Editor's Note: Today's newsletter was compiled and reported by Casey Funk, whom you may recognize as the Immediate Past President of MSOC. In the future, Casey will be one of four regular editors for GUMS. We appreciate Casey's dedication to maintaining the high standards of the Optimist Club of Monaco South.
On this chilly and wind-blown Friday, members were greeted by Ken Jeung and
Kevin Dempsey. Attendance was great, as 56 members were physically present and three more were on Zoom, including Perry Allen (who has officially rejoined the club), Greg Hurd and Patrick Morgan.
President Harry Fegley gaveled the meeting to order at 6:58 and called Gary Jerman to the podium to read the invocation concerning the tenet of the Optimist Creed, "To be too large for worry", after which he led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Harry asked Michael Chavez and Matt Dollarhide to come up front, and Harry led the membership in a rousing and slightly out of tune rendition of Happy Birthday
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEMBER NEWS
Craig Eley, knocked on the table. What does that mean. That’s right - opportunity is knocking. He needs two volunteers to patrol his church parking lot on Saturday from 6:00 – 8:30. Easy way to earn $50.00 for the Club.
Mike White reported that his green pickup truck was used last year at the Christmas Tree lot. He recently opened the console in the truck and discovered a check and flask of whiskey that he assumed belonged to Tom Kramis. Tom happily reclaimed his flask.
Pat Bush reported that the check found in Mike White’s truck (along with the flask) was a check from the club to Denver Motor Vehicles. The one check that never cleared.
Denny Dressman reported that Bob Sweeney almost died recently from a double aneurysm. Fortunately, his wife acted quickly and got prompt medical help. Bob came home but returned to the hospital. Denny requested out thoughts and prayers for Bob.
Gary Strowbridge has returned! from his illness. Welcome back, Gary!
HOLIDAY FUN
Frank Middleton reminded the membership of the upcoming Holiday Celebration Dinner at Valley Country Club, 14601 Country Club Dr, Aurora, CO 80016, on December 7, from 6:00 – 9:00. Music and entertainment will be provided. The cost is $39.00 per person.
BRAIN BOWL
Karl Geil: The Brain Bowl is coming; the Brain Bowl is coming. He encouraged the membership to review the recent GUMS. Three upcoming tournaments starting in January. Tournaments:
25 January 2025, Saturday – Central/South: Heritage High School, Littleton
01 February 2025, Saturday – North: Standley Lake High School, Westminster
22 February 2025, Saturday – Championship: Hamilton Middle School, Denver
Reader Trainings:
11 January 2025, Saturday – Heritage High School Rm 2329, Littleton, 9am-Noon
14 January 2025, Tuesday – Heritage High School Rm 2329, Littleton, 6:30-9pm
18 January 2025, Saturday – Law Offices of Osgood & Osgood, 9am-Noon
2586 Trailridge Drive East, Suite 200
Lafayette, CO 80026
As always, having sufficient volunteers (readers, timekeepers, scorekeepers, written round proctors (a.m rounds only), runners, and score room staff) sign up for the morning and afternoon rounds is essential for these contests to be successful. Once again,
volunteer sign-up is via the Optimist Brain Bowl Volunteer Portal at: http:optimistbrainbowl.org/brain-bowl-volunteer-registration/
AMERICAN LEGION HAPPENINGS
Commander Tom Yagley informed the membership of the Legion’s Turkey shoot fund raiser coming up on November 23, at 1:00 p.m at the Legion Hall. He also said the Legion would open at 10:00 tomorrow if anyone is interested in watching the Buffs play.
THANKSGIVING EVENTS
Jim Easton reminded the membership that next Saturday, November 23, the Club will deliver 60 -80 Thanksgiving baskets. Please meet at the Hall on the 23 around 7:30 or Safeway at 8:00 to pick up the baskets and addresses.
Michael Chavez, updated the membership on the Boys and Girls club’s annual thanksgiving dinner service project on November. He needs two volunteers with pick up trucks to help deliver utensils to the Boys and Girls clubs on November 21. Larry Pulaski volunteered. Michael needs one more volunteer. Michael anticipates serving 700-750 meals. Please arrive at the Boys Club, 3480 W Kentucky Ave, Denver, CO 80219, or Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, 1499 Julian St, Denver, CO 80204. Please sign up. Please arrive around 3:30 to allow for heavy traffic.
