| | Welcome to The Sunny Side! We’re excited to share the latest news, stories, and happenings from the Howard-Suamico Optimist Club with you. September 30 marks the close of our fiscal year and the beginning of a new year under the leadership of President Seth Deuman. In this edition, we’ll recognize and thank outgoing President Don Snyder for his dedicated service, highlight our general membership meetings, and share information about upcoming events and fundraisers. So, take a look on the Sunny Side—and let your Optimism shine bright! 🌞 |
|
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Fellow Optimists, As I begin my term as President for 2027, I am honored and excited to build upon the tremendous impact our club has made in the Howard-Suamico community for more than 50 years.
As we look ahead to the coming year, I’d like each of you to take a moment to think back to one experience, project, event, or accomplishment during your time with the Optimist Club that truly excited you. What energized you? What made you proud to be an Optimist? I encourage you to bring that story to a meeting and share it with us. By reconnecting with the moments that inspired us, we may find ideas and inspiration that can help shape our future.
I’m excited about what we can accomplish together in 2027. Our signature fundraisers, Whitetails Unlimited and the Fore the Kids Golf Outing, will once again be cornerstones of our efforts, along with additional pop-up events and opportunities to serve our community. We also look forward to strengthening and expanding our relationship with the Howard-Suamico Education Foundation, while focusing our support on youth-oriented organizations where our contributions can make a meaningful difference.
My goal for the 2026/2027 year is simple: to reconnect with the core principles of our mission—to help young people develop optimism, leadership, and the opportunities they need to succeed. By focusing on what matters most and working together, we can continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of the youth and families we serve.
I invite every member, whether you’ve been an Optimist for decades or just joined us, to be part of this journey. Come to a meeting. Bring your ideas. Share your excitement. Get involved. See where we are today and help us shape where we go tomorrow.
Together, let’s continue the proud tradition of service that has defined this club for more than five decades—and make this coming year one we can all be proud of.
Thank you for your commitment and support. I look forward to serving alongside each of you! Optimistically, Seth Deuman
President, 26-27
|
|
MEETING WRAP UP
Tuesday September 8th
Our guest speaker for this sunny Tuesday was Lisa Swan, Director of Howard Commons.
Lisa serves as the Howard Commons Director for the Village of Howard, where she helps oversee the operations and activities of the Howard Commons Activity Complex. In her role, Lisa works to support the facility’s programming, events, staffing, and opportunities that bring the community together. Through her work at Howard Commons, Lisa plays an important role in creating a welcoming gathering place for residents, families, and community organizations throughout the Howard-Suamico area. She is a vibrant part of our community and when you visit Howard Commons be sure to introduce yourself as an Optimist!
Find more information on Howard Commons at: https://www.facebook.com/HowardCommonsActivityComplex |
|
Lisa Swan with Don Snyder |
|
Meeting Notes We had a great meeting with 16 total attendees and lunch was amazing as usual.
Health Updates: Steve Kersten is healing fast after a recent heart procedure. He was reportedly seen on the golf course a few weeks after his surgery! Go Steve.
Queen of Hearts! Ken McCoy pulled the Ace of Spades and left us with north of $280. Thanks Ken...
Masters Raffle Ticket Sales Winner: Congratulations to Don Snyder, the winner of our $100 prize for selling the most Masters raffle tickets! Great job, Don, and thank you for helping make our fundraiser a success!
|
|
September 22 Evening Meeting Recap Our September 22 evening meeting was a great opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of local youth and hear about some exciting things happening in our community.
We were pleased to welcome Natalie Portier, one of our 2025–26 Optimist Scholarship recipients, along with her mother, Jessica. It was wonderful to hear from Natalie and learn about her journey as she begins her first year of college. We are proud to have played a small part in supporting her educational goals and wish Natalie all the best as she begins this exciting new chapter!
Our second guests were 3 of the talented members of the Bay Port Dance Team. The team shared their plans for an exciting upcoming season as they prepare to compete at the national competition. Their dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm were evident, and we enjoyed hearing about all the preparation that goes into reaching the national stage. It was a great evening that reminded us why we do what we do—supporting, encouraging, and celebrating the young people in our community. We’re grateful to Natalie, Jessica, and the Bay Port Dance Team for spending the evening with us and sharing their stories. |
|
Natalie Portier & Christina Kabara |
|
Meeting Highlights There was plenty happening at our September 22 meeting, and thankfully, no one had to sit through a PowerPoint marathon! Here are a few highlights:
🎟️ Magic at the Masters Raffle
Tom Binish provided an update on the Magic at the Masters Raffle, and congratulations are in order for Mike Borremans, our lucky winner! Mike proved that sometimes all you need is a little Optimist luck—and a winning ticket.
🎉 Installation Banquet Our Installation Banquet is coming up October 27th, where Seth Deuman will officially be installed as our next President. We’re looking forward to celebrating Seth and kicking off another year of Optimist service. We’ll try to keep the ceremonial responsibilities to a manageable level! However - with Mike Blaney as MC - anything may (will) happen!!!
🎭 Daddy D’s Show
Darold gave us an update on the upcoming Daddy D’s show on November 4. As of September 22, an impressive 82 tickets have already been sold! If you haven’t gotten yours yet, now might be a good time—before you’re left hearing about how much fun everyone else had.
🏆 WINUM Conference
Don invited everyone to attend the First Quarter WINUM Conference on November 13 in Chippewa Falls. It’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow Optimists, share ideas, and bring home a little inspiration for our own club.
🎄 Christmas Parade
It may seem a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but the Christmas Parade is coming up on December 5! Start dusting off those festive ideas, because it won’t be long before the holiday spirit takes over Howard-Suamico.
🔥 October Board Meeting
Finally, all members are invited to attend our October Board of Directors meeting at the Suamico Fire Station, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Come see what’s happening behind the scenes, hear what’s being planned, and find out how you can be part of the conversation.
Lots happening, lots to look forward to—and plenty of reasons to keep looking on the Sunny Side! |
|
👑 Queen of Hearts: A Royal Ending! After plenty of suspense, anticipation, and more than a few hopeful card picks, our Queen of Hearts contest came down to the final 10 cards! And then, finally… Diane Koertge found her Queen and claimed the $297 pot! 👑💰 Congratulations, Diane! After all that suspense, we’re glad someone finally got to take the Queen home—along with a very nice little royal treasury! Thanks to everyone who played along and helped make the contest so much fun. We’re already looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble the next one brings! |
|
About the Show Join the Howard Suamico Optimist Club and Daddy D Productions as we honor America’s heroes with an unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and gratitude.
“Salute to Our Veterans” is a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who have served our country—past, present, and future.
November 4th 2026 - Riverside Ballroom Contact Darold at (920) 530-0387 |
|
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 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 26-27 Louise Bentley WINUM Past Gov 25-26 Vanessa Rueth WINUM Gov Elect 27-28 Ben Elsner
Plated Chicken Dinner with a side salad / $20 cash Venmo or Credit Card |
|
October Birthday Wishes
Jim Whiting (7th) Amy Rubright (12th) Tom Binish (16) Mary Joan O'Leary (24th)
“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 Fun: Somewhere between Friends reruns and the invention of “u up?” humanity made a bold discovery that texting style has become a personality test. How you break up a message that can say almost as much as what you type, i.e., shorthand.
Which kind of texter do people like less? A) The one who sends one long paragraph, B) The one who sends five rapid-fire messages, C) The voice-note person or D) Your kid replying “K”? Keep reading, the text is going to pop up at the end.
The answer follows my sign off! |
|
Tom Binish, Guest Editor
HELP WANTED Wordsmith, storyteller, comma wrangler It's that time of year, friends. Our newsletter is looking for its next fearless editor. The job runs October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Do you love playing with words? Do you spot a typo from across the room? Do you enjoy spreading good news more than a golfer enjoys a free mulligan? Then now is your chance. Benefits include eternal gratitude, bragging rights and the power of the delete key. (Sorry, no corner office.) Volunteer at: [email protected]
|
|
Trivia answer: B) The rapid-fire texter. In one experiment with 805 people, participants rated the person sending multiple back-to-back messages more negatively than the one who sends one long paragraph. Science says younger people weren’t charmed by the machine-gun bubble approach. A couple sent on their cell phones. The wife, being a romantic at heart, decided one day that she'd send her husband a text that said, “If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you.” The husband, being a no-nonsense sort of guy, texted back, “On the toilet. Please advise.”
Courtesy of: Kim Komando 'The Current' |
|
|
| |
| |
|
