UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Greetings Optimist!!

I see this coming Saturday’s forecast is “Sunny, low of 28, high of 47.” Should be a great day for Breakfast with Santa, the Warhawk football playoff game at UW-Oshkosh, and the UW-W Gala Holiday Concert in the evening.

Thanks to Rick & Jeanine Fassl for spending time today in the Club’s storeroom checking out Christmas trees and lights for this Saturday’s Breakfast With Santa!!

Our club will be meeting tomorrow, December 1, at 12 Noon, in the University Center, room 259A. It will be a “bring your own lunch” meeting day. We’ll use most of the hour to stuff the goody bags for Breakfast with Santa. Hope to see you there!

Please review the BWS signup web site. We can still use some helpers this week, Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning. If you haven’t already signed up to help, please consider it. Decorations and equipment moving begin at 11:30 am on Friday, December 4. Decorating in Esker begins at 1:00 pm.

Thanks Duane and Barb for working on the Toys for Kids program! Duane sent me the following message this afternoon.

“We are all set for Monday, December 14, 2015 for the wrapping and sorting of all the toys at the Whitewater Food Pantry. The Whitewater Food Pantry is located in the old Armory on North Street across from Ketterhagen Ford Dealer. We will start the wrapping and sorting around 5:30pm. If you have any additional Student Optimist Club members that would like to help please be sure to invite them.”

This week’s other notes:

• A reminder again that the annual club dues notification was sent out to our membership list (which is not the exact same as this email list). Hopefully active members can submit dues soon so Ken, Kate and I can update the club roster at the OI web site.
• Who can help find additional speakers for our January and February meetings? A couple of ideas/speakers have been forwarded to me but more are needed.  All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. I/we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, December 1, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting. Stuffing of “Goody Bags” for Breakfast with Santa.
• Saturday, December 5, Breakfast with Santa!! Esker Dining Hall, UW-W.
• Tuesday, December 8. Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Monday, December, 14. Toys for Kids wrapping and sorting, Whitewater Downtown Armory, 146 W North St.
• Tuesday, December 15. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School and presentation of the “Mitten Tree” donations to Lanora, Mary, and Shirley from the Whitewater School District.
• No club meeting the week of December 20-26.
• Tuesday, January 5, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting.
• Tuesday, January 12, Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Tuesday, January 19, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, location to be determined. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater High School. Our speaker will be Jim Mead from the UW-W University Housing Cable TV Office.
• Tuesday, January 26, evening meeting, 5pm, Jessica’s Restaurant.
• Tuesday, February 1, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, February 9, Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Tuesday, February 16, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, location to be determined. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater High School. Our speaker will be Bunny Schoen.
• Friday, February 19, 2016, Trivia Night!! 7:00 pm, University Center Hamilton Room.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

Thanks to Kim Adams and Allison Langenkamp for posting the tribute and pictures of Don Zahn on our web site and Facebook page. I haven’t found any other words to express my sorrow on Don’s passing so suddenly. Please keep Lou and her family in your thoughts this week.

This week’s notes:

• I’ve attached the updated Breakfast with Santa task list that I sent out the last two weeks. Thanks to many of you for volunteering for tasks that need to be completed now (or very soon) in order to keep the event on track and on time. This list is different from what Lanora created due to the earlier timeline for some tasks. Please review again to see where you can help.
• If you haven’t already signed up to help with Breakfast With Santa, please do so at this website. This form can also be used by the Whitewater Middle School Junior Optimist Club, Whitewater High School Octagon Club, and UWW Student Optimist Club. No need for multiple paper signup sheets that need to be merged together.
• Remember to mark your calendar for Monday evening, December 14 for the “Toys for Kids” night to help with sorting and wrapping.
• A reminder that the annual club dues notification was sent out to our membership list (which is not the exact same as this email list). Hopefully active members can submit dues soon so Ken, Kate and I can update the club roster at the OI web site.
• Who can help find additional speakers for our January and February meetings? A couple of ideas/speakers have been forwarded to me but more are needed.  All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. I/we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, December 1, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting. Stuffing of “Goody Bags” for Breakfast with Santa.
• Saturday, December 5, Breakfast with Santa!! Esker Dining Hall, UW-W.
• Tuesday, December 8. Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Monday, December, 14. Toys for Kids wrapping and sorting, Whitewater Downtown Armory, 146 W North St.
• Tuesday, December 15. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School and presentation of the “Mitten Tree” donations to Lanora, Mary, and Shirley from the Whitewater School District.
• No club meeting the week of December 20-26.
• Tuesday, January 5, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting.
• Tuesday, January 12, Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Tuesday, January 19, Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, location to be determined. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater High School. Our speaker will be Jim Mead from the UW-W University Housing Cable TV Office.
• Tuesday, January 26, evening meeting, 5pm, Jessica’s Restaurant.
• Friday, February 19, 2016, Trivia Night!! 7:00 pm, University Center Hamilton Room.

