On this beautiful day before the Winter Solstice, members are greeted by the dynamic duo of Kent Gloor and Robert Wardlaw, shown here greeting our guest today, who was Paul Stehberger, a friend of Dr. Bob Finklemeier, who comes to us from New York. In his introduction, Paul reminded us not to forget the veterans who have bravely served our country. Andy Towt, acting on behalf of President Fegley called the meeting to order and asked Paul Stratton to read the invocation.
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Andy announced that Zeb Danesh' brother had been murdered in Afghanistan. Our prayers go with Zeb and his family. Andy also welcomed our old buddy Robert Duvall, whom we haven't seen for a while, and Randy Bruns, who decided to join today's festivities and Josh Lipuma, who took a few minutes off from his busy HVAC business.
CHRISTMAS BASKETS
From Michael Chavez:
We had a very successful Christmas Baskets distribution on the first day of Winter.
The Optimist Club of Monaco South delivered in total 46 food baskets and 3 Safeway gift cards. Each of which where accompanied with toys. This is up from last years total of 33. Each basket consisted of 1 Turkey, 5 lb. Bag of Potatoes, 4 cans of vegetables, 1 box of stuffing mix, 1 gallon of milk, 1 packet of gravy mix, 1 package of dinner rolls, a baking pan and a yummy pumpkin pie.
I would like to thank the following volunteers for making this years distribution a great one.
First and foremost the Master of Excellence himself Tom Mauro, Tom Helped out with the purchase of the toys and bagging them up, he also helped out the making up the baskets on Friday evening. Then he brought his Daughters (Andrea & Amy)d , Son- in-Law and Grand children to deliver baskets. Thanks so much for you help it made everything run so smoothly. I could have not have pulled out without you.
Thank you Ed Leuty and Jon Wachter for helping putting the baskets together.
Thanks to Santa himself Craig Eley, Jeff Cole and Tom Glazier for getting up early loading up and transporting the baskets to the Legion Hall.
And thanks to the members who help with Delivery.
Kent Gloor, Matt Nelson and his wife Jennifer with their two daughters. Jennifer delivered one out to way up north to Arvada. Jennifer is Kent’s Daughter. She and Tom’s daughters have been participating in this project since they where children. It so good to have them keeping up the tradition and pass it along.
Also contributing to delivery Bob Avery and his wife Dorcas along with his Son, Daughter-in-law and Grandson, Larry Pulaski his wife Ashleigh and their children, Tom Kramis and his friend Amy, Jake Baker, Curt Boell, The Double D (Denny Dressman), Bob Halverson, Noel Hasselgren, Tom Hoch, Greg Holt, Gary Jerman, Vaughan Kendall, Mark Metevia, Phil Perington.
Thank you all in making this Christmas for the families a Merry one.
Merry Christmas to all
Michael
LEGION HAPPENINGS
Commander
Tom Yagley reminded us of the many American Legion Happening going on during the Holiday Season including Weber Family Dinner on Christmas Eve, New Year Celebration, January 4. For Legion details see the website at
http://lcwpost1.org
TREE LOT NEWS
From Tom Kramis
Our BIG Donor, David and Gretchen Black, arrived on tree lot at 6:20 and by 6:35 had written a check for one 7-8’ Noble Tree for $3K! Then He and Gretchen, paid $10 cash for a THH Bread on way out. I told Denny, that one big sale made my week!! It was great to be there and thank him in person for his generous donation!
Robert Wardlaw was with his Friend Sam to help him pick out tree and give a fresh cut. Denny rang it up for $300 originally and while David was waiting I corrected Denny and showed him the extra 0. Ed Leuty trimmed it up with care. We all helped load tree into truck and off they went into the night. A perfect sale and a perfect cut!
We will be closing down the tree lot for sales at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 22, but need all hands on deck on Monday to close down the lot and put everything in storage.
CHILI COOKOFF
Look up “chili” in a few dictionaries, and you’ll get a variety of definitions, most involving either beef (ground or in chunks) or pork (usually shredded but sometimes in chunks, too).There’s no single recipe or description. And that’s the point of Saturday’s Ron Cisco Chili Cook-Off at the Optimist Tree Lot.
Editor's Note: The competition was intense, but Gary Jerman managed to ace out the reigning champion, Larry Pulaski for this year's Chile Cookoff. Some photos from the Saturday afternoon contest:
Pulaski Family/Jim Easton Chili Chuggers Easton Announces Winner Larry Gives Trophy to Gary
WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTSSanta Craig Eley arrived with a plethora (I know, it means a lot) of gifts and Chief Elf Michael Chavez in tow.
Among the wonder gifts were the following: A three year old jar of pickles from the tree lot for Tom Yagley.
A "Potty Putter" for
Dick Nickloff. A genuine-still in the box- egg cooker for
Pat Bush; A an elf costume for
Matt Dollarhide ;
Jim Easton got a guitar playing frog. A Christmas Tree Santa for
Tom Kramis. Pictures by Noel Hasselgren are shown below. For the full set of pictures please visit this website:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CRLTuaFUWLwRZWVk8
FUNNY?
