March 2019 Optimizer - Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls

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The Optimizer | March 2019 | Menomonee Falls Optimist Club

In this issue:

Meeting Schedule
President’s Thoughts
Upcoming Activities and Events
- Calendar
- Trivia
- Oratorical Contest
- Optimist Scholarships
Optimists After Five (OA5)
Junior Optimists
Board Briefings
Past Events
- Distinguished Young Women
- Optimist Meeting Photos
  - RiverWalk at the Falls
  - Library Director
  - Drama Club
  - Students of the Month
Thank You Notes
This Month in Club History
How to Publish Optimist News

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

—- Meeting Schedule —-

Wed., March 6th: Cathy Sharkey will introduce the young ladies who participated in our annual Distinguished Young Women Program. It’s always interesting when they talk about their various experiences in this terrific program.
Wed., March 13th: This will be a “two for the price of one” meeting. Lieutenant Governor Rose Schwartz will give us an update from the SWIS District Quarterly Meeting. Well also be joined by the MFHS Boy’s Bowling Team, who participated in the State Meet the previous weekend.
Wed., March 20th: We welcome the 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., March 27th: We’ve finally been able to schedule the Anti – Human Sex Trafficking presentation. This is a topic that is much closer to home than many of us realize. We’re expecting an extensive Q&A session for this topic.

– Speakers Committee

—- President’s Thoughts —-

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. –George Bernard Shaw, Irish dramatist

Thank you for your continued support in making our MF Optimist Club outstanding! I continue to be impressed with the dedication and hard work of so many – for our club, our youth and our community!

Thank you to Cathy Sharkey and her dedication to the Distinguished Young Women program. This year’s program was held on February 23 and our 2020 Distinguished Young Woman is Abby Hughes. Come to our March 6 meeting and meet them.

Be sure to mark your calendars for all of our events coming up that you will read about in this newsletter – Oratorical Contest, Trivia Night, Bags Tournament, Fishing Derby and more

A reminder – 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. Please let me know that you can step-up and help out.

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May the luck of the Irish be with you all!

– Jeanine Dederich

—- Upcoming Activities and Events—-

Tue., March 19th: OA5 Book Discussion Meeting. See OA5 article below.
Wed., March 20th: Oratorical contest. Volunteers needed. See article below.
Sat., April 6th: Trivia Night. See article below.
Sun., April 28th: OA5 2^nd Annual Bags, Brewers, Brats, and Beer event
Sat., May 11th: Kids’ Fishing Contest
Sat., May 11th: Highway Clean-Up

Menomonee Falls Optimist Club Trivia Night

April 6, 2019

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

Form a team and pick a team name

Be creative, wear costumes and have table decorations

Remember- This is not designed for “Trivia Buffs”. It is only for fun!

For more info, contact Sue Jeskewitz at

251-9595 or 414-659-3037

Send Check to Sue, N80W17429 Robin Circle

Menomonee Falls, 53051

RSVP by March 30

Team Name ________________________________

Team Captain ________________________________

Oratorical Contest

The annual Club Oratorical contest will be held on Wednesday, March 20^th at North Middle School. Our club has proudly produced many Zone and District winners. Help is needed from our membership for a successful contest. If you have any interest in assisting with this event we need timekeepers, room monitors/announcers, tabulators, and judges. If you have time to spare, please contact Chris O’Reilly at mrsirish49@aol.com or Dawn Mariscal at dmariscal@wi.rr.com or by phone/text (262)442-4952.

– Dawn Marsical

Optimist Scholarships

Instructions for scholarships are now live on the MFHS website http://www.fallsschools.org/mfhs/academics/college-career-planning. Click on “Scholarship Opportunities” MF Scholarship & Educational Foundation. Application is ONLY on the school website. Be sure to print all nine pages first to read through the descriptions of all the scholarships and special instructions. Optimist Club requires additional pages. Any questions, please contact Cathy Hazzard at jhazzard@wi.rr.com, or 414-350-4749.

– Cathy Hazzard

—- Optimists After 5 (OA5) —–

The Optimists After 5 (OA5) group had their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 19^th at the Knights of Columbus clubhouse. Shannon Dederich presented to the group on the different uses of essential oils. Attendees were able to sample and create their own make-and-take products.

