Our greeters this morning, doing a great job are Curt Boell and Gary Strowbridge.  A beautiful full moon this morning just over the horizon heading west on Yale.
 
On the last day of his Presidency Larry Pulaski rings the bell promptly at 7 Larry asks Eldon Strong to read the invocation this morning.   To Strong for Fear, O Holy Spirit help us to overcome Fear.  Everything we do has risks. help us to overcome our fears and lead a life of Optimism.  Eldon then leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
 

 

 

President Announcements:  Christmas Party December 2nd at the Assistance League.  Installation Banquet will be September 30, tomorrow!   Tom Kramis’ mother is not doing well and he is back in Seattle caring for her, thus Larry will act as MC. Bring your dancing shoes, Karl Geil and his wife Lesley Meyer will be instructing on swing dancing.

 

 

 

 

Contact Bob Meyer 303-919-4532

Tom Hoch tells us that the mayor will not be signing our Super Citizen certificates this year.  Tom has a personal connection with Mike Johnston, and after trying to get his office to cooperate and get his signature we have been rebuffed and no signature from his office is forthcoming.
 Tom Mauro comments on the unsuccessful attempts to get the mayor's signature for Super Citizen certificates and tells us there are a lot of members in this club and make your voice be heard.  He also says he is making any corrections or changes to the Directory he is taking those now.  Hamilton Middle School is having a Open House tomorrow.  As part of the support for Hamilton, if you have any clothes you want to donate bring them to Tom and he will take them over.  They will be taking donations for turkeys for families at the school so Tom will be collecting monetary donations.

SPEAKER

Frank Middleton introduces Joe Habayashi, our speaker this morning.  Since our regular speaker has not been able to join us, Joe has graciously offered to be our speaker this morning.  Joe is a member of the Windsor Gardens Optimist Club. 

Joe Hayashi asks us to think about someone who we believe is doing well.  He then asks us to be quiet and think about this person.  More than likely, Joe tells us, the person you are thinking about has a positive attitude, and we all agree.  If you look at Joe’s resume he has many accomplishments, but in actuality he has endured many setbacks in his life.  Joe reminds us that the most recent Supreme Court justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson as a black woman has encountered many obstacles in her life and accomplished a great deal, in large part because of her optimistic outlook.  In Joe’s teaching role he would tell students no complaining, no cynicism, no criticism.  He would take notes and keep track of comments students were making, and when read back to them they didn’t think they would be that negative but would change their attitude when confronted with it.  Joe’s daughter is an executive with Microsoft and flies to Seattle once a month for meetings.  She was told by a woman afterward, that in great part, it was her friendly interaction with this woman, who actually was the chairwoman of the executive search committee, but who many applicants considered unimportant, that she was the only person who spoke with her and was nice.  Joe tells us about a speech by Art Linkletter, and how his speech on a positive attitude was life changing.  Joe asks us to stand and repeat the words of our Creed, and to really believe those words.  The Broncos, Rockies and Nuggets all have one thing in common, they don’t know how to play football.  Joe tells us about a player that for 4 years sat on the bench, and asked the coach to put him in the game, and finally agreed to put him in. The player goes on to play very well in the game, and after the surprised coach asks the player how it is he played so well.  The player responds by saying that his blind father had passed away that very day, and so today was the first day his father had seen him play. 

 

Do we have a drawing?  There is only $40 in the pot this week.  The lucky card today is the Queen of Diamonds. 1 cards are left from which to choose.
 
Mario Sani has the lucky ticket and draws the winning ticket, he is $40 richer
Dick Nickoloff takes a cup
Frank Middleton takes a cup
Dick Nickoloff takes another cup
Dave Peck takes a cup
Larry Palaski wins a cup
 
President Larry Pulaski, on his last meeting as President of this club, leads us in the Creed
 
Go out and promote Optimism  

 

The 48th Installation and Awards Celebration was held at the Rendezvous restaurant in Heather Gardens on Saturday, September 30. Among the guests present were Mary Grace White, Governor of the Colorado/Wyoming District for the 2023-24 Optimist year and Linda Williams, Lt. Governor of Zone 5, who installed the officers and Board of Director, including:

 

The always prepared Mistress of Ceremonies was Abigail Nichols, Past Governor, Lt. Governor and always willing to help out. Tom Kramis, who planned the event, was unable to attend because of the passing of his mother. Abigail did her usual excellent job as a last-minute replacement.

 

Craig Eley, Past President 2016-17, opened the meeting with the Inspiration and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. After a delicious lunch of Chicken Parmigiano, Spaghetti Bolognese and Squash Medley, President Larry Pulaski reviewed the past year's activities and presented awards to the following members:

 

 

 

 

 

                          

From left to right:

George Buzick: Outstanding Service as Editor and Publisher of GUMS

Tom Yagley and Denny Dressman: Rookie of the Year,

Gary Strowbridge-Silent Optimist (Does things behind the scenes, never seeks recognition)

 

 

 

 

Optimist of the Year is awarded to the member who has contributed the most to the club during the current year. Michael has participated in many activities and has been the primary planner for the Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving dinner, the MS Bicycle water station, the Colorado Rockies fund raiser and the Optimist Oratorical Contest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marlin Kent Eternal Optimist Award shall be presented to no more than one member each year, and a member may receive this award only once. To be eligible, a member must have been a member of Monaco South for at least 15 years and have made a significant contribution to the Club's goals throughout the member's Optimist career. The intent of the award is to acknowledge a life-long commitment to the Club, and the award shall be given to the nominee who, in the opinion of the nominating committee, has made the most significant contribution to the Club and its goals during the member's affiliation with the Club.  The plaque shall read: "The Marlin Kent Eternal Optimist Award; Presented to: [name of recipient] by the Optimist Club of Monaco South for a life-long commitment to the goals of the Club. [Club Year awarded]" 

 

 

Tom Hoch-Master Videographer presented a video of the Christmas Tree Lot over the years, accompanied by appropriate Christmas music. Here is link to the video:

Three  members who were kicked out of JC's because they were too old and were organizers of the MSOC Christmas Tree adventure: Joe Marc, Frank Middleton, Pat Bush told of some of the adventures over the years experienced at the tree lot.

 

 

 

Casey Funk, President for the 2023-24 year talked about looking forward to his upcoming experience. Since he has retired Casey has time on his hands and, since he doesn't have to snow blow his walk (because a benevolent neighbor does it for him) he decided to step forward to take charge of an organization which, say many of the Past Presidents, runs itself. Good Luck to Casey. We're all behind you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen Past Presidents watched as President Larry Pulaski was presented with his blue jacket, a symbol of having shared the experience of leading the men of Monaco South Optimist Club.

 

 

 

 

 

The afternoon closed with Swing Dance lessons taught by Karl Geil and his wife Lesley Meyer, who are accomplished swing dancers. Music was furnished by a trio of musicians from the After Midnight Band. A good time was had by all!