October 2019 | Menomonee Falls Optimist Club
— In this issue —
Meeting Schedule
President’s Thoughts
Jeanine
Todd
We Need You
Essay and Oratorical Contest Chair
2019-2020 Optimist Club Dues
Upcoming Activities and Events
Calendar
Fall Leaf Raking
Christmas Parade
Optimist Christmas Party
Past Events
TriStar Soccer
Packer Raffle Photos
Installation Banquet
Getting to Know You – Barb Schmit
Board Briefings
Thank You Notes
This Month in Club History
How to Publish Optimist News
Patio Players presents Glorious
— Meeting Schedule —
All meetings are held Wednesday mornings at 7:15 am at the Community Center.
OCTOBER 2ND
What better way to start out the month than with a “Two-fer”! The Tristar Soccer Award Winners will “Kick” off the meeting. Once that “Goal” is met, the kids will be excused and we’ll “Throw It” over to MFSD Superintendent Cordy Golla and the Mascot issue, when he’ll share the why behind the outreach and invite feedback from our members
OCTOBER 9TH
We have many Holidays and Holydays, but day is unique, this will be a “Golladay”! MFSD Superintendent Cordy Golla’s MFSD Presentation will update us on the 2019/2020 school year. This annual talk is always one of our most informative meetings of the year.
OCTOBER 16TH
In addition to kids from MFHS and NMS, St Mary’s will be joining us when we honor the Students of The Month.
OCTOBER 23RD
MFHS DCM Manager Terra Chmielewski will be joined by two students for a presentation on the Design, Communication and Media Academy.
OCTOBER 30TH
To Be Determined. At press time, we’re waiting for confirmation from several potential speakers. Look for an email from President Todd Paulus later in the month once a speaker(s) is confirmed.
Submitted by Jerry Mislang
— Presidents’ Thoughts October 2019 —
Thank you from Past-President Jeanine
Thank you to all who were able to attend the installation banquet on September 24. It was a great time as I was able to thank so many of our awesome Club members and Board. And, of course, welcome President Todd Paulus and the 2019-2020 Board of Directors!
I chose to use the FRIENDS (TV show) theme for the awards this year. All received a little gift from me and a gift certificate to use at any Downtown Menomonee Falls shop, store, restaurant. Below are the recipients:
Chandler and Monica – to Larry and Marcia Hebbring
Rachel – to Cathy Sharkey
Phoebe – to Ann Freudenthal
Joey – to Jerry Mislang
Ross – to Larry Podolske
Behind the scenes awards went to Don Gorzek and Jon Cline for all of their photography.
A special thank you to Barb Schmit for the excellent newsletter she produces every month.
Presented with my choice as Volunteer of the Year was Larry Podolske.
Thank you all again – it’s been a great year!
~ Past President, Jeanine Dederich
President Todd’s Message
As I look back on last night’s installation banquet, I realize how lucky I am to lead this great club for a second time. Our club accomplished many great things last year and we have a lot of momentum heading into our new year. Before I get too far, I would be remiss if I fail to thank Jeanine and the board members that served last year for leading us in prudent fashion. Our club is in a good position heading into the new year of Optimism. I’d also like to thank all those that came out to celebrate the past year last night and show support for myself and the board going forward into this year (plus we got a Brewers victory). My final thank you goes out to all the committee chairs, committee members, and club member that volunteer. You help make the President’s job easy. As I mentioned at the banquet, we need to keep growing our club. As in every year, we will lose some members as the new year begins. We need to replace these members as well as add to our club roster so we can keep “Bringing out the best in kids”. New members mean new energy and new ideas.
I also mentioned at the banquet that we are heading into a historic year for our club. No, not the fact that I will be the club’s first repeat President, but instead with the Park plan that has been laid out before our club. The update to Village Park will be a game changer for the village of Menomonee Falls as well as for our club. We will finally have a chance to get our name on a park in Menomonee Falls. Hopefully, when the park is complete, people will be seeking out our club after they see the change we helped bring forth in Menomonee Falls. In order to make this happen, we will need the help of all club members. We cannot do this with only 10-15 members. Please keep abreast of the progress and please don’t hesitate to get involved. If you want to be on a list that we contact when we need volunteers, please contact Jeanine Dederich with your information. As opportunities arise, she will contact you to help us out. Thanks again for all your support and I look forward to a great year of Optimism.
