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.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Good morning Optimists and a Happy Halloween to all.
Members were greeted on this rather chilly morning by Craig Eley and Al Gapuzan.
The day began with Pat Bush swinging to action as the caretaker of breakfast funds and management of food allocation. Our Club Treasurer is man of many talents. Allen Malask was his first customer, and all went well. Regular Cashier Noel Hasselgren, watching on ZOOM was nodding and smiling his approval. Lots of folks with big appetites this morning. Our Buffet is still the best $12 “all you can eat” breakfast in South Denver. Also joining us this morning on ZOOM were Randy Marcove,Karl Geil and Greg Hurd. Good to see you guys-Trick or Treat!
MORNING ACTIVITIES
There were a lot of Blue Jackets in the room this morning. The frosty touch of Autumn and approaching snow was in the air.
Harry Fegley happily announced he was “walking and talking", all the while celebrating another day of maturity. Growing up has been a delightful adventure. Paul Stratton, Matt Dollarhide and Mike McMahon (decked out in orange outerwear) were perusing the new orange directory, Bird-man Tom Mauro was distributing. Tom Kramis (President Emeritus once removed) and Tom Glazier were engrossed discussing the new snow depth ratio and expectations of first runs down the mountain. Tom Hoch had a janitor story he was telling anyone who would listen.
Gary Strowbridge and Ed Collins hustled around the room making sure coffee and banners were set and ready to go. Al Gapuzan was working the room looking for future Greeters and having a ball. There was a small but intense high tech training session taking place around the ever-challenging 4-hole toaster.
President Casey Funk gaveled the gathered to attention at 7:05 sharp.Tom Kramis presented the Invocation: Members and Friends who have left us”. Let us all remember and honor those who have gone before us. Our time on this tiny little planet we call earth and home is limited. As Optimists, by living each day to the upmost, cherishing life as it unfolds, we offer the gift of optimism to the world in our daily lives.
GUESTS
Bob Krech and Tom Mehl from the Gateway Club gave a big howdy by thanking MSOC for the Junior Golf Program. They presented the annual Wreaths Across America program on December 15th at Fairmont Cemetery and also distributed Wreath Sponsorship forms while giving a very inspired talk. Please consider contributing and supporting this program.
PRESIDENT REPORT
President Casey Funk gave hearty Thank you, to the TLC (Tree Lot Committee) Members, highlighting their very impressive and well-organized operation. Greg Holt has been doing an excellent job organizing and coordinating all the myriad tasks. Casey also clarified the mission of the Lions Club eyeglasses program. October Birthdays were acknowledged, and a brief song fest broke out. In closing, the Prez reported his duty to perform an on-site inspection of the Legion Hall is still in process, but things look A-OK.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
VOTE
Greg Young: Reminds everyone November 7 is Election Day and there are handouts on issues and candidates sitting on the bar for anyone interested.
Craig Eley: The Lions Club Eyeglasses program is going full speed. He mentioned the reason they asked us for help was because they thought we were optometrists. New Directories are available, and the color is Bronco and fittingly Halloween-orange.
HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL COAT DRIVE
Tom (Birdman) Mauro: The Hamilton winter coat gathering offers income tax donation certificates if so desired. Club Secretary, Jake Baker has made a generous offer to help provide an unlimited amount of clothing donated through his employer.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING
Tom Glazier TLC): Informed the group we need Day Managers for the tree lot. There are 14 slots available & 9 members have signed up. Please consider being a part of this important and vital function. The TLC-TAP(Tom-Andy-Phil) Team will watch over & coordinate with Managers and volunteers.
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
Allen Pierce: Please sign up Sign up for for the Thanksgiving Baskets on November 18th 7:30 am at the Safeway Northside parking lot located at Monaco and Yale. We are delivering between 70-80 baskets.
SAVE THE DATE
Frank Middleton: The Holiday Christmas party is Dec 2nd and the committee is starting to organize. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact him.
Treasurer Pat Bush: There is a 5-day window left to pay your dues and get a $5 discount.
Jon Wachter: Good morning ZOOM Members. The Super Citizen awards ceremony at Bradley was a big success. Thanks to Any Towt for taking photos for family and friends. Andy Towt sent the following note on the event: On Friday Jon Wachter, Dave Peck, and Mike McMahon presented the first Bradley Elementary Super Citizen Awards of the 2023/24 school year to twelve students. The event was started by explaining to the parents the history and significance of the program, then the students recited the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a review of the meaning of being just as excited about the success of others as our own, from the Creed.
Tom Kramis: Reaffirmed, Day Managers and Santas are still needed for Tree Lot. Opening day is November 24th. The Cashier position is every important as are the Day managers. Greg Young will be providing training for Cashiers. Ed Collins and Gary Strowbridge will be the food and beverage managers this year. They will be closely checking I.D.’s (Some guys are just too old to be drinking on the job).
SPEAKER
Mark Metevia introduced Jeff Mason of Mason-Kay Fine Jade Jewelry & Wholesaler since 1976. He has been in business for 45 years, following in his Father’s footsteps before. The history of Jade unfolded.
