Greeters on this crisp last day of September are Allen Malask and Frank Middleton. President Tom Kramis presiding over the last meeting of his tenure rings the bell promptly at 7 this morning.  Tom asks Phil Perington to read the invocation this morning, Everlasting God help us make our Optimism come true.  Thank you for the fellowship and support this club offers.  Help us to take this out into the world during our days on this planet.  Phil then leads us to recite the pledge of allegiance.  Lots of good energy this morning in the room. 

Craig Eley tells us he saw Don Thomson who is recovering from hip replacement surgery and seems to be healing well. We’re hopeful Don will be able to join us in person soon.  Craig is also available to take new pictures for the directory after the meeting.  Remember, if you’d like a better picture bring a better face.

 

Tom Glazier has some Optimist shirts from Perry Allen that are available to any who can wear them.  Perry has moved to Iowa and has graciously decided to donate them.  Wear them proudly and show your Optimism.

 

 

 

 

 

Ron Gustas takes the mic to talk about the JDRF Walk that took place last weekend at the Jeffco Fairgrounds.  The walk will raise about $500,000 for the cause.  Donations are still being accepted.
Phil Perington talks about the water station that the club help man, that handed out water and bananas.  Thanks everyone who participated.

 

 

 

Joe Marci tells us that this week they had a first assembly at Most Precious Blood this past week, Joe was doing double duty as he gave a speech for the assembly as well.  That tells me we need to get speakers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jon Wachter says this is his last day as Lt. Governor of the Colorado Wyoming District, is today.  Jon received a request to start a new JOI club at Samuels Elementary from Cesar Rivera. He is in need of volunteers to help this school launch this program.  Jon then invites us to get some exercise and stand up and greet all those around us this morning.  This is always a fun thing to do during a meeting.  Great idea Jon and thanks for guiding is through this Optimist Year!

 

Dan Rodriguez presents Tom Kramis with his own gavel engraved for him, commemorating his past year of service as President. Thank you, Tom, for an exemplary stint as the leader of our club!   Tom provides a recap for this last year including a trip to Reno, and also during that time he was able to visit his mom who was in the hospital with COVID.  Tom and his siblings were able to help with his mom’s care during that time and advocate for her care, and thankfully she survived.  Brent’s Place was another event that was a highlight.  This event, which was held in person for the first time since the pandemic started, has long been a favorite on the calendar for many members.  Brent’s Place is a place families can go when a child is being treated for cancer.  Doing anything we can to help this group is time and money well spent.    

Cesar Camarena and Mike McMahon were a big help with the batter for the pancakes this year.  The JDRF walk coming back to in person participation was a big highlight as well.  The Tree Lot this past year was a big success with Tom bringing in over 2000 trees this year.  Even though some of the trees were damaged due to the extreme heat that the Northwest was experiencing, the club was able to offload many trees to local businesses.  Including help from local fire house who came and hosed down the trees, which kept them from drying out completely.  Currently, we have over 600 trees on order and hoping for a big year again from the Tree Lot.  It will be another fun filled year at the lot.  Having the Board meetings in person has also been great for the engagement of the members.  We are social creatures and the desire for that physical interaction is a big part of our world.  President Tom is feted with a standing ovation. leader of our club!

 

Mark Metevia takes the mic to talk about the awards that our local paper The Villager, Bob Sweeney who is the publisher of the paper (and a member of MSOC) is here this morning.  Bob tells us he has been a member of the Lions Club since 1961.  Back in 1975 the Lions Club has accepted women, yet they are struggling to continue as a vibrant service organization. He has brought in 165 members to the club.  Being in the newspaper business, he has been active in inviting people and following up. 

Bob believes in divine providence, and there is an angel that sits on his shoulder, and he listens to this angel.  As a teenager, one day he was driving the 1948 Plymouth as fast as he could on an old country road, when the angel on his should told him to get over in the road, so he pulled over and at the crest of the hill he encountered a huge truck that would have killed him had he not listened to this angle and gotten over.  Believing that there is a reason that somebody is guiding his life and helping him. 

Regarding the newspaper business, the world of newspaper is a dwindling industry for a variety of factors with the Denver Post print edition being down to 70,000 print subscribers from over 300,000.  The Villager joined up with the South Metro paper and has been a great success.  Bob mentions another local paper, The Aurora Sentinel and will now become the Sentinel and is facing many challenges.  The Colorado Sun has become a factor in area papers.  Bob during the last year bought the Central City Register-Call, which was started in 1862.  The area was the sight of Colorado’s own gold rush back in 1859, featuring over 20,000 miners that swarmed the Central City/Blackhawk area.  Thank you for speaking with us this morning Bob.