The 4th Friday of May is warm, sunny and absolutely beautiful start to the day. President Dan Rodriguez rings the bell this morning promptly at 7. Al Gapuzen and Frank Middleton are our greeters this morning. Doing a great job, greeting each of us with cheer! Another positive piece of our meetings that is slowly coming back to normal.
Dick Nickoloff gives the invocation this morning. In honor of our upcoming holiday, we pray for those who have served our country and for those who have paid the ultimate price. For those of you that have served. We thank you for your service and we should never take for granted, the freedoms that those sacrifices have provided.
We regret to announce the recent death of John Stoffel, a valued member of MSOC since 1987, who was sponsored by Joe Marci. After graduating from Wayne State University in 1964, having earned his law degree (LLB), John went to work for the City of Denver in 1968 and retired 32 years later as Assistant City Attorney. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Joe Marci reports the Korsoski Award was presented twice yesterday at Most Precious Blood. MPB recognized this year’s winner, Hazel Pron, along with the student chosen from 2020. Joe spent the better part of the day at Most Precious Blood, starting with mass and then conducting 2 versions of the assembly (one for students and one for the parents).
The final Super Citizen for the year was held at MPB on Tuesday, May 25th. The students and parents are very much looking forward to a fun and maskless summer!
The final winner for the year was Conner Degregorio. Joe Marci officiated and Greg Young took photos. HAPPY SUMER TO MPB STUDENTS!
Hamilton Middle School
Tom Mauro greets the group this morning, it’s his birthday today as well as Dave Peck. A half-hearted, off key, and mumbling attempt of “Happy Birthday” ensues. Hamilton Middle School held school year ending assembly last night. During the program they announced their Charles Korsoski award winner, Sarhyia Owens was recognized. They held the event outside on the baseball field. They have over 200 kids advancing on to High School. The speaker last night mentioned MSOC in good terms. “ Bodily vigor is good, and vigor of intellect is even better, but far above both is character.” Theodore Roosevelt gave the famous speech about citizenship, In the long run character matters most. (Phil Perington notes Teddy Roosevelt was the first President awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.) Tom says it was a great gathering and he was happy to be part of it.
Samuels Elementary
Dick Nickoloff along with Kent Gloor gave the Korsoski award at Samuels Elementary. Meluck Almutkassi was awarded the prize this year, and she was very happy to receive.
Don Thomson presented the award to Adrian Villegas at McMeen Elementary. Don reports that a Spanish language interpreter was used for this year’s award. Greg Young helped with the presentation at Ellis and Don is doing the presentation at Holm later today. Attention Members!! The Super Citizen Program is looking for school representatives for Ellis Elementary and Holm Elementary. As school representative you will help with the school assembly by handing out shirts and supplying the frames for the certificates. This is a great opportunity to get involved with your local school and help kids.
Ron Benson- District Optimist International Foundation Representative. Andy Towt introduces the Colorado/Wyoming District Optimist International Foundation Representative.. Andy notes members who have contributed to this program. Ron Benson is very familiar with our group and has visited with many South Monaco members. He is a member of the Wheat Ridge Optimist club, along with the Cheyenne club and the Mile High Optimist. The foundation supports all the scholarship programs that Optimist runs. Ron tells us about Jeff Hansen, who raised for Optimist and other foundations $7 million before he tragically passed before his 27th birthday. His artwork is featured on the pin that each donator receives for participating in the program. This is the 50th anniversary of The Dime a Day program so, instead of a dime a day, or $36.50 for the year, the cost to join this exclusive club is $50 this year only. Ron notes, the Co/Wyoming District the past couple years has been the leading contributor for all Optimist International.
Ron talks about bringing in new members to the organization. If each member brings in a new person, it would be a huge help for the organization. Optimist International has brought in over 50 new clubs from around the world. Dues for the international clubs is $10 annually. Ron reports the Wheat Ridge club pays the dues for a club out of Nepal. There is even a club in Bagdad, and Central and South America, in Jamacia, and all over the world.
