eagle statuettes to winners as determined by the Monaco South awards committee and membership.
Announcements:
Mark Metevia: We have a new member application generated from a Villager Newspaper staff member. Gary Strowbridge: Reflects on how past member Curt Jefferies, after serving as a Marshal at the Parade of Lights hooked up with departed member Allan Yockey to become Marshals at St. Pats Parade and consequently formed the “Pooper Scooper Brigade.” Over 25 members engaged in scooper activity over the years, and he passed around photos reflecting some touching and engaging moments. He noted that in 1994 the crew acquired fancy white and green tuxedoes plus ceremonial shovel which he demonstrated to the crowd. Editor's Note: Check out this video, discovered by Greg Young.
We had a fantastic Oratorical Contest at Prairie Middle School.
We had a total of 11 Students participating in this years contest. The top two will move on to the regional contest an April 15th.
Thank you to our Judges Greg Young, Craig Eley and Andy Towt, the Timekeeper was Allan Meyer and our Sargent of Arms was Bill Morgan.
TRAIN SHOW -Reported by Greg Hurd
Greg Hurd proclaims he is “not going to toot my horn” but the Springtime event featuring 865 lots of trains to auction off. The Rocky Mountain Train Show this year is April 1 & 2 at the National Western Complex. This is the largest train show in Colorado this year. It will be in the Expo Hall, Hall of Education, East Hall of Education and West Stadium Hall. This is a great show for kids. $13 per adult, kids 12 & under free, scouts in uniform free, Railroading merit badge can be finished at different locations around the show. Hours are: 9-5 Saturday and 9-4 Sunday. Lots of operating layouts and displays, sales tables and commercial manufacturers of all types and sizes of trains will be there. Online registration at https://rockymountaintrainshow.com/Event/PurchaseTickets.aspx?EventID=29
TJ JAZZ BAND TRIP
Tom Glazier: SASE Envelopes are available to anyone who would like to send Robin Morrissey additional money for the TJ Jazz Band Tour of New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago. They put in the most hours of all TJ Volunteers and played twice on the lot times for 1.5 hours each session. Their Road trip begins 3/22. (If you didn't get an envelope from Tom, you can mail your contribution to Robin Morrissey, 3056 S Emporia, Denver CO 80231.
TREE LOT COMMITTEE
Pat Bush: “Is anyone else named Patrick?” Because if you are, You’re no Saint. He announced the Tree Lot Committee (TLC) will have their monthly 4:00 meeting on 3/22 at Phil Perington’s office. Soft drinks, beer and snacks are on the table. The location is the Wells Fargo Building located at 5353 W Dartmouth Suite 509. (S. Sheridan & W Hampden@Bear Valley Shopping Center)
Don Thomson: Passed around a Super Citizen thank you note with this photo of 24 kids all gathered together.
Jon Wachter: Best costume winner is hands down Jim Easton. The Pooper Scoopers finished a close second. The Bradley Helping Hands JOI Club will conduct field trip to the U-Hills senior center on 4/25 11:30-1PM. If any member would like to volunteer with the event, please let him know.
If any members would like to volunteer they can email Joyce Thomson djthomson70a@gmail.com. they would receive 20% off blood tests.
Thanks
SPEAKER
Mark Metevia introduces our Guest Speaker: City Council District 4 Candidate Tony Pigford. Tony is seeking to replace outgoing Council woman Kendra Black. He confessed to not wearing any green due to his excitement running out of the house this morning.
Tony Lives in Bible Park in a house bought from wife’s father. As a 4th generation Denverite, TJ graduate and SE Denver resident, the roots are deep. He comes from a Family of educators and noted his dad was self-employed with 18 employees and his mother was a teacher. His endorsements are lengthy and is heavily embraced by Education, Labor, Community Organizations and the Progressive Vote, including past Mayor Wellington Webb.
Tony has been Involved with a number of start-up business ventures and has helped Postal Workers. His community participation also includes involvement with Leadership Development in numerous boys' school as well as Southmoor Elementary and TJ. He remembers visiting our tree lot. So many things have declined in the past years. The current Mayor’s close association with Developers with little consideration for the general public concerns him greatly. He participated in a Campaign Finance Reform targeting dark money in politics. Additionally, he was active in the Let Denver Vote initiative requiring a public vote on expensive off budget events coming out of the mayor's office. Also, Yes for Parks and Open Space was another initiative he supported and helped promulgate.
PigfordForDenver.com details all his positions on Housing-Parks & Open Space-Schools-Transportation- Climate Solutions and Public Safety.
Tony then took Questions and Answers:
Q. Are you now or have you ever been a super citizen?
Q. What about Homelessness? He used the Houston example, which addressed the issue based of concern that not enough focus on those who are at risk of becoming Homeless.
