NEXT CLUB MEETING

The next meeting of the Optimist Club of Treynor is planned at 7:20 a.m. Saturday morning April 14, 2007 in the Community Center. JOHN KLEIN has arranged for Treynor High School Band Director Jeff Schoening to speak. All members are encouraged to bring a guest.

REPORT OF RECENT CLUB MEETINGS

At the Club meeting on 4/7 there were 23 members and two guests present. President GARY GUTTAU opened the meeting with the pledge. JUDY GUTTAU led the devotional prayer.

The 50/50 was awarded to CHAD GUTTAU. The attendance pot was awarded to JIM CLAUSEN.

There were lots of reasons for contributions to the Youth Fund from members. JIM CLAUSEN contributed for his 40^th wedding anniversary. DICK BABER, RICHARD VORTHMANN, and BOB HIBBARD had their photos in the news papers. TIM GREINER’S son Jared and STEVE IRVIN were on the radio. JUDY GUTTAU contributed for a TS-Bank announcement. And DALE WILLENBORG was cited for an error in the Newsletter.

Kati Hempel received a check in the amount of $1455.65 on behalf of the Junior class After-the-Prom Committee for redemptions of cans and bottles in the Can Kennel last December and January.

JOHN KLEIN asked for member input on grant applications to Promise Partners. He noted he sent out a survey to parents for interest in participating in a summer swim lesson program.

Ten Board members met to discuss Club business after the Club meeting. Treasurer JEFF JORGENSEN reported club cash assets of $6917 and an Endowment value of $2002. Motion was approved to offer $1500 in senior scholarships. Can Kennel applications were approved for Girl Scouts Troop (August), Cub Scouts (September), and Octagon Club (February, 2008). GARY FUNKHOUSER announced the regional Oratorical Contest is scheduled May 5 in Council Bluffs, and our Youth Appreciation Celebration is scheduled May 6. Promise Partners grant applications being prepared by JOHN KLEIN were discussed. The application related to fire works at Treynor Days will not be submitted. The application related to summer swim lessons for youth will be submitted with a minimum of 20 participants to conduct the activity. DALE WILLENBORG demonstrated an internet web site he has been preparing for our Club.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IN THE IA SENATE

IA Senate Majority Leader, Mike Gronstal (D), of Council Bluffs spoke to Club members about actions in the state legislature. Gronstal noted he had been representing Council Bluffs and Carter Lake for twenty-five years in state legislature. This year with a Democratic governor in power, Gronstal said he was having a fun time working at the legislative processes to get laws on the books. Some of the major issues approved wer! e related to stem cell research, minimum wage, and a salary boost to Iowa teachers. Gronstal explained the teacher salary bill is intended to raise the state average to the US average teacher salary level. Iowa already funds education overall at higher level than most states.

There has been much legislative discussion on renewable energy plans and according to Gronstal, Iowa is leading the world in the transition from petroleum based to ethanol based fuel. Iowa has switched from being an importer to an exporter of oil based fuels. Gronstal expects a million acres more corn grown this season in Iowa because of the need for ethanol production.

Gronstal said the legislature ends the year working on the budget which totals nearly $6 billion. He noted that Iowa has more money in reserve that at any other time. Next year the legislature will be working more on educational issues, health care access, and business development to provide jobs. However, there are also significant needs for prison facilities and highway improvement.

CALENDAR

April Can Kennel contributions for Music Boosters.

Apr. 11 Can and bottle sorting, 4 p.m.

Apr. 14 Club meeting, program by Jeff Schoening.

Apr. 14 Optimist International President’s Visit and Awards Banquet, Des Moines, 6 p.m.

Apr. 15 Track meet gate activity.

Apr. 16 Zone 3 Meeting, Zion Church, 6:30 p.m.

Apr. 17 Track meet gate activity.

Apr. 19 Preparation for Arbor Day.

Apr. 20 Arbor Day tree planting with 5^th grade.

Apr. 21 Club meeting, program by Jerry Mathiasen

Apr. 25 Can and bottle sorting, 4 p.m.

Apr. 28 Club meeting, program by Jared Greiner.

May Can Kennel contributions for Optimist Scholarships

Birthdays

4/20 STEVE CHAMBERS, 4/25 ROCKY SAAR

4/28 GENE SERAN

Anniversaries

4/4 CATHY & JOHN SCHMITT, 4/7 JIM CLAUSEN

4/12 TERESA FAHRENKRUG

# recognized to date

P.S. One day Charlie is sitting in his house when the door bell rings unexpectedly. He answers the door and finds a salesperson standing on the porch with a strange object. “What is that?” Charlie asks. “It’s a thermos,” the salesman replies. “What does it do?” asks Charlie. “It is wonderful,” the salesman explains, “it keeps hot things hot and cold things cold.” After some deliberation Charlie bought one aft! er deciding it would really help his lunch situation at work. The next day he arrives at the plant where he works. Sure enough all the workers in his department were curious about his new object. “What is it, Charlie?” they asked. “It’s a thermos,“ he replied, “It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold.” “What do you have in it?” one of the workers asked. To which Charlie responds, “Three cups of coffee and a popsicle.”