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
PASSING OF RON CISCO
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ron Cisco, who, for many years, has been a pillar of strength for both the Monaco South Optimist Club and the Colorado/Wyoming District of Optimist International. Arrangements to follow.
On this crisp, windy first Friday of the month, members were greeted by the ever-cheerful presence of Ed Collins (you know, the laughing guy). George Buzick gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.
GUESTS
Our guest today was Allen Meyer, who produced his Free Breakfast Card which he had received at the Christmas Tree Lot yesterday. Allen is retired and looking for something to fill up his time. Hopefully, the next time we see him, he will be a member.
Also in the house was Karl Oss, son of John Oss, a Past-President of MSOC and all around super-nice guy, who recently passed away. Karl, who is an HVAC contractor, recently joined the club as a Friend of Optimism (FOO), demonstrating his ongoing support for the activities to which his dad was such a great contributor. Thanks, Karl!
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Phil Perington presented Dr. Bob Finkelmeier with an alarm clock that plays "Reveille". This to preclude future events of oversleeping, thus depriving the club of one of the highlights of the meeting, "Do We Have a Drawing", and as a reminder of two weeks ago, when Dr. Bob slept in for the first time in anybody's memory.
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
Jim Easton thanked all those who participated in the delivery of Thanksgiving food baskets. Jake Baker, who along with his wife, delivered four baskets, shared his first experience and how touched he was in delivering to a home where they had no furniture. Thanks to all who participated in this act and especially to Jim and Allen Pierce for organizing the event.
ACHIEVING ACADEMIC SUCCESS
This program, headed by Kent Gloor will begin training coaches for the "Crushing Math" class on January 6, after the regular Friday meeting. Nine MSOC members signed up to act as coaches, including Kent, Craig Eley, Casey Funk, Tom Mauro, Jake Baker, Bob Avery, Tom Kramis, Pat Bush and Michael Chavez. Kudos to Kent for initiating the first "new Program" in a long while.
DENVER ART MUSEUM FLORAL PROJECT
Hello All -- The TOC flower project was easy and fun this afternoon with Nancy Wright and Marilyn Bower here in my kitchen.
(Editor's note: MSOC and Tamarac Optimist Club are currently working with the Denver Art Museum (DAM) to repurpose floral arrangements used at various functions sponsored by DAM and deliver them to various senior facilities in the southeast Metro area.)
One student from each of the five Ellis Elementary School grades was presented with Super Citizen Recognition over a two day period. Dave Peck and Andy Towt were there to present the award to the fourth and fifth grader on Friday, November 18th. (Shown here: Dave Peck helps winner with putting on Super Citizen T-Shirt) Photo by Andy Towt
TREE LOT
Ed Collins (The Food Guy) announced that there would be no Mac and Cheese this year and that we now have a hot and cold-water dispenser. He also announced that Tom Mauro's daughter had donated a grill and that he had purchased Oscar Mayer wieners in honor of Oscar Sorensen.
Tom Kramis (Tree Lot Manager) thanked the Tamarac Optimist Club for pricing the trees and Charlie Neumann of the DTC Optimist for totally cleaning up the trailer, while acting as cashier. Tom also mentioned that he had seen an article in "The Hub" section of the Denver Post
about the Christmas Tree Lot and thanked whoever had submitted it. (Tom Hoch?)
We are still short of help on most days at the tree lot. Please check on http://www.msocxmas.org and sign up to help. Santa will be there on Saturdays and Sundays.
DESTINATION IMAGINATION
Tom Mauro has been working with Destination Imagination (formerly Odyssey of the Mind) for many years and introduced the group to us. This article was written by Tom:
The Slavens School 7th graders that participated in Destination Imagination in 2021-22 presented along with their sponsor, Jeffra Frank, and Colorado DI Executive Director Kate Donelon. Kate spoke first and described DI as a Creative Problem-Solving Competition from Pre-School to College and Military levels. The methodology presented is a five-step process including first identifying the problem; secondly brainstorming as many solutions as possible (32 seems to be the magic number); third is narrowing down the solutions by determining resources and skills available; implementing the problem using presentation skills, project management and creativity; and finally, celebrating the solution implemented in solving the problem.
Jeffra Frank, the Gifted and Talented teacher at Slavens, talked about the program at Slavens and thanked the Optimists for their support of DI, the Brain Bowl, and the citizenship program headed by Tom Hoch. The students known as the Disco Dogs including Tyler Mendenhall, Olivia May, Abby Long, Garrett Ericson, and Rylan Wells, then explained why they were involved in DI with many of them stating that they learned about it through older siblings and thought it looked like fun. The students demonstrated their Improv skills in a challenge they invented at the meeting identifying people and their occupations coming to a party. Then Tom Hoch suggested they do an improv on the tree lot, and they nailed it with many of the comments made previously at the meeting about the actual tree lot Optimists are working on now. The students were bright, articulate, and humorous. Their presentation at the Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri in May earned them second place honor in the world competition. They also enjoyed meeting other students from around the globe and trading pins with them. Their team manager, Tara Cavanaugh, also attended. Parent Liz May attended. The other team manager was Marcy Mendenhall. Slavens Middle School Dean David Shelton attended for Kurt Siebold, who had to attend a training session. He thanked Monaco South for all we do for Slavens and in particular the Citizenship Program.
Over the years Monaco South has supported DI since 1982 with funds, coaches, and evaluators. Jack Kitchell, Tom Overton, Ron Gustas, Oscar Sorensen, Tom Mauro, Wyatt McCallie, Kent Gloor and others have been coaches, evaluators, and volunteered in other ways. If you would like to volunteer at any of the tournaments in Jeffco, Denver, South Metro, Durango, or Pueblo, please contact Kate Donelon (who also volunteered for the tree lot) at Kate@dicolorado.com or 720-542-3637.
DRAWING
Dr. Bob is in the house, and we have a drawing! Draw the Ace of Diamonds and win $90!
Nobody won the big money and most of the cups were given to our Destination Imagination student guests by the lucky members.
BACK TO THE FIFTIES
Shared by Dr Bob Finkelmeier: A lttle bit of nostalgia. Worth the 4 minutes. Check it out!
Through the efforts of Frank Middleton and Dan Rodriguez, the Holiday Pary was a great success. More than thirty people attended. The club provided beverages and ham and the members made up the rest of the meal with appetizers, side dishes and desserts. There was a brief talent show, starring Tom Hoch as comedian, Jeff Baker playing Christmas songs on the piano and a magic show with our own master magician (accompanied by President Larry Pulaski's wife, Ashley. There was dancing to 60's tunes played by a DJ.
A good time was had by all! Thanks to Frank and Dan and the others who helped make this a great success.
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 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
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.
PASSING OF RON CISCO
On this crisp, windy first Friday of the month, members were greeted by the ever-cheerful presence of Ed Collins (you know, the laughing guy). George Buzick gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.
Our guest today was Allen Meyer, who produced his Free Breakfast Card which he had received at the Christmas Tree Lot yesterday. Allen is retired and looking for something to fill up his time. Hopefully, the next time we see him, he will be a member.
DENVER ART MUSEUM FLORAL PROJECT
Ed Collins (The Food Guy) announced that there would be no Mac and Cheese this year and that we now have a hot and cold-water dispenser. He also announced that Tom Mauro's daughter had donated a grill and that he had purchased Oscar Mayer wieners in honor of Oscar Sorensen.