That’s all for the moment. Enjoy the holiday and hug your family.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

Welcome to our newest club member, Liz Hrodey, Whitewater High School Assistant Principal!!! The Board voted and accepted her membership application last week at our November meeting.

Great news for Warhawk football fans, we will host the opening round playoff game this Saturday!!  See Therese Kennedy’s email from earlier today regarding ticket takers.

Also from last week’s Board meeting, we voted to NOT have evening meetings for November or December. Use that time to enjoy with family and friends (or, in reality, time to get last minute holiday tasks completed!).

Tuesday, November 17, noon meeting. UC 259A. Youth of the Month from Whitewater High School, with catered lunch, $7.00 for club members. Speaker will be Shawn Werner, Young Auditorium Staff member.

This week’s notes:

• Thanks again to Lanora Heim for creating the online signup form for December 4^th & 5^th for the many tasks related to Breakfast with Santa . If you haven’t already signed up, please do so at this website. This form can also be used by the Whitewater Middle School Junior Optimist Club, Whitewater High School Octagon Club, and UWW Student Optimist Club. No need for multiple paper signup sheets that need to be merged together.
• I’ve attached the updated Breakfast with Santa task list that I sent out last week. Thanks to many of you for volunteering for tasks that need to be completed now (or very soon) in order to keep the event on track and on time. This list is different from what Lanora created due to the earlier timeline for some tasks. Please review again to see where you can help.
• Remember to mark your calendar for Monday evening, December 14 for the “Toys for Kids” night to help with sorting and wrapping.
• A reminder that the annual club dues notification was sent out to our membership list (which is not the exact same as this email list). Hopefully active members can submit dues soon so Ken, Kate and I can update the club roster at the OI web site.
• Who can help find additional speakers for our January and February meetings? A couple of ideas/speakers have been forwarded to me but more are needed.  All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. I/we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, November 17, noon meeting. UC 259A. Youth of the Month from Whitewater High School, with catered lunch. Speaker will be Shawn Werner, Young Auditorium Staff member.
• Tuesday, December 1. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting. Stuffing of “Goody Bags” for Breakfast with Santa.
• Saturday, December 5, Breakfast with Santa!! Esker Dining Hall, UW-W.
• Tuesday, December 8. Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Monday, December, 14. Toys for Kids wrapping and sorting, Whitewater Downtown Armory, 146 W North St.
• Tuesday, December 15. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School.
• Friday, February 19, 2016, Trivia Night!! 7:00 pm, University Center Hamilton Room.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

As many of you probably know, UW-Whitewater was saddened this weekend with the unexpected passing of Mary Beth Mackin, Dean of Students and proud Warhawk supporter since 1988. Many of us in the club remember that she was also a past member, and past president, of the club. The campus posted this announcement this afternoon regarding an upcoming memorial for Mary Beth. Her humor, as well as her concern and compassion for students and UW-W, will be missed.

This week’s notes:

• Thanks to Therese Kennedy for organizing this year’s “Youth Appreciation Week” events!!
• Thanks to everyone who staffed the ice cream handouts and Youth Bowling event last week!!
• Thanks to Lanora Heim for creating the online signup form for December 4^th & 5^th for the many tasks related to Breakfast with Santa . If you haven’t already signed up, please do so at this website.
• I’ve attached the updated Breakfast with Santa task list that I sent out last week. Thanks to many of you for volunteering for tasks that need to be completed now (or very soon) in order to keep the event on track and on time. This list is different from what Lanora created due to the earlier timeline for some tasks. Please review again to see where you can help.
• Please mark your calendar for Monday evening, December 14 for the “Toys for Kids” night to help with sorting and wrapping.
• A reminder that the annual club dues notification was sent out to our membership list (which is not the exact same as this email list). Hopefully active members can submit dues soon so Ken, Kate and I can update the club roster at the OI web site.
• Who can help find additional speakers for our January and February meetings? A couple of ideas/speakers have been forwarded to me but more are needed. All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. I/we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.
• We have received another new member application!! The board will be reviewing and voting on the application at tomorrow’s meeting.