CHRISTMAS TREE LOT
Tom Kramis: Tom reported that the Tree Lot will be open for business on November 29, 2024, so a lot of
work needs to be done before then. Tom passed out a schedule for tree lot set-up. Important dates: Friday, Nov 22 all hands-on deck to set up equipment and tree racks. Monday, Nov 25 all hands-on deck to unload first delivery of trees. Tuesday, Nov 26 to unload second delivery of trees. (At the Board meeting, I heard different dates?). Tom then encouraged all to sign up for spots on the tree lot schedule.
Denny Dressman reported that the TLC members have been passing out flyers for the tree lot. He encouraged all members to thank all businesses that are supporting the tree lot
Ed Collins will be providing food for the tree lot volunteers again this year. No macaroni and cheese this year. Unlikely he will get any peanut butter. But please let Ed know what you like.
Tom Kramis and Mario Sani spent a few minutes on cashier training.
Jim Easton, reported that the club will again sponsor a chili cook off. Larry Pulaski, previous champion, will bring the trophy. The day for the cook off has not been selected yet.
Mark Metevia wants to reach out to local churches to partner with the club on certain activities. He identified eleven churches in the area.
VETERAN'S SALUTE
In honor of Veterans Day, various members recounted stories of their service.
Eldon Strong asked all members of the service branches to stand. Members in attendance represented all branches Marines, Navy, Coast Guard (Freddy Pasternack), Air Force and Army.
Ed Collins recounted his service in the Air Force flying C-130’s.
E
d Leuty recounted that he was stationed in Ft. Friley in Manhattan Kansas and his roommates in the service were two professional football players including “the Golden Boy”, Green Bay Packer, Paul Hornung. He said it was an “unique experience” hanging out with two celebrities who were constantly getting into trouble.
Eldon Strong recounted his duty guarding Rudolph Hess. I was in the Army stationed in Berlin 1969 to 1971as part of the Berlin Brigade or commonly known as the Berlin Occupation Forces. This was mostly a show brigade, but some of our duties included patrolling of the Berlin Wall (using helicopters) and guarding Rudolf Hess in Spandau Prison the last living Nazi war criminal tried in Nuremberg. The United States rotated with Russia, Great Britain and France with each country having the duty for a month. People on guard duty rarely saw Hess and again it was more of a political for show thing, although it was quite interesting to see the handoff of the guard duties between the countries every month.
Harry Fegley recounted his assignment to provided training on flight simulators even though he thought he was going to be trained as a jet mechanic.
Tom Hoch recounted how they confused their commanding officer by providing a left-handed salute.
Mark 
Metevia shared a story about how guns on a combat ship inadvertently targeted the officers' bedrooms.
DRAWING
What is the card? King of Clubs
How much is in the pot: $80.00
Winners and losers:
Dave Peck, Vaughn Kendall, Bill Litchfield, Karl Geil, Jim Svenson, picked the cup.
Matt Dollarhide drew a three of clubs, Phil Perington drew a six of spades Finally, Mark Lonsdale drew Ace of diamonds. Pot climbs to $90 next week
CLOSING
Harry led the assembly in the CREED.
A documentary film recommendation from Paul Stratton
Join or Die - a film about why you should join a club, and why the fate of America depends on it - is available on Netflix. It is an interesting history of the rise and fall of club memberships, and the societal impacts clubs can have. I think it has some lessons we can learn when talking to potential new club members, so check it out!
HUMOR(?)
I have a chicken-proof lawn: it's impeccable!
NASA opens first restaurant on the moon! Great food, … but no atmosphere.
I ate a frozen apple – it was hard core.
I'm pining for a good tree pun; I wish they were more poplar.
Photons don't have to check luggage at the airport because they are traveling light.
Most love triangles turn into a wreck tangle.
My new stair lift is just driving me up the wall.
“Remember when we used to refer to our knees and hips as right and left? Now they are just good or bad.”
“If challenges in life make us stronger, at our age we ought to be ready to lift a truck.” 😊
