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Attendees at today's meeting were greeted by the smiling faces of greeters Al Gapuzan and Bill Litchfield. As if a Pandemic had never taken place, the house was packed (to the extent that breakfast was sold out) and there were many members whom we haven't seen for awhile, including Russ Paul, Cesar Camareno, Frank Middleton, Frank Galloway and Carl Brown.  Cesar gave the invocation, reminding us of of the difference between Patriotism and Nationalism, then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. One member (Ron Gustas) joined us via Zoom.
 
PRESIDENTS CORNER
Our illustrious President Dan Rodriguez reminded us that he had only three months to go in his tenure.  Dan also mentioned how much he enjoyed giving out the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award to the seven scouts honored at this week's presentation
 
RAFFLE
Phil Perington reported:J uly 2nd was a very good morning. We are proud to report the 200th ticket to the Inaugural 2012 Monaco South Raffle was sold by a $100 4-pack to Frank Middleton. Ticket #201 was then sold to Cesar Camarena. This means we have sold enough tickets to fully fund our prize payout of $5,000. From now until August 20th every ticket we sell will be a contribution to our Youth Services account. There will marketing expenses and licensing costs however. It is expected we will net approximately $4,500. Not bad for our first Raffle fundraiser. A big thank you to everyone purchasing tickets. Only 58 days until the big drawing. So please, let’s  all work hard and diligently to make final sales a success. Anyone interested in buying tickets can call Phil Perington @ 303-668-7031 for delivery or pickup arrangements.
 
EAGLE SCOUT AWARDS
Bob Avery announced that the presentation of awards had been a great success and that Donlie Smith was able to attend to see the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, which is designated as the Donlie P. Smith Award, in honor of Donlie's effort in establishing the annual awards. Although weak from his self dialysis routine, Donlie was in high spirits and was happy to attend the presentation. Bob mentioned that average hours spent on Eagle projects were 250.
 
BIKE MS
Bob also talked about Bill Morgan's Bike MS team, including Bill on his self-built hand propelled Tricycle, his wife Sue, his daughter Kaitlin and her husband.  Bill made his goal of 15 miles and Bob rode 66 miles before surrendering to the pouring rain late Saturday afternoon.  Dave Teltner also rode.  Congratulations to all three members of our club. Bike MS raised over 1.8 million dollars through Bike MS contributions.
 
ROCKIES FUND RAISER
Michael Chavez said the club has a chance to make $250 by handing out Rockies coupons at the afternoon game on Wednesday, July 21.  Report time is 10:00 a.m You can park for a dollar at 33rd and Blake. Those participating will get a Rockies T-shirt and a free ticket to the game. Members should have received an e-mail with sign up and instructions included. Sign up at 
PLEASE SIGN UP NOW AT SIGNUP GENIUS:  
 
 
PEACHES
Dr. Bob Finkelmeier said that he has talked to his sources on the Western Slope and their peach crop is in good shape. No time frames for when, but it will probably be late August, early September.
 
SOUTH BY SOUTHEAST
Jon Wachter said that there is still a need for people to volunteer for various duties at the festival. Free beer for those who volunteer!
 
MEMBER NEWS
It was reported that Greg Young fell and broke some ribs and is currently at home on oxygen.  You can reach Greg at 303-886-1110.
SPEAKER
 
 
Our speaker today is well known throughout the Denver Metro area, in different capacities.
Jake Schroeder was the singer in a popular Denver area band called Opie Gone Bad. The band broke up in 2013 due, in great measure for Jeff's passion for his current job as Executive Director for the D-Day Leadership Academy. Jake also sings the National Anthem for the Denver Avalanche at all home games and has for several years.
As a part of the Denver Police Activities League (PAL) Jake initiated the "Operation Overlord Project, whose mission is to " Create strong communities by providing under-resourced children with opportunities, exposure, and experiences with the intent of changing young people's lives in a positive way while keeping the important stories of WWII and D-Day alive.
Working with inner city kids, Jakes organization provides them with an opportunity to experience the environment of Operation Overlord, the code name for the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. They fly to France and visit the various sites of the invasion during their two week stay in France.
The DLA bought a building in France and that will sleep 24 students. Students help defray the expense of the trip with various fund raising projects, like bake sales, candy sales, etc., however a major portion of the cost is subsidized by PAL. Although the trip did not take place during the Pandemic, plans are to return to France in 2022
The major fund raiser for the trip is the Opie Open Golf tournament, which will be held
at Top Golf Centennial on September 9 at 5:00.  Since 2012, the Opie Open has been the least golfiest of golf events - with appearances by musicians, professional athletes and multiple Sasquatch (Sasquatches? Sasquai?) all showing up for great fun for a great cause. he brain child of Jake Schroeder (lead singer of funk band Opie Gone Bad - thus the name), the Opie Open took a year off in 2020, but is back bigger and hairier than ever for 2021, benefitting the programs of Denver PAL and the Colorado Avalanche Alumni Association. 

​There will be games for the serious golfer and the not so serious as well. Food, drinks, celebrity sightings and a silent auction promise an unforgettable evening for all at the most interesting - and most fun - charity golf event in Denver. For more information regarding the PAL program and Operation Overlord see the website at http://www.denverpal.com

 
                                          Jake Schroeder                         Overlord Project Logo
 
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SPEAKERS
Mark Metevia, our current Speaker Chairman provides us with the following schedule of phenomenal speakers
July 16                   Bob Avery           6° of separation
August 6                Bob Meyer           Junior golf participants
August 20              Bill Litchfield        Biking
Sept  3                  Joe Marci             My baseball days
Sept 10                 Tom Mauro           The great Pueblo flood of 1921
Sept 17                 Bob Sweeney       Tales from Barbwire Bob 
Oct 15                   John Caldera        Tax reform
Oct 29                   Harry Fegley        Overview of model boat building
DRAWING
King of Diamonds - Floater Frame Graphic Art Print on Canvas Brown/White 61For only 50 cents a chance you could have participated in a drawing to win $140,If you bought in  and you were lucky enough to draw the King of Diamonds....Like Phil Perington, whose number was first called and who promptly pulled the King from the Deck! (Phil graciously donated his winning to the PAL Overlord Project). So now we start all over again
OI Foundation Reminder: If you use Amazon to order products, you can earn money for the Foundation by signing on to  http://smileamazon.com
 
 
See the Online Events Calendar @http://www.monacosouth.org/Events/Calendar
 
Commencing May 14 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.
 
  
Optimist Club of Monaco South 2020-2021 45th Year — Chartered in 1976
 
                   2020 - 2021 Officers                                      2020 - 2021 Board of Directors
President           Dan Rodriguez    303-521-512           Perry Allen            303-521-3453 
Vice President   Tom Kramis        303-917-5299         Stephen Avery       720-775-7700
Vice President   Chris Dunphy     720-297-3111          George Buzick      303-803-2268
Secretary            Bill Morgan        303-868-4384          Allen Malask         303-726-3700 
Asst. Secretary  Phil Perington    303-832-4578          David Peck            925-890-2531
Treasurer           Pat Bush             720-747-5482          Larry Pulaski        303-956-1202 
Asst. Treasurer Greg Young         303-759-3921          Mark Smith           303-691-9766 
                                                                                         Bob Meyer             303-919-4532
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
 
 
 
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.