Events
August 10
Women's Self-Defense Workshop
Eighteen women filled the Violet Room at Wisconsin Surplus Auction — which donates the space — for a couple hours of hands-on self-defense. Real, practical skills, worked on the pads in a room full of neighbors. Master Brandon Tracy, a fifth-degree black belt and self-defense specialist, led the session along with his assistant Evan, and by every account did a phenomenal job.
Everyone left having learned some great skills — and feeling a little more confident in their ability to defend themselves. Which is the whole point. The kind of thing you hope you never need, and are glad you practiced.
August 17
Family picnic
Once a year the work stops and the club just plays. On a warm August evening, the Optimists gathered under the shelter at Grundahl Park — spouses, kids, the whole crew — for a potluck and a few easy hours together. Everybody brought a dish. The food was something; the company was better.
It was the first time many of us had been in the same place since spring, after a summer of vacations and time away — and the evening flew. We got so busy catching up that no one thought to take a picture until the very end. So these are the families still there when someone finally rounded us up — there were more of us over dinner and conversation earlier. Next year, we'll take it sooner, and get a few more of us in it.
What's coming up
The club is back
After a summer off, the Optimists gather again — Monday, September 21, the third Monday of the month, 6:45 in the evening at the Mount Horeb Public Library. It's the first meeting of the new Optimist year, and the start of another season of honoring students, planning scholarships, and showing up wherever Mount Horeb needs a hand.
If you've ever thought about coming, this is the month for it. Be our guest — bring a neighbor if you like.