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 sun was shining and the sky was blue, as Paul Stratton and Bob Avery gave all a merry greeting handshake.
President Casey Funk (He of TV fame -see below asked Frank Middleton to read today's invocation. Frank did a great job, once he found the right page.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Casey explained that, at last Monday's Board meeting, the perennial topic of breakfast came up again...and was, once again, tabled to a future date.
The 2023-2024 Budget was approved with a projected loss for the year.
Casey is currently reviewing Club Policies to ensure they comply with OI requirements.
Members who have not paid their dues by December 20, will be dropped from MSOC. All have received several warnings.
GUESTS
Tom Glazier brought his helpful neighbor, Todd Webster, for the 2nd time. Welcome Tom, time to join up.
Tom Jeff
Jeff Sterkel got a card from the tree lot and decided to come check us out. Hope to see you again soon, Jeff.
WHITE ELEPHANT SANTA
White Elephant Gift Exchange: Craig Eley reminded us that next Friday’s meeting is your opportunity to fob off your old treasures on Club members! Yes, it is the annual White Elephant gift exchange at Monaco South, Friday, December 22. Bring a gift or gifts of stuff that you would like to see put to good use—but by somebody else. It can be electric, eclectic, a record by Queen, something a little obscene, a shirt that looks tacky, some shorts that are khaki, something unused, or something abused, etc. What you bring may be designed to bring more appreciation to the audience than the recipient, but the good news is that you do not have to include a card with your name. It can be wrapped in newspaper (might take an entire issue of the lean Denver Post) or anything you want. And if you forget to bring a gift, don’t worry. We have a bunch of stuff left behind after the last White Elephant and accumulated over the past year, so come and enjoy the mayhem even without a contribution. Santa will be there, handing out the largesse. He knows who has been naughty and nice, but there is still time to shape up so you don't get the perennial petrified poop paperweight!
THE BRAIN BOWL IS COMING
Karl Geil reminded us that the Brain Bowl is coming at that we should go to: http://optimistbrainbowl.org to get all the info. All Readers must attend readers' training, regardless of previous experience. Training starts January 5, so check the website and sign up.
TREE LOT NEWS
Thanks to Denny Dressman's daily Tree Lot Bulletin, we can all keep up with happenings at tree lot. Tom and Greg reported that sales are still ahead of last year. Hope to have all trees sold by Thursday, December 21, but we still need workers until then, especially this weekend. Lets all join together for one last push. Tom Kramis (Lot Master) presented awards to Greg Horton, Bryce Slaby and Vaughn Kendall for their stellar performance at the lot. It was also reported that Mr. Black bought a $130 tree and tipped $1870! Thank you Mr. Black.
HELP
Tom Mauro says that McMeen School needs even more clothes of all different sizes, especially winter wear. Bring to meeting next week
GIFTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
Thanks to Steve Kady for providing information about Santa's visit to King Soopers. Thanks to Steve Kady for providing pictures of Santa's visit to King Soopers. Also thanks to Dan Rodrguez as Santa and Case Funk for a great representation of MSOC, which has been participating in this event for 15 years.
Winner & champion Chili Jim Easton cook-off captain Some like it hot- Master Larry Pulaski checking the entries. Just ask Pat Bush
Tracy Sorensen and The buffet of chili Chili tasters
his Tasting Crew and accoutrements and Participants
There were 9 entries in the Chili Cook-off on Saturday, a Club record. It was a beautiful, warm day with plenty of customers, some of whom joined MSOC members in sampling the chili offerings. Because there was so much chili available, Craig did not drag out the grill to grill hots and brats, and no one seemed to mind.
Tasters voted on their favorite, with each entry bearing a number, rather than a name, so the chili creators were anonymous. When the votes were counted, Immediate Past President Larry Pulaski won bragging rights for the Best Chili of 2023. His chili was heavy with chunks of pork. Second place went to Tree Lot Manager Tom Kramis, who surprised with his buffalo-based chili. Mark Metevia took silver, with a number of others tied for 4th place.
SPEAKER
AMANDA G. REES
Ms. Rees is Historical Geographer, doctoral student in Geography, Planning & Design and Director of the Geospatial
Analysis & Mapping lab at UC Denver.
Mandy explained that “TheValley Highway" extends from 58th Ave. to Yale and is a part of I-25 and is so named because it follows the west side of the Platte River Valley through Denver. In 1944 the US Congress approved the Interstate Federal Highway Act. Denver started planning in 1948 and the Highway was completed in 1958
Several routes were proposed, but CDOT chose the route, which cut the Swansea neighborhood in half. The land was cheaper, because it was a heavy industrial area, but there were a few residential properties along the chosen route. CDOT used the Right of Eminent Domain, essentially throwing people out of their home for the “Greater good of the community.” Many small businesses in Elyria and Swansea (such as truck farms which supplied Denver with fresh produce) were ruined, as was a significant portion of many old Denver landmarks.
DRAWING
The Four of Hearts was worth $100 this morning, but in spite of the fact that Dave Peck and Casey Funk both gave it their best shot, the pot continues to grow! $110 next week. Hint: You can't win if you don't buy a ticket.
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
PLEASE NOTE: Some 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 2023-2024 47th Year — Chartered in 1976
2022-2023 Officers
Officers:
Casey Funk, President
Matt Nelson, Vice President
Tom Glazier, Vice President
Jake Baker, Secretary
Pat Bush, Treasurer
Larry Pulaski, Immediate Past President
Directors:
Second Year: Vaughan Kendall, George Buzick, Tom Hoch, Ken Jeung,
First Year: Carl Brown, Al Gapuzan, Greg Holt, Mario Sani
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
Larry Pulaski 2022-2023
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 Glazier brought his helpful neighbor, Todd Webster, for the 2nd time. Welcome Tom, time to join up.
White Elephant Gift Exchange: Craig Eley reminded us that next Friday’s meeting is your opportunity to fob off your old treasures on Club members! Yes, it is the annual White Elephant gift exchange at Monaco South, Friday, December 22. Bring a gift or gifts of stuff that you would like to see put to good use—but by somebody else. It can be electric, eclectic, a record by Queen, something a little obscene, a shirt that looks tacky, some shorts that are khaki, something unused, or something abused, etc. What you bring may be designed to bring more appreciation to the audience than the recipient, but the good news is that you do not have to include a card with your name. It can be wrapped in newspaper (might take an entire issue of the lean Denver Post) or anything you want. And if you forget to bring a gift, don’t worry. We have a bunch of stuff left behind after the last White Elephant and accumulated over the past year, so come and enjoy the mayhem even without a contribution. Santa will be there, handing out the largesse. He knows who has been naughty and nice, but there is still time to shape up so you don't get the perennial petrified poop paperweight!
Geil reminded us that the Brain Bowl is coming at that we should go to: 
Thanks to Denny Dressman's daily Tree Lot Bulletin, we can all keep up with happenings at tree lot. Tom and Greg reported that sales are still ahead of last year. Hope to have all trees sold by Thursday, December 21, but we still need workers until then, especially this weekend. Lets all join together for one last push. Tom Kramis (Lot Master) presented awards to Greg Horton, Bryce Slaby and Vaughn Kendall for their stellar performance at the lot. It was also reported that Mr. Black bought a $130 tree and tipped $1870! Thank you Mr. Black.
AMANDA G. REES
Mandy explained that “The