April 2015 | Volume 42, No. 7
From the President…
Well, spring is finally here and along with advent of longer days and warmer weather, it’s time for the rebirth that always comes at this time of year. Ironically, that rebirth leads to this month’s goal.
To add new ideas and avoid becoming stagnant, the Executive Board has a “rebirth” of sorts every September. This rebirth really starts at this time every year when we start to look for members who would like to join the Board. There are several positions that open up each year and they have different levels of commitment. While we won’t hesitate to ask potential candidates if they are interested, it would great if you look at what the open positions are, ask a few questions from current or past Board members about those positions spots and let any us know that you’re interested in being a candidate.
We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 a.m. We need a 2nd VP candidate, and treasurer and three Board members willing to serve a two year term. This is great opportunity to learn more out Club from the inside and to continue to “steer the Good Ship Optimist” in the right direction. We all know the old adage, “The more you put into it the more you get out of it”. The Board wants and needs you to take that next step in keeping our Club fresh and vibrant.
So please take some time, get feedback from other members and let us know that you want to step up your commitment to be a “Friend of Youth”.
Executive Board at Work…
The Board meeting was led by VP Ted Klumb March 17th and as usual there were multiple requests. We donated $450 to North Middle School FBLA. We also gave $3,000 to Special Needs Children Activities program. Three requests were rejected; one for lack of information and the other two didn’t meet our donation guidelines.
Joe Ludan generously gave us a check for $150 from his Valentines’ Day Concert. Tom Ciskoski’s Tri-star basketball budget was approved and Steve Fleming will report back with more info on the July 3rd Parade. Other items discussed were a review of the Funds Request Guidelines and the Club policy to not pay for speakers.
Please remember that the Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month is open to all members, especially those who might be interested in joining the Board.
Students of the Month…
Menomonee Falls Optimist Club Student of the Month, March 2015, include (L-R) eight grader Henry Schuelke at North Middle School, Freshman Marissa Helchen at Menomonee Falls High School, with Jerry Mislang, Optimist Club President. (Not pictured, Kailyn Pieper at MFHS) Photo by Don Gorzek
Do The Right Thing…
The club recognized 33 students from MF public and private schools for “Doing The Right Thing” – at our meetings on 3/11 and 3/18. We enjoyed packed rooms, with students, parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, and administrators. This program, initiated by long time club member, teacher and coach John Weaver, recognizes character (honesty, empathy, kindness, volunteerism, leadership, respect). Students were nominated by teachers, administrators and leaders. The students received a certificate of recognition, a $25 cash award and 4 Admirals tickets. Thanks to John Bitter of the Admirals for his generosity in partnering with us! Each nominator received a Starbucks gift card – thanks to Greg Mattson and First Bank Financial for that donation. YoCool donated a free frozen yogurt for each student. Many thanks to our committee: Greg Mattson, Kathy Walkner, Marcia Hebbring, Steve Fleming, Chris O’Reilly, Barb Davel, Ann Freudenthal, Ruth Ann Petroff, Sue Carney and Sandy Neitzel. This is a very rewarding program which touches the hearts of our club members and the lives of the recipients.
Karen Nelson
Tri-Star Basketball…
The Tri-Star Basketball Skills Contest was a real success this year as we had 110 kids participate over a 2 ½ hour session. This is our second year in a row that we have had over 100 kids! We have found our fit alongside of the Dodgeball Tournament that takes place in the other gym, as many parents commented to me that they knew we would be there and the kids were looking forward to it. In addition we get the concession stand open for us! Of the 110 kids we have 7 of the 8 winners that will represent our Club at the Regional event in Mukwonago on Saturday April 18th.
As with any event the success depends on the help from volunteers and I like to thank the following folks for making the day a success: Running the registration table, Sandy Smalley, and Deb Mattson, running the events, Al Carini, Rob Robinson, Cory Kleeba, Kevin Mitchke, Larry Hebbring, Tex, Carl Trapp and Bob Wenzel, taking care of score tabulation, Dan Stadler and Dave Hoerchner and on recruiting kids Greg Mattson. A special thanks to Ryan Anderson for reserving the gym for us and a BIG thanks to Jerry Mislang who constantly persuades the kids from Dodgeball to come on over and participate.
Bob Wenzel also shadowed me from set-up thru awarding kids and will be taking over this event in 2016. I have enjoyed my time running this event and seeing so many happy kids over the years. I leave this event in great hands as Bob is eager to get involved and will run it is well as ever.
Thanks to all!
Tom Ciskoski
Photos by Don Gorzek
April Speakers…
8 – Girls Softball Team
15 – Student of the Month
22 – Patio Players
29 – Essay Contest Winners
Upcoming Events…
4/20 – Zone 1 Optimist meeting at 6:30 p.m., location TBD (open to all members)
4/21 – Tuesday – Executive Board Meeting
4/25 – Tri-star Baseball (Jerry Mislang)
5/2 – Post Prom (Jerry Mislang)
5/2 – MS Walk
5/9 – Fishing Derby (Tom Walkner)
5/20 – Scholarship Golf Outing (Todd Paulus)
MS Walk…
The Multiple Sclerosis Menomonee Falls Walk will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 am at the Menomonee Falls High School. There will be a one-mile and 3-mile route. We promise free food, entertainment and glorious weather!
Multiple sclerosis affects 11,000 men, women and children in Wisconsin. The disease affects two-thirds more women than men and symptoms include numbness and tingling… Wisconsin has the highest prevalence of MS in the nation. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20-45 years but more and more children are being diagnosed. There are approximately 1.4 million people worldwide living with multiple sclerosis.
Join us in creating a world free of MS. Our goal this year is to have 300 walkers and raise $33,000. We can do this with your help! Call 1-855-372-1331 to register or donate or go on line to walkMSwisconsin.org
YOU can make all the difference.
Robyn Turtenwald
Membership Update…
Please welcome member #200,
Mac Schneider!! Mac is sponsored by Jerry Mislang.
All the latest news…
Be sure to check out the club website https://fallsoptimistclub.org/ and follow us on Facebook.
April Birthdays…
| 3-Apr | Lou Sanicola |
| 4-Apr | Robyn Turtenwald |
| 6-Apr | Linda Marcou |
| 6-Apr | Barbara Mosley |
| 9-Apr | Alan Mattheissen |
| 10-Apr | Chad Johnson |
| 13-Apr | Mary Schlumpf |
| 14-Apr | Terry Frisk |
| 17-Apr | Becky Maurice |
| 18-Apr | JJ Selland |
| 19-Apr | Matt Pierce |
| 22-Apr | Carl Trapp |
| 22-Apr | Scott Byington |
| 22-Apr | Bobby Pintor |
| 23-Apr | Chris O’Reilly |
| 26-Apr | Shelly Wolfe |
| 27-Apr | Joan Erickson |
| 28-Apr | Ruth Ann Petroff |
| 29-Apr | Kathy Walkner |
| 30-Apr | Larry Podolske |
Otto Optimist…
….returns next month.
