October 2022 Optimizer
The Optimizer | October 2022 | Menomonee Falls Optimist Club
— In this issue —
Weekly Meeting Schedule
Presidents’ Messages
Past President Dan
President Shannon
Upcoming Activities and Events
Calendar
Volunteers Needed
Optimist Clothing
Leaf Raking
Gobble Wobble Meat Raffle
Christmas Parade
Optimist Club Christmas Party
Past Events
Club Picnic
Packer Raffle
Bags Tournament and Meat Raffle
Tri-Star Soccer Contest
Installation Banquet
Optimist Meetings
Students of the Month
New Member
Executive Board
Meeting Minutes
This Month in Club History
How to Publish Optimist News
— Weekly Meeting Schedule —
Meetings are held at 7:15 a.m. at the Community Center unless otherwise noted.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5
We’re proud to recognize the Tristar Soccer winners. Along with their family and friends, we’ve also invited MFHS Soccer Head Coach Scott Stein and several of his players to give us an update on their season as they prepare for the WIAA Playoffs
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12
We’ve been ‘running around the country’ trying to get a commitment from this week’s speakers. It was worth it as we booked BOTH the Girl’s and Boy’s Cross Country teams and their coaches!
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH from MFHS, NMS and St Mary’s will be sure to energize this morning’s meeting.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26
Always an interesting and informative guest, Matt Curran, Community Development Director, will fill us in on what’s new and in the planning stages for our village.
** Do you have ideas for future guest speakers?
Contact the Speakers Committee –
Jerry Mislang, Jeanine Dederich, Beth Saunders, Larry Barbera. **
~ Jerry Mislang
— President’s Message —
Past-President Dan
Well fall is in the air and the leaves are starting to change and as all good things must come to an end, so is my 2nd time as club President.
I would like to thank our club and members for your support over the past year. Although it felt a bit easier this time, there were still those never let them see you sweat moments? All in all, it was a great year and I want to thank Past President Rick Kohl for leaving the club in good shape and your support this past year.
Also, I would like to thank the board members for a great year and your support and keeping the kids and community front of mind in all decisions.
Without your diligence and support we cannot get done what we need to accomplish.
Lastly, thank you to Jenn Dedrick for your two years of service and input to the board. Your time and talents have been greatly appreciated.
Also, thank you Jerry Mislang for your dedication to the role of Treasurer. Anyone that has done this role in the past truly knows what it takes and the commitment it requires.
Thank you all.
September is about to wind down, but we had some things to be proud of that we did.
September is always a big month for our club as we ramp up for the Annual Packer Raffle. This year’s event had a little twist to it as we upped the number of tickets to sell to 360. But as we have done for some many years in the past we sold all 360 tickets. I would like to thank all the captains, team members and members that either sold or bought a ticket, without that this event does would not be a success.
I would also like to thank Ed “Swami” Schlumpf for your dedicated leadership to this event for the past 15 years. Without your drive and continued Optimism (and reminding captains that a ticket isn’t sold until you have the money) this would not be the event is today.
Thank you, Ed,
Although Ed will be part of the Packer Raffle there will be a new sheriff at the lead, which will be Tom Ciskoski. I’m sure Tom will do a great job and make sure we all stay on our toes.
Thanks, Tom, for stepping in to some big shoes.
We continue to pop corn at the wagon but the season is soon to be over. If you see the Kernel Larry Podolske, please thank him for his many hours this summer spent at the wagon making sure everything is running smooth and we have plenty of supplies. I’m sure that when it is all said and done, we will have another successful season at the Popcorn Wagon. Thank you, Larry!
A big thank you to Cathy Sharkey and the 14 years she has led our Distinguished Young Women’s program. She has been the constant in this program for many years and has provided leadership and friendship to many young women over the 14 years involved with this great program. Cathy thank you for your time and dedication to the program and the lives that you have made an impact on. You will be hard to replace.
Thanks to all the chairs of the many events we have throughout the year because without your willingness to lead those events our club is not able to do the many great things for the youth in our community.
Our club continues to grow and this past year we were able to bring in 13 new members. Thank you to all that sponsored a new member or were responsible for letting someone know about our Optimist club.
I know there are a couple new members that are waiting for the board to approve so Shannon you will be off to a good start.
We also lost some very important longtime members this past year. We will miss JJ Selland, Tom Dueppen, and Sid Truckenbrod. Rest in peace JJ, Tom and Sid.
Lastly, I must talk about one of the biggest things our club has been involved with in my 23 years as a member.
VILLAGE PARK!!
As Don Eisenhauer would say, “how can you not be excited for this project and what the park will be once completed”. This is the single most important project our club has been a part of and we as members should be proud of how this will impact the community and families in Menomonee Falls. This will have a long-lasting impact on anyone and everyone that stops by the park to either listen to a concert, meet people at the beer garden, stop by the popcorn wagon, or play at the new all-inclusive play area. Every one of our club members should be proud of what we have been able to do to make this the best park around.
I would like to thank a number of members of our club that have dedicated many days and hours meeting and fundraising to bring this vision of the park to life.
Several members have had a hand in the many meetings with donors, have donated themselves.
Please thank, Larry Barbera, Jeanine Dederich, Don Eisenhauer, Cathy Hazzard, Larry Hebbring, Rick Kohl, and Todd Paulus.
Thank you all.
Until next month, enjoy the last days of sunshine, warm weather and please continue to do the work you do.
Shannon, good luck in your upcoming year as President, the club is in good shape and you will do good things. Best of Luck to you.
~President Dan
President Shannon
October is for Optimists!
As we begin our new year in the club both local and international, we have a lot to look forward to and a lot to reflect on.
For the coming year, we’re going to use the creed to guide us in thoughts and will with one line as a focus each month.
For October, we’ll focus on the first line we say each week, “To be so strong, that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.”
There are so many things that have come up that could have shaken this club and haven’t: Loss of great members both in death and resignation, community and media backlash surrounding our events like parades, and that virus that took down a lot of the world for a few years. Looking back at how great the leadership and membership handled these and other situations is something so important to be proud of. And give us something to hold our banners to as future challenges come our way.
One of the first big challenges I’d like us all to overcome is the replacement of the chili dinner as we have known it. Kirsten Sperl and team have spent countless hours on putting together such a great event and fundraiser that it will be hard to replace. Unfortunately, facilities are not that same as they used to be and that event is no longer accessible as billed.
Your October challenge!
As a club, let’s not let this disturb our peace of mind, let’s overcome!
I would like every member to look into their old thoughts, ideas they’ve had along the way, fundraisers they do with other clubs, ways they have thought about connecting with the high school audience and share those with me! Please send me your ideas (via email preferred) by October 17th (any ideas after are also welcome, of course!) for a collaboration with the board. I would love to see us come together with some strong ideas and a couple we can start vetting to see the possibilities.
I hope everyone embraces everything this beautiful state has to offer in the fall both inside and out! After all,
— Upcoming Activities and Events —
Calendar
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30th to FRIDAY OCTOBER 14th
Order Optimist Clothing
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12th
Gobble Wobble Meat Raffle
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27th
Menomonee Falls Christmas Parade
SATURDAY DECEMBER 3rd
Holiday Drop N Shop
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7th
Optimist Club Christmas Party
Volunteer Opportunities
• Leaf Raking for Seniors weekends November 5 – 20
We need a group of Optimist members available to help with trucks or trailers to haul leaves to our drop-off point at Johnson’s Nursery if or when necessary. You don’t have to rake!
Contact Jason Husslein 414-852-9634 or John Yusko 414-339-2637
• Christmas Parade Sunday November 27
Help with line-up, marshalling and creating the Optimist float.
Contact Steve Fleming 262-385-6499
Optimist Clothing
Optimist Clothing will be ready to order from September 30th to October 14th. Go to our website and go to the apparel link or to http://www.companycasuals.com/fallsoptimistclub directly. All orders will be ganged at the end of the ordering time on October 14th and delivered in early November.
~ Larry Hebbring
Leaf Raking
It’s Time to Think About Leaves!
Our annual senior citizen leaf-raking event is approaching fast. We’re scheduled to start the process on Saturday, November 5th and end by Sunday, November 20th.
How Does It Work?
Senior citizens can sign up to have their yards raked by calling the CE&Rec Center by the end of October.
In early November, various youth groups will be assigned to handle the raking. They will contact the residents to arrange a convenient date and time to rake. While the service is free, donations are encouraged; every donated dollar is matched by the Optimist Club and shared among the participating groups.
How Can You Help? —No Raking Required!
We need a group of Optimist members available to help with trucks or trailers to haul leaves to our drop-off point at Johnson’s Nursery if or when necessary. You don’t have to rake!
If you have access to a pick-up truck or trailer and can be available at times during the leaf-raking period, please let us know so we can add you to the list. If a team needs to have leaves hauled, you will be contacted by the leaf-raking team to coordinate available dates. There are no dedicated dates; the teams will work with you and the homeowner to find a date that works for everyone.
Please contact John or Jason if you can help!
Got Leaves?
And, if you are a senior homeowner and would like your yard raked, sign up by calling the CE & Rec Office at (262) 255-8460 by Friday, October 28. They will get you on the list to be contacted by one of the youth groups.
Questions?
Contact Jason Husslein (414-852-9634) or John Yusko (414-339-2637).
~ John Yusko
Gobble Wobble Meat Raffle
Join us 1-4pm on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at American Legion Post 382, lower level, in Menomonee Falls for our Annual Gobble Wobble Meat Raffle.
We’ll have turkeys, wine and Thanksgiving Day Fixings. Also raffling off Advent calendars: one beer, one wine. They make a great gift.
Tickets on sale 2 for $5 at Player’s Pub or see Marcia Hebbring.
Christmas Parade
The Christmas Parade is scheduled for November 27th the Sunday after Thanksgiving starting at 4:30. Volunteers will be needed for 3:00 line-up along with Marshalling during the Parade Route. An Optimist float is in the planning also and your help would be needed. Contact Larry Hebbring to volunteer.
Optimist Club Christmas Party
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Ebeneezer and Tiny Tim…and the Optimist Club Christmas Party!
Save the date: Wednesday, December 7th at North Hills Country Club.
More info and sign-up sheets will be coming in November.
— Past Events —
Club Picnic
Members met at Shepherd’s Landing for our annual club picnic on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.
~ photos by Don Gorzek
Packer Raffle
Raffle Tailgate Party was held at Village Bowl on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Included in this year’s In-House raffle was an autographed LeRoy Butler Packer jersey. The famed defensive back was voted into the NFL Hall of Fame this year.
“Mini” Bags Tournament & Meat Raffle
The bags tournament had a small turnout on September 17, 2022 at Players Pub, but mighty spenders on the meat raffle! $900 was raised for the club in a few short hours and was lots of fun.
~photos by Jon Cline
TriStar Soccer Tournament
All the planning, preparation and setup was worth it so that on an absolutely gorgeous September evening, 90 kids ages 4 to 12 could test their skills in the 7th annual Tristar Soccer Contest. Accompanied by their parents and coaches, they got to experience what it’s like compete in three events, Throw In, Dribbling and Goal Speed Kick under the lights on the MFHS Varsity Pitch.
Volunteers Todd Paulus, Kim Wenzel, Cathy Sharkey, Deb and Lenny Kimmel, Scott Drier, Del Kreuser, Dan Schwind, Mike Russell, Shannon Dederich, Laura Cilletti, Don Eisenhauer and Marci Hebbring, were enthusiastic and very supportive of all the kids.
The support, equipment and promos we got from MFHS Head Coach Scott Stein is always essential in making this contest successful, we couldn’t do this without him. Kudos to MFHS Softball Head Coach Lou Sanicola and MFHS Baseball Head Coach Gotzler for use of their radar guns. We also want to thank the MFHS Booster club for opening up the concession stand and Kristen Stein for promoting the annual GO PINK Boys’ Soccer / Girls’ Volleyball Breast Cancer awareness fundraiser in the MFHS gym at 6:30 on Wednesday, October 5th.
When the parents were notified that the trophies will be presented at our October 5 weekly meeting, most of them were just as excited as the kids! As always, thanks again to all those who have volunteered not only this year, but the previous six years, and have helped establish the Tristar Soccer Contest as another successful “‘Friend of Youth“ event.
~Jerry Mislang
2023 Installation Banquet
We installed new officers the evening of September 28th at the American Legion Hall.
Front row: Kim Wenzel (treasurer), Shannon Dederich (president), Stacy Estrada (board).
Back row: Dustin Koehler (board), Scott Dreier (board), Michael Russell (2nd vp), Dan Schwind (past president), Barb Schmit (board), John Yusko (1st vp), Tom Ciskoski (board), Jo’El Pearlman (SWIS district governor).
Not pictured: Fred Blanke (board)
— Optimist Meetings —
September Students of the Month
New Member
— Membership and Executive Board Info —
September 20, 2022 Board Minutes
ATTENDANCE
Board members:Jerry Mislang, Scott Dreier, Dan Schwind, John Yusko, , Shannon Dederich, Jenn Dedrick, Kim Wenzel, Mike Russell, Fred Blanke, Stacie Estrada, Dustin Koehler, Barb Schmit
Absent: Tom Ciskoski, Rick Kohl
Purpose: Regular monthly meeting
- The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 am.
- The meeting agenda and August meeting minutes were approved; motion by Jenn, second by Mike; motion carried.
- Donation Requests
a. Go Pink
i. Request for $2,000-$2,500 for volleyball and soccer event/fundraiser
ii. Jerry moved to donate $1,000 with the restriction that our funds can be used only to purchase t-shirts; second by Jenn; motion carried
b. School Pride
i. Request for $1,000 to support various programs (breakfasts, picnics, etc.)
ii. Group has done more fundraising so the request is lower than last year’s ($1,500)
iii. Fred moved to approve the request for $1,000; second by Mike; motion carried
c. Old Falls Village
i. Requested an unspecified amount to support Halloween Fun Nights
ii. Jerry moved to donate $250; second by Shannon; motion carried - Budget Requests
a. 2023 Speakers budget—Jerry Mislang
i. Jerry submitted a budget of $1,075 to cover plaques and other expenses associated with speakers
ii. motion by Mike to accept the budget, second by Kim; budget approved
b. 2022 Tri-Star Soccer budget–Jerry Mislang
i. Jerry submitted a budget of $368 for expenses associated with this year’s event
ii. motion by Fred to accept the budget, second by Kim; budget approved
c. 2022 Senior Leaf Raking budget–Jon Yusko
i. Jon submitted a budget of $1,320 for expenses associated with this year’s event
ii. motion by Jenn to accept the budget, second by Jerry; budget approved
d. 2022 Installation Dinner budget–Dan Schwind
i. Dan intends to spend up to $200 for discretionary expenses
ii. He has the authority to spend, so no approvals were required - Foundation Update—Don Eisenhauer
a. The Village has nudged the Foundation to release some of the funds donated for the Village Park improvements
i. The Foundation has around $330,000 on hand
ii. The Foundation Board voted to release $300,000 to the Village on October 1 subject to Optimist Club Board approval
iii. Scott moved to approve the payment; Mike seconded. Payment was approved
b. The Foundation also has $12,800 on hand that represent proceeds from a charity golf outing benefitting a couple local cops
i. The Foundation Board authorized disbursing two checks of $6,400 each subject to Optimist Club Board approval
ii. Kim moved to approve the payments; Jenn seconded. Payment was approved - Treasurer’s Report—Jerry Mislang
a. Jerry discussed our report
b. We will ask Rick Kohl to be a “second set of eyes” to look at financial activity on an ongoing basis
c. motion by Mike to accept the Treasurer’s Report, second by Jenn; motion carried - Optimist International Dues
a. OI has increased its fees to us. Consequently, we will net less than $7 per member from the dues payments
b. We will need to consider raising our dues in the next cycle - Anything else for the good of the club
a. A potential new member’s application is still in process; we agreed to table until we have the full application
b. We discussed potential “awards”, particularly a suggestion to memorialize J.J. Selland
i. The consensus is that the President has the authority to recognize people when appropriate
ii. Any longer-term recognition awards should be considered at future board meetings with careful consideration of criteria and processes
c. Dan thanked the outgoing Board members (Jenn, Kim, and Rick) whose terms are now up and welcomed new Board members (Stacie, Dustin, and Barb) - The next meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2022.
- Motion to adjourn by Mike, second by Scott. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:15 a.m.
~ John Yusko
— This Month in Club History —
October 2010 –
Jan Barbera organizes a Cribbage Tournament for the benefit of the Food Pantry. The pantry receives a car full of food plus $240 in cash ($120 from entry fee and a matching amount from the club.)
~ 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 or Dawn Mariscal – csharkey224@yahoo.com, dmariscal@wi.rr.com
WEBSITE Beth Saunders – bethjsaunders@gmail.com
