• 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.

 

A gloriously beautiful Friday morning and the bright smile and warm handshake from Pat Bush, the lonesome greeter, greeted the members of MSOC who got out of bed early this morning to join the camaraderie and delicious breakfast. President Casey Funk called Gary Jerman to read the invocation for the morning.

 

 

 

 

President Casey Funk announced that one of the highest rated items on his "Bucket List" was about to come to fruition! He received an e-mail that he had been chosen as one of the lucky people who would get to partake of the sumptuous repast at Casa Bonita in the near future. Congratulations to Casey on this monumental occurrence. Don't forget the Sopapillas!

Bob Avery read a thank you note from Hunter Bowman, one of the Eagle Scout Project award winners. Bob also mentioned that he would, as he has done many times in the past, be riding in the Bike MS ride on June 30. Donations are welcome! Michael Chavez will be leading the group who will staff the hydration station in Longmont, location to be announced.

 

Michael will also be heading up the Colorado Rockies handouts on Sunday, June 16. Start time is 10:00 a.m. and you get a free ticket to the game. We still need some additional help, so recruit your friends and neighbors.

 Bob Meyer is looking for a few good men to marshal the district qualifiers for "The Optimist", which will be held in Florida later this summer. The Colorado-Wyoming District Optimist Junior Golf Program is recognized as the best Junior Golf Program in all of Optimist International and serves about 400 junior golfers each year. The best of these golfers will qualify for THE 2024 OPTIMIST. Dates for the 2024 District qualifying tournaments are Thursday, May 30, at South Suburban Golf Course in Centennial (Girls ages 10 – 12, 13 – 14, and 15 – 18); Thursday, June 13, at Overland Golf Course in Denver (Boys ages 10 – 11, 12 – 13, and 14 – 15); and Monday, June 17 at Patty Jewett Golf Course in Colorado Springs (Boys ages 16 – 18). Check with Bob (303-919-4532) or Joe Marci (303-771-3748) for more information.

 

Last year’s loss to Tamarac in the interclub Brain Bowl competition has left a bitter taste in Coach Tom Mauro’s mouth, and this year he pledges “vengeance is mine.” He has recruited a stellar team consisting of Karl Geil, Larry Pulaski, Jeff Cole, Mario Sani, Kevin Dempsey, and Vaughan Kendall to take on Tamarac Optimist’s best at our Club meeting on May 31.

Tom has salted the Monaco South team with a doctor, a lawyer and engineers and has given clear marching orders to our champions in a recent email: “Be prepared to participate in the competition by watching Jeopardy, memorizing the Optimist Creed, and learning how to cheat in any way possible.”

On Friday, May 17th, Mark Metevia, Paul Straton and Andy Towt represented MSOC for the presentation of Super Citizen awards at Holm Elementary School. This was an especially rewarding experience because Zabih Danesh of Monaco South, daughter received a Super Citizen Award.  Her brother, who also appears in the attached picture, had previously received a Super Citizen Award. Making this event even more memorable, Paul Stratton made his presentation speech in both Spanish and English.  April Milow, the school principal, also thanked MSOC for supplying items needed by immigrant families whose children just started to attend Holm.

From the Gateway Optimist Club- Join the fun and help them raise some money

Our speaker today was introduced by Bob Sweeney, editor of The Villager newspaper.

Sam Zakhem served As Ambassador to Bahrain in 1986-89.   He is currently with Zakhem International a worldwide engineering and construction company.   The Ambassador has also served in other government positions including Colorado Senator and Representative, Colorado Small Business Administration, White House Peace Corp advisor. He lives in Lakewood with his wife, Merilynn, and has three grown sons.

Sam believes in the words of the U.S Constitution that we are "One Nation Under God" and says that we have a "Debt to Americans past and a duty to Americans of the future to protect and defend the Constitution". He believes that the country of Iran is a worldwide troublemaker and that the United States should stand up for Israel.

Sam was instrumental in the deployment of the US Navy 6th Fleet to the Arabian Gulf and is a proponent of more ships like the USS Hope and fewer warships. 

Senator Jesse Helms heralded Ambassador Zakhem as follows: “You have the courage of your convictions and the moral and spiritual principles to guide you in rendering distinguished service to our country. You stood up to America’s enemies in your courageous service as U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain. Not once have you compromised your willingness to fight to preserve the freedoms of the American people.”

Sam is obviously a patriotic American and has served his country well in both international and local affairs. Our thanks to Sam for a great presentation.

 

Can you draw the Jack of Diamonds? And win $60? Apparently not. Kevin Dempsey, Tom Glazier, Gary Jerman Jerman, Bill Litchfield, Bob Avery and Bob Meyer all tookk the sure thing. Phil Perington and Larry Pulaski took a shot at the big money but were thwarted by Lady Luck. Next week...$70!