Platteville Optimist Club

L-R: SWTC President Jeremy Pickard, Optimist Barb Stockhausen, SWTC Foundation Director Stacia Stephenson, and Optimist President Terri Ellis Jeremy Pickard is just 90 days into his new position as President of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (SWTC). He began by asking us how we think colleges have measured success. After listening to our input, he explained that SWTC measures success by looking at Access, Completion, and Post College Success. People pursue a college ed

We are honored to report that Platteville Optimist Club's very own Howard Crofoot has been selected to be the 2026-2027 Vice President of the Great Plains Region of Optimist International. When asked to describe his history with the Platteville Optimist Club and his new role as Great Plains Vice President, Howard stated: Howard Crofoot As the 2026–2027 Great Plains Vice-President, I am honored to work with amazing leaders at all levels of our organization. I joined the Pla

The recipient of the President's Citation must be a member of the club that embodies the spirit and essence of Optimism. They must be someone who is an inspiration to the club. Duane Borgen has contributed in an exceptional way to the advancement of Optimism in the club and community, Duane keeps records a Treasurer of our club and works hard to make sure checks are awarded to our grant winners, organizing recipients to attend meetings and receive checks eaxch month. Duane

The Chuck Thalmann Service award goes to someone who is an outstanding member of the Platteville Optimist Club. Chuck Thalmann was dedicated and active in serving others through various venues including church, community, and the Optimist organization. The member receiving this award must be an individual who has shown outstanding service, loyalty, and devotion to our club. Jerry was instrumental in the work that led to the matching grant with Optimist International to secure

President Terri Ellis selected Dianne Jentz as the 2026 Optimist of the Year. Terri explained that whenever she needed something, she would ask Dianne Jentz and she was willing to help. She generously served and volunteered a considerable amount of personal time and talent. She stepped forward often to make sure projects were successful - including mixing all the batter for cheese curds. Thank You and Congratulations, Dianne.

2026-2027 Officers and Board of Directors with SWIS District Governor Elect Kim Burlage Our annual Installation, Appreciation & Awards Banquet was held on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at the Lutheran Church of Peace. President Terri Ellis was the emcee for the event. Terri began by recognizing the 2025-2026 Board members. She then reflected on the year mentioning the programs we enjoyed throughout the year and the many excellent speakers who joined us on Friday mornings. Terri

Dairy Days: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to all our amazing volunteers who worked so hard to make this another successful Cheese Curd season.

Far Right: Optimist Member Barb Stockhausen, Carol Lange, and Optimist President Terri Ellis Carol Lange, retired teacher, principal, and most recently a university elementary education instructor, shared her personal story which she titles "Mr. Wales Went Phishing and Got Caught". Her story is about being scammed and a victim of elder financial abuse. Scamming is the act of using a dishonest, deceptive plan or trick to cheat people out of money, valuables, or personal inf

The Optimist Club went on a field trip September 11th to the newest childcare center in Platteville, located on the Southwest Health Center campus. Tammie Richter, Foundation Director at Southwest Health Center, spoke about how they started working to pull funds together for the facility four years ago and it opens to the public on September 14th. She then introduced our group to Platteville native Paige Wagner, Assistant Director at New Horizon Academy, who gave us a tour

R: Optimist member Ron Weier, Dr. Jeff White, and Optimist Vice President Barb Stockhausen Dr. Jeff White gave an informative talk about GLP-1's to the Optimist Club on August 28, 2026. GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, which is a hormone your body naturally produces in your gut. GLP was first discovered in the 1980's. GLP-1's came out fifteen years ago and worked well for diabetes. Its main role is to help regulate blood sugar after you eat, but it also affects d

A BIG Thank You to our wonderful volunteers for making our cheese curd sales at the Grant County Fair a huge success!

L-R: Ron Weier, Dr.Ian Stormont, and Optimist President Terri Ellis Doctor Stormont is the Chief Medical Officer and Board-Certified Urologist at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC). He grew up in Monroe, WI and received his undergraduate degree from UW-Madison. After teaching for several years, he returned to UW-Madison's School of Medicine and Public Health for his medical degree. He completed his residency in Urology at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

L-R: treasurer Duane Borgen, past president Bob Hundhausen, and secretary Jerry Schewe Each year, Optimist International announces the criteria for receiving various club awards. The two most visible awards are Honor Club and Distinguished Club designation. Quality programming, club operations, and community impact help determine the success of an Optimist club, and the criteria to be designated as an Honor or Distinguished Club are the foundation for long-term success.

Right: City Manager, Caz Muske, holding her son, Atlas, and Optimist President Terri Ellis Platteville's new city manager, Caz Muske, was our speaker this week. She was accompanied by her son Atlas, who was wide awake and very attentive while his mom spoke to our club. Caz grew up in Texas and has served in local government since 2015. She earned her bachelor's degree from McNeese State University and Master of Public Administration from Penn State. She is an ICMA Creden

Paul Budden, Amber Monroe, and Terri Ellis Hosting two exchange students was a challenging and rewarding experience for fellow Optimist Amber Monroe. Shortly after moving into a new home Amber saw a Nacel Open Door posting about hosting exchange students. She decided to do it and ended up hosting two 15 year old girls, Nadia from Spain and Mattie from Germany. Not having children of her own, she soon discovered it does take a village to raise a child. The very talented gir

L-R: Optimist Member Paul Budden, Rev Dr. Dale Young, Optimist President Terri Ellis Rev Dr. Dale Young spoke to the Optimist Club about "Navigating the Headwinds" at the July 24, 2026 meeting. Dale graduated from Platteville High School and UW-Platteville. He graduated from the Navel Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and was commissioned a navel officer. He served in combat in Vietnam and later served as a communications officer at the Pentagon in Washin

Robin Fatzinger 2026 Volunteer of the Year Robin Fatzinger was recognized as the Platteville Optimist Club Volunteer of the Year at the "Salute to Volunteers" during the Party in Park on July 23, 2026. Robin volunteers to help with many of our club activities. She serves as co-chair of the Community Service Committee. She organized the hot dog give-a-way for the Ribbon Cutting of the new Platteville Family Aquatic Center. Recently she was involved in getting donations and r

The Platteville Optimist Club gave out cookies and milk at the Annual Chamber "Salute to Volunteers" during the Party in the Park held on Thursday, July 23, 2026. The milk was provided by Ernie Thalmann in memory of Dick, Mary Jo and Carol Loeffelholz. A big Thank You to Carley Borcherding, Linda Richardson, Ernie Thalmann, and Robin Fatzinger for working at the event. Congratulations Robin Fatzinger for being selected as the Platteville Optimist's Volunteer of the Year. V

Fire Chief Ryan Simmons Fire Chief Ryan Simmons was our speaker today. He spoke about the new fire facility and offered some helpful life saving tips that everyone can use at home. The new fire facility is progressing very well with occupancy of the new station hopefully around Aug 1st. The old station’s footprint could almost fit into the new stations apparatus bays it’s that big. The old station’s doors are only 10 ft x10 ft forcing the department to purchase custom built

Duane reacts to drawing the Joker. President Terri Ellis and Duane Borgen For the second time in 2026, we have a Joker Draw Winner. Fire Chief Ryan Simmons selected the winning ticket giving Duane Borgen a chance to draw the Joker.....And he did! Optimist President Terri Ellis presented Duane with a $319 check for winning the Joker Draw. Congratulations Duane!