April 2019 Optimizer - Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls

The Optimizer | April 2019 | Menomonee Falls Optimist Club

— In this issue —

Meeting Schedule
President’s Thoughts
Upcoming Activities and Events
- Calendar
- Tri-Star Basketball
- Kids Fishing Derby
- Scholarship Golf Outing
- OI Junior Golf Qualifier
- Best of Broadway at Marcus Center
- Patio Players “Wonderful Town”
Optimists After Five (OA5)
- Bags Tournament
Junior Optimists
Board Briefings
Getting to Know You – Jeanine Dederich
Past Events
- Oratorical Contest
- Students of the Month
- Optimist Meeting Photos
  - MFHS Drama Club
  - DYW
  - MFHS Bowling Team
  - Lt. Gov. Rose Schwartz
  - Human trafficking awareness
This Month in Club History
How to Publish Optimist News

—- Meeting Schedule —-

All meetings are at 7:15 am at the Community Center except as noted.

Wed. Apr. 3: We have our annual visit with students from the MFHS QUEST Program and MFHS teacher Erin Brodzeller. This has turned out to be one our most inspirational meetings over the years.

Wed. Apr. 10 at MFHS: The Robotics Club would like to thank us for our donation by hosting a 7:15 a.m. Site Meeting at MFHS. This will give them an opportunity to show us all their creations. More details will be in Jeanine’s April 8 weekly email.

Wed. Apr. 17: It doesn’t get much better when it’s a SOM meeting; Students of the Month from St. Mary’s, NMS and MFHS Students of the Month. Principals Linda Joyner, Lynn Grimm and Bob Vitale will introducing the presenters and their outstanding students.

Wed. Apr. 24: In the World Series, they would say this meeting is SRO, Standing Room Only! We’ll be honoring the winners of the John Weaver ”Do The Right Thing Program” in front of their parents and family members. This is always an exciting meeting for everyone involved.

—— President’s Thoughts —-

cid:17d772f1-813f-4f51-950f-91173a202b0f@fmlh.edu

In the Spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~Mark Twain

Welcome Spring!

Thank you to Dawn Mariscal, Chris O’Reilly and their committee for organizing the Oratorical contest on March 26. The winner will be our guest at a future morning meeting.

And Thank You again to our speakers committee who always make sure we have interesting guests and/or students at our meetings.

We have a number of events coming up – more opportunities to get involved:

April 6 – Trivia Night
April 7 – Tri Star Basketball
Also April 7 – Wisconsin Singers at North Middle School (sponsored by the Optimist Club)
April 28 – Bags Tournament – Bags, Brewers, Brats & Beer – led by the Optimist After Five group

Your help is needed — we are looking for one or two folks to help Terry Fitzsimmons out with the highway clean-up project on May 11. And we are in need of a coordinator for the annual Essay Contest and the annual Oratorical Contest. Please let me know that you can step-up and help out.

Welcome to Andrew and Emily Lukasek who were recently installed as new members!

Thank you all for everything you continue to do on a daily basis! You certainly make my role as President rewarding!

Jeanine Dederich

—- Upcoming Activities and Events—-

Sat. Apr. 6: Trivia Night
Sun. Apr. 7: Tri-Star Basketball
Sun. Apr. 28: OA5 2^nd Annual Bags, Brewers, Brats, and Beer event
Sat. May 11: Kids’ Fishing Contest
Sat. May 11: Highway clean-up
Sat. May 11: Post Prom
Wed. May 15: Scholarship golf outing
Fri. June 14: OI Junior Golf Qualifier

Tri-Star Basketball

Tristar Basketball for boys and girls ages 6 – 13 will be held on Sunday, April 7 in the High School new gym. The contest runs from 1:00 to 4:00. It includes 3 basic skill tests: passing, dribbling and shooting. Each participant will be evaluated individually within his/her age and gender group.

Participants need to be supervised by an adult.

Everyone is a winner and special prizes will be presented to the top three scorers in each group.

First place contestants will also be given the opportunity to participate in the WI District Contest on Saturday, April 13 at Mukwonago High School!

Entry forms will be available at the gym on the contest day. Bring your own ball if you want to practice or warm-up before the competition.

If you have questions or want to volunteer, contact Bob Wenzel 262-783-6414 or email at bwenzel@ameritech.net

Kids Fishing Derby

The Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls will host the 2019 Kids Catch and Release Fishing Derby on Saturday May 11th, 2019 at the Mill Pond in downtown Menomonee Falls. The contest is free and is open to all boys and girls age three through 16 that reside or attend school in the Menomonee Falls area. All participants will receive a t-shirt and a chance to win a door prize. Trophies will be awarded to boys and girls in five age divisions for the longest fish and most fish caught during the contest.

