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.
A NEW, HIP, DENNY DRESSMAN
(Surgery was successful - he will be returning soon!)
Friday Curt Boell and Andy Towt arrived early and stood at the ready to greet our members and a large number of guests on this Friday, April 12th, 2024.
The usual morning hubbub was enhanced by a large number of well-dressed young people and the presence of many musical instruments. Hmmm, I wonder what is going on today…
President Casey Funk banged the gavel precisely on time, and asked Tom Mauro to deliver our invocation. Tom shared a message that challenged us to aid in the development of youth. Recognized that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow should inspire us to do our best to support and provide opportunities for the children we serve as Optimists.
GUESTS
Do we have any guests? Today the answer was Yes! BobWeinberger arrived as a guest of Craig Eley. Bob is a lawyer who retired in 2018 after 40 years of practicing. He is a 3rd generation Denverite and says he is looking for some optimism. Well then, you are in the right place Bob! Welcome - enjoy yourself and come again!
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
President’s Announcements: Casey encouraged all at the American Legion this morning to give a warm welcome to Karl Geil and Bob Avery, both of whom were Zooming in today.
Casey reported on the Board meeting, which took place on Monday. Friday morning breakfast was a topic again, but other than that, not much to report. A reminder that all members are welcome to attend board meetings to see how the sausage gets made. The meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30 pm, in the front room of the American Legion.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
Don't forget the 3rd Quarter District meeting at the Family Resource Pavillion (9700 East Easter Lane, on April 27, 2024-8:30am to 3:00pm. Finals of the Oratorical Contest, reading of the winning essay and the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be featured. The club will pay $25 of the $40 registration fee which includes Continental Breakfast and lunch. Also, everyone is welcome to join the Monday with Mary Grace discussion over Zoom, featuring Governor Mary Grace Join the Zoom meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86246649049?pwd=KVEXrLwjfoiac67I4PrA6VICS4DnO7.1
XCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Tom Mauro announced that next week’s meeting will be our Excellence in Education awards, when two teachers will be recognized for their hard work. Tom also reminded us that the club directory is being updating, so any changes you have to your contact information, etc. need to get to Tom.
OFFICER ELECTIONS
At our Friday morning meeting on April 26th, we will have club elections. Harry Fegley is on the ballot to be president, and Andy Towt and Vaughan Kendall have put their hats in the ring for Vice President. Several members are interested in four open Board of Director's spots, so be sure to attend on the 26th and cast your vote!
MEMBER DIRECTORY
Craig Eley let it be known that new members are encouraged to see him to get their photos taken for the club directory. Existing/current/old/very old members can get an upgraded photo if they choose. Craig suggested that if your photo in the directory is older than the internet, it might be time for an update. A reminder, you can get the directory on the Club Runner Ap.
COLORADO ROCKIES
Michael Chavez shared that our Rockies handout day at Coors Field is coming up. Sign up and bring family members age 16 and older. We need 30 volunteers, and we get $750 from the Rockies. The game is on Father’s Day, June 16th, and we need to arrive by 10:30 am. We will be handing out baseball hats to the arriving fans.
GOOFY HATS
Speaking of hats, Ken Jeung announced that on camaraderie day (the day of club elections) on April 26th, we will be also having Hat Day at our Friday morning meeting. This is just for fun and a chance to be silly. Bring a goofy hat (goofier than normal) and prizes will be awarded.
Bryce Slaby recently returned from Red Cloud Nebraska and had thank you notes from the students who have received donated tools. Bryce passed the notes along for all to see, and in particular wanted to thank Carl Brown and Tom Hoch for their generosity.
Dick Nickoloff strode to the stage simply to say: “Go Pioneers!” Best wishes to DU hockey!
Mark Metevia said that after last week’s presentation from April Mylow, Holm Elementary’s principal, he took some sheets and towels his family no longer needed to the school in order for them to help some of the homeless families with children at the school. If you are able to do the same, please do or bring items (detergents and soap also needed) to Mark and he’ll make sure they get there.
Mike White took note of all of the members who attended TJ or who were bragging about their kids at TJ and felt compelled to toot his own horn. He reported that in 1971, he intercepted a pass and ran it back 86 yards for a touchdown against TJ, an athletic highlight for him. TJ got the last laugh by winning the game, but it was a proud moment for Mike.
DENVER ART MUSEUM FLOWERS
Roxann Fromm (Tamarac Optimist Club) made 29 bouquets from the 2small containers of flowers received from the Denver Art Museum which were delivered to High Pointe Memory Center by MSOC members.
ESSAY CONTEST
Phil Perington took to the mic to introduce our guests, the Essay Contest winners from Thomas Jefferson High School. We were joined by three students, some of their parents, and AmberWilson, a TJ English teacher who coordinates the essay contest. Phil said thanks to the club for supporting the program, and to our judges: Greg Holt, MichaelChavez and Tom Mauro.
Phil also introduced Jeff Gartz, from the DTC Optimist Club. Jeff coordinates the Essay Contest across the district and said they received 104 essays from eight different clubs. He thanked Monaco South for our support and says he hopes to get more clubs involved.
The essay theme this year was Optimism: How it Connects Us.
The gold medal recipient from T.J., Mariam Dabbas, read her winning essay. She talked about a deliberate decision she made while very young to become an optimist, and the connection optimism has helped her form with her father. As the gold medalist, Phil presented her with a medallion and a check for $250. Silver medal went to Ally Brady ($150 check), and bronze was MatthewBrightwell ($100 check). It will be interesting to see how long it takes these teenagers to figure out how to cash or deposit a physical check! The three students also received an Optimist coffee club from President Casey Funk.
