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
THE BRAIN BOWL IS COMING - THE BRAIN BOWL IS COMING
Still time to sign up and show up!
2023 Central /South
Region Tournament
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Heritage High School
1401 W. Geddes Ave.
Littleton CO 80120
Our greeters this morning are Joe Marci and Russ Paul. Bringing good cheer this morning.
President Larry Pulaski rings the bell promptly at 7 and asks Dick Nickoloff to read the invocation this morning. Oh, Holy Spirit, each of us has fears, that are innumerable. Help us to manage these fears oh lord and be too strong for fear. Dick then leads us in the pledge of allegiance.
GUESTS
Grant Lockhart (shown here with Vaughn Kendall) is from Washington DC and has been here in Denver for 10 years. Vaughn met him at the Tree Lot this year and Grant joins us this morning. Chris Dunphy invited David Guentert to our meeting. David went to school at Wichita State and traveled the country playing racquetball with the college team. He enjoys motorcycles, Skiing, cigars and DMG Painting
PRESIDENTS CORNER
President Larry tells us that the Brain Bowl is coming up. Larry tells us that, in high school, he participated in a similar event, the Knowledge Bowl and he really enjoyed it. Larry also reminds us, The Golf Expo is coming up in February and Bob Meyer and Joe Marci are looking for volunteers to man the Jr. Golf booth. One of the side benefits of working the booth, is that during breaks or before or after working the booth, you can walk around and see all the interesting items related to golf that are available.
TOOLS PROJECT
Bryce Slaby says that he took a trailer back to Nebraska full of tools for his old high school and it was very interesting to see the kids open up the boxes and put these tools together. He was asked by the school Principal to say a few words to the kids, and it brought back some incredible memories, for Bryce. Editor note: it would be interesting for Bryce to expand on his memories.
MEMBERSHIP
Frank Middleton thanks Vaughn Kendall and Chris Dunphy for inviting guests this morning and asks Bob Meyer to tell us about a wonderful prize for the member who brings in the most new members. Bob has a 3 bedroom condo in Frisco. Val Chatelle III is only a few blocks off of Main St. and a short walk to the Summit stage bus stop. Making it easy to get around town and to the ski areas nearby. It features a large hot tub, and plenty of room – it sleeps 8. An enticing reward for those searching for new members.
CHRISTMAS BASKET DELIVERY
A note from Michael Chavez:
We had a very successful Christmas baskets delivery this year. We delivered 56 baskets. I would like to thank the following for their participation:
Tom Mauro thanks for organizing all the toy portion of the project. Vaughan Kendall for helping with assembling the Baskets. Tom Glazier and Allen Myers for transporting the Baskets to the Legion Hall. Mike McMahon, Ken Jeung, Gary Strowbridge, Jake Baker, Gregory Young, Ed Collins, Phil Perington, Eldon Strong, TOm Hoch, Jim Easton, Tracy Sorenson, Joe Marci, Kent Gloor, Matt Nelson, Noel Hasselgren, Curt Boell, Tom Yagley, Terry Shroyer, Paul Stratton, Mark Metevia, Ron Gustus, Tom Mauro, Bob Avery, Steve Avery, Greg Holt, Robert Wardlaw
Thank You for all your help
EAGLE SCOUT AWARDS
From Bob Avery regarding our most recent Eagle Scout Awards Presentation: here are our Outstanding Eagle Project winners from left to right: Thomas Ankner, Troop 62, Donlie P. Smith Denver Area Council Award winner; Edward Clements, Troop 315, Valley District Award winner; Dominick Lind, Troop 439, Centennial District Award winner; Jack Crouch, Troop 361, Black Feather District Award winner; Jon Rendon, Troop 200 Alpine District Award winner. (Not pictured in the group but was awarded earlier) Wyatt Rubey, Frontier District Award winner. (Photo on right).
On Friday morning, January 13th, Super Citizen awards were given to students in grade one through five at Holmes Elementary School. Managing the presentations was Mark Metavia. Jon Wachter assisted by discussing how the school's theme - - practice empathy - - correlated with several parts of the Optimist Creed. The picture is of the school principal, Ms. Milow, discussing the purpose of the assembly. (Photo by Andy Towt)
SPEAKER
Katelyn Younke, who is our own, Bill Morgan’s daughter, is our speaker this morning. She works with adults and children who have developmental disabilities. She does group and one on one music therapy with them. She starts us off with a song. While we use the instruments that Katelyn passed around, we listen and join in on “There’s No One like Optimists”. You can turn around and look around and there’s no one like you. Everyone is 100% unique and if we look around there’s no one like us.
