UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Greetings Optimist!!

Don’t you just love the contrast in the upper Midwest between mid-January weather and mid-June weather? From arctic cold and dry to rain forest warm and muggy. We should be able to enjoy the buzz of mosquitoes pretty soon also.

Have you checked out the new SWIS District web site? Great new updated look.

A reminder that we are doing Gyro Stand work shift signup online. We are still in need of workers on July 3, 4, & 5. If you haven’t signed up for a shift (or two) yet, please do so soon. The more work shifts filled, the less stress as the celebration nears. Below is the link and instructions from Teshona.

• http://doodle.com/mr7hq55mpzgwgncx
• It is fairly easy to operate.
• Type in your name.
• Check the days/time slots you are available to volunteer your time.
• Click Save button.
• Tell all your friends and family/ Send them the link to participate.
• All Done J
• Teshona will receive emails when signup (and changes?) have been made.

I’ve added the Doodle calendar link for Gyro Stand signup to the web site.

Please review Lou Zahn’s email from this morning with the latest signups and open slots for working the Jefferson County Fair on July 8. If you can’t help with the Gyro Stand, perhaps this is the event you can help with. The Club receives payment from the Jefferson County Fair for each club member for each hour working at the various gates. One day of work with all of the shifts filled can really help the club budget.

On to other Optimist business:

• Regular club meeting tomorrow, June 16, is a “Bring Your Own Lunch”. We’ll gather at 12 Noon in the University Center, room 259A (our usual room location on the second floor). Our speakers will be Kim Adams and Angie Alesci sharing with us their recent trip to Australia.
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, any ideas?
• Tuesday, July 7, NO CLUB MEETING.
• Tuesday, July 21, Dr. Hank Mol and Lee Murray speaking about their respective “Honor Flight” experiences. (Thanks Hans and Carla for arranging these speakers.)

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, June 16, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

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!!

The Fishing Derby was this past Saturday at Cravath Lake Park. Thanks to Al & Joyce Hutchinson, Rick & Jeanine Fassl, Greg Stewart, Joe Lynch, Sue Hiscox, and Linda Kinson for organizing and/or assisting. The turnout of kids was smaller than last year but the blue gill fish were biting so it was fun for the anglers who came out to join us. I posted a few pictures on the Facebook page and will attempt to post more pictures this week on the web site. Thanks to Greg Stewart for sending me some of the photos he took.

Thanks to Lou and Don Zahn who are coordinating workers and signup for ticket selling at the 2015 Jefferson County Fair. I’ve attached the work schedule signup sheet that Lou sent me this morning. If you can’t help with the Gyro Stand, perhaps this is the event you can help with. The Club receives payment from the Jefferson County Fair for each hour that we have a club member working at the various gates. One day of work with all of the shifts filled can really help the club budget.

On to Optimist business:

• NO REGULAR CLUB MEETING AT 12 NOON THIS WEEK!!
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• A reminder that we are now doing Gyro Stand work shift signup online. Here is the link and instructions from Teshona.
  • http://doodle.com/mr7hq55mpzgwgncx
  • It is fairly easy to operate.
  • Type in your name.
  • Check the days/time slots you are available to volunteer your time.
  • Click Save button.
  • Tell all your friends and family/ Send them the link to participate.
  • All Done J
  • Teshona will receive emails when signup (and changes?) have been made.
  • HELPERS ARE STILL NEEDED JULY 3, JULY 4, AND, JULY 5.
• I’ve added the Doodle calendar link for Gyro Stand signup to the web site.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, June 16, Kim Adams and Angie Alesci about their recent trip/vacation to Australia.
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, any ideas?
• Tuesday, July 7, NO CLUB MEETING.
• Tuesday, July 21, Dr. Hank Mol and Lee Murray speaking about their respective “Honor Flight” experiences. (Thanks Hans and Carla for arranging these speakers.)

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, June 16, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

What a great day outside today. Of course it’s Monday and many of us are inside working. Sigh…..

How ‘bout those Brewers?

On to Optimist business:

• Tomorrow’s meeting, Tuesday, June 2, will be at 12 Noon in the University Center, room 259A (our usual meeting location in the UC). This will be a “Bring your own lunch” meeting so please plan accordingly.
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby, 9:00 Am – 12:00 PM, Cravath Lake Park. Helpers and needed. Please contact Al Hutchison if you can assist.
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• A reminder that we are now doing Gyro Stand work shift signup online. Here is the link and instructions from Teshona.
  • http://doodle.com/mr7hq55mpzgwgncx
  • It is fairly easy to operate
  • Type in your name
  • check the days/time slots you are available to volunteer your time
  • Click Save button
  • Tell all your friends and family/ Send them the link to participate
  • All Done 🙂
  • Teshona will receive emails when signup (and changes?) have been made.
  • HELPERS ARE STILL NEEDED JULY 3, JULY 4, AND, JULY 5.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, June 2, Amy Edmonds, UW-W Athletics Director
• Tuesday, June 16, any ideas??
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, any ideas?
• Tuesday, July 21, Dr. Hank Mol and Lee Murray speaking about their respective “Honor Flight” experiences. (Thanks Hans and Carla for arranging these speakers.)