THOMAS JEFFERSON JAZZ BAND
Tom Glazier handled the introductions of our other morning guests, the Thomas Jefferson High School jazz band. RobinMorrissey brought the students, and Tom presented them with a $250 check from the club. There were 12 musicians, including a set of drums, bass and electric guitars, and of course saxophones, trombones and trumpets. They performed four songs (plus an encore!), included covering a Beatles (“Norwegian Wood”) and a Chicago (“25 or 6 to 4”) song. The students reported on their road trip to New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago. They performed, received some instruction, and saw lots of live jazz. They profusely thanked the club for our financial support. Bryce Slaby and President Casey Funk also made a point of thanking the band and Robin for their help at the Christmas tree lot.
DRAWING
We had a Drawing! $50 was in the pot, and the 8 of Hearts held the key. Vaughan Kendall held the first ticket called and went for the big bucks. He drew the winner! But he had to be convinced by several people, thinking he hadn’t. After setting him straight, Vaughan was handed the loot. CONGRATS!
Kent Gloor, Paul Stratton (via Mike McMahon) and our TJ speaker Mariam Dabbas scored cups of cash. Allen Malask walked away with 3 (three) cups himself!
A FEW PUNS FROM STEVE KADY
I can never take my dog to the park because the ducks keep trying to bite him.
I guess that’s what I get for buying a pure bread dog.
What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a unicycle and a well-dressed man on a bicycle?
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.
Friday Curt Boell and Andy Towt arrived early and stood at the ready to greet our members and a large number of guests on this Friday, April 12th, 2024.
Do we have any guests? Today the answer was Yes! Bob Weinberger arrived as a guest of Craig Eley. Bob is a lawyer who retired in 2018 after 40 years of practicing. He is a 3rd generation Denverite and says he is looking for some optimism. Well then, you are in the right place Bob! Welcome - enjoy yourself and come again!
Craig Eley let it be known that new members are encouraged to see him to get their photos taken for the club directory. Existing/current/old/very old members can get an upgraded photo if they choose. Craig suggested that if your photo in the directory is older than the internet, it might be time for an update. A reminder, you can get the directory on the Club Runner Ap.
Michael Chavez shared that our Rockies handout day at Coors Field is coming up. Sign up and bring family members age 16 and older. We need 30 volunteers, and we get $750 from the Rockies. The game is on Father’s Day, June 16th, and we need to arrive by 10:30 am. We will be handing out baseball hats to the arriving fans.
Speaking of hats, Ken Jeung announced that on camaraderie day (the day of club elections) on April 26th, we will be also having Hat Day at our Friday morning meeting. This is just for fun and a chance to be silly. Bring a goofy hat (goofier than normal) and prizes will be awarded.
Bryce Slaby recently returned from Red Cloud Nebraska and had thank you notes from the students who have received donated tools. Bryce passed the notes along for all to see, and in particular wanted to thank Carl Brown and Tom Hoch for their generosity.
Mark Metevia said that after last week’s presentation from April Mylow, Holm Elementary’s principal, he took some sheets and towels his family no longer needed to the school in order for them to help some of the homeless families with children at the school. If you are able to do the same, please do or bring items (detergents and soap also needed) to Mark and he’ll make sure they get there.
e White took note of all of the members who attended TJ or who were bragging about their kids at TJ and felt compelled to toot his own horn. He reported that in 1971, he intercepted a pass and ran it back 86 yards for a touchdown against TJ, an athletic highlight for him. TJ got the last laugh by winning the game, but it was a proud moment for Mike.
Phil Perington took to the mic to introduce our guests, the Essay Contest winners from Thomas Jefferson High School. We were joined by three students, some of their parents, and Amber Wilson, a TJ English teacher who coordinates the essay contest. Phil said thanks to the club for supporting the program, and to 
our judges: Greg Holt, Michael Chavez and Tom Mauro.
The gold medal recipient from T.J., Mariam Dabbas, read her winning essay. She talked about a deliberate decision she made while very young to become an optimist, and the connection optimism has helped her form with her father. As the gold medalist, Phil presented her with a medallion and a check for $250. Silver medal went to Ally Brady ($150 check), and bronze was Matthew Brightwell ($100 check). It will be interesting to see how long it takes these teenagers to figure out how to cash or deposit a physical check! The three students also received an Optimist coffee club from President Casey Funk.
Tom Glazier handled the introductions of our other morning guests, the Thomas Jefferson High School jazz band. Robin Morrissey brought the students, and Tom presented them with a $250 check from the club. There were 12 musicians, including a set of drums, bass and electric guitars, and of course saxophones, trombones and trumpets. They performed four songs (plus an encore!), included covering a Beatles (“Norwegian Wood”) and a Chicago (“25 or 6 to 4”) song. The students reported on their road trip to New Orleans, Memphis and Chicago. They performed, received some instruction, and saw lots of live jazz. They profusely thanked the club for our financial support. Bryce Slaby and President Casey Funk also made a point of thanking the band and Robin for their help at the Christmas tree lot.
We had a Drawing! $50 was in the pot, and the 8 of Hearts held the key. Vaughan Kendall held the first ticket called and went for the big bucks. He drew the winner! But he had to be convinced by several people, thinking he hadn’t. After setting him straight, Vaughan was handed the loot. CONGRATS!