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, November 10, Exec Board meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 260.
• Tuesday, November 17, noon meeting. UC 259A. Youth of the Month from Whitewater High School, with catered lunch. Speaker will be Shawn Werner, Young Auditorium Staff member.
• Wednesday, November 18 or Tuesday, November 24 evening meeting?
• Tuesday, December 1. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting. Stuffing of “Goody Bags” for Breakfast with Santa.
• Saturday, December 5, Breakfast with Santa!! Esker Dining Hall, UW-W.
• Tuesday, December 8. Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Monday, December, 14. Toys for Kids wrapping and sorting, Whitewater Downtown Armory, 146 W North St.
• Tuesday, December 15. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School.
• Wednesday, December 16 or Tuesday, December 22 evening meeting?
• Friday, February 19, 2016, Trivia Night!! 7:00 pm, University Center Hamilton Room.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

A so-so weekend for local football fans and the weather.

As I write this I miss daylights savings time since it’s now 4:50pm and the sun has already set for the day.

This week’s notes:

• Tomorrow’s meeting is the big “Youth Appreciation Week” meeting. We’ll meet in UC 259 beginning at 12 Noon. Lunch will be catered, $7.00 per club member. We’re expecting just over 100 total people to attend!
• Thanks to Kim Adams and Angie Alesci for hosting our October evening meeting at their home last Tuesday evening. It was a fun evening and a great opportunity for our club to get to know a little more about some of the UW-W Student Optimist Club members.
• Thanks to Therese Kennedy for organizing this year’s “Youth Appreciation Week” events!!
• Who would like to help organize Breakfast with Santa for December 5^th? A lot of work was done last year writing down the various actions and timelines needed to complete this event so that will help get things started. And Santa has already agreed to be at the Breakfast!!!! (Thanks Mike Ciardo!)
• Who can take charge of the “mitten tree” for this year? If we want to do this project this year we need a coordinator. Please let me know if you would be interested in coordinating this project.
• Please mark your calendar for Monday, December 14 for the “Toys for Kids” night to help with sorting and wrapping.
• A reminder that the annual club dues notification was sent out last week from Ken & Kate to our membership list (which is not the exact same as this email list). Hopefully active members can submit dues soon so Ken, Kate and I can update the club roster at the OI web site.
• Who can help find additional speakers for our January and February meetings? A couple of ideas/speakers have been forwarded to me but more are needed. All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. I/we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.
• The UW-W Student Optimist Club won the “Spirit Cup” in the Student Organization division this past Saturday as part of the UW-W Homecoming and finished 3^rd in their division for the Championship Cup. They were first in their division for the bowling portion of the “Triple B” competition, 1^st in the “Window Painting,” and 1^st in the “Service Video.” Congratulations Student Optimists!!!

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, November 3, noon meeting, UC 259 A&B. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) and Youth Appreciation Luncheon with student leaders from all 5 Whitewater School District buildings. The youth leaders will be our speakers.
• Week of November 2-6, Youth Appreciation Week. Bowling at Hawk Bowl from 4:00-6:00 pm.
• Tuesday, November 10, Exec Board meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 260.
• Tuesday, November 17, noon meeting. UC 259A. Youth of the Month from Whitewater High School. Speaker will be Shawn Werner, Young Auditorium Staff member.
• Wednesday, November 18 or Tuesday, November 24 evening meeting?
• Tuesday, December 1. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting. Stuffing of “Goody Bags” for Breakfast with Santa.
• Saturday, December 5, Breakfast with Santa!! Esker Dining Hall, UW-W.
• Tuesday, December 8. Executive Board meeting, 12 Noon.
• Monday, December, 14. Toys for Kids wrapping and sorting, Whitewater Downtown Armory, 146 W North St.
• Tuesday, December 15. Regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch day” ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School.
• Wednesday, December 16 or Tuesday, December 22 evening meeting?
• Friday, February 19, 2016, Trivia Night!! 7:00 pm, University Center Hamilton Room.

That’s all for the moment.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749