January 2017
—- Meeting schedule —-
All meetings are at 7:15 am at the Community Center except as noted.
Jan. 4: Night meeting at the Community Center 6:00pm with Sharon Ellis, “Positively Different”
Jan. 11: Pat Greco, MF School Superintendent
Jan 18: Students of the Month and JOOI Club
Jan 25: Tony Patterson, Milwaukee Wave
—- Message from the President —-
I trust that all of our Club members have had a joyful and safe holiday season. This is the time of year many of you may reflect about events of 2016 and look forward and make plans for 2017. I hope that all of your thoughts are positive. The Menomonee Falls Optimist Club has and will continue to provide opportunities that “Bring Out the Best in Kids”.
I continue to feel honored to be your Club President for 2016-17. Our Club remains at about two hundred members. New people continue to join, while others believe their stint in the Club has come to an end. The reports that I receive from the nation organization indicate that a major reason given be non-renewing members is a “Lack of Interest”. My belief is that the reason not to renew may be more of a “Lack of Involvement”. Our Club has over thirty committees and activities that all members should be able to find an area of individual interest. I direct all to the listing of activities in the front of the Club’s Annual Members directory. When you see a listing that sparks your interest, simply contact the Chairperson of that event and find out how you can help that group.
The Optimist Club grows and improves base on member’s involvement. Let us all work together to make 2017 the best year in our Club’s long history.
Being involved with the Optimist Club can be refreshing and rewarding. I hope to see and talk with you at a future Club meeting or event.
All the Best to You,
Don Gorzek
Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls President 2016-17
—- Executive Board Meeting —-
December Board Briefings – December 20, 2016
President Don Gorzek led the Board meeting on Tuesday, December 20, 2016. Meeting synopsis is as follows:
Donation requests approved:
- Request from Cathy Hazzard – $1,000 for Quest scholarship to be awarded in Spring, 2017.
- Request from Moira Paulus, Wheelchair basketball – approved $1,000 as sponsor. Sponsorship includes logo on t-shirts and on banners/posters.
- Request from MFHS Robotics Club – support of $2500.
- Request from American Legion for Badger Girls State – approved sponsorship for one girl at $275
Treasurer’s report: Approved report; Larry Podolske and Dan Schwind will follow up on moving $10,000 of CD at Town Bank to Optimist International Foundation for higher rate at 3%
Old Business: Charlie Keller has resigned as Magic Show chair; Jerry Mislang is new chair
New Business: Approved MFHS dance team sponsorship of 50/50 raffle for their January competition
Speakers Committee: Student of the Month will have two schools represented each month going forward. Groups that have been supported by our club will be asked to be guest speakers to present their groups progress and how our support enhanced their program.
Note to all committee chairs: Please provide budgets for events, past and upcoming. President Don will follow up with you.
The Board meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00a.m. Members include:
- Don Gorzek, President
- Lynette Shepherd, 1st Vice President
- Jeanine Dederich, 2nd Vice President
- Larry Podolske, Treasurer
- Ted Klumb, Past President
- Dan Schwind, Past Presidents Council
- Board Members: Sue Carney, Tom Dueppen, Len Kimmel, Chris O’Reilly, Todd Paulus, Rose Schwartz
—- Upcoming Events —-
January Night Meeting
Guest speaker – Sharon Ellis, SQE Communications Group presents Positively Different
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Arrive 6:00; meeting and program at 6:30
CE & Rec Department Community Center – first floor meeting room (morning meeting room)
Have you ever wondered why other people just can’t see things “your way”? It all seems so very clear that it’s the correct way…yet others may see it differently! “Why doesn’t my boss understand my point? I wish I could figure out how to close this deal! Why do I need to be so careful how I say things to my co-workers? Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who sees things the way they really are!” During the program Positively Different, you will gain insight into WHY it may seem that we are not all “playin’ out of the same play book”. You will view your communications with clients, co-workers, family and friends with a new and “Positively Different” outlook!
Chili Supper – Volunteers Needed
Our annual Chili Dinner will be on January 13th at Menomonee Falls High School. Volunteers are needed to help make the chili at St Paul’s Church on Thursday, January 12th. And we need volunteers to help out with various activities at the Chili Dinner on Friday night.
If you are available, please contact Ann Freudenthal at annfreudenthal@gmail.com or call 262-255-1946 to volunteer. On Friday, most shifts are for only an hour. Volunteer and join the fun!
Ann Freudenthal
Trivia Night
Take your Santa Claus hats off and put your thinking caps on!!!!!
Trivia Night, January 28, 2017
For members who have not participated, join the fun!!! It is a night of excitement, creativity, memory power, and of course, competition!!!
St. Agnes School
12800 Fairmont Ave., Butler, WI
BYO Adult Drinks/Soda/Snacks
Doors Open – 6:00 PM
Contest – 7:00 Sharp
Tables of 10 people-$150.00
Per Person- $15.00
Put together a team and pick a team name
Be creative, wear costumes and bring table decorations
Remember- This is not designed for “Trivia buffs”. It is only for fun!