Q. Should there be a “Cure Program” in place for anyone before taking them off the streets? Yes
Q. Prop 3-O your position? Against.
Q. Is the Denver Post Against a $160 million give away to Hancock on 2-A ballot issue slush Fund. Yes
Q. What Mayoral candidate is your favorite? Any of the top 5 or 6.
Q. How realistic is a tax for homeless remediation both local and Regional? He will pursue it.
Q. Sale of Broncos included $ 12 million for Denver-how much do the optimists get? Will look into it.
We thank Mr.Tony Pigford for his presentation, candor and humor. You are always welcome at the Monaco South Optimist Breakfast Club. Good Luck and Good Fortune for whatever that may bring.
DRAWING
Do we have a drawing?
6-Clubs $40
Cups: Jack Kleinheksel(2), Russ Paul-Don Thomson-Kent Gloor-Tom Glazier- Greg Holt
Draw-Patrick O’Bush(ticket #666) Bud Olsen-Not Today so sorry.
Meetings will be held at the American Legion Hall 5400 E Yale Ave. While there be no two way communication, you may observe (and listen to) the meeting on Zoom
OCMS President Larry Pulaski is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting
PLEASE NOTE: All Friday meetings will be simulcast on Zoom in “listen and watch only” mode. All members are encouraged to attend the live meeting when possible.
Optimist Club of Monaco South 2022-2023 47th Year — Chartered in 1976
2022-2023 Officers
President Larry Pulaski 303-956-1202
Vice President Matt Nelson 720-774-0758
Vice President Steve Kady 303-931-1470
Secretary Jake Baker 412-680-0765
Treasurer Pat Bush 303-750-9409
2022- 2023 Board of Directors
Joe Marci 303-847-7844 Tom Glazier 303-522-5214
George Buzick 303-803-2268 Casey Funk 720-656-2255
Vaughn Kendall 303-910-6590 Ken Jeung 720-849-6241
Kent Gloor 303-880- 5444 Tom Kramis 303-917-5299
Tom Hoch 303-332-9338
Past Presidents
Bob Rhue 1976-77
Jerry Whitlow 1977-78
Bill Kosena 1978-79
Duane Wehrer 1979-80
Curt Jefferies 1980-81
Frank Middleton 1981-82
John Young 1982-83
Pat Bush 1983-84
Bob Hugo 1984-85
Tom Mauro 1985-86
Curt Lorenzen 1986-87
Oscar Sorensen 1987-88
Lupe Salinas 1988-89
Bob Avery 1989-90
Bill Litchfield 1990-91
Bill Walters 1991-92
Kent Gloor 1992-93
Gary Strowbridge 1993-94
Mark Metevia 1994-95
Bob Safe 1995-96
Tom Overton 1996-97
Peter Dimond 1997-98
Ralph Symalla 1998-99
Cy Regan 1999-00
Stan Cohen 2000-01
Don St. John 2001-02
Jack Rife 2002-03
Karl Geil 2003-04
Bryce Slaby 2004-05
Donlie Smith 2005-06
Paul Bernard 2006-07
Greg Young 2007-08
Phil Perington 2008-09
Ron Cisco 2009-10
Ed Collins 2010-11
Randy Marcove 2011-12
Paul Simon 2012-13
Jon Wachter 2013-14
John Oss 2014-15
Michael Chavez 2015-16
Craig Eley 2016-17
Jim Easton 2017-18
Everett Gardner 2018-19
Bob Meyer 2019-20
Dan Rodriguez 2020-2021
Tom Kramis 2021-2022
T H E O P T I M I S T C R E E D — Promise Yourself . . . To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for
anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Stand in President Jim Easton opened the morning with gusto and presented a fine Irish Optimist Invocation… “As an Optimist, I invite you all to join me in celebrating the life and legacy of St. Patrick, a symbol of hope , resilience and renewal. Let us be grateful for our many blessings, cherishing our friends, respecting our neighbors, embracing strangers and sharing the diversity of cultures, dreams and aspirations, one to another at all times. Let kindness, love and forgiveness be with us always. Let us raise our hearts and toast each another in faith, hope and clarity for a better tomorrow.” The Pledge of Allegiance followed with a determined cheer of “PLAY BALL!” Irish jokes and riddles followed. A good time was had by all.
NOSTALGIA
Gary Strowbridge: Reflects on how past member Curt Jefferies, after serving as a Marshal at the Parade of Lights hooked up with departed member Allan Yockey to become Marshals at St. Pats Parade and consequently formed the “Pooper Scooper Brigade.” Over 25 members engaged in scooper activity over the years, and he passed around photos reflecting some touching and engaging moments. He noted that in 1994 the crew acquired fancy white and green tuxedoes plus ceremonial shovel which he demonstrated to the crowd. Editor's Note: Check out this video, discovered by Greg Young. 
TREE LOT COMMITTEE
Tony Lives in Bible Park in a house bought from wife’s father. As a 4th generation Denverite, TJ graduate and SE Denver resident, the roots are deep. He comes from a Family of educators and noted his dad was self-employed with 18 employees and his mother was a teacher. His endorsements are lengthy and is heavily embraced by Education, Labor, Community Organizations and the Progressive Vote, including past Mayor Wellington Webb.