June 2021 Optimizer

The Optimizer | June 2021 | Menomonee Falls Optimist Club

 

— In this issue —

Weekly Meeting Schedule

President’s Message

Upcoming Activities and Events

Calendar

Volunteer Opportunities at Village Beer Garden

Football Crazr Raffle

Veronica Goveas at DYW of America

SWIS District OI Junior Golf Outing

Patio Players at Village Park

Past Events

Fishing Derby

Scholarship Golf Outing

Memorial Fest

Optimist Meetings

Students of the Month

MFHS Bowling Teams

MFHS Girls Soccer

Getting to Know You: Larry & Marcia Hebbring

New Members

Village Park Update

Executive Board

May Board Minutes

Thank You Notes

This Month in Club History

How to Publish Optimist News

Zoom Meeting Info

 

— Weekly Meeting Schedule —

WEDNESDAY JUNE 2
Arguably the best program in the state of Wisconsin, the MFHS FBLA Team will be joining us. They’ll talk about both their State and National competitions.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 9
As the school year come to a close, Cathy Hazzard with introduce this year’s impressive Scholarship Award winners.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 16
In what should be a very informative meeting, Tyler Swagerman will give us a first-hand Village Park update! It has all the earmarks of a great Q&A meeting.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 23
Low on numbers but big on everything else, Cathy Sharkey will introduce this year’s outstanding Distinguished Young Women participants.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30
MFHS graduate Dr. Ruth Etzel, will be our guest Speaker. Her bio states “Dr. Etzel, M.D., Ph.D. is Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Children’s Health Protection and a senior advisor to the Administrator of the EPA. She was a pioneer in studying the health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke among infants; her work led to nationwide efforts in the U.S. to reduce indoor exposures to tobacco, including the ban on smoking in US airliners. Professor Etzel is the founding editor of the influential book Pediatric Environmental Health. She co-edited the Textbook of Children’s Environmental Health, published in 2014. She is a courageous leader in bringing health risks to children to public attention and working collaboratively towards solutions.”

~Jerry Mislang

— President’s Message —

Dear fellow Optimists;

Summer is arriving and that means popcorn is popping for kids. We had our kick off at Memorial Fest on Saturday May 29th and profited more than $1,600 popping corn, almost double what we have done in the past.

The wagon is open every night from 6:00-9:00pm in Village Park. Thanks in advance to Larry Podolske and Tim Newman (co-chairs) and our club members who have volunteered to “work” the wagon.

Volunteer opportunities are also available at the Beer Garden in the Park. Our first night was June 2nd (5:00-9:00) and was a lot of fun. I will keep the club members informed of upcoming events and opportunities. Our next one is Wednesday night June 16th, if interested please contact Jeanine Dederich or myself.

Although we are not having a July 3rd parade, plans are underway for the Christmas parade which will be held on Sunday November 28th.

Football Crazr fundraiser has started. Please get your sold tickets to Larry Hebbring or if you have any questions ask him.

The chairpeople of our events should be working on documenting our procedures, dates, tasks contacts, phone numbers, etc. John Yusko, Dan Schwind, or Shannon Dederich will help if you are having issues. Thanks.

I also want to thank those chairpeople who have completed their documentation. This will be a big help to the club.

I think we are finally moving on from the pandemic and am happy to announce that after our June 9th meeting masks will no longer be required.

Please check out this newsletter for other happenings and the speakers of the month.

~ Yours in optimism, President Rick

 

— Upcoming Activities and Events —

THURSDAY JUNE 17TH
Tyler Swagerman will provide Village Park updates for those who can’t make the June 16 Wednesday morning meeting. Meeting will be 5:30-6:30pm in the Village Board Room.

THURSDAY JUNE 24TH – SATURDAY JUNE 26TH
Veronica Goveas competes at Distinguished Young Women of America. See article below.

FRIDAY JULY 2ND
Falls Patio Players entertainment in Village Park at 7:00pm. See article below.

NOW – 1ST WEEK IN AUGUST
Football Crazr Raffle. See article below.

VARIOUS DATES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER
Optimist volunteers at Village Park Beer Garden. See article below.