Fred Pasternack was the first director of the club’s efforts for Dime A Day and the program was most recently under the direction of Perry Allen who did a wonderful job. The President’s Club is available for those who donate $250. For veterans in the room, the Foundation has a new program: 3 ways they can do it – Deceased, Active or retired. The Pass Through program allows for members to donate money via a will or gift, the monies can be sent on to OI who will turn around and donate that money to this club.
President Dan offers Ron Benson a mug for speaking with us today.
The Secretary of State has finally issued a Raffle License # for The Optimist Club of Monaco South. This will be the inaugural raffle fundraiser for our Club. 400 tickets will be sold @ $25 each for the August 20th drawing. 1st place prize is $ 3,000, 2nd place is $1,000 and there are 10 Third place prizes for $100. Each member is asked to sell 4 tickets each if possible. We are pleased to report there are30 pre-sold tickets. We will be distributing the 400 tickets at our next Friday morning meeting on June 4th. This is going to be a whole lotta fun and we look forward to a great turn out. Cash and Checks only will be accepted for payment. The Raffle committee and volunteers thank everyone for their participation and promotion of this exciting event. Yours in Optimism for the kids, Dan Rodriguez, Chris Dunphy, Tom Kramis, Greg Young, Pat Bush and Phil Perington(Raffle Manager).
There are three Junior Golf qualifiers coming in June and could use some help with marshalling the course. Tournaments will be held June 4, June 12 and June 18. The club will be needing volunteers to help out with the events. Joe also presents a custom putter, that features “Colorado/Wyoming Optimists” imprinted on it for raffle. He has received an opening bid of $200 on it. If you can help with any tournament, please call Joe at 303-847-7844.
Chris Dunphy reports that breakfast is delicious at only $10. Chris also says we will be importing coffee from Einstein's in weeks to come. Steve Kady says that we guarantee 20 breakfasts will be sold but did not make our quota today. Please support the club! Greg Young reports coffee is not free, please pay Noel Hasselgren 2 dollars to enjoy the hot coffee.
Phil reports Donlie Smith is feeling better and sends his best wishes to the members.
DonThomson reports Gary Strowbridge had an aneurysm on his brain during this past week, and was taken to the hospital. Don spoke with Gary’s wife and he is doing better. ________________________________________________________________________ Drawing
Do we have a drawing? There is $90 in pot for the drawing. Brian Prosperi draws the first card, Al Gapuzen takes a cup, as does Jack Kleinheksel, Mark Metevia draws a card, Chris Dunphy takes a cup, Jack Kleinheksel, and the last cup goes again to Mark Metevia. Harry Fegley name is drawn from the plastic jug which was recently updated by Craig Eley. Harry pulls a card, but again is not the lucky card.
Those attending today include 6 on zoom, 34 in person. All in attendance raise to recite the Optimist Creed. Smiles all around as the meeting is adjourned. Have a great week and spread the word of Optimism.
Thanks to Steve Kady
"I love California . I practically grew up in Phoenix ..."
-- Dan Quayle, Vice President of The United States
Commencing May 14 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.
Optimist Club of Monaco South 2020-2021 45th Year — Chartered in 1976
2020 - 2021 Officers 2020 - 2021 Board of Directors
President Dan Rodriguez 303-521-512 Perry Allen 303-521-3453
Vice President Tom Kramis 303-917-5299 Stephen Avery 720-775-7700
Vice President Chris Dunphy 720-297-3111 George Buzick 303-803-2268
Secretary Bill Morgan 303-868-4384 Allen Malask 303-726-3700
Asst. Secretary Phil Perington 303-832-4578 David Peck 925-890-2531
Treasurer Pat Bush 720-747-5482 Larry Pulaski 303-956-1202 Asst. Treasurer Greg Young 303-759-3921 Mark Smith 303-691-9766
Bob Meyer 303-919-4532
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
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.
