Left to right: Brian, Mike's Son, Mike's Mom, Juanita, and Mike White
OPENING
The meeting was called to order by President Tom Kramis, who asked Tom Mauro to read the invocation and lead us in the Pledge. President Kramis also announced that Don Roth had totaled his car in an accident yesterday afternoon, but was at this morning's meeting. If anybody has, or knows of a reasonable priced car, Don is looking for a replacement. You can reach Don at 303-332-4555.
The breakfast from Cafe du France consisted of scrambled eggs, French toast and sausage and was delicious. Please remember, we have a minimum to meet, or we will have to discontinue serving breakfast, a real loss to the club. Only $10!.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHRISTMAS BASKETS
Michael Chavez announced that those delivering baskets should meet at the north side of the Safeway at Yale and Monaco at 8:00 a.m. on December 18 to pick up baskets to be delivered to less fortunate families. Report from Michael on Saturday's activities:
We had a fantastic turnout and a successful Christmas Baskets Delivery. This year we distributed 54 baskets.
Thank you to the following.
Vaughan Kendall for helping with putting the baskets together and distributing them.
Mike McMahon, Josh Lipuma, Mike White and his son Bryan for assistance in distribution.
Gary & Patty Strowbridge, Kent Gloor, Matt & Jennifer, Nelson, Greg Holt, Frank Middleton, Ron Cisco, Tom Hoch, Terry Shroyer, Ken & Jacqueline Jeung, Nole Hasselgren, Curt Boell, Steven Avery, Mark Metavia, Jon Wachter, Al and Donagene Gapuzan, Chris Dunphy, and Jeff Wilson for Delivery.
A special thank you to Tom Mauro for purchasing the all the toys and a wonderful job getting them ready for distribution and his family for delivering.
Great Job everyone you made this a special Christmas for many families.
Merry Christmas
Michael
(Editors Note) Thanks to Michael for organizing the activity!
Bradley Elementary
Report by Andy Towt: On Friday, Jon Wachter held a Super Citizens Award Event at Bradley Elementary School. He was assisted by Vaughn Kendall and Andy Towt. Twelve students were selected by their teachers for their outstanding behavior, helpfulness and friendliness with fellow students. Also, the new leaders of the Bradley JOOI Club were announced. I am attaching three pictures. The first is a presentation of one of the Super Citizen Awards. The second are the new leaders of the Joy Club. The third is a sign that the students made announcing that Friday was a Super Citizens Day.
Hamilton Middle School
Report from Tom Mauro on recent Hamilton Middle School Super Citizen Program: We held a Zoom Teleconference for Hamilton Middle School on Thursday, 12/16 for 23 Super Citizens that were honored by the teachers and staff. Lesley Meyer coordinated the Zoom meeting and Karl Geil gave a great presentation on Character being the most important trait for a Super Citizen. It was truly an international event with students from Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Albania, Brazil, and Arabia being recognized as well as the United States. There were interpreters present on the Zoom for each of those countries. This was the first Citizenship event at Hamilton this year. Tom Mauro was the Optimist Coordinator and Bob Finkelemeier did the certificates while Robert Wardlaw did the frames and shirts.
Most Precious Blood Elementary
MSOC President Tom Kramis did a great presentation for MPB with Joe Marci and Greg Young in attendance.
(Photo by Greg Young)
A LOT OF TREE NEWS
Through the efforts of Tom Kramis we were able to sell about 200 trees to other lots that were desperate for quality trees. In addition, trees have been marked down to 1/2 price for the balance of the season, which we project will end Tuesday or Wednesday. We still need help for tree sales and breakdown of lot. Sixty-four members have worked at least one shift at the lot and we have sold over 1400 trees!
Kent Gloor with Oscar Sorenson's Daughter Gary Strowbridge with Kent's grandson
I know COVID has changed a lot of things with the tree lot (santa, prices, varieties) but one thing it hasn't changed is the lovely and friendly workers at the tree lot! We have been coming for years and every single person working at the lot is so so so friendly and helpful, it is why we keep coming back. Nice work you have all done despite the hard times!
