MONROE — The Monroe Morning & Noon Optimist Clubs invite community members to celebrate National Optimist Day on Feb. 3.

Each year, Optimist clubs around the world volunteer their time and skills in programs to improve their communities and provide opportunities for the youth of all ages. They provide leadership, scholarship, wellness, safety, arts and sports programs. Optimist members look to the future with hope, and on Optimist Day we celebrate the volunteers who share their enthusiasm, skills, and talent to make tomorrow a vibrant and peaceful one.

“Our passion, sincerity, and commitment to Optimism in our communities emphasizes our commitment to bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves,” Optimist International President Patsy Garner said. “Through our purpose of developing optimism as a philosophy of life we hope to share optimism and the Creed with the world.”

This year, the Optimist clubs honor the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Optimist Creed written by Christian D. Larson. Optimist members continue to find optimism by reciting the Optimist Creed, promising daily, “to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind; to talk health, happiness, and prosperity to everyone you meet; to forget the mistakes of the past and to press on to the greater achievements of the future” among others.

Optimist International has nearly 70,000 adult and youth members in about 2,500 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and throughout the world. To learn more, please visit the website at www.optimist.org.

Monroe is fortunate to have two local Optimist Clubs. The Morning Club has been in existence since 1969. The Noon Optimist Club was started in 2002 and will be celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. Both clubs meet at Swiss Alps Restaurant. The morning club meets from 7-8 a.m. every Thursday. The Noon Club meets the first, second, and fourth Tuesday of every month at noon, and at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at First National Bank. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Both clubs are proud to be involved with and support local youth programs, projects, and often hold oratorical, essay, and photography contests. The middle and high school junior optimist clubs are sponsored directly by the two clubs. Financial support is provided for Monroe Arts Center and Monroe Parks and Recreation children’s programs, various Green County YMCA activities, and to many other local youth related programs and organizations. The Noon Optimist Club hosts the annual Santa Reception and holds an annual school supply drive. The clubs donate approximately $50,000 annually to the community.

To commemorate Optimist Day in Monroe, Mayor Armstrong recently issued a proclamation.  

For more information about the local clubs, call 608.558.2501 or 608.558.5788.

Monroe Tuesday Noon Optimist Club photography contest

MONROE — The Monroe Tuesday Noon Optimist Club is holding a photography contest for all area youth in grades 6-8. Interested students are asked to submit photographs that illustrate/exemplify one of the ten verses/lines of “The Optimist Creed”.  

Entry forms may be requested by sending an email to: monroetuesdaynoonoptimist@gmail.com.

Cash prizes will be awarded as follows: 

Middle School Students grades 6-8: 1st prize $75, 2nd prize $50, 3rd prize $25 

All contestants will receive a participation certificate. 

Contest rules state that the photos must be the original work of the student taken within the last 12 months. 

Photos will be judged on how well the photo illustrates/exemplifies the verse of the Optimist Creed, overall presentation/matting, quality of photo, along with creativeness and inspirational impact. 

No photo-shopping of photos is allowed with the exception of cropping the photo. 

Photos must be 5-by-7 size and matted with the line/verse from “The Optimist Creed” clearly stated on the front of the mat frame. The entry form must be attached to the back of the photo. 

Each student may submit up to three photos, but may only receive one prize. 

The deadline to enter is April 20, 2022. 

Photos may be submitted to the Monroe Middle School Office or may be dropped off at First Weber Realty in Monroe, located at 1500 10th Street. Photos may also be mailed to: 2627 3rd Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566. 

Photos will be judged by members of the Monroe Tuesday Noon Optimist Club. 

Winners will be notified by May 24, 2022. 

An awards ceremony is being planned for a later date depending on the situation with COVID. Any photo not picked up at the awards ceremony will be donated to local nursing homes. Information on entry forms will be removed before distribution to nursing homes.