• 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.

Sunday, September 22 is the Autumnal Equinox when there is an equal amount of sunlight and darkness. Which means that today, September 20 is the last Friday of Summer. In spite of this, Zeb Danesh and Matt Dollarhide (shown here greeting Jon Wachter) greeted people with a smile and a handshake. Bob Halvorson read the invocation, as Greg Hurd and Perry Allen (and his cat) joined in via Zoom.

 

 

 

 

Our (pseudo) guest today is Peter Dimond, a member of Monaco South for 32 years and also a Past President who, though he now resides in Goodyear Arizona, has maintained his membership in the club. Although he recently had surgery, Peter is on the mend and getting around pretty well. He is still his same cantankerous self! Good to see ya Pete!

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Casey mentioned that the celebration of life for John Young was well attended by club members (See pictures below) and reminded everyone of the annual Celebrate Your Optimism event would be held on Saturday, September 28 at Meadow Hills Golf Club House beginning at 11:00 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasurer Pat Bush announced that he had sent out dues bills to all club members. Regular dues are still $130, but if you pay by October 31, you can get a $5 discount. Pat says you can by cash or check, or by going to the MSOC website and pay by credit card. (Sorry, no discount if you choose this method.) You can also choose to pay the full amount and donate the $5 discount to the club.

 

 

 

 

Check out the Super Citizen schedule below and plan to attend, even if just to observe one of our most treasured programs in action. Show your support for these students by taking a few hours of your time to let them know they are important. Nine different schools to choose from

 

 

 

 

Michael Chavez was gathering signatures for a get-well card for Mike White who is still at home recovering from surgery.

 

 

 

 

The annual President's Roundtable, where past MSOC presidents hear the incoming president, Harry Fegley's, ideas for his term and offer their own suggestions and ideas, was held Friday. September 20 at Craig Eley's.

 

 

 

 

 

     

                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our speaker today is the winner of the Eagle Scout project award, shown above with a mural made of Rubik's Cubes which he donated to Craig Hospital. But, more important, he is the personification of courage, perseverance and optimism in the face of   seemingly unsurmountable obstacles.

Noble Haskell, a cross-country athlete at Smokey Hill High School was paralyzed in June 2021 after his vehicle was rear-ended returning from a trip. He suffered a c5 fracture and a severed spinal cord. According to Noble, he was in the hospital in Kansas for 31 days after undergoing surgery and was classified as a quadriplegic and transferred to Craig Rehabilitation Center in Denver, He explained that he slowly recovered feeling in his extremities and that, through hours and hours of physical therapy he was able to walk with crutches. He said his goal was to walk with his classmates at graduation and, ultimately, to run again. (He did make this walk in May of 2023).

He explained how his mind set was to "find the win" in every situation, no matter how bad it seems and to 

keep an open mind to alternative solutions to solving problems. Noble also said that he practices "active optimism". and avoids situations that drag him down. Noble says that his faith and the support of his family, especially his mother, Krisi, are the things that help his optimistic attitude, in spite of everything. Noble is an eloquent speaker and an inspiration to all. Truly an Optimist.

 

 

 

 

Guess who came all the way from Goodyear Arizona to draw the Two of Diamonds 

from the 2 card deck. Peter (not Pete!) Dimond. Peter donated it to Noble Haskell!

Good to see you Pete. Come back soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Rev. Amy Stapleton                          Carlee Andrus & Jared Giammanco         Craig Eley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Celebration of Life was held for John Young, the consummate Optimist, on September 18. There were 100+ attending, a tribute to John's dedication to his friends and his community. Among the attendees were approximately 50 Members of the Tamarac and Monaco South Optimist Clubs. Craig Eley gave the eulogy and praised John for his energy in bringing new members to our club. Craig also mentioned John's love for Claire, his wife of 58 years and his love for both music and travel.

In closing Craig said the following: