September 2021 Optimizer
The Optimizer | September 2021 | Menomonee Falls Optimist Club
— In this issue —
Weekly Meeting Schedule
President’s Message
Upcoming Activities and Events
Calendar
Popcorn Volunteers Needed
Packer Raffle
Tri-Star Soccer
Bags Tournament and Meat Raffle
Awards and Installation Banquet
Leaf Raking
Christmas Party
Past Events
Football Crazr
Optimist Club Picnic
Optimist Meetings
DYW Kailee Doherty
Membership and Executive Board Info
2021-22 Optimist Club Dues
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 SEPTEMBER 1
Are you ready for some football? The MFHS Football Team and Head Coach Dan Lutz will be joining us to talk about their season and upcoming Greater Metro Conference opener at home this Friday against the crosstown rival Germantown Warhawks.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8
Optimist Club member Jason Husslein and Lori Oertel cover Community Ed & Rec Senior Programs. It’s virtually guaranteed that we’ll hear about programs that we didn’t know are readily available in our community.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15
Summer is over, the kids are back in school, so it must be time for a Student of the Month meeting, always one of the best meetings each month.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22
We believe this will be a great meeting! Anna Ruzinski, US Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, will be joining us. The former Police Chief of Menomonee Falls has been in her new job just over six months and we’re sure she has lots of interesting things to share with our Club.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29
No morning meeting. Awards and installation banquet this evening.
~Jerry Mislang
— President’s Message —
Dear Fellow Optimists;
As summer comes to a close the club has been hot (like the weather) as we will set a record for popcorn sales. Thanks to all the volunteers and especially Larry Podolske and Tim Newman (chairs of the Wagon).
Optimist Village Park is moving forward nicely and the club will hear more about it this month and in October. One note regarding the above is that the last night of the popcorn wagon will be Wednesday night October 13th.
Please read this newsletter as Jerry and Jeanine have another spectacular round of speakers.
The annual Awards & Installation Banquet will be held at the Hot House on Wednesday September 29th. We will be installing our new officers and board members that night. I want to especially thank Greg Mattson and Carol Schulteis for their service and dedication to this club as they will leave the board at the end of the month.
It is through our many fund raisers, events and programs put on throughout the year that we help hundreds of kids and families. We really do try to “bring out the best in Kids”. A big thank you to all involved. Your dedication and service is admirable.
~ Optimistically speaking, Rick
— Upcoming Activities and Events —
Calendar
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH
Packer Tailgate party
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22ND
RSVP and payment due for Awards and Installation Banquet
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH
OA5 Bags Tournament
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH
Awards and Installation Banquet
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 6TH
Tri-Star Soccer
WEEKENDS NOVEMBER 5TH to 21ST
Leaf Raking
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 8TH
Optimist Christmas Party
Popcorn Volunteers Needed for Village Park Events
The popcorn has had great success when there are events at Village Park. Thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped over the summer. We will be open nightly through Saturday, September 11. After that, we will be open when there are events. We need volunteers for the events after September 11!
Please contact Larry Podolske or Ann Freudenthal if you can help.
• Wednesday, September 15th start popping at 5:45pm
music by Joe Wray
• Thursday, September 16th 6-10pm
music by Differentials
• Friday, September 17th 6-9pm
music by The Playlist & Operation Rock the House
• Wednesday, September 22nd start popping at 5:45pm
beer garden
• Wednesday, September 29th start popping at 5:45pm
beer garden, music by The Biermen
• Wednesday, October 6th start popping at 5:45pm
beer garden
• Wednesday, October 13th start popping at 5:45pm
beer garden
Packer Raffle
The Deadline is Here!
Sept. 1 is the deadline for turning in ALL money are stubs for this year’s Packer Raffle. Any unsold tickets MUST be turned in to team captains by that date for last minute distribution to those that may need extras. The drawing and tailgate party will once again be held at Village Bowl starting at 5:15 on Monday, Sept. 13.
As this is the club’s biggest fundraiser each year, it is imperative that all 350 tickets be sold to earn maximum funds for our many youth-centered activities.
Questions? Call chairperson Ed Schlumpf at 262-617-4024.
~ Ed Schlumpf
Tri-Star Soccer
The 6th annual Tri-Star Soccer contest will be held on Wednesday, October 6th, on the new MFHS Varsity Soccer Pitch from 6:00 to 7:30.