Register by January 23, 2017
For more info, contact Sue Jeskewitz at 262-251-9595 or 414-659-3037
Send check to Sue, N80 W17429 Robin Circle, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Poker Tournament
No Limit…. Texas Hold ‘Em
WHEN
Sunday, January 29th, 2017 at “High Noon”
DJ’s Goalpost in Falls Plaza on Appleton Ave. in Menomonee Falls
FOOD—BEVERAGES
TO PRE-REGISTER, SEND AN EMAIL TO RICK.KOHLSJA@GMAIL.COM
FUND RAISER
POKER TOURNAMENT
$50 DONATION-LIMITED TO THE FIRST 100 PLAYERS. ADDITIONAL DONATION FOR RE-BUYS AND AD-ONS
AT THE DOOR
Registration begins at 11am day of tournament
SPONSOR
The Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls –serving our youth since 1973
PRIZES
Final table qualifies for prizes. 1st place prize $750 guaranteed.
Rick Kohl
Distinguished Young Women
The 53rd Annual Distinguished Young Women of Menomonee Falls will take place on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at North Middle School. Junior girls from the Class of 2018 are now in the process of signing up to participate. Rehearsals begin in late December. The Optimist Club has sponsored DYW, formerly known as Junior Miss, since 1986.
We will be looking for volunteers to act as interview judges for our contestants. The interviews are scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. Please contact Cathy Sharkey at csharkey224@yahoo.com if you would like to be a judge.
Cathy Sharkey
—- Past Events —-
Packer Raffle Sets New Record!!!!
The Packer Raffle brought in over $22,000 in profits – a new record! A big Thank You to chairman Ed Schlumpf, team captains, members who helped with the tail gate, and all members who sold and purchased tickets.
Holiday Drop and Shop
WE DID IT!!!! The 6th Annual Parent Holiday Drop & Shop is now in the history books and once again a huge success. Prior to the event, 172 children were pre-registered. We had 144 children attend, 44 wonderful Optimist volunteers, and 36 student volunteers partake in all the fun and festivities.
To all the club members who continue to support this event year after year, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Thank you for all being so flexible and jumping in to different areas to keep things flowing along. That was truly above and beyond!!
To Jason Husslein, the Rec Dept staff and Mr Stigler, from Riverside Elementary – we would not be able to put so many smiles on so many faces without all you do for the Optimist Club. Thank you for your partnership and support.
To Ryan Anderson and staff at MFHS – thank you for spreading the word to your student body and providing amazing help.
Don Eisenhauer and the Art Guild of Menomonee Falls. The artist demonstrations were a great addition and very much appreciated.
Diane Matuszak – You did an amazing job rallying all the children for the large group activity in the end. Thank you for stepping up and taking the charge on this one.
Sincere thanks and appreciation goes out to Alice Barbeln, Jan & Larry Barbera, Gloria Behr, Jean Christian, Linda Christman, Jim Dieter, Don Eisenhauer, Steve Fleming, Ann Freudenthal, Joy Fricke, Larry & Marcia Hebbring, Kathryn Hoff, Jason Husslein, Kathie Jensen, Cory Kleeba, Linda Kons, Rema Kunnath, Peter Lalonde, Meg Latus, Al & Kathy Matthiessen, Deb, Greg, & Shirley Mattson, Diane Matuszek, Jenny O’Keefe, Chris O’Reilly, Gary & Laurie Pollpeter, Corrine & Joe Reiter, Nancy & Randy Schopf, Rose Schwartz, Kirsten Sperl, and Susan Steliga, Joanne Wanner, Bob Wenzel, & Linda Zylka
SAVE THE DATE – Mark your calendars now for Saturday, December 2nd, 2017 to join the crew above for a fun and rewarding volunteering experience. New activities are being discussed which will keep the event fun for everyone. As always, I am open for any suggestions, recommendations of any kinds. Your input helps make this event better and better year after year.
Dawn Mariscal
–photos by Don Gorzek
Optimist Christmas Party and Caroling at Linden Grove
–photos by Don Gorzek
Steve “The Homer” Tru
Steve the “Homer” Tru was the guest speaker for our Club meeting on December 14, 2017. Homer is a sportscaster for 740 ESPN radio and the voice of Marquette Basketball.
–photos by Don Gorzek
MFHS Girls Basketball Team
Several members of the MFHS Girls Basketball team at the December 21, 2016 Club Meeting. (L to R) Jordan, Allie, Marissa, Sam, Karly, Maddie, Elena, Alyssa and new Head Coach Derek Woelffer
–photos by Don Gorzek
Students of the Month
The Menomonee Falls Optimist Club Student of the Month for December, from Menomonee Falls High School, Juniors McKenzie Poetzel and Madi Wick, with Don Gorzek, Optimist Club President. (Not pictured Katie Papador and Melissa Anderson from North Middle School)
–photos by Don Gorzek
—- This Month in Club History —
January, 2005 – The inaugural Optimist Poker Tournament is held at Silver Spring County Club. $1,500 in profits are earned according to Chair Mike Mytych.
from 40 Year History program (Ed Schlumpf)
—- Thank You Notes —-
The club received thank you notes from the following:
- Marcy Elementary School – Universal Playground
- Falls Food Pantry
—- Next Newsletter Deadline —-
Articles for the February newsletter are due January 27. Please email your articles to Jerry Mislang.