Registration for the event will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at the Mill Pond Shelter. The fishing contest will be from 10:00 am to Noon followed immediately by the presentation of trophies and door prizes. Bring your own fishing equipment. A limited supply of bait will be provided. Children under eleven years old must be accompanied by an adult. 16 year olds must have a fishing license. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold during the event by the Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch.

Sponsors/Supporters include the Menomonee Falls Police Department, the Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch, the Village of Menomonee Falls, RB Enterprises, Krueger’s Recreation Center, Sandy Spring Farm, Kwik Trip, Mills Fleet Farm and the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls.

Note: Because of a recent major construction project in the area parking may be restricted or limited. Please plan accordingly.

Dustin Koehler and Sue Carney

Scholarship Golf Outing

The 29^th annual Scholarship Golf outing is scheduled for May 15, 2019 at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex, WI. The event is an 18 hole scramble with a noon shotgun start. Entry fee for the event is $140.00 per person. The entry fee includes golf, cart, use of the driving range and putting green, as well as lunch before and heavy hors d’oeuvres afterwards. The evening will also include a voice auction, raffle baskets, a major raffle prize, and a silent auction if enough items are available. If you would like to donate an item to our event, please feel free to contact Todd Paulus or bring it to a morning meeting. Donated items is what helps us raise funds for the scholarships. We have earmarked $16,000 in scholarships for this coming year, so this event is critical to raising those dollars. Along with items for the event, we need golfers. You do not have to be a member to participate. Anyone can join in the fun, so feel free to ask family, friends or neighbors to join us. We do hope to attract new golfers so we can continue to make this event grow. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Todd Paulus, Event Chair

OI Junior Golf Qualifier

The SWIS District OI Junior Golf qualifier is scheduled for Friday, June 14, 2019 at Brown Deer Golf course in Milwaukee, WI. This event is open to boys and girls ages 10-18. Entry fee is $75 per person. If a golfer shoots a qualifying score and we have a spot available in the OI Golf event, they can advance on to play in the Optimist International tournament in July in Florida. Many kids from our previous events have traveled down to Florida to participate in this event. Please pass this information on to any people you know who may be interested in it. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Todd Paulus, Event Co-Chair

Best of Broadway at the Marcus Center

Optimist member John Barnes has arranged for great seats for Optimists! Limited number of Orchestra seats reserved! Don’t miss the fun – GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! $10 for each ticket purchased goes directly to supporting the MFOC!

The King and I – Optimist date: April 11, 2019, show runs: April 9-14, 2019

Two worlds collide in this “breathtaking and exquisite” (The New York Times) musical, based on the 2015 Tony Award®-winning Lincoln Center Theater production. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.”

Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. THE KING AND I is “too beautiful to miss” (New York Magazine).

Come from Away – Optimist date: May 9, 2019, show runs: May 7-12, 2019

The true story of the small town that welcomed the world.

Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY has won Best Musical all across North America!

The New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran night, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by this year’s Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. Newsweek cheers, “It takes you to a place you never want to leave!”

ON 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all.

Anastasia – Optimist date: July 24, 2019, show runs: July 23-28, 2019

Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Milwaukee at last!

From the Tony Award®-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

ANASTASIA features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) with direction by Tony Award® winner Darko Tresnjak.

Instructions for ordering:

Go to www.marcuscenter.org/mcaccess
Create your Login using your group code: Optimisttickets
Order your tickets!

*Ticket locations may be substituted due to high demand. Specific seat locations are not given, it is not a live sale. Tickets are assigned on a best available basis. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. No exchanges or refunds. Please specify any special needs or requests in the additional comments box at the bottom of the order page.

Please contact Keri Hough at: 414-273-7121 ext. 213 or khough@marcuscenter.org for more information.

Patio Players Presents “Wonderful Town”

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Falls Patio Players presents “Wonderful Town”. Two sisters. One incredible city. Unlimited possibilities. Join Ruth and Eileen Sherwood as they leave behind their mundane Ohio lives in pursuit of making it big in New York City. Chock-full of swinging show tunes, breathtaking choreography and effervescent charm, Wonderful Town captures the thrill of chasing one’s dreams like no other musical.