Katelyn tells us that the theme of this morning’s presentation will be based on the Western Stock Show, and with John Denver in mind. Thank God I’m a Country Boy! “Well life on the farm is kinda laid back, ain’t much an old country boy like me can’t hack”. She gets a big Yee Haw from the crowd. The purpose of the first song is to get the attention and have them concentrate on that task. Many of her crowd will have challenges with this task. The next song involves movement and some of her clients have issues with movement. These types of activities help them advance to next level movements they can attempt. We launch into “These Boots are Made for Walking”. This gets many in the crowd moving their legs. Come on Boots! Katelyn’s company usually does this type of therapy at the client’s location. Next, Jake Baker has the drum and becomes the leader of our group. He creates the beat, and we all follow along. When Jake stops, we all need to stop and so on. It works well, and Jon Wachter takes the drum and raises the energy level a couple notches. That was fun, and it encourages us to interact without Katelyn having to lead the group. Now we do the Ring of Fire, which will help us with speech therapy. Many who have speech problems, can be helped through music which targets all of the brain. Katelyn went to CSU and earned her degree in music with an emphasis in music therapy. She cites a study which showed that people with Alzheimer's can recall songs of their youth and brings positive thoughts and emotions for a period of time. It doesn’t reduce the disease, but it puts them into a better place.
Jake Baker and Jon Wachter bang the drums Dick Nicholoff recalls that his Father In Law who had some cognitive issues, one of the therapies was using noodles (those foam round tubes) and that the residents really enjoyed the activity, perhaps the physical nature of the activity. Jake Baker asks if it is always participatory? Katelyn tells us that some clients have very little ability to participate, but the music has a way of calming and improving the mood. Katelyn’s company has 7 other leaders who do this therapy. Jake tells us that he did a similar program where he visited nursing homes and how it improves the mood and disposition of the residents. Many remember Katelyn earlier visit when she was completing a very long leg of a cross state/region run with some members turning out to support her during the run. She has completed the Leadville 100 and has plans for more ultras this year. An excellent presentation Thank you Katelyn!
MISCELLANEOUS Everett Gardner (AKA Bluebeard) pays a visit.
Vaughn Kendall's dancing shoes
DRAWING
Do we have a drawing? There is $30 in the pot this week, Ace of Clubs is the lucky card, George Buzick has the first lucky ticket, and Dick Nickoloff takes a cup, Mike White takes a cup, Greg Holt has another winning ticket takes a cup. Your editor takes a cup. Tom Mauro take the last cup. Dick Nicholoff draws a card. Bill Litchfield draws a car. George Buzick’s name is drawn from the jug and draws another card. Katelyn leads us in the Creed. Go forth and promote Optimism.
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 Larry Pulaski 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 2022-2023 47th Year — Chartered in 1976
2022-2023 Officers
President Larry Pulaski 303-956-1202
Vice President Matt Nelson 720-774-0758
Vice President Steve Kady 303-931-1470
Secretary Jake Baker 412-680-0765
Treasurer Pat Bush 303-750-9409
2022- 2023 Board of Directors
Joe Marci 303-847-7844 Tom Glazier 303-522-5214
George Buzick 303-803-2268 Casey Funk 720-656-2255
Vaughn Kendall 303-910-6590 Ken Jeung 720-849-6241
Kent Gloor 303-880- 5444 Tom Kramis 303-917-5299
Tom Hoch 303-332-9338
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
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.
ant
Lockhart (shown here with Vaughn Kendall) is from Washington DC and has been here in Denver for 10 years. Vaughn met him at the Tree Lot this year and Grant joins us this morning. Chris Dunphy invited David Guentert to our meeting. David went to school at Wichita State and traveled the country playing racquetball with the college team. He enjoys motorcycles, Skiing, cigars and DMG Painting
Bryce Slaby says that he took a trailer back to Nebraska full of tools for his old high school and it was very interesting to see the kids open up the boxes and put these tools together. He was asked by the school Principal to say a few words to the kids, and it brought back some incredible memories, for Bryce. Editor note: it would be interesting for Bryce to expand on his memories.
Frank Middleton thanks Vaughn Kendall and Chris Dunphy for inviting guests this morning and asks Bob Meyer to tell us about a wonderful prize for the member who brings in the most new members. Bob has a 3 bedroom condo in Frisco. Val Chatelle III is only a few blocks off of Main St. and a short walk to the Summit stage bus stop. Making it easy to get around town and to the ski areas nearby. It features a large hot tub, and plenty of room – it sleeps 8. An enticing reward for those searching for new members.
Katelyn’s company usually does this type of therapy at the client’s location. Next, Jake Baker has the drum and becomes the leader of our group. He creates the beat, and we all follow along. When Jake stops, we all need to stop and so on. It works well, and Jon Wachter takes the drum and raises the energy level a couple notches. That was fun, and it encourages us to interact without Katelyn having to lead the group. Now we do the Ring of Fire, which will help us with speech therapy. Many who have speech problems, can be helped through music which targets all of the brain. Katelyn went to CSU and earned her degree in music with an emphasis in music therapy. She cites a study which showed that people with Alzheimer's can recall songs of their youth and brings positive thoughts and emotions for a period of time. It doesn’t reduce the disease, but it puts them into a better place.