We will be back next year and the year after that and after that! The kids love running through the rows of trees and finding the perfect one. Our tree is great, we are enjoying it.
(Response by Tom Kramis)
Hi Kate,
It’s a pleasure to hear such kind words. It’s what helps motivate us to do what we do. We hope that our tree availability and prices improve next year. The human spirit lives on with optimism and customers like you!
Thank you for your support!
Tom Kramis
Monaco South Club President
Steve Kady commented that the club has a true friend in the manager of the Target in U-Hills. Six hundred dollars bought 100 quality toys thanks to the generosity of Target and store Manager Myron Sanders, shown here with Dan Rodriguez.
WHITE ELEPHANT CHRISTMAS
Thanks to Santa Craig Eley and Photographer Noel Hasselgren we have a whole gallery of the various white elephant gifts received by members during the early morning frivolities.
We have a drawing for the paltry sum of $30. All you have to do is
draw the King of Hearts. Can it be done? Not today! Several, Including Don Thomson, Bill Litchfield, Josh Lipuma, Mark Metevia, and, of course, Jack Kleinheksel, chose the sure money, which left Jake Baker and Terry Shroyer no option, but to draw. Neither was successful, nor could Joe Marci, by virtue of his wearing a name tag find the elusive King. No money today!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Frank Rowe
December 3
Mark Westlund
December 11
Bob Meyer
December 13
Curt Boell
December 18
Kurt Siebold
December 28
Noel Hasselgren
December 28
Ron Cisco
December 28
FUTURE SPEAKERS
Dec. 17,2021 White Elephant Gift Exchange
Dec. 24,2021 No Meeting (Christmas Eve)
Dec. 31, 2021 Camaraderie
Jan. 07, 2022 Denver Park Trust Update Frank Rowe
Jan. 14, 2022 Model Ship Building Harry Fegley
Jan. 21, 2022 The Colorado River Compact Casey Funk
Jan. 28, 2022 Toy Trains and Technology Greg Hurd
Feb. 04, 2022 Advances in Train Technology Greg Hurd
Feb. 11, 2022 10 Ways to Improve the Health of
You and Your Community Ryan Bresnahan
Feb. 18, 2022 Chairman & CEO Merrick & Co Christopher Sherry PE
Feb. 25, 2022 Denver Fire Department Capt. Brian Norton &
Station 22 Capt. Ben Bramwell
OI Foundation Reminder: If you use Amazon to order products, you can earn money for the Foundation by signing on to http://smileamazon.com
Commencing May 14 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 Google Meets
OCMS President Tom Kramis is inviting you to a scheduled Google meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: All Friday meetings will be simulcast on Google Meets in “listen and watch only” mode. Please note the new link to Google Meets. All members are encouraged to attend the live meeting when possible.
Optimist Club of Monaco South 2020-2021 45th Year — Chartered in 1976
2021 - 2022 Officers
President Tom Kramis 303-917-5299
Vice President Larry Pulaski 303-956-1202
Vice President Chris Dunphy 720-297-3111
Secretary Phil Perington 303-832-4578
Treasurer Pat Bush 303-750-9409
2021- 2022 Board of Directors
Stephen Avery 720-775-7700 Joe Marci 303-847-7844
George Buzick 303-803-2268 Casey Funk 720-656-2255
David Peck 925-890-2531 Dan Rodriguez 303-521-5120
Steve Kady 303-931-1470 Kent Gloor 303-880- 5444
Tom Glazier 303-522-5214
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
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.
The meeting was called to order by President Tom Kramis, who asked Tom Mauro to read the invocation and lead us in the Pledge. President Kramis also announced that Don Roth had totaled his car in an accident yesterday afternoon, but was at this morning's meeting. If anybody has, or knows of a reasonable priced car, Don is looking for a replacement. You can reach Don at 303-332-4555.