EVERY EVENING DURING THE SUMMER
Optimist Popcorn Wagon at Village Park

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities – Village Park Beer Garden

Our Optimist Club members have a number of opportunities this summer to work in the new Beer Garden at Village Park. Many are excited to participate, so those who volunteer will be on a “first come, first serve” basis. Each shift will need 7-8 members. There will be trained servers onsite who will guide you.

Dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, June 16 4:45-9:15pm

Saturday, July 10 2:30 – 5:30pm & 5:30 – 8:30pm

Wednesday, July 14 4:45-9:15pm

Friday, August 6 4:45-9:15 pm

Wednesday, August 18 4:45-9:15pm

Sunday, August 22 9:40am-1:00pm & 1:00 – 4:15pm

Please contact Jeanine Dederich to volunteer. A confirmation will be sent to you. Thank you for your help!

~ Jeanine Dederich

 

Football Crazr Raffle

We have 200 tickets for the Football Crazr Raffle that need to get sold. Like in the past the raffle tickets are $20.00 apiece and that ticket lasts 17 weeks. Each week you have 4 teams. If your 4 teams have the highest score for the week you have a chance to win up to $500.00 each week. Prize money amounts and place information is on the ticket. You can check each week online to see how you did, but a check will be mailed to you within a week if you have won.

We are asking anyone able to help sell or buy to contact Larry Hebbring at a meeting or arranged destination. Our Club will get approximately $10.00 for each ticket sold. A portion goes to the winners and the rest goes to the SWIS District to help fund their annual fund raisers. We have already had many of the club members volunteer to take ten tickets and sell them, but more need to go out. The ticket stubs along with $20.00 need to be in by the 1st week in August. Each week at the Meeting Larry will be collecting money and stubs. Easy Sell.

~ Larry Hebbring

 

Veronica Goveas Competes at Distinguished Young Women of America June 24-26, 2021

Distinguished Young Woman of Wisconsin, Veronica Goveas, will compete for the national title later this month. Unfortunately, there will be no trip to Mobile, Alabama, as the program will be virtual again this year. Veronica has been busy preparing for nationals since she was named the state representative in February. She is the first young woman from Menomonee Falls to advance to the national finals since K.J. Leekley went in 1990. A Watch Party is being planned at the Community Center for all three nights of the competition. Details will be available soon. Veronica will be attending a future club meeting to share this wonderful experience with us.

The Distinguished Young Women Preliminary Competitions will be held on Thursday and Friday as the Class of 2021 competes in fitness, talent and self expression. Then, the National Finals will take place Saturday Night with the announcement of the new Distinguished Young Woman national representative!

All three nights of shows will be held digitally and streamed nationwide for free. Join the nation-wide viewing party from home by checking their website on each showcase night and watching.

PRELIMINARIES:
Thursday and Friday June 24 & 25 @ 7:00 pm CST

FINALS:
Saturday, June 26 @ 7:00 pm CST

HOW TO WATCH:
Links to all shows will be available at DistinguishedYW.org each night and posted in the event page before each show.

~ Cathy Sharkey

 

SWIS District Optimist International Junior Golf Outing

The SWIS District Junior Golf Outing is currently in the planning stages. OI made changes to the signup deadline that did not allow us to hold an event and offer golfers that qualify enough time to make a decision as to whether or not they want to attend the International Event in Florida for 2021. My co-chair Tom Carls and I made a decision to forgo the event for 2021, but instead hold the event in late Summer 2021 for the 2022 International Golf outing. We are currently working with Brown Deer Golf Course to secure a date for the event. We are looking to host it before Girl’s golf season begins in 2021. Once a date is secured, we will inform our club, as we will need help at the registration table, scorers, and marshalls on the course.

~ Todd Paulus

 

 

Join us for an inspiring evening of song, dance, and laughs at the new Amphitheater & Great Lawn at Village Park (at the corner of Appleton Avenue and Garfield Drive in Menomonee Falls)!

Live Music! • Kids Camp performs AT EASE • The Radio Rosies • AOK Alumni • Brew City Harmony • Performers from FPP • Novelty Vendors

 

 

 

 

— Past Events —

Fishing Derby

Well, the 2021 Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls Kids Fishing Derby is in the books, and what a fantastic event it was! The fishing derby took place on the morning of Saturday, May 8th at the Mill Pond. The weather provided for a beautiful morning that was enjoyed by all who attended.