During the meeting, the group also worked on planning the 2^nd Annual Bags, Brewers, Brats, and Beer event. This event will take place on Sunday, April 28^th. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the event or participating in the bags tournament, please contact Shannon Dederich at shannon.dederich@gmail.com.

The next OA5 meeting will be on Tuesday, March 19^th at 6:00 p.m. at Three Cellars – N62W13400 Lund Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI. This meeting will be a book discussion in collaboration with the Menomonee Falls Public Library’s Big Read event. The book is True Grit by Charles Portis. There are free copies of the book available, while supplies last, at the Menomonee Falls Public Library. For more information on the Big Read event, you may visit https://www.menomoneefallslibrary.org/nea-big-read-grant/. This meeting is open to Optimist Club members and any other community members that would like to attend. There will be snacks. Drinks will be available for purchase. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Anna Listwan at tiryanna85@gmail.com.

Anna Listwan

—– Junior Optimists —–

The JOOI club spent a morning drawing with 17 residents at the Riverview Village Assisted Living Center.

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—– Board Briefings – February 19, 2018 —–

Present; Jeanine Dederich, Todd Paulus, Rick Kohl, Marcia Hebbring, Dave Curran, Steve Fleming, Kathryn Hoff, Joanne Wanner, Lynette Shepherd and Don Eisenhauer.

Absent; Ann Freudenthal

All approved minutes from 1-15-19 meeting.

All approved $800 to the Wisconsin Singers. Lonna Schickert and Jen Dedrick presented.

Steve motioned and Dave seconded. Sally Carlson of the Riverside PTO Hoops was present and the board approved $250. Steve motioned, Lynette seconded. All approved.

Michael Bloedorn of the Lisbon/Hamilton Club talked about human sex trafficking. Approved a $150 donation. Barb motioned, second by Joanne. Lynette and Todd were nay votes.

Approved $1,705 for the Fishing Derby. Sue Carney and Dustin Koehler presented. Todd motioned, seconded by Lynette.

Approved New Member Social for $300.

Do The Right Thing budget approved for $575. Steve motioned, seconded by Kathryn.Rick and Marcia abstained.

Motion by Steve and second by Kathryn to allocate up to $1,600 for the Oratorical Contest.

Marcia presented the Treasurer’s report. Rick motioned and seconded by Lynette. All approved.

JOI rep will start next October

New members Emily and Andrew Luasek. Todd motioned seconded by Marcia. All approved.

Next meeting March 19, 2019. Meeting adjourned at 8:18am.

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

—- Past Events —-

Distinguished Young Women

Six Menomonee Falls High School Juniors participated in the 55th Annual Distinguished Young Women Program on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the North Middle School Auditorium. The Optimist Club has sponsored and organized the program since 1986. The participants will be attending the Optimist Club meeting on March 6.

Abby Hughes was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Menomonee Falls for 2020. She will represent Menomonee Falls at the Wisconsin State Program to be held in Franklin, WI this summer. Abby is the daughter of Heide and Robert Hughes. She performed “Danny Boy” on the French Horn for her talent. Abby was also named the Fitness and Self-Expression preliminary awards.

Hannah Xiong was named 1st Alternate. She will receive a $750 scholarship from the Optimist Club and $300 cash award from Community League of Menomonee Falls. Hannah was also the winner of the Talent and Scholastic Awards. Robyn George was named 2nd Alternate and won the Interview, Spirit, and Be Your Best Self Essay Awards. She will receive a $250 scholarship from the Optimist Club. Each category winner will receive a $100 cash award.

Also participating were Kate Feltman, Sydney Holseth, and Kylie Zimdars.

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L-R: Hannah Xiong, 1st Alternate; Abby Hughes, Distinguished Young Woman; Robyn George, 2nd Alternate. Photo by Don Gorzek

Our program is so wonderfully successful because of the great team I have working with me. Ali Leon did the fitness choreography, is a co-host and is a contact at school for the girls. Dawn Mariscal puts together the beautiful program book and Good Luck Wishes. Susan Steliga coordinates the Little Miss program the Be Your Best Self Essay. Steve Fleming is the tabulator and arranges for gifts for the contestants. Kathryn Hoff and Rema Kunnath were the Scholastic Judge Chairpersons. Linda Zylka is the Program Judges Chairperson. President Jeanine opened the show with an enthusiastic welcome.