— Optimists After 5 (OA5) —-

Bags Tournament

Save the date for the 2nd annual Optimist bags tournament! $10/person gets you in. Participants do not need to be Optimist members. Tournament takes place on Sunday, April 28 with sign-up at 11am and tournament starting at noon at the Menomonee Falls Knights of Columbus Club House, W164N9161 Water St, Menomonee Falls, WI. Concessions, raffle prizes, live music and more will make it a great event. Want to volunteer or have questions? Contact Shannon Dederich shannon.dederich@gmail.com

Keri Duce

—- Junior Optimists —

Last month, the Junior Optimist Club students helped out at the Distinguished Young Women program with the Little Miss girls and held its very first drawing class with senior citizens at Riverview Senior Living Home. The seniors seemed to enjoy the opportunity to interact with our students and to get to draw and color a winter bird picture. It was fun to see Mr. Eisenhauer’s drawing talents! We definitely plan on making this a regular event for our club. We are working on coordinating another fundraiser for April and are also looking forward to volunteering at the community’s annual River Clean-Up. We look forward to staying involved as the weather starts to warm up!

Ali Leon

—– Board Briefings – March 19, 2018 —–

All present except for Barb Schmit and Marcia Hebbring
2-19-19 minutes approved by all.

Donations:

Safety Town-$250

Motion by Todd Paulus seconded by Dave Curran, all approved.

North Middle School lock in-$1,000

Motion by Steve Fleming seconded by Kathryn Hoff, all approved.

OA 5 bags tournament budget of $1,665

Motion by Steve Fleming seconded by Lynette Shepherd, all approved .

Optimist golf outing and OI Junior golf budgets approved.

OI motion by Lynette Shepherd seconded by Steve Fleming, all approved.
OI Junior golf motion by Joanne Wanner seconded by Rick Kohl, all approved

Trivia night (April 6th) budget of $200.

Motion by Ann Freudenthal seconded by Steve Fleming, all approved.

Tri Star baseball scheduled for June 22nd.

Board candidates should be named by May 20th. Those leaving the board are; Dave Curran, Kathryn Hoff and Barb Schmit.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35.

2018-2019 Optimist Board: President Jeanine Dederich, 1^st Vice President Todd Paulus, 2nd Vice President Rick Kohl, Treasurer Marcia Hebbring, Past President Lynette Shepherd, Past Presidents Council Don Eisenhauer

Board Members: Dave Curran, Kathryn Hoff, Barb Schmit, Ann Freudenthal, Steve Flemming, Joann Wanner

Rick Kohl

Getting to Know You – Jeanine Dederich

Meet Optimist Club President Jeanine Dederich

Jeanine Dederich (nee Rupnow) was born and raised in Menomonee Falls. She attended Hiawatha Grade School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and Menomonee Falls North High School. Jeanine graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a BS in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. She has two older siblings, Karen and Jim, and a younger brother Mike…all graduates of Menomonee Falls High School.

She always says she has three lives – first as a third grade teacher (Friess Lake / St/ Augustine school); second in banking for 15 years as a teller, teller trainer and training manager (F&M/ Associated Bank); and third and currently as a development officer with Community Memorial Foundation (the fundraising arm of Community Memorial Hospital) for almost 21 years.

$C:\Users\Schmit\Documents\Barb\Optimist\Newsletters\April 2019 articles\family Optimist.jpg$ She has been a volunteer in a number of capacities- MF Little League, American Institute of Banking Board member and instructor, president of Menomonee Falls Band Bunch, board member of Menomonee Falls Scholarship and Education Foundation, Leadership Menomonee Falls participant, board member (and received LMF leadership Award), St. Anthony’s church religious education instructor, and Falls Fest volunteer. In 2018, Jeanine was honored as a recipient on the Wall of Recognition at Menomonee Falls High School. Humbled by this honor, she is proud to be a Menomonee Falls grad and be involved in Menomonee Falls.

Jeanine and her husband of almost 39 years, Dennis, live in Menomonee Falls. Dennis was raised in “Fussville” and is also a graduate of Menomonee Falls High School. He has worked for TDI Associates in Waukesha for 36 years as a home designer and now mostly commercial work. She has two daughters, Erin and Molly, who are both graduates of Menomonee Falls High School and of UW- Green Bay. Go Phoenix!

A fan of Brewers, Badgers, Bucks and Packers, Jeanine loves to watch all sports and cheer on her favorites. Travels with family to Door County and Minocqua are her favorite adventures. She enjoys relaxing with a good book, crosswords and candy crush!