We had 124 kids who registered to fish, and with all of the family and friends who joined, many more enjoyed the event! The fish sure were biting that morning! 43 kids caught a total of 167 fish, and ONE FROG! There was a trophy presentation at the end and door prizes were handed out to the kids throughout the event.

photos by Jon Cline

Jerry Mislang did an excellent job emceeing the event using the sound equipment that Danny Shepherd provided! Sue Carney and I would like to thank each and everyone who helped make this event possible. A huge thank you goes out to Jerry Mislang, Danny Shepherd, Larry and Marcia Hebbring, Tom Walkner, Jon Cline, Ann Freudenthal, Fred Blanke, Kathy Matthiessen, Joanne Wanner, Kirsten Sperl, Kathie Jensen, Greg Mattson, Bob Wenzel, Annie Jurczyk and Steve, Stevie Mistele-Wildt, Larry Podolske, and Tim Newman. I apologize if I missed anyone, as there was so many who helped make this derby a success!

We would also like to thank our sponsors and others who contributed to the derby, including the entire Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls, The Village of Menomonee Falls, The Menomonee Falls Policy Department, The Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch who worked the concession stand that morning, RB Enterprises of Menomonee Falls, Krueger’s Entertainment Center, Kwik Trip on Main Street in Menomonee Falls, Cops and Kids Foundation, Sandy Spring Farm, The DNR, and Tru Turn. Again, I hope I didn’t miss anyone, as there are so many who make this event possible. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2022 Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls Kids Fishing Derby next May!

~ Dustin Koehler

 

 

31st Annual Scholarship Golf Outing

The 31st Annual Scholarship Golf outing took place on May 19th at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex, WI. Although clouds greeted us that morning, never was there a doubt we would get the event in. Afterall, we are Optimists. We saw a little of everything that day – clouds, wind, light drizzle and sun. The event was the biggest event ever with 127 golfers participating this year, along with 10 volunteers.

photos by Jon Cline

Although at press time of the newsletter, we do not have exact figures, we should clear somewhere between $14,000- $15,000. We are still waiting on a few bills and some outstanding donations. Once we have those in hand, we will release the actual totals to the club through Rick’s weekly emails. A big thank you goes out to all the golfers and volunteers that helped out that day. Thank you to the following volunteers: Marcia Hebbring, Dawn Mariscal, Joy Fricke, Shannon Dederich, Kathy Matthiesen, Larry Podolske, Carol Schulteis, Kristy Gruenwald, Jon Cline, and Matt Hakes. Matt and his company VFI stocked our “infamous” beverage cart that visited and kept golfers happy with the Jello Shots and other goodies on the cart. A special shout out to club member Ed Schlumpf that pulled double duty that day, both golfing, and helped auctioneering that night, to bring in an additional $2000 to the event. Without the volunteers help, the event would not go off as flawlessly as it does,

Another thank you goes out to my committee of Greg Mattson, Tom Ciskoski, John Yusko, Carol Schulteis, Joy Fricke and Annie Jurczyk. This committee helped shape the event and get donations so we could maximize our profits for the event. A thank you also goes out to all the hole sponsors and people that donated to the event from items for the opportunity raffle baskets, voice auction items, golf balls, and bottles of booze. A special shout out to the cart sponsors from Players Pub (Burton Brody) and DJ’s Goalpost (Don Mattovich), and Milwaukee Tool for the two items they donated to our auction.

Thank you to Mike Lehman and his Ironwood staff for their hospitality or the event. The things they do behind the scenes for our event makes pulling off a successful outing a lot easier. His friendly staff helps keep golfers happy from check-in, to play on the course, to our time afterwards in the party barn.

A first time thank you to Joe and Ellen Hennes, owners of Sloppy Joe’s in Hubertus and Smoke On The Water in Okauchee. They donated the bag lunches to us again this year as well as providing delicious hors d’oeuvres for our post golf gathering. The food selections were delicious and the amount of food was good. I would be remiss if I did not mention our previous “now retired” cater Sal Zizzo and Trysting Place Pub. Sal, being the ultimate professional he is, did not want to leave our event hanging without a caterer. Sal suggested we use Joe and Ellen and helped coach them along behind the scenes so the event would go off flawlessly. Thank you, Sal, Joe and Ellen.

