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.
EARLY RISERS
(Photos by Phil Perington)
Tom Hock Ron Cisco
Bryce Slaby Joe Marci
Fe Dillon Tom Glazier
(Guest) Casey Funk Allen Malask
GREETER
On this beautiful Friday morning we were joined by several principals from our Super Citizen program schools. They, as was Jack Kleinheksel, were greeted by none other than Casey Funk.
The Marlin Kent Advisory Committee met before breakfast with President to offer advise on candidates for this years Honoree. This is a Presidential decision only.
President Tom Kramis crisply gaveled the gathered to attention at 7am and Tom Mauro presented the invocation- “It is our duty to pass on to our youth that which is beneficial, positive and Optimistic. We are the voice of leadership for our youth, and they are responsible for the future. Instill in us to teach and guide our youth for their future success and happiness.” The Pledge of Allegiance followed with a boisterous cheer of “Play Ball!”
Summer weather reports from Club travelers across the country were shared by Tom Hoch, tongue in cheek, reported a sweltering 85 degrees in Minnesota. Not to be outdone Kurt Siebold countered with 105 degrees in Oklahoma City. It should be noted the temperatures in Conifer and Bailey are a balmy 78 degrees.
President Tom shared a nice letter from the Brent’s Place Executive Director-Avi. A big thank you for a successful and enjoyable Pancake Breakfast extravaganza. The Tamarac Ladies also got a big hurrah for their participation as well. He also recognized our guest Principals and thanked them for joining us for breakfast. Thanks to President Tom for handling most of the logistics required for Brent's Place event (With the help of Cesar Camerena) by himself. Good job Tom!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RAFFLE REPORT
Phil Perington: The Raffle is NEXT FRIDAY. We have 68 tickets left and the clock is ticking. Thank you all for your participation and purchase of tickets. Raffle proceeds are to be used entirely for our youth programs. There will be some great door prizes as well.
Time is running out to win a possible $2500. $1000, or one of 10 One Hundred Dollar prizes. You are guaranteed not to win if you do not buy a ticket. Phil says thanks to everyone who has pitched in to make this raffle a great success.
JUNIOR OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL (JOI)
At today's meeting outgoing Lt Gov for zone 5, Jon Wachter, pitched our school principals on starting a Junior Optimist Club in their schools. MSOC founded the Bradley Helping Hands JOI Club 8 years ago with guidance from members Phil Perrington, Randy Marcove, John Oss and others. From fund raising and learning the creed, to visiting senior citizens in University Hills, the 5th graders learn what's it's like to like to be in an Optimistic community service club. After the meeting, a GUMS reporter saw Jon having a conversation with one of the principals about starting a JOI club at his school immediately Jon says, "think of the JOI Club kids as a class of our Super Citizens and future Optimist club members"
South by Southeast
Jon Wachter: The South by Southeast Community Fest is Next weekend that includes 1 free beer for every volunteer. We will have a table for outreach including Club literature, signup sheets and Club flyers. This could be the last year for the event. Bronco Time
Tom Glazier: he is wearing an orange polo shirt as a tribute to Fred Pasternack and Greg Young (who both share the same birthdate.) Freddie was a devout Broncos fan and extraordinary chain saw artisan. A few entertaining and humorous memories were shared by members.
PRINCIPALS TO BREAKFAST
Cesar Rivera, Principal of Samuels Elementary School lamented he was up until 1:30 am the night before thinking about getting up so early for breakfast today. He shared a memory of having received an award from the Optimist Club in Pueblo when he was a kid. He noted kids need to know their values are important. They also need to know they are special. Every kid wants to be a Super Citizen. Some Students with multiple guardians in disconnected families are trying hard to be successful and get good grades. Sadly, a tremendous number of Kids feel alone and need to know they are a part of our community. He emphasized… we are helping saving lives.
Kurt Siebold is the Principal of Slavens Elementary School Recently, as he was following a vehicle with a washer loaded on the rear that dislodged, flew into the air and onto the highway. Fortunately, the air bags deployed. Very exciting moment. He also shared that a new Interactive 3D sensor computer program is being used mightily by his students to their greater benefit and education, adding that kids need adult support and grounding. Super Citizen is a key ingredient to their success and future development. Slavens Destination Imagination (DI) team finished 4th in the National DI competition last school year.
Andria Hinman Principal of McMeen Elementary, is in her 19th year in education. She is immersed in a program promulgating Instruction in Spanish and communication with parents of 488 4-6th grade students. So far, 186 students have registered for the program. She is also active in a Spring event whereby every class picks a country to highlight and then share and celebrate their information with other students.
