Invocation -President Dan Rodriguez asked Phil Perington to lead our invocation. Phil shared a greeting of thanks to parents and guardians that bring care to children, teachers for helping children learn, doctors, nurses and caregivers that keep us safe, as well as
thanks for camaraderie, peace and optimism. Phil then led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the cries to “play ball!"
Passing of Herman Motz
With apologies to Dick Nickloff who submitted information that was somehow missed in the last two editions of GUMS. He was well known by many and will be missed. Thank you for the information Dick. I apologize - George Buzick
Herman earned his doctorate in education from the University of Denver. He was a Latin and English teacher and football/track coach in the Denver Public Schools for 35 years. Known as “The Man, The Myth, The Legend,” Coach Motz was highly talented and creative, and beloved by coaches, players, parents, staff, students and the community. He and his Spartan teams and coaches achieved an impressive record, going to the playoffs 12 out of 14 seasons and the state semifinals 6 times, with 9 league championships and 2 big school state championships in 1980 and 1989. He had 135 wins in 14 seasons with a .813 win percentage. He has been inducted into five Halls of Fame: the Colorado High School Coaches Hall of Fame, the Denver Public Schools Coaches Hall of Fame, the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, and the inaugural class of the Thomas Jefferson High School Hall of Fame. The Motz Athletic Facility at Thomas Jefferson was dedicated in his honor in 2011.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DIME A DAY
Andy Tout gave a quick Dime a Day update. If you contributed to the Dime a Day program you may have recently received acknowledgement from Optimist International directly. Andy has pins for those folks that with any luck he’ll be able to deliver in person in the not too distant future. MSOC has always been a leader in the District for contributions to OI Foundation and Andy hopes to maintain this leadership, so chip in for the kids!
No Super Bowl Pool This Year
According to Joe Marci the Super Bowl square contest/Jr. Golf fundraiser is not going forward this year. Joe will keep us posted on Jr. Golf programs and tournaments coming up, as he will need some volunteer assistance. Donations to Jr. Golf are still welcome.
Essay Contest/Sullivan Scholarships
Joe and Wyatt McCallie are working on the essay contest at Thomas Jefferson High School, as well as the Sullivan Scholarship program. They should receive the names of applicants from the counselors within the next month and will be looking for judges for both events.
Most Precious Blood
Super Citizens
Super Citizen presentations were held Tuesday at MPB (Most Precious Blood) school, located at Colorado Blvd. and Iliff. Joe Marci has gracefully accepted the mantle of coordinator after the untimely demise of Gary Miller. Joe is shown here with the recipient for the month of January. The second photo is the December recipient, who also was presented with her certificate this day due to an earlier postponement. Also pictured is the socially distanced but excited Fifth grade class of MPB, awaiting the results of their classmates’ awards, with teacher Mr. Kohler in the background. Photos were taken by Greg Young, who also encouraged the students to smile often in this time of stress to help brighten theirs and others’ day. If you have an event or project coming up, remember to email Greg Young and he will add it to the calendar on our website.
Passing of Hank Aaron (1934-2021)
"I have always felt that although someone may defeat me, and I strike out in a ball game, the pitcher on the particular day was the best player. But I know when I see him again, I'm going to be ready for his curve ball. Failure is a part of success. There is no such thing as a bed of roses all your life. But failure will never stand in the way of success if you learn from it."
Support of YMCA
Excerpt from a letter from Gloria Price - Vice President of Development for the YMCA to Bob Myer, Immediate Past President of MSOC, thanking the club for a donation of $1500:
"At the top of my list of appreciation is YOU, our YMCA members, donors and volunteers continually have been gracious in their positive words of encouragement as well as their financial assistance. Thank You for continuing to stay by our side. Thank You for believing in our staff, Thank You for your generosity.
Speaker - Terry Kearney
Governor Colorado Wyoming District
Our speaker today was Terri Kearney, Governor of the CO/WY District. Kerri was proudly introduced by our own Jon Wachter Terri is a lifelong optimist, but has been an official Optimist for only the past eight years. In her second year, she became club president and earned honor club distinction for her home club Arvada - Lake Arbor. She served a total of three years as club president, and then became a Lt. Governor for three years. Terri is passionate about children, and used to work for Mothers of Preschools (MOP) as manager of outreach and service. She has a 12-year old grandson who is on the autism spectrum, and is working on starting a club focused on assisting children with that diagnosis. Autism Awareness is the theme for the District conference on Saturday, February 6th. It will be from 9:00 am -12:30 pm. Terri encouraged us all to register - she’s very excited about it and said it will be action packed, including a dance contest with prizes to be won. Jesse
Ogas, the Executive Directory of Firefly Autism will be the keynote speaker. All information, including how to register, can be found at: http://www.optimistcowy.org/conferences/
Terry said thanks for the great work of the Monaco South. She is interested in hearing ideas from our club anytime. Also, she encouraged us to invite a friend or family member to one of our meetings - it might be easier for some of them to join during our virtual format than it would be to meet face to face, and give them a sense of what we do. The clubs in the district are very active with lots of projects underway. Attend the conference and you’ll be amazed and inspired by what is going on!
To conclude our meeting in our traditional, uplifting way, President Dan asked our speaker Terri Kearney to lead us in reciting the Optimist creed.
PROMISE YOURSELF
Steve Kady Laugh of the Day
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.
Newsletter Committee
George Buzick 303-803-2268
Robert Wardlaw 303-525-2532
Phil Perington 303-832-4578
Paul Stratton 303-366-6375 Pat Bush 720-254-3741 Craig Eley 303-758-9499 Greg Young 303-759-3921
Herman earned his doctorate in education from the University of Denver. He was a Latin and English teacher and football/track coach in the Denver Public Schools for 35 years. Known as “The Man, The Myth, The Legend,” Coach Motz was highly talented and creative, and beloved by coaches, players, parents, staff, students and the community. He and his Spartan teams and coaches achieved an impressive record, going to the playoffs 12 out of 14 seasons and the state semifinals 6 times, with 9 league championships and 2 big school state championships in 1980 and 1989. He had 135 wins in 14 seasons with a .813 win percentage. He has been inducted into five Halls of Fame: the Colorado High School Coaches Hall of Fame, the Denver Public Schools Coaches Hall of Fame, the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, and the inaugural class of the Thomas Jefferson High School Hall of Fame. The Motz Athletic Facility at Thomas Jefferson was dedicated in his honor in 2011.