I hope everyone had a great time. If you have any suggestions to improve our event, please share them with myself or someone on the committee. We always welcome tips for improvement for our event. Thanks again to everyone involved. If I overlooked anyone in my thank you’s, I apologize and appreciate your efforts. We look forward to seeing everyone on the third Wednesday in May 2022.

~ Todd Paulus

 

Memorial Fest

photos by Jon Cline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— Optimist Meetings —

 

MFHS Bowling Teams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students of the Month

 

MFHS Girls Soccer

The Girls Soccer Team visited us on May 26th.

~ photo by Jon Cline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— Getting to Know You —

“We enjoy volunteering at the many activities the Club offers. Family, friends and community are very important to us. The club offers us a way do worthwhile activities for the community and have fun with our friends and family.” Marcia joined the Optimist Club in 2010 sponsored by Sue Jeskewitz when Larry was President of the club during the 2010- 2011 term. Larry has been in the club since 1995 and was sponsored by Jim Newman. Both Larry and Marcia enjoy the camaraderie and the activeness of the club while helping the youth of the area. Like many people in the club there aren’t many activities that the club offers that they haven’t been part of as committee members or chairs. Marcia has been Treasurer and board member for 3 terms and Larry was past president and a board member for 3 terms.

“We have known each other since high school and have had mutual friends since grade school. We waited until we were mature enough to get married in 2005, but our paths crossed many times before that event. We now have a great family; Cory and Brittany Kleeba, Aaron and Christa Kleeba and Cassie and Dustin Howard and 5 grandchildren. Grandparenting is now the highlight of our day. Each of us come from good size families, Marica Mosley being the oldest of 5 and Larry the youngest of 8. We still have get togethers with family which usually makes for an interesting event. Lots of people.”

Both have grown up in the Falls. Marcia going to grade school at St. Mary’s for 8 years, Larry going St. Anthony’s for 6, and Thomas Jefferson for 2. High school was the same for each; Falls High School freshman and sophomore years, and then to East High School. They were the 2nd graduating class out of Menomonee Falls East High School in 1971. After high school was college for both, Marcia to UW- Oshkosh and Larry to UW-LaCrosse. Marcia left Oshkosh entering the workforce and raising a family in Florida. In 1996 she came back to the Falls with 3 children, Cassie entering the 5th grade, Aaron into 8th and Cory as a freshman. Sports and extra-curricular activities became the priority along with resurrecting a past acquaintance. Marcia worked in the medical field in charge of a portion of the clinic that organized drug testing for a variety of companies’ employees. She has since renewed her bartending skills, working at Players Pub—retired, but not really. She reigns in the family as the best Mom and Grandma.

Larry graduated with a BS in Park and Recreation Administration from UW-LaCrosse and went to work for the MF Recreation Department for a short time, then on to the Milwaukee YMCA, Tri-County branch in Menomonee Falls as the Youth Program Director. Larry then left the YMCA and entered a family business as a part owner/manager of the Honey Bucket/Heebie Jeebies and Hebbring Hotel. Marcia also worked at the Heebie Jeebies at times during the 18 years before a fire destroyed the establishments and the hotel was gone. Larry then went to work for Bob Lanier Enterprises for 26 years and now resides at Star Promotions. Both Star and Bob Lanier Enterprises sell advertising specialties, premiums and promotions material. He has not retired but slowed down.

“We have recently purchased a camping van and live down by the river. Since the beginning of our time together we have been traveling, but in a tent, visiting many of the National and State Parks in the US and Canada. Now we make it a little easier, we love traveling seeing the sites and meeting people in our new ride.”

Marcia likes Country, Larry likes Rock N Roll, Marcia likes Hallmark, Larry likes movies, Marcia gets up early, Larry likes to sleep in, Marcia likes gardening, Larry likes golf. Do you think that Marcia is the oldest of 5 and Larry is the youngest of 8 has anything to do with it. Still married after 16 years.

 

 

— Welcome New Members —

Please welcome new club members John and Carrie Booher (sponsored by Ed Veth) and Michael Fisher (sponsored by Greg Mattson)!

 

 

— Village Park Update —

Work continues to move along behind the scenes for Phase II of what will eventually be “Optimist Village Park.” The current projections have Phase II costing in the neighborhood of $2.5M. Of this, it is anticipated that $1.0M will be generated through our capital fundraising partnership with the village, which is being spearheaded by the consulting firm McDonald Schaefer. The other $1.5M will be paid for by village funds.