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, June 2, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby, 9:00 Am – 12:00 PM, Cravath Lake Park.
• Tuesday, June 16, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

A few days with above average temps, then a few days with below average temps. Don’t you just love May in the upper Midwest?

On to Optimist business:

• Tomorrow’s meeting will be held in UC 068, 12 Noon-1pm. This meeting room is located in the lower level (some would say the basement level) of the UC. It is a General Member meeting and Youth of the Month, with catered lunch, $7.00/member. Our speaker will be Greg Swanson, UW-W Director of Facilities Planning and Management speaking about the campus master plan.
• THANK YOU to Teshona Bennett for volunteering to co-chair the Gyro Stand this year with Duane and Barb Dickens.
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• I’ve contacted Tom Grosinske, Whitewater Washington Elementary School Principal and Whippet Head Football coach, for possible football team volunteers to help with loading and unloading of products, etc., for the Gyro Stand. He’ll have possible names of helpers for us around June 24-26.
• Thanks to Jeanine Fassl and Kim Adams for their help and leadership in advertising the internships for this summer and next fall. We use the interns to help with promoting the club, it’s activities/events, and other tasks as needed. We haven’t finalized who the interns will be yet. When we do, I’ll let you know.
• Here’s a fund raising idea from a couple of club members for consideration:
  • What about selling up to 100 “Football Crazr” raffle tickets instead of just the usual 25? The club makes $10 on each $20 raffle ticket. Our club’s usual allotment of 25 have already arrived, I’ll bring them to the meeting tomorrow, but perhaps we could order more and sell them until August 28. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated!! 100 raffle tickets would raise $1,000 for the club!

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, May 19, Youth of the Month from Whitewater Middle School and Greg Swanson, campus Director of Facilities Planning and Management, speaking about the campus master plan for the future.
• Wednesday, May 27, Speaker has cancelled. Any ideas? (5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant)
• Tuesday, June 2, any ideas?
• Tuesday, June 16, any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, May 19, UC 068, 12 Noon-1pm, General Member Club meeting and Youth of the Month, catered lunch, $7.00/member.
• Wednesday, May 27, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Wednesday, May 27, Whitewater High School Scholarship Night.
• Tuesday, June 2, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby
• Tuesday, June 16, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

NO GENERAL CLUB MEETING THIS WEEK!! However, there will be a Board meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12 at 12 Noon in the University Center, room 260 (the usual Board meeting location).

Be sure to read through the expanded “dates” section below. I’ve included info regarding summer meetings and locations. Note the location for next week’s meeting, UC 068!

Remember, this Thursday, May 14 there will be a “going away” party at the Whitewater Country Club for Denise and Kevin Kaminski!! Hope many of you can make it to thank Denise for her years of service to the club and participation on the board.

On to other Optimist business:

• The Club is looking for new co-chairs for the upcoming Gyro Stand. Who can help Duane and Barb Dickens with the arrangements and scheduling for this coming July? Please contact Duane or Barb directly or let me know if you would like to co-chair this event. It’s very important for the Club!!!!  I can provide a copy of the event planning guidelines that Duane has written if that would help you make up your mind.
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• I have updated the web site to include a posting and links about the 11^th Annual City-wide Rummage Sale on May 16. Click for the information flyer and application.
• I’ve also updated the Club’s Facebook page to include links about the Rummage Sale. The message has reached 167 people on Facebook since I posted it.
• Regarding the Gyro Stand trailer, we at least have a short-term storage location due to Mike Ciardo’s help but are looking for a long-term storage location at no-cost or very low cost. Let any of the Board Members know if you have a place/suggestion.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, May 19, Youth of the Month from Whitewater Middle School and Greg Swanson, campus Director of Facilities Planning and Management, speaking about the campus master plan for the future.
• Wednesday, May 27, Speaker has cancelled. Any ideas? (5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant)
• Tuesday, June 2, any ideas?
• Tuesday, June 16, any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Saturday, May 16, City-Wide Rummage Sale.
• Tuesday, May 19, UC 068, 12 Noon-1pm, General Member Club meeting, catered lunch, $7.00/member.
• Wednesday, May 27, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Wednesday, May 27, Whitewater High School Scholarship Night.
• Tuesday, June 2, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby
• Tuesday, June 16, UC 259A, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, June 24, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Tuesday, July 7, NO MEETING!
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.
• Tuesday, July 21, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Wednesday, July 29, Jessica’s Restaurant, 5pm, dinner on your own.
• Tuesday, August 4, UC 264, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, August 18, 12 Noon-1pm, location to be determined.
• Tuesday, September 8, Esker Hall room 119, 12 Noon-1pm, “bring your own lunch.”
• Tuesday, September 22, UC 261, 12 Noon-1pm. Catered lunch??? Youth of the Month??
• Tuesday, September, 29, evening banquet, date/time/location to be determined.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimist!!

