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
Al Gapuzan, Michael Chavez, cold temperatures and a light dusting of snow greeted the men of Monaco South this morning. Next week the skies will be brighter! Don’t forget to Fall Back! Summer and daylight savings ends, and we regain the hour we lost in the spring, “one final consolation, handed out like a party favor popped into a child’s loot bag to soften the blow of going home, now that the party’s over.” - Joan Gould
President Larry Pulaski banged the gavel at 7:00:01, just slightly late, but within the margin of error. For our invocation, he asked Chris Dunphy to step to the stage. Chris delivered a timely Veteran’s Day-themed message. He then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
NEW MEMBER
President Pulaski asked Bud Olsen and Pat Bush to join him on the stage. It was time to officially inducted Bud as our newest member. He successfully followed Larry’s instructions to the T and with that, is now back in the fold! Congrats Bud! We are happy to have you. And thanks Pat, for spreading the word about Monaco South! (Bud was a member of Happy Canyon Optimist Club, which formed MSOC back in 1976.
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY IN COLORADO AWARD
This message from Randy Marcove, who was President in 2012, when the club received this prestigious award:
November 9th this month is the 10th anniversary of our Club’s recognition and receipt of the National Philanthropy Day in Colorado award for Outstanding Service Organization.
It was a very special day for our club, especially due the magnitude of the award. I give a TON of credit to Frank Middleton for finding this program, convincing the Board to pursue the award, and doing a majority of the leg work to make this come to fruition.
Editor's Note: Here is a copy of the 2012 GUMS article describing the day of the award and a short video of a presentation by club members:
National Philanthropy Day Presentation: On Friday, November 9th, nineteen members attended the National Philanthropy Day in Colorado awards luncheon. Monaco South Optimist was recognized as the Outstanding Service Organization for 2012. National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside nationwide each November to recognize the thousands of generous people and organizations who donate their time, talent, and financial resources to worthy causes. During the presentation past-president Randy Marcove was presented a glass plaque in behalf of the club. Additionally, a short video clip prepared by Comcast was shown. The clip features Randy, Karl Geil and Don Thomson talking about some of our major activities. You can see the clip by clicking here:(35) OCMS NPD - YouTube
THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST HERE!
Michael Chavez took to the microphone to report on the Boys and Girls Club and Girls Inc. Bill Walters Thanksgiving Dinner events coming up on Thursday, November 17th. There will be 700-800 meals served at the two locations. The start time for volunteers is 3:30 pm to set up, slice pies, make drinks, etc. before meal service begins. Michael needs a couple of people with trucks to pick up utensils. Some folks from Bethany Lutheran will be helping out at the Boys and Girls Club also. Michael passed around two sign up sheets, so plan on helping out please! The two locations are:
Girls Inc. - 1499 Julian St. Denver CO 80204
Boys and Girls Club - 3480 W. Kentucky Denver CO 80219
MEMBERSHIP - FRIEND OF OPTIMISM
Frank Middleton gave us a brief membership report. So far we are plus 4 members for the fiscal year, which is great! Frank also shared some details regarding another membership option, the Friend of Optimist (FOO):
Friend of Optimist FOO
1.A membership category for people who believe in what Optimist International stands for and what Optimist clubs do in their community. However, for different reasons some folks have absolutely no time or interest to be a regular Member.
2. FOO membership effective October 1 is $140 with $84 going to OI and $56 coming back to Monaco South. A small fund raiser. Last year a FOO membership was $100.
3. Kendra Black, Denver City Council, was a FOO for several years. Kendra worked it out so we have a membership tent at the South by Southeast fair. She joined as a FOO because she believed so much in what we do. 
4.The Denver Chief of Police was a FOO for many years. He was a distinguished member to have as a member of our club. We knew he would never attend a meeting, but we were glad he wanted to be a Friend of the club.
5.Bob Sweeney who owns the Villager newspaper liked what we were doing so much he wanted to join as a FOO and support the club. A great story he recently converted to a full member and gave a most informative talk just a couple of meeting back on the success of local newspapers.
6.A FOO membership can be presented to someone special in the community that has supported Monaco South through help on projects or financially.
7.Bottom line a FOO membership is a special membership category that fits certain folks in the community.
Frank also passed around a sign up for our Christmas Party, which will be held on the evening of Saturday, December 3rd at 6:00 pm. The venue will be the Assistance League at 6265 E Evans (next to McDonalds). It will be a potluck event - mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.
Comedian Sam Adams was our keynote speaker at our Installation Luncheon, and he was a showstopper!
Sam is headlining with his full comedy act Thursday Nov. 17 at Comedy Works South and is offering a special discount for our club.