The project schedule for Phase II, which includes the kid’s area, a splash pad, pickle ball courts etc., currently has bids going out this winter followed by construction beginning in the spring of 2022. Completion is anticipated in the fall of 2022 (roughly 15 months from now).

Tyler Zwagerman, Village Planner, is tentatively scheduled to give our club an update in June. Our board will then subsequently consider a very, sizable donation to get the fund raising going. This is likely to be the largest donation ever given by our club to our community. The amount will of course need to be approved by the membership at large. This park will be a shining light and tremendous gathering and entertainment area for our families for decades to come. What an incredible way to celebrate our 50 year (1973-2023) anniversary!

~ Don Eisenhauer

 

— Executive Board —

May 18, 2021 Board Minutes

Unapproved: to be approved at the next board meeting.

PRESENT
Rick, John, Carol, Todd, Jen, Kim, Greg, Jerry, Shannon, Dan Absent: Fred (vacation)

REVIEW OF AGENDA
Moved to approve by Todd, seconded by John, approved

REVIEW OF MINUTES
Moved to approve by Todd, seconded by Jenn, approved

REVIEW OF TREASURER’S REPORT
Moved to approve by Greg, seconded by Carol, approved

DONATION REQUESTS
none

BUDGET APPROVALS

Meat Raffle Budget for May 22
moved to approve by John, seconded by Kim, approved

NEW MEMBERS

Michael Fischer
John and Carrie Booher
moved to approve by Carol, seconded by Todd, approved

OPEN BUSINESS
No open business for May

NEW BUSINESS

Lynette Shepherd, presented questions regarding mask policy – when will we be able to have meetings without them, OA5 meetings, and parade questions. Also requested permission to address the School Board on behalf of the Optimist Club to support the kids for – vote to extend mask adherence to end of 2022, with no specific date for the vote
Motioned by Jerry to not have anyone speak at the School Board on behalf of the Club, seconded by Todd, approved.

Cathy Sharkey, membership dues – special memberships are $30. Optimist International honors these memberships for only one calendar year. Menomonee Falls Optimist currently holds this for more than one year.
Motioned by Dan to update program to be for one year, and then membership dues go to the standard $90, seconded by John, approved

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Board member discussion for 2021/22 year: Greg, Fred, Carol to exit, need for 2nd VP as well as 3 replacement board members – Announcement to come from Rick for search for new board members

Post prom and Tri-Star Soccer will be in need of a new chair person

NEXT MEETING DATE
June 15, 7:00 am, Menomonee Falls CEREC building

ADJOURNMENT
Moved to adjourn by Kim, seconded by Ross, approved

 

— Thank You Notes (excerpts) —

Truckenbrod Family
“Thank you sincerely for sharing our sorrow. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated and will always be remembered.”

Barb Riehle, Food Pantry Assistant Director
“Thank you for your donation of $144…to purchase food for families in our community who need help.”

~ Jerry Mislang

 

 

— This Month in Club History —

June 19, 2012 (9 years ago) –

John Seymour get the go ahead from the Board to develop a “Distinguished Young Man” award.

~ 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 or Barb Schmit no later than the 27th of each month – jerry.mislang@prodigy.net or schmitbarb@gmail.com

NEWSPAPERS  Shannon Dederich three or more weeks prior to your event, as quickly as possible after an event shannon.dederich@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

 

— Zoom Meeting Info —

Shannon has set up a zoom meeting for those who prefer to attend the weekly meetings remotely. Please contact her if you have questions about this.

To access these meetings please use the link, highlighted in red.  If the link does not bring up zoom, you can right click and follow the “Go to” menu pop up.  If these attempts don’t work, you can open your Zoom and enter the included meeting id and passcode, highlighted in orange.  If you would like to join the meeting with your telephone only, you can use the information highlighted in pink (not recommended).

This link will work for every meeting going forward. It is currently set up for every Wednesday through 2021.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84038177868?pwd=SEw1Zmd4UkUyUFgyc1k2cVhPZ0FqUT09

Meeting ID: 840 3817 7868
Passcode: 2Bsostrong

+1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 840 3817 7868
Passcode: 8438635390

~Shannon M. Dederich