Jade is only green-a myth. Imperial Green is the best and highest quality, selling in the 5-6 figures range. There is a wide spectrum of colors including white (ice jade), the color of Lavender can be very expensive. Black jade has deep green coloring and gray jade is considered the least expensive. There are 2 kinds of Jade, each chemically different from each other. Jadeite is the 2nd toughest gem being only 250 years old, while Nephrite is 5-8000 years old. The difference in the two stones was discovered in Northern Burma by Alexis Damour in 1863. Of note: Nephrite jade was used for primitive tools and weapons. Jade is 24 times tougher than diamonds. However, Diamonds are harder. The difference being that jade is easier to work with. A good analogy is the difference between leather and glass. Jade is excellent for carving, especially multi-colored blocks. Diamonds are good for cutting and drilling. Jade is mined as mixed in with other types of stone. There was a black jade mine in Wyoming at one time.
Is it General or Real (Natural)? Jade is Graded a-b-c. Since 1980, most jade is b-c, lower in grade. There is tremendous amount of Counterfeit jade that is hand painted or manipulated through dye, by the human hand. An Infrared spectrometer will analyze and report the real essence of a jade stone. Australian jade is actually quartz or agate. Bangles (circular ring like) are the easiest to cut. Use diamond saws. In mountains and some rivers. Mixed in with other rocks, Wyoming black jade.The big three in gemstones are Diamond, rubies and emeralds. Jade is of its own element. The highest price paid for a jade piece was a necklace (with a ruby sapphire accoutrement) for 27.4 million dollars in 2014 by Cartier.(Shown above right) Jeff wears a ring estimated at $6-8,000. Mason-Kay can provide excellent assessment and testing services for anyone interested in jade and other precious gems. We thank Jeff for his interesting and informative presentation.
DRAWING
Dr. Bob: Is there a drawing? YES! 30$ - Lucky Card is the 6 of hearts.
Cups: Bud Olson- Dick Nickoloff-Allen Malask-Craig Eley-Larry Pulaski-Dave Peck
Luck of the Draw: Dick Nickoloff and Phil Perington-Not Today
Chips: Ed Collins-Sorry Charlie
Leading the Creed: Tom Hoch
A LITTLE LEVITY
Q: Why do female ghosts go on a diet?
A: So they can keep their ghoulish figure.
Q: Where does a ghost go on vacation?
A: Mali-boo.
Q: Why do demons and ghouls hang out together?
A: Because demons are a ghoul’s best friend!
Q: Why are ghosts so bad at lying?
A: Because you can see right through them.
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.
Good morning Optimists and a Happy Halloween to all.
wbridge and Ed Collins hustled around the room making sure coffee and banners were set and ready to go. Al Gapuzan was working the room looking for future Greeters and having a ball. There was a small but intense high tech training session taking place around the ever-challenging 4-hole toaster.
Greg Young: Reminds everyone November 7 is Election Day and there are handouts on issues and candidates sitting on the bar for anyone interested.
Craig Eley: The Lions Club Eyeglasses program is going full speed. He mentioned the reason they asked us for help was because they thought we were optometrists. New Directories are available, and the color is Bronco and fittingly Halloween-orange.
leton: The Holiday Christmas party is Dec 2nd and the committee is starting to organize. If anyone is interested in helping, please contact him.
Wachter: Good morning ZOOM Members. The Super Citizen awards ceremony at Bradley was a big success. Thanks to Any Towt for taking photos for family and friends. Andy Towt sent the following note on the event: On Friday Jon Wachter, Dave Peck, and Mike McMahon presented the first Bradley Elementary Super Citizen Awards of the 2023/24 school year to twelve students. The event was started by explaining to the parents the history and significance of the program, then the students recited the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a review of the meaning of being just as excited about the success of others as our own, from the Creed.
Tom Kramis: Reaffirmed, Day Managers and Santas are still needed for Tree Lot. Opening day is November 24th. The Cashier position is every important as are the Day managers. Greg Young will be providing training for Cashiers. Ed Collins and Gary Strowbridge will be the food and beverage managers this year. They will be closely checking I.D.’s (Some guys are just too old to be drinking on the job).
Jade is only green-a myth. Imperial Green is the best and highest quality, selling in the 5-6 figures range. There is a wide spectrum of colors including white (ice jade), the color of Lavender can be very expensive. Black jade has deep green coloring and gray jade is considered the least expensive. There are 2 kinds of Jade, each chemically different from each other. Jadeite is the 2nd toughest gem being only 250 years old, while Nephrite is 5-8
000 years old. The difference in the two stones was discovered in Northern Burma by Alexis Damour in 1863. Of note: Nephrite jade was used for primitive tools and weapons. Jade is 24 times tougher than diamonds. However, Diamonds are harder. The difference being that jade is easier to work with. A good analogy is the difference between leather and glass. Jade is excellent for carving, especially multi-colored blocks. Diamonds are good for cutting and drilling. Jade is mined as mixed in with other types of stone. There was a black jade mine in Wyoming at one time.
lower in 
grade. There is tremendous amount of Counterfeit jade that is hand painted or manipulated through dye, by the human hand. An Infrared spectrometer will analyze and report the real essence of a jade stone. Australian jade is actually quartz or agate. Bangles (circular ring like) are the easiest to cut. Use diamond saws. In mountains and some rivers. Mixed in with other rocks, Wyoming black jade.The big three in gemstones are Diamond, rubies and emeralds. Jade is of its own element. The highest price paid for a jade piece was a necklace (with a ruby sapphire accoutrement) for 27.4 million dollars in 2014 by Cartier.(Shown above right) Jeff wears a ring estimated at $6-8,000. Mason-Kay can provide excellent assessment and testing services for anyone interested in jade and other precious gems. We thank Jeff for his interesting and informative presentation.
Bob: Is there a drawing? YES! 30$ - Lucky Card is the 6 of hearts.