Tickets cost $14, but there’s a special discount code only for our club. The code is: OPTIMIST … Monaco South members type in OPTIMIST in the “Enter Promo Code” box to receive a 50 percent discount on each ticket purchased. Let’s support Sam and see his show live! Buy your tickets NOW!
SPEAKER
Mark Metavia introduced today’s speaker, Mary Jo Heins. Mary Jo spent 15 years managing a variety of medical practices and served as the president of the Colorado Medical Group Management Association during that time. Her vision for helping people with Medicare is based on quality and personalization. She is an independent insurance agent, contracted with a dozen insurance companies, but not working for them. Her presentation is titled: The Changing Face of Medicare. If we took away only one thing from Mary Jo’s presentation, it was “Don’t call 800#s from TV ads about Medicare!” She says that are not following all regulations, sometimes share half-truths and represent just one insurance company. She feels the most important consideration in choosing a Medicare plan is “can you go to the physicians and facilities you need to meet your healthcare needs now and in the foreseeable future?” She talked through a handout she had comparing Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, which is also known as Part C. The choice between Med Advantage and a supplement is at its essence a matching of the best plan for your lifestyle, health and finances.
Mary Jo took questions from the crowd on a number of topics, including plans offered by former employers. She said that some large employers have plans for their retirees that are superior to any Medicare plans. Also, she said that choosing an HMO network is important, but you also need to look at the Rx formulary to get a sense of the costs of your prescriptions.
Devoted Health is a new Medicare Advantage HMO network. They may not have their network of physicians fully established in Denver yet and are aggressively marketing with “give back” offers. Mary Jo prefers to give a new provider a couple of years to establish a network before recommending that people work with them.
More information and Mary Jo’s full presentation can be found at:
www.medicareinsurancehelp.
More information and Mary Jo’s full presentation can be found at:
The pot was a robust $60, and the seven of hearts was the card that held the key. According to cartomancy (fortune telling/card reading), the seven of hearts represents thoughts, imagination and sweet dreams. No great achievement in your life will come without you imagining it first. This card is a good omen for business plans, personal resolutions and love ambitions. Seven of hearts is a sign that you have to have the courage to dream. Vaughn Kendall and Jake Baker felt they had the courage to dream, or least the courage to draw. Alas, it turns out they were imagining things, as they failed to find the lucky 7.
Cups of “easy money” went to: Bill Morgan, Bob Avery,Frank Ross,Jake Baker,
Russ Paul,Carl Brown,Allan Malask
Fortune smiled on Jake Baker a second time, as his tag was on when his name was called. However once again, the seven eluded him.
CREED
President Larry Pulaski called upon today’s speaker, Mary Jo Heins, to lead us in the Optimist Creed: “Promise yourself, to be so strong…”
GOD CONSIDERS NEEDS OF SENIORS
Most seniors never get enough exercise. In His infinite wisdom God decreed that seniors become forgetful so they would have to search for their glasses, keys and other things, thus doing more walking. And God looked down and saw that it was good.
Then God saw there was another need. In His wisdom He made seniors lose co-ordination so they would drop things, requiring them to bend, reach, and stretch. And God looked down and saw that it was good.
Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature, requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good.
So if you find as you age, you are getting up and down more, remember it's God's will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath.
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
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
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.
Al Gapuzan, Michael Chavez, cold temperatures and a light dusting of snow
greeted the men of Monaco South this morning. Next week the skies will be brighter! Don’t forget to Fall Back! Summer and daylight savings ends, and we regain the hour we lost in the spring, 
President Pulaski asked Bud Olsen and Pat Bush to join him on the stage. It was time to officially inducted Bud as our newest member. He successfully followed Larry’s instructions to the T and with that, is now back in the fold! Congrats Bud! We are happy to have you. And thanks Pat, for spreading the word about Monaco South! (Bud was a member of Happy Canyon Optimist Club, which formed MSOC back in 1976.
THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST HERE!
former employers. She said that some large employers have plans for their retirees that are superior to any Medicare plans. Also, she said that choosing an HMO network is important, but you also need to look at the Rx formulary to get a sense of the costs of your prescriptions. 
The pot was a robust $60, and the seven of hearts was the card that held the key. According to cartomancy (fortune telling/card reading), the seven of hearts represents thoughts, imagination and sweet dreams. No great achievement in your life will come without you imagining it first. This card is a good omen for business plans, personal resolutions and love ambitions. Seven of hearts is a sign that you have to have the courage to dream. Vaughn Kendall and Jake Baker felt they had the courage to dream, or least the courage to draw. Alas, it turns out they were imagining things, as they failed to find the lucky 7.