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.
Spring Has Arrived- Out with the Snow!
MORNING ACTIVITY
Tabletop Bongo players Allen Malask- Tom Hoch & your Editor merrily pounded away while greeting the early morning arrivals.
Frank Ross was looking good as he greeted incoming members.Early morning set-up guy, Gary Strowbridge helped out by greeting in proxy. Later he was seen holding toaster training. Frank Middleton was thanking our President in waiting, Harry Fegley for his commitment. However, Harry announced he would be in Uzbekistan for a bit during his term. Junior Golf Chair, Bob Myer was busy preparing information handouts for the 2024 schedule of events and tournaments. George Buzick glowingly announced he had made all the lights this morning and got here early. Gary Jerman was seen wearing his cute little Easter Bunny Rabbit Ears. Tom Overton wisely informed John Burnett the true meaning of GUMS (Grandiose Utterings of Monaco South). CPA-Ron Gustas, sitting with Treasurer Pat Bush were lost in animated and humorous conversation. Harry stoically watched from afar. Mike White seen wearing his shamrock adorned baseball cap. The Boys and Girl Scouts were well represented this morning by invited guests. Larry Pulaski had his first adventure taking attendance in place of regular monitor Bob Avery. He had also arrived carrying a bag of fruit (bananas & plums) for the breakfast buffet table. Kent Gloor-Mark Metevia & Tom Kramis deep in conversation about the recent Boeing problems, concluded The Alaska Airlines exit door incident was just an unannounced test. Jim Svensen and Tom Glazier in discussion concerning the Club & future plans of the TLC. It was a busy morning full of energy and activity.
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
After gaveling the gathered to attention President Casey Funk reflected, to the best of his knowledge, he was the only President to have cancelled 2 meetings due to severe snow conditions and shouted a WELCOME BACK! The Invocation presented by Harry Fegley, was preceded by his heartfelt thank you for supporting the upcoming Presidential election, “Expect only the Best”.
Breakfast Motion presented for approval: There will be a Rotating Breakfast menu forthcoming form the New York Deli. #1: Continental Breakfast #2: Egg sandwich and #3: Breakfast burrito + traditional accoutrements. Our financial agreement is based on 20 diners. Beginning in April the cost will be $15. A quorum was declared. Motion passed with two votes against.
The American Legion is conducting their annual Forty & Eight Community Awards at the April 20th meeting. Michael Chavez was declared the winning candidate from Monaco South and will be honored. MSOC has purchased 2 tables in support of the Event commencing, at 4pm. Please RSVP to Tom Yagley. There is no cost to members attending. Also, President Casey announced the newly organized TLC Marketing committee will meet with Denny Dressler Chair, immediately following breakfast and the creed. ZOOMERS, Greg Hurd & Bob Avery were acknowledged by the Prez.
GUESTS
Frank Middleton introduced Tamarac Optimist Club/GSA member, Sara Willard and BSA-Leader Jared Wharton as our special guests this morning. Thanks to both for their leadership and participation in the community of service to youth.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION Tom Overton, sponsor-John Burnett and Larry Pulskai, sponsor-Ryan Niss were formally inducted by President Casey Funk, including the official pin presentation. Welcome aboard gentlemen we are all pleased and honored with you decision to join our Club and participate in the commitment of Service to Youth.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
COLORADO HISTORY DAY
The Denver/Aurora regional History Day competition was held on Saturday, March 15. George Buzick and Karl Geil were among the judges for the competition. George was a judge in the Research Paper category, and Karl was a judge for the Junior Division Group Exhibit category. The contest had only two-thirds of the judges it would like to have in order to run the competition, and the State competition still needs more judges.
Ed Collins mentioned that he had attended a meeting at the Lakewood Elks Club regarding additional benefits for Veterans. Ed also mentioned that he had read they were going to start putting chips in humans. He's hoping he'll get a Dorito.
Mike White: Don Thomson is doing well with his recovery from recent knee replacement. Please keep him in your him in your thoughts. You could be next.
Gary Jerman: He will be masterminding an annual Adult Easter eggs hunt with Golden egg, at his home. Please see him if you would like to participate. The wearing of Bunny Rabbit ears or fluffy tails is an option.
Bob Myer: He recently sent an e-mail for the upcoming Junior Golf scramble on 4/2. Additionally, if anyone is interested in going to Doral for this year's Optimist International Junior Golf Optimist please contact him.