~ Todd Paulus
— We Need You —
Essay and Oratorical Contest Chair
After ten years, Dawn Mariscal has resigned her position as chair of the annual Essay Contest and the annual Oratorical Contest. Thank you Dawn for your many years of coordinating these events!
She is ready to hand over the reins — please let Todd know soon that you can step-up and help out.
2019-20 Optimist Club Dues
Please pay your 2019-20 dues now if you have not yet done so. If you decide that you will not be renewing your membership, please contact Cathy Sharkey at csharkey224@yahoo.com.
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.
~ Cathy Sharkey
— Upcoming Activities and Events —
TUESDAY OCTOBER 15TH
OA5 Meeting at the Garcade and discuss a future fundraiser event to be held at the Garcade
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9TH
Leaf Raking for Seniors
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19TH
OA5 Meeting to begin planning for our 3rd annual bags tournament. Location TBD.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 1ST
Menomonee Falls Christmas Parade
SATURDAY DECEMBER 7TH
Holiday Drop N Shop
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH
Optimist Christmas Party
TUESDAY DECEMBER 17TH
OA5 Annual Service Project. Location TBD.
SATURDAY JANUARY 25TH
Trivia Contest – mark your calendars. More info soon!
Senior Leaf Raking is Almost Here:
Saturday, November 9!
The annual senior leaf raking event is just around the corner; it will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019. We can still use volunteers to help with sign-in, clean-up, leaf-hauling, etc. And if you have access to a pick-up truck or trailer, we could use your help with trucking the leaves (when necessary) over to Shady Lane Greenhouse.
In order to avoid the weather issues of the last two years (see picture above), Jason has graciously agreed to guarantee good weather. We are expecting great results!
Please reserve some time, round up some volunteers and help if you can! Sign-up sheets will be passed around at October meetings or contact Jason Husslein (414-852-9634, hussjas@sdmfschools.org) or John Yusko (414-339-2637, jyusko505@twc.com).
And don’t forget to patronize Shady Lane Greenhouse!
~ John Yusko
Christmas Parade
The Menomonee Falls Christmas Parade sponsored by the Optimist Club of Menomonee Falls is Sunday December 1st. This night parade is the Sunday after Thanksgiving and starts at 4:30 with approximately 60 groups under the lights ringing in the Christmas Season. If you are interested in helping with the parade, please contact Larry Hebbring. Marshalls and help with the staging area is needed. Make this another Optimist’s successful activity for the kids in the Falls and area.
~ Larry Hebbring
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 11th at North Hills Country Club. Price will be the same as last year: $37.50/person.
In order to offset the cost to the club, we are looking for donations for dinner wine. Any amount is helpful. Contact Carol at carolschulteis@twc.com or Kristy at kristy-marie@hotmail.com if you can help.
More info and sign-up sheets will be coming in November. We hope to see you there!
— Past Events —
Tristar Soccer
Submitted by Jerry Mislang
We had a record 82 KIDS compete for the 5TH ANNUAL TRISTAR SOCCER SKILLS CONTEST and all the credit should go to one person…me! That’s right, ME, and here’s why.
Deb and Carol, after getting several poor suggestions from the guy running the event, didn’t do much except recruit and register all 82 kids, answer their questions, deal with confused parents and verify and collect all their scoresheets.
Displaying an incredible amount of patience and encouragement while explaining the Dribbling Drill to every kid, Lenny, Marcia, Greg and Tom basically stood around with nothing to do most night except time and score 164 attempts in 90 minutes.
The same thing could be said about Todd, John and Steve for the Throw In contest. They didn’t retrieve any of the over 165+ balls that were thrown, all of them seemed to roll back by themselves. Rick and Larry, I never checked on them handling the Speed Kick, but it appeared every kid knew exactly what to do on their very first kick and the radar gun NEVER malfunctioned.
For Coach Scott Stein, not much to report. Other than getting us a great date to compete, reserving a portion of the field for us, supplying 25 balls and cones, constantly promoting the event and having his players help out with the younger players, really, did he do all that much?