Fe Dillon is Principal of Hamilton Middle School. She lost her Dad when 11 and was saddened by the loss for quite a while. However, she found redemption through the Super Citizen ceremonies, which demonstrate the bond between families in a diverse community. The pride and happiness shared by families is a delight. Also available, is an Honors program for classes affected by COVID, adding there is an Event this year to share stories and good thoughts with one another. An I.B. diploma program Beginning in 8th grade, has been made available as well, facilitating development allowing students to be better prepared for college and conversely bringing added value other cultures.
SUPER CITIZEN PRINCIPALS WITH OPTIMIST SPONSORS
Unable to attend were Steve Wera, Principal of Bradley International; Kim Ulery of Ellis Elementary; Annie Larkin of Lowry Elementary and Colleen McManamon, Principal of Most Precious Blood. The club looks for another great year recognizing Super Citizens in our local school. Tom Mauro presented each of the principals with a $100 check in honor of Oscar Sorensen, to be used for the purchase of school supplies.
Kudos to all of the club members who regularly attend Super Citizens meetings as club representatives and to Noel Hasselgren, Greg Young, Wyatt McCallie and Andy Towt for taking photos of the presentations. Thanks also to Dr. Bob Finkelmier for preparation of the certificates given to the Super Citizen winners.
Robert Wardlaw, Super Citizen Chair, is asking for support of our kids in the upcoming Super Citizen Award presentations. Please try to get involved this year, as Don Thomson and other School Reps may need some help.
MEMBER NEWS
Joe Marci reports that Russ Paul is in the VA Hospital for some tests and will be there until August 25. Russ can have visitors, so if you're in the area, drop by and seehim. (Located in Aurora at 1700 N Wheeling). Masks are required. Or give him a call at 720-431-0449.
DRAWING
We had a drawing, for the paltry sum of $20. Nobody won the big(?) money, but several won cups-o-money, including Bryce Slaby, Joe Marci, Kurt Siebold, Cesar Rivera, Dave Peck, Andria Dillon. Tom Glazier drew a card, to no avail. Jack Kleinheksel won a raffle ticket and Mike McMahon was wearing his name tag but was not lucky enough to draw the right card.
RETIREMENT OPTIONS
Editor's Note: In the next couple of weeks, we will be sharing some options for where to retire, submitted by Steve Kady.
You can retire to Arizona where…
1. You are willing to park three blocks away from your house because you found shade.
2. You've experienced condensation on your rear-end from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
3. You can drive for four hours in one direction and never leave town.
4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
5. You know that "dry heat" is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door at 500 degrees.
6. The four seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME!
OR
You can retire to California where...
1. You make over $450,000 and you still can't afford to buy a house.
2. The fastest part of your commute is going down your driveway.
3. You know how to eat an artichoke.
4. When someone asks you how far something is, you tell them how long it will take to get there rather than how many miles away it is.
5. The four seasons are: Fire, Flood, Mud and Drought.
(Continued next week)
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Al Perington
August 3
Matthew Nelson
August 5
Bud Black
August 14
Greg Young
August 23
FUTURE SPEAKERS
*MSOC members
Friday Aug. 19. Camaraderie Day
Friday Aug. 26 Harry Fegley*. Travel to the South Caucasus, Where? Why? What?
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
OCMS President Tom Kramis is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting
PLEASE NOTE: All 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 2020-2021 45th Year — Chartered in 1976
2021 - 2022 Officers
President Tom Kramis 303-917-5299
Vice President Larry Pulaski 303-956-1202
Secretary Phil Perington 303-832-4578
Treasurer Pat Bush 303-750-9409
2021- 2022 Board of Directors
Joe Marci 303-847-7844 Tom Glazier 303-522-5214
George Buzick 303-803-2268 Casey Funk 720-656-2255
David Peck 925-890-2531 Dan Rodriguez 303-521-5120
Kent Gloor 303-880- 5444 Frank Middleton 303-903-1716
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.
Tom Hock Ron Cisco 
Fe Dillon Tom Glazier
GREETER
Kurt Siebold is the Principal of Slavens Elementary School Recently, as he was following a vehicle with a washer loaded on the rear that dislodged, flew into the air and onto the highway. Fortunately, the air bags deployed. Very exciting moment. He also shared that a new Interactive 3D sensor computer program is being used mightily by his students to their greater benefit and education, adding that kids need adult support and grounding. Super Citizen is a key ingredient to their success and future development. Slavens Destination Imagination (DI) team finished 4th in the National DI competition last school year.
Andria Hinman Principal of McMeen Elementary, is in her 19th year in education. She is immersed in a program promulgating Instruction in Spanish and communication with parents of 488 4-6th grade students. So far, 186 students have registered for the program. She is also active in a Spring event whereby every class picks a country to highlight and then share and celebrate their information with other students.
Fe Dillon
him. (Located in Aurora at 1700 N Wheeling). Masks are required. Or give him a call at 720-431-0449. 