Dave Curran and Rose Schwartz were invaluable backstage. Larry Hebbring and Larry Newman assisted them as stage crew. Montana Mariscal and Shannon Dederich ran the spotlights. Kathy Kiepert, Kathryn Hoff, Kay Weber sold tickets and programs. Kim Wenzel, Deb Mattson, Rema Kunnath and brand new Optimist member, Emily Lukasek, helped in the lobby. Students from the Jr. Optimist Club helped with little misses. Kristy Gruenwald provided the contestants with beautiful floral arrangements.

Danny Shepherd provided the sound system for the program. Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into creating the best sound experience we have ever had!

Marcia Hebbring assisted Steve with tabulating results. Lynette had the important job of running ballots to the tabulators and helped with Little Misses. Erin and Molly Dederich assisted the girls in the dressing room.

Thanks to Harry Stoetzel and his team at Falls Cable Access for videotaping the program. You will be able to watch it soon on Channel 14 or online at http://www.fallscableaccess.com.

And finally, our program is so blessed to have photographer Don Gorzek who put in endless hours to capture all the events, rehearsals and fun moments of the girls over the months of preparation. Thank you doesn’t seem adequate to express our gratitude.

We will be meeting with the sophomore girls who are interested in participating next year at the end of the school year. The Class of 2021 program will take place in March of 2020.

Cathy Sharkey

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Optimist Meetings

Photos by Don Gorzek

River Walk on the Falls Our February 6, 2019 evening meeting was held at the RiverWalk on the Falls apartment complex.

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Private event room with kitchen and fireplace, billiards area, heated swimming pool and sundeck, outdoor terrace with bistro seating, and community coffee bar.

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After a short opening meeting lead be First-Vice President Todd Paulus , attending members divided into four groups to tour the complex and several apartment units.

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Michael Melby, Property Manager, talk about the development of RiverWalk and future construction to complete the project, David Prichard, Leasing Consultant, was our second tour guide.

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We toured several apartments.

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Art gallery.

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The walk able convenience of RiverWalk has electric vehicle charging stations, is pet friendly, with a pet spa grooming facilities.

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Library Director

We welcomed Library Director Karol Kennedy to our February 13, 2019 meeting. She told us what today’s library has to offer users. Kennedy also talk about the Library’s National Endowment for the Arts grant of $12,800 to host the NEA Big Read starting February 23rd. Menomonee Falls Public Library is one of only 79 nonprofit organizations to receive an NEA Big Read grant to host a community reading program. Menomonee Falls Library selected the book True Grit by Charles Portis as the selection to purchase multiple copies for distribution in the community.

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Drama Club Our meeting on Wednesday February 27 is the Drama Club from North Middle School. They had a special performance from “The Little Mermaid” for us.

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Students of the Month The Optimist Club Students of the Month for January/February 2019 include (l to r) from MFHS Sophomore William Madrzak and Senior Annaliese Heim, and from Saint Mary Parish School, eighth grader Ty Kelley.

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North Middle School Optimist Club Students of the Month for January/February 2019 include (l to r) Kaydence Edwards, Tyler Wallinger, Chase Krueger, and Amiah Marshall-Johnson.

–––– Thank You Notes (excerpts) ––––

Robert Kraemer – Cops and Kids Foundation – “We greatly appreciate your generous contribution….will help kids in our community avoid dangers, bust through adversity, get hooked on positive choices and stay on target. Since 2010 over 3,000 kids have participated…this would not have been possible without You and the support of your fellow donors.”
Thank You Notes (excerpts)

Elizabeth Zempel – Falls Baptist Music School – “Thank you for…your generous gift toward the music school (that) will enable us to continue our mission of musically training and developing this generation and future generations of children. By donating, you have been a key to making music more accessible to families… through music training at Falls Baptist Music School.”

Submitted by Jerry Mislang

—- This Month in Club History —

March 1986 (33 years ago) – March is designated as Pin/Badge Month. Members who do not have their pin or badge on at a regular meeting are fined 50 cents.

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