The signup sheet was routed at the morning meeting on September 1st and will be again on the 8th. IF you can’t make a meeting but want to volunteer, please call or email me. We need about a dozen volunteers for the registration tables, scorekeepers, goal kicks (radar gun) and cone dribbling drill. If you can’t work a full shift, we’re grateful for any time you can give us.
Please email me at jerry.mislang@prodigy.net if you can help or call 262-352-2571 if you have any questions. Thanks in advance for any help you can give us.
Bags Tournament and Meat Raffle
The bags tournament and meat raffle will be held on Saturday, September 25. Watch your email for additional information.
Awards and Installation Banquet
The Annual Awards and Installation Banquet will be Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at the Hot House Tavern. Social time begins at 5:30pm. Cost is $25/person. Please RSVP with your payment by September 22nd. You may register online, or by check at a morning meeting.
~ Dan Schwind
Rain, Cold, Snow, Covid & ???—It Must Be Leaf Raking Season!
It seems hard to believe that Summer is winding down, but it’s time to think about autumn and…leaf raking!
What are the benefits?
This event generally results in a donation of $1,500 – $2,000 to the youth groups who volunteer to rake the yards of senior homeowners. Funds come from donations from the homeowners and a matching donation from the Optimist Club. Seniors avoid backbreaking yard clean-up while the volunteers have fun and get rewarded!
How does it work?
Because our 2020 format was well-received by both our homeowners and leaf-raking groups (and created much less stress for the event chairs,) we will use the same approach in 2021. Here are the basics:
• Instead of a single date, leaf raking will happen over a two-week period starting November 6 and ending November 21.
• Volunteer groups will receive their assignments prior to November 6, but will have the option to complete the work when convenient for the group and the homeowner.
• The volunteer group leader will contact the homeowner no later than 24-48 hours prior to the scheduled date.
• The volunteer group leader will call us once the work is complete.
• Donations will be returned to the CE & Rec office by the group leader, or mailed directly from the homeowner.
How can you help?
While we didn’t need them last year, we would like to have a group of Optimist members available to help with trucks or trailers to haul leaves to our drop-off point when necessary. If you have access to a pick-up truck or trailer and can be available during the leaf-raking period, please let us know so we can add you to the list. You will be able to coordinate available dates with the leaf-raking teams if and when they need 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 29. 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
Optimist Christmas Party
Are you ready for The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year?
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, presents under the tree, Ebeneezer and Tiny Tim and the Optimist Club Christmas Party!
Please plan to join us at this year’s party on Wednesday, December 8th at North Hills Country Club. Price will be the same as our last party: $37.50/person.
More info and sign-up sheets will be coming in November. We hope to see you there!
— Past Events —
Football Crazr Raffle
We had 200 tickets for the Football Crazr Raffle and all 200 are sold. Thank you to all that helped in buying and selling tickets this year. This fund raiser not only helps our club but also helps the SWIS District’s area using part of the funds for their programs.
Thanks again.
~ Larry Hebbring
Club Picnic
Thank you again to Marcia Hebbring and her committee for organizing the picnic. And thank you to Dan Shepherd for hosting at Shepherd’s Waters.
— Optimist Meetings —
Kailee Doherty
At our August 11 meeting we welcomed back former Distinguished Young Woman winner Kailee Doherty. She talked about her exciting experiences and opportunities at Belmont University.
~ photo by Jon Cline
— Membership and Executive Board Info —
2021-22 Optimist Club Dues
It is time to renew your membership in the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls. Invoices were emailed in August. Please pay your dues by September 15. If you decide that you will not be renewing your membership, please contact Cathy Sharkey at csharkey224@yahoo.com.
PAY YOUR DUES ONLINE WITH A CREDIT CARD!! Visit the club website here: https://fallsoptimistclub.org/. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link that takes you to a secure pay site.
Remit checks to:
OPTIMIST CLUB OF MENOMONEE FALLS
P.O. Box 671
Menomonee Falls, WI 53052-0671
**CLUB MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
~ Cathy Sharkey
— This Month in Club History —
August 11, 2004 (17 years ago) –
Despite unseasonable temperatures, 26 golfers compete in the Annual Club Outing at Wanaki. Mike Mytych, John Seymour and Ed Schlumpf wind up in an unprecedented tie for first place with net scores of 57. Sue Roskopf’s 54 wins the Oscar Jeskewitz Memorial Trophy.
~ 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