Tom Kramis: The TLC met recently. New Trailer, fencing, lighting, generator needs, and storage costs were the main topics. Replacement of our current aging Trailer with a new construction trailer is in the works.
Our new member Zabih Danesh, (wearing his Optimist pin) is a Light Rail Commuter and was a bit late this morning in. WOW-what a guy! We are so happy to have you here in the morning.
DRAWING
Is There a Drawing?
The Ace of Clubs wins $20 today.
Cup Winners-John Burnett-Tom Hoch-Kent Gloor-Tom/Toms-Overton & Glazier.
Luck of the Draw-Todd-Ed-Bob M- Gary J. Sorry Charlie... no tuna today.
Chips-Craig Eley- Not Today! Creed. Group & BSA Jared proudly lead.
INTERESTING FACTS FROM GREG YOUNG
99% of those born between 1930 and 1946 (worldwide) are now dead. If you were born in this time span, you are one of the rare surviving one percenters of this special group. Their ages range is between 77 and 93 years old, a 16-year age span.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE 1% ERS:
You are the smallest group of children born since the early 1900's.
You are the last generation, climbing out of the depression, who can remember the winds of war and the impact of a world at war that rattled the structure of our daily lives for years.
You are the last to remember ration books for everything from gas to sugar to shoes to stoves.
You saved tin foil and poured fried meat fat into tin cans.
Youcan remember milk being delivered to your house early in the morning and placed in the "milk box" on the porch.
Discipline was enforced by parents and teachers.
You are the last generation who spent childhood without television; instead, you “imagined” what you heard on the radio.
With no TV, you spent your childhood "playing outside".
There was no Little League.
There was no city playground for kids.
The lack of television in your early years meant that you had little real understanding of what the world was like.
We got “black-and-white” TV in the late 40s that had 3 stations and no remote.
Telephones were one to a house, often shared (party lines), and hung on the wall in the kitchen (no cares about privacy).
Computers were called calculators; they were hand-cranked.
Typewriters were driven by pounding fingers, throwing the carriage, and changing the ribbon.
'INTERNET' and 'GOOGLE' were words that did not exist.
Newspapers and magazines were written for adults and the news was broadcast on your radio in the evening (your dad would give you the comic pages when he read the news).
New highways would bring jobs and mobility. Most highways were 2 lanes (no interstates).
You went downtown to shop. You walked to school.
The radio network expanded from 3 stations to thousands.
Your parents were suddenly free from the confines of the depression and the war, and they threw themselves into working hard to make a living for their families.
You weren't neglected, but you weren't today's all-consuming family focus.
They were glad you played by yourselves.
They were busy discovering the postwar world.
You entered a world of overflowing plenty and opportunity; a world where you were welcomed, enjoyed yourselves.
You felt secure in your future, although the depression and poverty were deeply remembered.
Polio was still a crippler. Everyone knew someone who had it.
You came of age in the '50s and '60s.
You are the last generation to experience an interlude when there were no threats to our homeland.
World War 2 was over and the cold war, terrorism, global warming, and perpetual economic insecurity had yet to haunt life.
Only your generation can remember a time after WW2 when our world was secure and full of bright promise and plenty.
You grew up at the best possible time, a time when the world was getting better.
More than 99% of you are retired now, and you should feel privileged to have "lived in the best of times!"
If you have already reached the age of 77 years old, you have outlived 99% of all the other people in the world who were born in this special 16 year time span. You are a 1% 'er"!
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 Zoom
PLEASE NOTE: Some Friday meetings will be simulcast on Zoom in “listen and watch only” mode. All members are encouraged to attend the live meeting when possible.
Optimist Club of Monaco South 2023-2024 47th Year — Chartered in 1976
2022-2023 Officers
Officers:
Casey Funk, President
Matt Nelson, Vice President
Tom Glazier, Vice President
Jake Baker, Secretary
Pat Bush, Treasurer
Larry Pulaski, Immediate Past President
Directors:
Second Year: Vaughan Kendall, George Buzick, Tom Hoch, Ken Jeung,
First Year: Carl Brown, Al Gapuzan, Greg Holt, Mario Sani
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
Tom Kramis 2021-2022
Larry Pulaski 2022-2023
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.