October 2018 Optimizer
October 2018
Menomonee Falls Optimist Club
In this issue
- October Meeting Schedule
- President’s Thoughts
- Up-coming Activities and Events
- Calendar
- Leaf Raking
- Holiday Drop & Shop
- Theater Social Gathering for Zone 1
- Best of Broadway at the Marcus Center
- Executive Board
- Board Briefings
- Getting to Know Your Board
- Past Events
- Tri-Star Soccer
- Optimist Meeting Photos
- This Month in Club History
- How to Publish Optimist News
—- October Meeting schedule —-
All meetings are at 7:15 am at the Community Center.
- October 3 The room will be full of excited kids and their parents as we present trophies to the Tristar Soccer Contest Division Winners. Also joining us will be Fred Hostetler, Director of Coaching for the Menomonee Falls Kickers
- October 10 It’s “Doubles Match” meeting! Head Coach Luke Langer will be bringing the NMS 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball Team for a first time Club appearance. And even if you don’t “Love” tennis, help us welcome Head Coach Joe Keller and the MFHS Girl’s Tennis Team. It will be your “Fault” if you miss this meeting.
- October 17 NMS Principal Lynn Grimm and MFHS Principal Vitale will introducing the presenters and winners of the October Students of the Month. The SOM meetings have historically been a Club favorite.
- October 24 Earlier this year we donated funds to the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin program. Development Manager Hannah Pausma and a student representative will be our guest speakers.
- October 31 Before you go Trick or Treating that night, we’ll be joined by Village President Dave Glasgow. This has all the earmarks of being a very interesting meeting with lots of Q&A.
—- President’s Thoughts —-
So, I guess last month WASN’T my last newsletter, so before I hand this over to Jeanine I’d just like to say we had another great month.
With THREE new members from the NOW meeting on Sep 13, and another 10 between the school district and OA5 we only need TWO more new members & will have the 15 new members we need to form our club within a club!! It worked!!! Took a while to evolve from night meetings to this but it was worth the “growing pains” to accomplish it!!
Tri Star Soccer was once again a HUGE success as was our Installation Banquet, with close to 60 in attendance, to welcome our new President, Jeanine Dederich, and new board members Todd Paulus VP, Rick Kohl 2nd VP, Marcia Hebbring Treasurer and Steve Fleming, Ann Freudenthal and Joanne Wanner!! Thanks to departing members Dustin Koehler, Sue Carney, Tom Deuppen and Chris O’Reilly!! and a huge thank you to Jim Foster for all his hard work with our bookkeeping!!
Congrats to award winners
- Larry Barbera – BIGGEST SUPPORT
- Shannon Dederich – MOST ACTIVE NEW MEMBER
- Larry Hebbring – MOST ACTIVE OLD MEMBER
And now a word from your NEW PRESIDENT, Jeanine Dederich…
I am honored to be your president for the next year and look forward to working with and getting to know our outstanding Board and all of our members. Thank you for putting your support and trust in me and our new Board as we begin our new year. To the Board members, I look forward to this next year with you and appreciate your commitment. We are fortunate to have experienced members who I will reach out to for guidance (so be prepared!) – thank you all. To all members, know that we are all in this together and do what we do to bring out the best in kids. Promise yourself….
I see my role as a guide – I will guide the Club and Board meetings but it is really the members and committees who make this Club so awesome. I look for committee chairs to lead the way with their projects and I look for all members to keep this club active, get the word out about our club, and grow membership. And to all of our educator friends, grab a colleague or two to join our Club!
You will see weekly emails from me as I announce our guests for the week. I hope you will try to attend our morning meetings. You’ll be glad you did. Can’t make a morning meeting? Then the Optimist After Five group welcomes you to join them as they meet once a month! Meeting announcements and activities will continue to be announced via email and on Facebook.
So, again I thank you as we press on to the greater achievements of the future and move forward together!
Your Optimistic friends,
Lynette & Jeanine
—- Upcoming Activities and Events—-
- Tue. Oct. 2 OA5 meeting at Quarry Coffee. 6:00 pm. Reservations required.
- Wed. Oct. 17 A Pre-Event Instructional/Informational Meeting for Holiday Drop & Shop. 6:30 pm in the basement bar at the American Legion Post #382. See article below for details.
- Tue. Oct. 23 Optimist Board Meeting. 7:00 am at the Community Center. Note that it is on the 4th Tuesday this month.
- Sat. Nov. 10 Leaf Raking. See article below.
- Sat. Dec. 1 Holiday Shop and Drop. See article below for details.
- Sat. Dec. 1 Theater social gathering for Zone 1. Falls Patio Players “Christmas Carol”. See article below.
- Wed. Dec. 5 Christmas Party. Mark your calendar. More info to follow.
Senior Leaf Raking is November 10!
Just a reminder that our annual senior leaf raking event will be held on Saturday, November 10. We meet at the Community Center around 7:45a.m and are usually finished by noon. We are always in need of volunteers to help with sign-in, captaining/coordinating with the teams and hauling leaves.
Please reserve some time, round up some volunteers and help if you can! Sign up at the weekly meetings or contact Jason Husslein (414-852-9634, hussjas@sdmfschools.org) or John Yusko (414-339-2637, jyusko505@twc.com).
And…if you are in the market for fall or winter plants or garden supplies, please consider patronizing Shady Lane Nursery. Karl Hornung has again agreed to allow us to dump leaves at his nursery, saving the Optimist Club the expense of using the Orchard Ridge landfill and freeing up more of our funds to donate to kids.
John Yusko
Holiday Drop & Shop
The 8th Annual Parent Holiday Drop & Shop will be held on Saturday, December 1st which will be here soon enough.
A Pre-Event Instructional/Informational Meeting is being held on Wednesday, October 17th @ 6:30 pm in the basement bar at the American Legion Post #382. The American Legion post is located on Main St & Church St (next to Hanson’s Soft Water, Pete’s Headliners and across the street from Nino’s Bakery). The meeting should last approximately 1 hour.
If you are not able to attend this meeting but are interested in helping out, please contact Dawn Mariscal at dmariscal@wi.rr.com or by phone/text to (262)442-4952. All are welcome to attend!
Dawn Mariscal
Theater social gathering for the Zone 1
Save the Date: Saturday, December 1, 3:00 PM
Optimist members and guests to Falls Patio Players production of “Christmas Carol”. The purpose for this gathering is a social event. The Menomonee Falls Optimist Club will play host to a SWIS District Zone 1 theater outing. After the show you will be treated to a backstage tour. A great way for fellowship and social time. A block of 50 seats plus will be available for this Optimist event. For questions or tickets, call 262-255-8372 or email fallspatioplayers@gmail.com. Please let them know that you are from the Optimist Club SWIS District Group. A special way to start your wonderful Christmas season. More information and a flyer to follow.
Ann Freudenthal
BEST of Broadway at the Marcus Center – Uihlein Hall
Something Rotten!
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! the Musical
Save up to 40% and Support the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls! Up to $10 per ticket goes directly to OCMF!
Special pricing, fund raising rebate and SPECIAL—Post Show talkback with select cast members of Something Rotten! For the Thursday evening post show! S
ee flyer attached to the newsletter email for details. Questions? Contact Keri Hough at: 414-273-7121 x213 or khough@marcuscenter.org or John Barnes at: 414-273-7121 x210 jbarnes@marcuscenter.org
John Barnes
—– Executive Board —–
Board Briefings – September 18, 2018
President Lynette Shepherd led the Board meeting on Tuesday, September 18, 2018. Meeting synopsis is as follows:
Donation Requests:
Elizabeth Zemple – Falls Baptist Church – $3000/4000 – Elizabeth explained that this donation request is for the Falls Baptist Music School, and more specifically for the Music for Babes/Tots classes. Elizabeth explained that this program is a music class for young children. The program is open to the community. The fee for the program is very minimal. They would like to raise funds for supplies for needed for class, including instruments for the children. Elizabeth shared a video with us regarding the program, as well has a handout that discusses the programs background, goals, and needed supplies. – $1,000 donation approved.
Larry Podolske provided Treasurer Update. Not a lot of change year over year.
Committee Reports and Budgets:
- Christmas Party – There has been an approximately $700 reduction in budget by purchasing a mystery game, rather than hiring out for this entertainment. Will ask committee about the projected wine cost. The event should breakeven financially considering the projected costs and charge for attending. Approved.
- Tri Star Soccer – Reviewed and approved pre-budget
- Leaf Raking for Seniors – Reviewed and approved budget.
- Popcorn Wagon – Larry Podolske discussed the plan to transport the wagon to a location that can provide a quote for all repairs. However, to safely get the wagon to that location, the wagon’s trailer is in need of new tires. It could be up to $500 for new tires. Approved up to $500 for new tires for popcorn wagon trailer.
