UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

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!!

Another good weekend if you’re a Warhawks, Badgers, and/or Packers football fan!!

This week’s notes:

• Please review Therese Kennedy’s emails from earlier today asking for volunteers to staff the various locations at the schools and Hawk Bowl for Youth Appreciation Week. Please respond directly to Therese if you can help.
• Who can help find speakers for our January and February meetings? All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. Members have shared ideas with me, we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.
• Speaking of December, 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. I have already reserved Esker Dining Hall for that morning with the campus reservations office and notified campus Dining Services staff.
• I received and email from the Whitewater Middle School Principal’s Office (no, I’m not in trouble), asking if the 2015 Miss Whitewater Queens and Court could join the Optimists at Breakfast with Santa, helping with breakfast and letters to Santa station. Any thoughts, pro or con?
• Thinking of December also reminds me of the “mitten tree.” 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.
• Thanks to Duane Dickens (and Al Hutchinson by default) for volunteering to lead the “Toys for Kids” program this year.
• Thanks to Duane Dickens, Jim McLernon, and Bob Sweet for putting the gyro stand into storage this past Saturday!!
• The last Wednesday of the month has become our traditional evening meeting date. However, in November and December these dates fall right in front of holidays. What are your thoughts about having the evening meeting for November either the 18^th or 24^th and in December the meeting could be either December 16^th or 22^nd? Should we “vote” with an online Doodle poll, like we used for the Gyro Stand scheduling last summer?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, October 20 regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch” day ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School. Speakers will be Mareta Hale, Art Teacher at Washington Elementary School, and Tom Grosinske, Principal at Washington Elementary School. They will be speaking about a Washington Elementary School mural project.
• Tuesday, October 27 evening meeting/social event at the home of Kim Adams and Angie Alesci. See the attached invitation.
• 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.
• Tuesday, November 10, Exec Board meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 260.
• Tuesday, November 17, noon meeting. Youth of the Month from Whitewater High School. UC 259A. 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.
• 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!!

Warhawk football ticket takers, remember, this week’s game is a Friday night game. And we all need to help them start a new winning streak!!

This week’s notes:

• A budget item for discussion at the October 13 (tomorrow) meeting. How many “NFL Football Crazr” raffle tickets could/should our club commit to for 2015-16? We sold 50 of them quickly this past summer and received back $12/ticket for a total of $600. One thing great about this fund raiser is there are no costs. Sell the tickets, turn in the money by the specified time, receive a portion of each ticket’s price back for the budget. So…. Can we commit to 100 tickets for 2015-16?  150 tickets?  200 tickets?
• Who can help find speakers for our December and January meetings? All speaker ideas are welcome and appreciated. Members have shared ideas with me, we just need to confirm who, when, and where for the next couple of months.
• Speaking of December, 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. I have already reserved Esker Dining Hall for that morning with the campus reservations office and notified campus Dining Services staff.
• Thinking of December also reminds me of the “mitten tree” and “Toys for Kids.” Again, who would like to help lead these projects?

Dates for upcoming club meetings and events include:

• Tuesday, October 13, regular club meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 069 (basement level of the UC). This is a “bring your own lunch” meeting. Speakers will be Tonia Harvel, UC Information Services/Warhawk Alley Coordinator, and Chris Clapper from the Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce speaking on behalf of the Walworth County Leadership (WCL) group about a new YOUTH Leadership Development program for Walworth County high school students.
• Tuesday, October 20 regular club meeting, 12 Noon, UC 259A. This is a “catered lunch day ($7.00) with “Youth of the Month” from Whitewater Middle School. Speakers will be Mareta Hale, Art Teacher at Washington Elementary School, and Tom Grosinske, Principal at Washington Elementary School. They will be speaking about
• Tuesday, October 27 evening meeting/social event at the home of Kim Adams and Angie Alesci. See the attached invitation.
• 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.
• Tuesday, November 10, Exec Board meeting, 12 Noon, University Center 260.
• Tuesday, November 17, noon meeting. Youth of the Month from Whitewater High School. UC 259A. 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.
• 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 Everyone,

What a bright and sunny day (somewhere else in the world that is)!

Go Warhawks! What a tight game this past Saturday against Linfield College. Thanks to all the club members who helped with ticket taking at the home football games this fall. It’s one of our lesser known fund raising events but is important for our budget, so again, thanks to all who helped at the gate.

Tonight is the annual Toys for Kids project at 5pm at the downtown Armory located on North Street.  Please join us for the wrapping and sorting of the toys to get them ready for the distribution by the Whitewater Food Pantry. Pizza and soda will be provided by the club for all those helping.

Our Tuesday, December 16 meeting (tomorrow) will be at 12 Noon at UW-W in the University Center, room 259A (our usual location). It will be Youth of the Month with catered lunch. Lunch cost is $7.00 per person. We hope to have representatives of the Whitewater Unified School District to receive the mittens and hats collected for our “Mitten Tree” program.

I’ve received a new packet of brochures and applications from OI. Let me know of anyone who might be interested in learning more about the club and/or joining and I’ll happily sent them the OI brochure and a copy of our own club specific brochure.

Remember there will be no scheduled club meetings December 23 or 30. We’ll meet again on Tuesday, January 6.

Enjoy the holidays and time with family!

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749

Greetings Optimists,

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped in anyway with this past Saturday’s “Breakfast with Santa.” Carol Miller reported at the club board meeting today, that 718 people were served, a new record. The board members took a little time at today’s meeting to share stories from the event. I would encourage all of you who helped to look back for any special moments from Friday or Saturday, write them down and share them with us. I would like to share you stories about the day on our web site and Facebook page.

Our board meeting covered the proposed budget for this year and a review of Breakfast with Santa. I’ll share more at our monthly Wednesday evening meeting, December 10th.

Speaking of our monthly evening meeting, it will be Wednesday, December 10 at 5pm at Jessica’s Restaurant. We will have speaker, Reggie Hayes from Milwaukee, speaking about a program titled the “The Inner City Sportsmens Club” that introduces inner city children to outdoor recreation.

Our Wednesday evening will also be your chance to contribute a toy to this years “Toys for Kids” program. Presents for very young children and 13-15 year old are always very useful.

Speaking of the annual Toys for Kids project, this year we will be wrapping up the event Monday, December 15th at 5pm at the downtown Armory located on North Street.  Please join us for the wrapping and sorting of the toys to get them ready for the distribution by the Whitewater Food Pantry. Pizza and soda will be provided by the club for all those helping. Helpers are also needed at 1pm for toy/gift pickups. If you can help at that time, contact Duane Dickens and plan to meet him at the downtown Armory.

Our Tuesday, December 16 meeting will be at 12 Noon at UW-W in the University Center. It will be Youth of the Month with catered lunch. Lunch cost is $7.00 per person. We hope to have representatives of the Whitewater Unified School District to receive the mittens and hats collected for our “Mitten Tree” program.

That’s all for tonight. Hope to see many of you at the evening meeting tomorrow (or today, depending upon when you read this).

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749