Welcome to The Sunny Side — We had a very busy August with our newest fundraiser! 'Magic at the Masters' Raffle being drawn and awarded. Also in this newsletter, we will cover our general membership meetings and upcoming events and fundraisers.

So look on the Sunny Side and let your Optimism shine true!

🌞

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As my year comes to an end, I remember all the people that have been President before, saying how fast it will go.  Well, they were right, even though at the time, it felt different.  I also want to “Thank You!” for trusting me to lead this GREAT organization that gives so much to our Community and Kids in the area.  It has been a real honor and privilege to be your President this last year.

Well, I do have one more month to serve and the last Month will be fun.  On September 8^th, we will have Lisa Swan from the Howard Commons as Speaker.  She will give us her vision of what is going to happen in the future with the Commons.  Please come with your comments and questions regarding the Howard Commons.  Lisa is definitely a fun person and will be entertaining to listen to.

At the September 22^nd meeting, we will host the Bay Port High School Dance Team representatives.  This is a high energy group that gives much back to the Community.  They promote our Bay Port High School by displaying beautiful dance routines.  You have to see them perform at the home football and basketball games to appreciate their hard work.  They also represent Bay Port at competitions throughout the area and nationally.  Their precision is something to behold. 

Again, I appreciate all the support the Club and the Board of Directors has given me this last year.  I would especially want to Thank my wife Sue, Tom Binish and Dan and Mary Joan O’Leary for their support-- I couldn’t have done it without them. 

I would like to congratulate Seth Deuman as the next President and wish him the best.  He will be GREAT for the Club.  Let’s all get behind Seth and help him achieve success.  GO SETH!!!

See ya’ at the meetings.

Don Snyder

Howard/Suamico Optimist - President

MEETING WRAP UP

Tuesday August 11th

Our guest speaker for this warm Tuesday was Dave Weise, Director of Community Development Director.

If you've noticed new subdivisions, senior-living campuses, and commercial pads popping up around the Village of Howard, there's a good chance Dave Wiese had a hand in it. Wiese serves as the Village's Director of Community Development, a role that folds planning, zoning, building inspection, code enforcement, and local economic development under one roof. Dave is a graduate of UW-Oshkosh, with prior stints at the City of Kaukauna and Shawano County, before his years leading Howard's Community Development Department.

Two of the active 2026/2027 initiatives Dave spoke on are:

1. TID No. 10 — the redevelopment of the old UnitedHealth office campus into a ~$300 million mixed-use neighborhood with T. Wall Enterprises.

2. The new Primrose Retirement Communities senior-living campus, approved by the Village Board in January 2026.

A big shout out to Dave and a huge Optimist thank you for sharing your insights.

Tuesday, August 25th

Social Hour and Dinner Meeting Recap

Our Social Hour and Dinner Meeting was a special one this month, culminating in our "Magic at the Masters" Raffle Drawing. The 24 members and guests in attendance enjoyed a fun and informative evening.

Thank you to Mary Joan O'Leary for an excellent walk through the history of the Howard-Suamico Optimist Club — we learn something new every time.

President Don spoke on "Fundraising: Turning Optimism into Action," highlighting the advantages and opportunities that come with belonging to an Optimist organization and recapping this past year's fundraising events.

Tom Binish delivered an abbreviated Treasurer's Report, and Rick Colberg reported on the Foundation's activities.

Our special guest of honor was WI-NUM District Governor-Elect Ben Elsner. As incoming governor, Ben shared his goals for 2026–2027 and discussed the district's Club Health Reports.

The evening closed with our "Magic at the Masters" Raffle Drawing, with Governor-Elect Ben Elsner pulling the winning number. More details to follow.

Now lets talk Queen of Hearts!

On August 11th Bonnie Horen pulled but alas it was the Queen of Spades not Hearts! Better luck next time Bonnie. On the bright side though she left $250 in the pot. Thanks Bonnie!

On August 27th, Sue Snyder pulled the 10 of Hearts! Ouch - So close...

With only 11 cards left in the deck and $263 in the pot, now is the time to attend and try your luck...

