The Optimizer
May 2018
Menomonee Falls Optimist Club
http://fallsoptimistclub.org/
—- May Meeting schedule —-
All meetings are at 7:15 am at the Community Center except as noted.
- May 2 Part Two of DO THE RIGHT THING. The room will once again will be packed as we recognize the DTRT students along with their parents, friends and relatives
- May 9 It will a North Middle School Doubleheader! We will have a timely report by their Memorial Day Committee followed by an update on their outstanding FBLA program. Both programs have been support by Club donations.
Officer elections will take place at the May 9 meeting. See slate of officers in Executive Board section of this newsletter. - May 16 No Meeting – Optimist Scholarship Golf Outing and Ironwood Golf Course.
- May 23 STUDENTS OF THE MONTH from MFHS, NMS and St. Mary’s will be presented by Principal’s Bob Vitale, Lynn Grimm and Linda Joyner along with their nominators. We hope to have a special guest or two in attendance, but sorry, we can’t let the cat out of the bag!
- May 30 Here’s a chance to meet many our 2019 Distinguished Young Women participants! This is always a special meeting and this year’s should be no different. Also, we’ll have a report from some attendees of this year’s Post Prom.
—- President’s Thoughts —-
“Every success story is a tale of constant adaption, revision and change” ~Richard Branson
Happy May my fellow Optimists!!
Another beautiful month of bringing out the best in kids has passed and here we are again!! Great things are going on in our club!! Not only the successful fundraisers and events this past month (like Trivia raising $3000+) but also the formation of our NEW “club within a club” – Optimist After Five – whose first event was a HUGE success!! Please read further for the details!! This small but growing group of Optimists is bringing a renewed energy and dedication to our already fantastic club!! Those that were present at the Bags Tourney know exactly what I mean!!
It is with great pleasure that I announce that Kimberly Wenzel & Steve Fleming are our newest LMF graduates and are prepared to help with club leadership and within the community!! It was great to see some Optimists in attendance at the commencement ceremony to celebrate them!!
We are blessed to be a part of a community that collaborates in every way!! I am very Optimistic for the future of our club!! I love this club now, since serving as President and feeling the love and support from everyone, more than ever!!!
Your committed friend in Optimism,
Lynette Shepherd
—- Upcoming Events —-
See articles below for details and volunteer and donation opportunities.
- Saturday May 12 Kids’ Fishing Contest.
- Saturday May 12 Post Prom. Volunteers and donations needed.
- Wednesday May 16 Scholarship Golf Outing. Golfers and donations needed.
- Thursday May 17 Tri Star Baseball. Volunteers needed
- Wednesday June 6 Night meeting to honor scholarship recipients. Meeting will be at 6:30 at the Community Center.
- Friday June 15 Junior Golf Qualifier at Brown Deer Golf Course. Volunteers needed
Post Prom
Post Prom is Saturday, May 12. MFHS Junior Class Advisors expect at least 340 kids to attend this year, which I believe is the most since I became involved in 2010. They plan on taking seven busses to Action Territory in Kenosha, and we need a few more volunteers than the usual group of seven who volunteer year after year. If you’ve thought about helping out in the past, we really need you this year!
We meet in the MFHS tennis court parking lot at 10:30 pm and carpool out to Silver Spring Country Club. After loading the busses at 11:15 pm, we head down to chaperone the students. They board the busses again at 3:00 am and we get back to MFHS at about 4:00 am. Please volunteer by emailing me at jerry.mislang@prodigy.net, calling 262-352-2571 or the signup sheet routed at the May 2 and 9 meetings.
If you would like to or know someone that would donate a gift or cash, please contact me. We have had incredible participation for this program, with the yearly goal of providing a safe environment for all the kids once their dance is over…and we have fun too!
Jerry Mislang
Kids’ Fishing Contest
The Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls will host the 2018 Kids Catch and Release Fishing Derby on Saturday May 12th, 2018 at the Mill Pond in downtown Menomonee Falls. The contest is free and is open to all boys and girls age three through 16 that reside or attend school in the Menomonee Falls area. All participants will receive a t-shirt and a chance to win a door prize. Trophies will be awarded to boys and girls in five age divisions for the longest fish and most fish caught during the contest.