Unfinished Business – Informational Items:
a. Parade – Maybe have OA5 have ONE fundraiser specifically for Parade – someone needs to write something for the website – Lynette will start this writing. Will also look into a sponsor link for the parade being added to the website.
New Business:
- Award $ amount for Installation Banquet – $250 for awards
- Discussion was had regarding all of the accounting work Jim Foster has done for the club. Discussed how much time has been involved and what would be the appropriate amount to compensate him for this. Was approved to give Jim Foster a gift card and check for an amount up to $1,000 for expenses he has incurred.
- Dustin Koehler and Sue Carney volunteered to be the next Fishing Derby chairs persons.
The Board meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 a.m. Members include:
- President Lynette Shepherd
- 1st Vice President Jeanine Dederich
- 2nd Vice President Dustin Koehler
- Treasurer Larry Podolske
- Past President Don Gorzek
- Past Presidents Council Dan Schwind
- Board Members: Sue Carney, Dave Curran, Tom Dueppen, Kathryn Hoff, Chris O’Reilly, Barb Schmit
Dustin Koehler
Getting to Know Your Executive Board for 2018-2019
Photo by Jon Cline
(L to R) Lynette Shepherd (past president), Steve Fleming, Kathryn Hoff, Joanne Wanner, Ann Freudenthal, Marcia Hebbring (treasurer), Barb Schmit, Jeanine Dederich (president), Todd Paulus (1st VP), Rick Kohl (2nd VP). Not pictured: Dave Curran
—– Junior Optimist Club —–
The Junior Optimist Club held its first meeting at the beginning of the school year. We had over 50 interested students in attendance and actually ran out of pizza for the first time! We are excited about the growth of the club this year. Earlier this month, students volunteered at the annual Run with Wolfes event benefitting brain cancer research. We also started to schedule our student mentors who will go to Ben Franklin Elementary and volunteer with second graders once a week. We are also in the process of setting up weekly student volunteers at a local nursing home. We are looking forward to a great year of service in our community!
Allison Leon
—- Past Events —-
Tri-star Soccer 2018 Results
In spite of a half hour rain shower starting at 5:00 p.m. and the threat of being sucked dry by mosquitos, 67 kids came out and had fun participating in the 4th Annual Tristar Soccer Contest. Competing in Throw In, Dribbling and Goal Speed Kick events was a unique experience for many the kids, especially under the lights on the MFHS Varsity Pitch.
Co-chair Marji Mulder, Greg Mattson, Todd Paulus, Kim Wenzel, Cathy Sharkey, Terry Fitzsimmons, Rick Kohl, Larry Barbera, Bill Hathaway and Lenny Kimmel were enthusiastic and very supportive of all the kids. An “Atta girl” goes to Deb Kimmel who came right over and helped with registration when we were short several volunteers.
The support, equipment and promos we got from MFHS Head Coach Scott Stein and the mentoring by players from his Boys’ Soccer Team was outstanding, we couldn’t do this without them. Kudos to MFHS Softball Head Coach Lou Sanicola for use of the radar gun.
When the parents were notified that the trophies will be presented at the October 3 weekly meeting, most of them were just as excited as the kids! Joining us that morning will be Fred Hostetler, Director of Coaching for the Menomonee Falls Kicker program, who helped get the word out to many of the kids who came that night.
As always, thanks to all those who have volunteered not only this year, but the previous three years, and have helped establish the Tristar Soccer Contest as another successful “Friend of Youth” event.
Submitted by Jerry Mislang
Photos by Don Gorzek and Jon Cline
Optimist Club Meeting Photos
Bob Kraemer – Cops and Kids Foundation, Inc.
Photo by Don Gorzek
Erik Bilstad of News radio 620 WTMJ joined us!! His multiple responsibilities at 620 include News Anchor, Reporter and Executive Producer. Erik is also a Menomonee Falls resident.
Photo by Jon Cline
Corey Golla, Superintendent of Menomonee Falls Public Schools spoke at our meeting on September 5 , 2018
Photo by Don Gorzek
The Menomonee Falls Optimist Club Students of the Month for September 2018 include (L toR) Parker Shiley and Charlie DeCloux from MFHS, Allison SsalIiand and Conner Kahn both from North Middle School.
Photo by Don Gorzek
—- This Month in Club History —
October 3, 1996 (22 years ago) – Regular morning meetings are moved to the Menomonee Falls Community Center.
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