A member of the Optimist Club since 2008, Jeanine is grateful for the opportunity to be active in a community she loves and one that inspires her to give back.

— Past Events —

Oratorical Contest

On Wednesday, March 21^st the annual Club Oratorical Contest was held at North Middle School. The topic this year was “Is There a Fine Line Between Optimism and Reality?” The speeches given by all the participants were amazing. Nathan Mystrow scored the highest and advanced to the Zone Contest to represent the Menomonee Falls Optimist Club held on Saturday, March 30^th. Come join me on Wednesday, May 1^st at the morning meeting as we present Nathan with his cash award and hear his award-winning presentation.

Thank you shout out goes to Chris O’Reilly who co-chairs this event and assists with recruiting all the volunteers and judges necessary to host a successful event. Our wonderful volunteers were, Jenny O’Keefe, Corrine & Tex Reiter, Steve Fleming, Terri Newman, Linda Zylka, Nancy Kane, Kathy Kiepert, Beth Saunders, Rema Kunnath, and pizza boy, Jimmy D. Couldn’t do it without you all.

After being involved with this event for 10 years it is now time to step aside, pass the binder down, and allow for new leadership to step in and bring a new life and energy to make this event and the Essay Contest vibrant again. I thank the club for allowing me this growth opportunity over the years and the support shown. Club members interested in taking these two events over please contact either myself or Club President, Jeanine Dederich to discuss the transition.

Dawn Marsical

Students of the Month

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Our guests the Wednesday morning, February 27, were North Middle Schools Students of the Month from January (snow day) and February. Pictured (l to r) Kaydence Edwards, Tyler Wallinger, Chase Krueger, and Amiah Marshall-Johnson. Photo by Don Gorzek

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The Optimist Club “Students of the Month for March 2019 “ include (l to r) from North Middle School Francesca Evitch and Morgan Lincks, both sixth graders, MFHS Junior Robyn George, and from St. Mary Parish School Emma Halverson and Lillian Alburg, both eight graders. MHFS Junior Kenton Russell not pictured. Photo by Don Gorzek

Optimist Meetings

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The Drama Club from North Middle School was at our meeting on Wednesday February 27. They had a special performance from “The Little Mermaid” for us. Photo by Don Gorzek

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On Wednesday morning, March 6, we meet the participants in the 2020 Distinguished Young Women program! Cathy Sharkey introduced the young ladies ~ it’s always interesting when they talk about their various experiences in this terrific program. Present at our meeting were (l to r) Abigail Hughes, Kylie Zimdars, Sydney Holseth, Hannah Xiong, Katherine Feltman, and Robyn George. Photo by Don Gorzek

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Joining us on March 13 was the MFHS Boy’s Bowling Team, who participated in the State Meet. The bowling team included; front row – Kaleb Trice, 8^th grade, Captin Zack Milos, 10^th Grade, and Joe Mastopietro, 10^th Grade, and back row – Asst. Coach Dave Mastopietro, Johm Ligman, 9^th Grade, and Coach Walter Wright. Photo by Don Gorzek

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Lieutenant Governor Rose Schwartz gave us an update from the SWIS District Quarterly Meeting held in February. Photo by Don Gorzek

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Debra Schneider, a facilitator from St. James/ Good Shepherd anti-human trafficking committee presented at our March 27^th, 2019 meeting. The talk was on human trafficking awareness. They are a part of Waukesha FCAST which is Waukesha Faith Communities against sex trafficking.

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— This Month in Club History —

April 6, 1993 – Word is received that the Sussex-Lisbon Optimist Club, which we helped found in 1989, had ceased to exist.

Submitted by Jerry Mislang from the 40 Year History Program – courtesy of Ed Schlumpf

— How to Publish Optimist News —

There are multiple venues for publishing Optimist news and events the community and to the Optimist members. It is important to get the word out so everyone is aware of the events we sponsor to benefit the youth of the community. Committee chairs are responsible for writing the articles and sending them via email to the people listed below:

NEWSLETTER Jerry Mislang no later than the 25th of each month – jerry.mislang@prodigy.net
NEWSPAPERS Kim Wenzel three or more weeks prior to your event, as quickly as possible after an event – kfwenzel87@gmail.com
FACEBOOK Cathy Sharkey, Dawn Mariscal or Lynette Shepherd – csharkey224@yahoo.com, dmariscal@wi.rr.com, llshep4ma@gmail.com
WEBSITE Beth Saunders – bethjsaunders@gmail.com