Registration for the event will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at the Mill Pond Shelter. The fishing contest will be from 10:00 am to Noon followed immediately by the presentation of trophies and door prizes. Bring your own fishing equipment. A limited supply of bait will be provided. Children under nine years old must be accompanied by an adult. 16 year olds must have a fishing license. Food will be sold during the event by the Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch.
Sponsors/Supporters include the Menomonee Falls Police Department, the Menomonee Falls Neighborhood Watch, the Village of Menomonee Falls, RB Enterprises, Pops Frozen Custard, Krueger’s Recreation Center, YoCool Frozen Yogurt, Sandy Spring Farm, Kwik Trip and the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls.
Note: Because of a major construction project in the area parking may be restricted or limited. Please plan accordingly.
Tom Walkner
28th Annual Scholarship Golf Outing
The 28th annual scholarship golf outing is set for May 16, 2018 at Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex, WI. Planning for the event is well underway with our committee. We are hoping this year’s event will be bigger and better than past years. The event is an 18 hole scramble with a noon shotgun start. Cost is $135.00 per person, which includes golf, cart, use of facilities, putting contest, on course contests, mulligans, lunch, and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
If you are not a golfer and would like to join us afterwards for the voice auction or any of the raffle items, the cost is only $25.00 per person. You can buy raffle tickets for any of the raffle items after golf. We are still in need of golfers, voice auction items, and raffle prizes.
We have earmarked $16,000 in scholarships for high school seniors this year, so success of this event is critical for our club. Although we did not have a golf ball Wednesday this year, due to cutting down on the number of on course contests, if your company has golf balls to donate, our event will gladly accept and use them for the event. If anyone has a donation for the event but cannot make a meeting to get it to me, please contact me at tpaulus@wi.rr.com or call my cell #414-2362-3715 to make arrangements to get it picked up. If you have not reserved a spot for your group, please contact me ASAP so I can slot you in for planning purposes. If you are still working on golfers, you can get me those names at a later date. Anyone with connections up above, please help with special requests for good weather that day. Our committee hopes to see you there for this event.
Todd Paulus
Tri-Star Baseball 2018 *RESCHEDULED*
Due to horrible weather and field conditions, the Tri-Star Baseball was cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday, May 17, at the Ben Franklin Softball Field (across from the South/West Parking lot) from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The signup sheet will be rerouted, but we do need about 15 volunteers to make this run smoothly. Duties include registration tables, scorekeepers for the hitting, throwing (radar gun) and base running stations. If you can’t work a full shift, we’re grateful for any time you can give us. Please try to get there by 5:30.
Actually you might want to get there a little earlier. At 4:15, the first place, undefeated and state ranked (at the deadline) MFHS Softball team plays their final regular season game (Senior Day) before our event. Many of those girls have participated in Tri-Star Baseball in the past, including Mackenzie Poetzel, who ironically won our Pass, Punt and Kick competition several years back.
Please email me at jerry.mislang@prodigy.net if you can help or call 262-352-2571 if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Jerry Mislang and Co-Chairman Shannon Dederich
OI Junior Golf Qualifier
The OI Junior Golf Qualifier for boys and girls ages 10-18 will take place Friday June 15, 2018 at Brown Deer Golf Course. This year’s event will be an afternoon event with tee times beginning at 11:00 am. Golfers will play against their own gender in age specific categories. If a golfer shoots a qualifying score and we have a spot available for them, they can advance to the OI Qualifier held in July in Florida. Last year, 30 different countries were represented at that event so it truly does have an International flavor to it. As of writing this article, we have already surpassed the number of golfers that participated in last year’s event, so we are hoping to double the size of it. If you know of any kids that would like to participate in this event, please let me know and I can get you a flyer or they can go online at Optimist International to get a flyer as well. They can then register and pay online this year. I will need volunteers that day for registration, marshals, and scorers for the younger age groups. You do not need to know the rules of golf as the golf pro will be available that day to make any rulings necessary. Look for a signup sheet in late May.
Todd Paulus
—– Executive Board —–
Mark Your Calendars – Upcoming Election – May 9, 2018
The election for the 2018-2019 Board of Directors for our Club will be held at the Wednesday, May 9, 2081 meeting. Slate of candidates:
- President – Jeanine Dederich
- 1st Vice President – Todd Paulus
- 2nd Vice President – Rick Kohl
- Treasurer – Marcia Hebbring
- (3) Board Members: Steve Fleming, Ann Freudenthal, Joanne Wanner
Remaining on the Board are Dave Curran, Kathryn Hoff and Barb Schmit as well as Lynette Shepherd as Past President.