UPCOMING MEETING NEWS

September 8th

Tuesday noon Meeting

12 - 1 at 1951 West

On September 8th, we will have Lisa Swan from the Howard Commons as Speaker. She will give us her vision of what is going to happen in the future with the Commons. Please come with your comments and questions regarding the Howard Commons. Lisa is definitely a fun person and will be entertaining to listen to.

September 22nd

Tuesday Evening Social Hour and General Membership Meeting

5PM to 7PM 1951 West

At the September 22^nd meeting, we will host the Bay Port High School Dance Team representatives.  This is a high energy group that give much back to the Community.  They promote our Bay Port High School by displaying beautiful dance routines.  You have to see them perform at home football and basketball games appreciate their hard work.  They also represent Bay Port at competitions though out the area and nationally.  Their precision is something to behold. 

FUNDRAISER ANNOUNCEMENT

PAST FUNDRAISING NEWS

'OPTIMISTS IN ACTION!'

FUNDRAISER UPDATE

Magic at the Masters: A Winning First Swing!

Our inaugural "Magic at the Masters" Raffle teed off in style, and what a debut it was! We sold 82 of our 200 tickets and netted $600 for Howard-Suamico Optimist Club youth programs — real dollars going straight back to our kids and into our community.

Was it a hole-in-one right out of the gate? Not quite. But for a brand-new event built from scratch, this was a solid front nine. We learned what worked, what didn't, and exactly how to make next year's raffle even bigger.

Here's the best part: the prize doesn't get any less amazing.

Our own Ken McCoy was the lucky winner and walked away with two badges to the Masters Tournament — golf's greatest stage — and now we know how to get the word out further and sell every single ticket.

Consider 2027 officially on notice: we're aiming for a full sellout and a bigger check for our youth programs.

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, told a friend, or cheered us on — you made year one a win. Grab your tickets early next time, because this raffle is only going to get better from here!

If you recall, we had a little contest going to see who could sell the most tickets. The results are in:

Tied for 3rd with 10 each are Bonnie Horen and Darold Cichocki.

In 2nd place with 22 is Seth Deuman.

Our winner with 23 tickets sold is our President Don Snyder!

Congratulations To all who participated in this years event!

No pressure here but wouldn't it be great if Don bought ticket number 1 for next years raffle at the September 8th noon meeting?

2026-2027 Update

Mark you calendars:

Next year the

'Fore the Kids' Golf Classic

to be held on June 14th

Mid Vallee Golf Course.

Magic at the Masters Raffle

Stay tuned...

SAVE THE DATE

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Tuesday October 27th 

5PM to 7PM

Rock Gardens Supper Club

Green Bay, WI

Join your fellow Howard Suamico Optimists at the 2026/2027 term Installation of Officers.

President Seth Deuman

V. President Denise Vancampenhout

Secretary Sunni Dalgord

Treasurer Tom Binish

Director Burt McIntyre

Director Justin Horen

Director Christina Kabara

Director Rebecca Agamaite

Director Matt Kerscher

Director Mary Joan O'Leary

Master of Ceremony Mike Blaney

Special Guests:

WINUM Governor Vanessa Rueth

WINUM Governor Elect Ben Elsner

WINUM Past Governor Chuck Erickson

More information to follow on this fun event.

September Birthday Wishes

Steve Dill

Don Snyder

Dennis King

Rebecca Agamaite

Dave Luedke

“Your friends in the Howard Suamico Optimist Club wish you a very happy birthday and a year filled with joy, good health, and success.”

NOTE: If we missed your birthday this past year it is because we don't have it on file. Contact Tom Binish at 920-621-5442 if you want to share!

Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Trivia Question:

WINUM Governor Elect, Ben Elsner, has been very active in Optimist circles.  Which of these are true statements?

A.     Ben served as Appleton Noon President.

B.     Ben has served as WINUM Lt Governor for Zone 3 and 4.

C.     Ben served as WINUM Junior Golf Chair.

D.     Ben has worked alongside the Howard Suamico Optimist on the vast majority of our fundraisers this past year.

The answer follows my sign off!

Tom Binish, Guest Editor

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