So, as you can see by this EXTREMELY accurate report, it was successful because of one person and one person only person…ME!
…Now, thanks for reading this delusional nonsense. It goes without saying how important and valuable these volunteers were to all 82 kids and their families…and me… that night. Thanks again for their selfless time and talent. The “hard core” of the Optimist Club came through and not surprisingly, virtually every volunteer that night at one time or another is/was the Chairperson of a Committee and or served on the Executive Board. Sincerely, thank you so much.
Photos by Jon Cline
Packer Raffle Tailgate Photos
Photos by Don Gorzek
Wrap-up article will be in the next newsletter
Installation Dinner Photos
Photos by Don Gorzek
— Getting to Know You – Barb Schmit —
I grew up in West Bend, with three sisters and two brothers. I graduated from UW-Whitewater, which is where I met my husband, Steve. We have two children, Sarah and Jeff. Sarah is married, lives in New Berlin, and has two sons, Nathan and Ryan. It’s great that they are close enough that we can be a part of our grandsons’ lives, attending sporting events, school activities, and spending time together. Jeff lives in downtown St. Paul, MN. We enjoy taking trips up there to visit him and take in what the Twin Cities have to offer.
I retired from FIS five years ago, where I was a Business Systems Analyst. (FIS was previously Metavante and M&I Data Services.) In addition to various activities with the Optimist club and Good Shepherd Catholic church, I volunteer at the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry and HOPE Network for Single Mothers. Steve and I have always enjoyed traveling and continue that in retirement. In our earlier years, we camped on many of our vacations and weekends. That was especially fun as the kids were growing up. Now we prefer a little more luxury on our vacations. We also enjoy biking, hiking, cooking and seeing performances at the Milwaukee Rep and other theaters. Life is good!
As your newsletter editor, I am very appreciative of the people who write articles and provide photos for the newsletter. I am also thankful for all of the members who work on the many activities of the club.
— Board Briefings – September 17, 2019 —
Present; Jeanine Dederich, Marcia Hebbring, Lynette Shepherd, Joanne Wanner, Steve Fleming, Ann Freudenthal, Todd Paulus, Rick Kohl
Absent; Barb Schmit, Dave Curran, Don Eisenhauer, Kathryn Hoff
Carol Schulties discussed the Christmas budget.
Steve moved to approve, Marcia seconded. All approved.
Tri Star soccer budget was discussed. Marcia moved to approve, Ann seconded.
All approved.
Speakers budget discussed.
Steve motioned to approve, Joanne seconded.
All approved
Eagle Scout project presented by Alex Teerlinck was tabled.
Treasurers report given by Marcia Hebbring
Todd moved to approve, seconded by Ann.
All approved.
A village park report update was given by Jeanine.
New members Nancy Kane and Stevie Mistele-Wildt were discussed.
Ann moved to approve, seconded by Lynette
All approved
Lynette moved to make Burton Brody a friend of Optimists. Todd seconded
All approved
Next meeting 10-15-19
Respectfully, Rick Kohl
—- Thank You Notes (excerpts) —-
Bella Harthun – May Student of the Month – “Thank you so much for this honor…(and) for this amazing opportunity.”
The Eisenhauer Family – Club Member – “Thank you for the monetary donation to St. Vincent in memory of Alice…We really appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
Kris Kreutzmann – Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association – “Thank you for your generous sponsorship of the Big Cheese wheelchair basketball tournament…the tournament was a great success.”
Jenn Dedrick – Club Member – “Thank you for sponsoring me for Leadership MF. I look forward to the growth experience and promise to represent our club well.”
Nick Boehm – Falls Patio Players Drama Camp – “Thank you for giving me a scholarship to help me go to camp. I had fun learning singing, dancing and acting. I can’t wait to go next year.”
Ellie Boehm – Falls Patio Players Drama Camp – “Thank you so much for the scholarship…I had a super fun time and made lots of new friends.”
Submitted by Jerry Mislang
—- This Month in Club History —
October 4, 1995 (24 years ago) – Morning Meetings are moved to Scores Sports Bar and Restaurant.
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 26th 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
—- Patio Players Presents Glorious! —-
The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World
In 1940’s New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Based upon a true story, the play spins from Florence’s charity recitals and extravagant balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.