Board Briefings – April 17, 2018
President Lynette Shepherd led the Board meeting on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Meeting synopsis is as follows:
Donation requests:
- MFHS National Art Honor Society – $980 donation request – $780 donation approved
- Boy Scout Troop 175 – $200 to $250 donation request – $200 donation approved
Treasurer’s report:
Will review current financial statements when available
Committee Reports and Budgets:
- Post Prom – Budget approved
- Trivia Night – Budget approved
Unfinished Business:
- Discussed upcoming board selection, including the need to replace past president council position
- Discussed request received for club to purchase a computer that would be used by the Treasurer. This will be discussed further with Jim Foster.
New Business:
- Discussed recognizing Diane Gariepy with QUEST, as she is retiring
- Discussed recognizing the individuals at the Rec Department who help ensure our meeting location is ready for our meetings.
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
— Past Events —-
A Successful First Event – Optimist After Five
Photos by Jon Cline
On Sunday, April 29, Optimists After Five hosted their first fund raiser, “Bags, Brewers, Brats, and Beer.” The Brewers may have lost, but it was certainly a win for the Optimist Club and the youth of Menomonee Falls! About 60 attendees (26 tournament participants) contributed to about $1,000 in funds raised. Ticket sales for the 14 raffle baskets, food sales, and $130 in re-donated prize money thanks to our generous winners supplemented the tournament entry fees. Twelve names to add to the email list was the cherry on top of a successful day! The Optimists After Five would once again like to thank The Optimist Club, Jon Cline (a few of his great photos are included!), all raffle basket donors, Mr. Brew’s Taphouse Menomonee Falls, Player’s Pub and Knights of Columbus.
Erin Dederich
Tri Star Basketball
This year’s Tri Star Basketball contest was a great success. Thanks to everyone that helped me make it another great Optimist event. We had over 80 students participate from many schools in area. Congratulations to all the girls and boys that came and participated. A special congratulations to Ben Tappa, Maya Zimmerman, and Makaela Paz, who all won medals at the district level.
Bob Wenzel
Students of the Month
Photo by Don Gorzek
The Optimist Club Students of the Month for April 2018 include from North Middle School Clair Wattenbach, Caitlyn Grant, both in seventh grade, and sixth-grader Ben Nelson. From MFHS senior Jordan Pettiford and junior Rebecca Schoenauer. Eighth-grader Anderson Stroh, is the representative from St. Mary Parish School.
Do-the-Right-Thing Award
At our March 28, 2018, we presented the first half of The 2018 John Weaver “Do-The-Right Thing Award”.
Photos by Don Gorzek
Riverside School Principal Scott Walter introduces part of his teaching staff who made nominations for their “Do-The-Right Thing” students.
Scott Stein, a first-grade teacher at Ben Franklin School holds up one of his “Do-The-Right Thing” students.
“Do the Right Thing” recognition is always a great meeting for parents and Optimist members.
MFHS Robotics Team
Photos by Don Gorzek
The MFHS Robotics Team demonstrated one of their basic robots at our April 11, 2018 meeting. Student members of the team include senior Evan Merck and junior Kiersten Prom. In the back are Club Advisors Bert Warner, Tech. Education instructor and Abhirami Coimbatore, Engineering Instuctor.
Patio Players
Photos by Don Gorzek
The Patio Players presented several song from their production of Cole Porter’s musical “Any Thing Goes” at our April 25, 2018 meeting. Melissa Bloch-Meier (right) introduced Musical Director Julie Johnson at the keyboard with cast members Ethan Brittingham as Billy Crocker and Morgen Clarey as Reno Sweeney. Bloch-Meier performed duties choreographer and assistant artistic director.
—- This Month in Club History —
May 21, 1987 (31 years ago) – More than 200 children in grades K-5 participate in the “Just Say No” Walk-Run-Skip competition at the Tri-County YMCA. Johnnie Gray of the Green Bay Packers and members of the Milwaukee Wave help to run the Optimist-sponsored event.
Submitted by Jerry Mislang from the 40 Year History Program – courtesy of Ed Schlumpf
—- Broadway Musicals at Marcus Center —-
Optimists are able to get great seats for Broadway musicals at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. This is a wonderful opportunity to see excellent shows. See attached flyer for upcoming shows. OCMF1718 -GGAMIP
—- 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