I think I slept through most of this morning’s thunderstorm. Anyone else do that?

Had a good turnout at last Wednesday’s evening meeting with speakers Judy Harms and Sarah Schumacher. Even had some club “alums” join us for dinner.  It was fun to hear Coach Harm and Team Captain Schumacher share their thoughts and emotions about the WHS Girls Basketball Team run to the state title this past March.

On to Optimist business:

• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• I have updated the web site to include a posting and links about the 11^th Annual City-wide Rummage Sale on May 16. Click for the information flyer and application.
• I’ve also updated the Club’s Facebook page to include links about the Rummage Sale. The message has already reached 11 people in the first hour.
• The Club is looking for new co-chairs for the upcoming Gyro Stand. Who can help Duane and Barb Dickens with the arrangements and scheduling for this coming July? Please contact Duane or Barb directly of let me know if you would like to co-chair this event. It’s very important for the Club!!!!  I can provide a copy of the event planning guidelines that Duane has written if that would help you make up your mind.
• Regarding the Gyro Stand trailer, we at least have a short-term storage location due to Mike Ciardo’s help but are looking for a long-term storage location at no-cost or very low cost. Let any of the Board Members know if you have a place/suggestion.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, May 5, Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager.
• Tuesday, May 19, Tami McCullough, UW-W Campus Facilities Planner.
• Wednesday, May 27, Speaker has cancelled. Any ideas? (5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant)
• Tuesday, June 2, any ideas?
• Tuesday, June 16, any ideas?

Dates for upcoming club events include:

• Friday, May 8, 1:55pm, Whitewater High School Awards, the Club presents the Optimist Female Athlete of the Year.
• Saturday, May 16, City-Wide Rummage Sale.
• Wednesday, May 27, Whitewater High School Scholarship Night.
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Time for a rummage sale to clean out space in your house or garage? The Optimist Club can help! The Eleventh Annual City-wide Rummage Sale is being planned now. Signup and be listed for the Optimist Club City-wide Rummage Sale, Saturday, May 16. Information and the 2015 Rummage Sale Application are available at in the “Club Documents” section of the web site. Last year more than 60 households sign-up!

Greetings Optimist!!

So who has mowed their yard already? (or had someone mow it for them?)

On to Optimist business:

• This week’s meeting will be Wednesday evening, April 29, 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant. Our speakers will be Judy Harms, Whitewater High School Girls Basketball Head Coach and Sarah Schumacher, Senior Team Captain.
• The Club is looking for a co-chair for the upcoming Gyro Stand. Who can help Duane and Barb Dickens with the arrangements and scheduling for this coming July? Please contact Duane or Barb directly of let me know if you would like to co-chair this event. It’s very important for the Club!!!!  I can provide a copy of the event planning guidelines that Duane has written if that would help you make up your mind.
• Regarding the Gyro Stand trailer, we at least have a short-term storage location due to Mike Ciardo’s help but are looking for a long-term storage location at no-cost or very low cost. Let any of the Board Members know if you have a place/suggestion.
• What would YOU like to do next year to contribute? It’s that time of the Optimist Club year to begin thinking about a slate of officers for 2015-16. How about an Exec Board position? Perhaps one that you’ve not held  in the past? Please begin thinking about volunteering to be an officer for 2015-16. “Many hands make light work.”
• Jeanine Fassl has provided information to the Whitewater Chamber of Commerce intern regarding the City-Wide Rummage Sale on May 16. Thanks Jeanine!!  I found the event listed on the Chamber calendar. If I find any more information on the Chamber site I’ll let you know.

Speakers for upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday, May 5, Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager.
• Tuesday, May 19, Tami McCullough, UW-W Campus Facilities Planner.
• Wednesday, May 27, Karen Wislocki, Director of the UW-W Intensive English Institute. (5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant)

Dates for upcoming club events include:

• Friday, May 8, 1:55pm, Whitewater High School Awards, the Club presents the Optimist Female Athlete of the Year.
• Saturday, May 16, City-Wide Rummage Sale.
• Wednesday, May 27, Whitewater High School Scholarship Night.
• Saturday, June 6, Fishing Derby
• Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5, Gyro Stand at Whitewater 4^th of July Celebration.
• Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Jefferson County Fair ticket selling.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749